Mary Frances Silver DeWeese

MARY FRANCES SILVER DEWEESE March 9, 1932 - October 3, 2015 WEAVERVILLE - Mary Frances Silver DeWeese, age 83 entered peacefully into heaven, Saturday evening, October 3, 2015. She reunited with her dear husband James T. DeWeese who passed in 2013. Born and raised in Asheville, she was the daughter of the late Charlie R. Silver and the dearly beloved, Angie (Mamaw) Silver. Also preceding her in death are husband; Mark Lee Owenby who died in 1957 and son-in-law, Vernon Bigsby who died in 2008. Surviving are 4 daughters, Stephanie Bigsby, Marlene Wolfe and husband Rick, Jan Lepore and husband Steven, and Kimberly Tadlock and husband Bradley; 5 grandchildren, Jamie Bigsby and Chad Hartley, Jennifer B. Hill and husband Travis, Ricky Wolfe, Kaitlyn and William Tadlock; 2 great grandchildren, Olivia Hill and Haywood Hartley. Mary Frances was very proud of all her children. Surviving siblings are her devoted brother, Charles Silver and wife Jody, her sister and best friend, Cubie Lee Rutledge and husband Henry, 4 nieces and 4 nephews and their families, and a very special cousin, Corena Silver Smith. As a young girl growing up in Woodfin, she was inspired to become a teacher. Mary Frances graduated from Woodfin High in 1949. She attended Mars Hill Junior College and Western Carolina University, where she received her degree in Home Economics. She became the first student teacher at the new consolidated Clyde A. Erwin High School in 1956. Her teaching career began at Biltmore High School and later included Woodfin Elementary, Pisgah and Enka Middle. Faculty and staff remember her as a dedicated educator. Her students remember her as the "best Teacher" they ever had and the "prettiest too". "Mrs. Owenby" frequently redecorated her classroom and repositioned the desks to keep students on their toes. Former students recall, upon arrival to her classroom each morning that they could never be sure where their desks might be. "She kept the classroom interesting." Mary Frances was honored for 50 years of service as a Golden Sister of the Alpha Delta Kappa Sorority. She retired after 30 years with Buncombe County Schools doing what she loved most, inspiring children to learn. The family would like to thank Hospice and the exceptional women who cared for her so lovingly during the last months of her illness. Janet Sawyer, Molly Silver, Melissa Ward, Shirley and Sandra Shreck, Deborah Oldt, Vicki Morgan, Mary Kellerhals. Her funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 10, 2015, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, with Pastor George Davis officiating. The family will receive friends 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, prior to the funeral. Burial will be in West Memorial Park. Flowers are appreciated or memorials made be made to Elkwood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8248, Asheville, NC 28814. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. DeWeese's obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com. Her funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, October 10, 2015, in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, with Pastor George Davis officiating. The family will receive friends 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Saturday at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, prior to the funeral. Burial will be in West Memorial Park. Flowers are appreciated or memorials made be made to Elkwood United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8248, Asheville, NC 28814. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. DeWeese’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.