Margaret Wade Burson

Margaret Wade Burson was born on March 23, 1929, and passed away March 16, 2026. Born in Russellville, AL, she was the daughter of John Pierce Wade and Gladys Oglesby Wade. At a very young age the family moved to Prattville, AL where Margaret graduated from Autauga County High School. She went on to attend Auburn University, graduating in 1951 with a degree in Nursery Education and in 1952 with a Master’s Degree in Home Economics.

In 1951 Margaret married Russell Nettles Burson, Jr. of Selma, AL. Russell preceded her in death. They moved to Nashville, TN where Russell attended seminary at Vanderbilt University. Upon his graduation, the couple moved to Jonesville, NC, beginning a career serving churches in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. For a number of years Margaret taught in private kindergartens before becoming a Chapter I Reading Specialist at Fletcher Elementary in Fletcher, NC until she retired in 1989.

Opening Hallcrest Inn in Waynesville, NC, in 1979, Margaret and Russell became innkeepers. They saw this as an alternate ministry offering a peaceful, restorative haven for their guests. In their later years, after retiring from the inn, they enjoyed traveling throughout Europe. Her English heritage was strong, and they made several trips there including two special family trips. They also enjoyed European River Cruises with their friends.

An active member of First United Methodist Church in Waynesville, Margaret taught Sunday School and coordinated meals for the work teams who came to help with rebuilding after the flood of 2004 as well as for study groups in the church.

Being very active in her local PEO Chapter, including serving twice as its President, Margaret maintained an active social and church life, always enjoying her large circle of friends and her family.

Left to share her memories and stories are her son John Wade Burson (Ken Wall) of Stuart, FL; her daughter Catherine Burson Mitchell (David) of Charlotte, NC; and her son Martin Strickland Burson (Teresa) of Waynesville, NC. She is also survived by her grandchildren Michael Russell Burson (Hayley) of Charlotte, NC; Lora Avery Mitchell (Alex Skirbst) of Starke, FL; and Elizabeth Margaret Burson of Waynesville, NC.

A private interment will be held at Green Hill Cemetery Columbarium, 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2026. A Celebration of Life will follow at Memorial Chapel, Lake Junaluska, NC at 2:00 p.m..

The family is grateful for the staff at Haywood Lodge, Waynesville, NC, for their care and help. She was very happy during her time there. In addition, the family thanks BrightStar Care of Asheville and Four Seasons Hospice for their care and compassion over the past few months.

Contributions to Margaret’s memory may be made to Clothes to Kids of Haywood County, P.O. Box 914, Clyde, North Carolina 28721.

The care of Mrs. Burson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.