Charles Dennie Elliott

Asheville - Charles Dennie Elliott, 69, of Asheville died Sunday, April 17th at Mountain Area Hospice Solace Center after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He died peacefully, surrounded by his beloved family. Charles was born in Union County, Georgia, the son of the late Henry and Ruby Elliott. After high school, he joined the Army and later attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. After serving on the NC State Highway Patrol for two years, he worked as a finance officer with Ford Motor Credit, Apple Tree Chevrolet, and most recently, with Ken Wilson Ford until 1997, when he retired. He was past president and district director of the West Asheville Optimist Club. He was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and member of Nichols-West Asheville Lodge No. 650 and also a member of the Oasis Shriners Temple. After retirement, he continued to enjoy his favorite pastime: gardening, especially growing roses. His family and friends will always remember his extraordinary gift as a gardener as well as his boundless generosity in sharing all that he produced. They will also miss his quick wit and keen sense of humor. A fiercely devoted and supportive husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend, Charles leaves behind Joyce Howell Elliott, his wife of 44 years; his son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Lisa Elliott of Greer, SC; his daughter, Melody Elliott and her fiance, Hines Richardson, of Alpharetta GA; and his granddaughter, Abbey Elliott. In addition, he is survived by two sisters, Chris McKinney and her husband Zeb of Spruce Pine and Carole Queen of Murphy; one brother, Vaughn Elliott and his wife Sharon of Murphy; several nieces and nephews; and many other relatives and friends. The family will receive friends 6:00 to 7:30 P.M. Monday at Anders-Rice Funeral Home. As per his wishes, no other services are planned. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children, P.O. Box 27347, Raleigh, NC 27611-7347.