Elfra Equilla Loftis

Mrs. Elfra Equilla "Tootsie" Loftis, 94, of Mount Airy, passed away Friday, March 4, 2011, at Central Continuing Care. Mrs. Loftis was born May 10, 1916, in Surry County, to the late Jim and Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Gunnell. Mrs. Loftis worked in textile mills for many years, was a homemaker, and worked 12 years at the Oxford Orphanage in Durham. She was a member of Flat Rock Baptist Church. Mrs. Loftis is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda Lou and Milano Watts of Mount Airy, Patricia Ann and Ted Midkiff of King, and Frances Lynn and Ted Cox of Westfield; two sons, Barry Duke Loftis of Mount Airy and Harry James "Josh" Loftis of Flat Rock; a stepson, James Beamer Loftis of Mount Airy; grandchildren, Angie Cox Bruner, Christi Cox Kirkman, Deena Cox Scott, Butch Cox, Tony Midkiff, Todd Midkiff, Ricky Watts, Mark Watts, Sharon Watts Hall, Julie Demont, Dawn Taylor, Tammy Vaughn, Shannon Bingman, and Barbara Ann Barker; several great-grandchildren; two sisters, Era Gunnell of Taylorsville and Cleo Johnson of South Carolina; and a host of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Loftis was preceded in death by her husband, William Earl "Bill" Loftis; a daughter, Betsy Dare Loftis Cox; a grandson, Jerry Dean Cox; and four sisters, Mary Lou Timmons, Estelle Johnson, Reva Joy White, and Elsie Adams. The funeral service will be held Sunday, March 6, 2011, at 3:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Robbie Vance officiating. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to the Flat Rock Missionary Fund, 1335 East Pine Street, Mount Airy, NC 27030. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff of Central Continuing Care and the Young At Heart Visiting Team of Flat Rock Baptist Church.