Obituaries
John Venson Penley
Jan 13, 2025
John Venson Penley, born on October 5, 1962, in Buncombe County, NC, passed away peacefully on January 13, 2025. He was a dedicated public servant, having started his illustrious career as the youngest member of the City of Asheville Fire Department in 1980, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who inspired his early volunteer efforts with the...
Donna Lynn Payne
Jan 9, 2025
Donna Lynn Payne, age 73, of Asheville passed away on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
Donna was born on June 20, 1951, in Guilford County, North Carolina and was a resident of Buncombe County since 1973.
She attended Brevard College for two years and graduated from Western Carolina University with a nursing degree. Donna did private duty nursing most of her career.
She was...
Betty Ann Creasman Ausband
Jan 8, 2025
Betty Ann Creasman Ausband, of Kill Devil Hills, NC, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2025, at The Outer Banks Hospital. Known to many as “Grand Betty,” she was 88 years old.
Born on September 11, 1936, in Swannanoa, NC, Betty lived a life full of love, dedication, and service. She began her career as a technician with the Federal Bureau...
John J. Baylor
Jan 7, 2025
John J. Baylor, 86, passed away at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital on Tuesday, January 7, 2025. Born January 29, 1938, in Buncombe County, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Robert and Nora Baylor.
In addition to his father and mother, he was preceded in death by his 1st wife and mother of his children, Hilda Fowler Baylor; 2nd...
Donald Elwin William Lillie
Jan 6, 2025
MARS HILL – Donald “Gaffer” Elwin William Lillie, age 96, of Mars Hill passed away Monday, January 6, 2025.
Don was born February 19, 1928, in Olmsted, MN and resided in Cobb County, GA for 66 years before moving to Mars Hill in 2021. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War. After an apprenticeship at the Mayo...
Olen "Oley" Clifford Sawyer
Jan 5, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Olen "Oley" Clifford Sawyer, age 73, of Weaverville passed away at his home on Sunday, January 5, 2025.
Olen was born on May 2, 1951, in Buncombe County and was a resident of Weaverville all his life. As a lineman for 35 years, he was deeply proud of his work and was employed first at CP&L, and Progress Energy...
Irene Wooten Luther
Jan 3, 2025
FAIRVIEW – Irene Wooten Luther, age 84, of Fairview entered the gates of Heaven and into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Friday, January 3, 2025, at Fleshers Fairview Health Care Center. Mrs. Luther was born on June 16, 1940, in Buncombe County where she lived all of her life. She worked at C.I.I. in Fairview until her...
Thelma Audrey Rash Vaughn
Jan 2, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Thelma Audrey Rash Vaughn, age 93, of Weaverville passed away Thursday, January 2, 2025, at the Laurels of GreenTree Ridge.
Mrs. Vaughn was born March 16, 1931, in Buncombe County where she lived all of her life. She was employed at Square D company and Mission Hospital. Thelma was a member of Cedar Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Alexander.
She...
Robert D. Ray
Jan 1, 2025
WEAVERVILLE – Robert D. Ray, a beloved member of the Weaverville community, passed away on January 1, 2025, in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Born on March 18, 1937, in Madison County, North Carolina, Robert was the son of William Ralph Ray and Pauline Wilson Ray, who have both preceded him in death.
He proudly served his country in the United States...
Susan Camilla Beard Wise
Dec 26, 2024
WEAVERVILLE – Susan Camilla Beard Wise, 58 years old, was born on February 8, 1966, to the late Kenneth and Nancy Murphy Beard. She fought a courageous battle against Ovarian Cancer, for almost 4 years. Susan passed away Thursday, December 26, 2024, at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Susan graduated Valedictorian from West Caldwell High School in 1984. She...
Euralee Proffitt Rogers
Dec 24, 2024
ASHEVILLE - Euralee Proffitt Rogers, 91, of the Bairds Cove Community of Asheville, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Claude and Mafra Proffitt. She was a member of Newbridge Baptist Church. Mrs. Rogers attended Blanton’s Business College where she received an Associate Degree in Business and was employed by Southern Bell until she...
Danny M. Guthrie
Dec 21, 2024
BARNARDSVILLE – Danny M. Guthrie, age 71, passed away on Saturday, December 21, 2024. He was born on July 15, 1953, in Buncombe County to the late Marcell and Dorothy Harwood Guthrie.
Surviving is his wife, Mary “Susie” Fox Guthrie; daughter, Kimberly Curatolo; sons, Robert Guthrie and wife Scarlett, and Jonathan Guthrie; a grandson, Thomas; sisters, Bobbie Gail Ball and husband...
Sandy Walker Kendall
Dec 19, 2024
Sandy Walker Kendall, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, left this world on December 19, 2024, in her home of Buncombe County, North Carolina. She was born on April 23, 1951, and spent much of her life surrounded by the beauty of her home state.
Sandy was a woman of many talents and passions. Her hands were seldom still; whether...
Fred Samuel Pennell
Dec 17, 2024
WEAVERVILLE – Fred Samuel Pennell, age 97, of Weaverville passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2024, exactly one month shy of 98 years old.
Mr. Pennell was born January 17, 1927, in Wilkes County, North Carolina where he had lived before moving to Weaverville in 1965.
Mr. Pennell was a US Navy veteran who served during World War II and was a retired...
Timothy Alan Kelley
Dec 14, 2024
WEAVERVILLE - Timothy Alan Kelley, 64, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2024, after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer knowing that he was loved and cherished.
Born on December 7, 1960, to Jim and Floy Kelley, Tim grew up in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, where he played football, basketball, and golf at Powell Valley High School. He earned his undergraduate...
Mark Henry
Dec 12, 2024
Mark Henry passed away on December 12, 2024, at the age of 53.
He was born October 30, 1971, in Buncombe County to the late Clyde and Pauline Gibson Henry. Mark was known for his love for the great outdoors. He found joy in fishing, hunting, and camping. He was formerly employed at Thermo Fisher.
Mark treasured his family deeply. He leaves...
Howard Ray Cole
Dec 9, 2024
Howard Ray Cole, age 79, of Weaverville passed away Monday, December 9, 2024.
Howard was born July 7, 1945, in Buncombe County where he had lived most of his life. A US Navy veteran of Vietnam; he made two deployments with the Navy Attack Squadron 196. He was co-founder and president of Cole Vending Co., Inc. for 49 years and a...
Marie Ward Roberts
Dec 4, 2024
ALEXANDER –Marie Ward Roberts, age 88, of Alexander, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Mrs. Roberts was born on March 18, 1936, in Buncombe County where she had lived all of her life.
She was a retired self-employed beautician.
She was the daughter of the late Clarence and Jessie Bailey Ward. She was also preceded in death...
Nanette Louise Doerr
Dec 1, 2024
BOONE – Nanette “Nan” Louise Doerr, age 73, of Boone, passed away on Sunday, December 1, 2024, at Atruium Health in North Wilkesboro.
She was born on March 28, 1951, in Tucson, AZ. Nan was the daughter of Cheryl Henry and the late Richard Henry. In addition to her father, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Bart Henry;...
Louise Whitt Justice
Dec 1, 2024
Louise Whitt Justice, age 93, of Asheville went to be with the Lord, Sunday, December 1, 2024.
Mrs. Justice was born February 26, 1931, in Buncombe County where she had lived all her life. She was the daughter of the late Merritt Landon Whitt and Jessie Helen Gentry Whitt. A graduate of Grace High School; she was the salutatorian of her...
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