Montene Sojourner Deal

Montene Sojourner Deal, 87, of Drexel, NC died Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Burke Palliative Care Center. Born in Mississippi on May 6, 1925, she was the daughter of the late Furman and Lillian Sojourner. Ms. Deal moved to Burke County with her family at the age of 13 and resided in Drexel most of her life. She was a longtime member of the First Church of God where she enjoyed singing in the choir and belonging to the women’s group. One of her greatest joys at church was her loving service in the nursery. Montene worked at Alba Waldensian for many years and retired from Western Carolina Center.Montene loved to work in her flowers and crochet. The most important part of her life was her family, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a wonderful Mamaw to them and to many who considered her their own. Montene was also well-known in the Drexel community for her delicious sweet tea and was often called on to make it for special occasions, including the Drexel Community Fair.Montene is survived by her sons, Rodney Deal and his wife, Alyce, of Valdese, NC, Ted Deal and his wife, Kay, of Peoria, IL, and Don Deal and his wife, Donita, of Drexel; grandchildren, Alycen Wilson and her husband, Jay, of Hickory, Todd Deal and his wife, Connie, of San Diego, CA, Troy Deal of Battle Creek, MI, Donielle Rector and her husband, Mark, of Drexel, and Donovan Deal of Raleigh, NC; great-grandchildren, Jacob Wilson, Meredith Wilson, Francis Deal, Timothy Deal, Kristina Deal, Malachi Deal, Levi Deal, Emma Rector, and Luke Rector; a sister, Minyonne Burns of Kingsport, TN; and a number of nieces and nephews.In addition to her parents, Montene was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Deal.The funeral will be held at 4:00 p.m., Thursday, April 18, 2013 at Drexel First Church of God with the Reverends Don Smith and Steve Greer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Drexel First Church of God, Kids Under Construction, P.O. Box 218, Drexel, NC 28619.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.