RURAL HALL, N.C. – Iona Ida Henderson Flippin, 79, passed away March 2, 2013. A native of Allagash, she was the daughter of the late Flora and Charles Henderson.
Iona was a devoted mother, grandmother, teacher, friend and neighbor. She truly loved her grandchildren, Kacy, Corey and her “tornado,” Luke. She taught school in the 1960s and 1970s, and also founded Granny’s Daycare, which she operated for more than 20 years. She was blessed with numerous students and their families that continued to stay in touch with her throughout the years. She most recently co-founded the Busy Bee’s Quilting Group and for the last several years this group has made and sent hundreds of quilts to needy children throughout the world. She was the persona of Christian values, including love, forgiveness, generosity and putting others needs before her own. An example of her spirit was displayed by her cooking during the holidays for anyone who didn’t have a home of their own. Folks traveling through the area during the holidays always knew to come to her home for her hospitality.
In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brothers, Lumbert and George Henderson; son, Brian Flippin; and daughter, Cheryl Flippin Greene. Survivors include her sons, Frank Flippin and wife, Debbie, of Rural Hall, N.C., and Steve Flippin and wife, Jahel, of Oak Ridge, N.C.; grandchildren, Luke Flippin, Corey Greene and Kacy Flippin Norris; sisters, Nancy Henderson of Maine and Eleanor Hughes of Massachusetts; brothers, Thomas Henderson, Robert Henderson, William Henderson and Gerald Henderson all of Maine; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Memorial services celebrating her life will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 6, at New Hope Baptist Church, 4800 Old Rural Hall Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. The family will visit with friends immediately after the service Wednesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family asks all donations to be made to Bethel Colony of Mercy, 1675 Bethel Colony Road, Lenoir, NC 28645; or American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231; or Hospice of Forsyth, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Friends and family may sign and view the guest book at www.Pierce-JeffersonFuneralService.com.
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31, 38-39.