Mildred Elizabeth "Betty" Robinson, 96, of Asheville, passed away on March 15, 2024. Betty was born in Weaverville, NC, on November 28, 1927, to the late Marvin Curtis Robinson and Lucile Carmichael Robinson. She is predeceased by her brother, Marvin C. Robinson Jr., and niece, Jane Robinson Hunnicutt. She is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Robert J. Robinson and Anne Robinson, sister-in-law, Audrey Robinson, and nieces and nephews, Walton Robinson (Anne), Robert Robinson, Jr., Beth Harrell (Tim), Jonathan J. Robinson (Kelly), Elizabeth Ruth, and Jerry Grace Sadler (Bruce).

Betty attended school in the Buncombe County and Asheville City public schools. She graduated with an associate degree from Mars Hill College. She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics and master’s degree in education from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She also received her master’s in mathematics from Emory University, Atlanta.

Her lifelong occupation was teaching for 46 years in the North Carolina school system, retiring in 1994. She taught for 2 years in Johnston County, 8 years at Hall Fletcher Junior High, 27 years at Lee Edwards and Asheville High School, and 9 years adjunct faculty at the University of North Carolina, Asheville. Betty was a devoted member of the following organizations: National Education Association, NC Education Association, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, NC Council of Teachers of Mathematics, American Association of University Women, Edward Buncombe Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and Delta Kappa Gamma Professional Teacher Society.

Betty was a longtime member of the Merrimon Avenue Baptist Church, Grace Episcopal Church, and the St. Giles Chapel at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, all of Asheville, NC.

Betty’s love of teaching is known and respected through many generations of the Asheville community. She believed that Education was the greatest gift you could give or receive. She loved reading, especially while sitting on a South Carolina beach at sunset. Reading was her hobby and traveling was a passion. She dearly loved all the many dogs and cats she mothered in her lifetime. One of her greatest gifts was the love she shared with her family, especially her nieces, nephews, and their children throughout her lifetime.

William Bruce Peterson passed away at his home with family by his side on Sunday, March 3, 2024, at the age of 85.

Bruce was born on May 2, 1938, in Yancey County. His family moved to Buncombe County, and he attended elementary school at Claxton and William Randolph, David Millard Junior High, and Lee H. Edwards High (later merging with Stephens-Lee to form Asheville High). A lifelong athlete, while at Lee Edwards he played football, basketball, baseball, track and tennis. Bruce was proud to serve his country as a member of the United States Army, stationed in Germany. Bruce then went to Western Carolina University where he earned a scholarship and 11 varsity letters in football, basketball and tennis. His 1963 Catamount basketball team played in the NAIA National Championship game; and he was the number one singles player on the 1963 tennis team. During his Senior year, 1963, he began his coaching career by coaching the WCU tennis team as a player-coach.

After graduating from WCU he started coaching and teaching at Cane River High School in Burnsville where he coached the football and basketball teams. Bruce then returned to his alma mater, Lee H. Edwards High where he was an assistant football and junior varsity basketball coach and teacher. After a brief period out of the educational and coaching arena, Bruce returned to Asheville High where he spent 11 years as the football coach. During this 11-year period his teams made the NC State playoffs seven times. He was honored to be selected as the East-West All-Star and Shrine Bowl Games coach as well as the North Carolina High School Coach of the Year twice. He has been elected to the North Carolina High School Athletics Association Hall of Fame. Bruce accepted the role of Principal at Enka High School and remained in that position for 11 years. He was recognized as the Buncombe County Principal of the Year and received the award from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association recognizing the principal who contributed the most to high school athletics.

Bruce married Carol Weir on March 24, 1990, and together they worked to benefit Buncombe County and North Carolina through community, political and family involvement. Bruce was the Former Chair of the Buncombe County Beef Cattle Association, and a member of the Board of Directors of WNC Communities Association. Bruce was a proud recipient of the Order of the Long Leaf Pine from Governor Roy Cooper. Bruce and Carol were active, engaged members of Central United Methodist Church. He was the Chairman of the Buncombe Democratic Party, the Director of the 11th Congressional District Office for Congressman Heath Shuler, was a founding member of the Asheville Buncombe Sports Commission, served on the UNC-A Board of Trustees, and worked diligently with dedication and pleasure with the Folk Heritage Committee. Bruce and Carol continued Carol’s family’s square-dancing tradition and have helped preserve this mountain tradition for generations to come. They have also been fixtures at the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival as well as the Shindig On The Green; and, while Bruce will not be seen sitting up front at Shindigs, he will be there with the crowd, enjoying the dancing and music “Along about sundown”.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Carol Weir Peterson; Bruce’s son, Bruce Peterson, Jr. and wife Cindy; their children, Ashley, Amber and husband Sascha, Trey, his wife Deb and son TJ, Seth, Hannah, her husband Anthony and children Holly and Jayce, Hailey, Heather, Hunter, Sydney and Tyler; Bruce’s sister June Peterson Benson and children Angela McFarland and Brian Benson; and his nephew Steven Weir Sizemore and his wife Jill Hoyle Sizemore, their children Marshall, Meredith, Hannah and her husband Henry Marshall and their children Harper Ann and Henry.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bruce’s memory to the Folk Heritage Committee at folkheritage.org. Funeral services will be held at Central United Methodist Church on Saturday, March 9, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.

