Ken was born in Winston-Salem on Sept. 14, 1928, to the late Oscar Sydney and Lois Jenkins Womble. He attended James A. Gray High School, where he was an active member of the marching band and drama club.
After graduating high school, Ken enjoyed pitching in the minor leagues for the Hickory Rebels. Upon enlisting in the United States Navy, Ken attended basic training in Bainbridge, Maryland. Ken became an airman and was stationed in Annapolis, where he served two years of active duty and four years in the reserves. He also pitched for the Severn River Naval Command baseball team.
On Sept. 5, 1954, Ken married Shirley Louise Cassell in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. There, they welcomed their first daughter, Lynn Carol. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Winston-Salem, where their second daughter, Kelly Cassell, was born. Winston-Salem would be their home until they moved to Raleigh in 1966.
While in Raleigh, Ken worked as a purchasing manager within the technology industry and later started his own business, Southeast Laser, in which he was engaged for many years until his retirement. Ken was an active member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church, where he was part of their wonderful choir for many years. Ken was a lifelong member of Edenton Street’s Foundry Fellowship Sunday-school class, which contributed to a strong enrichment of his Christian faith. Ken was a charter member of the Raleigh Racquet Club and the North Raleigh Rotary Club, where he developed many lifelong friends.
Over the years, Ken grew to have a very special and close relationship with Shirley's father, Arthur Cassell, as his own father had passed away when Ken was at the tender age of 7.
Ken will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He steadfastly exemplified the virtues of compassion, loyalty, patience and kindness. His favorite times were spent with his family. His love for music, baseball and life's simple pleasures were his embodiment.
In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his two brothers, Bernard and Alan Womble. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Shirley; his children, Lynn Womble Deatherage and husband William Stanhope, of Washington, and Kelly Cassell Womble, of Raleigh; his grandchildren, Brandia Lynn Deatherage Dixon and husband Dustin, Meredith Deatherage Loughlin and husband Neil, William Stanhope Deatherage Jr. and wife Katherine, Anna Alyss Deatherage, and Brittany Lauren Fish; and four great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, at 2 p.m., at Edenton Street United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends following the service in the church’s Garden Gallery for refreshments.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts of remembrance be made to either Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton St., Raleigh, N.C., 27603; or, Transitions LifeCare, 250 Hospice
Circle, Raleigh, N.C., 27607.
Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, Saint Mary's St., Raleigh, NC.
