Everett L. Marley, 92

Everett L. Marley, 92, longtime resident of Hendersonville, died Thursday, Nov. 28,2013, in Lexington, S.C.

He was a former pastor of Columbia Seventh-day Adventist Church.

No local services will be held.

To sign an online guest book or send a sympathy card, visit www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Read More »

Noeleen "Eithna" Bridget Muir, 72

Noeleen "Eithna" Bridget Muir, 72, of Hendersonville passed away Friday, Nov. 29, 2013.

Shuler Funeral Home will announce the arrangements.

Read More »

David L. Long, 59

David L. Long, 59, of Hendersonville died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill, following a lengthy illness.

Surviving are his wife of 19 years, Darcy Long; daughter, Georgia Long; sister, Judy Durham and husband, Rev. James Durham of Muskogee, Okla.; nephew, Greg Hudgins and wife Leah Chang of Raleigh; niece, Wendy Hudgins Smith; and great-niece, Winter Hudgins.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Upward Christian Fellowship. Pastor Anthony Craver will officiate.

To sign the online register book, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Read More »

Spurgeon Talmadge Ballard, Jr.

ZIRCONIA — Spurgeon Talmadge Ballard, Jr., 75, of Zirconia went home to be with the Lord Nov. 25, 2013.

He was born on April 22, 1938, to the late Spurgeon T. Ballard, Sr. and Arrie Capps Ballard. He was also preceded in death by his son, Zeb Talmadge Ballard, a brother, Tommy Ballard and a sister, Bertha Mae Capps.

He was a farmer and loved the outdoors, hunting and fishing. He loved to watch the Atlanta Braves and was of the Baptist Faith.

He is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Rachel Ballard; his daughter, Vicky Mazalic and her husband, Frank; his grandson, Brandon Lane Mazalic; four sisters, Louise Gilliam, Lex King, Ann Hill and Mable Shipman; and many nieces and nephews.

He was devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He will be truly missed by all that knew and loved him.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 29, 2013, at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel with Dr. R. Larry Appleby and Rev. Bobby Capps officiating. Burial will follow at Bobs Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends beginning one hour prior to the service.

A online register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

Read More »

George Martin Hill, 95

George Martin Hill, 95, of Hendersonville passed away Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Minnie Hill of Rutherfordton, nine brothers and sisters and his wife, Chloe Burnett Hill.

He is survived by his daughter, Birdie (Mac) McLaughlin; granddaughter, Lisa McLaughlin (Lee) Lohr; grandson, Steven (Michelle) McLaughlin; seven great grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and special friends/ caregivers, Carolyn and Marshall Blanton who were embraced by Mr. Hill as family.

Martin Hill was a US Army Veteran of World War II deployed in the Pacific and Europe.
He was involved in business with Hill's Hardware, was owner of Hill's Tractor Co. of Rutherfordton and spent many years in agriculture construction throughout the United States.

Mr. Hill was known for his integrity, family loyalty and his willingness to help others. He could be depended upon to persevere, even in his struggle with health ailments during his last few years of life.

No formal services have been planned.

Jackson Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family.

Read More »

Joan Humphrey Hursey

Joan Humphrey Hursey, 63, died Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at Cardinal Care Center in Hendersonville.

She was born in Dillon, S.C., on Aug. 11, 1950, to the late Frank Humphrey Hursey and Mary Angela Moore Hursey. She was predeceased by her brother-in-law, Bill Tolar. She is also a former resident of Bennettsville, S.C., and Columbia, S.C.

