Samuel Lester Heaton

Notes:

Spruce Pine, N.C. - Sam Lester Heaton Jr., 85, of Avery County, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2008, following a long illness.

He was the son of the late Samuel L. Heaton Sr. and Myra Burleson Heaton.

Sam worked for Harris Mining Company for 41 years, becoming Plant Superintendent. He proudly served as Sunday School Superintendent at Pine Grove United Methodist Church for 10 years. Sam loved to work in his garden and yard, enjoying the beauties of spring.

Among those welcoming Sam into heaven were his parents; brother, Wilson Heaton; his only daughter, and son-in-law, Truda Myra Heaton Murchison and Dan S. Murchison.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, one week, and two days, Wilma Greene Heaton; only granddaughter, Samantha Page Murchison, of Winston-Salem; sisters, Lottie Ollis and Anna Lee Baird. of Spruce Pine; eight nieces; two nephews; and a host of beloved friends and family.

The family will receive friends at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Pine Grove UMC. The funeral service will follow at 6 p.m. The interment will follow at the Pine Grove Cemetery.

Pastors Ken Anderson, John Duvall, and Paul Davenport will officiate. Sam's nephews and great-nephews will serve as pallbearers. The family would like to recognize the men of Pine Grove and Dr. Jim Thompson as honorary pallbearers.

Sam was a devoted husband, loving father, special Pappy, dear uncle, and true friend. He will be missed and loved forever.

Samuel married Wilma Greene on 4 Apr 1943 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . Wilma (daughter of Thomas Jefferson Greene and Gertrude Rhyne) was born about 1923 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; died on 13 Sep 2018 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in Pine Grove Umc Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Samuel married Myra Jane Burleson about 1910 in North Carolina, , , . Myra (daughter of Wilson Lafayette Burleson and Julia Ann Pritchard) was born on 19 Apr 1893 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; died on 26 Jan 1970 in , Avery County, North Carolina, ; was buried in Pine Grove Umc Cemetery, , Avery County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wilson married Julia Ann Pritchard. Julia (daughter of Benjamin Pritchard and Mary Hughes) was born on 7 Feb 1861 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; died on 6 Jan 1950 in , Avery County, North Carolina, . [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Hannah A. Poore about 1840 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina. Hannah was born about 1824 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina; died about 1878 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina; was buried in Burleson Cemetery, , Mitchell County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Mary Hughes about 1850 in North Carolina, , , . Mary (daughter of Jeremiah "Jerry" Hughes and Elmyra R. "Myra" Hughes) was born on 10 Jan 1826 in , Yancey County, , North Carolina; died on 7 Apr 1906 in Mitchell County, , , North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]