Edith Poteat

Edith "Ilona" Poteat, age 91, of Rutherfordton, passed away Thursday, April 19, 2018 at her residence.
Born February 2, 1927 in Essen, Germany, she was the daughter of the late Ullrich Reichel and Marie Scharf Reichel. Ilona met the love of her life, U.S. Army Major Otis Yates Poteat in Germany during the post war construction era and was blessed with forty-nine years of marriage until his death. She also played semi-professional golf and won several championships in the State of Texas. Ilona also took pleasure in gardening and loved animals. She was actively involved in taking in and raising "rescue" dogs.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by one brother, George Reichel and sister, Ann Hartig.
Survivors include a host of nieces and nephews which includes her great-niece and caregiver, Gloria Henson of Rutherfordton.
The funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, April 23, 2018 at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Lanny J. Funchess officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home. A private burial be held in Eternal Hills Memorial Park.
Memorial donations are respectfully requested to the Rutherford County Human Society, PO Box 998, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or http://rutherfordcountyhumanesociety.org