Emily Winstead Eily

A Life Filled with Joy and Love

Emily Paulette Winstead Eily transitioned from this earthly life to receive her eternal Heavenly reward on Sunday morning, August 10, 2025. Emily was born March 6, 1936, to the late Richard Caswell Winstead and Betsy Ann Lester Winstead in Roxboro, North Carolina. Emily grew up on the family farm with her parents and siblings. At a young age Emily accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and joined Mill Baptist Church where she attended Sunday School and church. As an adult she moved her membership to New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, of which her grandfather, Moses Winstead, was one of the founders, and her father, Richard was a Deacon Emily was very active at New Mount Zion, where she taught Vacation Bible School and was a Deaconess. Emily was also a consistent Sunday School, Prayer Meeting, and Bible Study attendee.

Emily or as she was affectionally known as “Aunt Ohm”, by her Nieces and Nephews. She received this name from her oldest Nephew, Gregory Winstead, who was not able to pronounce Emily. When he called her Ohm, that is the name that stuck and she was forever more our Aunt Ohm. Growing up on a farm taught Emily the values of hard work and sharing with others, and these values stayed with Emily throughout her life. Emily was educated in the public schools of Person County. Upon graduation Emily attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. At Shaw, Emily was active in various student organizations and was initiated into the Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Upon graduation from Shaw University, Emily attended graduate school at North Carolina Central College where she earned a Master of Library Science degree. After earning her degree at North Carolina Central, Emily accepted a librarian position in Bessemer City. While in Bessemer City, she met the love of her life, Henry Eily. They were married on June 23, 1962.

Emily and Henry moved back to Roxboro, Emily’s hometown, and laid down their roots on the land that Emily was raised on. Emily became a librarian in the Person County Schools and held that position for over 30 years. Emily and Henry were blessed with four children, Frederick, Derek, Kiara, and Kedrick, and also had a foster daughter, Patricia Stewart. Emily had the pleasure of being the Head Librarian at Person Senior High School during the period when her children attended.

Emily never strayed far from her farming roots, as she continued to help on the farm during the summers once school was out. Emily raised many food crops on the family land, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, okra and string beans to name just a few. She introduced her family to “new foods”, such as eggplants and broccoli. She canned many of the foods she raised so that her family and others in the community could enjoy these foods during the time they were not in season. Emily was also an avid gardener, raising many bromeliads, roses, aloe, and mint at her home. She had gardens in the front and back yard at her home, and she took tremendous joy in caring for part of God’s creation. Emily was also a marvelous cook, making casseroles, prime rib roasts, sourdough bread, chicken croquettes, German chocolate cake, red velvet cake, and other dishes that her family, community and church loved. One of the highlights of the end of tobacco harvest season was her Brunswick Stew. This was shared during the celebratory meal with the family and friends who helped her brother, Charles, on the family farm. If there was any stew remaining, people brought containers to take the leftovers.

Upon retiring from Person Senior High, Emily joined Henry in the tax preparation business, Eily & Associates, that he founded. Emily was a whiz at tax preparation, and she continued to run Eily & Associates for many years after Henry passed. Emily loved and enjoyed her family and friends. One way she expressed this love was as a caregiver. Initially, her care was for her parents then extended as she traveled up and down the east coast to check on aunts, uncles, cousins, and her siblings. While Emily was providing physical support for those she cared for she was constantly sharing her faith as she was always concerned about the salvation of those she loved. Emily also had a special relationship with one of her teachers, Dr. Ellen Mohammed, who was a kindred spirit. They attended many events and functions together as they both enjoyed the arts especially musical performances and art exhibits. Emily was also an avid traveler, taking many trips with family across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Emily lost Henry in October 2001, but she continued to live, laugh, and love as she had done during the life, she and Henry shared for over 39 years. Emily was: a dutiful, faithful wife; a caring, compassionate mother; a loving, supportive sister; a thoughtful and instructive aunt; an endearing, kind grandmother; and a trusted and understanding friend.

Emily was preceded in death by: her parents, Richard and Betsy Winstead; her husband, Henry Eily; and her siblings, Charles Winstead, James Herbert Winstead, Arlene Williams, Donald Winstead, Winfred Owens Winstead and Daisy Delma Winstead. She leaves behind to cherish her memory and life: her sisters, Gladys Thorp of Bloomfield, New Jersey and Lowillis Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina; her children, Rev. Dr. Frederick Eily (Mia) of Roxboro, Derek Eily (Paula) of Daytona Beach, Florida, Dr. Kiara Eily of Raleigh, North Carolina, Kedrick Eily, Esq. (Dr. Lela McKnight-Eily) of Brookhaven, Georgia, and Patricia Stewart of Roxboro; her grandchildren, Ryan Lamb (Debbie), Michael Lamb (Erica), Dr. Alyssa Eily (Alecia), Dr. Ariana Eily, Adam Eily, Morgan Eily, Cornelius Bumpass III, Ellison Eily, and Emerson Eily; her great grandchildren, Ethan Lamb (Erin), Jesse Cochran (MiKailyn), Amber Cochran and great-great grandchild Emmie Jesslyn Cochran; her nieces, Sonja Beckford, Cheryl Thorp, and Yolanda Smith (Rev. Tony Smith); her nephews, Ricardo Johnson, Sterling Johnson (Michaela), Brian Ely, Wendell Ely (Cheryl), and Terence Winstead (Angel); her brother-in-law, Eugene Ely; grand nephews, grand nieces, and a host of other family and friends.

Public Viewing will be held Friday, August 15, 2025 at Alan L. Lawson Mortuary Chapel from 1:00 - 7:00 pm at 209 Chub Lake St. Roxboro, NC 27573.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at 12:00 pm at New Mount Zion Baptist Church, 305 Walker Street Roxboro, NC 27573. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm. A private interment will follow the service at the Winstead Family Cemetery, Robert Norris Road, Roxboro, NC 27574.

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