Ellen Bird Wiley

Ellen Bird Wiley, age 98, passed away peacefully at the Hermitage Assisted Living Center in Dillsboro, North Carolina, on April 27, 2026. 

She was born Sarah Ellen Burnette, daughter of Lucy and Cassius Burnette on August 23, 1927, the youngest child of the family. As a young girl, she loved riding her bicycle with her older sister, Margaret, and playing in the campground where her family lived near Enka, North Carolina. When older, she worked in downtown Asheville, selling hose and lingerie. Ellen graduated from Brevard Junior College and from Western Carolina College in Cullowhee, North Carolina. 

On August 21, 1948, she married Charles Wells Bird and gave birth to three daughters, Laura, Peggy, and Marcia. She went on to obtain a master's degree from WCU and taught reading in several schools in western North Carolina. She was loved and remembered by many of her former students and colleagues. 

After Charlie's death, she married Reverend Bert Wiley and lived happily with him in Hayesville, North Carolina, until his death. 

She was known by her grandchildren as Nana and lived to see her great grandchildren, who loved to visit her. Her grandchildren include Lucy G'Fellers, John Thomas Schaeffer, Paul Stern, William Stern, Maggie Anders, Rachel Atencio, and Charlie Swing.

All loved her dearly and miss the good times at her home.