Thelma Higgins Pressley

Thelma Higgins Pressley, 83, passed peacefully into her eternal reward at Aston Park Health Care facility on June 18, 2011, after an eight year battle with Alzheimers. At her side was her loving husband of 64 years, G.B., as he had been daily for the past 6 years. Born in Yancey County September 27, 1927, she had resided in Asheville for the past 54 years. Thelma was the daughter of the late Pete and Flora Eda Higgins. She was preceded in death by four brothers and a sister. She is survived by her husband G.B., three sons, Gary (Rebecca) and Richard (Debbie) of Asheville, Kevin (partner Mike) of Solana Beach, Calif.; four granddaughters, Tracy Housley (John), Jennifer Fisher, Meredith and Melissa Pressley; and four great grand children, Jonathan & Pressley Mallonee (their father Mark), Kennedy Housley, and Leighah Fisher. She is also survived by one brother, Tommy Higgins of Canton, along with several nieces and nephews. She was a member of Westwood Baptist Church where she had done any and all things to serve there throughout the years; including custodian, Sunday School teacher, member of the choir, Vacation Bible School teacher, as well her place in the kitchen during all fellowship activities. As she told one of her friends, who was amazed at all the tasks she did, How did you think all this stuff got done? She was an avid gardener and loved her flowers. Her memories will live on through the flowers she has shared through the years. A celebration of life will be held at the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home, Patton Ave. Asheville at 3:00 PM Tuesday, June 21 2011 with the Reverends Dr. Foyd Bennett and Dr. Carson Moseley presiding. Burial will follow in Pisgah View Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3 Tuesday at the funeral home and at other times the family will be at the home at 84 Millbrook Rd., Asheville. Flowers are appreciated but donations in her memory to Aston Park Health Care or the Alzheimer Association, 31 College Pl. Asheville would also be appreciated. The family would like to thank all the staff and care givers at Aston Park for making the past six years as comfortable as possible for both Thelma and G.B.