Viola Medford

Mrs. Viola Minter Medford went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 23, 2011 and brought a close to the 99 years of her life on this earth. She was loved and respected by everyone that knew her and she leaves behind that beautiful smile and so many cherished memories. Viola was born on May 17, 1912 in Eden, NC and one of ten children born to the late Jess Minter and the late Susie Gregory Minter and was married to what she said "was the best looking man in Draper", Robert Earl Medford, who died in 1989. After retiring from Cone Mills, she kept children in her home for working parents. Many of the children that she kept outside of the family still call her grandmother. She would always say that the children gave her a reason to get up early in the morning to make breakfast so it would be ready when they arrived. She took great pride in teaching them how to recite the books of the bible and bible verses. Some of the "grandchildren" remember reciting them before the church congregation. She loved to tell them stories about things that happened when she was a little girl. They would ask her to tell the stories over and over again. She was always busy with her hands either in the kitchen making a sweet treat or sewing up a pretty dress or writing a letter to one of her brothers and sisters. She was a faithful church member of the former Brightwood Baptist Church and taught Sunday School for many years. She loved her family and friends and was a devoted servant to the Lord. Her hearts desire was to lead others to Christ. After she was no longer able to care for children and unable to remain in her home she lived with her two children and attended the Adult Center for Enrichment Caldwell House and looked forward to attending each day. Mrs. Medford is survived by her daughter, LaVerne Turner and her husband, Thomas; her son, David Medford and his wife, Pat, all of Greensboro; four granddaughters, Teresa Lynn Turner, Cheryl Elaine Levens, Melinda Medford and Lori Medford; two great granddaughters, Kayley Fidishun and Kristen Levens; and two brothers, Frank Minter and Jerry Minter, both of Eden. She was preceded in death by her Husband; parents; a daughter, Doris Elaine Medford; a granddaughter, Sandi Turner Berryhill; five brothers; and two sisters. A graveside service will be conducted at 2:00 PM Saturday, October 1, 2011 at Pine Hill Cemetery in Burlington. The family will receive friends at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory from 12-1:30 Saturday afternoon prior to the service. The family would like to extend a special thanks to Adult Center for Enrichment Caldwell House, Ashton Place Heath and Rehabilitation and Hospice for all the loving care that these organizations provide for Mrs. Medford. Memorials may be made to Adult Center for Enrichment Caldwell House, P.O. Box 13048, Greensboro, NC, 27415 or to the Billy Graham Evangelical Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201-0001. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com.