Lestine Earlene Mackie

Obituary of Lestine Earlene "Bill" Mackie Yadkinville - Lestine Earlene "Bill" Mackie, 91, died peacefully December 9, 2012 at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin. In 1951, she opened Mackie's Jewelry Store in downtown Yadkinville. She was one of the first women to own and operate a business, a market where men dominated. She was also a leader in promoting retail sales. Her motto was shop locally first. Randy Abbott now operates the business. Bill was born September 30, 1921, at home in Winston-Salem, the last of four daughters born to Daniel Lester and Ollie Josephine Woodruff Lawrence. After her father's unexpected death in 1930 in Wadesboro, Bill's mother moved her family back to Elkin on North Bridge Street. Her childhood friends included boys in the neighborhood. They gave her the nickname Billie, which was shortened to Bill, the name by which most people knew her. It was on North Bridge Street where she first acquired a taste for business, clerking at her uncle's store. She graduated from Elkin High School in 1938, where she lettered in basketball. Recently she donated engraved labels for the new seats in Dixon Auditorium. In 1941 Bill married Grady Martin Mackie of Yadkinville. Bill was a lifelong Baptist and an active member of Yadkinville First Baptist Church. She enjoyed playing golf, watching the Atlanta Braves play baseball and the Carolina Tar Heels play basketball. Bill was a charter member of the Downtown Business Association. She organized the first band at Yadkinville High School and supported bands at Forbush and Starmount High Schools. The Yadkinville Sertoma Club honored her with its Service to Mankind Award. Bill served on the first Board of Managers of the Yadkin Family YMCA and remained a faithful supporter. Bill loved her family and enjoyed visiting with them. For many years she organized Lawrence family reunions. Bill was preceded in death by her beloved son in 2007, Fred Martin Mackie of Asheboro; her beloved husband in 2008, Grady, to whom she was married 66 years; three older sisters, Mavareen L. Foil (W. M. Sr.) and Sadie L. Rierson (Charles) of Winston-Salem; and Gladys L. Stuart (Claude) of Elkin. She is survived by a son, Andrew L. Mackie, of Yadkinville; daughter-in-law, Angela K. Mackie Jones (Sam) of Asheboro; grandchildren, Amanda M. Rambo (Sean) of Wake Forest, Daniel Mackie (Heather) of The Woodlands, TX, and Leslie Mackie of Mount Holly; two great-grandsons, Austin Rambo and Coleman Rambo of Wake Forest; a favorite niece, Deanna S. Cockerham (Mackie) of Lewisville; many beloved nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and associates. The family wishes to thank the following for her recent medical support: Dr. James McGrath; Dr. Jerry Ziglar; Wanda Cockerham and the staff of Yadkin Nursing Center; and the doctors and staff of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital. Her visitation will be from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at Gentry Family Funeral Services, 5108 Hwy 601 N, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Rev. Ken Boaz will conduct her funeral at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, December 13, 2012 at Yadkinville First Baptist Church, 304 South State Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Burial will follow in Harmony Grove Cemetery, 1400 West Main Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055. Flowers accepted or memorials can be made to Yadkinville First Baptist Church, PO Box 668, Yadkinville, NC 27055, Harmony Grove Cemetery, c/o Jim Vestal, 1217 West Main Street, Yadkinville, NC 27055, or the charity of one's choice. Gentry Family Funeral Services in Yadkinville is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com.