Everette Ney Haigler

Everette Ney Haigler, age 98, peacefully went to his heavenly home surrounded by his family on July 22, 2023. Everette is now reunited with many beloved friends and family members. Everette was born May 21, 1925 near Marshville, North Carolina as the sixth son of John David Haigler and Bertha Green Querry Haigler. He grew up as a farmer’s son in the hard times of the Great Depression. Everette was a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he finished high school and married Geraldine Thomas in 1949. They moved to Charlotte to find jobs and start their family, later relocating to a rural property near Matthews where his farming skills were again put to use. He also worked various jobs, including with Fruehauf Trailer Company, until he became a Rural Letter Carrier with the US Postal Service. After retirement, he kept busy working at home and with part-time jobs for many years. He especially loved helping with lunch at Queen’s Grant Community School in Mint Hill, where a bonus was seeing his grandchildren and other young friends daily. 

Everette had a servant’s heart. He drove a bus to take children to church; served as a youth leader and deacon in Briar Creek Baptist Church (formerly Commonwealth) in Charlotte; grew, preserved, and gave away vegetables for over 90 years; mowedlawns for the elderly; sustained life-long friendships; sat withand cared for the sick; supported his daughters through their college educations; and spent time with his grandchildren, as well as many other kindnesses. Later, he was a member of Arlington Baptist Church in Mint Hill where he enjoyed meeting new friends. He was a hard-working man with strong convictions and also ready to make people laugh with jokes, limericks, and old songs. He loved to sit around a bountiful table with family and friends, eating a meal cooked from home-grown food.

Remaining to honor Everette’s memory are his wife and strong partner of seventy-four years, Geraldine Thomas Haigler; daughter Candace Haigler and husband Larry Blanton; daughter Sheila Craft and husband Ron Craft; and his beloved grandchildren—Andrew Craft and his wife Tiffany, and Grace Craft. Everette loved his extended family and is fondly remembered by his surviving brothers and their wives: Floyd Haigler (Pat), Avery Haigler (Kay), Louise (wife of Charlie), as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. Most of the Haigler brothers and their wives predeceased Everette: Vann (Eunice); Henry (Dorothy); John David Jr. (Dorothy and, later, Carrie); George (lost in action in World War II as a submariner); Charlie; and Edgar (Bertha).

The family is grateful to: all the friends and family memberswho loved Everette over many years; kind therapists at Aldersgate Life Plan Community (Tonya, Jennifer, Jenelle and others); dedicated home caretakers including Emily Rumrill, Melanie Terrano, Terri Aycoth, and Vin Williams; and Hospice and Palliative Care Charlotte Region. 

A Memorial Service will be held Sunday, July 30, starting at 3 pm in the Family Life Center at Arlington Baptist Church (9801 Arlington Church Rd, Mint Hill, NC 28227), followed by visitation with the family in the Family Life Center.

For those wishing to make memorials in Everette’s memory, please consider Arlington Baptist Church (designated to the Missions Fund); Aldersgate Life Plan Community (designated to the Resident’s Assistance Fund); Hospice Charlotte Region, or a charity of your choice that helps to meet people's needs.

Gaskin Funeral Services (14617 Lawyers Rd, Matthews, NC 28104) is taking care of arrangements (704-882-6733).

The service will stream live at the link below:

https://www.facebook.com/ArlingtonChurchSpecialServices?mibextid=LQQJ4d