Myrtle Ballew Hollifield, age 101, of Seven Mile Ridge, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, September 26th, 2013 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late, Frank and Rosa Grindstaff Ballew and wife of the late Brinton Hollifield, who passed away in 1985. She was also preceded in death by sons: Ray Hollifield and Gary Hollifield; sisters: Ruth Autrey, Mary Lail and Lula Hughes; brothers: Charlie Ballew, James "Tot" Ballew and Kelly Ballew; sons-in-law: Bill Bailey and Junior Wilson. Myrtle was the oldest member of Fairview Baptist Church. She was a homemaker who loved quilting, cooking, canning, gardening and tending to her flowers.

Surviving are her daughters: Shirley Wilson of Seven Mile Ridge, Viola Shuford and husband, Junior, of South Toe and Beulah Bailey of Seven Mile Ridge; daughter-in-law, Georgia Hollifield of Arbuckle; sisters: Vada Hoilman of Bakersville and Pansy Young of Seven Mile Ridge; 9 grandchildren: Darrell Hollifield, Chris Hollifield, Jeffrey Wilson, Joey Wilson, Robyn Wilson, Samantha McIntosh, Kevin Shuford, Darla Robinson and Brady Bailey; 19 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Several nieces, nephews and a host of friends also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 29th in Fairview Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the Fairview Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 28th in the Chapel of Yancey Funeral Services and at other times will be at the home.

The family wishes to say a very special thank you to the staff of Yancey County C.A.P. and to Hospice of Yancey County for the wonderful care give to Myrtle. Memorial donations may be made in her honor to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.