Obituary of Willah Tew Shanklin

MEBANE - Mrs. Willah Tew "Doll" Shanklin, 84, died peacefully Monday, June 3, 2013. Doll led a full life, born in Sampson County in 1928 into a family of twelve children. She was preceded in death by her parents, Pearlie A. Tew and Daisy McLamb Tew, her husband of 49 years Samuel A. Shanklin, Jr., four brothers and one sister. She is survived by her children, Ken Shanklin (Jackie) of Wilmington, NC, Forrest Shanklin of Whitsett, NC and René Shanklin Massey (Ron) from Mebane. Six grandchildren and spouses: Kristen Dewey (Stephen); Aaron Shanklin, Lee Shanklin (Jaime); Tate Shanklin, Ian Shanklin and Rachel Sellers (Jeff). Four great grandchildren: Dante Grant, Nicholas Dewey, Austin Shanklin and Hannah Sellers. She is also survived by five sisters, one brother and many nieces and nephews. Doll was a lifelong member of Mebane Presbyterian Church and was active in the Choir and a Circle leader for many years. While her children were growing up, she was an avid PTA member and she worked for First Union Bank as a Bank Teller until retirement. She also sold Mary Kay cosmetics. Doll loved to dance and was part of a line dancing group in Alamance County for many years. She never met a stranger and made many friends over the years even into the last months of her life. Funeral service will be at 2:00 on Thursday, June 6, 2013 at Mebane Presbyterian Church at 402 S. 5th St., Mebane, NC with burial in Oakwood Cemetery immediately following the service. Family will have visitation at 1:00 before the service in the sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, donations made be made to the Alzheimer's Association. www alz.org OR to Hospice of Alamance/Caswell County. www.hospiceac.org. The family would like to thank the staff of Spring Arbor Assisted Living in Wilmington, NC; Twin Lakes Community (Lakewood), Burlington; and Hospice of Alamance-Caswell County for taking good care of Doll these last few years. Online condolences may be sent to www.walkersfuneralservice.com Walker's Funeral Home of Mebane, 304 W. Center St., Mebane, 27302 (919)563-9211 is assisting the Shanklin family.