Grace Byrant (Hendricks) Wight

Mrs. Grace Bryant Hendricks Wight, 92, a longtime resident of Cary, NC transitioned to eternal rest on Saturday, January 21, 2023, at Waltonwood Senior Living, Cary, NC, after a brief illness.  Her passing was peaceful, on her own terms, with her children.  Grace was born October 25, 1930, in Lenoir, NC to the late Phillip Monroe Hendricks, Sr. and Annie Mae Hendricks (Cain).  She grew up in Lexington, NC, and attended Lexington Schools.  She graduated from Lexington High School in 1948.  She attended Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, TN.  Grace married James Allen Wight, Sr. November 11, 1950, in Lexington, NC.  They embarked on a life together in North Carolina that spanned nearly 59 years until his passing.

Grace’s early career was as an elementary school teacher.  She stepped out of this role as the family grew and she devoted herself full-time to her three young children and family.  She returned to teaching Kindergarten in the private sector and enjoyed this career for years.   Grace volunteered in the broader community.  This included serving on the Altar Guild of the Episcopal churches she attended in Chapel Hill, New Bern, and Cary.   Grace volunteered at the Dorcas Ministries Shop in Cary, NC. 

Grace’s passion was genealogical research.  Her research both into the extended family and the families of others, lead to her recognition by the North Carolina Genealogical Society when she received the 2003 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Society as a Member.  Grace was a member of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was a Charter Member of the Yates Mill Chapter in Cary, NC started in 2004 by twelve members.   She helped start their scholarship fund which helps women who want to return to continue their education.   Her interests and activities included gardening, sewing, bird watching, and piano.  Her favorite vacation spots were the beaches of North Carolina and the Gulf Coast of Florida.

Grace loved and supported her family.  She is survived by her children, Amy Wight Eckel, husband John, Pennington, NJ; James Allen Wight, Jr. wife Millicent of Apex, NC; Malinda G. Wight, Durham, NC; two grandchildren, Laura Eckel Hullings, husband Brandon, Ewing, NJ; Michael J. Eckel, Washington, DC; two nephews, Lynn and Michael Shirley of Johnson City, TN; six step-grandchildren; ten step-great-grandchildren; one step-great-great-grandchild.

A memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 221 Union St, Cary, NC on Sunday, March 19 at 2:00 PM.  Family and friends are welcome.  In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Grace’s name to the Scholarship Fund of the Yates Mill Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.  Please send donations to:  Yates Mill NSDAR (Scholarship Fund), 100 Tropez Lane, Cary, NC 27511.   

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