Rowena Cannon Grainger: Raleigh

    Rowena Cannon Grainger was born June 17, 1920 in Green Sea, to Hiram and Ella Cannon, and died on Wednesday, Sept. 3, after a prolonged decline of health in Raleigh, where she lived with her daughter, Deborah Keever.
    Mrs. Grainger grew up in Green Sea, and was a graduate of Green Sea High School.
    She was wed to John William Grainger, Sr. on June 18, 1938. Together they had four children, Deanne, John, Frank and Deborah.
    Mrs. Grainger was preceded in death by her first born child, Deanne; father, Hiram Cannon; husband, John William Grainger, Sr.; mother, Ella Pridgen Cannon; brother, Leo Cannon; and sisters Irene Blanton and Vera Phillips.
    She is survived by sons John W. Grainger, Jr. and wife Virginia of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, H. Frank Grainger and wife Judi of Cary, and daughter Deborah Rowena Keever and husband Michael of Raleigh.
    In addition to her children she was blessed with eight grandchildren, Dawn Snyder, and husband Richard, Amanda Grainger, Deanne Grainger, Michelle Grainger, Frank Grainger II, and wife Kristen, Ralph Trango, and wife Shay, John Trango, and wife Annette, and Paul Trango, and wife Amanda. She was also blessed with 11 great grandchildren, seven nieces and four nephews.
    Miss Rowena, as she was affectionately called, served as the Williams Township cafeteria manager for 37 years where she was “grandmother” to thousands of children. She was very instrumental in obtaining a North Carolina retirement program for public school cafeteria workers.
    After retirement she enjoyed greeting diners at The Todd House in Tabor City.
    She was a loyal and active member of Clarendon Baptist Church where she served on numerous committees and as the Church Hostess for more than 50 years.
    The family would like to thank Hospice of Wake County and Lekita Care for their support and wonderful care during her prolonged illness.
    Visitation was planned from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in Inman Funeral Home in Tabor City.
    Funeral services were planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, in Clarendon Baptist Church in Clarendon, with interment to follow immediately in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Tabor City.
    In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Clarendon Baptist Church, 2326 Sidney Cherry Grove Rd, Clarendon, NC, 28432 or Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC, 27607.
    A guest register is available here.