Beatrice Anne Winstead Artis, 66, of Wilson passed away Thursday, September 6, 2018. Funeral services will be conducted 12:00 Noon, Saturday, September 29, 2018, at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Fremont, NC. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday, September 28, 2018, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home, 2704 Nash St. N, Wilson, NC, and Saturday, September 29, 2018, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon, at Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church.
Beatrice Anne Winstead Artis was the eldest daughter of the late Rufus Idell Winstead and Annie Ester Taylor Winstead of Elm City, NC. She was born on June 11, 1952, in Wilson County, and was the apple of her father’s eye since she was the first daughter. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Sabrina Winstead Moye (2006); her brothers, William Lee Winstead (2012) and Larry James Winstead (2012); her beloved husband of thirty one years, Darvis Lee Artis (2014).
She attended Frederick Douglass High School and was a 1970 graduate of Elm City High School. She attended the Computer Technology Program of Raleigh and received her degree in Computer Technology in 1976. She continued her education at Wilson Community Technical College and graduated in 1980 from the Practical Nurse Program. After her graduation, she was a Licensed Practical Nurse for more than 28 years, working the last ten years as an Occupational Health Nurse at Consolidated Diesel Company in Whitakers, NC. She was awarded “Employee of the Month” three times while working at Wilson Convalescent Center as a Nursing Assistant while going to school to complete her education as a LPN. She was a seven-year volunteer with the Y.O.U.T.H. of Wilson organization, mentoring to numerous troubled youth.
Realizing the need for Christ in her life, she united with Simon Grove Holiness Church in 1975. She attended there until uniting with Trinity Deliverance Holiness Church (TDHC) in 1985. While serving at TDHC, she was Secretary of the Pastor Aide Committee, member of the Ladies Chorus and Armor Bearer for her beloved Pastor, Rev. Carrie Jacobs. She later united with Union Grove Missionary Baptist Church in 2006 and served faithfully in many capacities, including Armor Bearer for her beloved Pastor, Rev. Dr. James Lucas, teaching youth Bible Study, and serving as both corresponding and personal secretary to Rev. Dr. James Lucas.
Surviving are seven brothers, Rufus Idell Jr. (Mary) of Middletown, DE, Lonnie (Angela) and Michael (Melissa), both of Richmond, VA, David (Kathryn) of Ayden, Stephen of Knightdale, Jerome of Wilson, and Jonathan (Cher) of Raleigh; five sisters, Linda Durham (James), Phyllis Jones, and Cheryl Edwards (Desmond), all of Richmond, VA, Charlotte Dupree of Fountain, and Gloria Dendy (Ralph) of Taylors, SC; two special sisters-in-law, Sarah Ann Winstead of Elm City and Benessa Winstead of the home; three brothers-in-law; two step-daughters, Kathleen Bryant Hinnant and Felicia Artis Jordan, both of Wilson; two step-sons, Chauncey Lee Artis and Darvis Lee Artis, Jr., both of Wilson; six step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; four aunts; many other relatives and friends.
Funeral services are under the direction of Thomas-Yelverton Funeral Home, Wilson, NC. Online condolences may be sent to www.thomasyelverton.com.
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