Mary Ellen Candler
March 19, 1926 ~ April 26, 2014
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Mary Ellen Buchanan Candler was born March 19, 1926, to the late Floyd Roscoe Buchanan and Lilly Duggins Buchanan of Drayton, SC.
On Saturday, April 26, 2014, she left this world to be reunited with her husband of 65 years, Howard N. Candler, with two grandchildren, Lee and Angel Hilemon, and with seven of her siblings, Rev. Horace Buchanan, Ola Lytle, Andrea Manuel, Bill Buchanan, Jack Buchanan, Dean Buchanan and Edna Ruth Buchanan.
She is survived by her son, Alan Candler of the home; daughter, Donna Candler Hilemon (Floyd) of Candler; sisters, Martha Neighbors (Everett) and Sara Barnwell of Spartanburg; grandchildren, Bryan Candler Hilemon of Candler and Alana Hilemon Ramsey of Fairview; two great-grandchildren, Leowyn Hilemon and Kylie Ramsey;
Mary also helped raise a niece and nephew who were like her own children, Mandy Odum of Columbia, SC and Phillip Manuel of Atlanta, GA. Also surviving are extended family, Lynn and Karen Shuler of Swannanoa, brother-in-law A.C. "Ike" Candler (Mildred), and many nieces and nephews.
Mary was a faithful and active member of Calvary Baptist Church for 65 years, teaching the two year olds in Sunday School before her declining health kept her at home.
She worked as a special education teacher at Sand Hill School, then as a secretary at St. Joseph Hospital and a medical office. She loved reading, solving crossword puzzles, sewing and needlepoint.
A Celebration of Life will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, 2014, at the Candler Center, Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, West Asheville, led by the Rev. Jeff Hayes and Dr. Jack Buchanan, assisted by Associate Pastor Pat Stillwell and Chaplain Butch Stillwell.
The family will receive friends at the Candler Center one hour prior to the Celebration.
Burial will be private for the family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806, or to Hominy Baptist Day Stay, 135 Candler School Road, Candler, NC 28715, where Mary enjoyed spending time playing bingo and pastor services on Thursdays.
The family expresses their appreciation to all the workers at Day Stay for taking excellent care of their mom.
Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting with the arrangements.
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I am so sorry to have read of your loss. Please accept my sincere condolences. Something that I have personally found to be of great comfort is what the Bible says at John 5:28, 29 as well as Revelation 21:4. These verses show us that soon God is going to bring about a resurrection of our loved ones as well as do away with all causes we have for suffering including sickness and death. Knowing this has always comforted me and it is my sincere hope that these thoughts comfort your family as well. Again I am so sorry for your loss.
Alan and Donna, I am so sorry to read of the loss of your mother. It is difficult to lose a loved one in death but may the God of all comfort soothe your hearts at this time of grief.
Allen & Donna: What a loss to the family and to you personally. Aunt Mary was a wonderful person – always so cheerful and upbeat with a marvelous smile. I loved her bright eyes. May God embrace and welcome her, and may He give you peace going forward. He blessed with her presence.
Allen and Donna, I taught Sunday School at Calvary Baptist Church years and years ago with your Mom…..She and your Dad also were such very special people and meant so much to the church and the members like us who knew them. I pray that God will bless you two with His peace during this difficult time.