Jean W. Waddell

Jean Winifred Stirewalt Waddell, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2009 after a brief battle with leukemia. Jean was born in Concord, May 12, 1922, to H.O. (Steve) Stirewalt and Cora Cline Stirewalt. Her family soon moved to Durham, where she was raised along with her three sisters. She attended Bragtown School, where in the first grade, she met her future husband, John B. Waddell, Jr. She graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College and began a teaching career at Hope Valley School in Durham. In 1946, she was married and she and John raised two daughters, Stephanie Page Waddell Jackson (who predeceases her) and Victoria Waddell Riggsbee. The family moved to Raleigh in 1958, where Jean continued her teaching career as a substitute at Underwood Elementary School, until she returned to full time teaching at Carroll Junior High in 1966. Many students at Carroll will remember "Mrs. Waddell's eighth grade English class" which she taught until her retirement in 1984. In later years, Jean was very active at Whitaker Mill Senior Center, where she and John made many life-long friends. Jean is survived by her husband of 63 years, John B. Waddell, Jr.; her daughter, Victoria Riggsbee; her "pride and joy" twin grandchildren, Liza Adcock and her husband, Chris of Macon, and Eli Jackson and his wife, Christina of Henderson. She was especially proud of her "great grands," John and Jackson Adcock, and Taylor Jackson. Jean is also survived by her sisters, Alice S. Sherrill of Charlotte and Ann S. White of Fort Mill, SC; and many loving nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate Jean's life will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Pastor Royal Yount, presiding. The family will greet friends immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the charity of one's choice, or to the Whitaker Mill Senior Center, 401 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh NC 27608. Condolences can be made by contacting the Cremation Society of the Carolinas, www.cremnc.com