Amogene B. Gray

Fairview - Amogene Beauchamp Norwood Gray died peacefully at her home on September 24, 2015 after a long and valiant fight against ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband Virgil A. Gray; three daughters, Lorraine Norwood of Hendersonville, and Judy Stone (husband Danny) and Mary Turner (husband Frankie) of Asheville; foster daughter Diane Hutchison (husband Jim); five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Amogene was born in Clemmons, NC on August 11, 1928 to the late Willie and Josephine Beauchamp. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister and brother, Daphne Gillison and Clay Beauchamp. Amogenes lifelong love of music and the Lord sustained her through the last three years of her life when a combination of Stage Four ovarian cancer and myelodysplasia (the same disease suffered by ABCs Robin Roberts) sapped her energy and exacerbated the frustrations of illness and aging. Despite her suffering she exhibited a stubborn will, strong faith, and annoyance at being treated like an invalid. Her favorite phrase was, I can do it myself. At the age of four, Amogene began piano lessons with her mother, herself a church musician, as her teacher. At the age of six Amogene won first prize playing piano in a radio contest. She attended Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD with an eye toward future concert work. However, World War II and young love intervened. After her marriage to William E. Bill Norwood and the subsequent birth of her three daughters, Amogene began work as a music teacher, sharing her passion for music with many students in eastern North Carolina where the family lived. After the family moved to Asheville, she taught students at Dunhams Music Shop in Asheville and Waldrop House of Music in Hendersonville. For many years she provided beautiful dinner music as an organist on the Dogwood Terrace at the Grove Park Inn, Bucks Red Carpet Room, and the Coach House, as well as many other dinner clubs in Asheville. Amogene also served as pianist and organist for many churches in the area. Additionally, she volunteered as a pianist at the VA Hospital during residents lunchtime and was often asked to stay after lunch as residents held impromptu sing-alongs of World War II songs. Despite debilitating arthritis, she continued to practice and play classical music almost daily until the last year of her life. When admitted to a nursing home to recover from a fractured vertebra, she enjoyed playing music for fellow residents. And in the last year of her life, she occasionally accompanied her Hospice music therapist on the piano when she had the strength to play. Sustaining Amogene throughout her life was a strong faith, participation in Bible Studies, and a passion for the history and archaeology of the Holy Land. She attended Asbury Methodist Church and Central Methodist Church in Asheville for several years. After she moved to Hendersonville where she was a resident of Britton Creek, she became a member of First Baptist Church. In later years she was a member of Grassy Branch Baptist Church on Riceville Road in Asheville. She was thrilled to travel to Israel twice. In addition to music and the church, Amogenes interest in aviation led to changes in her life. She pursued her pilots license and became a commercial instrument-rated airplane pilot. She was a member of the Western North Carolina Pilots Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. She was especially proud of teaching Pinch Hitter classes, which were aimed at wives of pilots, particularly wives who were afraid to fly or lacked self-assurance in the cockpit. Among the skills Amogene taught them was how to bring a plane down if their husbands became incapacitated. Many of these women gained unexpected confidence during the process. In addition, Amogene became a hot air balloon pilot, wrote and published The Gentle Giant, a definitive hot air balloon textbook which sold throughout the US and in many countries, and published articles in hot air balloon magazines. Growing out of her aviation pursuits were friendships that lasted for the next fifty years. Amogene and a group of women, mostly pilots or pinch hitters, began to meet monthly for lunch. Calling themselves the Golden Girls, they continued their meetings and trips to the beach long after they (sadly) had to give up flying due to advanced age. Amogenes metamorphosis from a shy pianist to a proficient airplane pilot had a profound impact on her daughters. Her position as the family matriarch continued to inform the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, many of whom turned to her for advice and prayer, and all of whom thanked her for being a role model. She loved her wonderful family, her Bible studies, the Lord and her music, Alaska, Great Britain, the astounding physical beauty of Western North Carolina, the many birds that flocked to birdfeeders in the tree next to her back porch, and her cat Moses who loved to watch the birds from the porch as much as she. It was Amogenes wish to die at home. Her wish was fulfilled through the efforts of her children, her husband, caregiver Mary Richey, and Hospice staff Connie, Kelly, Jenny, and Dr. Claire Hicks. Her family would also like to thank Dr. Tim Vanderkwaak and his compassionate staff at the Hope Center, the nurses and staff of Fleshers nursing home, and Visiting Angels for their tenderness and understanding during a difficult time. In addition, the family would like to thank friends and neighbors for their love and support. Lastly, her children would like to thank their stepfather and her husband, Virgil A. Gray, who met Amogene when both were 75 years old and who swept her off her feet. Having lived for many years as a single woman following her divorce, Amogene was not expecting to find love again, but she did. She also found contentment and compassion. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2015 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with Pastor Chris Schlender officiating. The family will receive friends following the services at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice Care, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731, https://fourseasonscfl.thankyou4caring.org/sslpage.aspx?pid=298%20; Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, P.O. Box 1270, Charlotte, NC 28201-1270; or The Hope Center, P.O. Box 16948, Asheville, NC 28816. A Video Tribute will be available for a limited time Click Here