Joan is survived by her brother, Frank Hursey and wife, Nancy, of West Hartford, Conn.; sisters, Jane Tolar of Columbia, S.C., and Judy Turner and husband, Jim of Flat Rock. She is also survived by nieces and nephews, Angela (Tolar) Hadjin and husband Tom of Exton, Pa.; William Tolar and wife Beth of Irmo, S.C.; Lynfield Tolar and wife Kim of Columbia, S.C.; Jeffrey Tolar and wife Merri Christy of Irmo, S.C.; Tracey (Turner) Parker and husband Bill of Hendersonville; Beth (Turner) Ching and husband Billy of Atlanta; Jamie Turner and wife Brittany of Biltmore Lake; Kristin (Hursey) Leary and husband Dennis of St. Petersburg, Fla.,; Heidi (Hursey) Urban and husband Peter of West Hartford, Conn.; Jon Hursey of West Hartford, Conn.; and 22 great nieces and great nephews.

Joan's family always considered her a gift from God and felt so blessed to have had her for as long as they did. They will treasure their memories of her humorous antics and feel enriched for having known and loved her.

A funeral Mass will be held at St. Louis Catholic Church, Dillon, S.C., at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, with interment at Riverside Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Western NC Down Syndrome Alliance, P.O. Box 421, Weaverville, NC 28787.

The family would like to thank the staff at Cardinal Care for the extraordinary care and compassion shown to Joanie during her stay with them. They would also like to thank the residents for all of their love and kindness.

A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

Read More »

Griffin Wyatt Anglin

Griffin Wyatt Anglin, infant son of Eric and Rebecca Wardrup Anglin of Hendersonville, passed away Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, at Mission Hospital.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Sharon Wardrup.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brothers, Gavin and Jacob, of the home; maternal grandfather, Jeff Wardrup, Sr.; paternal grandmother, Sandra Porthyress; paternal grandfather, Edward Anglin and Mamaw, Betty Anglin; paternal great-grandparents, Kenneth and Gail Anglin, Jr.; aunts, Stephanie Wardrup, Wendy Bruce, and Stephanie Constance; and uncle, Jeff Wardrup, Jr.

A funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in the Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home with the Rev. James Maybin officiating. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Western North Carolina Down Syndrome Association, PO Box 421, Weaverville, North Carolina 28787 or at www.wncdsa.org.

To sign an online register book or send a condolence card, visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Read More »

Erica Rommel, 92

Erica Rommel, 92, of Hendersonville died on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at The Elizabeth House.

A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2013, in the chapel at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

A sympathy card and online register book is available by visiting www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Read More »

Bernice Lancaster Pryor

Bernice Lancaster Pryor died Nov. 21, 2013, at the Elizabeth House, four days prior to her 98th birthday.

She was born in Henderson County, the daughter of the late Virgil Roscoe and Nora Lee Marlow Lancaster.

She was married to Freeman Pryor in 1939 and they had been married for 69 years when he died in June 2008.

Mrs. Pryor is survived by four children, Carolyn (Arnold) Kohn, Gary (Cheri) Pryor, Marie Story and Joan (Mark) Stibitz. Mrs. Pryor is also survived by five grandchildren: David (April) Pryor, Donnie (Kaine) Story, Denise Pryor (Matt) King, Rachel Kohn (Steven) Simmons, and Adam (Linda) Pryor. She is also the great-grandmother to 10.

Mrs. Pryor is also survived by one sister, Betty Holmes and three brothers, Herman, Jim and George Lancaster. She is predeceased by one sister, Sue Price and five brothers, Paul, Ernest, Horace, Roscoe, and Guy Lancaster.

As a younger woman, Mrs. Pryor was active in her community as a member of the Bearwallow Community Club and the Auxiliary of the Edneyville Volunteer Fire Department. She was also a founding member of Anderson Chapel, where she taught Sunday School and planned and led Vacation Bible School.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home. The Rev.Scott Ross will officiate. Burial will follow at Liberty Baptist Church. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

An online guest book and sympathy card are available at www.shulerfuneralhome.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Read More »

Teresa Jane Laughter, 60

ETOWAH — Teresa Jane Laughter, 60, of Etowah passed away Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, unexpectedly in her home.

She was the daughter of Lucille Orr Laughter and the late Claude A. Laughter of Etowah.

