ELEANOR MUNROE BEST
June 21, 1942-May 11, 2014
Eleanor Munroe Best passed away May 11, 2014.
She was born June 21, 1942, in Goldsboro, the daughter of the late Clement Munroe and Mary Meares Beery Best.
Eleanor attended Goldsboro High School, where she was voted Varsity Club Sweetheart. She then attended Stratford College and St. Andrews Presbyterian College.
After college, Eleanor started a career in elementary education in Charlotte and Raleigh.
Eleanor later moved to New York City, fulfilling a lifelong dream. But the South called her home, and Eleanor returned to North Carolina, where she went on to serve as director of the Bailey-Tucker House, the guesthouse to the governor's mansion in Raleigh.
Everyone knew Eleanor as a wonderful cook and hostess -- she had a flare for entertaining. Upon returning to Goldsboro, Eleanor used these talents to serve her community with the Meals on Wheels program.
Eleanor was a dedicated member of First Presbyterian Church, where she attended her whole life and once served as church hostess.
Friends will remember Eleanor for her caring and nurturing spirit. If you were sick or in need, Eleanor was there. A loyal friend, many of Eleanor's friendships spanned decades.
Eleanor was an avid bridge player, a voracious reader and a lover of travel. She served on several charitable boards, including the board of the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Eleanor was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Scott Best, and a brother, Eugene Beery Best.
She is survived by two aunts, Clara McArn Best of Goldsboro and Sally Best Riddle of Morganton; a brother, Clement Munroe "Jack" Best Jr. and wife, Ellen, of Goldsboro; and a sister, Jane Best Grandbouche and husband, Brad, of Sarasota, Fla.
Eleanor was a loving sister, devoted and generous.
In addition to her sister and brother, Eleanor is survived by four nieces and a nephew, Mary Hope Best Crocker and husband, Blain, Clement Munroe Best III and wife, Angie, of Goldsboro, Shana Fitzpatrick Zamikoff of Sarasota, Fla., Meghan Beery Fitzpatrick of San Francisco, Calif., and Eleanor Scott Best Davis and husband, Hill, of Winston-Salem.
A much-adored and doting aunt, "Auntie El" gave her nieces and nephew the same love and affection as though they were her own children. She had a mother's heart.
Eleanor is also survived by four great-nieces and two great-nephews, Mary Scott Best, Jake Robert Crocker, Hinton Munroe Crocker and Hannah Clare Best of Goldsboro, Emma Jane Zamikoff of Sarasota, Fla., and Avery Ellen Davis of Winston-Salem.
Eleanor took great joy in getting to know her great-nieces and nephews, watching them play and grow.
A memorial service will be held, following a private burial, at 11 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, at First Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Carol Pierson officiating.
The family will receive friends following the service in McChesney Hall.
Memorial contributions may be made to Cures for the Colors, c/o Dr. Jim Atkins, Southeastern Cancer Care, 203 Cox Blvd., Goldsboro, N.C., 27534, or the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, CB No. 7295, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, N.C., 27599.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on May 13, 2014 1:49 PM