Dorothy “Dot” Woolard Elks, 92, left her earthly home on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 to join in heaven the love of her life and husband for over 72 years, Lester E. Elks. Lester left for heaven about eighteen months ago taking with him much of Dot’s heart. Their life was a beautiful love story.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, August 12, at 2:00 pm in the Wilkerson Funeral Chapel with Dr. Skipper McLawhorn officiating. Burial will follow in Pinewood Memorial Park.

Dot was the seventh child of nine children born of the late Gotha and Laura Woolard of Washington, North Carolina. Perhaps it was among her many siblings that Dot learned to hold her own. That same strength and “can-do” attitude she displayed as a child remained throughout her life.

Dot was a strong partner to Lester on their farm located on Elks Road in Grimesland. When there was a need in the community, you could find her there with her support and insightful input. For seventy years, Dot was a member and servant at Proctor Memorial Christian Church in Grimesland. Her homemade cakes brought highest bid at many fundraisers, and many have tried to guess the secret for her unduplicatable sweet pickles and cream corn. Often friends and family members facing illnesses were greeted at their front door with Dot and h er famous vegetable soup.   In addition to her cooking skills, Dot’s love of flowers was evident to anyone driving down Elks Road; her yard was worthy of any home or garden magazine. For a period of time, Dot was a highly respected supervisor at Hamilton Beach in Washington, but for most of her married life, she was a dedicated stay-at-home wife and mother. This was the life she loved!

Besides her husband, Dot is preceded in death by her brothers, Glenn, Maurice, Thurston and Gotha Woolard; her sisters, Violet Hale, Lucille Ware and Nina Faye Wheeler; and, a great-grandson, Beau Stanley.

She is survived by: a son, Larry G. Elks and wife, Ricki of Jackson, Tennessee; and a daughter, Terry Elks Miller and husband, Gary of Greenville; grandchildren, Daniel Ryan Elks, Julie Secura and husband, Jay; Kelly Cannon and husband, Brian; Joshua Letchworth and wife, Niki; Jennifer Stanley and husband, Parham; Julie Howard; Renee Bassham and husband, Matt; Leigh Anna Veal and husband, Justin; and Joshua Pruett and wife, Rose; great-grandchildren, Brianna, Preston, Carter, Ryder, Wade, Miller, Maddux, Kayla, Connor, Abigail, Rylee, Aiyana, Hannah, Zach, Christian, Annaleigh, Jordan, Graci, Catalina, Ashton, Aden, and Daisy; sister, Geraldine Stewart of Washington. She is also survived by her loving and devoted caregiver, Hallie Whitfield of Bath.

The family will receive friends on Saturday, August 12, from 12:30 to 2:00 pm at Wilkerson Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Beau’s Buddies Cancer Fund, 3154 Stanley Road, Greenville, NC 27858 or Proctor Memorial Christian Church, P.O. Box 159, Grimesland, NC 27837.

Online condolences at www.wilkersonfuneralhome.com