Stella Ramey Carrico

Mrs. Stella Ramey Carrico, 99, died Monday evening, October 20, 2008, at Central Continuing Care in Mount Airy. She was born March 26, 1909, in Surry County, to the late Pierce and Mattie Cook Ramey. Stella was the valedictorian of her graduating class at Dobson High School in 1927. She later in life attended Appalachian State Teachers' College (now Appalachian State University), where she earned a degree in elementary education. Mrs. Carrico was a retired elementary school teacher after approximately 40 years of service at Beulah Elementary School. She was also very active in community affairs such as serving with the Beulah Home Demonstration Club. Mrs. Carrico was also a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and served on numerous committees and taught Sunday school for many years. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara and Benton Payne of Albemarle; a daughter-in-law, Teresa "Tee" Hulon Gillespie of Lowgap; five grandchildren, Mark Gillespie, Heather Chappell, Lisa Gillespie, Jarrod Payne, and Whitney Payne; a great-grandchild, Leigh Ann Davis; and a great-great grandchild, Taelyn Davis. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Carrico was preceded in death by her first husband, James "Pete" Gillespie; her second husband, Willie "Bill" Carrico; a son, James Leroy Gillespie; a sister, Beulah Ramey Mosley; and a brother, Claude Ramey. The funeral service will be held Thursday, October 23, 2008, at 3:00 PM at Moody Funeral Home Chapel in Mount Airy, with the Rev. Ron Honeycutt and the Rev. Jesse Dennis officiating. Burial will follow in the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, in the Beulah community, located just off NC 89 and west of I77. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Oak Grove Baptist Church, c/o Brinda Swift, 430 Woltz Atkins Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030.