Mary Savannah Sutphin Midkiff

Mrs. Mary Savannah Sutphin Midkiff, "Mama Vanna" passed away Friday, May 27, 2011 at Golden Living Center. Mrs. Midkiff was born in Surry County, July 6, 1917 to George and Sarah Elsie Hicks Sutphin. She was retired from Hanes Inc. after first working at Renfro Corp. for many years. She was a member of First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Winston-Salem. She was a former long time member of Flat Rock Pentecostal Holiness where she played piano for nearly forty years and fed and accepted into her home, not only every Pentecostal preacher that came to Mt. Airy, but also many other visiting preachers to the area. "Mama Vanna" was a wonderful mother and great friend to all who was also known for helping and caring for the entire community. She was an inspiration to all her family and not only taught each one to live for God but also showed in her life that she also lived for God herself. Surviving are daughters and sons-in-law, Patsy and Beamer Loftis; Sara and Charles Smith; Reva and Pastor Wesley Flippin all of Mt. Airy; nine grandchildren; Denise Glace, Farah Davis, David Smith, Mary Hunter, Jeannine DuMond, Laura Joyce, Johanna Smith, La'Teah Santucci and April Sawyers; twenty one great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; a sister, Betty Key of Mt. Airy; and a brother, Joe Sutphin of Winston-Salem and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Midkiff was preceded in death by her loving husband, "Papa" Carl Midkiff; sons Johnnie Lee Midkiff and Charles Carl Midkiff, Jr.; sisters, Katherine Sutphin, Frances McCadams, Maggie Hiatt, Bessie Short, Lois Short and Clarice Hall and brothers, Bobby Morgan, Woodrow, Johnnie, Jack, Abner and Don Sutphin. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM, Monday May 30, 2011 at Flat Rock Pentecostal Holiness Church by Dr. David Sparks, Pastor Tim Wolfe and Pastor Wesley Flippin. Burial will follow in Midkiff Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday at the church from 1:00 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice at 401 Technology Lane, Suite 200, Mt. Airy, NC 27030 or to First Pentecostal Holiness Church of Winston-Salem at 998 Hutton St. Winston-Salem, NC 27101.