Delores Ann Dempsey Wassum

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. - Delores Ann Dempsey Wassum, of 1118 Ramsey Road, Elizabeth City,
N.C., formerly of Johnson City, Tenn., Newport News, Va., and Lake Placid, Fla., died Aug. 18, 2008, in Elizabeth City, after an extended illness.
She attended and graduated from Science Hill High School and received her Registered Nurse License with the first class of the new Memorial Hospital School of Nursing, Johnson City, Tenn., in 1951. She spent most of her career as an RN with the Veterans Administration Medical Service in Oakland, Calif., Johnson City, Tenn., Roanoke and Hampton, Va. She retired in 1986 after 30 years service.
Delores was preceded in death by her parents, James S. and Beulah Slemp Dempsey; one brother and sister-in-law, James (Jack) C. and Ora Byrd Dempsey of Johnson City; and in 2004 her oldest daughter, Karen Wassum Bone of Toano, Va.
She is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Donald Wassum, at home and also formerly of Johnson City; two daughters, Daralee Wassum Neiesses of Fairfield, Wash., and Robin Wassum Taylor of Elizabeth City, N.C.; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Twiford's Memorial Chapel with Dr. Jim Anderson officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the charity of one's choice.
Twiford Funeral Home, 405 East Church St., Elizabeth City, N.C., is assisting the Wassum family with arrangements. You may sign the on line register at www.twwifordfh.com. 252-335-4395. View and post condolences on our online guestbook at dailypress.com/guestbooks.