Elizabeth "Kitty" Burrus Felts
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Elizabeth "Kitty" Burrus Felts, beloved wife of the late John Harvey Felts, MD, died April 19, 2021, at the age of 90. Born in Shelby, NC, on September 18, 1930, Kitty was the daughter of the late Velma Martin Burrus and Charles Andrew Burrus. She was given her nickname by her older brother, Charles, who said she looked like a newborn kitten.
Kitty loved growing up in Shelby and maintained life-long friendships with her "crowd" of friends, the Shelby girls. She swore that there were no better peaches than those grown in Cleveland County, and made annual trips to Shelby to fill her car with peaches to share with her family and friends in Mocksville and Winston-Salem. No peach run was complete without a stop for Shelby barbecue and red slaw to enjoy at home.
Kitty loved the outdoors. She attended Girl Scout Camp Shirley Rogers for many years as both camper and counselor. She later shared the skills she learned at camp with her own Girl Scout troop at Burkhead United Methodist Church in Winston-Salem. Where would dozens of women be today without the ability to create a buddy burner and tin can stove upon which to cook their own hamburger, pancake, or campfire stew, or to weave a "sit-upon" for resting more comfortably around the campfire, without Kitty? "My Girl Scouts," as she called them, learned scores of songs, earned many badges, and developed life skills in the spirit of the Girl Scout motto, "Be Prepared."
Following family tradition, Kitty attended Salem College, graduating cum laude in 1952 with degrees in English and Primary Education, then teaching fifth grade for three years prior to her marriage. Her love for Salem never wavered.
While at Salem, Kitty met Jack Felts on a blind date. They married in 1955 and began their life together in Cloverdale Apartments. After a few years, Kitty and Jack built their home on Paddington Lane, where they raised their daughters, Betsy and Margaret, surrounded by dear, dear friends. To this day, anyone who lived on Paddington Lane is considered not only a friend, but family.
Kitty was active in many organizations including Centenary United Methodist Church; Salem College; Flower Lore Garden Club; Garden Club Council of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County; Forsyth County Medical Alliance; and the Bowman Gray Medical Guild. She loved her book club, play reading group, cooking group, and water aerobics friends.
As an avid gardener and superb flower arranger, Kitty was called on often to "help with flowers" for many an occasion. She had a particular skill for making large arrangements, with one favorite being an arrangement that was taller than she! At one point, she made dried flower arrangements, often embarrassing her daughters by stopping on the side of the road to pick wildflowers for these arrangements. The good Girl Scout that she was, she was prepared, carrying clippers in her pocketbook at all times!
Kitty never knew a stranger. She always approached with a smile on her face, an outstretched hand, and the words, "Hi! I'm Kitty Felts!" A gracious entertainer, she always made everyone feel welcome.
Kitty is survived by her daughters, Betsy Ellison and her husband, Mark, of Athens, Georgia, and Margaret Huber and her husband, Scott, of Winston-Salem, NC; her brother, Charles Burrus, and his family; her grandsons, Mark Ellison, Jr. and his wife, Jennifer, of Toronto, Canada, and David Ellison and his wife, Lauren, of Athens, GA; and her great-grandchildren, Abby and Jack Ellison, of Athens.
The family would like to acknowledge the love and care given to Kitty for the past two years by the staff at Arbor Acres, and by her loyal caregivers from Griswold Home Care: LaGail Milton, Magda Wahba, and Linda Koonce. Their faithful service is greatly appreciated.
Due to the pandemic, a celebration of her remarkable life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to: Centenary United Methodist Church, PO Box 658, Winston-Salem, NC, 27102; Garden Club Council - Beautification, 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106; or to Salem College, 601 South Church Street, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com