Lolita Beulah Baldwin West, age 93, of Franklin, NC, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 30, 2015.

A lifelong resident of Macon County, Mrs. West was born in the Olive Hill Community on April 23, 1921 to the late W.E. “Gene” and Geneva Parrish Baldwin. She was a 1940 graduate of Franklin High School and a graduate of Western Carolina Teacher’s College. Mrs. West taught in the Macon County School system for 26 years. She began her teaching career at Cowee School, then later at East Franklin, and finally at Cartoogechaye until her retirement in 1978. Following her retirement, she was a very active member in the N.C. Retired School Personnel.

Mrs. West was an active member of Franklin First Baptist Church and the Naomi Sunday School class. She also served on the Flower Committee. She enjoyed flower and vegetable gardening and was an avid Atlanta Braves fan.

Mrs. West was a loving wife, mother, Memaw, sister and friend. She won the hearts of everyone who met her.

She was married for fifty-six years to the late James Norman West who preceded her in death on March 31, 2004. Mrs. West was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruby B. Cansler; two brothers, Gus G. Baldwin and Ralph E. Baldwin; and an infant brother, Bruce Baldwin.

Surviving are her children, Mark B. West and wife Dale, Carol W. Waldroop and husband Johnny; her sister Nora Jean B. Kinsland and husband Bo; and her brother-in-law William V. “Bill” Cansler all of Franklin, N.C. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Amanda W. LaRue and husband John Michael of Louisville, KY; Matthew B. West and wife Anna of Raleigh, NC; Adam L. Waldroop and wife Hillary, and Emily B. West all of Franklin NC; two great grandsons James Baldwin West and John Matthew West, and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3:30 pm on Sunday, February 1 at Franklin First Baptist Church with Dr. Robert Brown and Rev. Jim Dusek officiating. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 2-3:30 pm at the church prior to the service.

Pall bearers will be Matthew West, Adam Waldroop, John Michael LaRue, Bob Cansler, Dan Cansler, David Kinsland, and Gregg Kinsland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Franklin First Baptist Church, 69 Iotla Street, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com

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