WILMINGTON — Frances Griffin Orrell, 91, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 9, 2019, in Wilmington.
She was born July 7, 1927, in Rocky Mount to Henry H. and Carrie Brantley Griffin. In addition to her parents, Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Robert H. “Bobby” Orrell Jr.; sister, Virginia Griffin Sellers; and brothers, James, Henry and Edwin Griffin.
After graduation from Rocky Mount High School, Frances continued her education at James Walker Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Wilmington, where she earned her R.N., began her career in healthcare and met a handsome World War II veteran who would be the love of her life. Frances and Bobby married in March 1949 and started a family in 1950. Frances retired from nursing for 15 years and was “employed” full time as a busy and devoted mother of four. She returned to nursing at James Walker Hospital in 1965 and later served as a public health nurse with New Hanover County Health Department until her retirement in 1992.
Frances was a lifelong Methodist, from childhood at Clark Street UMC, Rocky Mount, then Fifth Avenue UMC, Wilmington, and, since 1995, Wesley Memorial UMC, where she was a member of the United Methodist Women. She loved spending time with her family at the Hanover Seaside Club and taking trips, especially with her granddaughters, who she taught to sing along with Helen Reddy.
Frances was a humorous, happy person who was blessed with that disposition through her last day. She was her mother’s daughter and believed in letting go and letting God guide her through life.
Frances is survived by son, Robert Orrell III, (Debbie); daughter, Beth Orrell Mazur Brady; son, Brantley Orrell; daughter, Althea Orrell; granddaughters, Melanie Orrell (Eric), Megan O. Nashel (Andrew) and Sara Mazur; two great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Max Nashel; two sisters, Betty Jean Griffin Williams and Becky Griffin Greene; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 14, with visitation before the service at 10 a.m., at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1401 S. College Road. Interment will follow in Oakdale Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the School of Nursing at Cape Fear Community College, at 411 North Front St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
