Bertie Soesbee

January 28, 1917—January 16, 2017 Canton - Bertie Jenkins Soesbee passed away on Monday, January 16, 2017 at Tennova Newport Convalescent Center in Newport, Tennessee. She was 12 days short of her 100th birthday. A native of Highlands, North Carolina, she spent most of her life in Canton where she and her late husband, Paul Soesbee, made their home. For the last several years, she had lived in Newport, including the last year at Tennova. Bertie Soesbee was a member of First Baptist Church of Canton for more than 70 years. For three decades, she had taught in the nursery at First Baptist. Much of her life was spent in service in other capacities, as well. For example, she was a Girl Scout leader, and she was a "Gray Lady" volunteer at the Haywood County Hospital. She retired from the former Britthaven Nursing Home in Clyde, North Carolina, where she worked in the cafeteria. The Sunday after Pearl Harbor, she and Paul Soesbee married. He re-entered the Navy, and she joined the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps and was stationed in Florida. The Soesbees were married for 62 years upon his death in 2004. Mrs. Soesbee was a 1940 graduate of Blanton's Business College in Asheville. She was the valedictorian of the 1937 class of Highlands High School in Highlands. The daughter of Allen and Sarah (Webb) Jenkins, Mrs. Soesbee was preceded in death by her seven sisters and three brothers. Mrs. Soesbee was also preceded in death by her son-in-law, Mickey White. She is survived by her daughter, Sheron Soesbee White, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; her son and daughter-in-law, Gilbert and Nancy Soesbee, of Newport, Tennessee; her grandson, Ian Soesbee, of Newport; her brother-in-law, Wade Soesbee, of Matthews, North Carolina; and many nieces and nephews. A visitation will be held from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. Reverend Jack B. Sammons will begin the visitation with a prayer. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Canton, 74 Academy Street, Canton, NC 28716.

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