Erlene (Falkenberry) Priddy

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.  Proverbs 31:10.

Erlene Falkenberry Priddy, 95, entered into the immediate presence of her Lord on November 23, 2021, at Forsyth Medical Center.  Erlene was born on April 22, 1926, to Jessie F. and Lavellar B. Falkenberry.  She was a homemaker who cared for many children in her home over a period of several years, which allowed other mothers to work public jobs.  She became Mama Priddy to many of those children, and several remained in contact with her up to her death. 

On February 8, 1950, she married the love of her life, J. Hermie Priddy, and they enjoyed almost 55 years of marriage.  She was a devoted Christian and the oldest member of First Christian Church in King. She had been an active member until her health prevented her from attending and participating.  She had been a Sunday School teacher, a Missions Committee member, a member of the Ladies Missionary group, and helped in various other areas of church ministry. 

Erlene was also well known for her strolls around her King neighborhood.  Although she never drove a car, she managed to visit numerous friends by either walking or calling someone to come and “go with her.”

Erlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, J. Hermie Priddy, and a daughter, Rhonda P. Mitchell.  She was also preceded in death by her two brothers, J. Clyde, and Johnny William Falkenberry, and five sisters, Annie, Clara, Gracie F. Joyner, Beatrice F. Moser, and Loraine F. Lockwood.

Erlene is survived by two loving and devoted daughters, Janice P. (Mike) Sizemore and Phyllis P. (Phil) Neyhart and her son-in-law, R. Nyle Mitchell.  She is survived by one sister, Reva F. Foster, two sisters-in-law, Blanche A. Falkenberry and Ann P. (Robert) Williard and one brother-in-law, Don Lockwood.She is also survived by six grandchildren, Johnathan Sizemore, Jesse (Wendi) Mitchell, Julie M. (Nathan) Holt, Jordan (Ashley) Mitchell, Jennifer Neyhart, and Brian (Morgan) Neyhart.  She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren, Dalton and Ellie Mitchell, Ema, Jacob and Izek Holt, and Cora and Hardy Mitchell, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life service for Erlene will he held on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at 3:00 PM at First Christian Church in King, with Ministers Glenn Van Meter, Peter Cain, and Sam Sorrells officiating.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery, and the family will receive friends afterward in the church sanctuary.  She will lie in state on Sunday, in the sanctuary of First Christian Church from 1:30 PM until 3:00 PM.  Floral tributes will be accepted, or memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 625 Meadowbrook Dr. King, NC 27021.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Priddy Manor Assisted Living for their kind and compassionate care since January 2020.

Slate Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Erlene F. Priddy.  Online condolences may be offered at www.slatefh.com

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