Iola Woodall Narron

Iola Woodall Narron, 99, passed away peacefully August 27, 2015 at her home surrounded by her loving family and the angels chosen to carry her soul and spirit to her heavenly Father. She was born September 20,1915 to the late William Garland Woodall and Minnie Thompson Woodall. Iola grew up on a farm in Johnston County and graduated from Princeton School. She met and married James Arthur Narron while working on the farm. After they left the farm and moved to Raleigh, Iola worked at Rex Hospital, where she retired after 20 years of service.

As her children came along, Iola was a great mother, devoting herself to taking care of her family. Iola truly loved her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. She was known as “Granny” by everyone. She was never too busy to spend time with her family, to tell them how much she loved them and appreciated them and to encourage them in all of their endeavors. Iola was the rock that held her family together. She also loved cooking, canning, growing flowers, working in the yard, sewing and making quilts, talents that were passed down from her mother.

Iola dearly loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As a young adult, Iola was a member of Princeton Free Will Baptist Church. After she moved to Raleigh, she became a member of North Street Baptist Church, where she worshipped for almost 50 years. Iola taught Sunday school for over 20 years and loved her dear friends in the Etta Jordan Sunday school class. In her later years, Iola was a member of Longview Baptist Church in Raleigh. One of the highlights of her week was to attend her Sunday school class and worship service, where she continued to be an inspiration to everyone.

One of the most important gifts Iola gave her family was her example of faith in Jesus Christ. She taught her family the meaning of Christian love and demonstrated her faith even in the tough times. As the storms of life came, Iola held tightly to the Lord, persevered and never gave up. Throughout her life, Iola had a ministry of prayer, praying for family members, church members and friends. She was a faithful soldier for Jesus Christ, choosing to lay up for herself treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:20).

Iola is survived by her children: Shirley Narron Casey of Smithfield, Bobby Glenn Narron of Raleigh, Peggy Narron Jones (Bob) of Raleigh and Jerry Dennis Narron (Brenda) of Raleigh; Jean Chamblee Narron of Raleigh, who considered Iola as her second mother; grandchildren: Scott Casey, Kevin Casey (Kristy), Ryan Narron, Rob Jones (Melissa), Lisa Jones Deckard (Sam), Kimberly Narron Witt (Robert) and Kristin Narron Legnante (Rob); great-grandchildren: Duane Casey (Kristy), Jennifer Casey Baker (Doug), Katelyn Jones, Cassi Deckard and Carson Deckard; and great-great-grandchildren: Shelby Casey, Leah Casey, Gracie Baker and Drew Baker. She is also survived by her loving sister, Marie Woodall Bailey of Raleigh, and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Iola was preceded in death by her husband, James Arthur Narron; son, James Walter Narron; grandson, Gary Casey; granddaughter, Susan Casey Gray; great-granddaughter, Heather Gray; and brothers and sisters: George Ivey Woodall, William Elton Woodall, Beulah Woodall Gudac, Mildred Woodall Long, Clara Woodall Scouten and Faye Woodall Wilson.

The family wishes to offer special thanks and appreciation to Bobby Narron for his selfless dedication to his mother, which allowed Iola to continue living in her home all the days of her life, and to Transitions LifeCare and Tisha and Tasha Phillips (Twins Loving Care Service) and staff for serving Iola during her transition from her earthly home to her heavenly home.

A time of Visitation will be held from 10-11 am Monday August 31, 2015 at the Longview Baptist Church 2308 N. New Hope Rd. Raleigh, where a Celebration of Life will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow at the Princeton Cemetery, Princeton.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made to Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607 or Longview Baptist Church Building Fund, 2308 New Hope Road, Raleigh, NC 27604.

Arrangements are the care of Brown-Wynne Funeral Home 300 Saint Mary’s St. Raleigh, NC 27605. www.brownwynne.com