Teresa lived in Etowah most of her life and retired from DuPont. After her retirement, she worked in the Loving Hands Day Care Center in Etowah, where she displayed her genuine love for children. She loved the Etowah United Methodist Church where she was a member since childhood. She was a 1971 graduate of West Henderson High School.

An avid sports fan, Teresa was one of Clemson's most loyal followers. She also passionately followed North Carolina Tarheels basketball and the Atlanta Braves. She often planned her daily activities around the game.

In addition to her mother, Teresa is survived by her brother, Eric A. Laughter of Etowah, her nephew Arnie Laughter; two nieces, Katie Jane Laughter, Stacy and her husband, Justin Klepp; and great nephew Nathan Klepp; several aunts, uncles and cousins. She leaves behind her two beloved rescued chihuahuas, Tinkerbelle and Casey who were always at her side.

The family will receive friends from 2 until 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, at the Etowah United Methodist Church. A celebration of her life will be held immediately following with Dr. Rick Auten officiating.

Teresa was especially saddened to even think any child could be hungry, so in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Fishes and Loaves, Etowah United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1268, Etowah, NC 28729.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd and Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

Read More »

Arthur M. Jackson, 82

Arthur M. Jackson, 82, of Hendersonville died Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at his residence following a brief illness.

He was a native of Henderson County and resided in Hendersonville his entire life. He was the son of the late Ragon and Margie Jackson. Mr. Jackson was also preceded in death by his wife, Juanita Jackson; a daughter, Diane Haynes; and a great-grandson, Jonathan Henry.

He was the owner and operator of Arthur Jackson Plumbing for over 50 years, retiring in July of 2013. Mr. Jackson was a graduate of Dana High School and an avid sports enthusiast. He was a member of The American Legion Post #77, a lifetime member of the VFW Post #5206, and the Elks Lodge # 1616.

He is survived by a daughter, Gail Wisgo and her husband, Kenny; a son, Phillip Jackson and his wife, Jennifer; seven grandchildren, Sarah Haynes, Heather Belk, Kristen Belk, Courtney Wood, Laci Haynes, Emma Jackson, and Amber Wisgo; five great-grandchildren, Cameron Bumgardner, Adrian Wilson, Zachary Jackson, Diane Rogers, and Mikayla Forshee.\

No local services are planned.

Memorials may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Guests may sign a register book at www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Read More »

Patricia "Pat" G. Henderson, 71

Patricia "Pat" G. Henderson, 71, of Hendersonville passed away Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, after a period of declining health.

Born in Henderson County, she was the daughter of the late Harold and Learlean Gibbs. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Ronnie Gibbs.

Pat lived in Henderson County most of her life and retired from GE. She was a familiar face to many during her years at the Dixie diner and the family thanks the staff and patrons for their kindness and support. She was a longtime volunteer with Mainstay and a member of Hendersonville First Baptist Church.

Pat is survived by her husband of 52 years, Charles Richard Henderson of Hendersonville; three children, Kerry Spachman and husband, Jim, of Hendersonville; Debra Henderson of Charlotte; and Ross Henderson of Hendersonville; brothers and sisters, Lib Giza and husband, Ron, of Charleston, S.C.; Bill Gibbs and wife, Minnie Jean; Judy Walden, all of Hendersonville; Susie Miller and husband, Jim, of Charleston, S.C.; Tommy Gibbs and wife, Dorothy, of Ft. Myers, Fla.; Vickey Kline of Guthrie, Okla.; Barbara Gibbs of Tampa, Fla.; and Jeff Gibbs and wife, Julie, of Ft. Myers, Fla.; grandchildren, Jordan Berger and husband, Tyler, of Fletcher, William Totten of Winston-Salem, McKenna Spachman and Jarrett Spachman of Hendersonville; great-grandchildren, Caleb Berger of Fletcher and great-grandson due in April; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013, in the Chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park & Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 p.m. Friday at Forest Lawn Funeral Home.

