Nadine Gillikin Styron

Nadine Gillikin Styron, 92, of Davis, NC, passed away Friday, November 8, 2024, surrounded by family. 

A funeral service to honor Nadine’s life will be held at 11 a.m., Wednesday, November 13th at First Baptist Church of Davis, officiated by Rev. Daniel Melton. Interment will follow at Oscar Davis Memorial Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m., Tuesday, November 12th at First Baptist Church of Davis. For those unable to attend, the service can be viewed through her obituary page on Munden Funeral Home’s website. The service will remain on the Funeral Home website for 90 days.

Nadine was the oldest of 5 children born to Lola and Teanie Gillikin on May 26, 1932. She grew up in Otway, NC, and later attended Smyrna High School where she met James Styron, the love of her life. They were married on October 21, 1950. Soon after, James served in the Navy for four years and he and Nadine started a family with a son Kenny arriving in 1952 and a daughter Patty in 1954. 

After the Navy, James worked as a commercial fisherman and business owner settling in Davis. Following the fishery, they enjoyed some years in Florida where Nadine particularly enjoyed Key West. Though Nadine assisted with the family business, her major priority was raising their 2 children. 

Nadine was incredibly supportive of James’ multiple endeavors with the Shriners organization but was also a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and enjoyed giving back to the community and the associated fellowship. She was a dedicated parishioner at the Davis First Baptist Church, a member of the choir and loved attending her adult Sunday School classes and visiting with her church family. She even earned a 40-year pin for perfect attendance. For years, Nadine maintained a regular monthly reunion group with classmates from her Smyrna High graduating class of 1950.

She had an amazing culinary talent, especially known for her trademark chocolate pie, and her kitchen was rarely idle. One of her greatest sources of joy was watching Hallmark movies. 

Besides her faith, her family was her greatest priority. She was especially proud of her 10 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren and even one great-great grandchild which she affectionally referred to them all as her “lovebugs”. 

She lived a life devoted to her faith, to others, spoke without judgement, knew no strangers and set an example of kindness for generations to come. 

She is survived by her son, Kenny and wife Barbara of Davis; daughter, Patty Ivester and husband David of Davis; grandchildren, Mary Ann Styron and Carrie Ann Styron and husband Vincent, all of Portland, OR, Patrick Ivester and wife Jetta Ivester, Brent Ivester and wife Angela, Neil Styron and wife Delisa, Kiah Ivester and Bree Ana Ivester, all of Davis, Teresa Styron Giddeons of Wilmington, Alison Styron and companion Amy Morgan of Trent Woods, and Heather Ivester of Beaufort; great-grandchildren, Carter Lewis, Camden and Genevieve Ivester, Gabriel Brown, Riely Brown, Nathan, Naomi, Natalie and Nadine Giddeons, Ion Harmon, Lola Raymond, Lily Styron, Landon, Skylar and Dianna Ivester, Murphy and Neilly Styron; great-great grandchild, Noah Clifton Ivester; sisters-in-law, Lorraine Alligood and husband Leton, Elizabeth Ritchey; and brother-in-law, Dickie Styron and wife Bev. She has an abundance of loved nieces and nephews; and life-long friend and classmate, Marguerite “Tot” Mansfield of Morehead City.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Farrell Styron; parents, Lola and Teanie Gillikin; brothers, Clyde and Eldred Gillikin; sister, Peggy Arnold; and grandchildren, Tracy Tosto and James Ivester. 

As an expression of sympathy, flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Davis, P.O. Box 146, Davis, NC 28524.

Family and friends are welcome to submit online condolences at www.mundenfuneralhome.net.

Arrangements by Munden Funeral Home & Crematory in Morehead City, NC.