Elizabeth "Bub" Brooks Stephenson Gilbert

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm Saturday, March 31, 2012, at Hanes-Lineberry Vanstory Chapel. Burial will take place following the service at 4:00 pm at New Hope Presbyterian Church Cemetery, in Chapel Hill, NC.

Elizabeth, affectionately known as “bub” by all her family, was born December 11, 1926, to Annie and Daniel Stephenson, in Durham, NC. She graduated from Durham High School in 1945 and retired from Bank of America in 1988. Elizabeth was a smart, strong, independent woman with a wicked sense of humor. She believed very strongly in doing the right thing and had a kind and loving heart. Elizabeth was a lover of words and liked nothing better than to relax with a good book and some chocolate. She was a great fan of Carolina basketball. Most of all, Elizabeth was a lover of animals. Every stray dog or cat that showed up found a loving home with Elizabeth. She was even honored as “Pet Parent of the Month” by Greensboro Veterinary Hospital because she had rescued so many animals. In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was preceded in death by three sisters, Doris, Ruth and Sarah, and a brother, Daniel.

Those left to cherish her memory include her loving daughter, Linda MeLennan of Danbury, NC; sister, Edna Gilliam of Durham, NC; dear nieces, Sherry Ellis and husband Bill of Advance, NC, Dianne Beal of Durham, NC, and Sheila Bishop and husband Mike of Chapel Hill, NC; numerous great-nieces and nephews and her beloved kitties Thomas and Edwina, her companions to the end.

During Elizabeth’s last days, she fought valiantly against the lung cancer that eventually claimed her life. She suffered with grace and dignity and without complaint. She survived longer than every doctor thought she would. She was a true fighter.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Wendy, Holly, Dawn, and all the special people at Hospice and Palliative Care at Greensboro and to the fine people at Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center in Greensboro. Also, to Christy Moore and Bob Breedlove who so willingly cared for Elizabeth with such love and tenderness, words cannot express our thanks.

The family will receive friends from 12 until 2 pm Saturday, at the funeral home, prior to the funeral service and other times at Elizabeth’s residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The United States Humane Society, or to The Guilford County Animal Shelter.

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com.