Richard Leon Lamb, 79

Richard Leon Lamb, 79 of Fletcher, died Tuesday, January 29, 2019 at Mountain View Assisted Living.
A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, he was the son of the late Ray Van Lamb and Laberta Louise Brown Lamb. He is also preceded in death by two children, Richard and Belinda Lamb as well a brother, Ronald Lamb.
Leon was a graduate of Dana High School and completed F.B.I. training. He was the owner and operator of Lamb’s Grocery, and was known as the “Mayor” of Brookside Camp Road for over 40 years. His blue building was lovingly dubbed the newly re-located Mayor’s Office filled with merchandise. Leon was a member of Fletcher Seventh - day Adventist Church, and a member of the Hendersonville Country Club. He was a diehard Dallas Cowboy and Carolina “Tar Heels” fan.
Leon is survived by his loving wife Ellen Sweeney Lamb; two step-children, Phillip and Tami Pearson; two brothers, Lynn and Flaughn Lamb; a sister, Shirley Nicholson; three grandchildren, Nicholas Pearson, Laura Dixon, and Edwin “Wynn” Barringer; and three great-grandchildren, Brooklyn, Gavin, and Gabriel.
A memorial service will be held at 4:00 P.M. on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at Fletcher Seventh Day Adventist Church with Pastor Ivan Blake and Pastor John Lorntz officiating. Burial will be private at Shepherd Memorial Park. A memory basket will be available at the service for guests to share stories.
Memorial contributions in Leon’s memory may be made to: Blue Ridge Humane Society, 88 Centipede Lane, Hendersonville, NC 28792 or St. Jude’s Childrens Hospital, www.stjude.org.
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.

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William Stuart Shipman, 54

William Stuart Shipman, age 54 of Hendersonville died Monday, January 28, 2019 after period of declining health at his residence. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors an Cremation Memorial Center will announce arrangements.

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Florence Loudermilk Heath, 79

Florence Loudermilk Heath, 79, of Hendersonville died on Monday, January 21, 2019 at her home. She was born in Jackson County a daughter of the late Joseph Lattimore and Patsy Brown.
She lived in Henderson County for over 60 years and was employed as a school bus driver.
She is survived by three sons: Charles Brooks and his wife Bonnie, Johnny Heath and his wife Jeannine, and David Heath; three daughters: Pamela Cotter and her husband Gary, Mary Jackson and her husband Darrell, and Cathy Buchannan. Three brothers: Joe, Paul, and Frank; four sisters: Inez, Brenda, Bonnie, and Geraldine; eleven grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. She is also survived by her two loyal cats Biscuit and Storm.
The family will receive friends and at her home after 12:00 PM today, Friday, January 25, 2019 and from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Saturday, January 26, 2019, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in her memory be directed to Shriners Hospital, 2900 North Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
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.

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Lloyd Rollin Fike, 88

Lloyd Rollin Fike, 88, a resident of Etowah, passed away Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Born February 2,1930 in Shippenville, PA, he was the son of the late Fred Fike and Mildred Fike Davis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Charles W. Davis, and his wife of 59 years, Billie Moore Fike (1932-2012).
Lloyd proudly served in the United States Navy after graduating high school. Following a career in the insurance industry, Lloyd retired to Tampa, Florida, before moving to Etowah. He was a member of The Masonic Blue Lodge Edenberg #550, Knox, PA; a Shrine Noble of Zem Zem Temple of Erie, PA, as well as a member of Oasis Shrine Temple of Charlotte, the Hendersonville Shrine Club, American Legion Post #77, and VFW Post #5206.
He is survived by his son David, and his wife Joyce, of Brunswick, GA; and daughters Cynthia, and her husband Gregg Ashley of Hendersonville, NC and Gabriela, and her husband Steve Rhea of Yorktown, Indiana.
A graveside service was held at 2:00 pm, Thursday, January 24, 2019 at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory in Pisgah Forest.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his memory be made to the Shriners' Hospitals for Children
(https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/shc/contacts)
An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements.

