Lela Rebecca Monk, the daughter of Ella Kimblim-Randolph and Timothy Randolph, was born July 17, 1918 in Bowman Town, South Carolina. She graduated from the Lee County Training High School in Sanford, North Carolina in 1937. Growing up in Sanford, Lela was a member of the Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the Young People’s Gospel Choir and served on the Junior Usher Board. Lela was also an avid tennis player.

In 1939 Lela migrated to Scarsdale, New York where she found employment as a nanny. She later worked as a Nurse’s Aide at White Plains Hospital, and for Neiman Marcus in White Plains, New York until she retired in 1987. Lela joined the fellowship of Bethel Baptist Church in White Plains, New York, where she served as an Usher and was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary.

In 1945 Lela met and married Arthur Monk of Mt. Olive, North Carolina. They were blessed with two wonderful children: Barbara and James Arthur.

In June of 1960 Lela surrendered her heart and life to Jesus Christ, while attending a bible study; she became a new creation in Christ Jesus as described in II Corinthians 5:17. She then joined the fellowship at Shiloh Gospel Chapel in White Plains, New York. It was at Shiloh that she grew in grace and the knowledge of Jesus Christ, and was very active in the Women’s Ministry. Because of her love for the Lord and her desire to please Him, this shy, introvert began to reach out to family, friends and strangers with the good news of salvation. Not only did she share her faith, but she was always willing to give of herself and substance to those who were in need.

After retirement in 1987, she enjoyed spending time with her grand-children living in Virginia. She looked forward to those Red Skin football game weekends when her daughter-in-law (Desiree) would need a baby-sitter. She loved spoiling her grand-children with gifts and special treats. As the children grew older, she enjoyed telling them about her Savior.

Lela, a loving and devoted wife for 57 years, learned that the best way to raise a family and have a happy home was on her knees. She knew that Christ was more than able to take care of her family. Her trust in the Lord and the strength that came from spending time with Him, gave her the strength to stand fast during the tough times.

As a family, we will long remember our mother, mother-in-law, grand-mother, great grand-mother, aunt, and cousin for her gentle and quiet spirit. We will remember her love for fresh cut flowers, her gift for floral arranging, and her deep, deep love for ice cream. But most of all we will remember her love for her family; her love for the Lord and the joy it gave her to serve and please them.

After a very long journey with Dementia, Lela was called home to receive her eternal reward on Sunday, July 2, 2017, just two week short of her 99th birthday. Left behind to cherish her memory are her devoted children, three grand-children and seven great grand-children. A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.



The Entire Staff of Lee's Funeral Home, LLC respects that the Monk family entrusted the care of their loved one to us, and that they value the level of service & attention our funeral home provides. We are honored, in turn, to provide comfort, assistance and service to the Monk family during their time of bereavement.