Our beloved matriarch, Lauretta Farrior Fennell—known to so many as Micky, Aunt Micky, Etta, Aunt Etta, Grandma, and most importantly, Mother—passed away peacefully on November 26, 2024. She was born on September 4, 1927, in Burgaw, North Carolina, and was the last of 12 children born to the late Gary Holmes Farrior and Isabella Philyaw. She was a woman of integrity, moral fiber, character, and strength. She departed this life peacefully on November 26, 2024.

Lauretta's journey began in the swamps and tobacco fields of Pender County, where she learned early on the meaning of hard work, sacrifice, and resilience in the segregated South. Despite the challenges of her time, she graduated from C.F. Pope High School in 1945 and pursued beauty school in Durham, NC.

At the age of 19, she married her true love, M/SGT. James A. Fennell, Sr., on October 5, 1946.

Their short courtship and eventual marriage saw them travel the world to Southeast Asia and the island nations of Okinawa and the Philippines, with two young children (Glenn and Sudie) in tow. While navigating the joys and trials of military life, Lauretta often said that these times traveling the world were the happiest times of her life.

In 1961, she moved to Winston-Salem, NC, to pursue better opportunities for her family. She enjoyed gardening, volunteer work, worked very hard in the restaurant business, and made many sacrifices to ensure that her children had a better life. Her goals were for all of her children to be college-educated and successful in whatever career they chose to pursue.

Her children, who are her ultimate legacy, are evidence that she accomplished her goals.

She joins her parents, siblings, husband James, her daughter Sudie K. Fennell, and grandson Joshua P. Fennell in eternal peace.

She is survived by four children: Glenn W. Fennell, Dr. James A. Fennell, II, Joanne L. Fennell, Rev. Dr. Zenobia B. Fennell; and her devoted granddaughter Nina D. Flynn (Barry), along with a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

To Lauretta's family, she was the cornerstone of their lives. In their words:

"We are who we are because of Lauretta Fennell. No words can express our gratitude. All we can say is, "Thank you." Thank you for making the flowers grow and for providing gardens to feed us. Thank you for attending and giving birthday parties, for buying beautiful prom dresses, being in the crowd at graduations, and for standing proudly beside us in our caps and gowns. Thank you for ruby slippers and pretty dresses, for visits to Santa, for putting up with band practice in your living room, and for all of our pets. Thank you for attending christenings, for new toys, for supporting our endeavors, and for putting up with "the Old Man" (our father) for all those years. Thank you for providing a place we can call home, but most of all, for being you."

"We love you… we honor you… we miss you."

Funeral service for Mrs. Fennell will be held at St. John CME Church on Monday, December 9, 2024 at 1:00 PM. The family will greet friends beginning at 12:30 PM until the funeral hour. Interment will be in New Evergreen Cemetery. Mrs. Fennell will be publicly viewed Sunday, December 8, 2024 from 1PM~6PM at the funeral home.

For a copy of funeral program click here