Phyllis Beckwith Clevenger

WEAVERVILLE– Phyllis Beckwith Clevenger, age 80, of Weaverville, died Wednesday, October 3, 2018. Phyllis was born March 23, 1938 on a large dairy farm near Ithaca, New York. The youngest of seven, she was privy to all the benefits of being the “baby” of the family. Phyllis moved to Asheville when her father retired and placed the farm in the care of her brother. She graduated from Biltmore High School and soon met and married the love of her life, and best friend, James Harold. The two settled in Asheville and started a family. Phyllis worked for more than twenty years at First Union Bank then retired as secretary at First Baptist Church of Weaverville. She was a member of the Mary Martha Sunday School class at First Baptist Church, Weaverville and a long time choir member. Her relationship with Christ and her church family were anchors of her life. Phyllis was most in her element as chief cheerleader and role model for her four grandchildren. From youth soccer to college track meets, she was there as a proud and encouraging force. Teaching her grandkids how to can vegetables, dress for the occasion, prepare a meal for dozens, and correctly prune a rose was Phyllis’ true profession. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Helen Bennett Beckwith; brothers, Bob and George Beckwith; sisters, Marie Barron and Jinny Varga. Surviving are her husband of 59 years, James Harold Clevenger; daughter, Helen Merrill and husband Dale of Asheville; son, Mark Clevenger and wife Cathy of Weaverville; sisters, Dottie Lee and husband Leslie of Hampstead, NC, and Jane Koontz of Southport, NC; sister-in-law, Annie Beckwith of Lansing, NY; grandchildren, Eli and Emily Clevenger, Peyton Young, and Patterson Young Revis and husband Kevin. Her funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, October 7, 2018 in First Baptist Church, Weaverville. Dr. Jim McCoy and Reverend Stuart Lamkin will officiate. Burial will follow in West Memorial Park, Weaverville. The family will receive friends 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Saturday October 6, 2018 at West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Ave., Weaverville, where the body will remain until placed in the church one hour prior to the service. At other times, the family will be at the residence. Flowers are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to CarePartners Home Care PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813 or First Baptist Church, Weaverville “Music Fund”, PO Box 547, Weaverville, NC 28787. The family would like to thank MemoryCare of Asheville and CarePartners for their care of Phyllis. For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mrs. Clevenger’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.