Mary Elizabeth “Mary Lib” Blair McLeod

Mary Elizabeth “Mary Lib” Blair McLeod was born on February 26, 1928. She was the only child of Lawrence Andrew Blair and Velma Thomas Blair, who preceded her in death. She was born and raised in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

She married her high school sweetheart, John Franklin McLeod, Jr., who died in 2007 after sixty years of marriage.

She graduated from Hendersonville High School in 1946, and later studied piano and organ at Converse College and Mars Hill College. She taught piano and organ for many years and not only taught her students how to play, but instilled in them love and appreciation of good music.

She was a church musician and had served as organist or substitute organist at many local churches.

She loved her family, her friends, her church, and music. She especially loved accompanying her granddaughter, Cathey, when she sang.

She had been a member of the Junior Welfare Club, Girl Scout troop leader, a 50 plus year member of P.E.O. Chapter O, and a member of Joseph McDowell Chapter DAR.

She is survived by her three children: Elizabeth M. Barber Girard, Anne M. Ridings, and John Franklin McLeod III. Additionally, she is survived by her four precious granddaughters and their husbands: Beth R. Pope and Tim, Cathey R. Gilbert and Chip, Blair M. McCauley and Joe, Laurie M. Bruffy and Tyler. She is also survived by two great-grandsons, Hunter Pope and Evan Sapp. Also surviving are John Barber (Kathy), Robert Barber (Robin), Jann Girard (Ellis), Dian Girard Johns (James), Jay Girard (Leigh) and their children and grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Susan B. Coppedge. She is survived by three sisters-in-law, several cousins and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2018 in the Sanctuary of Hendersonville Presbyterian Church officiated by the Reverend Dr. Bill Campbell.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Hendersonville High School Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, 1 Bearcat Boulevard, Hendersonville, NC 28791; or Hendersonville Presbyterian Church Renovation Fund, 699 North Grove Street, Hendersonville, NC 28792; or P.E.O. Foundation, c/o Nancy Leonard, 243 Sugar Hollow Rd., Hendersonville, NC 28739.

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 the arrangements.

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John Washington Mitchell, 80

John Washington Mitchell, 80, of Hendersonville, died Sunday, February 4, 2018, at his home after a recent stroke. He was born December 18, 1937, in Charleston, West Virginia, the son of the late John Washington and Charlotte McLane Mitchell.

John worked for many years as a program manager in the telecommunications field in Melbourne, Florida, as well as Fort Belvoir, Virginia. After marrying Alice in 1995, they relocated to the Cummings Cove community in 2001 from Falls Church, Virginia. John was an active member of First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville for over 16 years. Not only did he serve as an usher, John was as an active participant in Sunday school and religion classes and enjoyed numerous church field trips. He volunteered in the community not only as a Stephen Minister, but most recently volunteered his time at Hendersonville’s Interfaith Assistance Ministry. John also served on the Cummings Cove Design Review Board. He loved golf, fishing, shooting pool, and rooting for his alma mater, Ohio State. He loved his home, his family, his birds, his big cat “Zachary”, and watching sporting events on television.

He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Alice Mitchell, of Hendersonville, one son, Chris Mitchell and his wife Rita and one daughter, Kelly Mitchell, all of Palm Bay, Florida. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Nanci Mitchell of Colombia, South Carolina and Blake Mitchell of Palm Bay, Florida as well as one step-daughter, Lin Petrucci, of Portland, Oregon.

The memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, February 9, 2018 at First United Methodist Church, with Reverend Jean Goodwin officiating. A private inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in John’s memory, be made to his favorite charity, Interfaith Assistance Ministry at P.O. Box 2562, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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 the arrangements.

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Bertha Agnes Bradley Applegate, 85

Bertha Agnes Bradley Applegate, age 85 of Horse Shoe, died Wednesday, January 31st, 2018 at Park Ridge Hospital. She was born October 6th, 1932 in Point Pleasant, New Jersey; the daughter of the late Melvin and Dolorita Feggeler Bradley Pierce. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Robert E. Applegate, Sr. in 2009.

She moved to North Carolina from Spring Lake Heights, New Jersey in 2011 along with her daughter. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother and an avid musician and organist.

She is survived by her two daughters, Karen Parks of Horse Shoe and Carol Ann Applegate of Hendersonville; one son, Robert E. Applegate, Jr. of Hendersonville; two grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one sister, Shirley Ireland of Wall, NJ.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 4th, 2018 at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel officiated by the Reverend Dr. David Cook.

The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations in Bertha’s memory be directed to the Blue Ridge Humane Society, 14 Town Place Drive #130, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

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 the arrangements.

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James Edward “Jim” Norton, 89

James Edward “Jim” Norton, age 89 of Hendersonville, loving husband, dad, granddad, great-granddad, brother and friend to many, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, January 30th, 2018 following a short period of declining health. Jim was born on March 26th, 1928 in Swannanoa; to the late Steven Ezra Norton and Vernie Mae Smith Norton. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his first wife, Lucille Padgett Norton, step-daughter, Diane Cone and by sister, Sarah Modena Norton.

He was raised in Marion and lived in Asheville for most of his adult life before moving to Hendersonville. He retired as General Manager from Budweiser of Asheville and Fox Distributing of Shelby; he also was employed with Raeben/Triangle Stop in Hendersonville.

Jim loved his family, his church, children, golf, birds, camping and he was an avid Tarheel fan. He played minor league baseball (shortstop) with the Dunn Erwin Twins Tobacco State League. He was a lifetime member of Hendersonville Elks Lodge 1616 and Kedron Masonic Lodge #387. Jim’s philosophy was you had to be a friend to make a friend, and he was a friend to many. He was known to have a firm handshake and often said that you could tell the character of a person by their handshake. He also prided himself in remembering people’s names.

Left behind to cherish his memories are his wife of thirty-two years, Carolyn Peeler Norton; his five children, Karen Withrow and husband, Larry of Marion, Kevin Norton and wife, Kim of Weechi Wachi, FL, Rhonda Larimore and husband, Bill of Crystal River, FL, Pamela Coleman and husband, Tom of Juno Beach, FL, and Randy Norton (Ginger Teseniar) of Kings Mountain, NC; six grandchildren, Leslie Davis and husband, Troy of Seal Beach, CA, Greg Withrow and wife, Jenny of Marion, Natalie Truesdell and husband, Tyler of Cameron, NC, Colin Coleman (Loden Malone) of Charlotte, Summer Mobley of Kings Mountain and Stephanie McCall and husband, Lance of Camp Hill, PA; eight great-grandchildren, Abbigail, Noah and Cullen Truesdall, Harper and Carter Davis, Ryder and Rae Withrow and Kendall McCall; one sister, Ronell McCall and husband, Wayne of Marion; and a special nephew, Todd Anders and wife, Renee.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 12:00 noon on Monday, February 5th, 2018 in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville officiated by the Reverend Dr. Mark Ralls and Reverend Christy Sharp. Burial will be private at Lewis Memorial Park in Asheville.

The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon prior to the service at the church.

Flowers are accepted and appreciated, those who wish to make a memorial donation are asked to consider the Shriners Hospital For Children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.

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