Wilma Lou Eaker Towery, age 87, died Monday, November 20, 2017 at Hospice Wendover. Born in Cleveland County on September 11, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Cecil Lattimore Eaker and Bessie Susanna Proctor Eaker. Wilma was an active member of Lattimore Baptist Church, where she was former Sunday school teacher, helped with Vacation Bible School and sang in the choir. She was very active farming with her husband on the family farm in Sumter, SC for over 38 years. In 1991, Wilma and her husband moved back to Lattimore, where she began working at Lowe's of Shelby Home Improvement for over 10 years. Wilma was an expert seamstress, played the piano by ear and enjoyed gardening. Wilma was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and daughter-in-law. Wilma was devoted to her mother-in-law and father-in-law and helped care for them during their failing health. In addition to her parents, Wilma is preceded in death by a son, Joe Lee Towery, and three sisters, Mary Eaker, Dorothy Hendrick, and Burleens Whistnant.

Wilma is survived by her husband of 69 years, Ray Towery; a son, Mark Towery and wife Susan of Spartanburg SC; a daughter, Jane Towery Vogels and husband John of Shelby; a sister, Selma White of Ga.; two brothers, Garlan Eaker and wife Edith of Hickory, and Gene Eaker and wife Peggy of Polkville; two grandsons, Frank William "Will" Chandler IV and wife Suzanne and Matthew Ray Chandler and wife Chrystie; four great grandchildren, Jackson Ray Chandler, Savanna Grace Chandler, Molly Grace Chandler, and Corey Ray Chandler.

Funeral service will be held on Friday, November 24, 2017 at 2:00 pm at Lattimore Baptist Church with Dr. Alton Beal and Rev. Billy Cooper officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends an hour before the service, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm, in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to: Lattimore Baptist Church, PO Box 188, Lattimore, NC 28089 or Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby NC 28150.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Towery.