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Obituaries

April 2017 Archive

Glenn Leonard Orr, 82

Glenn Leonard Orr, 82, was finally able to rest in the arms of Jesus on April 22, 2017. A son of the late Ossee and Emma McCall Orr, he was also preceded in death by his caring and loving wife of 42 years, Ada Norris Orr; a step-daughter, Kathy Mae Reese Peterson; and a sister, Catherine Orr Fisher.

He is survived by three daughters, Genny Orr Nicholson, Frances Orr Hall (Anthony) and Brandi Orr Ramsey; three grandchildren, Hope, Johnathan and Jewels; eight great-grandchildren, Brittany, Blake, Dallas, Kaileah, Hunter, Brayden, Rayleigh and Drake; two great-great grandchildren, Nevaeh and Journey; brother, Osee Carroll Orr, Jr.; several nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law.

Glenn served in the U.S. Air Force for 4 years as an aircraft mechanic.
He retired as an electrician from GE Lighting after 34 years of dedicated service.

He enjoyed traveling with his brother, reading, telling stories about his childhood and time in the Air Force and tinkering with electronics. Although sometimes a man of few words, his wisdom surpassed that of many. He was blessed with the gift of a compassionate heart. He never missed a chance to help anyone who needed anything or for the chance to spend time with his grandbabies. He was a true example of what unconditional love really is. You knew that no matter who you were or what choices you made in life, he would never stop loving you. He was a father, Papaw, friend and mentor.

Fittingly so, he chose to continue his giving, even after death by donating his earthly remains to Wake Forest for medical research. It is his hope that others are able to benefit from what he no longer needs.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8.

At his request, no services will be held. To offer online condolences please visit www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.

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Jay H. Robinson, 82

Jay H. Robinson, 82

Jay H. Robinson, 82 of Hendersonville passed away on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the Elizabeth House. He was a son of the late Elzy and Hessie Blackwell Robinson. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Lillie Capps.
A faithful member of Hendersonville First Church of The Nazarene he was a Sunday School teacher, choir member, board member and youth leader. He served in the U.S. Air Force and retired from Ecusta after 46 years of service.
Survivors include his loving wife of 59 years, Judy Winters Robinson; son, Kevin Jay Robinson and wife Karen of Hendersonville; grandson, Kamden Jay Robinson; sister, Margie Davis of Tuxedo; brother, Boyce Robinson and wife Nancy of Pisgah Forest and several nieces and nephews.
A visitation will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Friday, April 28, 2017 in the Chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 11am on Saturday, April 29, 2017 at the Hendersonville First Church of The Nazarene with Reverend Sherman Waters and Reverend Joseph Quinn officiating. Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the Elizabeth House, 571 S. Allen Rd. Flat Rock, NC 28731.
To offer online condolences please visit www.forestlawnhendersonville.com.
Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Norman Clinton Cannon, 60

Norman Clinton Cannon, 60, of Hendersonville, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 22, 2017.
He was native and lifelong resident of Henderson County.
He was a member of Ebenezer Baptist Church. He was a former co-owner of Cannonball Express and was an employee of American Truck Repair Express.
He was preceded in death by his father, Clyde Talmadge Cannon and a grandson, Easton Elijah Gibson.
He is survived by his mother, Beulah Lee Corn Cannon; his children, Brian Barnette, Toby Flynn, Tara Cannon Bayne, Nathaniel Cannon, Tahoni Cannon and Captain Cole Cannon; siblings, Barry Cannon, Audrey Cannon Pace, and Tonya Cannon Sloop all of Hendersonville; twelve grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held 3:00 pm Saturday, April 29th at Ebenezer Baptist Church of Hendersonville. The Rev. Steven Blanton will officiate. Burial will follow at Shepherd Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the celebration in the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Ebenezer Baptist Church, 2557 Chimney Rock Road; Hendersonville, N.C. 28792 or to Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 6284, Hendersonville, N.C. 28793.
Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Norman Clinton Cannon, 60,

Norman Clinton Cannon, 60, of Hendersonville, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior on April 22, 2017.

