Anna Mae Buchanan, 80, was called home to the Lord on the morning of Jan. 16, following a long-fought battle with illness. She passed peacefully at her home in Morganton, after a night surrounded by family.
Anna began her life’s journey on May 9, 1943, in Mitchell County, where she was born to Pearl and Ellis Waycaster.
After her father’s untimely death in 1945, Anna spent much of her childhood caring for her family. She grew up impoverished in the frugality of World War II, learning quickly how to adapt and overcome difficult circumstances.
Her life flourished at age 17 when she impulsively moved to Hickory to help a widowed woman care for her disabled daughter. There, she met Edward, the brother of her new charge and her soon-to-be husband of 39 years. They raised two remarkable children together and were blessed with one grandchild.
Years spent gamboling in the woods in her youth fostered a fondness for nature that followed her into adulthood. In addition to the unforgettable memories made on family fishing trips, warm temperatures often found her on a swing in the sunshine or a walk around the yard. Untenable weather left her to cultivate her green thumb amongst her thriving houseplants.
The most notable of her passions were a life-long love of music and her enduring faith in Christ.
Anna’s incomparable zest for life will live on in the memories of those who knew her as she reunites with the loved ones who preceded her in death: her parents, Pearl and Ellis Waycaster; her husband, Edward; and her brothers, James, Wendel and Dale Waycaster.
She is survived by her son, Clate Buchanan, and his wife, Donna, of the home; her daughter, Kris Shelton, of Morganton; her granddaughter, Haley Smith, of Morganton; her sisters, Brenda Farris, Linda Hughes, Betty Upright, Geneva Hendricks and Diane Carpenter; and many nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Buchanan will lie in state on Friday, January 19, 2024 from 12:00 until 1:00 P.M. at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese, with the family present for visitors as well. A graveside service will follow at a later date at Yellow Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery in Plumtree, NC.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory of Valdese is serving the Buchanan family.
My prayers are with you all, she was a great woman
Praying for the family. She will be missed. She loved to sing gospel music. She always made people laugh and smile.
She was a precious lady and will truly be missed!❤️ I’m so glad God allowed our paths to cross! Heaven will be a little sweeter with Ms. Anna! My deepest sympathy to her family.
I loved my sister with all of my heart we didn’t get to see each other much but we were always thair for each other. Last time we talked a few day before she went home she told me she was ready to go& she meu die n her sleep .we both said what better way to go. She is with Jesus now .so much better off than us left n this life ! Love u Mae see u soon.
I have many fond childhood memories of fun times spent with Aunt Anna Mae, Ed, Kris, & Clate. I will always cherish those memories. I love y’all. Rest in Peace my beautiful Aunt.
My beautiful sister I miss you already. Until we see each other again Rest in Peace. I love you.
Beautiful Anna Mae, I will. remember you always with sweet laughter you always had💞 I didn’t get to spend much time with you, but every minute was precious 💝 the family is in my prayers for God’s Comfort 🙏
My sister Anna Mae had so much good time when you would come up I love to sing with with you you had a wonderful voice so happy you r in a better place than the ones left here on this old earth you will be missed so much I will love you till the last breath level my body I love you for ever and a day save a seat for me your little sis DIANA CARPENTER
I’ve always loved this lady! I have some of the greatest child hood memories with her and her husband Edward and their granddaughter Hayley, May she rip! AnnaMay it’s not goodbye! It’s see you later! As I know you are dancing with Jesus! And hugging your momma and family that’s went before you! Love you and I will miss you until we meet again
Love you Aunt Anna Mae R.I.P y’all are in our thoughts and prayers Precious , Austin , Joshua ,Caden
Brenda, I’m so very sorry to hear of your sister’s passing, she sounds like a Precious lady, may our Lord give you comfort and peace in the days ahead, she’s with Jesus and you’ll be reunited with her again one day, I love you Brenda, my prayer are with you ❤️ 🙏🏼🙏🏼
I will always have sweet memories of my daddy’s family and your family was a part of it. You are in my prayers for comfort along with my love Clate and Kris always, Mary 🙏🙏💜💜
SWEET FAMILY MEMBERS MY PRAYERS ARE WIYH YOU AT THIS TIME THE LOSS OF YOUR SISTER . I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS YOUNGER I LOVED BEING AROUND ANNAMAE SHE ALWAYS HAD POSTIVE OUTLOOK ON LIFE . MY LOVE AND PRAYERS TO ALL OF YOU MY COUSINS . REST IN PEACE MAE .
I will always love you Anna Mae! ❤️💔😭
I remember singing gospel songs with aunt annamae I miss her but we will see each other again love y’all
I remember singing gospel songs with aunt annamae I miss her but we will see each other again love y’all Dj moma and me miss her and sorry we couldn’t be at the funeral but we love you all so much
So sorry for the loss of Anna Mar my heart goes out to you all, but I know she is at home with my mama and hers. Praying you find confort in the promise of tomorrow love you all .
My Mom was an incredible women. She took care of her family. She did all the things a mom does. She made sure we were all feed cooking 3 meals a day washing dishes cleaning the house doing the laundry taking me and my sister to school and so many more things. I remember one summer out in the yard we were playing and she taught me how to make a whistle using a blade of grass between the palms of your hand I thought it was so cool. I have many wonderful memories of my mom that I would not trade for all the wealth in the world. I miss her so much my heart is broken. I LOVE you MOM I hope to see you and Dad again in the Kingdom of Heaven one day.