Virginia Elnora (Spruill) Belk

Virginia Elnora Belk, 93 of 322 Temple Avenue, Sanford, NC transitioned into eternal rest Wednesday, July 8, 2020 at Westfield Rehabilitation and Health Center, Sanford, NC.

Virginia Elnora Spruill Belk, known affectionately to many as “Sally,” along with her twin brother, was born on May 24, 1927, in Goldston, NC to Myrtle Lambert Spruill and Edgar Vanderbilt Spruill and was the sixth of eight siblings.  She transitioned to her heavenly home on July 8, 2020, in her room at Westfield Rehabilitation and Health Center, 3100 Tramway Rd., Sanford, NC.

She was married to Cecil M. Belk and was the mother of two children:  a son, Robert Earl Spruill, and a daughter, Sherry Belk Gray.  She had an especially close relationship with her twin brother and her youngest sister.  She loved her family and enjoyed family gatherings, especially at Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Everyone who knew her knew that she loved to eat and enjoyed good food.  Other than going to church, going out to eat was one of her favorite things to do.  She would often tell others, “I’ll pay for it, if you’ll go.”  When she was a little disappointed that she wouldn’t be going out to eat, her well-known, humorous response was: “Well, Lord!”

Though she only had an eighth-grade education in the Chatham County School system, the lack of schooling was never a handicap for her.  She loved to read and that skill helped her in so many ways.  She was employed as a housekeeper for Mr. Joe Lazarus, owner of Lee Drug Store in Sanford, and his family.  Awareness of her cooking skills and her friendly manner with people led Mr. Lazarus to offer her a job as a waitress at the luncheon counter in his drug store. She met many people and made many friends there, some of whom are still friends with her today. After the drug store closed, she was hired as a waitress at the truck stop and Gus’ Greek Cuisine, both also in Sanford.

She was a devoted, committed Christian and prayer warrior who loved God and her church family, and enjoyed boldly witnessing to anyone about her Lord and Savior, and often admonished others not to play with God.  She was a very conscientious Bible scholar and spent many, many hours studying the Word of God.  She was often heard saying, “This is not my opinion or what I think.  Let me give you a Bible answer.  This is what the Word of God says….”  Though she never took a formal class nor was she professionally trained, it was through the revelation and understanding given by the power of the Holy Spirit and countless hours of searching and studying that she knew the Word of God and was a great Sunday School teacher and scholar. In the midst of discussions, she would often say, “Well, have you thought about this?” or “What do you think it means when the Bible says this?” She would challenge people to think and to do the will of God.

Elnora was an active, life-long member of Gethsemane Holiness Church and offered her service faithfully to the Lord in other capacities as well.  She was one of the early Presidents of the Y.P.C.W. Club; a former missionary and member of the Missionary Circle; Sunday School teacher of the Adult Class; a member of The All-Girl Chorus, an original member of The Standing Echoes, and The Gethsemane Mixed Chorus until her health failed; President of the Usher Board; member of the Obituary Committee at the Convocation, and she served as Mistress of Ceremony for the anniversaries of several local singing groups. She, like her mother, also enjoyed caring for the sick and would often stay with them all night before going to work the next day.

Though Elnora experienced several debilitating health issues for years, few people knew the extent to which she really struggled. Her love for God, faith in His Almighty power, and her indomitable spirit kept her pushing through the pain of her health struggles, no matter how severe.  Instead of feeling sorry for herself, she would say, “Thank you, Lord!” and raise her hands in praise.  Her family has pictures of her at the nursing home in her wheel chair with her hand raised in adoration and praise to God. When many others would have given up, God gave her enduring strength that only He could provide. In spite of her level of discomfort, she was still faithful and loved going to church.  She would stand, sing her song, and praise God until deliverance came, even if it was only temporary. By observing her example, her family learned what resilience and perseverance truly look like.  Her favorite and often quoted Scripture was I Peter 5:10:  But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.

During the last days of her life, Elnora witnessed to a young CNA who loved caring for her.  She advised the young lady to know her true worth and not be deceived by anyone’s disingenuous intentions. She asked about her beliefs in God and if she knew about salvation.  She told her about Jesus and the young lady cried and cried and cried. They held hands and prayed together.  The young lady said, “I love her and she makes me want to be a better Christian.” The young lady was told that if she had any questions, she could ask them and she’d try to answer them. Instead of spending her last days pondering over victories, accomplishments, or defeats, regrets, or mistreatment, Elnora was trying to help someone else know the same God that she knew.  No worries, no fences to mend, no apologies to speak, no hindrances, just the joy of the Lord! What a way to go! God left her here until He determined her work was done.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and six of her siblings:  James, John Edgar, Wesley Lynn, Dora Elizabeth, Herbert, and her twin brother Nathan; and her only son, Robert.

Her family cherishes her memory, and they take comfort in knowing that she is relieved from all pain and suffering, and she is happy now. She is survived by her daughter, Sherry Gray (Robert); three grandchildren: Calpurnia, Brandon and Jared; and two great-grandsons: Jeremiah and Sean, and her youngest sister, Elder Pearline McMillian.  She has a host of loving, attentive nieces and nephews, and two special “children”:  Debra Marsh and Tyreese Berryman; and many other relatives and friends.

Professional Services Entrusted to: Knotts Funeral Home, Sanford