News

Here are the stories of those lost to Helene

A memorial on Balfour Road commemorates people who died in Helene flooding.

By Amy McCraw, Published: January 8, 2025

Of the 104 deaths in North Carolina attributed to Hurricane Helene, 11 occurred in Henderson County.
They included sisters who died together in the home they shared, a man who drowned with his beloved service dog, a Pennsylvania man who came to help the community where he grew up, a local wine steward who had worked as a chef in New York and other storm victims who left behind friends, families and loved ones.
The names were released last week by North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services. The following story includes information about each person who died in Henderson County.


Angela “Angie” Ruth Maybin Walker, Phyllis Ann Matheson and Michael Gene Matheson
Sisters Angela Ruth “Angie” Maybin Walker and Phyllis Ann Matheson and Michael Gene Matheson died when Helene swept away their mobile home on Balfour Road.
The three, who lived at 306 Balfour Road, died in the massive Clear Creek flooding on Sept. 27. Their bodies were located at 310 Balfour Road on Sept. 29 inside the badly damaged trailer, according to an incident report from Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Born and raised in Henderson County, Phyllis Matheson, 61, loved her family and relied on a strong faith, according to her obituary posted on Legacy.com.
“She would help anyone and never knew a stranger. She will be missed dearly,” the obituary said.
Online tributes recalled Phyllis’s kindness.
“One thing I’ll remember about my aunt Phyllis is how she (was) always there for me and she loved me so much,” a niece wrote. “She was a big part of my life and we had a special Aunt and Niece bond. It absolutely broke my heart in two when I heard that this horrible storm Helene took my sweet aunts. They’ll be missed dearly.”
Phyllis is survived by three children, five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
Phyllis was the oldest of six children. Her siblings included Angie, her sister and housemate, who was 60.
“Angie had a passion for listening to music, especially her beloved Elvis Pressley,” said an obituary posted by Shuler Funeral Home. “She enjoyed watching wrestling and had a great sense of humor and loved to amuse those around her.”
An online comment from a niece described her dedication to her family.
“Aunt Angie was one of the best aunts I could ever ask for. She was a joy to be around and was always there for people who she loved and she loved all of her family and friends. And I was very heartbroken when I heard that this horrible Hurricane Helene took my aunts away from me. I’ll miss you very dearly Aunt Angie and I love you so much.”
Angie Walker is survived by a son, sisters, brothers and nieces and nephews.
Michael Gene Matheson, 65, was a native of Hayesville.
“Mike detailed cars for a living and was cherished for his warm spirit and profound love of country music,” his obituary said. “Throughout his life, Michael found joy and solace in music, often playing his guitar and singing to family and friends. The happiness that he brought to those around him through his music will be fondly remembered and sorely missed.”
Matheson is survived by a sister, two daughters, a son and many nieces and nephews.

George Wesley Drye
George Wesley Drye, 65, died when he drowned along with his dog during the hurricane. His body was recovered at the StoreHouse self-storage units at 2720 Chimney Rock Road on Sept. 30, according to information from North Carolina’s Department of Health and Human Services and Henderson County Sheriff’s Office.
Drye prearranged his funeral plans with McEwen Funeral Services at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte. The funeral home posted only a one-sentence obituary for Drye.
Susan Post, a funeral director at McEwen, said she tried for a month to find Drye’s relatives to expand his obituary but could not locate any family members. She did find a few friends who said they met Drye at a dog park in Hendersonville.
Drye died from drowning in his pickup truck with his beloved German shepherd, Post said.
In an online tribute, a friend recalled Drye’s devotion to his dog.
“George was a very kindhearted man. We talked daily and (he) was one of my closest friends,” the friend said. “He loved Blend his service dog with all his heart. When you saw George, you seen Blend. I will miss our talks and your stories. You both will be missed my friend but never forgotten.”

