Myrtle Esther Searcy

myrtle searcy

September 6, 1927 ~ May 17, 2020

Born in: Polk County, NC
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Myrtle Nelon Searcy passed away on May 17, 2020 at the Laurels of Green Tree Ridge in her hometown of Asheville, NC at the age of 92.

Myrtle was born September 6, 1927 in Polk County to the late Rufus and Annie Mae Nelon. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard “Hearby” Searcy; granddaughter, Donna Butler and nine of her brothers and sisters.

She is survived by two sons, Rufus and Shiskey Searcy and one daughter Zinnia Bryant (John Bryant) all of Asheville, NC. She also leaves five grandchildren, Kelly Searcy Entas (Nick Entas), John Bryant, Andrew Searcy (Megan Searcy), Christina and Richard Searcy; eleven great-grandchildren, Katherine and Nicholas Entas, Isaiah Bryant, Elizabeth Butler, Gunnar and Leela Searcy, Savannah Dalton and children (Eleanor and Marigold), Tadan Clubb and Tanner Searcy. She is also survived by two sisters; Sarah Laughter and Mary Jane Melton of Lake Lure, NC.

Myrtle and Hearby owned and operated Searcy’s Produce for 30+ years in the Asheville area. This was not just a business to them, they poured their life in to the business and worked hard, loved the community and was a staple in the Asheville area. Myrtle loved flowers and would grow so many types and sell those at the stand as well.

Myrtle was one of only a few women of her community and time in Polk County to graduate high school. Myrtle worked her entire life and as she got older missed her produce stand immensely. She was the most selfless person you could ever meet, would give you the last penny in her purse (even though she probably needed it) and would never let you go hungry. She loved children the most, taking care of so many kids while working for so many years and was everyone’s “Granny”.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, May 22, 2020 at Cane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Lake Lure.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity of choice. Myrtle would have insisted.

Services

Graveside Service: May 22, 2020 11:00 am

Cane Creek Baptist Church Cemetery
Highway #9
Lake Lure, NC

828-252-3535

Funeral Home Assisting The Family:

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704

(828)687-3530
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

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Guestbook

  1. We are very sorry for your loss, we love you all very much and dad says he remembers so much about Myrtle and Hearby. He knows that she will tend the gardens in heaven and grow as many flowers she can. We send many hugs, much love and prayers. Milo and Ann Searcy and Family.

  2. She was such a wonderful lady! I remember going to the produce stand with my parents. She always gave me a piece of fruit, usually a plum because they were my favorite. Searcys produce was such a wonderful memory from my childhood. Much love for the family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

  3. Will miss you every day, thank you for being the best Granny to our family, every friend I ever brought over and my kids who will miss you dearly. Love you always.

  4. Such good memories going to the Searcys fruit stand all the time with daddy while I was growing up. I would eat something from there while he talked. So sorry to everyone for your loss!

  5. Myrtle was the most wonderful precious aunt to me. I spent part of my summers staying at her house right on up until I got married. She was one of the hardest working woman I ever knew running a fruit stand while being a mom, granny, wife, aunt, friend. She wasn’t one to complain about anything so full of life, she never gave up her body just gave out. I will always cherish my memories of you. Love you forever. You surely will be missed. See you in Heaven. Love to all the family

  6. Myrtle was a wonderful precious woman my aunt. I spent part of my summers staying at her house up until I got married. She was a a hard working woman running a fruit stand being a wife mother granny friend to all. I will always cherish my memories of her always be loved and forever missed. She was a strong woman she never gave up her body just gave out she wasn’t one to complain no matter what she was going through. See you in Heaven when my time comes. Love all the family may God bless and comfort you

  7. My Aunt Myrtle was the best. I will always have many many happy memories of her. She treated me like her own as she did many. She will surely be missed by everyone. What a lady. Rest in heaven Aunt Myrtle. Love you and also have. See you in heaven

  8. My Aunt Myrtle. The best. I have always loved her. She treated me as her own since I was born. An amazing lady like no other. She will be missed. I have great memories of life with her. Rest in heaven. Earth’s loss Heaven’s Gain

  9. Love you Great Aunt Myrtle. Wish I would have gotten to see you more. But I know that I’ll see you again someday.

  10. Whether sharing flower seeds or a watermelon, figs or peaches, Mrs Searcy was always one step ahead of us. No sooner had we reciprocate with a meager offering of our own, she was back with another delicious treat for us. We shall
    miss our beloved smiling, kind, never complaining neighbor.

  11. My prayers are with you all at this time. Just remember that God is there for you and you can always see her again. I am so sorry for your loss.

  12. Sorry for your loss to all the family, we loved the produce that we bought there for years and I went to school with the boys, we are always looking towards heaven our finial home.

  13. Shiskey, Zinnia, and Rufus
    I am so sad for you in your loss of a wonderful mother and person. Everyone has great memories of her fruit stand, and the good, good lady that she was.

  14. Shiskey, Rufus and Zinnia,
    The best of memories of visiting Searcy’s Fruit and Produce on Hendersonville Road. Your Mom and Dad were truly a landmark fixture in S. Buncombe County. Will keep all of you in my prayers during this sad and difficult time.

  15. I guess it has been over 50 years since I have seen the family but remember them well and with fond memories.
    My prayers are going out to the family.

  16. Our prayers are with family and friends of such a most wonderful lady 💕🌹🦋Our memories of Her Love,Her caring,Her Strong Strength ,Her Faith, We will always keep close in our hearts forever 💕💜❤️🌹🦋🌸

  17. I am very sorry for your loss.. Aunt Myrtle was a sweet lady.. reminded me so much of my grandma, her sister Pauline. I am praying for the family for comfort.. I know she will be missed. Hugs to all of you.

  18. Aunt Myrtle was a precious lady. A woman who loved flowers and excelled at growing them. I picture her tending her favorite flowers in heaven. Her Christmas cards each year were such a joy to receive. I will miss the cards, but most of all the dear Aunt who sent them. God Bless You All.

    ♥…Instead of the brier shall come up the Myrtle Tree; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off. Isaiah 55:13. ♥

  19. Christina, Noah and all the family:
    I am sorry for your loss. There are so many memories of visiting the produce stand, especially in the summer time when we would go just about every other day. We’d make our trek across the railroad tracks and down the red clay hill just to bring some empty bottles and trade for some change to buy something, candy or whatever. She would always say “Here comes those Stevens girls” and then proceeded to give us hugs. She was like a grandmother we never had. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.


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