Geraldine "Gerry" Hutchins Welborn

Geraldine “Gerry” Hutchins Welborn, 90, lovingly known as “Gigi” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, was born on February 6, 1936, in Yadkin County, North Carolina, where she was raised and spent her life surrounded by the family and community she loved went home to rest in the arms of her Savior October 31, 2026.

Gerry was a woman of remarkable strength, unwavering love, heart of gold, stubborn as an ox when she wanted to be, and one of the most loving, generous, and caring souls anyone could have the privilege of knowing. To know Gerry was to love her, and those fortunate enough to be part of her life knew just how special she truly was.

For more than 32 years, Gerry dedicated herself to education as a teacher's assistant at Yadkinville Elementary School in all grades, finishing her final years in kindergarten and 1st grade. Through her patience, kindness, and diligence, she touched the lives of countless children and coworkers, leaving a lasting impression on the community she proudly called home. She loved all children, no matter what background they came from. She was also a member of Forbush Baptist Church, helping with the children and serving on various committees throughout the years.

If there was one place where Gerry's love could always be felt, it was in her kitchen. An exceptional Southern cook and gifted baker, she was especially known for her famous five-flavor pound cake. While her cakes were always a welcome addition to holidays and family gatherings, she never needed a special occasion to bake one. Normally, all it took was a request from her great-granddaughter, Elizabeth, and Gigi would happily get to baking. It was one of the many ways she showed her love, not through grand gestures, but through the simple joy of making someone she loved happy. Her kitchen was more than a place to prepare meals; it was where memories were made, stories shared, and family traditions were lovingly passed from one generation to the next. She taught her son David, granddaughter Tori, and great-granddaughter Elizabeth, the art of cooking, baking cakes and canning vegetables fresh from the garden. But the lessons she passed down went far beyond recipes. She taught them patience, determination, the value of hard work, and the importance of carrying family traditions forward. That is why a sign that says “GiGi’s Kitchen, Angels gather here” is still proudly displayed for all to see.

Gerry played an instrumental role in raising both Tori and Elizabeth. To them, Gigi was so much more than a grandmother and great-grandmother. She was a teacher, protector, guiding hand, and a constant source of unconditional love. Through life's challenges and celebrations, she was always there, offering wisdom, encouragement, and sometimes a healthy dose of that famous stubbornness.

Perhaps one of Gerry's greatest gifts to her family was her unshakable belief in them. She believed wholeheartedly that her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren could accomplish anything they set their minds to. In her eyes, there were no dreams too big, no goals too far out of reach. She encouraged them to work hard, believe in themselves, and never settle for less than what she knew in her heart they could accomplish. She didn't just hope they would succeed; she believed with every fiber of her being that they were destined for greatness. That confidence, encouragement, and unconditional love became the foundation upon which her family built their own lives.Gigi never doubted that her family would accomplish great things. Because she believed in them so fiercely, they learned to believe in themselves.

Gerry was also a die-hard UNC Tar Heels fan. Her loyalty to Carolina basketball was unwavering, and anyone who knew her knew exactly where her heart stood when the Tar Heels took the court. Win or lose, she was Carolina blue through and through. Once a Tar Heel, Forever a Tar Heel! Born, Bred, Dead, any questions?

Gerry also found endless joy in the six cats belonging to her granddaughter, Tori. Their playful antics, mischievous personalities, and daily adventures brought laughter and smiles to her face. Whether they were into something they shouldn't be, or keeping her company, those furry companions had a special way of brightening her days and filling her home with happiness.

Above all else, Gerry was the rock of her family. She was their strength, their comfort, their constant, and the steady presence that held everyone together. Her love was not always expressed through grand gestures, but through the everyday things that mattered most: a home-cooked meal, a lesson passed down, a listening ear, a little stubborn advice, and the simple reassurance that Gigi was always there. Her family was her greatest treasure, and the love she poured into them will remain her most enduring legacy.

Gerry was preceded in death by her parents, Mozelle and Leslie Ray Hutchins, and her older sister, Ruth Hutchins.

She survived by her loving daughter, Leslie Nichols; son, David Welborn; sisters, Helen Bryngelson and Maclyn Powell (Danny); granddaughter, Tori Nichols; grandsons, Joe Welborn (Stevie) and Ray Welborn (Jessica); great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Bland (Zachery); and great-grandson, Arlo Welborn and special friends from Gina’s Angels.

A graveside service to honor and celebrate Gerry's life will be held at Forbush Baptist Church Cemetery 3917 Old Us 421 Hwy E on November 2, 2026 at 3pm by the Rev. Grady Trivette. There will be no formal visitation. Arrangements are entrusted to Gentry Family Funeral Service.

A very special thank you goes out to Dr Joanie Williams and staff of Yadkin Medical Associates, Dr Crook and Staff at the Novant Health Cancer Center,Gina’s Angels, Woltz Hospice Home and SECU Hospice Care Center, and Mountain Valley Hospice.

While her family will deeply miss her presence, her love will continue to live on in the traditions she passed down, the memories she helped create, and the countless lives she touched. Her cakes may never taste quite the same, the Tar Heels may never have a more devoted fan, and the family table may never feel quite as complete, but the love Gigi poured into her family will remain forever.

Instead of food and flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, your local animal shelter, Covenant House, or the A. Ruth Hutchins Memorial Scholarship Fund through The Winston-Salem Foundation.