Varina Rhyne

Varina Eloise Willet Rhyne, age 89, of Stony Point passed away Friday, January 10, 2014 at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville after a brief illness. Born in Iredell County on January 21, 1924 she was the daughter of the late Thursie Willet and raised and loved as a daughter by her uncle and aunt, William Talmage and Mertie Willet Smith. On January 31, 1942 she married Howard Earl Rhyne who preceded her in death on July 21, 2013. She was a 1941 graduate of Stony Point High School and retired from the J. C. Penney Store after 23 years of service and in her earlier years she worked at Worth Spinning Company in Stony Point. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. There were many neighborhood children she loved and called her own. She loved collecting baby dolls and was known for sending cards for all occasions. Her husband, Howard, nicknamed her the "widow woman" because he was always on the lake fishing. Along with her husband of 71 years, and her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Sidney G. Smith and her three sisters, Gladys S. Byers, Mildred S. Steele and Edna S. Stafford. She is survived by her three children, Marilyn "Boots" R. Kerley and husband Carl of Stony Point, Joyce R. Byers and husband Dale of Statesville, and Wayne Rhyne and wife Susie of Stony Point. Five grandchildren, Carla K. Keever and husband Eric of Statesville, Suzanne R. Wallace and husband Glenn of Stony Point, Jeffrey Byers of Stony Point, Cheryl Byers and husband Dr. Kevin Sill of Tampa, Florida, and Dwain Rhyne and wife Christa of Statesville. Seven great grandchildren, Courtney Goble, Parks Keever, Connor Wallace, Samantha Keever, Freeman Wallace, Mazie Rhyne and Mattox Rhyne. She is also survived by three brothers-in-laws, William Lee Rhyne and David Rhyne both of Statesville and Wade Rhyne of Cornelius. She is also survived by her many nieces, nephews, and cousins whom she loved dearly. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, Jan. 14, at 2:30 p.m. in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jason Payne, Rev. Bill Mason and Rev. Wes Hammer officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Temple Baptist Church Cemetery in Stony Point. Pallbearers will be nephews Scott Byers, Chris Brown, Phillip Brown, Barry Marlowe, Jamie Jordan and Keith Troutman. Honorary Pallbearers will be nephews Jack Byers and Bud Steele. Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, P. O. Box 327, Stony Point, NC 28678 or SCAN 207 Walnut St, Statesville, NC 28677. Online condolences can be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com/obituaries and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Varina Rhyne.