Velna Ina Tilley

Velna Ina Gentry Tilley, age 100, of Elkin, passed away on Wednesday, March 18, at Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation. Mrs. Tilley was born in Wilkes County on February 13, 1926, to Shirley Douthard and Dossie Ann Sebastian Gentry. She was a member of Maple Springs Baptist Church.

Mrs. Tilley was married to the love of her life, Winfield Levi Tilley, on July 17, 1943, who preceded her in 2010. She was also preceded in death by her parents and siblings. In addition, others who have gone before are her son-in-law, Wayne Waddell, and grandson, Michael Wayne Waddell.

Those left cherishing her memory are three daughters and three sons: Freida Waddell of Ronda, Virginia Mounce and husband Clayton of Ronda, Russell Tilley and wife Carol of Elkin, Vernon Tilley of Ronda, Donnie Tilley of Elkin, Shirlene Dillard and husband Ronald of Hays, twelve grandchildren, twenty-eight great grandchildren, twelve great-great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews along with three sisters-in-law, Elsie Gentry of Elkin, Joyce Hincher of Elkin and Cathy Tilley of Elkin.

Mrs. Tilley loved her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She took much delight in all of them. She loved working with flowers and desired lots of them in her yard, and anywhere she could set a pot. In her older age, she would exclaim, “I don’t know why I cannot work in my flowers like I used to.” That always brought a silent chuckle from those who understood. Mrs. Tilley loved sewing, which, as a homemaker, she did a lot of. There were always Sunday dresses for the girls and herself, with lots of time spent searching through patterns and materials at Penny’s or Belk. Above her work, she loved the Lord. Mrs. Tilley always prepared her family for church on Sunday and made sure they sat still and quiet through the entire service, or else one got “the look.” She was neither afraid nor ashamed to lift her hands and voice in pure worship.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 22, at 2:00 PM at Maple Springs Baptist Church, Ronda, NC. Her pastor, Reverend Curtis Ponder, Reverend Brett Graham, Reverend Julius Blevins, and Reverend Jimmy Welborn will officiate the service. Burial will follow at Oak Level Baptist Church cemetery. The body will lie in state for thirty minutes before the service. The Tilley family will receive loved ones on Saturday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

The Tilley family would like to extend a warm “thank you” to the management and staff of Chatham Nursing and Rehabilitation for their kind and thoughtful attention to the needs of their mother during her thirteen-month stay. They would like to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of Mountain Valley Hospice for providing professional help and advice as their mother found her crossing place. In addition to many residents who befriended their mother, the family wishes to convey a loving “thank you” to Becky and Jennifer, who expressed their love and mourned her passing.