Jackson Funeral Service will announce the arrangements.

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Oleen Jarrett Smith, 91

Oleen Jarrett Smith, 91

Oleen Jarrett Smith, 91, of Hendersonville passed away on Tuesday, April 18, 2017 at Lifecare Center of Hendersonville. Born in Catawba County and raised in Newton, NC, she was a daughter of the late Ray and Geneva Jarrett. She is also preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, JW Smith, Jr.; brother, Billy Ray Jarrett; son-in-law, Larry Sigman and grandson, Scott Sigman.
Oleen was a resident of Hendersonville for the past 75 years and was a member of First Baptist Church, where she served Wednesday night suppers for over 20 years. She loved the Live Embers trips and was a member of the Patience Sunday School class as well as the Singing Saints. She always had hope and trust in the Lord. Oleen was a charter member of the VFW Auxiliary Post 5206.
She retired from Kellwood Corporation and later worked at Belks in various roles, but always wrapped presents at Christmas time. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who had a radiant smile. A pretty southern lady, she was an excellent cook, soft spoken, perseverant and tough; however, she was sweet as can be and if you knew her, you loved her. Oleen was accomplished in all forms of needlework and knitting Christmas stockings were her specialty. She was also known to love to shop and look for shells on the beach.
She is survived by her daughter, Brenda Sigman of Hendersonville; son Bill Smith and his wife Judy of Hendersonville; grandsons, Jeff Sigman and his wife Kena of Chapel Hill, NC, Chris Sigman of Hendersonville and Ryan Smith and his wife Dana of Marietta, GA; granddaughter, Kasey Smith of Asheville; great-grandchildren, Joseph and Grace Sigman, Liam, Rori and Keira Smith and numerous nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 3 pm on Sunday, April 23, 2017 at First Baptist Church Hendersonville with the Reverends Steve Scoggins and Wally Shamburger officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-3 pm prior to the service.
The family would like to thank the staffs of Lake Pointe Landing, Life Care Center of Hendersonville, Four Seasons Compassion for Life and Pardee Hospital. A special thanks to Dr. Ron Moffitt and his staff.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church Hendersonville 312 5th Ave W. Hendersonville, NC 28739 or Four Seasons Compassion for Life 571 South Allen Rd. Flat Rock, NC 28731.
Online condolences may be offered by visiting www.shulerfuneralhome.com
Shuler funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

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Allen Edwin Duncan, 59

Allen Edwin Duncan, 59, of East Flat Rock, NC passed away Monday, April 17, 2017 at his home.

He was a native and lifelong resident of Henderson County. He
was preceded in death by his father, Billy Dan Duncan and his brother,
Dennis Bryan Duncan.

He was a member of the First Church of The Nazarene and loved to play horseshoes.

He is survived by his wife, Kathy Duncan; two sons, Jeremy and
Jerred Duncan both of Hendersonville; a daughter, Jennifer Scroggs of
Hendersonville; his mother, Kathy Jane Ward of East Flat Rock; eleven
grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Thursday, April 20th at
the Chapel In The Pines of Jackson Funeral Service with Rev. Steve
Scroggs officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to
the service in the chapel. Burial will follow at Oakdale Cemetery.

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

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James Kasalajtis

James William Kasalajtis

James Kasalajtis died on April 12, 2017, at his home in Hendersonville, NC. He was born on September 26, 1950, in Kenosha, WI, to Chester and Arlene Kasalajtis. He attended St. Mark elementary and St. Joseph high. At St. Joe’s senior graduation, the speaker said, “Forget this speech and remember this song: To Dream the Impossible Dream.”

He went to Madison Technical College to study woodworking but soon went to Minnesota State College Southeast at Red Wing, to learn the art and craft of making and repairing guitars, lutes, violins, and other stringed instruments. For the rest of his life, he would say with pride, “I am a luthier.” Having chosen that career, he didn’t always find it an easy one to have, encountering difficulties typical of small businesses. He kept looking for the ideal spot, perhaps an Impossible Dream. When interviewed in 1994, while in Hendersonville, NC, he said, “I’ve moved around a lot. I lived in Saluda many years ago, but I’ve lived in a lot of places since.” He had set up shop in Madison, WI, to make and repair instruments, but the owner of the building sold it and Jim couldn’t find another place he could afford.

