JoAnn Warren Duehring

Born in Richmond County, North Carolina to the late Mildred Dutton Wrape and raised by the late Emma Dutton. My mama was one of a kind and will be missed. Unfortunately, a nasty disease of Alzheimer's took her away too long ago, and finally took her from this earth Saturday evening September 17, 2022. She was the most nurturing, loving, kindhearted, unselfish, forgiving, and non judgmental woman I have ever known. She grew up poor and when she became an adult and could do better for herself, she just turned that into taking care and giving to others.

She married the love of her life, lasting 52 years, Raymond Duehring on August 12, 1970. She enjoyed every minute of taking care of him exactly like a wife should. She loved cooking for him, she loved having a clean and beautiful home, she loved taking him a glass of ice water on a hot summer day when he was cutting grass, and greeting him at the door every night he got off work with a hug and kiss. She knew how to do all the little things that mattered and was proud of that. They moved to Raleigh and she got a job at the N.C. Correctional Center for Women where she remained for 31 years serving the State of North Carolina and was a recipient of the Long Leaf Pine Award. She never inquired why an inmate was incarcerated, she didn't want to know. She did her job, treated everyone with respect, and went home. The Inmates respected her..and often referred to her as "Mama D" and the new admissions learned quick not to mess with her. A life lesson in respect is given when its got.

Career in full swing and along came her one and only child, Kelly Marie. Born in May of 1976, without a doubt was given the best childhood one could have. If you have ever seen me take up for myself and walk down a point, my mama taught me, if you have ever seen perseverance at its max capacity, my mama taught me, if you have ever seen me show compassion and empathy for other humans, my mama taught me, if you have ever felt warm and at home in my house, my mama taught me, and if you have ever seen me love, discipline and smother my children with hugs and kisses, my mama taught me! Her most prized possession in life started in 1999 with the birth of her first grandchild, Cora A. Emory, then 2001 when Cameron M. Emory was born and then in 2002 with Caleb M. Emory blessing us. She was the world's most amazing Mema!! She had a full nursery set up at her house before I did. Cora, Cameron and Caleb were her entire world. She saw nothing wrong with three scoops of ice cream instead of the one scoop recommended.

I have witnessed this woman bring a homeless woman into our home, feed her, provide clothing and nurtured back to health. I have seen her decorate a veggie tray with all the matching decor because family was arriving any minute for a stay. I have seen released inmates run into my mama many years later and start to cry in a store because they were so happy to see her, and tell her the difference she made in their life. I have seen her make up a basket of wash clothes for someone that just moved in a house, because she grew up without them & vowed it wouldn't happen to her or anyone she cared about. Some people go

through life "talking" about the type of person they want to be, but my mama "lived" it. She loved people and figuring out what she could do to make them happy.

She is survived by her loving husband, Raymond Duehring, daughter, Kelly Duehring Emory, grandchildren; Cora A. Prosser and husband, Geordan, Cameron M. Emory and fiance, Jamie Brooks, and Caleb Emory, sister, Sandra McDonald, brother, Jerry Warren and wife, Sharon, brother in law, Victor Duehring and wife, Mary Duehring, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Wrape, grandmother, Emma Dutton, sister, Donna Warren, and brother, James Warren.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to a charity of one's choice and simply give a heartfelt compliment to a stranger that looks like they are having a bad day. A special thank you to Four Oaks Senior Living for being so caring and taking care of her in her final days.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at a later date.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mclaurinatpinecrest.com for the Duehring family.