Kay Tidwell Ross

Kay Tidwell Ross, 78, of North Wilkesboro, died Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation in Wilkesboro.

A funeral service will be conducted 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2026, at Bethel Baptist Church, with Pastor Jody Harrison and Pastor Roger Carr officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Kay was born on July 29, 1947, in Gaston Co., NC, the daughter of the late William Cleveland Tidwell and Vida Huffstetler Tidwell. She was a member of Oakwoods Baptist Church. Kay always had a kind heart and a smile on her face. She never met a stranger. Kay was a loving wife, mother, and "Nana".

In addition to her parents, Kay was preceded in death by her brother, Freddy Tidwell.

She is survived by her husband of over 59 years, Ed Ross, Jr.; children, Donna Johnson and husband David, Melissa Harrison and husband Jody, Chip Ross III and girlfriend Amanda Crosby; grandchildren, Kaylin Harrison Ingold and husband Chris, Lindsay Beth Harrison, Cory Johnson, Meghan Johnson Benesh and husband Andy, Dalton Johnson and wife Hailey, Lorna Johnson, Tessa Johnson Bowers and husband Adam; great grandchildren, Anderson Ingold, Karsyn Ingold, Knox Johnson, Avett Johnson, Georgie Johnson, Guy Benesh, Smith Benesh, Romy Krestev, Honey Krestev, Henry Bowers, and Caroline Bowers.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:45 p.m., Sunday, prior to the service at the church.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Wilkes Assisted Living and Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation for the care shown and given to Kay.

Memorials may be made to Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Daycare, 1915 West Park Drive, #200, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.