Jean Graham Yarborough
August 5, 1922 ~ May 15, 2009
Resided in:
Gastonia, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Jean Graham Renfro Yarborough, lately of 1251 Hudson Blvd., Gastonia, NC passed on Friday, May 15, 2009.
Jean was born August 15, 1922, the eighth child of John D. and Anna McFadyen Graham of Raeford, NC. She was a graduate of Hoke County High School and Watts Hospital School of Nursing; she received additional training at the Knickerbocker Hospital in New York City.
Her first position was with the Hickory Emergency Polio Hospital and she then later worked with the NC Orthopedic Home in Asheville, NC. She was one of the original nurses with the American Red Cross Bloodmobile program serving as a staff member and later Chief Nurse.
Jean's first love was pediatrics and for 21 years until her retirement, she served the youthful patients of St. Josephs' Hospital of Asheville, NC.
She was a life member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Biltmore Chapter Number 38 as well as a member of First Presbyterian Church of Asheville and the 1st Bible Class.
Her first husband, Don Hugh Renfro, Sr. of Asheville and her second husband, William J. Yarborough of Fayetteville, preceded Jean in death.
Surviving are her children Don and Anna Sturgis Renfro of Gastonia, Anna Elizabeth Renfro of Asheville; the children of her beloved "Dub," Victor A. and Gale Yarborough of Cumming, Georgia, and Jere and Elaine Yarborough Duncan of Sun City, Georgia; grand children Graham Renfro and Anna Kathryn Renfro of Gastonia, Sean Bragg, wife Lisa and their wonderful boys Alex, Parker, and Nicholas of Cumming, Georgia. She also leaves a most dear and special 'adopted daughter' Ms. Jody Vaughn of Greenville, South Carolina.
Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. with services immediately following at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. with the Rev. Beth Newman officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
Jean requested memorials be sent to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, The Presbyterian Home for Children, 80 Lake Eden Rd., Black Mtn., NC 28711, or to Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054.
DON HUGH & ANNA YOUR MOTHER WAS A GREAT LADY AND A FUN PERSON. I WANT TO EXTEND MY SIMPHONY TO THE FAMILY. TO HER I WAS JUST (PEE WEE)ONE OF HER FAVORITE NEPHEWS. GOD BLESS. WORTH
TO THE FAMILY OF JEAN, WE WANT TO EXTEND OUR DEEPEST AND HEARTFELT SYMPATHY IN HER PASSING. WE WILL CHERISH THE MEMORIES OF HER LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP ALL THE YEARS TO COME. MAY YOUR FAITH IN GOD GUIDE YOU THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME….
What a special person Jean was to me when I was younger and first married! She was the one who first suspected I was pregnant with my first child (and she was right!). I will never forget my son bringing her a ‘magic rock’ and she kept it on the bookshelf as if it were one… Her best words of advice to me as a young mother were ‘Never forget who is the parent and who is the child,’ and I never did. What a blessing she was to this world and I know that she will be sorely missed by all of you. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cousins, Don and Anna, and family, Our deepest sympathy at this time of loss of your mother. Aunt Jean, a teenager, spent the summer that I was born, with my mother, and has always been like a second mom to me. She was such, wonderful, and loving person, and is much loved and greatly missed. We will be with you in thought and spirit on Sunday.
With Love,
John and Marlene Carpenter
San Clemente, CA
May 16, 2009
Don and Anna, I am so sorry about your mother. I am Jody’s friend, and enjoyed knowing her. She was so kind and friendly–we will miss her.
Don and Anna, Aunt Jean will always be a wonderful memory for our family. She taught me so much about our family. I know she has joined Grandma (Willa) and all the sisters and brothers in heaven. I am sure they are all at a kitchen table telling a joke or two. We are sorry we were unable to attend the services. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.
Debbie & Lee Terry
Robert & Lee Carpenter
When I first met Jean I knew we would be friends. She wasn’t ever just another patient to me. I always enjoyed talking to her about dogs, flowers, and her beautiful mountain home, Asheville. She lifted my spirit every day by talking to me and praying for me. She had a great sense of humor. She loved her family deeply. Don, Graham and the three Anna’s! I will never forget her and feel I’m blessed to have known her. We’ll miss you, love Cindy and Nash
The members of Mountain Region, North Carolina Nurses Association, offer our condolences. Thank you for emphasizing Jean’s career. We will remember her again next May 12 when we meet to celebrate the 190th anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birthday.
Don Hugh and Anna. Your Mom was a very special person–for sure. She always came by to see her ‘Uncle Lacy’ whenever visiting in Raeford. A very unique lady and will be greatly missed.