Richard Paul Absher

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Mr. Richard Paul Absher, age 92, of North Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist-Wilkes Medical Center. 

Funeral services will be held 1:00 PM, Monday, September 8, 2025, at Wilkesboro Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Chris Hefner and Rev. Mike Hamby officiating. Mr. Absher will lie in state at the church from 12:30 PM until 1:00 PM prior to the service.  Burial will be in Cub Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. 

Richard was born August 20, 1933, in Wilkes County to Ochus Odell and Della Louise Rhoades Absher. He was a member and Deacon of Wilkesboro Baptist Church. He was a 60-year member of Masonic Liberty Lodge #45 and a member of the Oasis Shrine Temple. He also served as a Wilkesboro Town Commissioner. Richard was a graduate of Wilkes Central High School and Appalachian State University. He retired after 25 plus years at Holly Farms. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years; Ann Hall Lowe Absher, son; James Richard Absher, grandson; Luke Chandler Absher, two sisters; Doris Absher Sebastian, Nancy Sue Absher Eller, and a brother; Claudius Odell Absher. 

He is survived by his daughter; Edith Ann Absher Day and husband Larry of Wilkesboro, two sons; John Hall Absher and wife Billie of Woodstock Georgia, Alton Lowe Absher and wife Lisa of North Wilkesboro, five grandchildren; John Hall Absher, Jr., Edward Paul Swofford (Emily), Landon Lowe Absher, Wilburn Anderson Absher (Blair), James Richard Absher II (Miranda),  seven great-grandchildren; Beckett Hulin Cecile, Georgia Blair Absher, Madelyn “Maddie” Pierce Absher, Josephine May Absher, Anne Maeve Absher, Oliver Tate Swofford, and Willow Jane Swofford. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Masonic Home for Children at Oxford, 600 College Street, Oxford, NC 27565, Wilkes Health Foundation, PO Box 667, North Wilkesboro, NC  28659, or to Donor’s Choice. 

Online condolences may be made to www.reinssturdivant.com.

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