In Saluda, he worked at Top of the Morning Music as luthier and demonstrator. He could play any stringed instrument and demonstrate its sound for a customer. When in North Carolina, he noted an uptick in dulcimer work. “There’s a story with every instrument and that’s what I love, hearing the stories and working on old instruments that have a lot of history.”

But the “moving around” continued. He spent time in Ohio, Nova Scotia and New Mexico; California, Colorado, and Idaho; and occasionally followed a lady to where she might go. A wandering luthier.

His many friends remember Jim as a generous soul, always willing to help out, well-endowed with his Irish heritage gift of gab, appreciative of a good brew, more disposed to giving advice than taking it, and capable of responding to the injustice of a thing with a robust, world-class rant.

Jim was preceded in death by his sister Jean, his brother Robert and his parents. He is survived by three siblings, R.J. Kasalajtis of Whitefish Bay, WI; Mary Petit, and John Kasalajtis, both of Kenosha; many nieces and nephews; his Stacy cousins James, Patrick, Susan; special cousin Elisa River Stacy Nelson of New Mexico; Ilene Morton and Rick Mullins of Hendersonville, and many other good friends.

A potluck supper in celebration of Jim’s life will take place on Thursday, April 20, at Southern Appalachian Brewery, 822 Locust Street in downtown Hendersonville, at 6 P.M. Funeral arrangements are by Jacksons Funeral Service in Hendersonville.

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Willavene Pace McCall, 87

Willavene Pace McCall, 87

Willavene Pace McCall, 87, of Hendersonville went home to be with the Lord Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock.
A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, Willavene was the youngest of eight children born to Hiram Kimsey Pace and Janie Heatherly Pace. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Edward Thomas McCall, Sr.; a son, Gregory Todd McCall; and seven brothers and sisters.
Willavene was a devoted homemaker and cosmetologist. A member of Mud Creek Baptist Church, she faithfully served as a choir member and pianist/organist for many years.
She is survived by her son, Tom McCall and his wife, Shirley, of Zirconia; daughter, Dr. Patricia McCall Ramos and her husband, Dave, of Coral Springs, FL; six grandchildren, Jeremy Sizemore, Amy Honeycutt, Melissa Walters, Louis Ramos, Erik Ramos and Kevin Ramos; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 2 PM Monday, April 17 at Crab Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor Cory Honeycutt and the Rev. Dr. Greg Mathis officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Starkey Hearing Foundation, 6700 Washington Ave. South, Eden Prairie, MN 55344.
To offer online condolences, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Audrey Kathleen Howell, 73,

Audrey Kathleen Howell, 73,

Audrey Kathleen Howell, 73, of Dana, NC passed away Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Wayne and Sarah Hipps Keener, her husband, Cleo Howell and two sons, Michael and Thomas.
She was a native of Jackson County and had lived in Henderson County since 1965. She was a member and Sunday school teacher at Dana Baptist Church. She retired from Southern AG after 30 years of service and had volunteered at the Four Seasons Hospice Home Store.
She is survived by her daughter, Christine Howell of Fletcher; two grandchildren, Ashley Rochester and her husband Jason and Tommy Howell and his wife Shirley; five great grandchildren, Joshua, Savanna and Sara Rochester and Zane and Colton Howell; two brothers, Billy Keener and his wife Lee Ann and Donald Keener and his wife Becky and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, April 15th at Dana Baptist Church with Rev. Dan Blackwell officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dana Baptist Church, 277 Ridge Road, Dana, NC 28724.
Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Sandra Lee Vaughn Coren, 70

Sandra Lee Vaughn Coren, 70

Sandra Lee Vaughn Coren, 70, of Zirconia, NC passed away Monday, April 10, 2017 at the Elizabeth House.

