Marguerite Willingham Gorrell

Marguerite Willingham Gorrell died peacefully Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2006, at her home, at the age of 87. She was born Oct. 26, 1918, to Richard Furman Willingham and Rosa Eleanor Fries Willingham. She was the wife of Robert "Bob" Wilson Gorrell Jr. (deceased Aug. 23, 1964). The two were married March 15, 1941. Mr. Gorrell was a partner and director of Gorrell and Siewers Agency of Security Life and Trust Co. and Integon Corp., now GMAC Insurance. His father, Robert Wilson Gorrell, was mayor of Winston-Salem; and his grandfather, Albert B. Gorrell, was mayor of Winston. Mrs. Gorrell attended Salem Academy where she was an honor graduate. She graduated from Randolph Macon Women's College in 1939, where she received a degree in English literature. She was a member of Old Town Club and Roaring Gap Club, where her family owned one of the first homes in the early development of that community built in 1906. She was a member of the board of visitors at Davidson College. She was active in several local organizations, including the Colonial Dames; the Junior League of Winston-Salem; the Evergreen Garden Club; the Monday Afternoon Book Club that meets on Tuesdays; the Embroidery Club; the Emma Bahnson Service League at Salemtowne; and the Alumnae Association at Salem Academy. She also was an active participant in theatrical productions through Salem Academy and the Arts Council of Winston-Salem. She was president of the Salem Alumnae Association from 1967 to 1969 and served as a trustee from 1969 to 1970. She received the Alumna Service Award at Salem Academy in 1989. During World War II, while her husband, Bob, was serving in the Army-Air Force, Mrs. Gorrell volunteered as an aid to the Red Cross. She was an active volunteer in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County schools and The Summit School. She was a member of Home Moravian Church where she had deep family roots. Her mother, Eleanor Fries Willingham, was the daughter of Col. and Mrs. Francis H. Fries. Col. Fries helped found and was the first president of Wachovia Bank and Trust Co. He also established the Winston-Salem Foundation in 1919, and it has become a powerful force for improving the quality of life in this city. Mrs. Gorrell was the great-granddaughter of Bishop Emil de Schweinitz, an official of the Moravian Church, and a descendant of Count Nicholas Lewis von Zinzendorf, who was instrumental in the settlement of Salem. Mrs. Gorrell had a great sense of adventure. She loved to travel and traveled to every continent in the world. She was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. Marguerite and Bob adopted their two children, Anne and Ralph. They were nurtured and loved just as a small tree is transplanted to a more desirable setting for healthy growth. Their lives have been enriched because of the sense of belonging and stability that was provided. She will be missed dearly. She was preceded in death by her brother and sister, Richard B. Willingham and Eleanor Willingham Johnson. She is survived by a daughter, Anne Willingham Gorrell; a son, Ralph Wilson Gorrell, and his wife, Sandra; three grandchildren, Wil Gorrell and his wife, Ginger, Catherine Gorrell and Rob Gorrell and his wife, Jessica; her brother and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Willingham; and additional dearly loved friend and companion, Dr. Lee Rocamora. A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17, at Home Moravian Church. The family will greet friends before the service from 3 to 4 p.m. in the church parlor. A graveside service will follow in Salem Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Book of Remembrance at Home Moravian Church at 529 S. Church St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Salem Funeral Home is serving the Gorrell family.