Freda Myers

She was born to John and Jane Garvey Fleming both of Radcliffe, England on April 13th, 1935. In her early years she enjoyed ice skating and flirting with the boys in school. When she was 15, she met her first husband William Stanley Stepaniak. They married in 1951 and later divorced. She had 4 children with him who all survive her. Freda Diane Weems of Smithfield, North Carolina; William Paul Stepaniak (Judi) of Jacksonville, Florida; Linda Sharon Stepaniak of Clearwater, Florida; and John Michael Stepaniak (Samantha) of Largo, Florida.

She attended nursing school and became a LPN. She was licensed for over 50 years and worked more than 15 years as a surgical scrub nurse. She was proud of her accomplishments and loved to let everyone know that she was a nurse.

She met her second husband Edward Myers and after a beautiful courtship, she married the love of her life. They were together for over 35 years. In that marriage, she gained three stepchildren: Edward Ray Myers, Roderick Edward Myers and Michelle Baker. She lived with Ed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Clewiston, Florida; Destin, Florida; Franklin, North Carolina; Weaverville, North Carolina; Arden, North Carolina; and Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. She cared for him until his death in 2001. Freda owned a Gold Crown Hallmark store in Destin, Florida for a few years and enjoyed meeting all of the service men and women who would pass through her doors.

When Ed passed, she met Charles William “Bill” Dunnington in Daytona. They married and she took care of him until his passing in 2012 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They were involved with the Elks Club. She gained 3 more stepchildren: Greg Dunnington, Dama Dunnington, and Randy Dunnington.

She enjoyed living at the beach, her dog Tito, and driving around in her hardtop convertible. She loved her Pinot Noir perfectly poured every night up until her hospital stay.

She had met a new Beau in Myrtle Beach, John Benson “Bill” Irvin, III who she was engaged to. He passed in 2025. His children William Irvin, John Irvin, and Evelyn Peterson have been very kind to her.

She is survived by her older sister, Vera Ingram of Chinquapin, North Carolina and is predeceased by her sister, Joyce Bugala and brother, Norman Fleming. Freda had many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and a niece that she adored. In her final years, Diane and these grandchildren assisted with her care. She was well loved.

At nearly 91 years old, she was a beautiful lady who would never go anywhere without having her face on. She liked all the fine things in life: having fancy nails, nice glittery clothes, and was always well accessorized.

She made lovely friends when she lived in Myrtle Beach and had developed a wonderful relationship with a small group of ladies who were referred to as the Golden Girls from Bethesda Baptist in Clayton, North Carolina.

There will be a Celebration of Life on April 13, 2026, at 11:00 am at:

Bethesda Baptist Church, 4967 US Hwy 70 Business, Clayton, North Carolina 27520.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Freda's name to: Bethesda Baptist Church Building Fund - https://bethesdaclayton.com/give

or Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas - https://www.yorkieroc.org/donate.

Online condolences may be made to the family at: mclaurinatpinecrest.com.

McLaurin Funeral Home of Clayton, North Carolina is honored to be assisting the family.