Willena Rector

Willena Smith Rector, age 91, died on Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Smokey Mountain Health Care & Rehabilitation Center. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, she was the daughter of the late Daniel and Laura Haney Smith. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Jack Thomas Rector, who died in 1987; a son, Reverend Charles Rector; four brothers, Willard, Frank, John, and Robert Smith; and two sisters, Ora Lee Meriott and Wilma Cogburn. She was a member of Sunny Point Baptist Church. Willena was very active with Canton's Senior Center. She served as a senior companion for 15 years and also participated in the Senior Olympics in Raleigh. Willena also enjoyed the many activities offered at Smokey Mountain Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. She is survived by a daughter, Floella Rector Sharp of Canton; two sisters, Evelyn Fisher of Asheville and Felma Childers of Canton; a special daughter-in-law, Roxanne Rector; two grandchildren, Kim Harbin and her husband, Larry, of Canton, and Charles Sharp and his wife, Debbie, of Burnsville; and a great-grandson, Caleb Harbin. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, 2011, at Bon-A-Venture Cemetery, Old Clyde Road with the Reverend Chris Willett officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:30 a.m. prior to the service at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. A special thanks to the Davita Waynesville Dialysis staff and Dr. Brian England for years of love and compassion shown to Willena. The family would also like to thank the caring staff and doctors at Smokey Mountain Health Care and Rehabilitation Center. Memorials may be made to Haywood County Rescue Squad – Canton, P.O. Box 1275, Canton, NC 28716.

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