Lela Marie Joyner Daughtridge

Lela Marie Joyner Daughtridge, age 89, passed away on Tuesday, December 24, 2019. Born in Nash County, NC on November 9, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Frank D. Joyner and Maggie Vick Joyner. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William C. Daughtridge; and by her beloved brother, Billy Joyner; and her beloved sister, Becky Sherrod.
As a faithful member of Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church, our Mother served her Lord in various capacities. For a number of years, she worked side by side with our Daddy on their farm in Nash County. Later, working for Mary Smith at Smith’s Florist, she demonstrated her love, talents and passion for designing beautiful flower arrangements, blessing many. Our Mother also taught a Preschool Class at NEW Academy, where her love for her students was only exceeded by their love for her.
She was known for her excellent cooking skills. Being a selfless servant, she not only cooked delicious meals for her family, she also tirelessly shared meals with others, like her homemade soup and chicken salad. Our Mother touched many lives and will always be loved, remembered and missed by her family and all those who knew her.
Marie leaves behind to cherish her memory, her daughter and son-in-law, Rose and Craig Burnett, of Rocky Mount, NC; her daughter and son-in-law, Kim and Rowland Waters, of Johnson City, TN; her grandsons and their wives, Justin and Katie Burnett of Charlotte, NC; Ryan and Annalisa Burnett of Richmond, VA; Patrick and Michelle Waters of Bluff City, TN; her granddaughter, Chandler Waters of Chattanooga, TN; and her two great-grandchildren, Wren Burnett and Theo Burnett; sister, Barbara Barnes of Jacksonville, NC; sister, Audrey Thompson of Rocky Mount, NC; sister, Mateline Moss and husband, Bobby, of Rocky Mount, NC; and sister, Margaret Bullock and husband, Mike, of Rocky Mount, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, December 28, 2019 at 11:30 AM in the Chapel of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home and Cremation Services with Pastor Mary Harris Todd officiating. A Private Family Burial will follow the service at Rocky Mount Memorial Park. Visitation with the family will be from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior to the service in the Atrium of Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Morton Memorial Presbyterian Church, 6605 West Mount Drive, Rocky Mount, NC 27803 or donations made to Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, 34 Washington St., Suite 310, Wellesley Hills, MA 02481. Online donations can be made at curealz.org/giving/donate.
The family would like to especially thank Marie’s loving and compassionate caregivers; her special friend and loving helper, Barbara Knight; the dedicated staff at Spring Arbor (Assisted Living and the Cottage); and the dedicated staff at Breckenridge.