Lorene Cody Haney, 99, entered eternal rest on May 1, 2025, in the care of Haywood County Hospice Care and Palliative Care.
A native of Gastonia, North Carolina, she was born January 27, 1926, to Harvey and Nora Cody. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by twelve siblings. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 76 years, Jarvis Haney, son-in-law Robert Ruff, and two grandchildren, Joshua Norris and Kristie Melton, who sadly, she never got to meet.
Lorene was not famous but to the people who knew her, she was. Her warmth and kindness were evident in all of her interactions ,and she had unwavering support for her loved ones. She welcomed everyone into her home ,and if hungry, you did not leave that way. She loved her family fiercely and would stop at nothing to let them know that. It did not matter if you had done something wrong, she loved you anyway, in fact she made it a point to show more love in those moments of hardship. She loved keeping her family close, and one way she did that was having a meal each and every Sunday. The family always showed up, and why not, she made the best biscuits ever. You cannot think of Lorene without knowing she loved her Atlanta Braves and bingo. For years, she and Elaine would be at the bingo hall every Wednesday faithfully. She played until she could not see well enough to see the cards ,and even then, with Elaine’s help, she continued to play for a while. She never missed watching a Braves game ,and once in Raleigh, she stayed up with her son-in-law until 1:30 watching a game that went 18 innings. Braves won, of course. She and Jarvis were fortunate to have been able to attend two Braves games and so enjoyed both. She taught herself to crochet, and boy, did she ever crochet. She crocheted so many afghans for her family that they had one for each bed. She also made each grandchild a baby afghan and christening gown. She crocheted around satin styrofoam balls to make the most beautiful Christmas balls that she generously gave to family and friends alike. Each of her children have enough to decorate their Christmas trees with nothing but these balls. When her sight failed her, she started a hat ministry by crocheting hats for children all over North Carolina and Samaritan's Purse distributed them all over the world. Different churches and organizations made sure the children received them. She never liked for her hands to be idle. In the end, she could not see and crocheted by memory. Her memory will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched.
She is survived by her five children, Mike Haney (Carolyn), Elaine Ruff, Vick Haney (Doris), Danny Haney (Jeannie), and Nancy Melton (Bill). She is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 14 great-great-grandchildren, all of whom referred to her fondly as MaMaw. She was the glue of our family and will be sorely missed.
The funeral service to honor and remember the lift of Lorene Cody Haney will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2025 in the chapel of Wells Funeral Home of Canton. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home from 1:00 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. prior to the service. Pastor Tim McConnell will be officiating. Interment will follow at Crawford Ray Memorial Gardens in Clyde. Serving as pallbearers are: Bryan Ruff, Brad Ruff, Glen Bryant, Noah Graham, Matthew Haney, Travis Ruff, and A.J. James.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Lorene Haney's memory to Shriner's Childrens Hospital at 950 West Faris Rd. Greenville, SC 29605, or online at www.shrinerschildrens.org
A thank you to Elaine and Nancy who lovingly took care of their Mom for the last years of her life. A very special thank you to her caregivers who were with her until the end: Katrina Rogers, Betty Jo Ruff, Kristy Mashburn, Trish Woods, Glenn Bryant and Lisa Bryant.
The care of Mrs. Haney has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Canton, and an online memorial register is available at “Obituaries” at www.wellsfuneralhome.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
3715 Asheville Hwy, Canton, NC 28716
Please consider a donation as requested by the family.

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more