Lela "Lea" Butts Hovis

April 21st, 1928 – August 21st, 2023

Lea was born in Angier, NC as the daughter of Mae and Layton Butts. She attended Angier High School and then Meredith College, graduating in 1949. While in college Lea met her future husband Louis who was attending NC State University.

Lea went on to teach in several states, with 25 years devoted to the NC Title One Reading Program. After retirement, she and her husband Louis of 74 years marriage spent many years traveling, including all 50 states. She enjoyed gardening, reading, playing piano, and spending time with family and friends. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church in Cary.

She is predeceased by her parents, sisters Lilian Hudgins (and husband Pete) and Annie Lou Reavis (and husband Bill). She is survived by her husband Louis Hovis of Cary, NC, children Dr. John Hovis (Robin) (Rockford, IL) and Samuel Hovis (Sandra) (Lincolnton, NC), grandchildren Jonathan (Rockford), Matthew (Raleigh, NC), Marilee (Greeley, CO), Gabriella (Weaverville, NC) and Martin (Lincolnton), along with several nieces and nephews.

Visitation for Lela will be held Monday, August 28, 2023 from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home (200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, NC 27511). Funeral Services will begin at 1:00 pm in the Funeral Home Chapel, with interment to follow at Montlawn Memorial Park (2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27603).

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