Mary Elizabeth Broome

WEAVERVILLE– Mary Elizabeth Broome of Weaverville, N.C. passed away on Saturday, December 8, 2018 with her family by her side. She was 90 years old. Born in Ft. Lauderdale, F.L. on September 10, 1928, she was the youngest of 12 children and the daughter of the late Clarence Playford and Allene Wade Grant. She was raised on her family’s dairy in Davy, FL and was often seen riding her horse, Black Watch, flying with her brother in his single engine airplane or driving her motorcycle with her high school girlfriend. She often delivered milk with her brothers and occasionally spoke about them embarrassing her by dropping her off in front of her South Broward High School in the family’s milk truck, rather than down the block as she asked. Although she preferred to be in the outdoors, she was active in her high school Glee Club and Pep Club. In her senior year, she earned a red ribbon for the Girls High Jump and was named the “Most Athletic.” Mrs. Broome met her late husband, James Frank Broome, at motorcycle events a year after she graduated from South Broward High School. She often said that she had to work diligently to catch his attention. They were married for 63 years until her husband’s death in 2011. The greatest accomplishment of her life was her family of five children that includes Jim (Tiffany) Broome of Chuluota, FL; Donna (Bill) Stratton of Weaverville, NC; Debbie (Jim) Watts of Haines City, FL; Cindy (Wade) Register of Weaverville, NC; Dan (Pam) Broome of Oviedo, FL; in addition to 14 grandchildren and 29 great grandchildren. She loved maintaining her yard work, shopping and working puzzles. Throughout her life, she has adopted many dogs and cats who were homeless or at risk of being euthanized. The private funeral service for the family will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville. Burial will be in West Memorial Park in Weaverville. In respect of Mrs. Broome’s profound love and support for animals, contributions to the Asheville Human Society would be greatly appreciated in lieu of flowers. Donation site is www.ashevillehumane.org or address is Asheville Humane Society, 14 Forever Friend Lane, Asheville, NC 28806. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Broome’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.