Obituaries

Willena Mae Gilbert Rhyne, of Vale, NC, passed away on Friday, November 29, 2013, at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville after a lengthy and courageous battle with cancer.

Willena was a very loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. She received great joy from all things associated with and involving her family.

She was born on July 3, 1930 to the late Andrew Gilbert and Della Ritchie. In addition to her parents, brothers, and sister, Willena was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis P. Rhyne. She was employed for many years at Gilbert’s Shoes of Lincolnton, which later became Warlick’s Shoes. Mrs. Rhyne retired from public service in 2000.

Willena was an active life-time member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Vale. She received lots of enjoyment over the years from participating in all her church activities, as well as participating in the many activities associated with the senior citizen groups of Lincoln County and especially with the Happy Timers group. The Rhyne family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the many special church and senior group friends for all your support and prayers.

Willena is survived by one son, Eddie and wife Debby on Denver, NC; two daughters, Debbie Crouse and Cathy Williams, both of Vale; grandchildren, Jon Rhyne and wife Benita of Morganton, NC, Danny Brown and wife Tara of Denver, NC, Cory Williams and wife Krystal of San Antonio, TX, Merideth Mintz and husband Derek of Huntersville, NC, and Casey Williams and friend Drew of Charlotte, NC; and great-grandchildren, Hunter Bruns, Jacob Brown, Sydney, Tobey and Trey Mintz, and Eli Williams.

The family wishes to convey their deepest and most sincere thanks and appreciation to the professional and extremely dedicated caregivers of Hospice & Palliative Care of Lincoln County and at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville, who faithfully supported Willena and her family.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at 2:30pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Vale with Pastor John Locke officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm until 2:00pm prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent either to Hospice & Palliative Care of Lincoln County, 107 North Cedar Street, Lincolnton, N.C. 28092, or to Levine & Dickson Hospice House, 11900 Vanstory Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078.