Maria "Tinker" Gelder

Maria L. Tinker Gelder passed away Saturday, January 15, 2011 at the WNC Baptist Home from complications of Alzheimers Disease. A native of Frederick, MD. Tinker attended St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing and received the highest mark in the state of her LPN license exam. She worked for Mountain Area Hospice for 20 years as a voluntary nurse. She was the founder of Hospice of Macon County. On her paternal side, she was a direct descendant of the Lord Baltimore, the proprietory governor of Maryland, and on her maternal side, was a direct descendant of Thomas Johnson, the first elected governor of Maryland. She was predeceased by her parents, Edward J. and Charlotte P. Smith and her sister, Charlotte P. Smith and granddaughter, Amy Gellert. She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Robert B. Gelder, Sr. and the following children: Charlotte P. Lehton and husband Bob of Cocoa Beach, FL, Eleanor D. "Gaye" Stevens and husband Charlie of Cumming, GA, Anne McP. Marshall of Port Orange, FL, Robert B. Gelder, Jr. and wife Jan of Asheville and Cecelia H. Kope and husband Gregory of Leesburg, VA; grandchildren: Mark Gellert and wife Gina of Southern Pines, Ryan Gellert and wife Xiao Min of Salt Lake City, UT, Samuel Stevens of Gainesville, GA, Jennifer Arthur and husband Thommy of Madison, GA, Jay Marshall and wife Shannon of Orlando, FL, Micki Jamieson and husband Andrew "Dru" of Port Orange, FL, Austin Bailey and husband Rodney of Little Rock, AR, R. Brattan Gelder, III and wife Danielle of Asheville, Kathrine Gelder of Washington, DC, Sarah Gelder of New York City, NY, Meredith and Lauren Kope of Leesburg, VA; Great Grandchildren: Caleb and Hannah Gellert, Anna Carol and Tommy Arthur, Marlee and Von Jamieson, Liliana Marshall, Ella Hayes Gelder and Amos Bailey. A memorial service will be held Monday, January 17, 2011 at 11:00 A.M. at Saint Eugene Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, if you wish, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimers Association, 31 College Street, Asheville, NC 28801.