Alwayne McClure

Alwayne McClure was born September 12, 1927 in Waynesville, NC and moved to her permanent home in Heaven on March 5, 2019 after a brief illness.

Alwayne was preceded in death by her parents, George Thomas and Elsie Hyatt McClure, her brothers Norman McClure and Herbert McClure and her sister, Betty McClure Creasey. She was a member of the Deep River Friends Meeting in High Point, NC.

She is survived by her brother, Rufus McClure (Miriam), nieces Rebecca Creasey, Jean Creasey Chandler (Weldon), Kimberly McClure Lewicki (Jim), Maura McClure Donoher (Gary), Christina Stokes, Nikki Taylor, and honorary niece Kim Reddeck, nephews, Gary McClure (Betty), Ronald McClure (Hilda), Josh McClure, Jed McClure (Julia), Toby McClure (Lynn), Matthew McClure (Teri) and Sean McClure (Donna).  Also surviving Alwayne are multiple generations of great nieces and nephews.

Learning was Alwayne’s passion. This was reflected by her studies at Mars Hill College, Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She started her career in teaching at an elementary school in Gastonia, NC. When she moved back to High Point, she taught Senior English at Griffith High School for a number of years. She continued her teaching career at Ben L. Smith High School in Greensboro. The impact Miss McClure had on her students was evident by the comments made when, more than once, the annual yearbook was dedicated to her.

The last phase of her career was becoming the first employee of then Guilford Technical Institute, now Guilford Technical Community College. Her career at GTI was varied. Her responsibilities were deeply involved in the ground floor development of the institute and included teaching, developing the Guided Studies program and setting up the Personnel Office. Her knowledge and experience were a valuable resource to the administrative leaders and faculty of GTI.

After she retired, Alwayne continued to pursue her love of learning. She took art classes and became an accomplished water color artist. Sewing classes helped her evolve into a talented seamstress.

She and her life-long friend, Gwen, traveled extensively. Their adventures included two trips to the Holy Land and trips to Europe, Nova Scotia, Alaska, Australia and New Zealand. Back in the United States, they spent several years exploring the sights in an RV, accompanied by their two beloved Schnauzers, Brunie and Anja.

Family was important to Alwayne. She was very close to her mother and siblings. She was always ready to be a listening ear and to give advice to her nieces and nephews, many of whom referred to her as “Auntie Alwayne.” She will be greatly missed and her life will be remembered as one well lived with many accomplishments that left the world a better place for her having passed through it on her way to her eternal home.

The family will greet friends from 6:00 until 8:00pm on Friday, March 8, 2019 at Cumby Family Funeral Service, 1015 Eastchester Drive in High Point.  A celebration of Alwayne’s life will be held Saturday at 11:00 am at Deep River Friends Meeting, 5300 W. Wendover Avenue in High Point. Reverend Scott Wagoner and Reverend John Sides will be officiating and burial will follow in the Deep River Friends Meeting Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to: Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, North Carolina 27262 or to: Deep River Friends Meeting.

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