Elder John D. Belton

Elder John D. "J.D." Belton, 79, of 123 Bank Street, Mount Airy, passed away Wednesday morning, March 30, 2011, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. He was born June 5, 1931, in Surry County, to the late John Henry and Lelia Alice Flippin Belton. He was a retired automobile mechanic and a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean War. Elder Belton was a member of Love's Grove Primitive Baptist Church and was presently serving as pastor of both Love's Grove Primitive Baptist Church and Stuart Primitive Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife, Lena "Delores" Jones Belton of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, John Keith and Katrina Belton of Tobaccoville; three grandchildren, Kristy B. Hurst and her husband, Steven, of Jacksonville, FL, and Kameryn Belton and Katelyn Belton, both of Tobaccoville; and four great-grandchildren, Shyanne Miranda, Brock Miranda, Tori Hurst, and Taylor Hurst. In addition to his parents, Mr. Belton was preceded in death by a sister, Frances Belton Atkins. The funeral service will be held Saturday, April 2, 2011, at 2:00 PM at Love's Grove Primitive Baptist Church, with Elder Gleason Worrell officiating. Burial will follow at Skyline Memory Gardens, with military honors by the VFW Memorial Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home in Mount Airy. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Suite 999, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220.