Hilda Priest

Hilda Ray Priest passed away peacefully, Friday, June 3, 2022, at Elizabethtown Nursing Center with family by her side.   She was the youngest daughter of Annie Campbell Ray and Jessie LeGrande Ray, born January 31, 1934, in Elizabethtown.

She was a 1952 graduate of Elizabethtown High School and was one of the first employees at the Elizabethtown Veeder Root plant where she retired after over 30 years of service.  Hilda was a lifelong, dedicated member of Elizabethtown Baptist Church and an enormous fan of UNC basketball.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, Fred D Priest, Sr., her brothers, Leland Ray, Earl Ray, Horace Ray and her sister Lillian Robbins.

Her funeral service will be held at 3:00pm on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at Elizabethtown Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00pm – 3:00pm in the church fellowship hall prior to the service.  Burial will be at Bladen Memorial Gardens. Bladen Gaskins Funeral Home is serving the family.

Hilda leaves to cherish her memory her daughters, Debbie Winkleman and husband Tom, of Ocean Isle Beach; Marilyn Jordan of Elizabethtown; Phoebe McGavock and husband Billy of Bay Tree Lakes; and her son, Fred D. Priest, Jr and wife Terrie of Whiteville; six grandchildren, Alison Mengel and husband Eric,  Brent Urban and wife Alana, Christy Urban, Adam Jordan and wife Lexi, Lacie Jacobs and husband Blake, and Evan Priest; 10 great-grandchildren, Reed Mengel, Tyler Mengel, Cole Mengel, Madisyn Gutierrez-Urban, Brayden Espinoza, Bryson Urban, Brensley Urban, Desi Urban, MacKenzie Jacobs & Campbell Jacobs;  as well as self-proclaimed adopted daughter, Dot Purdie.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Elizabethtown Nursing Center for the love and care they provided Hilda over these past several years. They are also appreciative of her special roommate and friend Patricia Cordle

Those who wish to honor her memory are encouraged to make a donation to the ECA School Fund at Elizabethtown Baptist Church.