Obituary of Mildred Ruth Vincent

Mildred Ruth Harris Vincent, known to family and friends as Pat, who turned 93 this past May, died Thursday, July 27th, one day shy of what would have been her 72nd wedding anniversary. Her husband, Conway Anderson Vincent, and her youngest daughter, Ruth Elizabeth Vincent, preceded her in death. She is survived by her daughters, Rebecca Jane Vincent Ehrgood, Molly Vincent Rich, two grandchildren, Ken (Wendy) Oettinger Jr., and Elizabeth Rebecca (Danny) Shelton, and four great grandchildren, Avery Shelton, Meghan, Emily, and Claire Oettinger, her daughter-in-spirit, Patty Darragh, and her son-in-spirit, Woodie Farrington, and her kitty, Sweet Boy (Kitten Kitten) Pat began working at the age of 17 in the Rowan Mills inspecting the silk material that was used in making parachutes for the military during World War II. Mama was very proud of this work and continued working there until the war ended in 1945. Mama and Daddy moved to Chapel Hill and in approximately 1959, she began working at the University Baptist Church Kindergarten and Day Care teaching three and four-year-olds. During those early years she earned her Associates Degree from Durham Technical School in Early Child Development and also won several teaching awards including First Place in the National Crayola Teachers' Contest. Her love for children made it hard for her to retire at the age of 69! Mama's hobbies included creating wonderful papier mache, swimming, baking, cooking, gardening, reading, and feeding a variety of birds and animals, and her favorite: people and bird watching! A graveside service will be held at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery on 15-501 at 10:00 a.m., on Saturday, July 29th. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the University Baptist Church, 100 South Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514, in mama's name and designate the gift for the three and four-year old Sunday school classes. Services are being provided by Walker's Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.