Gretchen Louise Manning Feamster, 95, passed away surrounded by her daughters at home on Monday, Mar. 10, 2025. Born Nov. 13, 1929, in Deland, FL, she was the daughter of the late Joeseph Cato Manning and Thelma Louise Bauknight.
Louise spent her life devoted to her girls and running her restaurant, the Alderson Dairy Bar, for four years, then building on changing the name to what it is known as today, The Alderson Big Wheel. She was a very entrepreneurial woman with many rental properties, cattle, and other very successful adventures. Louise was a longtime member of the Lewisburg Seventh Day Adventist Church.
She married Joe Feamster in 1977 and spent her life on the farm helping grow and develop the farm to what it is today. One of her legacies was teaching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren how to swim in her in-ground pool. Her dream of living her life was complete on Monday when she passed in her own home.
Louise was the last surviving member of her family. In addition to her family, she was preceded in death by her husband Joe Feamster.
Those left with the memories of her love and selfless devotion are her daughters; Deborah Donohue (James, Sr.) of Merrimack, NH, Pamela Wigglesworth (David) of Alderson, Bonnie Reed of Fort Meyers, FL, Jamie Cole (Tony) of Asbury, and Sherry Canterbury of Alderson; a son she never had, Eddie Whitt (Beverly) of Alderson; grandchildren James Donohue, Jr. (Jody) of Kittery Point, ME, Diane Donohue, of Merrimack, NH, Justin Wigglesworth of Mims, FL, Jennifer Propst (Dan) of Billington, WV, Sibby Duff (Andy) of Lexington, KY, Grant Serreno, II (Kathy) of Linthicum, MD, Ronnie Cole (Susie) of Kings, NC, Tony Cole (Kelly) of Asbury, Martina Nutter (Brandon) of Asbury, Vanessa Moore (Richard) of Pence Springs, Juilana Hedrick (Anthony) of Alderson; 19 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great grandchildren.
The family would like to express their sincerest gratitude to her caregivers Jennifer, Gabby, Shirley, Ruby, and her granddaughter Juliana.
Funeral Services were held Friday, Mar. 14, at 3 p.m., at the River of Life Church of God with Dr. Gerald Erskine and Ron Cole officiating. Burial followed in the Muddy Creek Cemetery, Blue Sulphur Springs.
Alderson Funeral Services and Smathers Funeral Chapel is honored to have been entrusted to care for Louise and her family during their great time of need. Online condolences are encouraged at www.smathersfuneralchapelinc.com.
