Wanda Hope (Whitson) Tipton

Wanda Hope Whitson Tipton, age 85, of NC 226 N in the Buladean Community, went home to be with the Lord on November 8, 2023. She was a native of Mitchell County, NC, and the daughter of the late Frank and Alma Harrell Whitson. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Home Economics from The University of Tennessee (UT) at Knoxville. She attended Faith Fellowship Church in Burnsville, NC.

Hope was artistic and musical.  Her High School Superlative was “Most Musical”.  She played the flute and the piano, including playing the flute at UT in the marching band.  Hope also enjoyed painting and drawing.  She would send her friends and family some of her art in the form of cards to let them know she was thinking of them.  Hope met Ted in the 7th grade and asked him to a Christian Girls Club party in the 9th grade.  They were a couple until they married December the 23rd, 1959.  Hope was able to stay home and raise her children.  Very early on she had them memorizing scripture verses and learning to read from the Gospel of John.  She had nightly devotionals reading Bible stories and Pilgram’s Progress to her children.  She was an accomplished seamstress, making many of her daughters’ dresses.  Hope’s love of the Lord and learning continued throughout her life.  Many times during her daily quiet time, she would have her desk top covered with different study guides.  She had complete chapters of scripture committed to memory.  Hope taught Sunday school and was the Christian Women’s Club leader for many years.  Hope’s granddaughter, Charity named her Mother Hope which appropriately stuck.  Mother Hope loved God, her family, people, and nature.  She felt very close to God in nature.  She enjoyed riding the four wheeler to check on the cows & watching the birds.  Mother Hope would call her friends and family to pray with them & when her grandchildren went away to college she called them on weekends to pray with them, and write down dates of exams, etc. that they needed extra prayer for.  Mother Hope was the epiphany of a Godly woman.  Her servant’s heart, genuine love of the Lord, and knowledge of the scripture was a beacon of light to many lost individuals she led to the Lord.  Mother Hope’s legacy as a Godly wife and mother are treasured by her family “For her worth is far above rubies.”  Proverbs 31:10

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Ted Tipton, four children: Cynthia Wilson (Steve), of Bakersville, NC, Rebecca Honeycutt (Danny), of Buladean, NC, Stephanie Whitson (David), of Spruce Pine, NC, and Stephen Tipton, of Bakersville, NC, one sister Sue Grundstrom, of Green Mountain, NC, one brother Frank Whitson Jr., of Johnson City, TN, seven grandchildren: Kyle Wilson (Anna), Lauren Wilson, Amelia Wilson, Reuben Wilson, Alora Wilson, Charity Honeycutt, and Nicole Whitson, and three great grandchildren: Jack Wilson, Elizabeth Wilson, and Mary Katherine Wilson.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 11, 2023, at 2:30 PM in Big Rock Creek Baptist Church in the Buladean Community. Reverend David Gillispie will be officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM until the service time. Interment will follow the service at Ridgeview Presbyterian Church Cemetery located on Ridgeview Lane in the Red Hill Community.

Additional parking will be available at Hopson’s Store. Shuttle services will be available prior to, during, and after services for transportation to and from the church.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice and Home Care of the Blue Ridge or to CenterWell Home Health. The family would like to offer a special thank you to Jennifer Hobson and Chaplain Andy Willis, with Hospice and Home Care of The Blue Ridge, Darian Boone and Travis Tinsley, with CenterWell Home Health, and to her caregivers Brenda Boston, Lynda Clay, Daisy Hoilman, and Barbara Yelton.

Memorials: Hospice and Home Care of the Blue Ridge

                    236 Hospital Drive

                    Spruce Pine, NC 28777

                    CenterWell Home Health

                    579 Greenway Road

                    Unit 103

                    Boone, NC 29607

Henline - Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the Tipton Family.

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