Io Asbury Cantley, of Lexington, North Carolina, passed away Saturday May 8, 2010 after a long illness.
She had 91 years of life that she filled with music, her family, her church and playing the piano. While raising their family in Brounland, WV, she served as the pianist at Brier Creek Baptist Church for over 50 years along with her husband, Grant, who directed the choir.
Grant and Io were married 61 years before his death in 1998. She was born to Frank and Carrie Mitchell Asbury at Olcott, WV, and was the last living sibling. Those who preceded her in death were; brothers, Cyril (Attry Conley) Asbury and Colonie (Virginia Gillispie) Asbury and infant bother Horton; sisters; Josephine (Winifred) Pauley, Elva (Ralph) Duncan, Goldie (Dell) Griffith, Hester (Clyde) Holstein, Elsie (Rev. Ruel) Miller, Mildred (Frank) Serafine, and Mary Asbury.
She is survived by her children; Dawn Rose of St. Petersburg, Florida, Walter and Jackie Egnor Cantley of Oxford, North Carolina, Avonelle and Charles Neff of Staley, North Carolina, Michael and Pam Taylor Cantley of Big Canoe, Georgia, and Regina and Hector Chrest of Lexington, North Carolina. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren, 5 great-great-grandchildren, 7 step great grandchildren and a host of friends.
The family will greet friends at the Curry Funeral Home 2097 Childress Road Alum Creek, West Virginia on Monday from 6 to 8 pm.
A celebration of Io’s life will be held at 1:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home with Rev. Jack Lawrence officiating. She will be interred in the family plot at Graceland Memorial Park at Ruthlawn, WV.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Brier Creek Baptist Church P.O. 459, Alum Creek, WV 25003.