AULANDER, NC – Celia Lassiter Congleton, age 101, passed away on January 1, 2019 in Smithfield, VA, while spending time with her three children for the holidays.

Mrs. Congleton was born in Northampton County on June 28, 1917, a daughter of the late Luke and Reba Joyner Lassiter in Woodland, NC. Celia attended school in Roxobel, NC and graduated from Rich Square High School in 1936 and went on to attend one year of college at East Carolina University.

Celia met Willie Ray Congleton in 1931 and they were married on September 3, 1938. Mrs. Congleton lived in Aulander for 77 years and was a member of Aulander Baptist Church.

She was always there for the family and in addition to providing a wonderful home environment she was

a seasonal employee at Archer Daniels Midland for 29 years. Some of her favorite past times included needlework, sewing, and flowers of any kind. She truly enjoyed visits from family and friends at any time, especially during the holidays. Celia especially enjoyed attending her high school reunions and the reunions of her children’s school.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings.

Left to cherish her memory are two daughters, Arleen Beasley and Barbara Rawls; and a son, Kenneth Ray Congleton, all of Smithfield, VA; two grandsons, John Allen Beasley of Battery Park, VA, and Gregory Mitchell Congleton and wife, Jenny of Hampton, VA; a granddaughter, Michelle Morris of Smithfield, VA; a great granddaughter, Samantha Rae Morris of Newport News, VA; and two great grandsons, Michael Morris of Smithfield, VA, and Gregory Mitchell Congleton, Jr. of Hampton, VA. Also surviving are David and Kay Rawls of Windsor, VA, and a special niece, Linda Hathaway of Kelford, NC, who was always there when needed, and Sarah Sumrell of Newport News, VA.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at 11:00 am at the Garrett-Sykes Memorial Chapel-Aulander, with Rev. Greg Hurdle officiating. Burial will follow in Aulander Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made directly to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060-9979; or you may donate online by visiting www.tmcfunding.com/search, then type Celia Congleton.

Garret-Sykes Aulander Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Congleton family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting garrettsykesfs.com.