Susan Hocking

Asheville Susan Kay Rowland Hocking, 68, passed away peacefully at home Friday, May 19, 2017 after battling a long-term illness for over twenty years. Born in Fort Worth, TX on July 13, 1948 to the late William Clark and Ruth Erin Cathcart Rowland, Susan grew up in Maryville, TN and had resided in Buncombe County since 1978. She attended college at the University of Tennessee, graduating with a degree in Elementary Education and furthered her education at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, earning double Masters Degrees in Church Music and Music Performance. She continued her post-Masters education at the Indiana University School of Music. Susan was an accomplished musician and had served as Organist and Pianist for Calvary Baptist Church in Asheville for 39 years. She also served as Organist for the Asheville North SDA Church for a number of years. Prior to her tenure at Calvary Baptist, she was the Organist at Fifth Avenue Baptist Church in St. Petersburg, FL. Susan had a heart for children, and loved animals. She taught Kindergarten, home-schooled her own son for five years, and taught Music to hundreds of children and adults. Surviving are her husband of 39 years, Samuel Eugene Sam Hocking, of the home; daughter, Kim Hocking, of Asheville; son, Chris Hocking and wife Brianna of Hendersonville; sister, Rebecca Rowland, of Maryville, TN; and best friend, Cindy Weaver and husband Mike of St. Petersburg, Fl. Memorial services will be held 11AM Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at Calvary Baptist Church, with the Rev. Dr. Buddy Corbin officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following services at the church. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church Music Department, 531 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.