A smile for all a heart of gold, one of the finest this world could hold
Never selfish, always kind, these are the memories he leaves behind...
Rev. Tony Lavonzy Bellamy, son of the late Lonnie Ray Wellman, Sr. and Mildred Bellamy Hunter Heard was born October 27, 1956, in Statesville, North Carolina. On the night of January 26, 2022, Rev. Bellamy entered into eternal rest. He was 65 years old.
Rev. Bellamy attended North Iredell High School and Winston Salem State University. He was a member of the Beta Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. while attending Winston Salem State University. After graduating from college, Rev. Bellamy moved to Danville, VA for a brief period of time then relocated to Charlotte, NC. While in Charlotte, he started a painting company, Bellamy’s Painting Enterprise. Rev. Bellamy employed individuals who were homeless and had a criminal history because he believed in giving people a second chance. He became an ordained minister and was an Assistant Pastor at Progressive Baptist Church and St. Peter’s Baptist Church before relocating to Statesville.
After relocating to Statesville, Rev. Bellamy married Francine Turner Bellamy on May 20, 2006. He continued in ministry and served as the Administrator at Visions Outreach Ministries. He was an advocate for Domestic Violence Prevention in the Statesville community, and the author of Down in The Grove “Shattered Hearts and Wounded Spirits” and Not Tonight.
Rev. Bellamy loved to fish, ride motorcycles, and spend time with his family and friends. He was a Christian, and is now walking in Heaven with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
He was preceded in death by his father, Lonnie Ray Wellman, Sr., brother, Lonnie Ray Wellman, Jr., and sister, Valerie Wellman.
He leaves to forever cherish his memory: a loving and devoted wife, Francine Turner Bellamy, Statesville, NC; a loving and devoted mother, Mildred Bellamy Hunter Heard, Statesville, NC; one son, Deshawn Alexander, Sr. (Mai), Statesville, NC; four daughters, Rochelle “Nicole” Bellamy Mayfield (Diarra), Charlotte, NC; Kellie Bellamy Claiborne (Cameron), Charlotte, NC; Ashley Bellamy, Charlotte, NC; Kimberly Bellamy, Charlotte, NC; three bonus daughters, Jerri Holder, Cleveland, NC; Nichole Ray, Winston-Salem, NC; Tiffany Holland (Leonard), Statesville, NC. He also leaves to forever cherish his memory five brothers, Ronald Chambers (Joyce), Statesville, NC; Dr. William Bellamy, Sr. (Francine), Montgomery, AL; Pastor James Hunter, Sr. (Diane), Statesville, NC; Steven Hunter (Rotunda) Greenville, SC; and Ronnie Hunter (Katrina), Lutz, FL; four sisters, Lynn Byers, Greenville, SC; Tammy Hunter, Statesville, NC; Shirley Jones, Statesville, NC; and Sharon Daniels (Elder Christopher), Statesville, NC; fifteen grandchildren, Andre Alexander, Jr.; Aaleigha Alexander; Kayden Bellamy; Nyla Mayfield; Nyvaesza Davis; Sabriya Clarke (Nigel); Brittany Holder; Yasmine Holder; Debresha Holder; Ayonna Redmon; Prophet Ray; Elle’Le Ray; Bryanna Holland; Me’Cala Holland; and Leonard Holland, Jr.; five great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, uncles, aunts, and friends.
Special acknowledgements to Rev. Bellamy's close friends, Darnell Morgan, Joseph Rogers, Mary Virginia White, Stanley "Peedee" Tomlin, Vincent Thomas, and to the Mothers of his children, Diane Alexander and Karen Surles..
Celebration of Life Services will be conducted Wednesday, February 2, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Christian Outreach of the Piedmont. Pastor Glenn J. Usry is Pastor, Pastor James Hunter - Pastor of Visions Outreach Ministries will officiate and Reverend William Bellamy will eulogize. Burial will follow in the St. Joseph Baptist Church Cemetery in Statesville, NC. Members of the family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., but will assemble at the residence of his mother, Mildred Heard, Rolling Lane, at other times.
The public will receive friends and family from 4-7 p.m., on February 1, 2022, at Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home.
Visit the Book of Memories for Rev. Bellamy at www.rutledgeandbigham.com. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home is serving the Bellamy Family.