Mary Athelene Clapp Brantley

Mary Athelene Clapp Brantley died December 6, 2012, at The GrayBrier in Trinity, NC. Mrs. Brantley was born in Siler City, NC, in 1923 to Sam Siler and Mary Ethel Campbell Clapp. She is predeceased by her parents, an infant brother, stepmother Clee Poe Clapp and former husbands, William Wasserman and Westray Brantley. She is survived by her sister; Orpha Lee Phillips, of Siler City; daughters Cheryl Wasserman Powers and husband, David, of Southern Pines, NC; and Diana Wasserman Hairr and husband, Frank, of Climax, NC; grandchildren: Steve Powers and wife Tiffany, Rachel Powers Patterson and husband Andy; Kathy Hairr Bonyun and husband David, Emily Hairr Hendricks and husband Chris and nine great grandchildren: Savannah, Lauren and Hadley Powers; Peyton and Abram Patterson; Sam and Ben Bonyun; and Mary Elizabeth and Sarah Hendricks. Mrs. Brantley was a very brave, strong, independent woman with numerous interests, talents and skills. She graduated salutatorian from Siler City High School in 1941, then attended Woman's College in Greensboro (now UNC-G) graduating in 1942 from the Commercial Class. Following graduation from Woman's College, she worked as a secretary for Burlington Mills and later was private secretary to W. H. Andrews, Vice President for Jefferson Standard Life Insurance Company. She met and married her first husband, William Wasserman during World War II. After the war, they lived in New York City where she worked as a secretary for an attorney. She was an accomplished pianist and gave her private senior recital at the home of her parents under the direction of Mrs. C.L. Brower. Mrs. Brantley was also a highly skilled seamstress. She made clothing for her children and grandchildren as well as drapes, bedspreads and other items for the home. Her signature sewing projects included beautiful Raggedy-Ann dolls with both Ann and Andy wardrobes as well as Mother-Goose dolls. She loved red, in part due to the family association with International Harvester Tractors. Her father, Sam Clapp, founded Clapp Brothers Implement and Truck Co with his brother Ben Clapp. During their teen years, she and her sister would help Mr. Sam by driving new IH trucks from Charlotte to Siler City to be sold at the business. Her funeral service was held at Smith and Buckner Funeral home on Sunday, December 9 with interment at Chatham Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Meals4Kids food ministry at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 5601 Liberty Rd., Greensboro, NC 27406.