Obituaries

William  A. "Bill" Penland, Jr.

William A. "Bill" Penland, Jr.

May 11, 2021

WEAVERVILLE – William A. “Bill” Penland, Jr., age 93, of Weaverville, went to be with his heavenly Father, Tuesday, May 11, 2021, while in his sleep.

Mr. Penland was born June 1, 1927 in Buncombe County to the late William Anderson Penland, Sr., and Nora Ingle Penland; he was a resident of Buncombe County all of his life.  Junior served in...

Grace Chandler Fender

Grace Chandler Fender

May 10, 2021

ALEXANDER – Grace Chandler Fender, age 95, of Alexander went to be with her Lord, Monday, May 10, 2021.

Mrs. Fender was born November 13, 1925 in Madison County to the late John Frank Chandler and Belle Wilson Chandler Sprinkle; she was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. Grace was a mother of 3 boys, a faithful...

Leonard Ray Cole, Jr.

Leonard Ray Cole, Jr.

May 3, 2021

ASHEVILLE – Leonard Ray Cole, Jr., age 50, of Asheville, went to be with the Lord Jesus, Monday, May 3, 2021.

Ray was born September 18, 1970 in Buncombe County where he had lived all of his life. He was a graduate of Charles D. Owen High School and for the last few years Ray attended Words of Life Tabernacle.  Ray...

Harley Monroe Johnston

Harley Monroe Johnston

May 3, 2021

WEAVERVILLE – Harley Monroe Johnston, age 48, of Weaverville, went to be with the Lord, Monday, May 3, 2021.

Harley was born April 4, 1973 in Virginia, to Patricia Fore Johnston and the late, Robert F. Johnston; he was a resident of Buncombe County most of his life. Harley  was a graduate of Owen High School and worked for Skyland Distributor...

Trent Dexter Willis

Trent Dexter Willis

May 2, 2021

WEAVERVILLE – Trent Dexter Willis, age 26, of Weaverville, went to be with the Lord, Sunday, May 2, 2021.

Trent was born November 2, 1994 in Buncombe County where he had lived all of his life. He was a 2013 graduate of Mt. Sheba Christian Academy. He loved history and was an avid Bible scholar.  He felt led to preach God’s...

Charles Francis Kilcoyne

Charles Francis Kilcoyne

May 2, 2021

WEAVERVILLE – Charles Francis Kilcoyne, 89, passed away peacefully on May 2, 2021 at 11:09 p.m. 

Chuck was under hospice care having fought a long battle with lung and heart disease.  He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War as an aircraft engine mechanic.  Chuck retired after thirty-six years in 1991 from Micro Switch in Mars Hill as...

Barbara Shook Worley

Barbara Shook Worley

May 1, 2021

ALEXANDER –“For God so loved the world, that He sent his only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not die, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. During the early morning hours of Saturday, May 1, 2021 Barbara Sue Clemmons Shook Worley, entered into life everlasting surrounded by those whom she loved and treasured most in this world.

Barbara Sue was...

Clarence  Hensley

Clarence Hensley

May 1, 2021

BARNARDSVILLE – Clarence Hensley, age 86, of Barnardsville, died Saturday, May 1, 2021, peacefully surrounded by his family.

Mr. Hensley was born June 25, 1934 in Buncombe County to the late Zebulon Vance and Ollie McKinney Hensley; he was a resident of Buncombe County all of his life. Clarence served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.  He retired...

Birty Ann Jones Mackey

Birty Ann Jones Mackey

Apr 30, 2021

WEAVERVILLE - Birty Ann Jones Mackey age 83, went home to be with the Lord, April 30, 2021.

Mrs. Mackey was born November 7th, 1937 in Lake Toxaway, NC to the late Floyd And Beulah Wood Jones. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by  her sisters, Juanita Keener and Helen Owen.

Left to cherish her memory is her...

Jennie Parris Sluder

Jennie Parris Sluder

Apr 30, 2021

ALEXANDER – Jennie Parris Sluder, age 101, of Alexander, went to be with the Lord, Friday, April 30, 2021.

Mrs. Sluder was born October 24, 1919 in Buncombe County to the late James Ervin and Cordelia “Delia” Haney Parris; she was a resident of Buncombe County all of her life.

For 33 years, Jennie spent five days a week in the tall...

Richard  Wells

Richard Wells

Apr 29, 2021

GREER, SC – Richard “Dickie” Wells, age 73, of Greer, SC, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, April 29, 2021.

