Leona Bellamy Cheers

Born in the Boone’s Neck area of Supply, NC on August 27, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Raymond Ellis and Rosie Fulford Bellamy. On August 28, 1943, she married her sweetheart Roney W. Cheers, and they shared 64 years together before his death in December 2007. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son Gary and her daughter Sara; brothers Norman Bellamy (Iona) and Palmer Bellamy (Earlene “Pet”); sisters Clara Holden (Wilbur), Evyleene Reeves (Paul), and Ophelia Gaither; brothers-in-law H.D. Parrish, William “Billy” Cheers, and L.E. “Jimmy” Sessoms.

She is survived by her children Linda Cheers Callender, Cheryl Cheers (Barry Robertson), Cary Cheers (Adrienne) and daughter-in-law Pamela Cheers; her grandchildren Leah Atkinson (Daniel), Heather Jackson (Chris), Kelley Hughes (Shady Daniels), Alan Cheers (Jen), Martin Callender, Christopher Cheers (Wendy), Jacob Cheers, Kara Cheers, Catie Cheers, and Kennedy Cheers; great grandchildren Sara Hughes, Hayden Jackson, Peyton Daniels, Hayley Jackson, Preston McKinney, Chayton Cheers, Bradley Cheers, Olivia Cheers, and Ethan Atkinson; sister Margaret Parrish and brother R.E. Bellamy, Jr. (Geraldine); brothers-in-law William “Billy” Gaither, Elwood Cheers (Phyllis); sisters-in-law Audrey Sessoms and Betty Cheers; her beloved nieces and nephews; and her special “son and daughters” Stan and Ann Smith, Sylvia and Andrew Bohanon, Theresa Langley, Patricia “Patti” Hewett, and Brandy Blackmon Hewett.

She was a born nurturer and a world class cook. Her family was the center of her world, and her home was the gathering place where sat at the head of her table daily serving up generous helpings of food, love, and wisdom.

A Celebration of Life and Resurrection will be held at Camp United Methodist Church on Friday, July 20, 2018 at 3:00pm under the direction of the Rev. Dr. Won Namkoong and Rev.Stan Smith with tribute in song by her great granddaughter Sara Hughes and her nephew Albert Hughes, followed by commitment and burial at Lehew-Chapel Hill Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service, from 2:00 to 3:00 at the church.

Pallbearers will be nephews Eddie Bellamy, David Reeves, B.J. Gaither, Chris Parrish, and Lee Bellamy, and great nephews Travis Hayes and Daniel Formyduval. Honorary pallbearers will be Andrew and Terry Bland, Dr. Christopher Isenhour, Dr. Rebecca Summerlin, Dr. Ro-Lyn A. Reid, Dr. William Faircloth, Dr. J. Andrew Smith, Dr. R.M. Leighton, the caregivers of SECU Hospice House, and the administration and employees of the Town of Shallotte.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice and Life Care Center, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Online condolences may be made at www.shallottefunerals.com

White Funeral and Cremation Service, Shallotte, North Carolina