Tot Louise Ollis Early, 97, of Morganton, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on October 1st, 2026. She had most recently resided in an assisted living community in Mitchell County after a fall led to her move from her longtime home in Morganton.

Tot was born May 6, 1929, in Altamont, North Carolina, one of twelve children. She lived with significant hearing loss for much of her life and, as a young girl, was sometimes labeled shy or unintelligent. Those assumptions became something Tot spent her entire life disproving. She was capable, determined, resourceful, and fiercely independent, and her life became the best answer to anyone who had ever underestimated her.

Tot attended Crossnore School, where she completed her high school requirements in two years. Rather than stopping there, she stayed on to take business courses before moving to Morganton after graduation. It was there that she began working as an attendant at Broughton Hospital and met Joe Early, who would become her husband.

While working at Broughton, Tot also earned her cosmetology license and worked a second job as a hairdresser from her home.

Tot was not content to sit still for long. While she worked at Broughton and as a hairdresser, she and Joe became owners and operators of a succession of what might be called “interesting” businesses-including landscaping, hauling, and parking lot maintenance. Tot was a partner in every sense of the word, long before most people were awake, she could be found behind a push broom in a local business parking lot or at the wheel of the sweeper that she and Joe had finally managed to purchase after years of hard work.

After Joe’s death, Tot continued to operate the sweeping business on her own. She had an extraordinary ability to make things work, regardless of how worn out the equipment might be. Seeing her stop to repair a decrepit piece of machinery armed with little more than a stick and some duct tape was not unusual. If something could be fixed, she would figure out how.

In retirement, Tot had more time to pursue her many creative interests, particularly painting and basket making. She became an accomplished basketmaker, and her work was so admired that her daughter was often approached by strangers with offers to purchase when she carried one of her mother’s baskets in public.

Tot also loved to drive-and she loved to drive fast. On trips across the state to visit her daughter’s family, she became acquainted with more than a few highway patrol officers, although somehow, she never received a ticket. She totaled three cars during her lifetime (none were her fault) and walked away from each accident with remarkably minor injuries. Clearly, she had divine protection.

Animals had a special place in Tot’s heart. Any animal, bird, or other creature that happened to find its way to her home was likely to find a haven, a full meal, and someone who would look after it. In addition to animals, she loved flowers and took great pride in surrounding her home with color. In winter, she refused to let the grayness of bare limbs and dull landscape have the last word. She was known to tie colorful artificial flowers to a little elm in her front yard to brighten up her view. It was an unmistakably Tot-like touch.

Tot lived a long, full, and decidedly unconventional life. She was independent, hardworking, resourceful, creative, and never afraid of a challenge. She will be missed by family and friends.

Tot is survived by her daughter Rita Earley, son-in-law Eric Thiele, grandson Eron Earley-Thiele and his wife Margaret, great grandson August and great grand-daughter Skeeter Earley Thiele all of Newland, NC.

Private burial will be at Burke Memorial Park in Morganton, NC.

The family kindly requests that, instead of sending flowers, donations be made to Hospice and Home Care of the Blue Ridge, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC.

https://www.hospiceblueridge.com/make-a-contribution

Henline – Hughes Funeral Service is honored to be assisting the family.