Glenda J. Canady

Published 1:58 pm Tuesday, January 14, 2025

POTECASI – With her heart set on heaven, Glenda Viola Jefferson Canady passed peacefully to her place in glory on Sunday, January 12, 2025 in Potecasi, North Carolina. Glenda was born on November 28, 1939. Her mother, Martha was alone in their tiny home on the Hawkins Farm in Bath, North Carolina when Glenda was born while her father, Wilson was working in the fields as a sharecropper. She had joyful memories of growing up with her beloved siblings on the farm. From those humble beginnings, Glenda lived 85 beautiful years filled with love, faith, and service. She was generous, compassionate, caring and kind. God blessed her with, and she honored her talents as an artist, painter, writer, poet, seamstress, and crocheter of beautiful, cherished gifts.

Glenda attended Bath School through 11th grade when she went to live with her sister Dorothy in New Bern where she met and married the love of her life, Linwood. They began their life together on February 27, 1957, marrying at Pollocksville Baptist Church. They enjoyed 67 years of life together and Glenda lived 85 days on this earth without him after his passing on October 21, 2024.

Glenda was committed to her faith. She read the Bible every day throughout her adult life completing it through over a dozen times. She sang in the choir, taught Sunday School, and found sisterhood in the beautiful women of Potecasi Baptist Church who welcomed her as a newcomer to the area as a young mother and wife. She regularly opened her home as a gathering place for friends in the community for a Saturday fish fry for fifty folks, ladies Bridge club, or Bible study. She was a gracious and welcoming hostess.

In addition to being a wife, mother, and leader in her church, Glenda thrived professionally. As a reading teacher at Woodland Olney School for over ten years, she impacted the lives of dozens of children. Many of them made a point of being sure she knew how much they remembered her fondly and gratefully. She celebrated each of their successes and took great joy in having played a special part. Upon leaving teaching, Glenda had a successful career in the banking industry for almost two decades.

After raising her family with dedication and commitment as a working mother in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, Glenda truly found her calling when she became “Nana” to her precious grandchildren and counted it even more a blessing to meet her adored great-grandchildren. Nana was a “cool grandma” and delighted in taking the grands to the movies, the park, the bowling alley, and the local poolhall in daytime hours of course. She marveled that in the course of her life, she went from having no electricity as a child to the wonder and joy of getting the videochat with her grands on her big screen tv at home.

Although she did not travel far early in life, Glenda got to enjoy some wonderful trips later in life with precious friends. She was especially grateful for Christobel Eubank, Sarah Kinsey, and Marcia Anderson who loved her dearly and were always ready to be “on the road again” for new adventures. Glenda will forever hold a special place in the hearts of those blessed by her love and her life. She loved Jesus and showed it through her words, deeds and service to others.

Glenda has been so deeply blessed in her later years with caregivers who became family: Mollie Pierce, Cynthia Chappell, Jessica Clement, Sherri Mayle, and the incredible staff of Pine Forest Rest Home and Liberty Hospice. Glenda Jefferson Canady will be remembered for her boundless generosity, unwavering faith, and the profound love she bestowed upon everyone she met. Her legacy of kindness and grace will endure in the hearts of all who knew her.

Glenda was preceded in death by her parents, Ernie Wilson Jefferson and Martha Augusta Edwards Jefferson; her son, Thomas “Tommie” Wilson Canady; and four siblings, Dorothy “Dot” Banks, Evelyn Lilley, Ruth Avery, and Jimmie Jefferson.

Her legacy continues through her cherished family; son, Lin Canady Jr. (Patricia) of Quaker Square; daughter, Lorie Barnes (Edward) of Fuquay Varina, NC; six grandchildren: Kimberly Woollen (Steven) of South Port, NC, Jeremy Canady (Kimberly) of Margarettsville, NC, Gregory Canady (Brittany) of Woodland, Cody Barnes (Kelsey) of Zebulon, NC, Ellianne Wallace (Stephen) of Norwood, NC, and Luke Barnes (Konner Williams) of Burlington, NC; and twelve great-grandchildren: Barrett Woollen, Kai Woollen, Addis Woollen, Natalie Canady, Nolan Canady, Nyla Canady, Cooper Canady, Tristen Canady, Harper Canady, Willow Barnes, Blakely Wallace, and Emmette Wallace. In addition, Glenda leaves behind her sister, Kay Jefferson Rhodes (Denny) of Alabama; beloved nieces and nephews, extended family members, and countless friends who will forever cherish his memory.

A celebration of Glenda’s life will take place on Friday, January 17, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Potecasi Baptist Church, Potecasi, NC, officiated by Pastor John Mark Windley. The family invites all friends and family to join them for a visitation immediately following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pine Forest Rest Home in loving memory of Mrs. Glenda Canady, at 3277 NC-35, Potecasi, NC 27867, or online by visiting tmcfunding.com and searching for Glenda Canady.

Garrett-Sykes Funeral Service – Rich Square Chapel is handling the arrangements for the Canady family, and online condolences can be shared with the family by visiting www.garrettsykesfs.com.