Claudia Lee Sellers

Claudia Lee Young Gaddy Sellers, of Salisbury and previously of Rocky Mount, NC, died December 19th . Born March 31, 1917 in Rowan County, she was the daughter of Fletcher Mathias and Lillie Foster Young. Mrs. Sellers graduated top of her class from Woodleaf High School. She obtained an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education from Nash County Community College in Rocky Mount, NC. Mrs. Sellers was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Salisbury, a member of the Daisy Hedrick Sunday School Class, the Methodist Connection, Women of the Church and the Prayer Shawl Ministry. From many years she participated with Meals on Wheels. Mrs. Sellers and her husband, the late Curtis Gaddy, ran a grocery store in Rocky Mount, NC. Following his death she continued running the grocery store, enjoying being an independent woman. In order to court her, Henry Sellers came into the store and purchased an apple each day for a year. She finally agreed to go out with him and they were married September 21, 1941. Mr. Sellers served in the U.S. Navy at Pearl Harbor during World War II. A loving and devoted wife and mother, Mrs. Sellers was a homemaker following her marriage to Henry Sellers. She was a gifted seamstress, knitter, crafter, and especially loved being the one to make all of the Christmons for the Christmas tree of Second Presbyterian Church in Rocky Mount, NC. She enjoyed growing plants, a large garden working in the soil and keeping the yard of her home. She canned and froze vegetables and fruits for her family every year and was a wonderful cook. Mrs. Sellers entertained the extended Sellers family of her husband Henry, cooking, making homemade ice cream and other delicious treats. She provided care for her mother-in-law Belle for many years as well as providing support her maiden sister-in-law, Lessie Sellers throughout the years of her life. Sundays she prepared a large meal for her family and many Sundays included the church pastor and his family. For twenty five years Mr. and Mrs. Sellers served as Church Treasurer for Second Presbyterian. Following the death of Mr. Sellers she taught school for ten years before moving back to Salisbury to be with her family here in 1985. After moving to Salisbury, she enrolled in classes at Rufty-Homes Senior Center, quilting classes with Marie Wood and enjoyed traveling with her sister Lettie. Some of the places they traveled were Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, many of the individual United States, and she especially loved Mackinaw Island, Michigan. Mrs. Sellers was the wonderful Matriarch of our family for sixty seven years. Mrs. Sellers was preceded in death by her husbands, Curtis Gaddy and Henry Cleveland Sellers, on June 12, 1971; sisters Mary Shuping, Virginia Benson, Velna Shuping, Lettie Cranford, Ethel Jacobs, and brother Clarence Young and her parents. Mrs. Sellers is survived by brother Eugene Young and wife Edith of Salisbury. She is survived by three daughters who loved and cherished her: Ann Koontz and her husband Dr. Wayne of Salisbury, Emily Underwood and husband Allen of Memphis, TN; Henrietta Haithcock and husband Howard Jr. of Franklin, NC; eight grandchildren: Melanie Miller, Laura Peltz and husband Kevin of Salisbury; Dr. David Koontz and wife Brandi of Greenville, SC; James Underwood and wife Anna of Germantown, TN; Henry-Adam Underwood and wife Kalyn of Germantown, TN; Benjamin Underwood and wife Julia of Memphis, TN; Catherine and Mollie Haithcock of Franklin, NC; seven great-grandchildren: Luke Lundy, Nicholas and Riley Peltz of Salisbury, Madison and Brennan Koontz of Greenville, SC, George and Klyne Underwood of Germantown, TN. SERVICE: A memorial service of worship and joyful celebration of her life will be held Wednesday at 1 pm at First United Methodist Church. The Rev. Steve Haines, church pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow at a later date in Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount, NC. She will be buried between her late husbands, Curtis Gaddy and Henry Sellers. VISITATION: The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall of the church following the service. MEMORIALS: First United Methodist Church, 217 Church St., Salisbury, NC. 28144 Summersett Funeral Home is assisting the family with funeral arrangements www.summersettfuneral.com.

Claudia Lee Sellers

March 31, 1917 - December 19, 2009