Ms. Serena Gaynor

Serena Elizabeth Hill Gaynor was born in Blounts Creek, North Carolina on December 19, 1935, to the late William Edward Hill and Mollie Hill. Serena was called to Glory on November 24, 2022. Serena was raised in Blounts Creek, North Carolina and attended the Ware Creek School now known as the Ware Creek Rosenwald School and Community Center. She continued her education with the Beaufort County Public School System. Along with her parents, Serena moved to New York where she furthered her education by obtaining her Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York and later her Master of Arts Degree from New York University. She retired from the State of North Carolina as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Serena loved to work with people whether professionally or recreationally. While living in New York, she was a member of several committees which included Community Board 9 in Harlem, New York, the Association of Black Social Workers, President of the Tenant Patrol of Manhattanville Houses, she was also a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. In North Carolina she was a member of the Beaufort-Pitt Mass choir, the Missionary choir, a lifetime member of the Great Commission, Treasurer of the Beaufort-Pitt Missionary Circle, a member of the Democratic club, and the President of the Ware Creek Rosenwald School. She loved Blounts Creek and its people. She believed the community came from a strong background that could take that same energy and make the community even greater. On a personal level she loved to cook, enjoyed the outdoors by gardening, being on her laptop playing solitaire, watching sports and the news on television, traveling, being involved with politics, talking on the phone, and especially family time. Serena was married to the late Bravet Earl Gaynor and from this union they had three children: her two sons, Morris and Gregory preceded her in death. Serena is survived by her daughter, Sharon Gaynor Johnson; three grandchildren, Morgan (Morris) of New Jersey, Kori (Gregory) of Pennsylvania, Candace (Sharon) of North Carolina; one great-grandson, Tyrese; daughter-in-law, Pamela Andrews Gaynor of New Jersey, Brook Johnson (Sharon) of North Carolina; sisters-in-law, Sidney Gaynor of New York, and Sybil Gaynor of Virginia; brother-in-law, Charles Gaynor of Virginia. Serena believed in empowering people by giving them the knowledge and wisdom needed to positively progress. Whether doing community activism or missionary work, she believed that by working hard and working together the community would be able to prosper and grow beyond expectations. Her mindset was one that could take you into the unknown to expand the possibilities; to make you think outside the box. Serena wanted people to love one another and appreciate each other along with the special gifts that every person has to offer. Hopefully the special gems of knowledge that she left will continue to flourish for the betterment of everyone.

Tributes

Ms. Serena Gaynor

December 19, 1935 - November 24, 2022