INEZMARTINDeBORD, 93, of Bryson City, passed away February 16, 2010 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva, NC.The daughter of the late Roy Oscar and Pearl Wiggins Martin, she was born at Noland Creek on October 6, 1916. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Harold Boyd DeBord, who passed away in January 2009, her sister, Faye Sandlin, and her brother, O.N. Martin.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Martin and Virginia DeBord of Bryson City, 2 Step-Grandchildren, 1 Step Great-Granddaughter, and several nieces and nephews and their families.
Mrs. DeBord is remembered as a very dedicated, highly respected, and caring educator in Swain County Schools. She received her education degree from Asheville Normal and continued with her graduate work at WCU. Her career as a teacher began in 1935 in a one- room schoolhouse at Proctor, which now lies beneath Fontana Lake, and continued until she retired in 1976. In addition to teaching, she also served as President of NCAE, was on several SACS Visitation Teams, was a Master Teacher with Teacher Corps, and served as a delegate to numerous regional and State Educational meetings and conventions. After her retirement, she continued to serve Swain County Schools for 8 years as an elected member of the Board of Education.
Until her health began to fail, she worked tirelessly in the Community. She had served as President of the Bryson City Woman’s Club and the Swain County Democratic Women, a volunteer for local blood drives, and a first-aid instructor for community groups during WWII. These are but a few of her involvements.
As a member of Bryson City United Methodist Church and a devout Christian, Mrs. DeBord was always cheerful, faithful and selfless in her service to her Church. Some of the positions she held over the years included President of the Wesleyn Service Guild, Director of Vacation Bible Schools, nursery worker, Sunday School teacher, Secretary of the Administrative Board, Chair of the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Treasurer of UMW for 20 years, member of the Board of Stewards, and delegate to Annual Conference for several years.
Services will be held at Bryson City United Methodist Church at 2:00 PM Saturday, February 20, 2010 with the Dr.David Russell officiating. The family will receive friends in the Church Sanctuary one hour before the Service. At other times, the family will be at Mrs. DeBord’s home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Bryson City United Methodist Church Building Fund at PO Box 817, Bryson City, NC 28713, or to ones favorite charity.
