Vonnie Mae Pritchard Michaels

Vonnie Mae Pritchard Michaels, 95, of Morganton, NC died Sunday, December 18, 2011 at her residence following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on January 8, 1916, she was the daughter of the late Harrison Pritchard and Esther Ethel Bean Pritchard. Vonnie was a member of Mountain View #2 Baptist Church and formerly a member of Riverside Baptist Church. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. For most of her life she was an avid flower gardener.Vonnie is survived by her sons, William Michaels and wife, Linda, of Morganton, NC, David Michaels of Asheville, NC, Robert Michaels and wife, Sheila, of Chancellor, AL, and Steve Michaels and wife, Carol, of Morganton; eleven grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; a brother, Ben Pritchard of Morganton; sisters, Martha Orders, Virginia Engle, and Catherine Crawley, all of Morganton; and a number of nephews and nieces.In addition to her parents, Vonnie was preceded in death by her husband of over 70 years, Charles Pinkney Michaels; a son, Gerald Daniel Michaels; brothers, Harrison Jr., Leonard, Warren, and Howard Pritchard; sisters, Pauline Roberson and Betty Norman; and three infant sisters.The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 21, 2011 at Riverside Baptist Church with Rev. Burl Sail officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.