WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH — Melba Faye Milligan Hefelfinger, 87, died Friday, July 13, 2018, in Cary.
She was born Oct. 14, 1930, in Ash to the late Joseph Harvey and Dora White Milligan. She was the youngest daughter of 12 children. Her parents, four sisters, five brothers and two infant siblings preceded her in death.
Faye is survived by her two daughters, Susan Hefelfinger Barefoot, and her husband, Audie Barefoot, of Cary and Melba Hefelfinger Jordan and her husband, George Jordan III, of Cary; two loving grandchildren, Jonathan Barefoot, and his wife, Jody, of Raleigh and Henry Jordan of Cary; and one great-grandchild, Emma Elizabeth Barefoot.
Next to God and her family, Faye loved her church, St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. Going to church with her mother was one of her strongest memories growing up. At St. Paul’s, Faye served on the Pastoral Call Committee, the Church Council, Finance Committee, Stewardship Committee and served as president of two circles and the Staff Support Committee. She also served on the Board of the North Carolina Heart Association and the New Hanover Hospital Auxiliary.
In addition to her church, Faye loved basketball and tennis. She was an avid tennis player well into her senior years. She also loved to garden and spent many summer days sharing the bounty of her garden with various soup kitchens, friends and family. Her love of nature, water and watching storms roll in moved her deeply. Faye loved spending time on her porch overlooking the water, and entertaining family and friends at Wrightsville Beach. Her love of life and humor will continue to uplift and inspire us, and she will be missed by many.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, July 28, at St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12 N. 6th St., Wilmington. The committal will follow immediately in St. Paul’s Memorial Ash Garden. Following that, all are invited to join the family for a reception and time of visiting in the fellowship hall. Family and friends will be received from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 26, at the home of Susan and Audie Barefoot, 107 Devonbrook Lane, Cary.
In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in Faye’s memory to St. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 12 N. 6th St., Wilmington, NC 28401.
Share online condolences with the family at andrewsmortuary.com.
