Gaynell Lofton

Gaynell Durham Lofton was born February 12, 1925 in Goldsboro, North Carolina to the late Lonnie Durham, Sr. and Maggie Sutton Durham.  She passed from labor to reward at Goldsboro Assisted Living on January 21, 2023.   Gaynell was reared in the Elroy Community and raised on a farm.  She attended Wayne County Public Schools.  

Gaynell loved the Lord and joined Millers Chapel AME Zion Church at a young age and attended as much as possible until her health declined.  Gaynell never complained about all the obstacles and adversities she faced throughout her life.  She simply endured them all knowing that God will never put more on you than you can bear.   

Gaynell was well known throughout Goldsboro because of the many customers she met and served while working at the Green Parrot Café.  Gaynell was a jolly person and loved having family and friends over for gatherings.  She had an infectious laugh and a smile that would light up a room.  Gaynell loved to cook and made sure you were offered food anytime you visited her.  Gaynell’s favorite hobby was watching Wrestling.

Gaynell was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Lofton; the fathers of her children, William Griffin and Lonnie Love; two sons, James Marshall Lofton and Joe Carver Lofton; five daughters, Gail Young, Edsel Lofton, Iris Lofton, Eva Lofton and Linda Lofton; her parents, Lonnie & Maggie Durham; four brothers, Clifton “Cliff” Durham, Theodore “Nim” Durham, Lonnie “Boyzie” Durham, Jr. and Willie James “Sonny Boy” Durham; six sisters, Fannie “Jazie” Ward, Elizabeth “Babe” Rodgers, Narcissus Parks, Dorothy “Dot” Durham, Oretha “Donah” Cutliff and Lillie Vaughn; a special cousin, Ida Mae Durham and two dedicated friends, William Earl Smith and James Garner AKA James West. 
 

Loving memories will be cherished by her two sons, Victor Love (Crystal) of Dudley, NC and Vincent Lofton of Washington, DC; daughter, Maggie Ann Cobb of Newark, NJ; thirty grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; one sister, Margaret Durham Body of Goldsboro, NC; a distinct daughter-in-law, Brenda Watkins Lofton of Goldsboro, NC; a Godson-in-kind, Yusef A. Knight of Newark, NJ and many other relatives and close friends.    

Funeral service will be held Friday, January 27, 2023 at 1 p.m. in the chapel of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.  Burial will follow at Wilson Cemetery in Goldsboro.  Viewing will be held prior to the service from noon until 12:45 p.m. at the funeral home.

Services entrusted to the care of Howell Funeral Home & Crematory in Goldsboro.

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