Lorece Burleson Wakefield

Lorece Burleson Wakefield, 85, of the Oak Hill Community in Morganton passed away Sunday, March 2, 2014, surrounded by her loving family. Mrs. Wakefield was born March 19, 1928 in Avery County to the late Edward S. Burleson and Grace W. Burleson.Mrs. Wakefield was a devoted wife for 57 years and a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She retired from Shadowline and enjoyed spending time with her family, gardening, crocheting, reading, and cooking.She was an active member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church for many years where she taught Sunday school and participated in the Mission Circle (serving as Treasurer for much of that time).She will be remembered by all who knew her for her quick wit, generous spirit, and sweet loving smile.Mrs. Wakefield is survived by her children, Gail Clark of Morganton, Michael Wakefield and wife, Glenda, of Valdese, Joel Wakefield and wife, Sherry, of Morganton, and Susan Allison and husband, Greg, of Cary; sisters, Leota Garrison and husband, Charles, of Salem, Lou Anne Clark and husband, Charles, of Morganton, and Karen Hall and husband, Gary of Titusville, Florida; grandchildren, Kenneth, Gregory, and Tim Clark, Traci, Talon, Daniel, and Abel Wakefield, Grace Warren, Chelsea and Marcus Wakefield, Brittain, Nathan and Hannah Allison; and eleven great-grandchildren.In addition to her parents, Lorece was preceded in death by her husband, Sam Ervin Wakefield; a brother, Lawrence Burleson; and a son-in-law, K. Harold Clark.The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2014 at Oak Hill United Methodist Church with the Revs. David Lawrence and Michael Wakefield officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday preceding the funeral at the Oak Hill United Methodist Church MPAC building beside the church from 1-2:30 p.m.Memorial contributions may be made to Oak Hill United Methodist Church Building Fund, 2239 NC 181, Morganton, NC 28655 or Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.