Oakley Anne (Gillespie) Walling

Anne grew up in rural Tennessee on a tobacco/dairy farm. She attended Brevard College where she met her future husband. They lived in Black Mountain, NC for a number of years had two young boys and later had a daughter. She and Manley were integral parts leading youth groups and teaching preschool and enjoyed being a part of double ringers at Santa Monica Methodist Church, California. She is of tiny stature and is known for her smiling and jovial nature. Later they moved to North Carolina to retire on a 250-acre farm growing vegetables and peanuts and she enjoyed being a part of First Baptist Church and a YMCA member. In the later years, she and Manley lived at Rock Barn Assisted Living then to Abernathy Laurels where she was described as “the sweetest woman who will be greatly missed”, her pastor said “she knew her Bible.” Everyone loved Anne; she enjoyed crafts, bible study, singing in the choir and being a friend to anyone who needed one.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 72 years, Manley Lee Walling; son, Gary Wayne Walling; brother, Morris Gillespie; sister, Elizabeth Estep and grandson, Adam Townsend.

She is survived by her son, Michael Lee Walling and wife Patricia; daughter, Cheryl Ann Walling; sister, Mary Bratton; grandchildren, Luke Walling and Brooke Townsend; great grandchildren, Caleb McMurray and Maximillian Walling.

Visitation will be from 12 to 12:45pm Saturday, January 7, 2023 prior to the service.

Funeral service will be held at 1pm Saturday, January 7, 2023 at First Baptist Church Claremont with Pastor Dennis Richards officiating. Burial to follow at Friendship Methodist Church in Newton.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to 1st Baptist Church at PO Box 489 Claremont NC 28610.

Condolences may be sent to the Walling family at www.drumfh-conover.com

The Walling family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, NC.