Deloris Gray Varner Welborn

Mrs. Deloris Varner Gray Welborn of 108 Welborn Street, Jonesville, N.C. was called to her eternal reward of March 21, 2016 following a brief illness. Mrs. Welborn was born March 28, 1942 in Summerville, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Lewis David Emmanuel Varner and Eloise Shannon Varner.
Deloris was a 1959 graduate of Summerville High School, she later moved to Queens, New York where she met her husband, Mr. George W. Gray. After several years in New York the couple moved to Jonesville, N.C. Following the death of George, Deloris settled into raising their three small children. She would later marry Mr. Johnny Preston Eugene Welborn and the couple would add four more to the brood, raising a large family together. Deloris was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, auntie and friend. She kept her family connected from North to South. She always kept everyone updated on the latest family news; offering advice, encouragement as well as loving chastisement to her children, grands, siblings, nieces and nephews as needed. Deloris’ family will greatly miss the early morning and late evening phone calls, the home-cooked meals as well as the love and laughter she shared with us all.
Mrs. Welborn was a member of Mt. Olive Holiness Church where she served faithfully for over 50 years under various pastors. She was the “mother” of the church. She could often be found on the phone with various members offering prayers and encouragement. She was a lifelong member of the choir and even as her health declined, she served as secretary to the church. Deloris will be remembered as a pillar of the church.
In addition to her parents and husbands, Deloris was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Anjanetta Gray Dingle and her brother, Marion Varner.
Those left to cherish her memory include her only remaining brother, David (Leila) Varner of Walterboro, S.C.; two sisters, Mary (Roosevelt) Pringle of Summerville, S.C. and Shirley (Matthew) Brown of Knightsville, S.C.; six children, Holly A. Gray of Asheboro, N.C., Arthur W. Gray (Iva) of Jonesville, N.C., Johnny Welborn, Jr. of Mrytle Beach, S.C., Derrick P. (Rebekah) of Jonesville, N.C., Terri J. Williams of Jonesville, N.C., and Brett S. (Katie) Welborn of Little Richmond, N.C.; fourteen grandchildren and a host of great-grands; one aunt, Mrs. Alma Henderson; one sister-in-law, Kaye Frances Middleton of Greensboro, N.C.; two brothers-in-law, Mr. James (May Etta) Welborn and Mr. Larry Welborn of Jonesville, N.C.; special friends, Mr. Robert Quisenbury and Ms. Sabrina Bowers; special phone friends (the widows club): Mrs. Essie Brown, Mrs. Myra Graham, Mrs. Marie Edmonds and Mrs. Caroline Martin and a host of nieces , nephews, cousins and good friends.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at Elkin Valley Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Mt. Olive Holiness Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service.
The family would like to thank Sabrina Long, Sabrina Bowers and Forsyth Medical Center Staff for their love and care.