WAKE FOREST - Dorothy Adcock Renn, 83, of 308 Mockingbird Lane, Wake Forest, NC died Sunday, February 7, 2016 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.
Born on a snowy December day in her grandparents' house in Vance County, she was the daughter of the late Wilton Lee and Louise Poythress Adcock. "Dot" learned to cook at a young age and soon began to prepare the meals for her parents and siblings. These culinary skills would one day become well known far and wide throughout every community she was a part of, as the mention of her name would bring knowing nods and the remark, "Oh, Dot Renn. The lady who cooks so well." She attended Henderson High School, where she garnered the attention of a football star named Willard Renn by virtue of simply being more demure and ladylike than the other girls vying for his attention. They married September 7, 1952 and continued to love each other more every year they were together. Willard preceded Dorothy in death in 2003.
Mrs. Renn was a homemaker. She was a member of Wake Forest Baptist Church, the Church Choir, the Music Committee, and was an Ordained Deacon and member of the Seekers Sunday school class. During the early 1960's, she was a volunteer with the American Red Cross Gray Ladies. If there was anything Dot was known for as much as her cooking, it was giving of her time, talents and love unselfishly and unconditionally. There was no life crisis her family and friends couldn't navigate as long as they had encouragement and a hug, as well as a cake or pie, from Dot Renn.
Dorothy Renn's devotion to her family was absolute. Until her last day, her children benefited from her wisdom, encouragement and unconditional love. Her children's spouses were loved and embraced into her family just as if they were her own. Every event her grandchildren were involved in was too important for her to miss, regardless if it was a school band recital, soccer game at a sandlot on a cold spring morning or a baseball game in the professional ranks on the west coast that she stayed up late to listen to so she could hear her grandson's name. The only thing Dorothy Renn cherished more than her family was her relationship with her Lord Jesus Christ. She served Him faithfully her entire life and this was never more evident than when serving as a pastor's wife, supporting Willard while he served as minister in churches across Eastern North Carolina.
Dorothy Adcock Renn's passing will leave a tremendous void in the lives of her adoring family as well as her friends and church family. She was a unique and special person. As one of her attending physicians remarked, "I've never met anyone just like her. She was so gracious. She was a lady."
Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 11, 2016 at 2:00 p.m., at Wake Forest Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Bill Slater, Dr. Tom Jackson, and Dr. Steve Bolton. Burial will follow in New Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, 1238 New Bethel Church Road, Henderson, N.C.
Surviving are two daughters, Cathy R. Williamson (Bruce) of Wake Forest, and Carole Ann R. Wiggins (Chris) of Rolesville; two sons, Allen Renn (Nancy) of Wake Forest, and Jeff Renn (Robin) of Rolesville; a sister, Winnie A. Raper (Steve) of Rocky Mount; two brothers, Bill Adcock (Beverly) of Red Oak and Carl Adcock (Frances) of Bristol, TN; eleven grandchildren, Renn Williamson, Cameron Williamson, Mac Williamson, Christian Williamson, John Allen Renn, Taylor Renn, Zach Renn, Joe Renn, Emily Renn Wiggins, Jack Wiggins, and Maggie Wiggins.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Flowers Funeral Home. All other times, they will be at the home of Cathy and Bruce Williamson, 2121 Possum Trot Road, Wake Forest.
Serving as active pallbearers will be Larry Thompson, David Faircloth, Tom Johnson, Adrian Johnson, Jackson Matthews, Wayne Adcock, Robbie Stevenson, and Sam Collins.
Arrangements are by Flowers Funeral Home.
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