Ilene Wilson Gunter Brainard, 82, of Rockingham, passed away at Moore Regional Hospital surrounded by her loving family Monday, May 6, 2024.
Ilene was a daughter of the late Woodrow and Evelyn Gunter and was born in Sanford, North Carolina April 29, 1942.
Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her second husband, Robert E. Brainard.
Ilene graduated from Hamlet High School in 1960, was a majorette and played on the high school basketball team. Upon graduating, Ilene attended UNC Chapel Hill where she obtained her degree in dental hygiene in 1962. In her early adult life, Ilene worked as a dental hygienist in Little Washington, Charlotte, and Rockingham. In later years Ilene opened her own insurance agency in Rockingham where she sold medical and life insurance to her fellow community members of Richmond County. She was also an aide to U.S. Congressman Bill Hefner.
Ilene and her late husband, Bob, owned and operated a successful outdoor flea market located in North Myrtle Beach. After Bob’s passing, Ilene and her son, John, operated an indoor flea market. John still operates the successful flea market in North Myrtle Beach that goes by the name “Everything Under the Sun.”
Ilene could be described in many ways. On one hand, she was a lady full of vim and vigor who could speak her mind so eloquently. At the same time, she was such a compassionate and caring person to everyone she knew and met. Indeed, as a young lady, she won the Miss Congeniality Award at the 1960 Miss North Carolina beauty pageant. Those who came to know Ilene well knew her to be a magnificent, strong, and fearless woman who had a kind and loving heart.
Ilene was a lady who embodied the definition of grace and compassion. She always left her doors open to anyone in need. She saw the good in everyone, which is a hard trait to come by. To those who knew and loved her, Ilene loved dancing the night away to the beat of shag tunes that lit up her heart like a bright moon over the ocean. Ilene had music in her soul which translated to the love and incredible way she could make all around her just as happy as she was. Ilene was a strength of personality that could be felt for miles around and the world is emptier without her.
Ilene is survived by her sons, John Samuel Braswell IV and Brian Wilson Braswell (Amanda); grandchildren, Shane Knight Braswell and Evelynn Marie Braswell; siblings, Woody Gunter and Cheryle Gunter Cheek (Larry); nephews, Will Gunter, Clifton Cheek, Grayson Cheek and Baxter Cheek; nieces, Caroline Gunter and Rebecca Gunter. Ilene is also survived by her dear friend and caregiver Margaret Brock; and also her first husband, John Braswell III, the caring father of their two sons.
The family will receive friends for visitation Friday, May 17, 2024, from 11 a.m. to noon at First Presbyterian Church’s Fellowship Hall in Rockingham. A memorial service held in Ilene’s honor will start at noon. with the Rev. Ron Schermerhorn officiating.
In addition to flowers, memorial donations can be made to either First Presbyterian Church at 904 Fayetteville Road, Rockingham, NC 28379 or to ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) at www.aspca.org.
Online memorials can be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the Brainard family.
