Gaye Batten Renfrow

KENLY - Gaye Batten Renfrow, 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on January 12, 2012. She was born June 14, 1946 in Johnston County, the daughter of the late O. B. (Buck) Batten and Kate Hinton Batten. Mrs. Renfrow graduated from Glendale High School and East Carolina University with a BS degree in education. She was a retired teacher from Johnston County Schools. Mrs. Renfrow devoted her life to supporting her husband's endeavors as an Original Free Will Baptist minister. She faithfully played piano at Piney Grove OFWB church in Kenly and at Saint Mary's OFWB church in New Bern. She taught piano privately as well as in the school system.

After retirement in 1998, she became a Nana and cared for her two older grandchildren.

Mrs. Renfrow is survived by her husband, Rev. Charles L. Renfrow; her two daughters, Kathy R. Woodard and husband Jesse and their daughter Taylor of Kenly and Lynda R. Sutton and her husband Todd and their children Noah and Reagan of Kenly; sisters, Dr. Joan B. Wood of Richmond, Va., Phyllis B. Renfrow and husband Hilton of Kenly, and Wanda B. Daughtry and husband Woody of Kenly; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma and at other times at the home of Todd and Lynda Sutton at 10298 Old Beulah Road, Kenly. A celebration of Mrs. Renfrow's life will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Bethany Missionary Baptist Church, 8980 Old Beulah Road, Kenly, NC with the Rev. Ray Wells and Rev. DeWayne Eakes officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to WilMed Hospice, 1705 Tarboro Street, Wilson, NC 27893 or Saint Mary's OFWB Church, PO Box 1367, New Bern, NC 28562.

Arrangements are by Parrish Funeral Home, Selma.