Myrtle Leigh Belche Hedgepeth of Castalia, 91, died November 1, 2012.  She was the daughter of the late Mary Elizabeth Copeland Belche and Jesse Belche of Rich Square. She was born on September 5, 1921.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty one years, F.A. Hedgepeth, Jr., four sisters; Jessie Helen Belche, Bernice B. Benthall of Rich Square, Hazel B. Pate of Angier, Ruth B. McDaniel of Woodland, three brothers; Vernon C. Belche, Robert L. Belche of Rich Square and Felton E. Belche of Castalia.

Survivors include her three daughters, Mary Alice Smith and husband Jim of Vilas, NC, Van Delia Reese and husband Steven of Catawba, NC and Susan Lucas and husband J. Wayne of Nashville; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nephews and nieces.

A funeral service was held  Saturday November 3, 2012 at 10 a.m. in the Chapel of Cornerstone Funeral Home. Burial  followed at Forest Hill Cemetery of Nashville.