Doris Howell Heafner

Doris Howell Heafner, age 93 of North Wilkesboro, passed away on Thursday, November 10, 2022 at Watauga Medical Center.  Doris was born on May 20, 1929 in Ashe County, North Carolina to the late William Hosea Wayman and Erta Thomas Moxley Wayman.  In additon to her parents she was also preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Walter Worth Howell, her second husband, Frank Benson Heafner as well as two sisters, Dorothy Ingold and Mary Jo Gentry.

Doris graduated from West Jefferson High School in 1946. She was one of three in her graduating class. After graduation she married Worth Howell. They moved to Norfolk, Viginia where Worth was in the service. They moved back to Ashe County several years later with their three children, Tommy, Billy, and Carol. They were married for 39 years. During their married life, they traveled overseas to Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, and drove across the country. Worth passed away in 1986. Several years later Doris married Frank Heafner from Crouse, NC. They enjoyed dancing the country two-step with a large group of friends. They were often mistaken for dance instructors because of their talent. She also was on a bowling league and was an exceptional bowler winning numerous awards. Doris loved her family, children and grandchildren, and friends the most, cooking meals and entertaining them often. She loved to read and collected enough books to open her own library. Christmas was her favorite time of the year. She loved to start buying gifts early. She always had a list made so everyone was gifted equally. She loved to wrap her gifts and the dining room table was unusable right after Thanksgiving due to boxes wrapping paper, tape, scissors, and ribbon covering it completely. She was an integral part of our lives, always there with a smile, a hug, and an I love you. She was our rock and she will be and is missed already.

Mrs. Heafner is survived by two sons, Tommy (Kathy) and Billy (Mary) Howell both of West Jefferson, one daughter, Carol Howell Hartsoe (Steve) of North Wilkesboro, one sister, Peggy Oliver of Winston Salem, four grandchildren, Travis Howell (Leigh) of Winston Salem, Kristie Brooks (Jamie) of Colorado, Stephanie Jones and Jason Hartsoe both of North Wilkesboro, seven great-grandchildren, John, David and Andrew Howell, William and Matthew Brooks and Matthew and Hunter Jones.  Several nieces and nephews also survive including a special niece, Victoria Oliver.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, November 20, 2022 at 2:00 pm at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel by Pastor Chuck Call. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens.

Mrs. Heafner will lie in state from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm prior to the service on Sunday, November 20, 2022 at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel.

The family respectfully requests no flowers please. Memorials may be made to:  Ashe County Worship Center, 863 Ray Taylor Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694; West Jefferson United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 826, West Jefferson, NC 28694; Bethany United Methodist Church, 495 Hwy 194 South, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Medi Home Hospice and to the staff of IMCU at Watauga Medical Center.