The family wishes to offer special thanks to the staff at Regency Hospital of Greenville, SC. The family wishes to express their gratitude to Dr. James Caserio for his time, compassion and dedication.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Lung Association, 514 Daniels St., #109, Raleigh, NC 27605, and/or the COPD Foundation ( www.copdfoundation.org ) .

Words are inadequate to describe how much she will be missed. She was an amazingly generous wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and 'sisterly'.

An online guest book and sympathy card are available at www.forestlawnfuneralhome.com.

Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Read More »

Hilda Tallent Olson

CAMDEN, S.C. — Hilda Tallent Olson of Camden, S.C., formerly of Hendersonville, passed away on Nov. 15, 2013, at KershawHealth Hospital in Camden, SC.

She was the daughter of the late Darrance M. Tallent and Annie Dills Tallent of Sylva. In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years C.K. "Ike" Olson; her brother, D.M. Tallent, Jr. and her sister and brother-in-law Dorothy T. and Joe Hunt.

A native of Sylva, she retired after 40 years of service to the public schools of Western North Carolina as a teacher, supervisor, and administrator. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Western Carolina University and she did postgraduate work at George Peabody College.

Before becoming director of elementary education with Hendersonville City Schools she worked as director of instruction for Transylvania County Schools, supervisor of teachers in Murphy and Andrews City Schools, and as a demonstration teacher at Camp Laboratory School at Western Carolina University. She taught and was a library supervisor in Macon County Schools.

She was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society International, an honor society for women educators. She served as president of Alpha Iota Chapter while living in Murphy and as president of Alpha Lambda Chapter of Henderson County. She received her 60 year membership pin in 2013. Because of her passion for teaching young readers, Alpha Lambda Chapter established the Hilda Olson Literacy Project which provides preschool books to mothers of newborns and young children receiving support from the Henderson County Health department and the Blue Ridge Community Health Services.

She served on the Henderson County Board of Education, the board of directors of the North Carolina and the National Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, and the North Carolina Commission of Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 1993 she received the Distinguished Leadership Award for North Carolina from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

She was involved and provided leadership in many community services and activities. She served on the board of directors of Henderson County Council on Aging, Land of Sky Regional Council on Aging, Western Carolina Community Action, Interagency Exchange, Volunteer Services Bureau, Grants Committee of Henderson County Community Foundation, and the advisory board of the Hendersonville Branch of the State Employees Credit Union.

With a history of service to education and the community, she received numerous awards. Some of these included recognition for outstanding service to elementary and middle school of the South, service and dedication to Children with Special Needs from the NC Division of Exceptional Children, and recognition from The North Carolina Association of Educators for service to public education. She was selected to be featured in a Biographical Directory entitled Her Story which highlighted the noteworthy contributions of Henderson County Women (1945-1995). The directory was published by the Henderson County Council for Women. She was an active member of Henderson County's Retired School Personnel and in 2006 she was inducted into the Henderson County Education Foundation Hall of Fame.

In her final years she lived in Camden, S.C., near her daughter but she never lost her love of education. She encouraged all around her to read and to keep learning. She always respected the contributions to society of each individual.

She is survived by her daughter, Marcia Kay Olson Cashion and son-in-law John W. Cashion of Camden, S.C.; grandson Joseph A. Cashion and wife, Melinda Cashion of Lugoff, S.C.; granddaughter, Kimbrough Cashion Daniels and husband, Clayton Daniels of Brunswick, Ga., and Owen Hunt Daniels.

The family would like to thank Dr. Alice J. Brooks and the doctors and staff of Kershaw Health Hospital, Long Term Care Wing, and Hospice Team for the excellent care and loving kindness given to Mrs. Olson during the last four months of her life. In addition, spiritual support was provided by the members of Grace Episcopal Church in Camden. Special thanks to Rev. James Barnhill and Rev. Charles Davis.

