Wilma Franklin Deal

Wilma Franklin Deal, 91, born January 28, 1921, in Burke County to the late Robert Lee Franklin Sr. and Mae Griffin Franklin, passed away peacefully at Blue Ridge Healthcare in Valdese on June 9, 2012, after a period of declining health. She and her husband, Wilson E. Deal, who passed away in 2010, were married 71 years. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by an infant son, James Edward Deal; brothers, Melvin, Dan, Charles R., Oran C., Robert, Jr. "Rob" Franklin, and one sister, Eleanor Harbison.She is survived by daughters, Martha and husband, David "Rosie" Howell of Valdese, Jennie Duncan of Morganton, and Joyce McCall of Drexel; grandchildren and their spouses, Susan and Joe Schwind, Cindy and Tom Randolph, Julie and Skip French, Jennifer and Bret Fulbright, Angie and Jason Webb, and Andy and Stephanie McCall; great-grandchildren, Joey and Chelsea Schwind, Will and Callie Carswell, Thomas, Jr., and Julie Randolph, Erika and Emilee French, Grant, Blane, Brentani and Kreg Fulbright, Connor and Macey Webb, and Makynna McCall.She is also survived by in-laws, Lyvon and Millie Deal, Aileen Deal, Montene Deal, Prince, Jr. and Bertha Sue Deal, Virginia Franklin and numerous nieces and nephews.Wilma, since age 17, was a faithful member of the Drexel First Church of God having served for many years as Treasurer of the Mary Martha Sunday School Class. She was also a long-time choir member and was actively involved in the Ladies of the Church of God Missionary Society. She and her husband passed on their Christian values and beliefs to their family by their faithful attendance and by how they conducted their lives. They both had long perfect attendance Sunday School records.Wilma was greatly loved and respected by her extended family of numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved and respected their "Aunt Wilma." Her church family and her neighbors also loved her dearly and she returned that love and caring attitude toward all with whom she came in contact.For many years she and her husband operated Midway Grocery on Enon Rd. with Wilma handling the day to day operations while Wilson worked at Drexel Furniture Co.Upon the high school graduation of her third daughter, Joyce, Wilma received an award from the Burke County Schools recognizing the fact that from the year her first daughter, Martha entered school continuing with her second daughter, Jennie, and then Joyce, Mrs. Deal never missed a single meeting of the P.T.A. (now Parents Teachers Organization). These three daughters became teachers in the Burke County School System.In her retirement years, she enjoyed gardening, cooking, and crocheting. A superb cook, her potato salad and macaroni and cheese were quickly gone at church dinners. Her yard was beautiful with flowers of all shade and hues as well as with the displaying of an appropriate seasonal flag. Anyone visiting in her home would also find many photos of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She loved all holidays so she could celebrate with her family and friends. Wilma took great delight in greeting neighborhood children who were trick or treating at Halloween. Christmas mornings involved a breakfast feast with all the children, in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren in attendance. She also enjoyed sitting on her front porch in the summertime and waving to her many friends and neighbors passing by her home.Wilma dearly loved her caregivers: Marge Reep, Dr. Jamie Young, Dr. Hemen Joshi, and all the staff of Blue Ridge Community Action Adult Day Care in Morganton.Wilma was a very devoted wife, mother, and grandmother who was lovingly known by her grandchildren as "Nanny". Her children and grandchildren "rise up and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:28)!! Likewise, all who knew Wilma Deal were blessed.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the First Church of God, Drexel, NC with the Reverends Colin H. Deal and Steve Greer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center. Memorial gifts may be made to Blue Ridge Community Action Adult Day Care, 800 N. Green St., Morganton, NC 28655.