Ola Moody Wilkey

CANDLER Ola Moody Wilkey, 93, formerly of 4 Mayfair Drive, Woodside Hills, Candler, went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 2, 2007 at Pisgah Manor Health Care Facility after a long illness. She was the devoted wife of Elbert C. Wilkey, who passed away September 21, 2006, and a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Ola was born in the logging town of Proctor in Swain County (now known as the North Shore) on October 17, 1914, to the late Wiley G. and Lola E. Moody. In addition to her husband and parents, brothers Justine Moody, Garrett Moody; sisters Mae Wilkey, Azalea Moody and infant daughters, Kay and Barbara Wilkey preceded her in death. Surviving are her daughter, Martha Joan Cook and husband Frank Bud of Asheville; son, Rick C. Wilkey and wife, Connie of Castle Rock, CO; sister, Ruth Colvard of Andrews; brothers, Donald Moody and wife, Mavis; and Ray Moody; brother-in-law, Blake Wilkey and wife, Helen Louise all of Robbinsville. Other family survivors include grandchildren, Daniel K. Cook and wife, Teresa of Asheville; Richard E. Wilkey and fiancee, Shelley McNeil of Liberty, SC; Kimberly Owens and husband Dallas of Liberty, SC; Sarah Perez and husband, Santos of Easley, SC. Her five great grandchildren are Wyatt Owens, Bailey Cook, Andrew Cook, Matteo and Marco Perez. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive her. Ola was raised in the Snowbird Community of Graham County, NC. She and Elbert were married on December 25, 1931, and enjoyed almost 75 years together. She loved flowers, vegetable gardening, canning, preserving, and cooking, as well as helping Elbert care for their honeybees. They moved to Buncombe County in August 1957. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church and served as treasurer of the Golden Circle Class for many years. The family will receive friends from 10:30 to 11:30 AM on Wednesday, November 7, 2007, at Anders-Rice Funeral Home, 1428 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 AM, with Dr. Carson Moseley officiating. Interment will be in Pisgah View Memorial Park beside her beloved Elbert. The family would like to express special thanks and appreciation to the staff of Pisgah Manor Health Care Facility, as well as Dr. Wendy Coin, for the many years of loving care given to Ola. The staff of Care Partners (Hospice), in cooperation with Pisgah Manor, had cared for Ola since February 2007. The family sincerely thanks the wonderful Hospice staff for all the extra things they did to make Ola comfortable in her last months. For many years family and friends showered Ola with beautiful flowers she could enjoy in her room in Pisgah Manor. She requested that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made at this time to Eliada Home for Children, P.O. Box 16708, Asheville, NC 28816.