Mary Spears Wittmer

Mary Inez Spears Wittmer died November 28, 2011 at Glenaire Retirement Center in Cary, North Carolina, where she lived with her husband, Warren Gordon Wittmer. Born December 9, 1923 in Cumberland County, Mary was the fourth of six children of the late Alton Boyd Spears and Mary Mollie Odom Spears. Mary was raised on a farm, which she described as the ideal place for a child to grow up. She met her husband when Warren was stationed at Fort Bragg during World War II. Mary and Warren wrote each other daily during the 30 months that Warren was overseas, and they married upon his return from service. They celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary on November 11.

Mary Wittmer lived her life in accordance with her values. She was a loving wife and mother, and put her family’s needs above all else. She made her home a warm and welcoming haven, full of wonderful memories and an atmosphere of loving acceptance. She was an avid gardener, and enjoyed seeing the changes in her yard that each season brought. She was proud of each of her grandchildren, and they loved spending time with her—baking cookies, picking flowers, swinging together on the backyard gym set. A loyal friend and neighbor, Mary was always willing to listen and quick to respond to need in her neighborhood and her community. She was active in her church—the Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh—where she worked for years in the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen, with the bazaar, and for Meals on Wheels.

Mary’s loving nature remained with her despite the illness that robbed her of much of her memory. She continued to greet her family members with a smile, and was kind to the staff who cared for her. She loved seeing her husband every evening, and enjoyed hearing hymns played on the piano.

Mary is survived by her husband, Warren; her two daughters, Laura Wittmer Wyatt and Cynthia Leigh Wittmer, both of Raleigh; two sons-in-law, Robert J. Wyatt, III and John L. Sarratt; six grandchildren, Cynthia Wyatt Baggett, Robert J. Wyatt, IV, Joncie Kimball Wittmer Sarratt, William Alexander Wittmer Sarratt, Wendy Elizabeth Sarratt, and Robin Elaine Sarratt; and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a sister, Lillian Spears Darby, and a brother, James Elliott Spears, both of Fayetteville. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Alton Boyd Spears, Jr. and William Charles Spears, and by a sister, Sarah Spears Geddie.

Funeral services will be held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Raleigh on Thursday, December 1, 2011 at 2:00 p.m., with a reception following at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Mary to the Shepherd’s Table Soup Kitchen and mailed to 121 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 or to the Glenaire Foundation, 4000 Glenaire Circle, Cary, NC 27511.

Arrangements by Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 300 Saint Mary's Street Raleigh, NC 27605, (919)828-4311.