Mary Southern Gilchrist

KERNERSVILLE - Mrs. Mary Frances Southern Gilchrist, 89, died Saturday, December 27, 2014 at Hospice Home of High Point. Mary was born on September 25, 1925 in Forsyth County to Robert Gray and Claudia Lillian Tillotson Southern. Mary was of the Baptist faith and a very devoted member of First Baptist Church of Kernersville, where she worked for many years in the nursery and many other facets of the church organization. She loved her church and served the Lord every day, witnessing to many every day. Her prayers of kindness and support touched people of all ages. Mary worked in the home until her children were of age and then at Wise Potato Chips, Frozen Food Portion Pack and for 13 years at the Buccaneer Inn Fish Restaurant, where many knew her for her kind greeting and smiling face. She was a member of the American Business Women Association for 13 years and received the woman of the year award in 1991 for her service of many community charities. She loved helping and supporting people.
In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, James Bernard Gilchrist; a son, John Edward Gilchrist; and a brother, John Plummer Southern.
Surviving are one daughter, Claudeen Elizabeth Murrow (husband, Duncan) of Valdes; three sons, James Robert ""Robbie"" Gilchrist (wife, Gina) of High Point, William ""Willie"" Gray Gilchrist (wife, Sandy) of Kernersville and Bernard ""Bernie"" Ray Gilchrist of Sylva; a daughter-in-law, Sandi Joy Gilchrist and a sister-in-law, Violet Southern; six grandchildren, Amanda English (husband, Tony Brown), Ehren Whitmore (husband, Lukas), Megan Gilchrist, Quinton Gilchrist, Johanna Painter (husband, Ronnie) and Steven Holland (wife, Robin); 8 great grandchildren, Evan, Isabelle, Maddox, Khaden, Knorah, Dawson, Chloe, and Stevie; and several special nieces and nephews.
A private graveside service will be held at Eastlawn Gardens of Memory. A memorial service will be held at 12:00 noon Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at First Baptist Church in Kernersville with Dr. Stephen Martin, Rev. Karen Kurtz and Rev. Glyn Stewart officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 401 Oakhurst St, Kernersville, NC 27284. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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