Vivian Kirby Mcabee

Asheville Vivian Kirby McAbee, 85, of 28 Vista Street passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at the Asheville Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County she graduated as Salutatorian from Sand Hill High School, was a former Sales Associate with the LifeWay Christian Book Store and a member of the Love Flowers Chapter of the Red Hats Society. Mrs. McAbee was a charter member of Reynolds Baptist Church where she was a member of the WMU, Choir and Sunday School Teacher for many years. She loved her flowers and made several entries in the WNC Fair where she won many ribbons. Mrs. McAbee was a daughter of the late Waye B. and Burnice Hipps Kirby. She was also preceded in death by her husband, R.M. McAbee, Jr., daughter, Judy McAbee Smith; daughter in law, Terrie McAbee; sister Dorotha Dot Boyer; brothers, Joe Bob, Robert, Roy and Paul Cecil Kirby. Surviving are her daughters, Patricia Patty Dills and Janice Kerley and husband, Floyd all of Candler and Dena Smith of Jupiter; sons, Bruce McAbee and wife, Rita of Conover and Kenneth McAbee and wife, Shirley of Asheville; 13 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren, brother, James Ned Kirby and wife, Grace of Sylacauga, Alabama; several nieces and nephews and special neighbor, Janis Kaye. Funeral services will be held 3 PM Sunday, November 25, 2012 at Reynolds Baptist Church with Rev. Bobby Smith and Rev. Gayle Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Cane Creek Cemetery with the Deacons of the church serving as pallbearers and the Senior Citizens Sunday School Class serving as honorary pallbearers. The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3 PM Sunday at the church. Memorials may be made to Reynolds Baptist Church, 520 Rose Hill Road, Asheville, NC 28803. The family would like to give a special thank you to CarePartners Hospice and the staff at Asheville Nursing & Rehabilitation for their kindness, compassion and loving care of our loved one and family.