Mildred Buchanan Withrow, 89

Mildred Buchanan Withrow, 89, went to her eternal home on Thursday, December 24, 2015.

She was raised in the Alexander Mills community of Rutherford County. After graduation from Cool Springs High School in Forest City, NC, she attended nursing school at Spartanburg General Hospital and trained for the Army Nurse Corps at Camp Croft in Spartanburg, SC. In the 1940's Mildred was employed at the Western North Carolina Sanatorium in Black Mountain, NC before returning to Rutherford County where she worked in several hospitals and nursing homes in the area. In 1970, Mildred left nursing to be owner and operator of Withrow Child Care Center (the first fully-licensed day care center in the area). Her family and friends knew her as a hard-working, feisty bundle of energy who loved to cook. Baking was her favorite past-time activity, and those who knew her best had favorite foods she gladly prepared for them...especially around the holidays!

Mildred is survived by her daughter, Bettina Sentell of Lawndale, NC, daughter, Joanne Midyette and son-in-law, Bert Midyette of Columbus, NC, and son, Paul Withrow Jr. and daughter-in-law Dana Withrow of Marion, NC. Mildred had 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Mildred's family would like to extend a special word of thanks to the staff of Henderson Care Center in Forest City for their love and tender care of Mildred during her stay there, along with Mildred's two guardian-angel residents at Henderson Care Center (Robert and Barbara). They would also like to thank the Rutherford County Hospice chaplain (Cy Miller), nurses and caregivers. God bless you all!

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grace of God Rescue Mission, 537 W. Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043 or the Rutherford County Humane Society, P.O. Box 998, Rutherfordton, NC 28139.

Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements.