Obituaries

Michael "Mike"  Whitson

Michael "Mike" Whitson

Feb 1, 2022

Michael “Mike” Whitson, age 75, of Weaverville, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Mike was born on June 19, 1946, to Fern Miller Whitson and the late Clayton Whitson. He grew up in Yancey County, and was a resident of Buncombe County most of his life.  In addition to his father, he was preceded...

Michel  Fontaine

Michel Fontaine

Jan 31, 2022

LEICESTER – Michel Fontaine, age 80, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022, at his residence.

Michel was born June 25, 1941, in Paris, France to the late Emile Henry Fontaine and Jeanne Rolland Fontaine. After having a restaurant in Paris, Michel came to the US 41 years ago with a culinary degree. He worked at restaurants in Florida and he...

John Wesley Banks

John Wesley Banks

Jan 30, 2022

John Wesley Banks, age 61, died January 30, 2022.

Mr. Banks was born on September 29, 1960, to the late William Reece and Betty Lou Dillingham Banks; he was a resident of Buncombe County all of his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry Banks and Everette Banks.

Surviving are his sisters, Jean Brigmon and husband...

Ezera Jase Miller

Ezera Jase Miller

Jan 29, 2022

WEAVERVILLE-   Ezera Jase Miller, 9, passed away peacefully at home the evening of Saturday, January 29, 2022.  He was born in Wisconsin on September 27, 2012 and lived most of his life in North Carolina.

He is the son of Christopher and Summer Miller. Ezera is also survived by his sister, Ezlee (8); two brothers, Jayke (21) and Austin (24); and his new...

Joan Ann Williamson

Joan Ann Williamson

Jan 29, 2022

Today we announce the passing of Joan Ann Williamson (4/29/1937 – 1/29/2022), preceded in death by her Husband Kenneth Wesley Williamson (11/15/1932 – 11/14/2012).

Her childhood was spent mostly in Darby, Pennsylvania where she splashed around in Cobbs Creek and played Cowboys and Indians in the nearby meadows with her siblings.  At 17 she met her future husband Ken and together they...

Malla B. Stone

Malla B. Stone

Jan 29, 2022

Malla B. Stone, 89, of 1230 Dillingham Road, went to be with Jesus on January 29, 2022.

She was born December 13, 1932, the daughter of the late Noah “Jack” and Ida Jane Webb Blankenship.

She was a devoted housewife and mother, as well as being a grandmother, and great-grandmother or “Nanny” as she liked to be called.

She was preceded in death...

Jean  Gibson

Jean Gibson

Jan 27, 2022

Jean Gibson, age 91, of Candler, died Thursday, January 27, 2022.

She was born on February 3, 1930, to the late Will and Sara Laws Beaver.

Jean loved being a mother, grandmother, and more to her family. She enjoyed spending her time gardening and canning.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Avery Gibson in 2017;...

Sandra Gore  Cook

Sandra Gore Cook

Jan 26, 2022

WEAVERVILLE – Sandra Jean Gore Cook, age 75, of Weaverville, died Wednesday, January 26, 2022 at Mission Hospital.

Mrs. Cook was born July 29, 1946 in Beckley, West Virginia and was the daughter of the late Christum and Juanita Neely Gore.  In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Ronald D. Cook who died in...

Yvonne Brigman Mills

Yvonne Brigman Mills

Jan 26, 2022

Yvonne Brigman Mills, age 84, of Black Mountain, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 26, 2022.

Mrs. Mills was born November 23, 1937, in Swannanoa, to the late Archie Leroy and Geneva Coffey Brigman. She was a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan for many years and returned to Buncombe County and has lived here for the past 25 years.

Yvonne loved...

Cathy  Payne

Cathy Payne

Jan 25, 2022

ALEXANDER – Cathy Payne, 72, of Alexander passed away on Tuesday, January 25, 2022.

A funeral service will be held at 2:30PM on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 200 Mt. Carmel Road, Asheville, NC 28806. Rev. Ronnie Owen will officiate. Burial will follow at Ashelawn Gardens of Memory, 901 Aiken Rd. The family will receive friends from...

Betty Wallin Morgan

Betty Wallin Morgan

Jan 22, 2022

WEAVERVILLE – Betty Wallin Morgan, age 90, of Weaverville died Saturday, January 22, 2022.

