Obituaries
Steve Cooper
Jan 28, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Steve Cooper, 71, died peacefully on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at his residence surrounded by family. Steve was the son of the late Charles Samuel and Zadie Kathleen Peters Cooper. He is also preceded in death by his brother, Charles Samuel Cooper, Jr.
He was a native of West Virginia and a fan of WVU Mountaineer football. He...
Jimmie D. Evans
Jan 23, 2023
BARNARDSVILLE - Jimmie Evans, 81, of Barnardsville, NC passed away unexpectedly on January 23, 2023. Jimmie was born in Stockton, NC to John Roy and Sallie Louise Evans on April 09, 1941, and was a lifelong resident of Buncombe County.
Jimmie is survived by his three children, Jimmie Evans (Patricia), Rhonda Herron (Roger) and Cathy Buckner (Alan). Jimmie was a...
Roy Merrill Jones
Jan 23, 2023
ASHEVILLE – Roy “Merrill” Jones, age 75, of Asheville died January 23, 2023, at Elderberry Health Care.
Mr. Jones was born on July 20, 1947, in Buncombe County, North Carolina where he lived most of his life. He was a graduate of Fruitland Baptist Bible College and was a member of Newbridge Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by...
Joseph "Joe" Bell
Jan 21, 2023
WEAVERVILLE – Joseph “Joe” Bell, age 74, of Weaverville, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at his home after a short battle with cancer.
Joe spent his life teaching, coaching, mentoring, speaking for Gideon’s International and serving his Lord. He was a faithful member of Flat Creek Baptist Church since 1977 where he has served...
Mary Alice Maney
Jan 15, 2023
Mary Alice Maney, age 95, of Barnardsville, died Sunday, January 15, 2023. Mrs. Maney was born on April 29, 1927 in Greenville County, South Carolina and was a resident of Barnardsville since 1936.
She graduated from Barnardsville High School and completed studies at Cecils Business College. She was employed as a business secretary at International Harvester Company in Asheville. ...
Maureen Baggatta Tull
Jan 15, 2023
Maureen Baggatta Tull of Asheville, NC, passed away peacefully in her home on Sunday, January 15, 2023 at the age of 82, following a brief battle with cancer. Maureen was born to John P. and Anne M. Robinson Hegarty in the summer of 1940, in her beloved Brooklyn, NY, a place that would be part of her story and identity...
Elsie Banks Shook
Jan 15, 2023
Elsie Banks Shook, age 94, of Alexander, died Sunday, January 15, 2023.
Mrs. Shook was born on January 30, 1928, in Buncombe County where she lived all of her life.
She retired from Vanderbilt Shirt Company after 30 years of service. Elsie was a fashion designer and master gardener.
Mrs. Shook was the daughter of the late Otis William...
Dr. J. Howell Smith
Jan 11, 2023
Dr. James Howell Smith, age 86, passed away Wednesday, January 11, 2023. He had an incredible joy of learning and brought both faith and intellect to his relationship with God.
Born July 17, 1936, in Farmersville, Texas, to Henry Howell Smith and Rosa Gladden Smith, Howell grew up with a close-knit group of cousins. He graduated from Baylor University...
Elbert "Cliff" Dillingham
Jan 11, 2023
Clifford Dillingham, age 88, of Buford, GA, formerly of Weaverville, NC died Wednesday, January 11, 2023, at his residence.
Cliff was born August 17, 1934, in Buncombe County to the late Herman Clinton Dillingham and Stella Carter Dillingham. He lived in Weaverville for many years and resided in Buford, Georgia since 1966. Cliff was a 1952 graduate of Flat Creek...
Russell Clarkson Hensley
Jan 11, 2023
WOODFIN - Russell C. “Corkey” Hensley, age 80, of Woodfin, died Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
Corkey was born on September 12, 1942 in Unicoi County, Tennessee and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of his life.
He was former employed at Melton’s Gulf in Woodfin, David Morgan Furniture, and later at B.J. Mountain.
He was the son of...
