Celia Bishop Whitehead

ENFIELD – Celia Bishop Whitehead, of Enfield, was called home to be with the Lord on June 5th, 2024. Celia was born on March 29th, 1948, to Mattie Archbell Anderson Bishop and Hilton Oris Bishop; Celia’s birth on Easter Monday 1948 marked the beginning of a life dedicated to the glory of God. Celia’s light shone brightly. She was a devoted daughter, sister, friend and mother; most of all Celia will always be remembered by her grandchildren as their dearly loved “CeCe”. A lifelong learner, Celia graduated with honors from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree specialized in early childhood development. Her strong commitment to education and helping others shone throughout Celia’s life. She enjoyed working for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for many years before shifting to focus on raising her daughter, Draughn, who is forever grateful for the strong foundation and wings her mom gave her to fly. Celia later returned to her career in education, working for Wake Technical College until retirement. Celia, by nature, was humble and circumspect; she relied upon her faith to guide her, strengthen her, give her the words to say, and direct her actions. Celia relied on her Jesus constantly to provide a light to her path and direct her footsteps. She was known for saying, “I just want God to get the glory”. Her faith in the Lord Jesus has now become sight, with a full view of Jesus whom she has served. Through her life, Celia endured many tragedies, hardships, and set backs, but she always accepted these challenges in stride with the support of her family and knowledge that all circumstances are ordained by God and an opportunity to glorify God. Celia never knew a stranger; she sought out those on the sidelines of gatherings to welcome and get to know them. Celia purposefully poured her life into others, to help them recognize and develop hidden strengths, which benefited and improved the lives of her students, family, friends, and acquaintances. Her kindness, dedication to her community, and giving spirit were boundless. Celia loved her family and friends deeply, with a sacrificial love. She was a peace maker and prayerfully took actions towards unity in her everyday life; she especially desired equality and unity within her community of Enfield. Celia leaves us with a legacy of her unwavering faith in the Lord Jesus, her intentional devotion to family, her immense love for her grandchildren, her purposeful praise and recognition of the good qualities in everyone she met, her encouragement and time invested in others to reach their full potential, her loyal service within the church, her striving for equality and unity within her dear community of Enfield, and her extraordinary walk with Jesus. Celia was an inspiration to all, an excellent mother and grandmother, the best little sister, a cherished friend, and a role model to each of us. Many have been blessed to know her and our hearts ache that she no longer walks among us, but we are consoled that she is now in the presence of the Trinity and her many ancestors who went before. Celia is survived by her loving daughter, Draughn Bishop Whitehead Arbona, devoted son-in-law Anthony “Tony” Arbona, and cherished grandchildren Sebastian “Seb” and Lyra Arbona, of Virginia Beach, Va; her supportive big sister, Linda Bishop Jones; her loyal big brother, Hilton Oris Bishop, Jr, and loving nieces Angie McKinnon and Paige Edwards with their families; many dear cousins, nieces, and nephews; as well as countless friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ. Those there to welcome Celia into Heaven include her father, Hilton Oris “Red” Bishop, mother, Mattie Archbell Anderson Bishop, her cherished brother-in-law, William Robert “Bob” Jones, and beloved nephew, Ethan Robert Jones. What a welcoming reception that must have been! A Funeral Service to celebrate Celia’s life will be held on Thursday, June 13, 2024, at 2:00 PM at Enfield United Methodist Church, 209 Whitfield Street, Enfield, NC 27823 with Pastor Keith Griffin officiating. Burial will follow the service at Elmwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends and relatives on Wednesday, June 12, 2024, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home. A reception at Bellamy Manor, 613 Glenview Rd, Enfield, NC 27823 will follow the burial. The family appreciates your outpouring of love for our family. Instead of flowers, the family would ask that you consider a donation to the League of Churches, c/o Enfield Alliance Coalition, PO Box 573, Enfield, NC 27823, to honor Celia’s love for her community. Further, Celia would ask for you to tell someone about God’s goodness; encourage and mentor others in Jesus’ name; be intentional in showing acts of kindness to all, especially to strangers; never cease to show those around you just how much you love them; and look for ways to promote and invest in unity within your family and your community. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.