FRANKLINTON: Miriam Gonella Honeycutt, 91, of Franklinton died on 5/31/2020 at her home after an extended illness. Miriam was born 3/14/1929 in Franklinton. She was the daughter of the late John F. Gonella and Rubie Daniel Gonella. She will be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and a very loved music and piano teacher.

Miriam was predeceased by her husband, Bruce W. Honeycutt Sr.; her son, Bruce W. Honeycutt Jr.; her grandson, Brandon Thomas Honeycutt; and her brother, John F. Gonella Jr.; and her special cousin, Marian H. Hicks. She is survived by her son, John Thomas Honeycutt (Tommy) and his wife Gail, granddaughter Shannon Honeycutt (her children Dehstan and Serena) and granddaughter Laura Honeycutt. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Beth Gonella; her nephew, John F. Gonella III; her nieces, Charlotte Reid Gonella, Emily Eubank, Ellen Wilborn, Jane Faust, Betsy Mangum; special cousin, Moses Hand; and special friends, Dana Bauer, Brodie Green, Carole Daniel, Larry and Elaine Kearney, Doug Mitchell, Alta Sandling, John and Gretchen Taylor and Hazel Williams.

Miriam graduated from Franklinton High School (the first 12 year class) in 1947. She graduated from Woman's College, now known as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, with a degree in music and public school music in 1951. She taught public school music for 39 years, starting in Zebulon for 2 years, then Creedmoor for 3 years, then the remainder of her career at both Franklinton High School and Elementary School, where she taught glee club, chorus, piano, voice and public school music, She also taught private piano lessons at her home for many years.

She was choir director and organist for Franklinton Baptist Church for 12 years, then for Franklinton United Methodist Church for over 30 years.

Miriam served several terms as president of the local Franklinton Unit 52 American Legion Auxiliary. She served one term each as District 5 President and Division 1 President of the Auxiliary and was selected "Division President of the year." She served 4 years on the State of North Carolina American Legion Auxiliary Girl State Committee.

The family would like to thank the following caregivers for their loving care over the past several months: Anethia Collins, Bettie Jefferys, Pam Jones, Dorthea Ohlandt, Leigh Pleasants and Gwen Crews. We would also like to thank Doctor Anant Soni and Doctor Joellen Speca and their staff for years of dedicated and compassionate care.

Finally, we want to sincerely thank her special family members and friends who came to visit, called, sent cards, flowers or food, bringing her joy the last few months.

A memorial service will be held at 11 o'clock Saturday morning, June 27, 2020, at Franklinton United Methodist Church, 109 N. Main St., Franklinton, NC 27525. Inurnment will follow in the Fairview Cemetery in Franklinton.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Franklinton United Methodist Church, 109 N. Main Street, Franklinton, N.C. 27525 or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 41912, Raleigh, N.C. 27629-1912.

A service of Bright Funeral Home & Cremation Center Wake Forest, NC.

Paid Obituary