Myrtle Elizabeth Deaton Epley

Myrtle Elizabeth Deaton Epley, 91, of Dysartsville Road, Morganton, died unexpectedly Friday, September 12, 2014, at Grace Hospital. Born in Alamance County on July 1, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Robert Franklin Deaton and Ella Moore Deaton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Howard Calvin Epley who died in 2000; brothers, Robert Deaton, Jr., Leon Deaton, and Rev. James Deaton; a sister, Martha Deaton Smith; former son-in-law, Owen F. Taylor; and by her parents-in-law, Myrtie Epley and Hubert (Hub) C. Epley.
She is survived by her daughters, Frances Epley Thomas and husband, Walter, of Hickory and Betty Epley Taylor of the home; a son, Robert Calvin Epley and wife, Joette of Lenoir; grandchildren, Franklin Todd Taylor and wife, Erin, Jason Scott Taylor and wife, Lynette, all of Morganton, Robert Steven Epley and wife, Sabrina, of Benson, and Kimberly Dawn Epley Towne and husband, Jake, of Durham; great-grandchildren, Olive Denton, Perry Taylor, Jakob O. Taylor, Christian Stamey, Whitney Smith, Lyndsey Scott, and Trevor Scott; and great-great-granddaughter, Gracie Scott. Myrtle is also survived by brothers, John Calvin Deaton of Connelly Springs and Rev. Tex Deaton and wife Mary, of Raeford; a sister, Mary Ruth Deaton Moore and husband, Edwin, of Winston-Salem; and sisters-in-law, Hallie Spencer Deaton of Morganton and Ellen Deaton of Hickory.
Prior to retiring from Wamsutta Doblin, Myrtle worked at Jacquard Mills and Ross Fabrics. She was a faithful and active member of Mountain View #2 Baptist Church, joining the church by baptism on July 28, 1950. She was a choir member, Sunday School teacher, Discipleship Training teacher, WMU member, GA leader, Acteen leader, and VBS. She taught the Books of the Bible to all her students. She enjoyed playing the fiddle, guitar/mouth harp, mandolin, auto harp, and banjo.
Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 17, 2014 at Mountain View #2 Baptist Church, 4692 Dysartsville Road with Rev. Kenneth Mashburn and Rev. Earl Cross officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Community Action Adult Daycare, ATTN: Kathy Kincaid, 800 N. Green St., Morganton, NC 28655.