Gladys Marie Higgins Hilemon

Gladys Marie Higgins Hilemon, 89, of Morganton went home to Jesus on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 at her residence. Gladys was a former resident of Piney Hill Community in Yancey County, NC where she was born March 28, 1922 to the late Zeb and Zora Higgins. Gladys was a devout Christian, and she loved nature, flowers, and gardening.She is survived by her husband, Lige Hilemon of the home; children, Rosa Lee Peters and husband, Vernon of Nebo, Eurite Hilemon and wife, Wilma of Burnsville, NC, Alma Radford of Morganton, Creed Hilemon of Lincolnton, NC, Barbara Robinson and husband, Larry of Morganton, Carolyn Smith of Nebo, Betty Robinson and husband, David, and Robin Hilemon, all of Morganton; 25 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 9 great-great-grandchildren; siblings, Lonnie Silvers and wife, Jackie of Eden, NC, Verlan Tipton of Powell, TN, Isaac Silvers of Burnsville, Earl Lee Silvers and wife, Shirley, and Andrew Silvers and wife, Annalou, all of Green Mountain, NC; and a special brother-in-law, Bill Hylemon of New Jersey.In addition to her parents, Gladys was preceded in death by two sons, Ottis and Kenneth Hilemon.Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 14, 2011 at Piney Hill Free Will Baptist Church in Burnsville with Rev. Bill Mitchell officiating. Burial will follow at the Proffitt Cemetery in Burnsville. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Thursday. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.