Annie Brown Spivey

Annie Brown Spivey, 109, widow of the late Willie Malcolm Spivey, died Sunday, November 16, 2014, in the home of her daughter and son-in-law, where she had made her home for the past eleven years. Born May 10, 1905, in Gates County, she was the daughter of the late William Augustus and Hettie Blanchard Brown. She was also preceded in death by her two infant daughters; three brothers, William Emmett Brown, James Hardy Brown and Norfleet Oliver Brown; and one great-granddaughter, Anna Grace Askew. After graduating from Sunbury High School, she attended East Carolina Teacher's College, returned to Gates County, taught for three years in one-room schools, and then married her husband Willie. They had been married for nearly sixty years when he died in 1986. Mrs. Spivey was a life-long member of Zion United Methodist Church. Her family and her church were her life. She worked with children as both the "Bright Jewels" leader and Sunday School teacher, and was a faithful member of the church's adult choir and the Zion United Methodist Women. Surviving are her daughter, Etta Brown Spivey and husband Charles Sherwood Eason of Gatesville; three granddaughters, Llewellyn Copeland and husband Tom of Swansboro, Caroline Hofler and husband Thomas, and Laura Dickerson and husband Daniel, all of Gatesville. Her nine great-grandchildren are Callie and Graham Copeland, Jordan, Forest and Holden Hofler, and Cole, Ashby, Jonah, and MollyAnn (Luda) Dickerson. Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in Zion United Methodist Church and will be officiated by the Rev. Steven Hall. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Friends may join the family in the church social hall immediately following the service on Tuesday, or all other times at the Eason home, 227 NC Hwy 37 South, Gatesville. The family wishes to thank everyone for their continued love, prayers, and support through the years. They would also like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Community Home Care & Hospice. Miller Funeral Home, 304 Main Street, Gatesville, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.millerfhc.com.