Yvonne Elizabeth Burkholder Stroud

Yvonne Elizabeth Burkholder Stroud, better known to her family and friends as Betty or “Bebe,” 98, of Clemmons, NC, passed away peacefully on October 3, 2026, at home surrounded by her family and loved ones.

Betty was born in Harrisonburg, VA, to Raymond Ashley Burkholder and Martha Elizabeth Smith. After graduating from the School of Nursing at Rockingham Memorial Hospital, she worked there as a nurse for the next ten years. Looking for a new chapter in her life, she accepted a nursing position at Duke Hospital in Durham, NC, where she worked in the psychiatry department. It was there that she would eventually meet the love of her life, Hugh Monroe Stroud of Kinston, NC. They were married in February 1963 and welcomed their daughter, Penelope Jane Stroud, on December 18, 1963.

Betty lived her life in service to others. She was a devoted Christian, active in numerous Bible study groups, and spent many years teaching Sunday School to people of all ages. She also devoted countless hours to the American Red Cross, helping people during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Betty was a genuine friend to many, but one friendship held a particularly special place in her heart. Her best friend, Violet Salameh, died at a young age in 1984, leaving behind three children. Betty stepped into their lives with love and devotion, becoming their Godmother and remaining an important presence as they grew. Tanya, Rena, and Nabil were not simply the children of her dear friend—they became part of Betty's family, and she remained deeply involved in their lives.

Bebe's greatest gift was her ability to make people feel loved and cared for. She had a remarkable way of opening her heart and making people part of her family. That gift continued throughout her life, including in her final months, when Brianna Johnson and Presley Squier were caring for her. Bebe became their grandmother, too, and loved them dearly.

She is survived by her daughter, Penelope Jane Stroud Shifflett, and her husband, Larry Shifflett, of Clemmons, NC; three grandsons, Stroud Dinkins of Winston-Salem, NC, Benton Dinkins of Clemmons, NC, and Grayson Shifflett of Clemmons, NC; and three great-grandchildren, Hayden Dinkins, Kinsley Dinkins, and Mason Dinkins, all of Winston-Salem, NC. She is also survived by her brother, Bobby Burkholder, and her sister, Nancy Burkholder Hess, as well as Brianna Johnson and Presley Squier, whom she loved as her own grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Hugh Monroe Stroud; her brother, Lloyd Burkholder; and her sister, Joyce Earles Burkholder.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Vogler's Funeral Home in Clemmons, NC, and Edwards Funeral Home in Kinston, NC.

Services will be held Thursday, October 8, at 2:00 p.m. at Clemmons United Methodist Church, 3700 Clemmons Road, Clemmons, NC 27012. Visitation and a reception will follow.

A graveside service will also be held Saturday, October 10, at 2:00 p.m. at Pinelawn Memorial Park, 4488 US 70, Kinston, NC 28504.

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Davie Team at Trellis Supportive Care in Mocksville for their outstanding care of Betty.

Memorial contributions may be made to Clemmons United Methodist Church, 3700 Clemmons Rd, Clemmons, NC 27012 or Trellis Supportive Care of Winston Salem, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston Salem, NC 27103.