WILMINGTON — Mildred Horrell Taft, 94, of Wilmington, passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2023, at Shoreline Health in Whiteville.
Mildred was born in Pender County to the late A. Roger Horrell and Joanna B. Horne Horrell of Currie.
She is preceded in death by a son, Brantley Thomas “Tommy” Lewis, Jr. and a daughter Linda Lewis Terrell and husband Don.
Mildred is survived by two sons and a daughter, Marsden Lewis and wife Betty, Marilyn Oxendine and husband Keith and Donald Taft and wife Leslie. She has nine grandchildren, Brantley (III), Kellie, Jamie, Stephanie, Brandie, Courtney, Alexandria “Ali”, Scott and Craig, and their families as well as many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.
She retired from the Federal Paper Board Company, Carton Division in Wilmington where she was a machine operator. She was a lifelong resident of Wilmington and a member of Long Leaf Baptist Church for over fifty years and attended regularly until her health would no longer allow.
Mildred enjoyed her grandchildren who would spend as much time as they were allowed with her. Many nights and weekends were spent by Little Tommy, Kellie, Jamie, Stephanie, and Brandie making cookies, playing with toys, and never missing wrestling on television and, of course, under their grandmothers “watchful eye.” Those five being the oldest of the nine. The others were allowed to join as they came along with the permission of the elders, allowing “Granny” to have the most enjoyment of them all.
She also very much enjoyed long car rides on Sunday afternoons with her friend Margeret Rooks where they would visit with friends and family, travel to Fort Fisher, Old Bridge Site Road Park, Paul’s Place, or picnic under the “George Washington” tree in Hampstead. Often reminiscing about the “Hermit,” Mil-Jo Drive-in and other locations within Wilmington and surrounding areas.
Mildred would spend many hours helping those in need and those who were sick but would never ask for and always hid her needs from others. She was strong-willed and independent, never asking for help and finding ways to accomplish her goals. She instilled a mission driven, strong work and life ethic in her children, not to mention her stubbornness. Her veteran sons had no problem with their Drill Instructors as she had prepared them quite well for what was to come. Mildred was hard but fair in her nature and greatly affected those she loved to be the people they are. She will be missed. Love you Mama, we will see you tomorrow.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Oleander Memorial Gardens.
