Deane Sellers Nesbitt

Asheville - Billie Deane Sellers Nesbitt, of Asheville, passed into Eternal Life to be with her Heavenly Father on Friday, March 27, 2015 at her home. A native of Buncombe County, Mrs. Nesbitt was the great, great-granddaughter of NC Governor Robert Glenn. She was a graduate of Erwin High School, as well as Mars Hill University. During the 1970s Mrs. Nesbitt was a renowned Real Estate Broker and Project Coordinator with Cameron-Brown Realty in Hilton Head, SC, helping to develop the area into its present grandeur. She returned to Asheville, where she dedicated herself in the role of Developing Coordinator with Laurelwood Condominiums and sold real estate throughout Western North Carolina. Mrs. Nesbitt was a passionate entrepreneur, owning Mountain Marine, a boat business in Asheville, as well as Nicoles Cottage Collections, having showrooms in Dallas, Atlanta, New York, and London. She was equally passionate as an Interior Designer, having her designs featured in numerous national magazines and books. In the late 1980s, Mrs. Nesbitt used her skills as a designer in her role as Head Floral Designer at the Biltmore Estate. She was proud to know that she was able to pass her artistic abilities and work ethics on to her granddaughter, who is following closely in her footsteps. Mrs. Nesbitt was a classy, encouraging lady, who took control of every situation with a calm, cool, level-headed demeanor. She was an avid supporter of Womens Rights, fighting for equality among the sexes. In her free time, Mrs. Nesbitt loved to dance, especially in the southern Myrtle Beach tradition of Shag. She had won a blue ribbon for her entry in the birdhouse competition held in the spring at the Grove Park Inn, and was an exceptional speechwriter for the Toastmasters Club. Mrs. Nesbitt was preceded in death by her husband of 38 years, Sen. Martin Nesbitt. She is survived by her son, Chad Nesbitt and wife Nancy; granddaughter, Savannah Nesbitt; parents, Claudine and Jim Rhew; cousin, Margaret Smathers; and her beloved canine companions, Annie and Puppy. Memorial services will be held at 6:30 PM Tuesday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, with the Rev. Randy Young officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 6:30 PM Tuesday at the funeral home. Floral tributes are accepted and lovingly appreciated, or memorial donations may be made to Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, 31 Glendale Avenue, Asheville, NC 28803.