Gracie Mae Grainger

November 14, 1922 - May 8, 2020
Gracie Mae Grainger

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Gracie Mae Grainger, 97, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of her Savior on Friday, May 8, 2020 at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, NC.

She was born November 14, 1922, in Hallsboro, NC, to Stephen Guthrie Sibbett and Katie Lee Barefoot Sibbett. Gracie was a lifelong seamstress by trade and worked creating circuit breakers for Siemens. During her retirement, she hosted bus trips across the country and worked as a part-time hostess for Hampton Inn. She was a longtime member of Pine Valley Church of God who had a love for her family and crafting.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by most of her siblings, and her loving grandparents, Oscar and Fannie Barefoot, and daughter-in-law, Judy Grainger.

She is survived by her sister, Patsy Wright of Laurinburg; son, Garfield Grainger of Loudon, TN; daughter, Brenda Grainger Matkins (Bill) of Williamsburg, VA; daughter, Jan Grainger Morgan (Don) of Wilmington; grandsons, Kenneth Matkins (Chrissy) of Williamsburg, VA, Chris Grainger (Angie) of Dayton, TN, Terry Matkins (Mary) of Smithfield, VA, and granddaughters, Jennifer Matkins Marshall (Hayes) of Williamsburg, VA, Julie Morgan Beasley (Billy) of Wilmington, and Amie Morgan Brendle (Rich) of Winston-Salem; great grandchildren, Zachary Grainger, Lauren Grainger, Douglas Jones (Angela), Chandler Matkins, Chelsea Matkins, Emma Matkins, Elle Matkins, Cameron Moore, Riley Moore, Morgan Brendle and MacKay Brendle; great great grandchildren, Parker and Paxton Jones.

The family will celebrate Gracie’s life in a private ceremony. A graveside service with social distancing protocol with be open to everyone on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 12:00 pm at Oleander Memorial Gardens.

A special thanks to Gracie’s part-time care givers, Beth Sonnenberg and Sondra Dron, for their professional and compassionate care of Gracie and her family, as well as the staff at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Gracie’s honor to Lower Cape Fear LifeCare 1414 Physician Drive Wilmington, NC 28401.

Share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “Condolence” tab.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910-791-9099.

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  • May 09, 2020
    Vickey Ridgeway lit a candle:
    Lit since May 9, 2020 at 5:58:30 PM

  • May 10, 2020
    BARBARA CARTER says:
    Garfield, Brenda , Janice our hearts break for your loss. Aunt Gracie was a very special person. My favorite memory as the 1st time my late husband Greg met her. I remember what he said . He looked at me and said didn't you say she's 10 years older than your mom and I said yes. He said don't tell your mom but she looks 10 years older than your Aunt . Loving, kind and willing to help others. We will miss her so very much.. our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Barbara, Sabrina and Rylie

  • May 11, 2020
    Arty & Frankie Phelps says:
    Heavens gain

  • May 11, 2020
    Jenese Miller says:
    I have known this precious woman since I was a very young child. She always had a smile and I adored her sense of humor. I keep thinking that Heaven just got a little bit sweeter when she went there. My love and prayers for all of her loved ones.

  • May 11, 2020
    Charlie Riggs says:
    Gracie and my mother were good friend’s back in the day. I will keep the family in my thoughts and prayers.