Mrs. Viola Everett Best, age 97, a resident of 19988 Hwy 264 East, Pinetown, NC died Saturday April 27, 2013 at River Trace Nursing Center of Washington.

A funeral service will be held 2:30 PM Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at Free Union Original Free Will Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Tony Parrish. Burial will follow in Yeatesville Cemetery.

Earl Sheppard, William Waters, Richard Paul, Jon Winslow, Wilson Paul, Sammy Tinker, Lewis Carowan and Doug Bennett will serve as pallbearers.

Mrs. Best was born in Beaufort County on March 21, 1916 daughter of the late Asa Monroe Everett and the late Ida Foreman Everett Keech. She married Wyriott Aubrey Best on June 21, 1940 who preceded her in death on May 19, 1969. Mrs. Best was a homemaker who worked at Gaylord’s Upholstery Shop for thirty years. She was a very active member of Free Union Free Will Baptist Church where she was a children’s Sunday School teacher for thirty five years and a member of the adult choir. Mrs. Best enjoyed attending the annual Cragmont Free Will Baptist retreats. She was a member of her church Ladies Auxiliary where she served as treasurer and was presented the life membership award in 2007.

Survivors include two sons: James Marvin Best and wife Carol of Pinetown and Carney Allen Best and wife Peggy of Pinetown; six grandchildren: Angela Reid, Patrick Best, Kimberly Armstrong, Dolores Gill, Jamie Best and Jonathan Best; twelve great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren and a sister-in-law: Vida Everett.  Mrs. Best was predeceased by a son: Maxwell Dale Best on October 28, 1955; two brothers: William Jesse Everett and Monroe Everett; a step-brother: Luther Keech and two step-sisters: Hazel Peck and Aleeze Price.

The family received friends from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Monday, April 29, 2013 at the Free Union Original Free Will Baptist Church and other times at the home of her son and daughter in law, Carney and Peggy Best, 238 Pungo Creek Road, Pinetown.    

Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Best family.