Obituaries
Diane Myers Kessler
May 15, 2025
ASHEVILLE - Diane Myers Kessler, age 74, passed away on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, N.C. She was born on July 7, 1950, to Edward Arthur and Beverly Maag Myers. Diane grew up in Orrville, Ohio, alongside her older sister, Barb, and younger brother, Denny.
Though the family moved to Fort Myers, Florida, just before her...
Patricia Parks Michael
Jun 13, 2025
MARSHALL – Patricia Parks Michael, age 92, of Marshall, died Friday, June 13, 2025.
Patricia was born on February 7, 1933, in Buncombe County and was a resident of Marshall since 2013.
Patricia graduated from Lee Edwards High School and was formerly employed at Grace Oil Company which her father founded. She formerly attended First Presbyterian Church, Weaverville. Patricia was an artist,...
Rachel Mary Benjamin
Jun 10, 2025
ASHEVILLE - Rachel Mary Benjamin, born on August 19, 1952, in LaPorte, Indiana, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2025, in Asheville, North Carolina.
Rachel was known for her warm personality and willingness to lend a helping hand. Her commitment to community service exemplified her character and deep-seated belief in humanity’s ability to uplift one another. Rachel made significant contributions as...
Joyce Ann Hensley
Jun 3, 2025
BARNARDSVILLE – Joyce Ann Hensley, age 71, of Barnardsville, much beloved sister of Louise, left for her heavenly home on Tuesday, June 3, 2025.
Joyce was born on April 25, 1954, in Buncombe County where she had lived all her life. She travelled on her earthly journey overcoming many physical obstacles with the Lord’s help and grace along the way. She...
Madge Herron Tesner
Jun 2, 2025
ASHEVILLE – Madge Herron Tesner, age 86, of Asheville passed away on Monday, June 2, 2025, at Mission Hospital. Mrs. Tesner was born on September 25, 1938, in Buncombe County where she had lived all her life. She was a North Buncombe High School graduate and a stay at home mom. She later worked at Square D for many years...
Charlie Ponto Hensley, Jr.
Jun 1, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Charlie Ponto Hensley, Jr., age 87, of Weaverville, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 1, 2025.
Mr. Hensley was born on October 12, 1937, in Buncombe County, son of the late Charlie P. Hensley, Sr. and Margaret Muse Hensley. Charlie lived in Atlanta, Georgia where he raised a family and worked in the...
Rickie Allen Harper, Sr.
May 31, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Rickie Allen Harper, Sr., age 72, of Weaverville, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 31, 2025.
Rickie was born on April 20, 1953, in Buncombe County where he had lived all of his life. He was a member of Covenant Church of the Highlands.
He was the son of the late Reed “Bud” and Arvenia Penley...
Diana Lynn Roberts Crawford
May 31, 2025
ASHEVILLE – Diana Lynn Roberts Crawford, age 67, passed away on Saturday, May 31, 2025, surrounded by her family after a lengthy illness.
Diana was born on March 18, 1958, in Buncombe County, where she had lived all her life. She was the youngest daughter of the late L. Earl and Winifred Burnette Roberts.
Diana always had a smile and looked at...
Roland Edward Monette
May 26, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Roland Edward Monette passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025. He was born on January 1, 1939, in Albany, GA, raised in Birmingham AL, attended Auburn Univ, Univ of Penn, and European Univ in The Hague Holland. He served 1958 to 1973 in US Marine Corps, Major (Infantry officer) in Vietnam 1966-1970. He was a Senior aerospace engineer...
Marvin Huey Collins
May 26, 2025
ALEXANDER – Marvin Huey Collins, age 86, passed away on Monday, May 26, 2025.
Marvin was born on April 15, 1939, in Madison County and was a resident of Buncombe County most of his life.
Marvin loved to travel and was always on the go. He loved people, never meeting a stranger, and loved helping others. He also loved all of his...
James Joseph Sexton
May 23, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – James Joseph Sexton, age 93, of Weaverville went to be with the Lord on Friday, May 23, 2025.
James was born April 8, 1932, in Morristown, Tennessee to the late James Harrison and Lula Gillespie Sexton. He was the fifth child among nine siblings. During his early life, James was an adventurous child with blonde hair and bright blue...
Roma Lee Cooper Anderson
May 23, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Roma Lee Cooper Anderson, age 72, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, May 23, 2025.
Mrs. Anderson was born on December 6, 1952, in Buncombe County where she had lived for most of her life. She was the daughter of the late Arthur Lane and Edith Payne Cooper and wife of 41 years to...
Bruce Douglas Deweese
May 21, 2025
ANDERSON, SC – Bruce Douglas Deweese, age 73, of Anderson, SC passed away Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at Rainey Hospice House.
Bruce was born on July 28, 1951, in Asheville, where he spent most of his cherished life. For 30 years, he owned and operated Carolina Mobile Wash, a testament to his hard work and dedication. Bruce loved the tranquility of...
Grace Massey
May 18, 2025
ASHEVILLE, NC / BLACKSBURG, VA – Grace Massey, age 101, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025, in Blacksburg, VA.
Ms. Massey was born on April 2, 1924, in Walnut, Madison County, NC and was a resident of Asheville for most of her life. She worked for the upscale clothier Hadley’s in downtown Asheville. Grace was a doll collector, gathering Madame...
Mary Banks Jones
May 18, 2025
ASHEVILLE – Mary Banks Jones, age 89, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Mary was born on November 16, 1935, in Buncombe County where she had lived all of her life. She retired from Mills Manufacturing. She attended and was an active member of Deaverview Baptist Church until it closed.
Mary was the daughter of the late...
B. M. "Mickey" Waycaster, Jr.
May 18, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – B.M. “Mickey” Waycaster, Jr., age 86, of Weaverville, passed away Sunday, May 18, 2025.
Mickey was born on January 14, 1939, in Buncombe County where he had lived most of his life. He served in the United States Air Force from 1957 – 1959. He enjoyed hobbies such as gunsmithing and woodworking. He was a lifelong member of the...
John Potter Reilly, III
May 13, 2025
John Potter Reilly, III, age 67, of Weaverville passed away on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at his home. Mr. Reilly was born on August 28, 1957, in Pleasantville, New Jersey to the late John Potter Reilly, Jr. and Alice Mary McManus Reilly. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Carla Bolick Reilly who died in 2016.
Surviving is his...
Nancy Roberts Reese
May 12, 2025
COLUMBIA, SC – Nancy Roberts Reese, age 90, of Columbia, South Carolina passed away on Monday, May 12, 2025, at Lakeside Place Senior Living in Lexington, SC.
Mrs. Reese was born on December 23, 1934, in Buncombe County and had lived in South Carolina for nearly 70 years. She was the daughter of the late James Winston and Fronia Dillingham Roberts,...
Joseph "Joe" Lister Etheridge, Sr.
May 7, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Joseph “Joe” Lister Etheridge, Sr., age 88, of Weaverville passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Mission Hospital.
Mr. Etheridge was born on August 18, 1937, in Elizabeth City, NC to the late Alfonso and Mary Elizabeth Lister Etheridge. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Doris Revelle.
Joe attended North Carolina State University. He proudly served...
John France Carson
May 7, 2025
BARNARDSVILLE – John France Carson age, 61, of Barnardsville, passed away on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.
John was born on December 13,1963 in Buncombe County where he had lived all his life. He was a graduate of North Buncombe High School. He was the owner/operator of Riverside Diner on Swannanoa River Road in Asheville. John loved playing foosball. He had a...
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