Emily Davis Washburn, age 94 died Saturday July 29, 2017 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Born on March 19, 1923, she grew up on the family farm on Davis Road south of Shelby. After graduation from #3 High School and Mars Hill College, she completed her Nursing degree at Baptist Hospital in Winston Salem. There she met and married Dr. Wyan Washburn in 1944. She served as a nurse during the war at Swannanoa military hospital while her husband was overseas. After the war she helped him set up his medical practice in Boiling Springs and was his first nurse. In 1958-59 they worked in a Baptist hospital in Nigeria, and traveled widely, including a trip around the world with her family.

Emily taught a young women's Sunday School class at Boiling Springs Baptist Church for many years and was well known for her knowledge and sense of humor. She was loved by many in her church and community. Emily took classes in the Gardner Webb Seminary and established a section of resources for Sunday School teachers in the GWU library. She also took classes in art and won a first prize at the county fair for one of her ceramics.

She is survived by her three sons, David, Paul and Phillip and their families.

The memorial service will be at Boiling Springs Baptist Church at 6 PM Wednesday, August 2, 2017 with reception to follow.

Instead of flowers, friends may send contributions to the Wyan and Emily Washburn Endowed Scholarship Fund, Gardner-Webb University, Attn: Becky Robbins, P.O. Box 997, Boiling Springs, NC 28017.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mrs. Washburn.
Guest Registry is available at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com