Jo Lena Buchanan

Jo Lena Connor Buchanan, 88, of Candler, NC passed away Friday March 20 at Swannanoa Valley Health and Rehabilitation. She was a daughter of the late Oscar Lee and Eleanor Jane Cooper Connor. She was married for 60 years to her late husband, Wilburn C. Buchanan, Sr.

Jo Lena served as secretary to the CEO of National Geographic Headquarters in Washington, DC for nearly ten years. When the family returned to Western North Carolina in 1966, Mrs. Buchanan became a stay-at-home mother and homemaker. She had a passion for growing beautiful flowers and cooking, as well as, sewing, quilting and crocheting. She loved spending time with her family.

Jo Lean is survived by one son, Neil Buchanan (Paulette); one granddaughter, Milena Buchanan; three sisters, Mary Buchanan, Erma Buchanan, and Sue Connor, and; one brother, Lyle Connor. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Oscar, Jr, Verlon, and Harold Connor, and her sister, Betty Rogers.

A funeral service will be held Monday March 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services in Sylva, with Rev. Donnie Buchanan officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Webster Cemetery. Memorials in honor of Jo Lena C. Buchanan may be made to the Webster Memorial Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 115, Webster, NC 28788