A memorial service for Mrs. Olson will be held at St. James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, with the Rev. Joel G. Hafer officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. James Church, The Hilda Olson Literacy Project of Alpha Lambda Chapter c/o Marilyn Yoder, President, at 63 Glenwood Hill Lane, Mills River, NC 28759, or to the charity of one's choice.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Read More »

Neil Gilbert, 18

Neil Gilbert, 18, of Hendersonville went to be the Lord Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, following injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

He was a lifelong resident of Henderson County and graduated from West Henderson High in 2013. His passion was his work as a volunteer fire fighter with the Etowah-Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire and Rescue and was an aspiring paramedic. He loved to hunt, fish, and hang out with his brothers and many friends. He always had a smile on his face and enjoyed singing.

He worked for Stone Electric in Cashiers, was a member of Beulah Baptist Church and also attended Bethel Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his uncle, Philip Holder, and his aunt, Pam Holder.

Neil is survived by his parents, Mike and Jill Gilbert of Big Willow Community; two brothers, Patrick Gilbert and wife Sabrina of Laurel Park, and Austin Gilbert and wife Keisha of Mountain Home; two nephews, Cameron and Cooper Gilbert; paternal grandparents, Alvin and Pat Gilbert of Big Willow; maternal grandparents, Lester and Pat Holder of Mountain Home; his aunt Donna Holder Bolanõs and her children; uncle Ricky and aunt Sally Gilbert and sons; and a host of loving extended family.

A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, at Anchor Baptist Church with Pastors Dewey Barnwell and Keith Norris officiating. Burial will follow at Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 – 8 p.m. Monday at Anchor Baptist Church.

Memorial contributions may be made to, Etowah – Horse Shoe Volunteer Fire and Rescue, P.O. Box Horse Shoe, NC 28742

An online guest book is available at www.shulerfuneral home.com.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Read More »

Christine Moore Williams, 83

Christine Moore Williams, 83, of Edneyville passed away Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013, at the Elizabeth House.

She was the daughter of the late Martin Hobart Moore and Ila Summers Moore and was also preceded in death by a daughter, Connie Medlin, two sisters, Lucille Quinn and Maxine Horne and one brother, Eugene Moore.

She was a loving wife, mother, and "Nini" to all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren and loved to share her delicious recipes with all her family and friends.

She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years Earl A. Williams; two daughters, Marilyn Janet Steinbach of Arden and Donna Owenby and her husband Tim of Hendersonville; five grandchildren, Scott London (Ardith), Casey Owenby (Krissy), Melanie McMurray (John), Bob Medlin (Jenni) and Christal Beaird (Ray); nine great grandchildren, Dale London, Evan Duckett, Lauren McMurray, Emma McMurray, Taylor Wiggins, Alivia Owenby, Brooklynn Beaird, Zach Sargent and Maci Medlin; three sisters, Allene Brown of Hendersonville and Frances Owens (Garrett) of Florida and Betty Hammond (John) of Hendersonville and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held 3 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at Mountain Home Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Craig Garren officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mountain Home Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 288, Edneyville, NC 28729.

The family would like to thank all the care-givers at Hendersonville Health and Rehab for their loving care during her illness and for all the prayers and support of family and friends.

Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

Read More »

Walter Wolfgang Gruss

Walter W. Gruss, 77, of Hendersonville passed away, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, at the Elizabeth House Hospice.

Walter was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1936 to the late Theodore Gruss and Lina Grimm. Walter married his wife Hannelore in 1961. After becoming a mechanical engineer and working in Germany for 20 years, they immigrated to the United States in 1975 to work at the Hendersonville Kyocera Plant. Following a successful career in the ceramics industry, he retired from Komet USA as VP of Sales and Marketing. After retirement, he led the German Heritage Club for 10 years, mentored kids at his church, pursued his love of roses through the Asheville Blue Ridge Rose Society and was an avid model train builder.

