Myrtle H. Waite

Myrtle Hughes Waite, age 101, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2022, at New Hanover Regional Hospital in Wilmington, NC. Originally from Henderson, NC, she was born on February 26, 1921, to C.P. Lowry and Lucy Minghi Lowry. Myrtle married Henry Perry Hughes in 1936 and raised their four children in Henderson, NC.

Myrtle worked in a number of capacities, beginning in a cotton mill alongside her sister Ethel Rogers. Later she worked in the local community center for the families of the mill workers. Children knew and loved her as Ms. Myrtle. Later, she worked in the local library. After the death of her first husband, Myrtle was determined to provide for her family and enrolled in the Mary Elizabeth School of Nursing to become an LPN. As an LPN she worked at Maria Parham Hospital where she cared for patients until her retirement. Myrtle married Ralph Waite later in life and they enjoyed travelling and visiting family.

She was best known for her love of music. She began playing the piano alongside her father as a young child. Though not formally trained, she taught herself to play beautifully. She played the piano at home, in the church, provided music for worship services in local nursing homes, and entertained seniors as part of The Mockingbird Band, well into her 80's. When she moved to Hanover House in Wilmington, she switched to a keyboard and continued to bring joy to all through her music.

Myrtle was dedicated to her church, City Road Methodist in Henderson, NC, where she was a faithful member all of her life. She played for services when needed and was the oldest surviving member of the church.

Myrtle was much loved by her family and blessed to live to see five generations. She was known for her wit and wisdom. She always had a story, a poem, a rhyme, or a song to share. She brought joy to everyone she met and will be greatly missed.

Myrtle was preceded in death by her husbands, Henry P. Hughes, and Ralph Waite, her parents, C.P. and Lucy Lowry, and siblings Daisy Breedlove, Shirley Renn, Ethel Rogers, C.P. Lowry, Jr., Lottie Grissom, Rose Hill, and Margaret Gupton. She is survived by her sister Helen Moore, of Henderson, her children Shelby H. Nethery Fredericks of Spartanburg, Henry Scott Hughes of Topsail Beach, Dennis Perry Hughes of Garner, and Sylvia Gail Hughes Turner of Wilmington. Myrtle was blessed with 9 grandchildren: Robert Nethery, Todd Nethery, Craig Hughes, Alicia Hughes Black, Shelia Caravoc, Holly Lambert, Clay Hughes, Kim Turner, Susan Turner, 8 great grandchildren: Ginny, Drew, Susanna, James, Caroline, Parker, Luke, and Evan, and 13 great-great grandchildren: Samantha, Holden, Connor, Joel, Eli, Benjamin, Henry, Cora, Violet, Amelia, Florence, Kennon, and Melle.

To honor Myrtle the family will receive guests on August 20, 2022, at 10am and celebrate her life in a memorial service at 11:00am. Both events will take place at Sossaman Funeral Home, 1833 Oxford Road, Henderson, NC 27536. The burial service will take place at Sunset Gardens, Oxford, Rd. Additional information is available at https://www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.