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Thomas Steele Darnall, Jr., (Tom) 82

Thomas Steele Darnall, Jr., (Tom) 82, of Hendersonville, NC died Friday, January 11, 2019 at Pardee Hospital.

He was born August 9, 1936, in Birmingham, AL to the late Thomas Steele Darnall, Sr. and Janice Dollins Darnall; and two sisters, Jane Darnall Walker and Sarah Darnall Resor.

Tom was a graduate of Sewanee, The University of the South, with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Economics. He attended N.Y.U. Graduate School of Business; Harvard Business School of Advanced Management; and Stanford Business School of Advanced Management. Tom served in the U.S. Army from 1957-1958, as well as, from 1961-1962 with an honorable discharge.

Tom began his career at The Hanover Bank (now JP Morgan Chase). He then joined W.E. Hutton where he became a General Partner. He then joined Standard & Poor’s Counseling Corporate, where he served as President, and then Boatmen’s Trust Co. (now Bank of America) as Executive Vice President.

Tom served on the Vestry for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in St. Louis, MO, serving as Senior Warden for three terms. He also served on the Vestry, was Treasurer, Chairman of the Finance, and Endowment Committees for St. John-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Church, Flat Rock, NC. He served on the following for The University of the South, Sewanee: Board of Trustees from 1978-1984, Chair Endowment Committee, Board of Regents from 1983-1989, Board Chair from 1987-1989, and in 1992 was named Outstanding Alumnus. He was President of the N.Y.C. and St. Louis Alumni Clubs of Sewanee.

He was formerly on the Champion Hills Club Board, the Hendersonville Symphony Board, The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County, where he was Board President and served on the Executive Committee for many years. Tom joined the Community Foundation of Henderson County’s Investment Committee in 2005, where he shared his expertise in investments, becoming chair of the committee in 2013. In this same year, Tom was appointed to join the Board of Directors of CFHC and faithfully attended meetings from July 2013 to present.

He is survived by his wife, Betsy Boatwright Darnall, his brother, John P. Darnall, III and his wife Tina of Birmingham, Alabama, six nephews and a niece, all of whom he adored.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 18, 2019 at St. John-in-the-Wilderness Episcopal Church with The Reverend Bill McCleery officiating. A reception will be held immediately following the service in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials in Thomas’s memory be directed to: The Boys and Girls Club of Henderson County, 1304 Ashe St., 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 arrangements.

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Selma Lance Cairnes, 97,

Selma Lance Cairnes, 97, of Mills River died on Monday, January 14, 2019, at Pardee Hospital. She was born in Henderson County on May 12, 1921 to the late Harold and Annie Hare Lance. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Vance Cairnes; son, Jerry Cairnes; daughter, Dale Diane Morrison; sister, Edith Bryson; half-sister, Joyce Neal.

She is survived by her son, Steve Cairnes and his wife Kathy of Flat Rock; daughter in law, Ruthel Cairnes of Horse Shoe; two half-brothers: Ronald Lance and his wife Theresa, Bobby Lance; five grandchildren: Dewayne, Greg, Marilyn, Sabrina, Kimberly; eight great grandchildren; one great great grandchild; as well as many nephews and nieces.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, January 18, 2019 at Mt. Gilead Baptist Church with Rev. Robert Ponder, Rev. Roy Perry, and Rev. Jerry Mullinax officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 17, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Children’s Ministry, 56 Mt. Gilead Church Road, Mills River, NC 28759.

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.

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Inez McGaha Norman, 88

Inez McGaha Norman, 88, of Hendersonville passed away on January 8, 2019, after a period of declining health. She was born in Old Fort on April 23, 1930, a daughter of the late Fred Douglas and Flora Smith McGaha. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lee Norman, as well as two sisters: Juanita McGaha Saltz and Margaret McGaha Robertson.

