"Celebration of Life" Mrs. Florence Hayes Riner, age 80, of Elkin, NC passed away Monday, March 13, 2006 at Hugh Chatham Nursing Center. On October 6, 1925, God presented to John and Tressie Hayes a daughter, Florence, born in a log cabin at Benham, NC. Florence was a member of Elkin Valley Baptist Church of Elkin, NC and a retired registered nurse of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. Florenced graduated from Ronda High School. She worked at Chatham Manufacturing Co. for three and a half years before attending Mars Hill College for two years. Florence graduated from the Medical College of Virginia School of Nursing in 1953. Florence was employed in hospitals in Virginia and in North Carolina. She retired from Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in May 1992 after being employed as the evening supervisor of the nursing department for nine and a half years. With loyalty she endeavored to devote herself to the welfare of those committed to her care. Florence's work within the church, Sunday school and her missionary union groups were a very important part of her life. She had a tremendous love for her family. Florence always looked for opportunities to celebrate something to have her family together. In retirement, she enjoyed feeding and watching birds and gardening. She enjoyed listening to Rev. David Jeremiah on the radio. Florence had a passion for living life to its fullest and taking advantage of all opportunities God granted her. In addition to her parents, Florence was preceded in death by her sisters Fay Hayes Smitherman and Maxine Hayes Horton and brothers Ray Hayes and Clyde Hayes. Florence is survived by her husband of 51 years, Hammett Nolden Riner, Jr. and her daughters Sharon Fritter and her husband David Fritter of Mechanicsville, VA and Tressie Ellis and her husband Mark Ellis of Martinsville, VA; Three grandchildren, Emily Fritter, Ben Fritter and Scott Ellis; four sisters, Bernice Cunningham of Huntsville, AL, Carrie Sue Walker and her husband Rodney of Clingman, Anna Lee Hemric and her husband Jerry of Ronda and Agnes Mayes and her husband Bill of State Road; three brothers, Paul Hayes and wife Jane of Pfafftown, Jesse Hayes of Ronda and Harold Hayes and wife Linda of Winston-Salem. Her family would like to express their gratitude and appreciation to the entire staff at Hugh Chatham Nursing Center as they reached out to Florence daily with excellent, loving care during her illness with melanoma and also to the second floor nurses of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital and her doctors. A thank you is extended for the outpouring response from her friends, church family and previous co-workers with the gracious love and concern expressed to her through visits, phone calls and cards. Flowers will be accepted and memorial contributions may be made to Elkin Valley Baptist Church Building Fund, c/o Jim DeBorde, 118 North Elkin Dr. Elkin, NC 28621. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 16, 2006 at Elkin Valley Baptist Church with the Rev. Johnny Blevins officiating. Burial will follow in the Elkin Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, March 15, 2006 from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin. Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com. Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin is serving the family of Florence Riner.
