Inoma Fainn

Inoma Benefield Fainn, 88, of Oakboro, NC, passed away at home on Friday, March 7, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 15th at Mayes Ward Dobbins Funeral Home in Powder Springs, GA. Interment will follow the service at Sunrise Memorial Gardens in Douglasville, GA. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Inoma is preceded in death by her parents, William and Bula Benefield and her loving husband of 70 years, Charles Fainn. Inoma believed in love at first sight, especially after meeting Charles. They met for the first time on August 16, 1954 and married three and a half weeks later on September 12, 1954. She is survived by her daughters, Janet Daniel (Darrell), Charlynn Straatman (Jim); two sons, Curtis Fainn (Mary), Alan Fainn (Sherry); seven grandchildren, Shawn Fainn, Brandy Hill (Jeff), Brittany Hamlin (Trey), Erin Howland (Cory), Cameron Blair (Christina), Charlie Fox (Jessie), Matthew Straatman (Alyssa); and 10 great-grandchildren, Jeffrey (Breanna), Cassie, Piper, Carter, Amelia, Kirby, Riley, Reagan, Jameson, and Aria Brynn. Written from Inoma’s children: Things we will always remember when we think of our Mama --- Laughing, playing the piano, singing, dancing, and always being silly. When we were younger there were always, and we mean ALWAYS, relatives and our “family of friends” who always felt like family to us at our home. Mama was always kidding around with everyone and having a wonderful time. She was always singing and dancing around in the kitchen, too while cooking for everyone (anywhere from 20 to 30 people at a time every weekend)! This influenced us most as we think back, because we all love having family and lots of friends over (especially Alan and Sherry and Charlynn and Jim). Their joy comes from preparing and serving some of the most unique dishes for anyone and everyone at any time! Mama loved flowers. Gardenias, or as she always called them Cape Jasmines, were her absolute favorite. As a matter of fact, all us kids have Gardenias in our yard because we were given sprigs rooted from the original bush our grandmother planted at the old home place! Again, Mama always thought Charlynn took after our grandmother in that regard as well because Charlynn is the one with the “Green Thumb” in our family. Mama loved music, as did Daddy! It was a deep dividing line in our family because Daddy loved Johnny Cash and Mama loved Marty Robbins. When we think back it always puts a smile in our hearts remembering Mama playing the piano, Daddy playing the guitar, and family and friends gathered around the piano playing other instruments and singing all those old gospel songs! When Mama retired, she went out on the road with Daddy. They both had a ball traveling through 48 states together! And, YES, our 4’ 11” mother aced her CDL Licenses Test and actually drove their 18-wheeler (but, only on occasion per Daddy). Family. Above all things, Mama loved us! (Although we all thought Curtis was her favorite and we get kicks out of kidding him about that on a daily basis). She was so proud of all of us. Curtis for his accomplishments in ROTC in High School and then his Theater business he started right after High School and has kept going until his retirement just last year. Alan for his Military Service in the Air Force and his heart for always telling the truth whether you wanted to hear it or not. Janet for always keeping and holding dear all the old recipes and relics from both sides of our family from years back. And, always wanting nothing but to be a wife and mother. And Charlynn for her accomplishments in her Real Estate business and for helping others find their forever homes. And she and Jim for having them live with them for the past 28 years. Mama loved all the babies, grand babies and great grands. Each one had a special place in her heart. Mama and Daddy didn’t tell us how to live, they showed us by their example! What a wonderful legacy we have to follow! We were BLESSED!

Inoma Fainn

December 22, 1936 - March 7, 2025