Mozelle Rafferty

Mozelle Kearns Rafferty, age 90, died on May 16, 2012, at the Oaks at Mayview Convalescent Center in Raleigh. She lived in Asheboro her entire life until failing health brought her to Raleigh to be closer to family. She resided there her last four years, primarily at The Heritage of Raleigh, and then on to Mayview. After graduating from Asheboro High School, Mozelle attended Elon College and Bowling Green Business University, where she met her (now deceased) husband, Bill Rafferty. A loving, caring mother, wife, and daughter, Mozelle was devoted to her family. She lived next door to her parents and visited them daily. Her mother-in-law relocated to Asheboro from West Virginia later in life, moving three doors down the street. Mozelle looked after all of them in their later years. During WWII, when Bill was deployed for almost four years, mostly aboard Naval Destroyers in the Pacific, she worked at the family business, Kearns' Furniture Store, as a bookkeeper. Mozelle was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, where she also was a member of the Methodist Women. She was an avid bridge player in her early years, and she also enjoyed gardening, needlepoint, stock market investing, and traveling. Her favorite hobby, though, was collecting antiques, particularly eighteenth century English furniture and silhouettes, Randolph County primitives, and Jugtown Pottery. In fact she was considered to be one of the leading experts in the community. She loved "Market Time" in High Point, where she worked as a consultant for Byerly's Antique Store. Mozelle is survived by three children: Patricia R. Collins (Chuck), Jacksonville; Michael E. Rafferty (Beth), Midlothian, VA; and Kathy R. McGehee, Raleigh; four grandchildren: Page Collins, Newport Beach, CA; Katharine C. Friedrick, Raleigh; Blake R. McGehee, Raleigh; and W. Michael Rafferty, Arlington, VA; one great grandchild: Isabella R. Friedrick, Raleigh; and two sisters: Jewell K. Coffey, Kannapolis; and Doris K. Frost, Louisville, KY. The family will receive friends Saturday, May 19, 2012, from 10:00 - 11:00 AM at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home chapel at 11:00 AM and burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery in Asheboro. Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church, 224 North Fayetteville Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 or Hospice of Wake County, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, NC 27607. The family would like to express a special thanks to the wonderful staff at The Heritage of Raleigh and the Oaks at Mayview for the love and support provided to Mozelle and her family. Memories from Mozelle's 90 years.