Olen Stratton

Waynesville-Olen Lee Stratton, age 94, of 23 Lodge Lane, died on Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. A native of Cherokee County and resident of Andrews most of his life, he had resided in Waynesville since 1996. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Alwayne Burnette Stratton, an infant daughter, and one brother, Shell Stratton. Olen was a graduate of Hayesville High School and attended Maryville College on a football scholarship. He was a retired powerhouse supervisor for Nantahala Power & Light Company and retired in 1977 with 35 years service. Olen was a 65-year member of Andrews United Methodist Church and was a 32nd Degree Mason and life member of Andrews Lodge No. 529 AF&AM and a member of the Oasis Shrine. He was the only living member of the first football team of Hayesville High School and had been recognized at several recent half-time ceremonies. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Margaret Colville Crisp Stratton; one stepdaughter, Kathryn C. Greeley and her husband, Wells, of Waynesville; two step-grandchildren, Jennifer Greeley Jacobson and her husband, Ryan, of Waynesville and James Alexander Greeley of Minneapolis, MN; one niece, Janet Burnette Stiles, and her husband, Cal, of Andrews; and a granddog, Bentley Greeley, who was a daily companion. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2006 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend Harry Hawk officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:45 until 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. A committal service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Valleytown Cemetery in Andrews. Following the committal service, the family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of Andrews United Methodist Church, and at other times, the family will be at the residence, 23 Lodge Lane, Waynesville. Serving as pallbearers will be Todd Reece, Cal Stiles, Maurice West, Charles Freel, Taylor Baker, and Johnny Brown. Memorials may be made to the Scholarship Fund of Hayesville High School Football Alumni, 205 Yellowjacket Drive, Hayesville, NC 28904. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the entire staff of Silver Bluff Nursing Home for the wonderful care given to Olen for the past year.

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