He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Hannelore; one daughter, Gabriele Gruss Niederauer and her husband Mark of San Antonio, Texas; one son, Joachim Gruss and his wife Beáta of Budapest, Hungary; two grandsons, Stefan Julius Niederauer of Austin, Texas and Máté Sebestyén Gruss of Budapest, Hungary; one granddaughter, Elise Johanna Niederauer of San Antonio, Texas; and two brothers, Manfred Gruss and Eckehard Wöller, both of Eislingen, Germany.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastors Ken Langsdorf and Greg Williams officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church, 1245 Sixth Avenue West, Hendersonville, NC 28791 to establish a youth scholarship.

Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or P.O. Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793

Read More »

Grace B. Weiss

Grace B. Weiss, 98, of Hendersonville and formerly of Miami Beach, Fla., died on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2013, at her residence.

She was born on Dec. 20, 1914, in Hardin, Mo., to the late Verta and William Babbitt. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jessie Weiss. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Arthur Blumbach, as well as her son-in-law, Dr. Robert Bass.

In 1945 Grace met and married the love of her life, Jessie Weiss, while he was stationed in Champaign, Ill. After Jessie was discharged from the service they headed to Miami Beach to run the family business, Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant, which had opened in 1913. Grace was a smart beautiful lady who instantly found her niche working side by side with her husband in the restaurant business. Grace was perfectly content to remain behind the scenes while embracing the entire "Joe's" staff as if they were her family. Jessie and Grace retired to Hendersonville in the early 1980's.

She is survived by her daughter, Jo Ann Sawitz Bass of Miami Beach; two grandchildren: Stephen Sawitz and Jodi Sawitz Hershey of Miami Beach; four great grandchildren: Jessica Uchuya and her husband, Jose, Lauren Walton, and Julia Michelle Sawitz, all of Miami; and Blayke Koganovsky, of New York Citty and two great-great grandchildren: Alexandria Uchuya and Iyana Jo Walton both of Miami.

A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 18, 2013, at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel in Hendersonville. Entombment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Grace to Habitat for Humanity, 1111 Keith St., Hendersonville, NC 28792 or a local food bank of the donor's choice.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

Read More »

Robert Warren Jones

Robert Warren Jones, age 85, died at Elizabeth House in Hendersonville on Nov. 12, 2013, after a sudden illness.

Bob was born the only child of William Wolford Jones and Bertha Kraft Jones on Dec. 3, 1927, in Louisville, Ky. He lived predominately in Kentucky and attended Millersburg Military Academy and Lexington's Henry Clay High School, graduating in 1946.

Serving during the Korean War with the United States Air Force, Bob flew 55 night interdiction missions as a waist gunner. During his service, he found the love of his life, Caroline Turpen in Englewood, Colo., to whom he was married happily for 50 years until her death in 2001.

After completing military service, Bob attended Eastern Kentucky University, receiving a B.S. in industrial education. He taught high school in Urbana, Ill., while obtaining a master's in education from the University of Illinois-Champaign.

In 1959, the family moved to Murray, Ky., where Bob taught electronics and hydraulics at Murray State University. He enjoyed running the student ham radio club and became a certified PADI Scuba Diving Instructor. When Bob retired from Murray State after 25 years, he and his wife moved to Clarksville, Tenn., where he was chairman of the Industrial Arts Department at Austin Peay University. In 1988, they retired again and moved to the mountains of North Carolina, where Bob had learned to swim as a child at Lake Lure. There he taught part-time at Blue Ridge Community College and AB Tech Community College.

Bob is survived by his four daughters, who meant the world to him: Barbara Rogers (Dr. Ralph Rogers), of Newburgh, Ind.; Linda Moore (LTC (USA ret.) Stanley Moore) of Fletcher; Karen Jones Squires (James Squires, J.D.) of Norfolk, Va.; and Polly McCage (PR Chief (USN ret.) John McCage) of Anderson, S.C. He was a proud granddaddy of 10 beloved grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, and devoted brother-in-law to Esther Bauman of Hendersonville.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Nov. 22, 2013, at the Western North Carolina State Veteran's Cemetery in Black Mountain.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life 571 South Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28732 or The Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.

