Elva Utley Obituary
Mrs. Elva Ann Utley, age eighty-three, departed her earthly life and entered into eternal rest Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. She was born in Person County October 29, 1942 to the late Earlie Thompson and Willie Bell Lawson Thompson and was a member of New St. James Baptist Church in Timberlake, North Carolina.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Kelly C. Utley; and siblings: Naomi Jackson, Robert Thompson, James E. Thompson and William L. Thompson.
She leaves to cherish precious memories, her son, Maurice McKellar, Jr. of Durham, North Carolina; a grandson, Maurice McKellar, III of Clayton, North Carolina; cousins: Janice Cousin of Roxboro, North Carolina, Jennifer Rascoe (Theodore), also of Durham, Nola Williams (Clyde) of Semora, North Carolina, Miranda Lawson of Durham and Betty Lowe.
The funeral service will be held Thursday, February 12, 2026 at 11:00am at New St. James Baptist Church, 4130 Pixley Pritchard Road, Timberlake, North Carolina 27583 with the Reverend Shaun Woods, Pastor, providing the eulogy. Burial will follow at the Beechwood Cemetery, 3300 Fayetteville Street in Durham, North Carolina 27707.
Visitation will also be Thursday at the church from 10:00am to 11:00am when her body will lie in state for one hour prior to the service.
At other times, the family will receive visitors at the home of her son, 2007 S. Alston Avenue in Durham, North Carolina 27707.
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87 Brookland Church Rd., Hwy 158 East, Roxboro, NC 27573
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