Wade Denton

Wade Joseph Denton, 74, of Morganton passed away Monday, October 9, 2017.  Born in Burke County, NC on December 28, 1942, he was the son of the late Lincoln Denton and Martha Miller Denton.  Wade was a member of Burkemont Baptist Church and a veteran of the N.C. National Guard.  He was retired from Burke County Public Schools’ Transportation Department.

Wade is survived by his brother, Leroy Denton of Weaverville, NC; sisters, Vergie Swinson and husband, Gene, of Monroe, NC and Naomi Winchester of Greenville, SC; and numerous nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by his best friend, Melba Sisk of Forest City, NC, with whom Wade enjoyed his retirement years.  The two of them enjoyed trout fishing, golfing, beach trips, and riding/hiking in our beautiful mountains of western NC. Melba was truly a blessing to Wade and his family.

The family would also like to thank special caregivers, Carole Franklin and Becky Burns.

In addition to his parents, Wade was preceded in death by brothers, Herbert and Clyde Denton; and a sister, Nina Chapman.

Wade was the youngest child of seven children.  Throughout his life he maintained a close-knit love and faith relationship with his siblings and their children, no matter the distance.  He made personal sacrifices as a caregiver for his mother and his brother, Herbert “Hub”.  He enjoyed his group of close friends dating back to school days, his friends and the staff at the Burke Senior Center, and activities with Wheels From Time car club.

Each and every year on Christmas night he would open the doors of his farmhouse to his family.  We all looked forward to Christmas at "Uncle Wade's": the goodie bags, food (including Melba's green beans, aunt Betty's ham biscuits, Vergie's sweet potato casserole, and Aunt Ruby's dish), and fellowship sitting around the old wood cook stove. Wade would loudly say "When's Naomi and her crowd gonna get here? This is a mess to clean up...probably my last year!"  But come next year, on Christmas night, the brothers, sisters, nieces & nephews, the whole crowd, would be there again.

The family will receive friends from 12 to 1 p.m., Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Burkemont Baptist Church. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. in the church with Revs. Eddy Bunton, Gene Swinson, and Leroy Denton officiating.  Wade will be buried at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family.