Rocky Mount -

Zelia Chandler Winchester Bradshaw, age 88, passed away peacefully Saturday, March 1, 2025 at Nash UNC Health Care in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Her journey began in Roxboro, NC on October 3, 1936 to Felix and Minnie Gates Chandler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Carl Winchester and Albert Bradshaw; son, David Winchester and siblings, Bertha Jacobs, Scarlett Glasgow and Felix Chandler, Jr.

Lovingly known as "Nana", she leaves a lifetime of memories for her daughters, Karen Winchester Leatherwood (Billy) of Greensboro and Kim Cogley (Bill) of Rocky Mount; siblings, Tony Chandler (Gabriella) of New York and Mike Chandler (Debbie) of Durham; grandchildren, David Jones, Carl Jones, Jaime Gaulden (Casey), Crystal White (Chris) and Jason Cogley (Amanda) and great-grandchildren, Ben White, Teddy White, London Gaulden, Blake Gaulden, Dylan Jones and Caleb Jones. She will also be missed by several nieces, nephews and other extended relatives.

Nana poured her heart into being a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She took immense pride in her role as a homemaker, always putting her family first and ensuring they felt loved and cared for. Despite being born blind, she never allowed that to hold her back; instead, she embraced life with a fierce independence. Her nurturing spirit was evident in the countless children she looked after and helped to raise, showcasing her love for family and her natural ability to care for others.

Zelia was a dedicated Christian who joined the Salvation Army Church back in the 1980s, where she formed strong bonds that felt like family. Throughout the years, she contributed to the church in various ways whenever she could, finding joy in her service to the Lord. She lived a full life in her eighty-eight years and will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, March 7, 2025 at Davis-Little Funerals, 2129 Lawrence Circle, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. The family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 9:00am. Burial will be held at 2:00pm at Pinelawn Memorial Park, Kinston, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Salvation Army Church, 1000 Hunter Hill Road, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.