Mrs. Thelma Ellerbe Birkhead

Mrs. Thelma Ellerbe Birkhead transitioned from this earthly life to her heavenly reward at the age of 100, on Tuesday morning, Sept. 13, 2022, surrounded by her family in Charlotte, NC. Mrs. Birkhead was born on March 27, 1922, to the late Raymond Ellerbe and Lillie Malloy Ellerbe of Anson County. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Clemons Birkhead; three brothers, Lafayette Ellerbe, Raymond Jr. Ellerbe (Clara), and Haywood Ellerbe; five sisters, Otelia Alice Jones (Jack), Bernice Ellerbe, Verdell Davis (Earl), Inez Armstrong (Walter), and Katherine Jackson (Cleophas); a bonus son, Winford Hines (Fanny).
After graduating from Peabody High School, she moved to Asheboro, NC, where she worked at the Griffith Clinic. She later met her late husband Clemons Birkhead, and they had 3 children. Mrs. Birkhead attended Randolph Technical College where she graduated summa cum laude with an associate degree as a licensed practical nurse (LPN). Driven by a continuing thirst for knowledge, she continued her education and was certified in multiple areas of nursing and received numerous awards and recognitions. She served as president of the LPN Association.
Living in Asheboro most of her adult life, she was involved in community issues and in her church. She was a faithful and very active member of Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church for more than 7 decades. She was president of the senior choir and president of Missionary #1 for the local and district lay council committees.
She was PTA president for her children's schools and was a seamstress for many of the May Day celebrations. Known as the community nurse, she was frequently called upon regarding medical concerns and even delivered a baby.
After working 32 years at Randolph Hospital as a labor and delivery and ICU nurse, she retired, but continued working as a private duty nurse well into her 70s. She never met a stranger and loved to laugh with her family and many friends. Nothing "got by" Mrs. Birkhead.
She leaves to cherish with many wonderful memories: three children, Shirley B. Greene (James, deceased) of Asheboro, NC, Kathy B. Beamon (Ron) of Charlotte, NC, and Sheriff Clarence F. Birkhead (Kathy) of Durham, NC; two sisters-in-law, Monnie Lollar and Christine Ellerbe; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends, all who lovingly called her granny – a title she held with pride. Her oldest grandson said he always thought of her as the "virtuous woman" found in Proverbs 31. She will truly be missed.
Funeral service will be held Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. at Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church. Interment will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.
Final arrangements ate entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc. Send flowers to the service of Mrs. Thelma Ellerbe Birkhead