Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley

Dorothy Louise

Hudgins Kennedy

Buchanan, VA

Dorothy Louise Hudgins Kennedy, 87, of Buchanan, passed away Sunday, September13, 2015.

“Granny Dot,” formerly of Black Mountain, spent her life caring for others. In her final days, she was lovingly cared for by her family. She has gone to her eternal home in heaven with her Lord and received her crown of righteousness.

She was born in Black Mountain, NC on January 8, 1928 and moved to Virginia in 1947. Preceding her in death was her husband, Clarence “CT”; daughter, Dottie Ann Grant; grandson, Adrian Sparks; parents, Osborne, Sr. and Bertha Hudgins; sisters, Thelma, Edith, Ethel, Effie, Edna; and brother, Osborne, Jr. “Brother.”

She is survived by her daughters, Theresa (Archie) Sparks; Donna (Jim) Crawford; Shirley Leigh; son, Clarence “Louis” Kennedy; son-in-law, Gerald Grant; 9 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren. Granny Dot worked at Kenrose (Glad Rags), Peaks of Otter Restaurant, and Kearfott of NC before retiring. She was a member of Mill Creek Baptist Church and the Fidelis Sunday School Class.

Granny Dot enjoyed her Thursday nights with the ladies at the Buchanan Library and her Senior Citizens trips with Mill Creek Baptist Church. A Celebration of her life was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, September 17, 2015 with the Pastor J.R. Graybill and the Rev. Bob Hetherington officiating. Interment followed in Fairview Cemetery. The family received friends from 5-8 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2015 at the Buchanan Chapel of Botetourt Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at botetourtfuneralhome.com.

Myrtle Mae Owenby

Rock Springs

Myrtle Mae Owenby, age 94, of the Rock Springs Community passed away Friday September 18 at Hospice of Rutherford County.

Born in Buncombe County, she was the daughter of Daisy Bell Pack Earwood and Lonnie Earwood.

She was of the Baptist faith, and a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by daughters Doris Maynor and Alva Wilson; sons Howard Moore, Robert Moore and Fred Moore.

Left to cherish her memory are her sons Bobby Moore of the Rock Springs community and Billy Biddix of Dalton Ga., and her special companion dog BJ. Also surviving are numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were 4 p.m. Sunday September 20 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Polk County, with the Rev. Warren Elliott and Jerry Lawter officiating.

The family received friends from 2-4 p.m. Sunday prior to the service. Burial followed at 2 p.m. Monday at Emma’s Grove Baptist Church in Fairview, NC.

Online condolences may be made at crowemortuary.com. Donations may be made to Hospice, POB 336 Forest City, NC 28046.