Cicely Roth

Cicely Roth

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Cicely (Cissie) Darr Roth, age 89, on February 2, 2025, after a long battle with Alzheimer's. Cissie was born on February 21, 1935, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, the fifth child of Ruth Ely Darr and Edward Austin Darr. She is survived by her devoted husband of 57 years, Bill, and her five children: Chris Coley (Tammy) and their two sons, Austin and Silas with his daughter, Amari; Harold Downey Coley III and his two sons, Harris and Tate; Cicely McCulloch (Joe) and their daughter and son, Diana and husband, Dylan and their children, Macon and Larkin; and Coley and wife Alex and their son, Noah; Molly Southern (Jim) and their son, Parker, and Will Roth (Rae) and their daughter and son, Annabel and Teddy. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, and three sisters. Cissie grew up in Winston-Salem and was a lifelong member of the Christian Science Church. She graduated valedictorian from Salem Academy, earned honors from Randolph-Macon Woman's College, and made history as the first female to attend Wake Forest University School of Law. In her college years, she modeled for Winston cigarettes, appearing on billboards, buses, and even the back cover of Playboy magazine. Over the years, she and her family made their home in Raleigh, Winston-Salem, Eden, Charlotte, and Elkin, North Carolina. No matter where she lived, Cissie immersed herself in civic and cultural life. She was named Outstanding Young Woman of the Year in 1970 and played a pivotal role in securing public kindergarten for all five-year-olds in North Carolina by 1978. In Elkin, she was instrumental in the establishment of the ABC store, recreation center, and Foothills Arts Council. She also served as Supervisor of the Surry County Board of Elections, was a partner in Diana's Bookstore, and worked as a tax preparer for H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt. Cissie's love for music and performance was a constant thread throughout her life. She performed in theater productions in every town she lived in and found immense joy in singing. She also served as the organist and soloist for both Galloway Memorial Episcopal Church and Roaring Gap Church. An avid athlete, Cissie loved tennis, golf, and swimming. She once achieved a hole in one in golf. She coached the Elkin High School girls' tennis team, called lines for the USTA, and ran a tennis shop at Roaring Gap in the summer. Cissie will be remembered for her strength, determination, and no-nonsense approach to getting things done. (as long as it was her way). Her family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to all the people who helped care for her, with special thanks to her long-term caregivers-Cindy Wood, Denise Bray, and Jessica Hammaker-for their compassionate care and love in her later years. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 10, at 2:00 pm at Galloway Memorial Episcopal Church, Elkin, NC, where all are welcome to celebrate her life. Friends and family are invited to the residence to celebrate Cissie's life after the service.. The family suggests any memorials be made in her memory to: Foothills Arts Council, 321 E Main St, Elkin, NC 28621 Friends of the Elkin Library, 111 N Front St, Elkin, NC 28621 Mountain Valley Hospice, 968 N Bridge St, Elkin, NC 28621 Galloway Memorial Episcopal Church, 308 W Main St, Elkin, NC 28621. Online condolences may be made at www.jkennedyfsl.com. John Kennedy, funeral director, is assisting the Roth family with funeral arrangements.