Vicki Lynn Allen
The body of 63-year-old Vicki Lynn Allen was recovered on Sept. 27 from flood water near her mobile home at 192 Journey Lane in Hendersonville Mobile Home Estates on Spartanburg Highway next to the Harris Teeter, according to a Hendersonville Police Department incident report.
Allen’s neighbors told the Lightning shortly after the flood that she died when flood waters swept her away as she exited her home.
Some people in the mobile home park were rescued by a boat crew from outside Hendersonville.
A stream that runs through the mobile home park grew to a raging river as Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina. Water flooded into most of the homes in the development that branded itself as “Hendersonville’s First Retirement Park.”
At one point during his escape from the mobile home park, one of Allen’s neighbors said he looked back at her home and saw high water roaring down her street.
“I wish I was over there to save her,” he said.
A native of Portsmouth, Ohio, Allen is survived by two sons and other relatives.

Christopher John Zserai
Pennsylvania resident Christopher John Zserai, 52, died in Hendersonville on Oct. 27 when he fell from a tree while helping cleanup storm debris.
Zserai was born in Pennsylvania and lived in Hummelstown, Pa., at the time of his death. But he grew up in Hendersonville, according to news reports and his obituary. He returned to Hendersonville in the aftermath of Helene to assist in cleaning up the community where he grew up.
“He was called from deep in his heart to put his back into the effort to help in his beloved community of his childhood. His efforts as big as his heart. If you ever met him, you’ve heard his big laugh too,” according to an obituary posted by Trefz & Bowser Funeral Home in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. “He was a man who believed deeply in helping others. His generosity knew no bounds, he would lend a hand or even the shirt off his back to anyone in need.”
A story in November by Sean Adams on PennLive.com said Zserai was quick to return to Hendersonville to help clean up from Helene. Zserai’s wife, Laynie, told the news site that her husband was an expert in heavy equipment with 25 years of experience in professional tree work.
He was “ready and willing to assist others with projects great and small, from trees to water and sewer lines. But despite his expertise, he always remained humble,” the PennLive story said.
In addition to his wife, Zserai is survived by a daughter, two step-daughters, two brothers, numerous nieces and nephews and his mother-in-law.

James Sieminski
James Sieminski, 72, of 2258 Bearwallow Road, drowned in the storm and was found on Saturday, Sept. 28, when Clear Creek floodwaters receded.
Most recently a wine steward at Burntshirt Winery, Sieminski had studied cooking at the Culinary Institute of America and marketing at Stonehill College. A native of North Massapequa, New York, he had also worked as a wine consultant at the Biltmore Estate and had worked at the Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation.
In a Facebook post on Sept. 27, Sieminski wrote “Hunker down huns! Helene ain’t playin.”
In a news obit by reporter Deirdra Funcheon published in the Hendersonville Times-Newson Nov. 25, Sieminski’s brother, Tom, described Jim’s work as a chef in New York before an illness forced him to drop cooking. Sieminski moved to Hendersonville after that.
Sieminski is survived by his brother and two nieces, according to the news obit — and his dogs.
“They’ve been adopted by families and neighbors who wanted to pay tribute to my brother,” Tom told the Times-News. “That’s how much everyone loved him — that they want to now take care of his dogs.”


Other fatalities
Other Helene-related deaths in Henderson County included:
• Elizabeth Rose Mayes, 89. Mayes’s body was recovered on Sept. 27 amid her home’s debris at 499 Edney Inn Road after it had been swept away in a landslide in the Bat Cave community.
• Thomas Mitchell Freeman. Freeman died on Sept. 27 in Bat Cave as a result of the storm.
• William Carl Cordell. Cordell died on Oct. 19. Information from the state on storm-related deaths shows that a 62-year-old male passed away in Henderson County on Oct. 19 from pre-existing health challenges and was unable to access oxygen in the days after the hurricane. It was unclear if that man was Cordell.
• Christopher Sylvester Haywood Dunbar died on Sept. 30. Information from the state on storm-related death shows that a 51-year-old male passed away in Henderson County on Sept. 30 from a pre-existing health condition deteriorated due to the storm and he did not return to baseline condition before passing. It was unclear if that man was Dunbar.