Charles Edward Abee, age 90, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 25, 2024 at Forsyth Medical Center. Ed was born in Valdese, NC on January 19, 1934 to the late Elita Louise Abee and was preceded in death by his mother and sister, Mildred Abee.

Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson will serve the family. The family will receive family and friends on Sunday, October 6th from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

A funeral service in Ed's honor will follow at the Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel at 4:00 pm, officiated by Rev. Nikki Rice of Bethany Methodist Church and Rev. Owen Peeler.

After graduating Valdese High School in 1953, Ed played basketball at Lees-McRae College before earning Bachelor degrees in Science and History at Appalachian State University. Ed then served his country in the Army, stationed in Germany, before returning to Valdese to coach and teach at his former high school. It was during this time that he met and married the love of his life, Hannah. Ed then received his Masters in Education Administration from Appalachian State University, working in Guilford County and Wilkes County for three years before settling in Ashe County as Principal of Ashe Central High School and the Ashe County Career Center.

Ed was a faithful member of Bethany United Methodist Church for over 50 years. He also shared a passion and devotion for all UNC athletics, working outdoors in his various gardens, trips with his grandchildren, animals, and the knowledge he could always shoot free throws better than his children!

The true joy and love of Ed's life was his family. Those left to carry on his memory are his wife, Hannah Francis Abee, daughter Beth Griffin (Husband Michael Griffin) of Whitsett, NC, and son Mark Abee (Wife Brooke Summey Abee) of Raleigh, NC. Also surviving are Ed's five grandchildren, Jake Griffin, Sarah Griffin, Abbey Griffin, Keever Abee and Summey Abee. In addition, Ed is survived by the thousands of students he taught and coached for almost 4 decades. Ed's love for his family and his desire to make a positive impact on the young adults that filtered through his schools will always be his legacy.

In lieu of flowers, and with thoughts and prayers for the thousands displaced by the recent storm, the family asks that you instead consider making a donation to the Ashe Food Pantry https://www.ashefoodpantry.org. Additional donations may be made to the Ashe County Public Library https://www.arlibrary.org/about-ashe-library/ashe-support.