Ola Belle Thomas Canipe, age 89, passed away Tuesday, January 6, 2026 at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone.
Born on August 15, 1936 in Mitchell County, she was the daughter of the late Scott and Osa McClellan Thomas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Scott and Jack Thomas and her husband, Jimmy Canipe.
Ola Belle was a long-time supporter of ‘Through the Bible’ with J. Vernon McGee. She loved reading and studying her Bible, she was active in her churches and helping to spread the message of Jesus. She was an ardent supporter of the Orchard at Altapass. She never met a stranger. She loved music and dancing, especially kicking up her heels in her clogging shoes as she made her rounds across the dance floor. Special recognition is given to her significant soulmate, Dean Critcher, who shared his love of life and dancing with her for fourteen years. As ‘Gigi Belle’, she loved her great grandchildren, Sophia and Liam beyond words, as they did her. Her family will miss her greatly.
Private services will be on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the First Freewill Baptist Church of Spruce Pine with the Rev. Ralph Hedrick officiating. Interment will be in the First Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to; Alzheimer’s Association. www.donorservicesalz.org
Words of comfort may be e-mailed to the family by going to the website; www.webbfh.com, selecting Ola Belle Canipe’s name and then you may sign her guestbook.
Webb Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Canipe and is honored to be serving the Canipe family
