Selina Gilmore Montford, 60, of Newport, NC passed away on Monday, November 6, 2023 in the comfort of her home.

A funeral will be held at 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at Noe-Brooks Funeral Home, with a visitation one hour prior.

Interment will follow at George Family Cemetery.

Selina was born on April 9, 1963 to Benjamin and Queenie Gilmore. She was born in Queens, New York where the family resided until 1973 when they moved to Carteret County. Even as a child Selina had a flair for fashion and loved interior design, hair and style trends. It was no surprise that she would become a cosmetologist. Selina excelled as a hair stylist and became a top-performing stylist wherever she went. Selina started her career at Regis and moved on to JCPenney Styling Salon where she became a Master Stylist and later a manager.

Selina moved to Virginia Beach where she resided for many years and opened her very own salon, where she thrived as a stylist and business owner. During her life Selina was a part of several ministries and participated in many missionary trips to include Israel, South Africa and multiple Caribbean Islands. She was also active in neighborhood outreaches, intercessory prayer and prison ministry. Selina had a heart for the outcast and the lost. She never missed an opportunity to share how much she loved the Lord. She was known for her heart of gold, radiant smile and her infectious laugh. Selina never met a stranger.

Selina was a loving and kind person. Her priority and goal in life was to preach the gospel and make Christ known. In the workplace, in the grocery store and on the missionary field, she wanted to share the message of Christ. Her next great love was her husband and family. Selina met Duane while they were in high school. When Selina moved back to NC and was ministering at Praise International, they became reacquainted. Her family would notice her on her phone at night giggling and smiling like a teenager. It wouldn’t be long until they were married. Selina adored her grandchildren and it wasn’t uncommon for her to FaceTime with them daily and do nightly Bible stories with them. She would let the kids take the phone and video chat in their rooms while they talked to her, danced for her or showed her their toys. Selina made the most of life and love. Her smile, laugh, warmth, vivacious personality and delicious home cooking will be missed by all.

Selina is survived by her husband and the love of her life, Duane Montford of Newport, her father, Benjamin Gilmore Sr., of Morehead City, her son, Marcus Gilmore (Lisa) and grandchildren Jonas and Amariah of Goose Creek, SC, her daughter, Pansy Hester (Anthony) and grandchildren Jamarion, Javien, Jenesis and Josiah of Charlotte, NC, her son Duane Montford Jr. (Latisha) and grandchildren Monica, Saphyra and Ryland of Havelock, her niece, Lexi Jones (Antonio) and great nephew Holden of Raleigh, her niece, Brikenna Gilmore of Clayton, Daughter-in-Love Nicole Rodriguez and goddaughter Jada of Maryland, her friend who became a sister, Arnecia Nichol of Fayetteville, her spiritual parents, Pastor Joseph and Prophetess Willicia Rucker of Jacksonville, her pastors, Garlton and Kay George of Newport and a host of aunts and uncles.

Selina is preceded in death by her beloved mother Queenie Elizabeth Gilmore; brother, Ben Gilmore Jr.; maternal grandmother, Annie May Teel; paternal grandmother, Rosalie Gilmore and many aunts and uncles.

Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noebrooks.net.

Arrangements by Noe-Brooks Funeral Home, Morehead City, NC.