Essie J Lingafelt

Essie Jeanette Walker Lingafelt, 97, formerly of Lost Corner Road, Morganton, NC departed her earthly home and entered her heavenly mansion on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Conover Nursing and Rehab Center, Conover, NC. She had been in declining health for several years and a resident at the nursing home for nearly three years.

Mrs. Lingafelt was born June 13, 1913 in Burke County, NC and was the daughter of the late Wade Walker and Minnie Walker Walker. She lived 95 years in the Morganton area and worked as a clerk at Surasky’s and John Graham Store. She was a member of Calvin Heights Baptist Church. For many years she worked with young people in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Girl’s Auxiliary, and Vacation Bible School at Catawba Valley Baptist Church. She served as a Pink Lady for many years at Grace Hospital. Her life-long dream became a reality in the 1980’s when she visited the Holy Land and Egypt. This was her first air flight and her first camel ride.

Mrs. Lingafelt’s sweet smile and her love for people, especially her family, will be long remembered and missed. Special thanks to all her care-givers, the nursing home staff at Conover Nursing and Rehab, and to her son and his family, Dave, Janet, and Elizabeth.

She was married to Charles Edwin Lingafelt on June 28, 1930 for 68 years, who predeceased her on November 11, 1998.

Mrs. Lingafelt is survived by two sons, Charles Richard Lingafelt and wife, Glenna of Gretna, VA; David B. Lingafelt and wife, Janet of Newton, NC; and one daughter, Wanda Lingafelt Orders and husband, Rod Orders of Morganton, NC; five grandchildren, C. Steven Lingafelt and wife, Patti of Durham, NC; Phillip R. Lingafelt of Roanoke, VA; Elizabeth Lingafelt of Newton, NC; Jason R. Orders and wife, Amy of Apex, NC; and Karrah Orders Long and husband, Heath Long of Raleigh, NC; six great-grandchildren, Charles S. Lingafelt, Jr. of Raleigh, NC; Hannah Hope Lingafelt of Durham, NC; Parker Maren Orders and Caidan John Orders of Apex, NC; Benjamin Colby Long and Landon Heath Long of Raleigh, NC; one sister-in-law, Selma Lingafelt McCall, of Morganton, NC; and one brother-in-law, Ellis Richard Lingafelt, Jr. of Morganton, NC and an host of nieces and nephews and many friends. In addition to her parents and husband, she was also predeceased by three brothers, Arthur Walker, Gorman Walker, and Dr. Ernest Walker; and one sister, Corrie Mode Kincaid.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Essie Lingafelt will be held 2:00 PM, Friday, January 28, 2011 in the Chapel of Kirksey Funeral Home with Rev. Clyde Buckner officiating. Interment will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:00 pm on Friday preceding the funeral services at Kirksey Funeral Home, Morganton.

The family suggests that memorials may be made to a charity of one’s choice.

www.kirkseymorganton.com