She was a lifetime native of Henderson County. She was preceded
in death by her parents, Bill and Janie Vaughn and three brothers,
Monty, Tony and Mike.

She had retired from Carolina Village after 30+ years of service.

She is survived by a daughter, Susan Simpson of Hendersonville; a
son, Billy Ledbetter and his wife Tonya of Anderson, SC; 8 grandkids;
28 great grandkids; 2 brothers, Gary and Chris Vaughn and several nieces
and nephews.

A celebration of Sandra’s life will be held 11:00 AM Saturday,
April 15th at Tuxedo First Baptist Church with Rev. Mikell Bennett
officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends at
her home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elizabeth House, 581 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

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

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Audrey Howell 73

Audrey Howell 73, of Hendersonville went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday April 11, 2017 from the Elizabeth House.
Arrangements are pending. Jackson Funeral Service is assisting the Howell family.

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Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Sullins, 85

Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Sullins, 85

Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Sullins, 85, of Hendersonville, NC, born January 8, 1932 in Charlotte, NC, quietly passed away March 30, 2017 with loving family by her side. She was a special person to anyone that knew her. We already miss her so much.

"Lib" was educated in Charlotte, NC, graduating from Oakhurst High School and attending Kings College. Among many high school accolades, her favorite was always "Most Talkative" which she did plenty with friend Jean Newell that she met in the first grade and remained close with until Lib's passing. "Lib" was successful in business. She retired from Kyocera International, where she was the first female Sales Engineer in the Company's history. Lib was always fiercely independent and a deeply caring individual. She loved cooking for her friends and sizable family, especially during holidays.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawson Andrew Sullins of Hendersonville; her infant son Darrell; her parents Hugh Samuel and Sarah Grier Thompson of Charlotte and her granddaughter Ashleigh Marie Hagen.
She is survived by her great grandson Austin Messer who resided with her since infancy and graduates from East Henderson High this year; her sister, Nancy English, her husband Rob, of Atlanta, GA; brother Henry Thompson, his wife Jackie, of Charlotte, NC; son Ed Dinkins, his wife Cindy, of Charlotte, NC; daughter Sarah Holbert, her husband Jeff, of Hendersonville, NC; daughter LuAnne Collins, her husband Greg, of Jacksonville, FL; 10 grand children; 15 great grand kids; many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
A celebration honoring Mrs. Sullins will be held at 11AM, Saturday, April 8, 2017 in The Chapel in The pines at Jackson's Funeral Services, 1101 Greenville Highway, Hendersonville, NC. Immediately following, her remains will be laid to rest at Forest Lawn Cemetery 538 Tracy Road, Flat Rock, NC. Pastor Steve Jones will preside over the ceremonies.
Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or to Po Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Tommie W. Justice, 59

Tommie W. Justice, 59

Tommie W. Justice, 59 went to a better place on Tuesday, April 3, 2017. He was preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Edna Justice, a brother David “Jones” Justice; and a sister Debbie Owenby.

He is survived by one brother Ronnie Justice of the home; and one sister Betty Metcalf Molinas and husband Samuel and four nephews.

He fought a long hard battle and is now at peace. He will be missed by his sister forever. The family would like to thank the staff of Four Seasons Hospice and Golden Living Center for their kindness and friendship.

No funeral service is planned. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. To offer online condolences, visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com

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Rev. John Armstrong Wright Jr

