By Staff
Mildred Butler Sanderford of Cary, NC, died August 16, 2007, at the age of 101. She was born in Chocowinity, the eldest daughter of Laura and Frank Butler, and grew up in nearby Washington, NC, where she was educated in the public schools before going on to North Carolina State College for Women (now UNC-G). A member of the class of 1927, she majored in English and education; taught school in Bath and Milton; and in 1927, married Everett C. Sanderford of Raleigh.
In 1936, Mildred and Everett moved to Cary where they spent the rest of their lives. Both were devoted to family, church, and community. Mildred particularly valued formal education and life-long learning. She was a leader in Cary Woman’s Club and its early efforts at community beautification: some of the club’s plantings of flowering trees and shrubs still enhance the historic district. During WWII, she contributed to the war effort not just by helping with her victory garden and canning much of what she grew, but especially by returning to teaching. She was the first garden editor of The Cary News and a founding member of the Cary Garden Club. In 2002, the club honored her with a life membership in the Garden Club of North Carolina. She was also a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Cary and recently of Westwood Baptist Church.
Her husband, Everett, her sister, Laura Meredith Benton, her brother, John Butler, and two sons-in-law, Harold McEntire and William Marley, preceded her in death. She is survived by her three daughters, Patricia Gruber and husband, Ira of Bellaire, TX, Everette Claire Marley of Cary, and Barbara McEntire of Cary; sister, Dorothy Wright of Washington and Hope Mills, NC and her sons; and 8 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild — all of whom will greatly miss her nurturing and love.
Mildred’s family will receive friends at Westwood Baptist Church, 200 Westhigh St., Cary on Saturday morning, August 25, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. Funeral services will begin an hour later at the church with burial following at Hillcrest Cemetery in Cary.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the scholarship fund of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1100 West Market St., P.O. Box 26170, Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 or donate.uncg.edu) or to the Westwood Baptist Church building fund.
Mildred’s family wishes to express its appreciation to Dr. James Parsons for his humane practice of medicine; to Mary, Ruth, and Joanne for their many kindnesses in attending Mother; and to the staff of Mayview Convalescent Center and of Wake County Hospice for their care and wise guidance.
Condolences may be sent through www.mem.com
Paid Obituary