Balfour Z. ‘B.Z.’ Routh

Balfour Z. “B.Z.” Routh, 95, formerly of Greensboro, died on Feb. 18, 2015, at Forsyth Memorial Hospital.

He was born July 10, 1919, in Randolph County to Balfour Zachariah Routh and Louella Annenett Jenkins Routh.  The youngest of 10 children, he grew up in Greensboro, graduated from N.C. State College, and married Verla Mae Leonard on Aug. 15, 1941.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 64years, his parents, and his nine siblings.

A veteran of World War II, Mr. Routh served in the Pacific Theatre as a bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps, and flew 40 combat missions. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism. He was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church, where he faithfully served as a Sunday school teacher for years. He served on the board of directors of the International Society of Christian Endeavor and as Director of Crestmont Assembly Grounds for 40 years, working to maintain the retreat center for the use of church groups. Mr. Routh worked as a sales representative for Conwed Corp. for 31 years before retiring in 1981. In retirement, he was a gardener, producing enough vegetables to share with neighbors and fellow church members throughout each summer.

Survivors: a son, the Rev. Donald W. (Blair) Routh of Mocksville; 2 daughters, Brenda Routh (Richard) Lidbom of Winston-Salem and Madge McCannon Patton of Greensboro; 4 grandchildren, Stephen Wayne (Vanessa) Routh of Savannah, Ga., Mary Routh (Chris) Byers of King’s Mountain, Kristin Lidbom (Darren) Redfield of Winston-Salem and Derek Ross (Sarah) Lidbom of Lewisville; and 7 great-grandchildren, Cutter, Chance, Caison, Preston, Isaac, Anna and Hazel.

A graveside service was held at Guilford Memorial Park on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Lynn Cash officiating.

Memorials: Summer Food Bags, c/o Hardison UMC, 1630 Jericho Church Road, Mocksville; or Blessed Table Food Pantry, PO Box 14204, Greensboro, 27415.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.

Stella Mae Overacre Hellard

Mrs. Stella Mae Overacre Hellard, 81, of Mocksville, died Friday, Feb. 20, 2015, at the Novant Health Rowan Medical Center in Salisbury.

She was born on April 24, 1933, in Jennings Creek, Va. to the late John Chapman and Oral Virginia Frye Overacre. Mrs. Hellard was a member of Turrentine Baptist Church.

She was also preceded in death by her husband of 41 years, Billy Lee Hellard.

Survivors: 3 children, Pamela Warren (Jack) of King, Marcie Thompson (Jimmy) of Virginia and Shannon Hellard (Jennifer) of Greenville, S.C.; 7 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; 2 sisters, Irma Martin and Murlean Boswell, both of North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service was conducted at 3 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 24 at Turrentine Baptist Church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.  The family received friends at the church one hour before the service.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.

Randy Steve Kelly

Mr. Randy Steve Kelly, 66, of Charleston, W.Va., formerly of Mocksville, died Monday, January 26, 2015, at his home.

He was born Jan. 4, 1949, in Vandalia, Ill. to the late June Gatewood. Mr. Kelly was a veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division, had served three tours of duty during the Vietnam War and was a Purple Heart recipient.

Survivors: a daughter, Brandi Smith, a son, Steven Kelly, a brother-in-law, Dale Cranfill (Wanda), a sister-in-law, Trina Cranfill, all of Mocksville; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 26 at Turners Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the District 11 Memorial Honor Guard.

Online condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.

Nellie ‘Blanch’ Griffin Spry

Nellie “Blanch” Griffin Spry, 88, of Riverview Road, Advance, died on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015.

Born Nov. 14, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Edgar Griffin and Maude Ledwell Griffin and the widow of the late Colon McCoy Spry.  Mrs. Spry was a member of Trinity Baptist Church. She was retired from Monleigh Garments. She loved cooking, going to church and being with her family.

Survivors: a son, Jimmy Spry (Martha Latham), of Advance; a daughter, Shelia Godbey (Dean), of Advance; a sister, Ida Mae Price of Statesville; and 3 grandchildren, Brad Godbey (Sharon), Deana Godbey and Seth Spry.

She was also preceded in death by 4 brothers and 3 sisters.

A celebration of life service was held on Sunday, Feb. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Davie Funeral Service Chapel with the Rev. Darrell Cox officiating. The family received friends at the funeral chapel on Saturday, Feb. 21. Burial followed in the Fulton United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Memorials: Trinity Baptist, 2722 US 601 S, Mocksville.

Online condolences: www.daviefuneralservice.com.

Lillie Mae Jones Coulter

Lillie Mae Jones Coulter of Greensboro died on Feb. 8, 2015 at Wellington Oaks Assisted Living.

She was born on March 28, 1928 in South Carolina to Johnnie Jones and Katie Williams Jones.

