Mrs. Adelene Mae Bennett Gurganus, age 88, a resident of 3246 Mary’s Chapel Church Road, Edward, died Wednesday evening August 2, 2017 at the home of her son in Washington.

A funeral service will be held 2:30 PM Friday August 4, 2017 at Mary’s Chapel Christian Church officiated by Eddie Gurganus. Burial will follow in Cuthrell Cemetery at White Hill. Tripp Leggett, Robert Norman, Johnny Woolard, Tom Walker, Ryan Woolard and Marvin Alligood, Jr. will serve as pallbearers. The family will receive friends following the service at the graveside.

Mrs. Gurganus was born October 22, 1928 in Beaufort County, daughter of the late Rufus Lancaster Bennett and Violet May Ferrell Bennett. On June 27, 1964, she married Forrest Willard Gurganus, who preceded her in death on March 29, 2009. She worked for 40 years in bookkeeping at Sampson’s Manufacturing. Mrs. Gurganus was an avid homemaker and gardener where she prepared jams, jellies and pickles and traveled to festivals throughout eastern North Carolina. She enjoyed canning, gardening and yardwork. Mrs. Gurganus was a member of Mary’s Chapel Christian Church and a member of the Ladies’ Aide.

Mrs. Gurganus is survived by her son: William “Bud” C. Leary and wife Patsy; her son-in-law: John B. Leggett all of Washington; her grandchildren: Tripp Leggett, Misty Norman and husband Robert, Sharon Humes and husband Jeromy, Shane Leary and wife Geena, Ryan Woolard and wife Terry, Courtney Godley and husband Frank and Heather Younts and husband Chase; 13 great grandchildren, her brother: Charles Bennett and wife Jennette, and her brother-in-law: Thomas Walker all of Edward. She is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband and parents, she is preceded in death by her daughter: Olivia “Libby” Leggett and her sister: Joan B. Walker.

Flowers are welcomed or memorials may be made to: Mary’s Chapel Christian Church, c/o Avon Quinn, 4209 Yarmouth Rd, New Bern, NC 28562.

On-line condolences may be offered to the family by visiting www.paulfuneralhome.com.

Paul Funeral Home & Crematory of Washington is honored to serve the Gurganus family.