At a very young age the McGaha family relocated to Henderson County. She was a graduate of Dana High School. After graduation from high school, she began working at the Hasty Tasty, and then later the Chicken Shack and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5206. Her smiling face and engaging personality endeared her to everyone she met. One of her most notable accomplishments was her career in law enforcement in Henderson County. She performed the duties as matron of the city jail from 1965 until 1969 at a time when women in law enforcement was new to the community. She later became a sworn officer with the Hendersonville Police Department, whose duties included: meter maid, school crossing guard and reserve officer. During her tenure as a meter maid, she issued a parking citation to her mother, but as any good daughter would do, she paid the fine. In 2011, Chief Herbert Blake named the department’s civilian of the year award the Inez Norman Award for Excellence. Following her official retirement, she continued to work part time for the Hendersonville Police Department serving her community honorably.

She was a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary. She was also a member of the Hendersonville First Church of the Nazarene, Hendersonville Lions Club, as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution, Hendersonville Chapter.

She is survived by her loving family that consists of numerous nieces and nephews, as well as her Hendersonville Police Department family. She will be missed for her kindness, compassion, and personal strength.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 14, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel with the Reverend Charles Evans officiating. The honor of serving as pallbearers has been entrusted to: Tom Powers, Danny Fields, Donnie Parks, John Nicholson, Andre Massey and Brandon McGaha. Burial will follow in Shepherd Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. today, Sunday, January 13, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Inez’s memory to World Wildlife Fund, P.O. Box 97180, Washington, DC 20037, worldwildlife.org.

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.

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Sherry Surrett Harrell, 60

Sherry Surrett Harrell, 60 died Monday, December 31, 2018 at the Elizabeth House.
She was of the Baptist Faith and enjoyed animals, camping, and nature.
Sherry is survived by her father, Jimmy Surrett of Hendersonville; her mother, Conita Pressley Surrett of Etowah; her loving husband of 33 years, Phillip Alan Harrell; a daughter, Lisa Fullam of Charlotte; two brothers, Scott Surrett of Hendersonville, and Wayne Surrett and his wife Carolynn of Hendersonville; two sisters, Kathy Edney and her husband Keith of Hendersonville, and Teresa Creasmen and her husband Jimmy of Etowah; and two grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 6:00 P.M. on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel with Rev. Michael Wermuth officiating. Interment will take place at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
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.

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Kenneth John Northrup, 46

Kenneth John Northrup, 46, of Hendersonville died on Saturday, December 29, 2018, the son of the late William Henry Northrup, Sr. and Linda Spears Northrup.  

He was owner of Northrup Construction.  He loved his Heavenly Father Jehovah.  He enjoyed traveling to the Caribbean Islands.    He was kind, loving, and generous and will be greatly missed.

In addition to his mother, Mr. Northrup is survived by his wife, Janet Helton Northrup; stepson, Russell Odel Willard and his wife Beth; stepdaughter, Wendy Michelle Goodwin and her husband Todd all of Raleigh; step grandchildren: Mathew Willard, Nicholas Willard, Andrew Hanks, Austin Hanks, Dakota Carter, Colin Goodwin; a brother, William Henry Northrup, Jr. of Traverse City, MI; a sister, Linda Woodcox and her husband, Adam of Athens, TX; three Aunts: Marie Moore, Gloria De Nike and her husband Jim of Kingman, AR, Pam Abernathy and her husband Larry of Palm Coast, FL; along with several nephews and nieces.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 12, 2019 at 2:00 pm at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel with Mike Sidorovic officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in honor of Mr. Northrup to Jehovah Witnesses, 2374 Howard Gap Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792.

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

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David Carl Brown, 66

David Carl Brown, 66 of Pisgah Forest, died Saturday, December 29, 2018 at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville.

A native of Transylvania County, he was the son of the late Lona Elizabeth Fussell and Weaver Vestus Brown.

David is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Marcia Evie Norris Brown; a son, David Joseph Brown and his partner M.L. “Lilly” Brown of Warrenton, NC; a daughter, Tina Marie Brown and her husband “Rip” Joe Dillard of Brevard; nine brothers; and five sisters; five grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, January 5, 2019 at Thos. Shepherd’s Church Street Chapel with Rev. Chris Norris officiating.

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.

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