She was a life-long member of Coulter’s Grove AME Zion Church, where she was a proud member of the gospel choir, missionary and deaconess board. She loved gardening; particularly flowers and vegetables. It was not uncommon to often find her up early working in the yard. She loved riding, especially to the mountains. Mention the word “go” and she was at the door with her purse. She loved going to yard sales and flea markets, and was a collector of antiques. She loved her family and often gave her children and grandchildren nicknames, such as (J.E., Cookie, and Bub) as she was called Maw-Maw. After the death of her late husband, she started attending the nutrition site for the elderly in Catawba. She loved helping in the kitchen and serving the participants. There she learned to crochet and knit, resulting in making several items. She loved dogs; one in particular, “Pepper,” they seemed inseparable at times.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 brothers, and her husband,the  Rev. John E. Coulter Sr.

Survivors: her son, John Coulter Jr. (Yvonne) of Baltimore, Md.; 2 daughters, Lillie C. Wright of Raleigh, and Evette Jordon (Larry) of Greensboro; 6 grandchildren; 8 great-grandchildren; 4 sisters-in-law, Dorothy Reid, Elizabeth Shuford, Orphelia Coulter, and Carrie Lee Jones; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

Her funeral service was held Feb. 13 at 1 p.m. at Coulter’s Grove AME Zion Church in Newton. The Rev. Michael Hester officiated and burial followed in the church cemetery. The family received friends at the church one hour before the service.

Condolences: www. GrahamFuneralHome.net.

Bronx, NY

Mary Kathryn Holman Jeffers

Mary Kathryn Holman Jeffers died on Feb. 17, 2015 at her home in Bronx, N.Y.

She was born to the late Clementine Booe and Thomas Holman on Aug. 10, 1924 in Mocksville, and was the youngest of 11 children. She attended Mocksville elementary, middle school and graduated from Mocksville High School in 1944. She attended St. John AME Zion Church with her family and served as Sunday School secretary and was a member of the youth choir. After attending cosmetology school in Gastonia, she became a licensed cosmetologist in 1946. At the age of 22, she moved to Harlem, N.Y. in July 1946 where her sister Zeta Holman-Howard and brother-in law Charles Whitlock Howard resided, until they moved back to Mocksville. She attended Mother AME Zion Church and then joined Walker Memorial Baptist Church in 1960, both in Harlem. She met her husband, Walter Douglas Jeffers, who preceded her in death in 1976. From this union a daughter was born, Cathy DeLois Jeffers. After an eight-year break form work she returned to work in the hotel industry and worked for 20 years before her semi-retirement at the age of 62 and full retirement at the age of 68. She joined Mt. Zion CME Church on July 1, 1978 after being invited to several services and events by the late Sadie Collins, her sister, and aunt to Cathy, her daughter. “Mother Jeffers” served under six pastors (Revs. Willie B. McLeod, Robert L. Lewis, Leroy P. Peay, Robert L.  Sloan, Edward Moultrie Sr. and current pastor Dr. Theresa G. Oliver. She served as the president of the Hostess Club, assistant to the Mattie E. Coleman Junior Missionary Society. She was president of the Sr. Usher Board from 1984-1992.  When she retired, this allowed her to travel to North Carolina spending six months at a time before returning to New York. Due to her age in 2011, she remained in New York with her daughter Cathy, and traveled to North Carolina for family vacations until her death. There was nothing she would not due for those she loved.

Survivors: her daughter of Bronx, N.Y.; nieces and nephews, Lazora Williams, Baxter Williams, Marlowe Williams, Paul Williams (Almerta), Lauren Williams, Montrice Williams, Paula Williams-McAdoo (Terry), Kelly McAdoo, Terrance McAdoo, Patricia Emory, Guy Holman, Wendell Holman, Renee Holman, Sharon Holman, Robert Holman, Gerald Holman, Maurice Holman, Leroy Guy Holman, Charles Barker (Victoria), Deborah Lane, Wilbert Lewis, Ku’Meek , ZyMeir, Curtis Lewis, Jy’Quarius Dalton, Jy’Curtis Dalton, Lamera  Aalish, Jeffrey Barker (Dorothy), Justin Barker, Jonathan Barker, Ariel Barker, Rodney Barker (Selena), Haley Barker, Nicole Barker, Winona Rush, Reginald  Barker, Sonya Rush, Cheryl Barker, Timothy Barker (Karen), Travis Barker, Kevin Barker, Christopher Holman (Carla), Courtney Holman; 2 adopted sons, Walter Robinson and family and David Felder Sr. and family; an adopted daughter, Lorraine Washington and family; and her church members of Mt. Zion whom she called her children.

Her funeral service was to be Thursday, Feb. 26 at 2 p.m. at St. John AME Zion Church in Mocksville. The Rev. Tamika Robinson was to officiate and burial was to follow in the church cemetery. The family was to receive friends at the church 30 minutes before the service.

