Evelyn Welch Paxton, 81, of Franklin, entered into rest Monday, February 14, 2005.

A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late Dennis Rogers Welch, Sr. and Nellie Christine Jones Welch. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Harold S. "Butch� Paxton, who died November 2, 2004, and a grandson, Cameron Paxton, who died June 25, 2000. She retired, after working thirty years, from Belks Department Store in both Asheville and Franklin. She was a member of Ridgecrest Baptist Church.

Surviving are her husband of 64 years, Shuford Paxton of Franklin; two sisters, Christine Crisp and husband, Wayne Crisp of NewBorn, GA, and Ann Long of Tabb, VA; one grandson, Shane Paxton and wife, Ellen of Zion National Park, Utah.

A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 16, at Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Rev. Tommy Fouts will officiate. Burial will follow in the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, February 15, at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Doug Crisp and Ray Crisp.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ridgecrest Baptist Church Cemetery, 206 Ridgecrest Baptist Church Road, Franklin, NC 28734; Angel Home Health and Hospice, 170 Church Street, Franklin, NC 28734; and the Starr Program, C/O Macon County Department on Aging, 125 Hyatt Road, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @ www.maconfuneralhome.com

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