Ertie Hurley

. Mrs. Ertie Howell Hurley, age 92, of the Silas Creek community, passed away Thursday, November 17, 2011 at Margate Health & Rehab Center in Jefferson, NC.  She was born in Ashe County on October 10, 1919, one of five children born to the late James Cicero and Lura Francis Barker Howell. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 19, 2011 at 3:00 pm at the Badger Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Charles McCoy and Rev. David Testerman.  Burial will follow in the Howell Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. prior to the service. A lifelong resident of Ashe County, she was known for her willingness to help anyone in need in the community.  Mrs. Hurley was a member of Landmark Baptist Church.  She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many people.  To Mrs. Hurley, no one was a stranger.  She enjoyed and is remembered by her "good stories" and "jokes" and was always eager to share with family and friends. She will be remembered as a woman of great character with a generous heart and an infectious sense of humor.  She was a caring mother who loved her children and grandchildren.  She was never happier than when all her family was seated at her table.  She touched many lives.  Everyone who was acquainted with Ertie will remember her friendship and zest for life.  Mrs. Hurley retired from Sprague Electric Company in 1983 where she worked for almost 27 years. Mrs. Hurley was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Robert Elmer Hurley on June 15, 1986, an infant granddaughter, Tracie Elaine Elliott; a brother Fred Howell, an infant baby brother and three sisters, Creecy Blevins, Rebecca Baldwin and Zola Baldwin. She is survived by one son, Sheldon Hurley, and wife Elesa of Kernersville; four daughters, Sharon McGrath, and husband Harry of Clemmons; Valerie Hurley of Jefferson; Jean Howington, and husband Richard of Winston-Salem; and Audrey Dancy, and husband Jeff of Glendale Springs.  She is also survived by four grandchildren; Scottie Darnell, Mark Darnell, Jennifer Kennedy Manning, and husband Paul and Alex McGrath, and wife Jennifer; six great grandchildren, Brittany, P.J., Caleb, Zoe, Mya and Allison, as well as several nieces and nephews.  The family would like to give special thanks to all the caring staff at Margate Health & Rehab Center who cared for Mrs. Hurley.  Flowers will be appreciated, or the family requests that memorials be made to Landmark Baptist Church, P.O. Box 175, Jefferson, NC  28640 or to the charity of the donor's choice.  The family will be meeting at the home of Jeff and Audrey Dancy, at 2368 Old Wilkesboro Road, Jefferson, NC (the Glendale Springs community). You may send condolences to the family through our website www.badgerfuneralhome.com. Badger Funeral Home of West Jefferson was entrusted with Mrs. Hurley's arrangements.