Condolences: www.GrahamFuneralHome.net.

Richard Lee Collins

Mr. Richard Lee Collins, 57, of Advance died unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.

He was born Jan. 23, 1958 in Harris County Texas to Beatrice “Grammy” and Richard S. Collins.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Raymond Collins; and grandson, Charles “Charlie” Hayden Marcum.

Surviving: his wife, Lucretia “LuAnn” Collins; 4 sons, Richard Collins Jr., Joshua L. Collins, Bradley Collins and Rhod Collins; 2 daughters, Lucretia “Ann” Marcum and Megan N. Collins; and 4 grandchildren, Johnathan Tyler, Brianna Jean, Lilyan Marcum and Christopher William.

He had been employed by Domino’s in Advance since 2007.  He will be remembered for his love of cooking and friendly nature.

Visitation was to be from 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Advance First Baptist Church.

Memorials: Lucretia Collins Benevolence Fund, Advance First Baptist, PO Box 153, Advance,   27006.

Condolences: www.hayworth-miller.com.

Lou Ann Woodward Cothran

Lou Ann Woodward Cothran, 60, of Bowles Road, Mocksville died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

She was born in Rowan County on Jan. 29, 1955, the daughter of the late John W. Woodward II and Mary Blackwelder Woodward.She was retired from New Horizons Center and was a member of Ijames Baptist Church.

Survivors: her husband, David W. Cothran, who she married on June 15, 1975; a son, Jason Wayne Cothran of Mocksville; 2 brothers, John W. Woodward (Barbara) of Willow Springs and Joe Woodward (Sherry) of Statesville; and several nieces and nephews.

She was also preceded in death by a sister, Lynn Woodward Carter.

A celebration of life graveside service was to be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23 from Ijames Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Williams officiating. The family received friends on Tuesday, Feb. 22  at Davie Funeral Service.

Memorials: Ijames Baptist Cemetery Fund, 477 Sheffield Road, Mocksville.

Condolences: www.daviefuneralservice.com.

Willis K. ‘Knox’ Gardner

Mr. Willis K. “Knox” Gardner, 87, of Millwright Court, Mocksville, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 2015.

He was born July 1, 1927 in Stanly County to the late A. C. “Jack” and Minnie Streater Gardner. He graduated from Badin High School in 1945, attended business school in Charlotte and Appalachian State. After one year at Appalachian, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Floyds Bay during the Korean Conflict. After completing four years in service, he attended UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1956. He worked most of his career as a CPA, a comptroller for Royal Cake Co. and most recently had retired from the State of Tennessee.

Survivors: his wife, Dorene Maxey Gardner of the home; children, Victoria Lynn Gardner (Patricia Saylor), Elizabeth Ann Gardner (Jody Hite), Vicki Swick of Freeport, Ill. and Kim Strohacker (Sally) of Advance; grandchildren, Cameron Gardner Robinson, Todd Marten, Curtis Thomas, Miles Thomas, Kristen Fredrickson and Emily Stohacker; and a step-grandson, John Saylor.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28 at Eaton Funeral Chapel with the Rev. A. Shane Nixon officiating. Burial will follow in Westlawn Gardens of Memory in Clemmons. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.

Alease Orlee Stevenson Hayes

Alease Orlee Stevenson Hayes, 67, formerly of Mocksville, died on Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Brian Center of Salisbury after an extended period of declining health.

She was born in Guilford County on Oct. 28, 1947, the daughter of the late Bishop Atlas David Stevenson who died in 2005 and the late Emma Lindsey Stevenson who died in 1994. In 1972, she married her husband of 42 years, R. Louis Hayes of Welcome, who survives.

Mrs. Hayes had lived most of her life in Davie County. She had worked in the textile industry and also as a caregiver in a nursing home. Her last job prior to becoming disabled was that of the owner/operator of her own day care center. She was a member of Mt. Zion CME Church in Salisbury, but had enjoyed attending many churches. She loved family and spent time with them whenever possible.

Surviving: her husband Louis and her daughter, Alicia Hayes Clement of Mocksville; 2 grandchildren, Jaelon and Jamaia Clement; and 5 sisters, Maxine Stevenson, Jo-Ann Stevenson and Emma S. White, all of Mocksville, Phyllis Stevenson and Eugenia S. Ijames, both of Lexington; plus a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends.

She was also preceded in death by a sister, Mary Stevenson Wagner; and 2 brothers, Allen Stevenson and Glenn Stevenson.

A celebration of life service was to be held at noon on Thursday, Feb. 26 at the Davie Funeral Service Chapel.Burial was to follow in the Rose Cemetery in Mocksville.  There was to be a time of visitation with family and friends on Wednesday evening from 6:30-8:30 at the funeral chapel.

Condolences: www.daviefuneralservice.com.