Rev. John Armstrong Wright Jr


Rev. John Armstrong Wright, Jr. (John A.), 82, of Flat Rock, North Carolina was taken from us by surprise on Saturday, April 1, 2017.
John A. was born in Augusta, Georgia on May 21, 1934. Flat Rock was his home. He was raised in a house built by his grandfather, David Cady Wright, and subsequently lived next door in a house he and his wife Carole built on the badminton court.
John A. was ordained an Episcopal Minister in 1966. He was a graduate of American University in Washington D.C. and Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria VA. He was the Rector of Saint Anne’s Parrish, Albemarle County Virginia and Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher, North Carolina. Coming from a family with a long history of Episcopal Ministers, he was a spiritual advisor to many.
From one of his jobs as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer, to his final job as a Kmart Greeter, John A. acquired a long list of friends from all walks of life. From his love of entertaining, hiking, music appreciation, books, logging journals of every waterfall he ever encountered, storytelling and philosopher, he will be missed by many.
John A was preceded in death by his wife Carole Weeden Wright and his parents John Armstrong Wright and Mary Lattimore Wright.
John A. was survived by many family members and children including: John Armstrong Wright III and his wife Jesse, Barbara Wright Patterson and her husband Jody, Elizabeth Wright Jones and her dog Walter, Michael Lattimore Wright and his wife Shirley, Scott R. Featherstone and his wife Linda and Ashley J. Featherstone and her husband John Denison; 15 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; his sister Mary Wright Burton of Louisville, Kentucky, and his 2 beloved cats Patty and Lucy.
A celebration of John’s life will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, April 5th at St. John In The Wilderness Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or the Bue Ridge Humane Society, 14 Towne Place Drive, #130, Hendersonville, NC.
A celebration of John A’s life will be held at Saint John in the Wilderness Church in Flat Rock, NC on Wednesday, April 5th at 2:00pm.
Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or to Po Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Willard E. Arnett

Will's life began July 23, 1921 and ended April 1, 2017. Next to last of the five surviving children of Elias and Dorsey Montgomery Arnett, Will grew up in rural southwest Virginia. He roamed the hills, hunting rabbits with his brothers and cousins and never lost a profound love for the land and for his family. Hard work was familiar to him and though his later life was very different from that of his parents, their influence was always evident. The first of his family to graduate high school, he spent a year in the CCC before entering Berea College intending to study agriculture.

Pearl Harbor was bombed when he was a sophomore and he struggled to decide what to do. Before long he enlisted in the Army Air Force. Around this time one of his college teachers sent him a membership for the Book of the Month Club. The first book he received was by the philosopher, George Santayana, who later became the subject of his doctoral dissertation and some of the books he later wrote. While stationed in France he became friends with a local family. It was a friendship that endured and included later generations of the family.

After the war Will returned to Berea to major in English and study philosophy. At Columbia University he received advanced degrees. His first appointment was at the University of Arkansas where he went with his wife, Pat, to begin a long teaching and writing career and where the first of their children, Susan and John were born. Later the family moved to Iowa and added a son, Nicholas. Then it was to Pittsburgh and Chatham College where he spent the next thirty years with additional teaching assignments at the University of Arkansas, Columbia University and the University of Pittsburgh. The second daughter of the family, Lesley, was born in Pittsburgh and was educated at The Ellis School where her mother taught, and at Chatham College with her father.

With reason and wit, Will was devoted to promoting the principles of liberal arts education as a basis for a life of reason and critical thinking. He was admired and respected by students and colleagues and was honored as the Anna Randolph Darlington Gillespie Professor of Philosophy until he retired as Professor Emeritus.

Recently, looking back on his long life, Will Arnett, scholar, writer, teacher, beekeeper, husband, father, and "Grampy" was especially grateful for opportunities and experiences he and his family had shared: knowledge and friendships of colleagues and others, family camping and long summers in Nova Scotia and Maine for writing, travel to France to visit wartime friends and to China for the fiftieth anniversary of the Republic with close friends, natives who had fled the Communists half a century earlier.

He especially enjoyed his years of retirement on a small farm in western Pennsylvania where he remodeled the antebellum farmhouse, built fences, raised sheep, cut wood for the stoves and kept bees and, later, spent his final years in the mountains of North Carolina, still a proud beekeeper.

There were some hard times, especially losing beloved Lesley, the mother of Sarah. Now he too leaves the family that will dearly miss him: Pat, his wife of more than 66 years, Susan Nivin and her husband David, John, Nick and his wife Cindy, and his lovely grandchildren and great grandchildren James and Claudia Nivin, Heather and Matt Moore, Sarah Tujague and Callie, Ezekiel and Silas Nivin.
Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or to Po Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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