Willadean Mashburn

Waynesville, Rosie Willadean Day Mashburn, 97, passed away on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at Maggie Valley Health and Rehabilitation.

A native of Macon County, Willadean spent most of her life in Haywood County.  She was the daughter of the late Gwen and Essie Keith Day.  Willadean was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 55 years, Dillard Mashburn, who passed in 2000; one son Charles Owenby; grandson, Buddy Roberts; six brothers and two sisters.  Willadean was a faithful member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church for 50 years and was the oldest living member of the congregation.  Willadean was the matriarch of her family.  She never shied away from work in the house or the field, cutting timber or planting a garden that would feed the entire family.  She was a caretaker to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.  Willadean’s life was centered around her beloved family.

She is survived by her six daughters, Gwyn James (Jerry), of Brevard, Azalee Mashburn, of Waynesville, Jean Roberts, of Florida, Syretta Bishop (Mike), of Clyde, Gail Dunham (Frank), of Clyde, Donna Medford (Bruce), of Clyde; two sons, Junior Mashburn (Frances), of Waynesville and Stanley Mashburn (Jackie), of Waynesville; 18 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 22, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. at Faith Missionary Baptist Church with the Reverend Mark Edwards officiating.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. prior to the service at the church.  Burial will follow the service at Faith Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.  Serving as pallbearers for Willadean are Dale and Michael James, Travis and Tyrell Mehaffey, Kevin and Brian Bishop.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to:  Faith Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Maintenance at 1343 Crawford Rd. Waynesville, NC 28785; Crabtree/Ironduff First Responders at 99 Susie Noland Rd. Clyde, NC 28721.

The care of Mrs. Mashburn has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Homes and an online memorial register is available at "Obituaries" at www.wellsfuneralhome.com