Ella Buckner

WEAVERVILLE – Mary Ella Wallen Buckner, age 101, of Weaverville, died Tuesday, February 16, 2021.

Mrs. Buckner was born June 18, 1919 in Buncombe County to the late Arthur and Katie Wyatt Wallen. Ella was a resident of Madison County for 25 years before returning to Buncombe County in 1965.  She was formerly employed as an apparel inspector, at Hadley’s of Weaverville and Vanderbilt Shirt Factory.  Ella was a member of Locust Grove Baptist Church.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Elroy Buckner who died in 1998; two sisters, Lula Kimbrell, and Tilda Meadows; and three brothers, Grady, Willard and Charlie Wallen.

Surviving are her daughters, Shirley Pike and husband Rev. Wesley Pike, and Bobbie Jean Huffman and husband Rev. Ken Huffman; son, Rev. Bruce Buckner and wife Glenda; sister, Nettie Wallen; seven grandchildren, Tony Pike, Teresa Cologgi, Donald Pike, Kenneth Ray Huffman, Bobby Lee Huffman, Duane Buckner, and Michele Hammond; twelve great grandchildren, and five great-great grandchildren.

Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, February 21, 2021 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Her son, Rev. Bruce Buckner, and sons-in-law, Rev. Wesley Pike and Rev. Ken Huffman will officiate. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, Asheville.

For those who wish to pay their respects, Mrs. Buckner will be available for viewing between 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021 at the funeral home.  The family will not be present.

Per the NC Governor, masks are required. Those who choose, may listen to the service on their car radio by tuning into FM 87.7, while in the parking lot of the funeral home.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Buckner’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.