Obituaries

Bruce Douglas Deweese

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

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

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.

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...

Diane Myers Kessler

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...

John Potter Reilly, III

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

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.

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

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...

Cynthia Sue Smith

Cynthia Sue Smith

May 5, 2025

ASHEVILLE - Cynthia Sue Smith, age 83, of Asheville passed away on Monday, May 5, 2025, at Mission Hospital.

Ms. Smith was born on August 21, 1941, in Dallas, Texas to the late Emerson Russel and A. Elizabeth Foster Smith. She was a resident of Asheville for the past 24 years. During her working career, Cynthia was employed at Borden Company...

Rex Bruce Guthrie

Rex Bruce Guthrie

May 2, 2025

BARNARDSVILLE – Rex Guthrie, age 65, of Barnardsville, passed away on Friday, May 2, 2025.

Rex was born on October 18, 1959, in Buncombe County where he had lived most of his life. He was a retired carpenter.

He was the son of the late Fred Banks and the late Dorothy Harwood Guthrie. He was also preceded in death by brother Tony...

Joyce Anne Rumbough

Joyce Anne Rumbough

Apr 29, 2025

WOODFIN – Joyce Anne Rumbough, age 51, of Woodfin passed away Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Mission Hospital.

Ms. Rumbough was born on August 1, 1973, in Catawba County and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. She was preceded in death by her father, Jimmy Rumbough, Sr.

Surviving are her children, Keith “KJ” Kral, Jr. and Brook...

Reid Ashton Bell

Reid Ashton Bell

Apr 26, 2025

With deepest sorrow, we announce that Reid Ashton Bell, our most amazing, sweet boy, at the young age of 13 years old, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 26th, 2025.

Reid was welcomed into the world on December 11, 2011, in Asheville, North Carolina, immediately making it a brighter place. He was the most perfect angel, a...

Steve George Harris

Steve George Harris

Apr 23, 2025

BARNARDSVILLE – “Steve” George Harris, age 72, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Emerald Ridge Health and Rehab Center.

Mr. Harris was born on October 4, 1952, in Buncombe County where he had lived for most of his life. Steve worked as an electrician then moved into the carpentry industry. He was also a farmer taking care of the...

David William Robb

David William Robb

Apr 19, 2025

WEAVERVILLE - On Saturday, April 19th, 2025, David William Robb––also affectionately known as “D,” “Big Dave,” “Stork,” “Faj,” “Davey LeRuox,” and most recently as a grandfather, “Beep”––entered heaven the same way he lived his whole life: with grace, love, and of course, music playing. He was 64 years old.

Dave was born in Kittery, Maine as “#5” of 8 of the...

Thomas Gene Hall

Thomas Gene Hall

Apr 18, 2025

Thomas Gene Hall passed away peacefully on April 18, 2025. Born July 4, 1935, in Haywood County, NC to the late James Oliver & Reta Wells Hall. Also proceeding him in death are siblings James Hall, Jane McGill and Nancy Green.

He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Maxine, children Steve (Linda), Cindy Nelon (Lou), Pam Sampica (Steve),...

Thomas Duncan "Tom" Hoxie

Thomas Duncan "Tom" Hoxie

Apr 12, 2025

Thomas Duncan “Tom” Hoxie, 82 of Weaverville passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2025. He was born in Oxford, OH on March 2, 1943, to George and Galen Hoxie. Tom was a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, OH and was retired from General Motor’s Chevrolet Motor Division. Tom and wife Maureen have been Weaverville residents for 26 years.

Tom is...

David Ferguson McFee

David Ferguson McFee

Apr 6, 2025

David Ferguson McFee, age 76, of Asheville died Sunday, April 6, 2025.

David was born May 13, 1948, in Buncombe County to the late George Lee McFee and Jean Ramsey McFee Kiser. He graduated from Erwin High School and Mars Hill University. David taught school and coached football and wrestling at Owen High School and Madison High School. He was the...

Rose Cantrell Green

Rose Cantrell Green

Apr 3, 2025

ALEXANDER – Rose Cantrell Green, age 91, of Alexander, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

Rose was born on April 27, 1933, in Madison County and was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. She retired from Buncombe County Schools in 1991 after teaching for 20 years. She was an active member of...

Brandy Leigh Rice

Brandy Leigh Rice

Apr 1, 2025

ALEXANDER – Brandy Leigh Rice, 33, of Alexander, passed away on Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

Brandy was born on April 19, 1991, in Buncombe County where she had lived all of her life. She attended North Buncombe High School and graduated in 2009. She loved the beach, animals and was known for her generosity, kindness and giving heart. She attended Ridgeview...