Mrs. Derial Respess Fletcher, age 87, a resident of the Pike Road Community, died Friday morning, June 21, 2019.

A funeral service will be held 3:30 p.m. Sunday, June 23, 2019, at Pike Road Church of Christ, officiated by her grandsons and Minister Larry Wilson. Burial will follow in Davis Cemetery. Her nephews, Buster Manning, Maurice Manning, Dwight Respess, Troy Respess, Major Respess, Eddie Sulc, Stephen Fletcher and Jonathan Fletcher, will serve as pallbearers.

Mrs. Fletcher was born in Beaufort County on Oct. 7, 1931, daughter of the late William Arthur Respess, Sr. and Mary Ellen Cutler Respess. She was salutatorian of the 1949 class of Pantego High School. On Aug. 5, 1949, she married Gryce R. Fletcher, Sr., who preceded her in death in 1992. Mrs. Fletcher was a member of the Pike Road Church of Christ, where she attended faithfully. She taught Sunday School and was involved in many activities. As an elder’s wife, she housed and fed many preachers in her home. Mrs. Fletcher was a homemaker and enjoyed many activities including sewing, cooking, baking, crafting, painting and singing.

She is survived by her children, Myra F. Spencer (Glenn), of Scranton, Stevie F. Sawyer (Al), G.R. Fletcher, Jr. (Cherrye), Curtis W. Fletcher and Charles D. Fletcher, all of Pantego; her grandchildren, Dawn Armstrong (Darren), Heather Ballance (Marcus), Stuart Spencer (Miranda), Rodney Sawyer (Robbie), Susan Hollowell (Benji), Greg Sawyer (Kristin), Rebecca Caroon (Bryan), Tiffany Poole (Chad), Wendy Stevens (Brian) and Bryant Fletcher (Kasey); 23 great-grandchildren; her brother-in-law, Ervin Manning; and her sisters-in-law, June Respess and Florine Fletcher.

In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Moninger, James, Ulmer, William, Jr., and Talley Respess; her sisters, Hulda Pittman, Heppie Hill, Elizabeth Sulc, Jackie Manning; and an infant, Mary.

The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. Saturday at Paul Funeral Home in Belhaven and other times at 1759 Pike Road, Pantego.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Davis Cemetery Association, c/o G.R. Fletcher, 2273 Pike Road, Pantego, NC 27860 or Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern NC Chapter, 5171 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27612.

Online condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home of Belhaven is honored to serve the Fletcher family.