Elizabeth "Beth" Loflin Gonzalez

Yadkinville – Elizabeth “Beth” Loflin Gonzalez, 66, passed away Wednesday, March 1, 2023.  Our moma never met a stranger. Whether she was shopping for groceries, riding in an elevator, or helping out customers at the hardware store, she just had a way of connecting with people. She always wanted to leave you with a smile on your face and a laugh in your voice. On March 1st, 2023 at night, within the walls of Forsyth Hospital, her laughing voice was quieted. 

On September 24th,1956, Joseph and Minnie Loflin welcomed into this world their second daughter, Elizabeth Charlene Loflin. She would often joke that you spelled her name just like the Queen, or you could call her “Puddentang”, but she usually just went by Beth. The last eight years she garnered the name “Bamma” from her greatest treasures; her three grandchildren. 

Elizabeth graduated from Forbush High School in 1974 and was a student of Appalachian State University for a year in the marching band. She would recall the memories she made that year with such fondness and had begun attending with her children to take in the occasional ASU home football game just to watch the band perform and enjoy the tailgate atmosphere. In 1989, she graduated from Greensboro College with a BS in Business Administration after doubling her course load for four semesters and working full time.

In 1979, she married the love of her life, Nicolas Vargas, and they started to build their life together. In 1980, Elizabeth gave birth to her “best” daughter Rosa, (her only daughter until 2014), and then welcomed her wonderful son, Cruz, in 1983. Elizabeth and Nicolas always worked to give their children the best life possible while making as many memories all along the way. From their full-time jobs, to their tobacco- growing second jobs, together they taught their children that there is more to life than possessions. Instead of material things, she taught them to focus on building a foundation for wonderful marriages as best friends.

Elizabeth was a founding member of the Courtney Athletic Boosters and could be found on many ball fields and in many gyms throughout the years cheering on her favorite players. No matter what her children were doing, she was going to be there front and center; their biggest fan.

One of her proudest moments was watching her son Cruz work his first NASCAR Cup race as a gas man. Every Saturday night and Sunday afternoon was dedicated to watching the race hoping to catch a glimpse of him living out his dream and jumping that pit wall. Once again, she was his biggest fan. 

Elizabeth worked for her father and grandfather at Loflin Handle Company in Yadkinville, NC for close to 45 years.  Over the last 30 years, she managed Courtney General Store, the storefront of Loflin Handle Company. Early years in the family business found her traveling with her sisters or alone, selling tool handles to the many stores throughout neighboring states with her longest delivery being to Brownsville, TX, while on the way to see her in-law family in Mexico. 

Elizabeth made many friends throughout the many years as she worked in retail hardware. She made many “mother-daughter” trips with Rosa to the hardware shows throughout the area and they were always making the best memories. She was always willing to teach anyone who would listen how to be self-reliant and take care of their home hardware needs themselves. She did not plan on leading a hardware life, but she really became an inspiration to her colleagues, friends, and neighbors.

Years 2010 and 2014 saw Elizabeth welcome into her family a son-in-law and a daughter-in-law as she watched her children start building their own marriages. Her prayers of watching them each grow their family were answered for the first time in 2015. Her daughter made her “Bamma” to twin boys in spring 2021 her son brought into her life a little granddaughter. Her cup runneth over.

Elizabeth’s next chapter had begun and she was looking forward to retiring and spending more time traveling to her beloved vacation place, Dolores Hildago, Mexico with Nicolas and creating many more memories with their grandchildren.

Throughout the years, Elizabeth volunteered in many ways. Her most recent contribution to the community included serving for the Courtney Fire Department Board of Directors and as well the position of Treasurer.  She also served on the Yadkin Planning Board. Her recent weekends included volunteering for a basketball tournament door duty for the booster club. Elizabeth was born with a servant’s heart.

Along with her wonderful husband, she leaves behind the following people to cherish her memory: her father, Joseph Loflin, Jr., her two children and their spouses, Rosa and Ronald Lovejoy as well as Cruz and Renée Hennings-Gonzalez, three wonderful grandchildren; Luke and Noah Lovejoy, and “Little” Charlotte Gonzalez. Sisters Rebecca Tomlin and husband Joseph, Betina Gonzalez and husband Benigno, sisters in law; Juana Vargas, Eudelia Gonzalez, Pau Gonzalez, and Reina Gonzalez. Brothers in law; Jose Gonzalez and wife Gloria, Cruz Gonzalez and wife Michelle, and Reymundo Gonzalez. Special cousins and memory makers, Carolyn Sweetser and husband Stanley, Leigh Hall, Alison Kirby and husband Greg, and many more cousins that she loved tremendously. Special “family” Tammy Howard and husband Hank Parker, Steve and Dale Potts, and her life-long girlfriends; Jackie McCarn and husband Steve, Joan Wooten and husband Mark, Donna McDonald and husband Gary, Debra Rierson and husband Steve, Jane Johnson and husband Ray Mills, and Geraldine Shore. She leaves behind many great nieces and nephews who fondly referred to her “Aunt Margret” and “Beti”. Lastly, she leaves behind a tremendous love for the many kids that she spent so much time with throughout the years; nieces Samyra Tripp, Heather Tomlin, Courtney Wells and their families, nephew Joe Tomlin and his family, Chris, Landon, and Nick Means and their families, Jake and Jessica Lind and their family, Jesse and Tabitha Armstrong, Justin Sizemore and his family, and many, many, more.

We would like to express our most sincere gratitude to Tammy Howard, Felicia, Kayln, and Zane Riddle, Wanda Kay Bennett, Juana Vargas and her daughter Lucia, for taking the biggest of burdens from our shoulders these past few days. We appreciate the many calls, texts, food deliveries, and love showered upon us. We have been brokenhearted and you have helped make this difficult time a bit more bearable.

Her funeral service will be held 2:00pm Monday, March 6, 2023 at Gentry Family Chapel in Yadkinville by the Rev. Scott Welch.  The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00pm Sunday, March 5, 2023 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville.

Memorials can be made in her name to any organization to the benefit of children throughout our area.

Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville is serving the Gonzalez family.  Online condolences can be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com.