Mr. Rhea Rivers Farthing

Mr. Rhea Rivers Farthing, born February 24, 1928 and a native of Boone, NC passed away at 5am on February 4, 2015 at Halcyon Hospice in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Farthing and Florence, his wife of 62 years, spent over 30 years as educators in Dade County Schools in Miami, FL. He earned his undergraduate and graduate degree at Appalachian State University and was a proud Alumnus. His great joy was returning to Boone each summer. After retirement, he and his wife lived in Boone most of the time and spent the winter in Deerfield Beach, FL. He and Florence moved to Roswell, GA in December 2014 to be close to their daughter, Beckie. Mr. Farthing was the epitome of a true southern gentleman and a WWII veteran. He was a peacemaker and was always thinking of the comfort and convenience of everyone he encountered. He maintained a keen sense of humor all his days. His two daughters and 9 grandchildren fondly remember the family get-togethers with classical music playing in the background, picture taking, bird watching, nature walks in the Boone area and stopping to listen to Paul Harvey on the radio. He was an avid football fan of ASU and the Carolina Panters. Mr. Farthing was the son of Edward Grey Farthing and Ora Pennell Farthing and was predeceased by his siblings Edward Grey Farthing Jr., Cecil Farthing, Louise Farthing Miller, Mildred Farthing Wright and Bruce Farthing. He is survived by his wife, Florence Messick Farthing, daughters and sons-in-law Beth Rogers (Michael) of Cherryville and Calabash, NC; Beckie Parker (Danny) of Roswell, GA; grandchildren Jennifer Rogers Philbeck (Michael) of Cherryville, NC; Meredith Rogers Edmister (Matt) of Raleigh, NC; Laura Rogers and fiancé Adam Massey of Lutz, FL; Dillon Rogers of Charlotte, NC; Joel Parker (Ifat) of Tel Aviv, Israel; Sharon Parker and fiancé Andrew Nackashi of Lewisburg, WV; Brian Parker of Washington, D.C.; Neal Parker (Deborah) of Marietta, GA; David Parker (Caroline) of Athens, GA, and sister-in-law Carolyn Farthing of Boone, NC. His great grandchildren are Gracie Jackson, Hunter Jackson, Madison Philbeck, Lani Philbeck, Kinslee Philbeck, Mara Edmister, Ari Wald Parker, Eitan Wald Parker, Elianna Wald Parker, Amelia Parker, Claire Parker, Emma Parker, Dmitri Parker, Damon Parker, Eleanor Parker and Emmanuelle Parker. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive him. A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Boone on Saturday February 7th at 3pm. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service 2:00 - 2:45. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the “Rise Up” campaign at the First Baptist Church of Boone.

Mr. Rhea Rivers Farthing

February 24, 1928 - February 4, 2015