Barbara Thomas Wrenn

Barbara Ann Thomas Wrenn formerly of Siler City died Thursday, September 20, 2012, in Wilmington, where she had resided for the past thirteen years. She was born June 8, 1919, to Maude Lillard Thomas and William Clyde Thomas, M.D. Her father came to Siler City in 1917 after graduating from Medical College of Virginia and later purchased the Siler house which he established as the original Chatham Hospital. Her mother, a nurse, was a vocal proponent of nutrition and introduced hot meals into Chatham County Schools when she brought soup prepared every Friday in her kitchen to the students at Henry Siler School where her daughters attended. Mrs. Wrenn is survived by sons, F. J. Wrenn, III of Graham, William Thomas Wrenn and wife Martha of Dunn, and Nancy Wrenn Smith and husband Rick of Wilmington, granddaughters, Dr. Vivi Wrenn of Cambridge, England; Laura Wrenn Worzella and husband Danny of Naples, Florida; Christie Clingenpeel and husband Price of Belhaven, Noelle Smith of Wilmington; grandsons, Brad Wrenn of Greensboro and Forrest Wrenn of Hampton, Virginia; great-granddaughter, Sarah Elizabeth Clingenpeel, great-grandson, Daniel Clingenpeel, one niece, one nephew, and a special community of friends at Brightmore of Wilmington. She was preceded in death by her husband, F.J. Wrenn, Jr., her sister, Ruth Thomas Budd, an infant sister, and her parents. Five generations of her family have been members of the First Baptist Church in Siler City, where her memorial service and celebration of life will be held Tuesday, September 25 at five o'clock in the afternoon. The family will receive friends after the service. Mrs. Wrenn graduated from Siler City High School, attended Campbell College, and later business school in Greensboro. She was an accomplished pianist and vocalist and was a decades-long member of the church choir. She served as Church Clerk and assisted church historian, Murray Andrew, with the writing of the church history. For many years, she taught pre-school children in Sunday School, served on the benevolence committee, and was a member of the Mary Hester Powell Circle. She began her professional career working as an administrative assistant to Mr. Bill Wren at Siler City Mills, and later worked alongside her husband at Wrenn Brothers. She was the last surviving charter member of the Siler City chapter of Eastern Star and became its first Worthy Matron. She was a member of the Siler City Garden Club and the local Business and Professional Women's organization. She was an avid genealogist, proud of her American heritage and held memberships in the DAR and the UD. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 314 North Second Avenue, Siler City. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is serving the Wrenn family.