Born in Washington, DC, and a lifelong resident of Western North Carolina, he was a son of the late Carl and Annie Byrd Ball.

Jerry was a lifelong educator, retiring in 1992 from Asheville High School. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 59 years, Launa Baker Ball; one daughter, Shannon Hagan (Patrick) of Horse Shoe; one son, Darrin Ball (Dana) of Mills River; one brother, Robert Lee Ball of Alexander; five grandchildren, Jordan Varner (Kirk), Sydney Walton (Robert), Tate Ducker, Nathan Ball and Rachel Ball; one great-grandchild, Wyatt Varner as well as two nephews, Ronnie Ball and Marty Ball.

No services are planned at this time.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a contribution in Jerry’s memory to either the Parkinson’s Research Foundation (parkinsonshope.org) or a charity of one’s choice.

Dr. Julia Anna Capps

Black Mountain - Dr. Julia A. Capps died peacefully on the morning of November 16, 2017.

She is predeceased by her father and mother, Richard Clingman Capps and Nell Kent Capps and brothers, Richard Lee and Clingman Carter Capps.

She had a very meaningful life as an educator, daughter, family member, church member and community organizer. On the many boards she was a member of, she was a forthright participant. She especially enjoyed her years teaching English at Lee Edwards High School (now, Asheville High School), was a stalwart as an Associate Superintendent in the Asheville City Schools and was especially pleased to participate in the educational progress of its students.

Julia was a graduate of Appalachian State University earning her Bachelors and Masters degrees. She later earned her doctorate at Duke University.

She was a valued member of the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church where she served as an elder. As a choir member, her lovely soprano voice was appreciated by all.

Julia is survived by her many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family extends its gratitude to the caregivers who lightened the burden of her extended illness.

A memorial service to honor Julia's life will be held Monday, November 20, 2017 at 2:00pm at the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Burial will be private.

Please remember Julia's family in your prayers as well as in your remembrances of her to Black Mountain Presbyterian Church, Po Box 39, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or Black Mountain/Swannanoa Community Foundation, c/o Michael Begley, 103 Richardson Blvd., Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals.

Dr. Donald D. Jones, 82, former Asheville City Schools Superintendent and Lee H. Edwards High School (Asheville High) principal died at Brooks-Howell Home Wednesday, July 6th, 2016. Don loved his family - Gladys, his children and his grandchildren, his church, his school work, and Asheville.

Don was the son of the late Clarence and Bonnie Jones and was also preceded in death by a sister, Ruth Jones Merrill. He is survived by his wife, Gladys, to whom he had been married 63 years, and his daughter, Donna J. Miller and her husband, Lewis Miller of Hudson, NC; son, Jeff Jones and his wife, Dr. Carolyn West Jones of Wilmington, NC; and son, David Jones and his wife, Suzanne Burgin Jones of Columbia, SC. He especially cherished his six grandchildren: Matt Miller and his wife, Jess Nelson; Megan Miller Starnes and her husband, Jimmy Starnes; Weston Jones; Will Jones; Natalie Jones; and Hunter Jones. Don adored his great-granddaughter, Emmelin Starnes.

Don is also survived by two sisters: Jeannette Thomas and her husband, Quinton Thomas of Asheville; and Helen Rice of Asheville; and two brothers: Mack Jones and his wife, Shirley Jones of Asheville; and Jimmy Jones and his wife, Janet Jones of Concord.

He was a graduate of Oakley High School and Asheville Biltmore College where he served as student body president at both places. He received a bachelor's degree from Carson-Newman College, a master's degree from Western Carolina University and an EdD from Duke University.

Dr. Jones taught mathematics for one year at Vero Beach High School prior to accepting a physics and math teaching position at Lee H. Edwards High School where he soon became Dean of Boys and Assistant Principal before becoming Principal at the age of 26. He later was named Superintendent of Kings Mountain District Schools in Kings Mountain, NC where he served for 10 years. He returned to Asheville in 1976 as Superintendent of the Asheville City Schools and served in that position for 10 years as well. He retired as Director of the Western Regional Education Center in Waynesville and was an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University.

