Josephine Osborne

WEAVERVILLE—Josephine Osborne, age 92, a resident of the Mars Hill Retirement Community, died Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2008 at Mission Hospital in Asheville. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was born August 22, 1916 in Weaverville to parents J. Fred Osborne of Haywood County and Mary Evelyn Peeke of Weaverville. She was the granddaughter of George Washington Peek and Mary Catherine (Mollie Kate) Weaver Peek and James Nelson and Nelia Pless Osborne. A graduate of Berea College, she had an A.B. degree in Organ and Public School Music. She retired from Asheville High School at the conclusion of thirty-six years as a public school music teacher. Fondly known as "Jo" or "Miss Jo", she loved her country, church, and family. Patriotic music was a favorite and she was looking forward to voting on Tuesday, the 24th Presidential election in her lifetime. A faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville for many years, she served as organist/choir director, Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader. Her Bible study group traveled to the conference room at Mars Hill to enjoy Bible lessons and lunch with Jo. She was so pleased to play the piano for the weekly vespers services on Sunday afternoons at the Mars Hill Retirement Community. A sixth generation descendant of pioneer settlers John and Elizabeth Biffle Weaver, Jo was the matriarch of the Tribe of Jacob, the annual gathering of the descendants of Jacob and Elizabeth Siler Weaver. Proudly preserving and interpreting the heritage of the area, she was one of the founders of the Dry Ridge Museum in Weaverville and served on the museum board for the entire twenty-five years of existence. Often referring to the museum as her baby, she last visited it two weeks ago and was as enthusiastic as ever. She and her cousin Wanda Peeke Teague co-authored The Tribe of Jacob—A Supplement 1962- 1984. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her only brother, Frederick Weaver Osborne and his wife Dorothy K. Griffin Osborne and niece, Linda K. Osborne. Surviving is her niece, Judy Osborne Hart and husband Dr. Richard Hart of Yucaipa, Calif.; nephew, Michael "Mike" Osborne and wife Ivonne of Yakima, Wash.; five grand nieces and nephews; eight great-grand nieces and nephews and a host of special cousins and friends. Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, November 10th at First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville with the Revs. Skip Gillikin, Sam McGinn and Al Harrell officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in West Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Steve Blevins, Paul Clauhs, Tom Ray, Jim Rogers, Steve Russell and Mike Ward. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dry Ridge Museum Board, P.O. Box 413, Weaverville, N.C. 28787; New Directions Ministry, P.O. Box 968, Mars Hill, N.C. 28754; First Presbyterian Church Missions, P.O. Box 247, Weaverville, N.C. 28787 or Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, Fla. 32862-8000. West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville is in charge of arrangements. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com