Annie Fender

Annie

Fender

Fletcher - Annie Lou Butler Fender, 87, of Fletcher went to be in the arms of the Lord on Tuesday, October 7, 2014 at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville.

Annie Lou, or as she was affectionately known, "Dude", was born on June 6, 1927 and raised in Skyland. She was the daughter of the late Robert P. Butler and Essie Watts "Pudgy" Butler. She was also preceded in death by her two brothers, Jack and Harold.

Dude had various jobs in her lifetime but none of them ever came before her children, her family, or her church. She most enjoyed her work and her friends at the T.C. Roberson cafeteria where she was employed for many years. Dude enjoyed her Bible, crocheting, and cross stitching. She dearly loved her church, and her "church family" at Mt. Zion Baptist, of which she was a lifelong member. She was a loving mother, second mother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend but what gave her the most joy, was being called "Grandma Dude". She will be deeply missed by all her family and friends.

Dude is survived by her three sons; William McKinley "Mack" Fender of the home, Mark Harley Fender and his wife, Ricci of Fletcher and Donald Preston Fender and his wife, Judith of Fairview and her boy's father, Harley Fender of Fairview. Her grandchildren, EmmaRae and Joshua, were the absolute light of her life. She is also survived by her two sisters, Libby Johnson of Galax, Va. and Mary Jo Ray of Skyland.

Our family would like to thank Dr. John Manley, the Mtn. Kidney staff, Davita Home staff, Mission Hospital and the John F. Keever Solace Center for the exceptional care they provided for Dude during the last two years.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 18th 2014 at 1:00 pm at Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Cecil Robinson officiating. The family will receive family and friends from 11:00 am until 1:00 pm. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Dude had a love for gardening and her flowers but she loved her church more. It was her wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Mt. Zion Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 88, Skyland, NC 28776, which was dedicated to her oldest son, Mack, which made her very proud.

A memorial register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.