Obituary of Glynda S. Valentine

Glynda Sue Valentine died at home on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 surrounded by her loving family. A graveside service will be held to celebrate her life on Friday, August 21 at 3:00pm at Woodlawn Cemetery, Blowing Rock on Hwy. 321, near the Blue Ridge Parkway entrance. Born of modest beginnings on June 12, 1941 to Thelma and Benjamin Franklin Valentine in Wisner, Louisiana, Glynda Valentine led a colorful and diverse life. An entrepreneur at heart, from a very early age, she pursued and succeeded in a number of businesses. Health, fitness and beauty were her passions. A pioneer in the field of fitness and well being, she and her various partners, opened and operated fitness facilities in several North Carolina towns before coming to Blowing Rock. In 1978 Glynda purchased Westglow, the circa 1917 mountain home of noted American painter and writer, Elliott Daingerfield. At the time of its discovery, the home had been vacant for years and was in serious disrepair. Undaunted, Glynda moved into the home with her family. Over the next ten years, she reared her teenage daughters there while restoring the building around them. Westglow Spa was opened as a retreat for fitness, wellness and relaxation in 1991. Over time it gained members and national renown as a top destination for visitors and members. In 2005, spa members, Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer bought the spa and continued to develop it to become the renowned world class spa it is today. A fitting tribute to Glyndas legacy. Until April of this year, Glynda served as the spa hiking director. In that role she continued to meet and make friends from around the globe. Through the years, the stories are legion about the lives she touched in simple and profound ways. Glynda will forever be remembered for her many acts of kindness and her secret acts of generosity. Her loving acts were not only extended to people, but to animals-dogs, cats and other- who were rescued and brought back to health and well-being by her. The Watauga Humane Society was another passion and she worked countless hours helping them with their mission. During her illness, Glynda was exquisitely cared for by her daughters, Deidre Chaney and Sydney McPheters, who kept vigil by her during her tribulations. She loved and was proud of her family. She is survived by her daughters, Deidre Chaney and husband, David of Cornelius; Sydney McPheters and husband, Blake Sellers, her daughter, Bentley Grace Higby of Huntersville; Crystal Valentine of Shreveport, Louisiana and her children, David Burns, Josh Burns and wife, Courtney and their daughter McKynlei Burns;Sarah Kendrick and Rachael McKee. Nephews Ken Roberts and wife Sunny of California and Kevin Noebel of Arizona and Erica Noebel. In addition Candice Norman of Todd and Anne Slocum of Blowing Rock and Delray, Florida and Mark David Bumgarner are extended family members. Donations can be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607 or the Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be shared with the Valentine family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Valentine family.