Mr. Wells was born February 26, 1948 in Henderson County to Lillian Torrence Moore and the late John Wells. Richard was a resident of Florida; and Greer, SC for the past 19 years.  He retired from Norfolk-Southern Railroad. Richard...

Alvis Jacob Merrill

Alvis Jacob Merrill

Apr 19, 2021

ASHEVILLE – Alvis Jacob Merrill, age 94, of Asheville, died Monday, April 19, 2021.

Mr. Merrill was born July 1, 1926 in Buncombe County to the late Carl and Estelle Trantham Merrill; he was a resident of Buncombe County all of his life. Alvis was a veteran of the US Army during World War II.  He retired from the Charles George...

Irene Taffer Banks

Irene Taffer Banks

Apr 18, 2021

WEAVERVILLE – Irene Taffer Banks, age 89, of Weaverville, died Sunday April 18, 2021.

Mrs. Banks was born October 23, 1931 in Madison County to the late Ardle and Nell Shelton Taffer. She was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. An active member of First Baptist Church Weaverville, she served in several capacities. She enjoyed sewing, growing...

Kurt Milton Hamilton

Kurt Milton Hamilton

Apr 18, 2021

WEAVERVILLE – Kurt Milton Hamilton, age 59, of Weaverville, died Sunday, April 18, 2021.

Kurt was born June 2, 1961 in Henderson County; he was a resident of Buncombe County all of his life. He was a graduate of North Buncombe High School.  Kurt was a cabinet maker and master woodworker. He was preceded in death by wife, Lauraine Robert; and...

Jennie Holcombe Brigmon

Jennie Holcombe Brigmon

Apr 17, 2021

BLACK MOUNTAIN – Jennie Holcombe Brigmon, age 86, of Black Mountain died Saturday, April 17, 2021.

Mrs. Brigmon was born October 31, 1934 in Buncombe County to the late Garrett and Mamie Gaddy Holcombe; she had lived in Buncombe County all of her life. Formerly employed at Beacon Manufacturing Mills and A.B. Emblem, she loved cooking for her family and flower...

Christel Maria Wiker

Christel Maria Wiker

Apr 10, 2021

BURNSVILLE – Christel Maria Wiker, age 85, of Burnsville, died Saturday, April 10, 2021.

Mrs. Wiker was born on July 25, 1935 in Germany.  She was a resident of Yancey County for the past fifteen years.  In addition to her parents, Hanz and Gertrude Lux Bergman, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Charles Wiker, Jr. who died...

Pearl Edwards Sprinkle

Pearl Edwards Sprinkle

Apr 7, 2021

ASHEVILLE – Pearl Edwards Sprinkle,  age 81, of Asheville, went to heaven to be with our Lord on Wednesday, April 7, 2021.

Mrs. Sprinkle was born June 9, 1939 in Buncombe County to the late Rev. Lester Edwards and Lillie Bell Honeycutt Edwards. Mrs. Sprinkle retired from Buncombe County schools after 22 years of service.  She loved to decorate with flowers,...

Billie Searcy Rollins

Billie Searcy Rollins

Apr 4, 2021

FLETCHER – Billie Searcy Rollins, age 84, of Fletcher, died Sunday, April 4, 2021.

Billie was born May 17, 1936 in Buncombe County to the late James and Bertha McAbee Searcy. She loved the Lord and reading her Bible.  In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a grandson, Chad Sawyer.

Surviving are her children, Debbie Summerford, and Randy...

Anna Worley Roberts

Anna Worley Roberts

Apr 3, 2021

WEAVERVILLE – Anna B. Roberts, age 92, of Weaverville died Saturday, April 3, 2021.

Mrs. Roberts was born March 10, 1929 in Haywood County and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life.  She retired from Square D Company. Mrs. Roberts was a charter member of Pine Burr Park Baptist Church. She was a loving wife, mother, gran-gran,...

Brantley Lee Hensley

Brantley Lee Hensley

Mar 31, 2021

ALEXANDER – Brantley Lee Hensley, born Thursday, March 25, 2021, died Wednesday, March 31, 2021.

Brantley is survived by his mother, Brandi Hensley; maternal grandmother, Kim Smith Hensley; maternal grandfather, Lee Hensley and wife Karen; maternal great grandmother, Diane Smith; and several aunts and uncles including, Natalie, Cassie, Anthony, Jessica, Amanda and Haley Hensley, and Justin and Zachary Lewis; and Cassandra...