Phyllis Shook King Powell

ASHEVILLE - Phyllis Shook King Powell died Saturday, May 15, 2010 at the age of 83 following a long illness. She was a resident of Asheville and a member of Alexander Chapel United Methodist Church. Phyllis was born in Charlotte June 26, 1926 daughter of Luther and Hettie Shook, she had three brothers, Carter, Clifton and Ervin and one sister Ramona Rice. Following her mother's death at a young age Phyllis attended the Children's Home in Winston Salem from 1937-1944. Phyllis launched her own Real Estate business. In her 30's she began a nursing career. During her more than 16 years of formal education Phyllis received her LPN license (Yale New Haven, CT), RN license (Asheville-Buncombe Tech) and Drug-Alcohol Tech Degree (Southwestern Tech, Sylva). Before retiring in 1991 Phyllis worked as a nurse-in-charge, private duty nurse, traveling nurse/companion, drug/alcohol counselor, coronary care nurse, and psychiatric nurse. Phyllis had a love for reading and writing. She wrote many short stories of her life and was in the process of writing her memoirs. Phyllis will always be remembered for her wonderful story telling, sense of humor, and love for her family…especially her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Phyllis is survived by her three children: Daniel King and wife Sheri of Asheville, Philip Powell of Asheville and Deborah Steady and husband John of New Bern. Grandchildren: Scott VanSteenburgh of West Haven, Ct and Chelsea King of Asheville, also, Dee wife of Daniel Picagli (deceased) of East Haven, CT. Great-Grandchildren: DJ, Matthew and Jennifer Picagli of East Haven, CT, and Rowan Smith of Asheville. Phyllis was preceded in death by a grandchild, Daniel Picagli and brother, Carter Shook. The funeral service for Phyllis will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, May 17, 2010 in Alexander Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Marjory Kiess officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Monday prior to the funeral service at the church. Flowers are welcome or memorials may be made to Alexander Chapel UMC, Building Fund, c/o Elizabeth Hawkins, 133 Blackberry Inn Rd., Weaverville, NC 28787. West Funeral Home, Weaverville is in charge of arrangements. www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com