Earl Holcombe

WEAVERVILLE—Nathaniel Earl Holcombe age 97, of 105 Church Street, died Wednesday, August 20, 2008. Earl was born July 2, 1911 in Madison County and was a resident of Buncombe County since he was 8 years old. He worked 48 years as a mechanical engineer with Asheville Ice and Storage Company. Earl raised cattle for many years and enjoyed going to the Asheville Stock Yard each week. He was one of the oldest members of Weaverville United Methodist Church. Mr. Holcombe gave chewing gum and candy to neighborhood children, family and friends. He always took gum to doctor's appointments for nurses and staff. The staff of Asheville Internal Medicine received bouquets of his garden jonquils each spring as did many Weaverville residents. His parents, Nat & Lillie Carter Holcombe as well as his wife, Carolyn Abrams Holcombe who died in 1987 and son, Robert Nathaniel "Bobby" Holcombe preceded him in death. Surviving is his daughter, Harriet H. Burnette and husband D.L. of Weaverville; son, Jim Holcombe and wife Louise of Lawrenceville, Ga.; grandchildren, Joel Bryan Holcombe of Atlanta, Glen Nathaniel Holcombe of Lawrenceville, Terry Burnette and wife Robin of Mars Hill and Kevin Burnette and wife Anita of Weaverville; great granddaughter, Lauren Burnette and great grandson, Chance Burnette. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville with the Revs. Linda M. Kelly and Wendell H. Brittain officiating. Burial will be in West Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the home of D.L. and Harriet Burnette, 96 Church Street, Weaverville. Flowers are acceptable and appreciated or memorials may be given to the Weaverville Music Study Club, PO Box 54, Weaverville, NC 28787 for their musical programs or the Weaverville United Methodist Church, PO Box 37, Weaverville, NC 28787. The family offers special thanks to the Staff of Emerald Ridge Rehabilitation and Care Center, the Asheville Internal Medicine and Dr. Craig Mills. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com