Edith Willis Lunsford (11-26-1928) of Mars Hill passed away Monday, January, 5, 2015 at the John Keever Hospice Center in Asheville NC after combating Alzheimer for several years. Edith was the daughter of C.N. Willis Sr. and Minnie Lee Hamlin Willis of Mars Hill. Sister to C.N Willis Jr.
(deceased), Inez Willis Edwards, Boyce Willis, Edris Willis Cassida, Melba Payne, Orpha
Demsko Dornisch and V.J. Willis.
Edith graduated from Mars Hill High school where she played basketball, and the
Rutherfordton Hospital School of Nursing. She began her career at Aston Park Hospital in
Asheville where she met her husband Warren Lunsford on a blind date.
Dating for 2 months Warren working for U.S. Postal Inspections was transferred to San
Francisco. Deciding to get married, the two loaded there belongs into a small convertible and
moved to California with Warren’s brother Jack and wife Betty.
Edith continued her Nursing career in California working in the Hospital Labor and Delivery
Ward. After the birth of their two oldest sons, Warren was transferred to Independence Mo.
There she continued her career in the hospital new born nursery. A third son was born while in
Independence.
Warren was again transferred this time to the Postal Inspection office in Washington D.C.
Living in Virginia, Edith became a homemaker and devoted her time to her family and new born
daughter.
A promotion necessitated a transfer to the St. Louis Mo. Inspection Office for the two with the
two youngest children. Edith returned to nursing, working in the local school system as a school
nurse. Warren became ill and passed away while they resided in Mo. Edith with 2 young
children to raise returned to her mountains of NC where she and Warren had planned to retire.
As a single mother she returned to her love of nursing working at Saint Joseph Hospital in
Asheville for over 10 years only taking a break to assist Dr. Duck in opening the Madison Manor
Nursing Home in Mars Hill. Retiring from St. Joseph she worked with Home Health Care for
Medical Personal Pool. Continuing to help others she later turned to volunteering with
Hospice of Madison Co.
Edith spent her life helping others. She assisted with new life coming into the world and help
bring comfort to those leaving this earth and their families. Edith was always quick to assist
and help anyone in the community, friends, family or strangers.
She will be missed by all that were touched by her good heart and helping hand.
Edith was preceded by her Husband Warren Lunsford and leaves behind sons, Warren Jack
Lunsford, Bruce Allen Lunsford, Sr., Rick Scott Lunsford and daughter Lora Lunsford. Grandchildren, Bruce
Lunsford Jr., Samantha Lunsford Weston, Andrew Lunsford, Dane Lunsford, Alex Popwell,
Jessica Lunsford, Jack Popwell and 6 great grandchildren.
The funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm, Friday, January 9, 2015 at California Creek Baptist Church. Officiating will be Reverend Josh McDevitt. Burial will follow in the Upper Laurel Baptist Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held 12 – 2 prior to the service.
The family asks for donations in Edith’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association. To donate on line
Locally http://www.alz.org/northcarolina/in_my_community_donate.asp
Donate by mail: or phone: 800.272.3900
Send a check to: Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter
3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215
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