WILHELMINA BEST
Carrie Wilhelmina Best, of Corbitt Hill Road, in the Grantham Community, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 1, at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Born in Wayne County she was the daughter of Joseph Carraway (Joe) and Ruth Gainey Brock. She was married to and preceded in death by Tobe Joseph (J.T.) Best and Julius Craven (Crow) Best. She was a member of the Mount Olive Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In her church she served the Relief Society (the oldest women's organization in the world) as secretary and a visiting teacher, going into the home and giving lessons on being a good mother and wife. She loved going to the Raleigh Church Temple. She attended there often and had planned to be a worker there part-time before she became sick. For many years Wilhelmina was employed in several clothing factories in and around Wayne County, spending most of those years with Lori Manufacturing Company. She will be remembered by her smile and soft spoken voice.
A celebration of her life for the family to receive friends will be held Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at West & Dunn Funeral Home in Newton Grove, and at other times they will be at the home 379 Corbitt Hill Road, Mount Olive (in the Grantham Community).
Funeral services will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints church on Hwy. 117 in Mount Olive with Bishop Joe Scott officiating. Burial will follow at Wayne Memorial Park.
Mrs. Best is survived by her daughters, Linda Carol and husband Dewey Strickland of Newton Grove and Ruth Alice and husband Larry Edmundson of Goldsboro. Her son, Joseph Paris Best preceded her in death. Daughters-in-law, Wilma Bailey and husband David and Merdie Ruth Best and husband Bill. Other children are: Frank Best and wife Sherry, Betty Lou Griffin and husband Jack and Faye Thies; grandchildren, Merdie Renee and husband Randy Pope of Mount Olive, Linda Ruth and husband Andy Cook of San Diego, California, Lisa Carol Strickland of Newton Grove; and was preceded in death by Tammy Strickland Tew. Other grandchildren, Billy Holmes, Lori Brogden, LeAnn Daniels, Jeff Britt, Mike Britt, Cheryl Griffin, Melanie Young and Penny Girffin-Cashwell; sisters and brothers-in-law, Juanita Gregory and husband George, JoAnn Blackmon and husband Malcolm and Bett Jernigan and husband John; great-grandchildren, Randy Joe and Darren Pope of Mount Olive, Justin Paris Best and Daniel Ray Ruggles of San Diego, California. Mrs. Best had nine other great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Best had special care givers, Jo Musick, Shirley Raynor, Renne Pope (granddaughter) and Merdie Best, and caring and helpful neighbors, Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Gurley and Mrs. Pauline Ingram.
Mrs. Best was preceded in death by a brother, Winfred Brock.
Arrangements are being handled by West & Dunn Funeral Home in Newton Grove.
(Written & Paid by the Family)
Published in Obituaries on May 3, 2004 3:11 PM