Iola C. Gaylord

Iola C. Gaylord, 81, of Grace Ridge Retirement Community, formerly of Pea Ridge St., Glen Alpine, died Friday, Nov. 13, 2009. Born in Pantego, NC on Jan. 23, 1928, Mrs. Gaylord was the daughter of the late Dallas T. Carrowan and Ethel Geneva Midyette Carrowan. She attended Mars Hill College and then transferred to East Carolina Teacher’s College, from which she graduated with a degree in Home Economics. She moved to Morganton in 1950 to take a position as Dietician for the NC School for the Deaf. In April of 1952 her wedding to Russell Gaylord was featured nationally on the TV program "Bride & Groom," sponsored by Betty Crocker and produced in New York City. In 1954 the Gaylords moved to Glen Alpine, and Mrs. Gaylord became a teacher of home economics in the high school at NCSD. She retired from teaching in 1989.For over fifty years Mrs. Gaylord was quite active at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church, serving in many different leadership capacities including the Administrative Council, the UM Women and by teaching Sunday School. She also served by coordinating the flower displays for the Sanctuary services, often creating the arrangements herself. In addition to her church activities, Mrs. Gaylord actively served for many years as a leader in the Glen Alpine Women’s Club. She was a District Leader in the Girls Scouts of America, built costumes for two seasons for the drama "From This Day Forward" in Valdese, served as an usher at CoMMA and volunteered at Grace Hospital screening infants for hearing abnormalities. The home grown apple pies she baked for the Burke County Fair were always a big hit, and her contributions as a master baker and decorator of cakes enhanced many celebrations. The Morganton Pilot Club honored Mrs. Gaylord for her life of service, naming her "Sweetheart of the Year" for 2008.Mrs. Gaylord is survived by her husband, Russell Mayo Gaylord who resides at Grace Ridge; a daughter, Susan A. Gaylord of Princeton, NJ and a grandson, Angelo James Fotinopoulos of Glen Alpine, NC; a son, Richard T. Gaylord and wife, Maureen, of Philadelphia, PA; a brother, Dallas T. Carowan, of Newton, NC; and a sister, Barbara Klepsig of Macon. GA. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a sister, Alene Morgan and a brother, Raeford Carrowan.A memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, November 21, at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will also receive friends Friday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. on the 2nd floor at Grace Ridge Retirement Community in Morganton. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the "New Building Fund" at Glen Alpine United Methodist Church, PO Box 576, Glen Alpine, NC 28628. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.