Bessie Mae Epley Holland

Bessie Mae Epley Holland, 89, of Holland Dr., Morganton died Friday, July 29, 2011 at her residence. Born in Burke County, NC on January 16, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Charlie William Eple

Bessie Mae Epley Holland, 89, of Holland Dr., Morganton died Friday, July 29, 2011 at her residence. Born in Burke County, NC on January 16, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Charlie William Epley and Emer Norman Epley. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Mary Jane Holland; a brother, Paul Clark; and a sister, Sadie Piercy. Bessie was a retired employee of Morganton Full Fashion Hosiery Mill. She was a devoted and loving mother and grandmother, and she loved working in her garden with her flowers and vegetables.Bessie is survived by a son, David Lee Holland and his wife, Judy; daughters, Martha H. Gettys and her husband, Charles, and Betty H. Waycaster and her husband, Dennis Ray all of Morganton; grandchildren, Karen Livingston and her husband, Jim, Crystal Morrison, Brian Holland and his wife, Lisa and Mark Holland and his wife, Melissa; great grandchildren, Lauren, Matthew, Carolann, Katelyn, Emily, Alex, Aaron, Madison and Ty; brothers, Mack Epley and his wife, Lois, William Epley and his wife, Jennette, Johnnie Epley and his wife, Evelyn, and Claude Epley and his wife, Catherine; a sister, Eula Stillwell, all of Morganton; and a number of nephews and nieces.The funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Sunday, July 31, 2011 at Rain Hill Wesleyan Church with Rev. Lou Gardner officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family received friends Saturday at Sossoman Funeral Home & Crematory Center. Memorial contributions may be made to Rain Hill Wesleyan Church, 5763 Rain Hill Church Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.