Brent Byrd Hanner

Brent Byrd Hanner of Randleman died peacefully at her home on January 27, 2025, after 98 years of service to her God, family, and community.

Brent was born in Asheboro on July 23, 1926 to Colon Orville Byrd and Clara Mabel Morgan Byrd. She grew up and lived in the mill town of Worthville, where her parents owned and operated the Worthville Store Company for years. Slightly mischievous Brent was the “Scout Finch” (To Kill a Mockingbird) of the neighborhood, suffering the antics of older brother, Jack, while kindly mothering her younger sisters, Miriam and Beth. 

Brent completed high school in Randleman and graduated from Pfeiffer College before attending nurses’ training at Presbyterian School of Nursing in Charlotte.

Following two years of pre-nursing study at Pfeiffer College, she completed three years in training at Presbyterian Hospital (1945-48). In her freshman year, the last year of World War II, she applied for a US Military Cadet Corps scholarship and received the grant which paid for uniforms, meals, tuition, books, and earned a salary all the years of the three-year program. 

On Feb 3, 1950 Brent married James Hanner from Randleman at First Methodist Church. They were active in Sunday School, Trustees, and Youth programs. Brent sang in the choir, served in United Methodist Women, and they reared their daughters in church.

Brent began her career at Randolph Hospital, assisting in the surgical unit, then later in labor/delivery and maternity. After her marriage and the birth of their children, she worked as a private duty nurse.

In 1960 Brent began work at the Randolph County Health Department in the clinic, in home health care, and in school health. In 1975 she was promoted to Director of Nursing, where she served until her retirement in 1985. 

Nursing afforded Brent an opportunity to spend her life serving others. She once said that Nursing was not only a career but a calling that served her well as she cared for her 100-year-old husband until his death, served other family members, and her church and community. 

In addition to her parents, Brent was predeceased by her siblings, Jack M. Byrd of Savannah, GA and Mary Elizabeth Byrd of Randleman.

Left to celebrate her memory are daughters: Ellen Robbins (Steven) of Sophia, “Nan”cy Medlin (John) of Raleigh; sister, Miriam B. Campbell of Asheboro; grandchildren: Reverend Dr. Lucy Brent Robbins of Asheville, Benjamin Hanner Robbins (Carrie) of High Point, Sara Medlin Wilson (Chad), Jennifer Paige Medlin (Dave Ehinger), Caroline Medlin Schmidt (Jeffrey), all of Raleigh; great grandchildren: Carter Reynolds, Morgan and Madeline Schmidt, and Julian and Elliott Robbins; many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

The family will receive friends on Friday, January 31, 2025, from 1:00 – 1:50 pm at First Methodist Church in Randleman, 301 S. Main St., Randleman, NC. Funeral services will follow at 2:00 pm with Reverend Allen Hale and Reverend Dr. Lucy Robbins officiating. Interment will follow at Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Brent's memory can be made to First Methodist Church in Randleman, 301 S. Main St., Randleman, NC 27317 or Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203.

Pugh Funeral Home in Randleman is honored to serve the Hanner family.