Bob was a good man: a much beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend who will be sorely missed. He approached life with wit and humor, perseverance and love, and was kind to all.

An online register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of arrangements.

Read More »

Maggi O'Brady

Maggi O'Brady, born Margaret Ann Brady, age 73, of Hendersonville passed away from ovarian cancer on Nov. 1, 2013, at Elizabeth House in Hendersonville.

She was born Feb. 25, 1940, in Rockingham to the late Leroy and Annie (Benson) Brady. After graduating from Rohanen High School, East Rockingham in 1959, she briefly attended Western NCU in Cullowhee before marrying John Bolen.

She mothered two sons, Michael Kevin in 1961, and Stephen Scott in 1963. Once her sons were in school, she resumed her college studies at Xavier University in Cincinnati receiving her degree in education in 1967. She worked as head teacher at Montessori School in Corvallis, Ore., for several years before moving to Bethesda, Md. There she eventually became a licensed real estate broker. She enjoyed great success in this field and became a Million Dollar Salesperson within 2 years.

In 1974, she moved with John back to Corvallis where she continued selling real estate, and became a broker. In 1978 she divorced John, continued with real estate before moving to Hawaii in the early 1980's, where she met Alan Himelblau.

She worked as a teacher, preschool director and model before she and Alan bought the successful business "Stand-n-Line" that processed licenses with the HDMV for car dealers. Based on her experience, she ended up writing a manual for the Hawaii DMV. In 1989, her youngest son Scott died at Lake Tahoe, which deeply affected her.

After marrying Alan, they toured Europe and the Middle East for 9 months, which was a life changing experience and vastly increased her positive outlook on life. Unfortunately, during the voyage, Alan began to have mobility problems, and he eventually became bedridden.

In 1991, Maggi worked as a teacher at Island Paradise in Hawaii for 6 months, then became preschool director at Emmanuel Preschool. Alan moved to California where he died with Maggi present.

Returning to Hawaii, she worked as a counselor, and then started as teacher at St Mark's until leaving Hawaii to live with her brother Eric in Asheville in September 1994.

Pursuing her interest in real estate, she attended a meeting of the Carolina Real Estate Investors Association where she met the love of her life, Mark Clifton, who was their president. Mark had lived in France for decades, until moving to Asheville with his wife whom he divorced 1995. Maggi used to say that his ex-wife had brought him to Asheville, and she had come all the way from Hawaii so they could meet. Such was their mutual good fortune. They married May 27, 1997, in Asheville.

She and Mark enjoyed travelling to Paris, Venice, and Portofino. Moving to Hendersonville, they developed a mutual passion for renovating houses and investing in real estate. Most of all, they enjoyed the peaceful beauty of their home, "Cliffside", atop the Big Willow hills.

She loved nature and people, always putting the best of herself into relationships. She was dedicated to organic gardening, growing her own food, showing off her garden and hosting a garden tour. In 2011,"Cliffside" was granted certification as a National Certified Wildlife Habitat.

A fabulous spirit emanated from Maggi. It passed onto everyone she ever met. No one we have ever talked to about her fails to remark how this spirit seemed to penetrate their memory of her. She believed in living according to her principles. Her last words were: "Tell everyone who asks about me to cover my spirit image with a white light, and when they see a white light, think of me. My positive thoughts shall be with them forever."

She was preceded in death by her parents; sons, Michael Kevin Bolen and Steven Scott Bolen. She is survived by her sister, Linda Novak (St Catharines, Ontario, Canada); and brother, Eric Brady (Greensboro); and her beloved husband, Mark Clifton.

An informal memorial will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, at her home: "Cliffside," 550 Crystal Heights Drive, Hendersonville. All well wishers are welcome. 698-0902.

An online register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.

Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.

Read More »

Victoria L. Jacquet, 48

Victoria L. Jacquet, 48, of Hendersonville, passed away Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, in the Kirby Memorial Chapel of Shuler Funeral Home.

Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements..

Read More »