Robert Edd Felts, Jr.

Robert Edd Felts, Jr. died Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem. He was born in Carroll County, VA on July 2, 1932 to the late Mary Marie Stockner Felts and Robert Edd Felts, Sr. Robert dedicated his life to Christ more than 40 years ago following a critical illness, giving up alcohol and tobacco immediately and joining Hickory Ridge United Methodist Church. There, he was a faithful member for years supporting the church spiritually, financially and tirelessly until chronic illness obliged him to a more sedentary life. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ella Mae Knott and Ethel Banks and his beloved wife of 54 years, Bettie Aileen Flynt Felts. Together, they raised a daughter, Sharon Felts Boles (Mark) and a son, Gregory Duane Felts (Jim Steele). In life, Robert and Bettie found joy in preparing delicious foods for church events and always answered the call for a person or family in need. A self-made man, Robert grew a small local produce stand into a large successful community grocery store in Stanleyville featuring a butcher shop, fresh fruits and vegetables, canned goods, candies and a myriad of personal items and seasonal features. It was not uncommon for Robert, often assisted by his children and a number of valued employees to work from sunrise to well past sunset before heading off to South Carolina to pick up fresh produce overnight, returning home and starting the routine all over again. Before the days of supermarkets, Felts Grocery was a popular source for fresh foods in the Stanleyville community, and is fondly remembered for extending credit accounts to shoppers of all races during the era of segregation. While a merchant at heart, he always sought to practice the golden rule in life and in business. Robert served briefly in the United States Navy during the Korean War. ""They taught me how to swim the hard way,"" Robert often joked. ""They tossed me in the ocean and I learned quickly."" Robert was the proud grandfather of Joshua Boles (Hannah), Daniel Boles (Heidi) and Amanda Boles Baldwin (Bradley) and two great-grandchildren, Joanna Boles and Micah Boles. Also surviving are two sisters, Hope Felts and Margie Cooper; one brother, Jerry Felts (Robin), and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 at Hayworth-Miller Rural Hall Chapel with Rev. Joshua Boles officiating. Burial will follow at Crestview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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