Lisa Heilig Royal

Lisa Heilig Royal, 65, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2025, at 8:30 p.m., after years of courageously facing multiple sclerosis and, most recently, complications from a major stroke.

Lisa was a remarkable woman - peaceable, kind, and steadfast in her desire to promote harmony. She deplored conflict in all forms and strove to bring warmth and understanding to those around her. There was, however, one joyful exception to her calm demeanor: whenever University of North Carolina basketball or football took the field, Lisa was an unabashed and passionate Tar Heel fan.

Born to the late Bobby Ray Heilig, Sr. and Rachel Fields Heilig, Lisa loved her parents deeply. She cherished her years at Trinity High School in Trinity, NC, where she played the flute and piccolo in the marching band and made lifelong friends. She later attended UNC-Greensboro, where she was active in the Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.

Feeling called to care for others, Lisa pursued nursing at the Cabarrus Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. Though life took her on a different path before completion, she excelled in her studies. During a summer internship at the State Psychiatric Hospital in Butner, she discovered a natural gift for helping others and was commended for her exceptional skill and compassion-so much so that she was guaranteed a position even before completing her assignment.

Lisa also enjoyed a successful career in sales, where her kindness, humor, and ability to connect with people shone through.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 26 years, Craig Royal, who misses her deeply. Their courtship blossomed into a marriage defined by love, faith, and enduring companionship. She is also survived by her two beloved children, Eric Clay and Crystal Cobert (Steven), both of whom were the daily recipients of their mother's prayers and encouragement. Lisa was immensely proud of them and held the highest hopes for their happiness and success.

Her cherished grandchildren - Hannah Ivey, Carter Ivey, and Logan Cobert - brought her endless joy. She prayed daily for each of them and dreamed of celebrating their high school graduations.

Lisa was preceded in death by her brother, Bobby Ray Heilig, Jr., whom she adored and looked up to.

She is survived by her younger brother, Lee Heilig (Joanie), whom she also adored, as well as her niece, Kelsi Heilig Grace (Stephen), and their children, Kinley Grace and Mya-Kate Grace, all of whom held special places in her heart.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at Cumby Funeral Service in Archdale, with interment to follow at Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery in Trinity, NC. The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 p.m. the same day at Cumby.

Memorials may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Lisa's memory.

Cumby Family Funeral Service of Archdale is honored to serve the Royal family at this time.