Clara Calhoun Wise

Clara Calhoun Wise, 81 of Nebo, NC died Wednesday, June 12, 2013. Mrs. Wise was born in Avery County on August 25, 1931 and was a daughter of the late Starlin and Jodie Benfield Calhoun, In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Alvin Harold Wise, former sheriff of Burke County; one brother; five sisters; and a daughter-in-law, Janice Wise. Mrs. Wise was a graduate of Newland High School where she was captain of the basketball team and retired after 51 years of love and devotion to South Mountain Children’s Home. She enjoyed fishing, taking cruises, traveling to Montana and country music concerts with her grandson, Blake. She was a member of Vale Freewill Baptist Church in Newland.Surviving are her sons, Rick Wise of Jonas Ridge, David Wise and wife, Tammy, and Ernie Wise and wife, Cynthia, all of Nebo; grandchildren, Misty Shane and husband, Adam, of Hickory, Jennifer Smith and husband, Eric, of Dysartsville, Myron Wise and wife, Maile, of Charlotte, Blake Wise of Tennessee, Robbie Wise and wife, Katie, of Nebo, and Jensen Wise and wife, Dannie of Longtown; great-grandchildren, Brittany Umphlett and Brooke Craig; and a sister, Nell Cuthbertson, of Crossnore.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 15, 2013 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Gyles Widener and Mr. Doug McConnell officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to South Mountain Children’s Home, 7330 Myrtle Dr., Nebo, NC 28761.