Edward N. Washburn, 88

Mr. Edward Nollie Washburn, 88, of Bostic, died Friday, November 16, 2018 at Fair Haven Home, Forest City.
Edward Nollie Washburn III was the oldest son of the late Margaret Philbeck Washburn and E.N. Washburn, Jr. He lived the majority of his life in the Washburn Community and enjoyed his free time being at home. He was a charter member of the North Carolina National Guard in Forest City. In 1948, he became a student at Pfeiffer Junior College. His primary means of transportation to and from school was "hitching" a ride with travelers heading toward the eastern part of the state. Upon graduation, he joined the U.S. Air Force and entered Lackland Air Force Base. While he was in service, he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Catherine Sinclair. After  leaving the Air Force, he enrolled in Wofford College and graduated in 1955 with a degree in Business Administration. Edward and Catherine then moved back to the Washburn Community.
Due to his father's poor health, he began working full-time at the Washburn General Store and the Washburn Funeral Home in the mid 1940's. His first job in the funeral home was driving the family car, a 1940 Plymouth. While the car was nice, it did not have any heat or air. He was able to drive the car because he earned his driver's license at the early age of 15. This was due to the shortage of men because of World War II. In 1957, he received his Funeral Director's license and kept them active for over 50 years. He thoroughly loved the many daily tasks required to operate the general store, and became attached to the local families he served through the funeral home. He, along with his wife, Catherine, worked diligently to be responsive and caring to each family. In addition, he was involved in many other business and community organizations. For example, he worked on various projects and committees at his church, Salem United Methodist Church. He served 32 years on the local school board while his nine grandchildren attended Rutherford County Schools. Even though he was not a pilot, he also served 20 years on the Rutherford County Airport Authority, and held the position of chairman for five years. In addition, he thoroughly enjoyed serving on the local bank boards including Northwestern, First Union, and Wachovia.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine Sinclair Washburn; his son, Eddie Washburn of Forest City; his 2 daughters, Ann Hutchins and husband Bill, and Amy Cooke and husband Phil, all of Bostic; his sister, Elizabeth Washburn Craft of Ahoskie; his brother Billy Washburn of Raleigh; 9 grandchildren, Jenna and Grant Bailey of Rutherfordton, W. D. and Lauren Hutchins, Taylor and Amanda Griffith, Tyler and Amanda Hutchins, Catherine and Keith Greene,  all of Bostic, Lee and Kristen Griffith of Raleigh, Mary Grace Washburn of Spartanburg, Leah and Aaron Miller of Boiling Springs, SC, and Walter and Mara Washburn of Six Mile, SC; there are 10 great grandchildren, Teagan, Julia, William, Alexis, Kennedy, Edison, Thatcher, Harvey, Emery, and Easton.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until 3:30 pm Monday, November 19, 2018 at Washburn & Dorsey Funeral and Cremation Service.
Edward was buried at Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery at a private service.  
Memorials may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, PO Box 220, Bostic, NC 28018.
Washburn & Dorsey Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences @www.washburndorsey.com.