Sheila Forbes Buchanan

Sheila Buchanan, 74, passed away Friday May 10th, 2024, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Sheila was born April 18th, 1950, to Paul and Elsie Burleson Forbes in Henderson, Vance County NC. Raised the daughter of a Tungsten miner, she was the third of four children. Sheila had countless tales of adventures in the mine camps. In 1959 she lost her baby sister Shirley Faye Forbes, cementing the importance of family in her heart. After graduating Harris High School in 1968, Sheila married Ernest “Laney” Buchanan on August 21, 1970. The next year she welcomed her first son Ernest “Ernie” Buchanan Jr in May. Three years later she welcomed her second son David S. Buchanan in July of 1974. To her the family was complete. Sadly, she lost her mother Elsie Forbes in September 1974. From then on, she strived to be the mother her mother was to them. Countless hours were spent on ball fields with her sons playing ball. Many hours were spent in the mountains pulling galax leaves to generate income so her kids would have milk and ice cream money in school. She often said she never felt closer to God than she did on that mountain with just her and God pulling leaves. Halloween came one year, and she didn’t have the money for costumes so she spent hours creating monster masks out of paper mâché so her kids could enjoy trick or treating like the other kids. The simple things are what made the best memories with her like going to the river to play in the river then catfishing that night. Her biggest heartbreak came in December 1986 when David, her youngest son, became sick. Over the next year and a half, she never left his side through many hospital admissions. July 1987, she had to say goodbye to her daddy. April 3, 1988, half of her heart died when David entered heaven to wait for her there. Joy returned to her heart in December 1994 when her oldest granddaughter Anne Buchanan was born. Her greatest joy was being a Nana. May of 1997 her second granddaughter Lacey Buchanan was born. There was nothing she would not do for the loves of her life if it meant riding a bicycle or playing in a splash pool with them. December 26, 2008, she laid her husband to rest next to David. She thought she had reached the pinnacle of happiness until November 2012, when her great-granddaughter Aubrey was born. Nothing lit up her life than seeing Aubrey. Her later years were spent improving the lives and happiness of the elderly by working at Mitchell County Senior Center.

David had told her that he was going to build her a fancy house when he got big. After David’s passing, she said he must have meant her mansion in heaven. May 10th, 2024, at 1:07 pm David had her house complete and came for her. She leaves a void in her family’s heart that will never be filled.

Sheila was preceded in death by her parents Paul (1921-1987) and Elsie Burleson Forbes (1926-1974). Sister Shirley Faye Forbes (1951-1959), Brother Wayne Forbes (1946-2009). Son David S. Buchanan (1974-1988). Husband Ernest “Laney” Buchanan (1949-2008)

Left to cherish her memory is son Ernest “Ernie” Buchanan. Granddaughters Anne Buchanan, Lacey Woodard (Nathan), and Sydney Bishop (Dustin). Great granddaughter Aubrey Davis. Brother Gary (Joan) Forbes and sister-like Cousin Lori (Ryan) Sharp. And her faithful companion that never left her side, her dog Toby

Visitation will be Thursday May 16th, 2024, from 6-8pm at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner, NC. Visitation/ Funeral will be held Saturday May 18th, 2024, from 11-12 in the chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home Bakersville, NC. Burial will follow in Cane Creek Cemetery Bakersville, NC where she can rest beside David.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Mitchell Senior Center (attn: Meals on Wheels) {or your local Meals on Wheels}, American Cancer Society, or your local SPCA.