January 11, 2024, 66, Goldsboro —
Cynthia “Cyndi” Owens Acree, 66, of Goldsboro, NC, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior surrounded by her family on Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Cyndi was born in Rutherfordton, NC on June 15, 1957, to Grover and Betty Owens. A graduate of East Carolina University, and member of Alpha Phi Sorority, Cyndi received a degree in Recreation Therapy. Cyndi married her college sweetheart, Mike Acree, in 1981 and moved to Goldsboro in 1986.
Cyndi had a passion for serving others, with a heart for special populations. Through her over 30-year career as a recreational therapist and case manager, she impacted hundreds of families. Cyndi was an active member of New Hope Church for 30 years, where she served most recently as SPRC Chair. She, alongside her husband, Mike, was instrumental in starting and helping to sustain the Upward Sports Ministry at New Hope. On any given Saturday, you would find her at the Upward field, serving up the “World Famous Upward Hotdogs” from the concession stand and cheering on the players, including her own grandchildren.
Cyndi had a gentle and humble spirit and embodied the characteristics of a Proverbs 31 woman. A proud colon cancer survivor, she bravely turned her time of illness into a faith journey that she openly shared. In doing so, she inspired countless others going through the same. She enjoyed being at the beach with her toes in the sand and spending time in God’s word. Above all, she loved enjoying quality time with her family – especially her grandbabies – and her dog, Jackson.
2nd Corinthians 5:8 tells us that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. While we mourn the loss of a Wife, Daughter, Mother, Mimi, Sister, Aunt, and friend, we rejoice that Cyndi is whole and healed at the feet of Jesus. She leaves behind her father, Grover Owens, her beloved husband, Mike Acree, her son, Kevin Acree, and wife Brittany of LaGrange, NC, and daughter, Erin Fonseca and husband Felipe of Goldsboro; grandchildren, Harper and Hampton Acree and John Owen, William, and Evelyn Fonseca. She also leaves behind her brother, James Richard Owens, and wife Rebecca, niece Lisa Callicutt, and children, her Uncle and Aunt, Dr. Harold and Evelyn Owens, and their family, and numerous friends.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Betty Owens.
A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, January 16th at New Hope Church, 200 E. New Hope Rd, Goldsboro. Visitation will take place at 1 pm in the Fellowship Hall, followed by a service at 2 pm in the Sanctuary. A graveside will immediately follow at Wayne Memorial Park.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Carden & Offield families, for providing unwavering support during Cyndi’s illness and to the staff of Kitty Askins Hospice Center for their compassionate care in her final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be made to New Hope Church or Southeastern Medical Oncology Center.
