Obituaries

Feb 25, 2022

WEAVERVILLE – Linda H. Crawford, 84, of Weaverville, NC passed away in her home on the evening of February 25, 2022.  She was a native of Asheville. 

Linda loved the WNC mountains, including a childhood full of family archeological adventures.  She was loving and devoted to her family members and found sincere joy in hearing about their activities.  She loved cooking,...

Feb 22, 2022

BARNARDSVILLE – Charles Don Wilson, age 90 of Barnardsville, passed away Tuesday, February 22, 2022.

Mr. Wilson was born May 29, 1931, in Yancey County to the late Charles Denver and Mary Hensley Wilson; he was a resident of Buncombe County most of his life. Don was the owner/operator of Newbridge Motors for 38 years.  He enjoyed woodworking and loved...

Feb 22, 2022

Feb 20, 2022

ALEXANDER – Jessie Edwards Hurst, age 79, of Alexander, passed away peacefully early Sunday, February 20, 2022, at her home.

Mrs. Hurst was born December 19, 1942, in Buncombe County to the late Eva Griffin and Roy Lee Edwards, Sr.; she was a resident of Buncombe County all of her life. Jessie worked at Rose’s Department Store in the 80’s and...

Feb 14, 2022

ASHEVILLE - Jack Edwin Williamson, ninety-seven, of Asheville passed away peacefully on February 14, 2022, after an extended illness.

Jack is survived by his wife of sixty-one years, Kay Williamson, two children: Edwin Williamson (Melissa Clemens) of Kingsport, Tennessee and   Lisa Johnson (Brad Honnold) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and two grandchildren: Peyton Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina and Cooper Williamson of Asheville, North...

Feb 14, 2022

Dessie Mae Follin, age 90, of Hendersonville, died Monday, February 14, 2022.

Mrs. Follin was born June 2, 1931, in Levy County, Florida to the late Edward Daniel and Alva Dean Dusenberry. Dessie moved to Culpepper, Virginia as an adult and was an operator at a phone company for 20 years. She later became a resident of WNC in 2011.

Dessie loved to travel...

Feb 10, 2022

Gerald Buckner, 80, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 10, 2022 with his children at his side.

Gerald was born on May 17, 1941 in Madison County to the late Coleman and Eva Buckner. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Metta Fisher Buckner who passed away in 1994; two brothers, Jimmy and Bobby Buckner;...

Feb 8, 2022

WEAVERVILLE – Sherrie Centea, 69, of Weaverville passed away after battling Ovarian Cancer on Tuesday, February 8, 2022 at her home surrounded by her family.

Sherrie was born on March 29, 1952 in Akron, OH, the daughter of the late Samuel Giuseppe Trotta and Audrey Lyn Smith Trotta. She has been a resident of Weaverville for over 30 years.

She is survived...

Feb 8, 2022

Lillie Ann Moore Lyda, age 84, of Weaverville, went to be with the Lord peacefully Tuesday, February 8, 2022.

Mrs. Lyda was born to the late Walter and Floye Stillwell Moore. Lillie was a graduate of Bee Log High School in Yancey County. She was a resident of Yancey and Buncombe Counties for most of her life.

Lillie was a longtime employee...

Feb 7, 2022

     WEAVERVILLE – Albert Lee "Butch" Hart, 76, of Weaverville passed away on Monday, February 7, 2022 at his home. A native of Arden, he was born November 27, 1945 the son of the late Houson Hart and Katie Lee Baldwin Hart. He was also preceded in death by three brothers, Eugene, Thomas and David Hart.

     A United States veteran, Butch served his country in...

Feb 6, 2022

ASHEVILLE - Annelore Hayer McMahan, age 86, died Sunday, February 6, 2022.

Mrs. McMahan was born on February 28, 1935, to the late Lucia Hachenberger Hayer and Johann Hayer in Mainz, Germany. She had been a resident of Buncombe County since 1956.

Annelore never knew a stranger, loved her family dearly, and had a special fondness for her dogs. She loved to...

Feb 5, 2022

ASHEVILLE – Lois Helen Silver, age 83, of Asheville, went to be with the Lord Saturday, February 5, 2022.

Mrs. Silver was born September 3, 1938, in Yancey County to the late Frellon and Thelma Reavis; she was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. Lois was a seamstress for over 20 years at Connie Fashions.  She was...

Feb 4, 2022

Today we are remembering the life of Vivian Madeline Shook and mourning her passing.  

Vivian’s childhood was spent in Parker, Pennsylvania where she played with her older sister, Erla, in nearby woods and meadows. She enjoyed raising chickens and was an avid gardener. At age 17 she met her future husband Bill, and after being married in 1950 they began...

Feb 4, 2022

ALEXANDER   – Ernest “Lee” Southard, Jr. age 60, passed away on Friday, February 4, 2022.

Lee was born on June 17, 1961, in Rockingham County North Carolina, to Ramona Barnard Southard and the late Ernest Southard, Sr.; he was a resident of Buncombe County for most of his life.   Lee was employed by M.B. Haynes Corporation for 37 years and they...

Feb 4, 2022

WEAVERVILLE   – Earl Vincent Shellenberger, age 38, of Weaverville, passed away Friday, February 4, 2022.

Earl was born September 1, 1983, to Veronica Faye Smith Weaver and the late Richard Henry Shellenberger, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Surviving are his mother, Veronica “Faye” Smith Weaver and stepfather Tom Durancik; sister Christy Gonzalez; and brother, Frank Hughes.

God called home his angel after 38 years. Earl...

Feb 1, 2022

Michael “Mike” Whitson, age 75, of Weaverville, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 1, 2022.

Mike was born on June 19, 1946, to Fern Miller Whitson and the late Clayton Whitson. He grew up in Yancey County, and was a resident of Buncombe County most of his life.  In addition to his father, he was preceded...

Jan 31, 2022

LEICESTER – Michel Fontaine, age 80, passed away on Monday, January 31, 2022, at his residence.

Michel was born June 25, 1941, in Paris, France to the late Emile Henry Fontaine and Jeanne Rolland Fontaine. After having a restaurant in Paris, Michel came to the US 41 years ago with a culinary degree. He worked at restaurants in Florida and he...

Jan 30, 2022

John Wesley Banks, age 61, died January 30, 2022.

Mr. Banks was born on September 29, 1960, to the late William Reece and Betty Lou Dillingham Banks; he was a resident of Buncombe County all of his life.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Larry Banks and Everette Banks.

Surviving are his sisters, Jean Brigmon and husband...

Jan 29, 2022

WEAVERVILLE-   Ezera Jase Miller, 9, passed away peacefully at home the evening of Saturday, January 29, 2022.  He was born in Wisconsin on September 27, 2012 and lived most of his life in North Carolina.

He is the son of Christopher and Summer Miller. Ezera is also survived by his sister, Ezlee (8); two brothers, Jayke (21) and Austin (24); and his new...

Jan 29, 2022

Today we announce the passing of Joan Ann Williamson (4/29/1937 – 1/29/2022), preceded in death by her Husband Kenneth Wesley Williamson (11/15/1932 – 11/14/2012).

Her childhood was spent mostly in Darby, Pennsylvania where she splashed around in Cobbs Creek and played Cowboys and Indians in the nearby meadows with her siblings.  At 17 she met her future husband Ken and together they...