Saturday, February 16th, 2013
Nina Guigou
Nina Louise Phillips Guigou, 90, Valdese, N.C., died Feb. 12, 2013, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys.
She was born Jan. 15, 1923, in Bakersville, N.C., to Everett Leon and Edna Greene Phillips, who are deceased. She married John Harvey Guigou on July 1, 1950, at the Bakersville Methodist Church, Bakersville, N.C., and he died June 13, 1988.
She is survived by two sons, Harvey Louis (Teresa) Guigou of New Knoxville and Kevin (Sara) Guigou of Vandalia; two siblings, Kenneth (Sue) Phillips of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Bruce (Helen) Phillips of Bakersville, N.C.; and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, Grant (Amelia) Guigou with Jackson and Bette, Micah (Saira) Guigou with Levi, Stephanie (Ryan) Davis and Dottie (Matt) Tompary.
She was preceded in death by two brothers, Lawrence Phillips and Guy Phillips, and a sister Mary Hutchins.
She graduated from Spruce Pine High School in 1939 and at 16 years old began her studies at Mars Hill College. She went on to Meredith College, where she earned her teaching degree. She was a certified teacher, primarily teaching French and English at schools in Valdese, Madison County and McDowell County, N.C.
She moved to Valdese, N.C., with her husband, where they raised a family and lived their entire married life. Both she and her husband enjoyed the community in Valdese as well as the Waldensian Presbyterian Church. She was active in the church choirs. She also was an accomplished pianist and taught many students piano lessons in her home.
A service will be held 2 p.m. March 2 at Heritage Funeral Home, Valdese, N.C.
Calling is at noon March 2 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Waldensian Heritage Museum, Valdese, N.C.
Local arrangements are by Vornholt-Miller Funeral Home in New Knoxville.
