Vera Blanton Reese Chesnut, 88, of Cary, died Thursday, Aug. 13 of a brain aneurysm while visiting her daughter in Roswell, GA. She was born on Dec. 27, 1920 in Nashville, TN to Bertha Hall Blanton and Owen Blanton Sr.

She grew up in Nashville. During the Second World War, Chesnut worked as a riveter at an airplane factory while living in Oakland, CA where her first husband was stationed. She raised her family in Nashville and also lived in Clarksville, TN; Lexington, KY; and Bristol, TN before moving to Cary. She was a dynamic member of the Cary community for the past 25 years, actively involved in the First Baptist Church of Cary, First Baptist Young at Heart Seniors, and the Cary XYZ club. She generously volunteered her time over the years to the Cary Senior Sewing Club, RSVP, Western Wake Hospital, NC Symphony Summerfest, James’ Rest Home in New Hill, the Cary Chamber of Commerce, and the Town of Cary.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Hazel Lee Blanton, brother Owen and his wife Anne Blanton, brothers Harold and Marshall, and husbands Marshall Reese Sr. and Johnny Chesnut.

She is survived by her daughter Linda Reese and her husband Bruce Wise of Roswell, GA, son Marshall and his wife Pat Reese of Cary, niece Karen and her husband Rocky Miller, grandniece Rachel Miller of Hendersonville, TN, grandson Joshua Gilbert of Roswell, GA, granddaughter Kelley and her husband Ian Friel of Guildford, England, and great-granddaughters Audrey and Heather Friel.

She will be lovingly remembered by friends and family for her friendly, outgoing nature, keen sense of humor, ready smile, laughter, and enthusiasm for life. She inspired those around her to help others, to appreciate what they have in life, and to enjoy it to its fullest.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21 at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home at 200 SE Maynard Road in Cary. A funeral service honoring her life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the same location. Burial will be at New Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in New Hill, NC.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made in her honor to Canine Assistants (www.canineassistants.org ) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).

Condolences may be sent through the guest book at www.brownwynne.com.