AHOSKIE – Nannie Wiggins Byrum, age 87, of Ahoskie, passed away on February 15, 2015 at the Rich Square Health Care Center of Rich Square, NC.

Mrs. Byrum was born on July 4, 1927 to the late Cecil Dewey and Nettie Matthews Wiggins in Chowan County, NC.  She was an active member of Menola Baptist Church for over fifty years, serving as past Sunday school teacher and Deaconess. She was also a member of the Menola Homemakers Club.  Nannie worked in the finishing department for Rollic Manufacturing, retiring after twenty five years and meeting many lifelong friends during her time there.  She also worked the election polls for fifty plus years. Mrs. Byrum was an avid reader and enjoyed reciting poetry.   Her family meant the world to her, known to all as the family leader, raising eleven children along with raising some of her grandchildren.

Besides her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, J. B. Byrum; three daughters, Nancy Rae Pierce, Myrtle Lee Hollowell, and Wanda Lou Baggett; two sons, Thomas D. Byrum and James “Bob” Byrum; a son-in-law, Charlie Pierce; a grandson, Josh Baggett; two sisters, Willie Mae Wiggins and Louise Rawls; and a brother, C. D. Wiggins.

Nannie is survived by two sons, Johnnie B. Byrum and his wife, Ideal of Woodland, NC, and Clarence E. Byrum and his wife, Sonny of Moon, VA; four daughters, Susan Byrum Lewis and her husband, Brent of Kelford, NC, Margaret Byrum and her husband, Gary Gray of Cary, NC, Rhonda Byrum  Earley and her husband, Jimmy of Harrellsville, NC, and Betty Byrum and her husband, Ken Esbenshade of Raleigh, NC; two son-in-laws, Terry Hollowell of Vanceboro, NC, and Danny Baggett of Woodland, NC; a daughter-in-law, Debrah Byrum of Charlotte, NC; and a brother, Bobby Wiggins and his wife, Elizabeth of Port Richie, FL; thirteen grandchildren, David, Charlene, Angie, Sharon, Mandy, Johnna, Tiffany, Lucus, Sam, Bambi, Spring, Jamie, and Jacob; fifteen great grandchildren; and three great-great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening, February 19, 2015, from 6:00 until 8:00 pm at Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service, Ahoskie, NC.

A celebration of life service will be held on Friday, February 20, 2015, at 2:00 pm at the Menola Baptist Church, with burial to follow at Highland Memorial Gardens, Ahoskie, NC.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Menola Baptist Church, c/o Gwen Northcott, Treasurer, 1012 Menola-St. John Rd., Woodland, NC, 27897.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Ahoskie Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Byrum family and online condolences can be directed to the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.