Lewis Ellison Dendy

Lewis Ellison “Preacher” Dendy, 91, of Highlands passed away on Thursday, March 8, 2018 at Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville. Born March 9, 1926 in Highlands, he was a son of the late Floyd and Mae Henry Dendy. He attended Highlands School but was a lifelong learner. During WWII, he served in the U.S. Navy in the south Pacific, and afterwards he worked as a carpenter and later was employed at the Wildcat Cliffs Country Club. He was a member of Shortoff Baptist Church and the American Legion Post 370 in Highlands. The great outdoors is where he felt most at home as he enjoyed fishing, hunting, golfing, gem and mineral collecting, and the study of Native American heritage. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his siblings, Alvin Dendy, Jessie Dendy, Carrie Neely, and Margaret Neely. Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Mary Lou Wines Dendy; children, Robert Dendy of Highlands, Dorothy Dendy Smith of Black Mountain, and Barbara Dendy of Winston Salem; siblings, Mozelle Edwards of Highlands, Ervin Dendy and spouse, Barbara, of Clyde, and JoAnne Elmore and her spouse, Harris, of Highlands; grandchildren, Eric C. Smith and his spouse, Jessa Decker-Smith, of Denver, Natalie Dendy of Franklin, Jeffery Smith of Black Mountain, and Michelle Pendergrass and her spouse, Travis, of Franklin; and great grandchildren, Taylor, Eli, Amos, and Hazel. A celebration of his life will be held in the summer of 2018. Memorials may be made to Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, 372 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.

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