Retha (Hurley) Badger Salamanchuk

Retha Hurley Badger Salamanchuk, age 100 of Jefferson, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Margate Health and Rehab. She was born on March 27, 1923 in Tuckerdale in Ashe County, North Carolina to the late William Wiley Hurley and Birdie Lou Starling Hurley. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husbands, G.T Badger Jr. and Nicholas A. Salamanchuk and her sons, Richard A. Badger and Guy T. Badger III, and her grandson, Samuel Brett Badger and 9 sisters and 3 brothers.

Retha was known as a great cook and mother to her seven children. She owned and operated a thrift store on the back street in W. Jefferson for many years and also worked as a clerk at McNeill’s Department store until she retired at age 78. She enjoyed gardening, sewing and talking with friends. She was a member of the Mount Jefferson Presbyterian Church.

She is survived by daughters, Sheila Badger Beaudry (Rich) of Pittsboro, Sherry Badger Leek Taylor Shapiro (Svi) of Raleigh, Sharlene Badger Lambert (Larry) of Jefferson, and Sharon Badger Blevins (Ken) of Crumpler and son Tim Badger (Darla) of Jefferson and grandchildren Allen Badger of Four Oaks, Shannon Beaudry Lora of Apex, Taylor Badger Dennis Polk of Jefferson, Holly Badger of St. Augustine, FL, Chris Leek of Waynesville, Jason Leek of Fayetteville, AR, Lorie Lambert Townsend of Laurel Springs, Travis Lambert of W. Jefferson, Dylan Blevins of Crumpler, Brandon and Corey Badger of Jefferson. In addition, great grandchildren Jessica Badger of Raleigh, Patrick and Scott Lora of Apex, Matthew Dennis of Thomasville/Idlewild, Grant Polk of Orlando, FL., Reece Badger of St. Augustine, FL, Marquerite Leek of Durham, Rose Leek of Chapel Hill, Olivia Leek of Waynesville, Madeline and Miles Leek of Fayetteville AR, Olivia Townsend of Ft. Worth, TX, Ella and Grady Lambert of W. Jefferson, and great, great grandchildren Maverick, Florence, and Eleanor Dennis of Thomasville/Idlewild.

A memorial service will be held later. Burial will be in the Jefferson Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Shriners Hospitals for Children, Ashe Animal Shelter, Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church or your favorite charity.

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