Kaneoda Lorene Thayer of Durham, North Carolina, passed away on September 1, 2020, ten days short of her ninety-fifth birthday. Daughter of Orla C and Kaneoda Marie Maxwell, Lorene was born on September 11, 1925, and attended high school in Pekin Illinois, where she was passionate about music and played clarinet in the school band. Lorene graduated from Illinois Normal Teachers College with a de-gree in music. She also obtained a degree in elementary education and library sci-ence and taught school. She was the wife of Robert Thayer (deceased), former Su-perintendent of Earlville Community Unit School District, Earlville, Illinois, to whom she was married for twenty-nine years.

Lorene Thayer was a dedicated wife and mother to her four children. She was be-loved by her four grandchildren and her four great grandchildren, other family members and friends. She loved to travel and was an avid sports fan. She loved playing games with her family and is remembered for her competitive spirit. Grandma did not like to lose! She attended Ridgecrest Baptist Church in Durham, North Carolina and was active in Sunday school and Bible Study. She was generous in supporting her church and others.

Lorene is survived by her four children, Robert, Ronald, Randall and Marilyn Thayer, her grandchildren Julie Thompson, Zachary and Benjamin Thayer and her four great grandchildren, Hadley, Kinsley, Caleb and Paige.

A celebration of Kaneoda Lorene’s life will be held on September 12, 2020, at 1:00 PM at Ridgecrest Baptist Church, 1104 Milton Road, Durham, North Carolina 27712. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ridgecrest Baptist Church or the Diabetes foundation.