ETHEL B. ROYAL
DUDLEY -- Ethel Dora Boykin Royal, age 86, died Sunday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
She was born in Johnston County to the late Roscoe Harrison and Mamie Narron Boykin. A dedicated charter member of Brogden United Methodist Church, she was a retired sales clerk with F.W. Woolworth Co. A devoted and loving mother, she was an avid fisherman, loved flowers and gardening and was a wonderful cook and friend.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Elton E. Royal; three brothers, Norman, Herman and Rosco; six sisters, Ruby, Ellen, Norma, Betty, Gertrude and Eva; and stepmother, Katie King Boykin.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at Brogden United Methodist Church. The Reverends Shirley Ward and Bob Kretzu will be officiating. Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Jean R. and Richard VanRoekel of Goldsboro and Joyce R. and Ron Vick of Durham; one sister, Letha New of Salemburg, N.C.; five grandchildren, Phillip VanRoekel of Smithfield, Ashley VanRoekel Ullrich of Isle of Palms, SC, Gregg Davis of Henderson, Ron-Marie Vick Fuller of Hillsboro, and Rory Vick Williams of Mebane; eight great-grandchildren; special cat, Smokey; and special friends, Marie Brock Grant and Margaret May.
The family will receive friends immediately following the funeral service Tuesday at Brogden United Methodist and at other times at the home.
The body will lie in state at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home until 12 p.m. on Tuesday.
In addition to flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Brogden United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2918 US Hwy 117, Dudley, N.C., 28333.
(Written & Paid by the Family)
Published in Obituaries on September 20, 2004 1:46 PM