April 25, 1927 ~ August 7, 2021 (age 94)
Mrs. Leola W. Formy-Duval 94, of Whiteville passed away on Saturday, August 7, 2021 surrounded by family after a battle with pulmonary fibrosis. She was born April 25, 1927 in Columbus County, the daughter of the late George Ward and Sadie Pierce Ward of the Old Dock community She was preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Charlie Formy-Duval; a brother, Wayne Kinlaw Ward and a sister, Larue Ward Williamson.
Mrs. Formy-Duval was employed with the Whiteville City Schools for 27 years until her retirement in 1987. She was a long time member of Trinity Baptist Church.
She is survived by two sons, Michael Formy-Duval and wife, Frankie Gardner Formy-Duval and Greg Formy-Duval both of Whiteville and Lake Waccamaw.
Leola graduated from Whiteville High School, Class of 1944 and held an associate degree from Southeastern Community College. She began her work experience with Western Union in Wilmington during World War II and in 1946 came back to work for S.L. Braxton Auto Supply. After the birth of her second child, she worked for Columbus County Hospital and was the administrative assistant to Mrs. Frances Eanes. She later went into business for herself in the retail cloth and mercantile related business and her husband joined her in his retirement. They operated the Golden Thimble cloth business until health issues caused her to retire again. She and Charlie were original founding members of the Calvary Baptist Church. When Calvary Church was moved in the early 1970’s, she and her husband became members of Trinity Baptist Church where they remained until their deaths. Charlie was a Deacon and Leola helped Rev. Ray Justice start a Home Bound program as part of the outreach program. Leola worked with the girl’s programs such as the GA’s and the YWA’s and helped in many ways with the annual Vacation Bible School as well as helping with the church bulletins for several churches. She also served as the church secretary at the First Baptist Church for several years. She then worked for the Columbus County School system until her retirement in 1987. She always enjoyed her days as the school secretary at Edgewood Elementary School until moving to the Administrative Office, where she retired. She always enjoyed the students and the staff and worked tirelessly to resolve every day problems. Leola formerly served on the Brunswick Town Board. She was instrumental in the founding of Columbus County Industries Workshop.
Her funeral service will be at 11:00 am Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Peacock Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Randy Speight and Rev. Dan Deaton officiating. Entombment will follow in Peacock’s Columbus Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Visitation will be from 10:00 am – 11:00 am Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at Peacock Funeral Home prior to her service in the chapel.
