Mrs. Irene McBryde

Irene Bland McBryde, 97, went to be with her Lord and Savior
on October 22, 2016 after a long illness.  She passed away at her home
surrounded by those who love her.

Irene was born on March 10, 1919, in Kinston, NC, to Sookey Smith Bland and Carl Green Bland.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Frank McBryde; her parents, her sisters Mamie Grace Bland and Mary Bland Kociuba; and her son-in-law, Ed Grannis, Junior.  
Irene moved to Fayetteville when she was 3 years old.  She graduated from Fayetteville High School where she was the Captain of the Basketball Team, a member of the baseball team and the drama club.  After high school she continued to play sports on community teams.  As a young woman she
worked briefly at Belk’s Department Store in downtown Fayetteville until she married.  

While Frank operated Frank McBryde Opticians on Hay Street, which he
opened so he and Irene could get married in 1939, Irene devoted all her
attention to lovingly rearing their three children:  Grace, Milo, and Winnie.
Always active behind the scenes and never seeking the limelight, she was
very supportive of Frank’s positions on the Fayetteville Board of Alderman,
Methodist University Board of Trustees, and many additional civic and
professional associations.  

She was very proud of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in all their accomplishments.  She was a tireless worker and supporter of her son, Milo, and his 22 years on the Fayetteville City Council and his stint as Mayor Pro-Tempore, and then as Fayetteville’s Mayor.  She supported her son-in-law, Ed Grannis, Junior in his 39 years as Cumberland County District Attorney.

Although the family worshiped at First Presbyterian Church, where Frank’s family attended, Irene never lost touch with her Southern Baptist roots.  She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where she taught the 4 year olds and attended as long as she was able to do so. She was a great example for all of a Southern Christian lady.

After her children were grown and while being a hands on grandmother and great-grandmother, she pursued her interest of oil painting and ceramics. For 11 months in 1960, she worked to complete a large and complete ceramic nativity scene.  As long as Frank owned his optical shop on Hay Street, Irene would take out the commercial display and replace it with the nativity set each December.  This devotion to her faith was acknowledged in The Fayetteville Observer and by letters from local clergy.
Irene devoted her life to her family and all of her family adored her.  She was a life -long caregiver, first caring for her parents, then her sister, Mary, and then her husband, Frank.  Her compassion carried over as a volunteer for two decades at Highsmith Rainey Memorial Hospital.  She was an active school volunteer and also a 50 plus year member of the Long Leaf Pine Chapter, #186 of the Eastern Star.  Irene love Duke Basketball and planned her time around basketball games.

All of her family knew they could call on her at any time with any need that arose.  She never turned her family down.  If she knew of any family or friend who was ill, she made phone calls, said prayers, and provided food as long as she was able.  She was a wonderful cook and was well -known for her Christmas candies that she gave away each December.

Left to cherish her memory are her children: Grace McBryde Hall (husband Thomas J.), Frank Milo McBryde (wife Lorene T.), and Winifred McBryde Grannis (widow of Edward W. Grannis, Jr.), all of Fayetteville.  She leaves seven grandchildren:  Tina M. Winesette of Wilmington,NC; Teri M. Williams (husband Stuart) of Fayetteville; Beth Hall (husband Mark Cooley) of Warrenton, VA; Bland M. Sky (husband Tony); Mary Susan McBryde, Edward Whitaker Grannis, III; and Charles Little McBryde Grannis, all of Fayetteville.  She also leaves seven great-grandchildren: Michael Winesette, Junior and Caroline Winesette, both of Wilmington, NC; Jared Williams, Justin Williams, and Kendal Williams; and Taylor Sky, all of Fayetteville, NC, and Celia Cooley of Warrenton, VA. She also leaves her nephew, Carl Johnson of Caro, MI plus many nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Steve Logue and 3HC hospice.  Irene
and her family were blessed with  special and loving caregivers.  The family
would like to thank caregivers that have been with Irene for 3 years:  Lisa
Starling, Debra Peterson, Merilyn Whitted, and Denise Spiker.  Recent additional caregivers are LaTanya Herring, Doris Roundtree, and Johnnie Riggins.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations to First Presbyterian Church or Shriners Children’s Hospital.   Visitation will be held at Sullivans Highland Funeral Home from 5 to 7pm on Monday, October 24 and in the parlor at First Presbyterian  Church from 12:45 until 1:45pm
before the service.  A memorial service will be held at 2pm on October 25 in the Sanctuary at First Presbyterian Church with Dr. Michael Garrett officiating.  Burial will be in Cross Creek 3.  

Services are entrusted to Sullivan's Highland Funeral Service.