Jun 10, 2024

Candler – Edith Ray Hawkins Blankenship, 87, went to be with the Lord on Monday, June 10, 2024, at the Carepartners Solace Center.

A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late Charles Henry Hawkins and Genieve Byrd Hawkins and the wife of the late Charles James Blankenship.

Jun 5, 2024

Rita Lee passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at the Care Partners Solace Center, surrounded by those she loved and who loved her.

A native of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, she was a daughter of the late Hosea Eugene Watford and Barbara JoAnn Cowart Watford. She was also preceded in death by her brother, William...

Jun 4, 2024

John Thomas Jackson

Old Fort – John Thomas Jackson, 87, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.

A native of McDowell County, he had resided in Buncombe County most of his life. He was a construction superintendent, and many of the highways we drive on today were...

Jun 3, 2024

Bob R. Pressley, Sr. passed away peacefully in the early morning of June 3, 2024.

Bob was born on January 3, 1939, in Forest City, NC, and is survived by his wife, Patsy Pressley, daughter Kimberly Pressley Morgan, son Bobby Pressley, Jr. (Melissa), and two granddaughters Taylor Morgan and Kayla Pressley. The surviving siblings are...

May 30, 2024

Richard Lee Roberts

Asheville – Richard Lee Roberts, 79, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 30, 2024.

A native of Madison County, he had resided in Buncombe County most of his life. He was a great tool and die maker and many of the tools he crafted are...

May 30, 2024

Candler – Landon Jack Gosnell, 85, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the Elderberry Health Care Center.

A native of Madison County, he had resided in Buncombe County since 1960. He retired from BASF and served as custodian at A.C. Reynolds High School. He was a member of Good...

May 27, 2024

Las Vegas, NV – Michael “Mike” Ferguson, 69, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the Centennial Hills Hospital in Las Vegas.

A native of Asheville, he had resided in Las Vegas for the past 20 years. Mr. Ferguson had more than 40 years of extensive experience in the...

May 26, 2024

Asheville – Ovidio G. Montella, 97, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, May 26, 2024, at the Pisgah Manor Health Care Center.

A native of Patterson, NJ, he was a WWII US Army Veteran. Following his military service, Mr. Montella worked for Lockheed for 25 years, and then for Fairchild where he helped...

May 25, 2024

Fletcher – Nancy Buckner Hunter, 77, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, May 25, 2024, at Mission Hospital.

A native of Buncombe County, she retired in 2002 from Bell South after more than 40 years where she worked in Communications. Nancy was a member of the Telephone Pioneers; telephone employees volunteer organization. She...

May 23, 2024

Alexander – Anna Marie Cook Sheppard, 97, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, May 23, 2024, at Aston Park Health Care Center.

A native of Greeneville, TN, she had resided in Buncombe County for most of her life. She retired in 1992 following 35 years of service from Western Southern Life Insurance Company...

May 13, 2024

Nancy Carol McGee, 74, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 13, 2024, at the Brian Center in Weaverville.

She was a daughter of the late Norman Potter McGee and Betty Jean Merrill McGee.

Nancy graduated from Biltmore School and was a member of Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church...

May 11, 2024

Martha Elsenbach Wethington, 77, passed away on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at 2:22 PM while surrounded by her family.

She was a daughter of the late George and Martha Elsenbach. She was also preceded in death by her brother, George Elsenbach.

Martha enjoyed life and spending time with her family, especially...

May 10, 2024

Judy Noreen House Neighbors, 75, went home to be with the Lord on Friday, May 10, 2024, at Mission Hospital while surrounded by her family.

A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late Edward McKinley House, Sr. and Kathleen Sherlin House. She was also preceded in death by...

May 9, 2024

Leicester – Janice Marie Kolesar Watford Walendziewicz, 66, passed away on Thursday, May 9, 2024, at Mission Hospital with her son and daughter by her side.

A native of West Mifflin, PA, she was a daughter of the late Joan Marie Halvach Kolesar and John Matthew Kolesar.

Janice was a loving...

May 8, 2024

Candler – Lynne Suzette Helms Radford, 66, went home to be with The Lord on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at her residence while surrounded by family.

A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was a daughter of the late Bowden Thomas Helms, Sr and Emagene Wilde Helms. She was also preceded in death...

May 8, 2024

Etowah –Jo Ann Brown Kelley, 89, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, at her home.

Mrs. Kelley was a daughter of the late Robert H. Brown and Annie Frizell Brown, and the wife of the late Roy Gene Kelley. She was also preceded in death by her son, Kenny Webb; and siblings: George,...

May 8, 2024

Doris Elaine Kilpatrick Redmon

Asheville – Doris Elaine Kilpatrick Redmon, 86, went home to be with The Lord on Wednesday, May 8, 2024.

A native of Buncombe County Elaine had a love for Christ, converted at the age of 8 at Mt. Carmel Church and baptized in the outside pool near...

May 6, 2024

Asheville – Glenda Lee Clark Johnson, 86, took the Lord’s hand and stepped into heaven very peacefully, quickly, and quietly on Monday, May 6, 2024.

A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she started her teaching career at Leicester Elementary (2 years) and then taught for 30 more years at Erwin Middle School. Throughout her teaching...

Apr 29, 2024

Clyde –Patricia Lee Forgione, 47, went home to be with The Lord on Monday, April 29, 2024.

Patricia resided in Western North Carolina since 2008 and was a longtime member of New Covenant Church in Clyde where she enjoyed ministering to children through teaching bible study class and dance. She loved helping others, especially children...

Apr 27, 2024

Asheville –Zacharias “Zack” Elijah Embler, 88, went home to be with The Lord on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at his residence while surrounded by his family.

A native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late Aaron Embler and Ella Mae Holloway Embler. He was also preceded in death by...