Betty Jewel Sexton
Jan 8, 2023
Betty Jewel Webb Sexton November 6, 1932 – January 8, 2023
Betty Sexton, age 90 of Weaverville, NC, left this life surrounded by her husband of 72 years, James Sexton, and her loving family. Betty is survived by her husband, 4 children, 8 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren.
Betty was the youngest and last surviving of the 6...
Judy Hensley Duckworth
Jan 4, 2023
WEAVERVILLE - Judy Hensley Duckworth, age 87, died Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at her home. Mrs. Duckworth was born on July 24, 1935, in Yancey County to the late Sam and Jane Wilson Hensley; she was a resident of Buncombe County since 1958.
Mrs. Duckworth was formerly employed with Cheney Bigelow in Weaverville and retired from Ingles in Weaverville. A...
Margaret Stegall Dillard
Jan 3, 2023
WEAVERVILLE - Margaret S. Dillard was born on June 20, 1919, in Richmond County, NC, the daughter of Jesse S. and Smilie McRorie Stegall. She was the youngest of four sisters and four brothers, which probably helped to develop her exceptional people skills.
Margaret married James H. Dillard, Jr., just prior to the U.S. entering World War II, where he...
Jewel R. Rhinehart
Jan 1, 2023
Jewel Dean Rice Rhinehart passed away January 1, 2023. She was the wife of the late Thomas Rhinehart, of Green Valley Road in Leicester, NC.
Also preceding her in death were her parents, Porter Rice and Annie Davis Rice, and grandparents Floyd Rice and Mae Jenkins Rice of Madison and Buncombe Counties. Also deceased are her three brothers and...
Winifred Fisher Womack
Dec 29, 2022
WEAVERVILLE – Winifred “Winnie” Fisher Womack, 76, of Weaverville went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 29, 2022 in the presence of her pastor and family.
Winnie was born in Florence, SC. She was the daughter of the late Charles Hollis Womack and Winifred Fisher Womack. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Charles Hollis...
Jean Shope Kennett Haynes
Dec 23, 2022
Jean Shope Kennett Haynes, age 90, of Asheville passed away Friday, December 23, 2022. She was born July 14, 1932, to the late William W. and Rachel Daniel Shope. Jean grew up in Weaverville, attended Weaverville schools, and graduated from St. Genevieve of the Pines. She graduated with honors from Salem College in 1954, was listed in the Who’s Who...
Barbara Ellen Giroux Robison
Dec 23, 2022
Barbara Ellen Giroux Robison, 92, passed away December 23, 2022, at Mission Hospital following a fall and brief illness. Barbara was born December 22, 1930, in Nashville, TN, daughter of Frances Neunkirchen and Harold Ellsworth DeVilbiss Giroux. Her husband of 73 years, James Harry Robison passed away on May 29, 2022. They were high school sweethearts and married on...
Irene Nelon Harwood
Dec 23, 2022
WEAVERVILLE – Irene Harwood, age 101, of Weaverville, died Friday, December 23, 2022 at Four Seasons Elizabeth House. A native of Buncombe County, Irene was the daughter of late Eldred and Ethel Davis Nelon.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Patrick Lee Harwood who died in 1993; sisters, Genevieve Franklin, Audrey Searcy and...
Mary Elizabeth Crum Filer
Dec 21, 2022
Mary Elizabeth Crum Filer, age 89, of Weaverville formerly of Miami, died Wednesday, December 21, 2022.
Mrs. Filer was born in Miami-Dade where she had lived most of her life and was a resident of Buncombe County since 2007. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. Mary was a long-time member of Olympia Heights UMC where she served faithfully...
Charles "Jerry" Benfield
Dec 20, 2022
HORSE SHOE - Charles Jerry Benfield, age 81, of Horse Shoe, died Tuesday, December 20, 2022. Mr. Benfield was born March 31, 1941, in Burke County, NC. He was a resident of Buncombe County for most of his life and had resided in Horse Shoe for the past twenty years. He retired from Sears after 37 years. His life was...
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