REV. DR. NAOMI YELVERTON
June 22, 1919-April 21, 2008
Rev. Dr. Naomi Coley Yelverton, well known as Evangelist Yelverton, was born in Wayne County to the late Daniel and Mary Jane Fields Coley. Her husband, Elder William Yelverton, preceded her in death on Mon-day, Nov. 20, 1989, and returned on Monday for her to join him with the Lord. Her brother, Wy-man Coley; son, Raymond Yelverton; and nephew, Dr. Ralph Hammond; a stepmother, Bessie Coley; and two step-siblings also preceded her in death.
She attended Stoney Hill School, Dillard High School and received an honorary doctorate degree from United Christian College in 2001. She was ordained as a minister with The Original Cape Fear and South Western Free Will Baptist Church in 1956.
She was a faithful member of Darden Chapel Free Will Baptist Church for approximately 70 years. She has served as Sunday school teacher, assistant Sunday school superintendent, choir member and was president of Home Mission until her death. Evangelist Yelverton had a heart for home mission and was President Emeritus of Southern District Women's Home Mission. She was a member of the Ministerial Alliance of Wayne County and served as Chaplain for Wayne Memorial Hospital until her health failed. For many years she held a noonday prayer at her home. She was a well-known Evangelist throughout Wayne, Wilson, Greene, Nash, Johnston and Wake counties.
On Feb. 10, 2008, Evangelist Yelverton was an honoree at the Freedom Fund Banquet honoring African American Women workers of J.P. Taylor Tobacco Factory. She was recognized as an honoree employee with 41 years of service.
Those left to cherish her memories are one daughter, Doris Colston and husband, Dr. Freddie, of Oak Ridge, Tenn.; three sons, Deacon Robert Lewis of Fremont, N.C., William Yelverton and wife, Julia, of Newport News, Va., Elder Danny Yelverton and wife, Evangelist Nadine, of Raleigh, N.C.; one sister, Lila Miller of Buffalo, N.Y.; one brother, the Rev. Russell Coley and wife, Irene, of Pittsburgh, Pa.; one niece, Shirley Webster and husband, Deacon Larry, of Amherst, N.Y.; one great-niece, Doris Smith and husband, Johnnie, of Goldsboro, N.C.; one great-aunt, Annie B. Mitchell and husband, Deacon Hezzie, of Goldsboro, N.C.; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one special cousin, Beatrice Williams of Eureka, N.C.; a lifelong friend, Mary Gills of Goldsboro, N.C.; and many other loving relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at 11 a.m. from the L N. Forbes Original F.W.B. Tabernacle, 1800 SE Lane St., Wilson, N.C. 27893 with Bishop L.N. Forbes officiating. Interment will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery, Goldsboro, N.C. A viewing will be conducted on Friday, April 25, 2008, at Hamilton Funeral Chapel, 423 S. James St., Goldsboro, N.C. from 1 to 5 p.m. Also, a wake will be held at Darden Chapel Church, 111 E. Hooks River Road, Goldsboro, N.C. 27530 from 7 to 8 p.m. with the family present to receive other family members and friends.
Cards, love-grams and condolences may be faxed to Hamilton Funeral Chapel at 919-735-4725 or e-mailed to [email protected]. Flowers and other gifts may be sent to Hamilton Funeral Chapel, Goldsboro, N.C.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on April 24, 2008 2:33 PM