Mrs. Morgan was born September 19, 1931 in Madison County to the late Henry Grady and Bertie Chandler Wallin, she was a resident of Buncombe County most of her life. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Alene Holcombe, Glyndon Buckner,...

Doris Plemmons Huntsinger

Doris Plemmons Huntsinger

Jan 21, 2022

OLD FORT – Doris Ann Plemmons Huntsinger, age 73, of Old Fort, died Friday, January 21, 2022.

Doris was born November 16, 1948, in Buncombe County to the late Harl and Clara Jones Plemmons. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Huntsinger; sister, Barbara Pace and in-laws, Harry and Bernice Huntsinger.

Doris retired from Square...

Rosa Lee Harwood Wilson

Rosa Lee Harwood Wilson

Jan 16, 2022

WEAVERVILLE – Rosa Lee Harwood Wilson, age 80, of Weaverville, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 16, 2022.

Mrs. Wilson was born August 24, 1941 in Buncombe County to the late William “Bill” and Catherine Miller Harwood; she was a lifelong resident of Buncombe County.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death...

Rev. Elbert W. "Jack" Smith

Rev. Elbert W. "Jack" Smith

Jan 16, 2022

WEAVERVILLE – Rev. Elbert W. “Jack” Smith, age 85, of Weaverville, received his glorified body on the morning of Sunday, January 16, 2022, as snow fell gently to the ground.

Rev. Smith was born May 2,1936 in Madison County to the late Robert Frank and Fannie Anderson Smith; he was a resident of Buncombe County for most of his life. Jack...

Charles Keith Hensley, Jr.

Charles Keith Hensley, Jr.

Jan 16, 2022

BARNARDSVILLE – Charles “Charlie” Keith Hensley, Jr., age 50, left us on the snowy morning of January 16, 2022, to join his dad in heaven.

He was born March 3, 1971, in Washington, DC. Charlie was a resident of Barnardsville, NC since the age of three. He was a renowned bluegrass guitar “picker”, having played with the likes of Bill Monroe,...

Jerry Herron

Jerry Herron

Jan 15, 2022

WEAVERVILLE - Gerald Duane Herron, “Jerry”, age 70 of Weaverville, NC passed away in his home Saturday January 15th, 2022.

He is survived by his loving wife Linda Crawford; his daughters, Jodie, Jess, Jacki and Jamie; his son Judson; 10 grandchildren; sisters, Madge and Ruth; brothers, David, Larry and Tony; and his many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death...

Charlie Hearn

Charlie Hearn

Jan 14, 2022

MARS HILL, NC – Charles R “Charlie” Hearn passed away in Asheville, NC. He had resided in Mars Hill, NC and Fort Smith, AR.

Charles left behind his wife and best friend, Phyllis; sons, Kelly and Mike; and daughter, Amy and her husband Chad.

He was “Papa Charlie” to his granddaughters, Erin, Teanna and Embry; and grandsons, Logan (Bethany), Ryan (Lacey), Mason...

Lee Nix, Jr.

Lee Nix, Jr.

Jan 13, 2022

BARNARDSVILLE – William “Lee” Nix, Jr., 46, of Barnardsville passed away on Thursday, January 13, 2022.

Lee was the son of Bobbie D. Nix and the late William L. Nix, Sr.  Along with his mother, he is survived by his brother, James D. Nix; his sister, Wendy Nix Austin; two nephews, Dallas and Jacob Nix; and two nieces, Hannah Nix and...

Joseph Nelson Cagnina

Joseph Nelson Cagnina

Jan 10, 2022

WEAVERVILLE - Joseph Nelson Cagnina, 79, of Weaverville passed away at his residence on Monday, January 10, 2022.

A native of Newark, NJ, Joe was the son of the late Joseph Phillip Cagnina and Irene Rossi Cagnina. He is survived by his wife, Ellie Winter Cagnina.

Joe served his country by serving the the United States Air Force.

Obituary and service information will...

Kathy McKinney King

Kathy McKinney King

Jan 8, 2022

MARS HILL – Kathy Ann McKinney King, age 64, of Mars Hill passed away Saturday, January 9, 2022.

Kathy was born March 5, 1957, in Buncombe County to the late Clyde and Dorothy Barrett McKinney. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Philip McKinney.

She will be remembered as she was - quiet, kind and someone...