Later Don enjoyed working 10 years as a sales representative and also as a vice-president of J.D. Jackson Realty Associates. In his latter years, Don enjoyed painting, woodworking and spending time at their vacation home at Linville Land Harbor.

Don attended First Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and on many committees. He served terms as president of the Asheville and Kings Mountain Kiwanis Clubs. He was honored to serve two consecutive terms as President of the NC Education Association Division of Superintendents.

Don leaves behind a legacy of school progress including curriculum and facility improvements and the passage of three major bond issues. Construction during his tenure in Asheville include the Asheville High football stadium, Vance Elementary School, Claxton Elementary gymnasium and the completion of the Hall Fletcher Middle building. His legacy to Kings Mountain include K.M. Middle School, the auditorium at K.M. High School, and five major additions to elementary schools.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 on Sunday, July 10th at First Baptist Church, Asheville with Dr. Buddy Corbin, one of Don's former students, officiating. Also assisting will be the Rev. David Blackmon, coordinating pastor of First Baptist Church, Asheville. The family will receive friends at the church immediately after the service.

Interment will be private at Green Hills.

In lieu of flowers, Don would be greatly honored by contributions to Eliada Home in Asheville, NC or to Crossnore School in Crossnore, NC.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.

Ann Bass Upton (1928-2015)

Asheville - Ann died Monday, August 10, 2015. She was born the daughter of Billie and George Bass of Columbia, SC and had one brother, George and one sister, Pat Berry. She married Marshall Upton in 1949 and had two daughters, Marsha and Pam, and inherited a beloved "beaux fils", Duncan, all of whom she loved very much. She also loved her adopted city of Asheville, NC, where she lived for over 50 years.

She lived a rich life, full of many friends and interests. She taught high school literature and coached the debate team at Lee H. Edwards. She had high expectations of her students but was also warm, patient and fun-loving with them. She was admired by her colleagues for her professionalism and gifts as a teacher.

She pursued knowledge her entire life, going back for her Master's Degree at WCU in her 40's, making the 3 hour round trip several times a week for over a year. She loved to read and was a member of two book groups. She was never comfortable dealing with finances but, in retirement, pushed herself to learn more by joining an investment club.

Also, in retirement, she helped in the greenhouses at the NC Arboretum and became a Master Gardener. She made a lush paradise out of every place she ever lived. She loved to travel and took many trips with her children. She was interested in most everything and reveled in getting lost, seeing a wrong turn as an adventure. When she was 65, she hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.

She moved to Cary in 2014 to be closer to her daughter and son-in-law. It was a hard transition but she did it with her usual grace. She continued her tradition of making friends wherever life took her. The move enabled her to take enjoy more meals cooked by her son-in-law and they enjoyed the differences in each other's cooking styles. She was chicken and dumplings, he was tuna niçoise. She joined two book groups and served on two committees at her retirement community.

Hers was a kind and generous spirit, unpretentious, with all the requisite manners of a southern lady. The one thing she could not abide in someone was insincerity. She possessed a strong moral compass, evidenced in her sense of social justice and simply the way she lived her life. It was a life to be proud of.

"Who has not found the

heaven below

Will fail of it above.

God's residence is

next to mine,

His furniture is love."

- Emily Dickinson

Condolences may be sent to: marshdunc@aol.com

Contributions in her memory may be made to the NC Arboretum, Asheville, NC or Winthrop College, Rock Hill, SC.

There will be a celebration of a life well-lived later this fall in Asheville.

Noleta Williams McNeal

Asheville - Noleta W. McNeal, 82, of Asheville died Tuesday, September 11, 2012. A native of Elizabethton, TN, she was daughter of Alfred and Myrtle Gregg Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death in 2010 by her husband of 57 years, Bruce McNeal and her brothers, Glen, Crayton, and James Williams.

A graduate of East Tennessee State University, Mrs. McNeal taught Biology at Lee H. Edwards/Asheville High School for over 40 years. She was an active member of First Christian Church of Asheville where she served as a Deacon, Elder, and member of the choir.

She is survived by her sons, James McNeal and wife, Robyn of Asheville and John McNeal and wife Stevie of Chapel Hill; daughter Jennifer McHarg and husband Michael of Wilson; sister Jessie Burroughs of Danville, VA; ten grandchildren, Rachel, Daniel, Stephen, Paige, Abby, Maddie, Chloe, Gabby, Duncan, and Dawson Claire, and great-grandchildren, Lia and Liam.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 15, 2012 in the chapel of Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue. Dr. Tom Everton will officiate. Interment will follow at Lewis Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 PM, Friday at the funeral home. Morris Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be sent through the website www.morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com.

ASHEVILLE - Nancy Cockerham Lyon, 74, died Sunday, May 8, 2011 at the John F. Keever Solace Center.

Nancy was born July 25, 1936, in Surry County, North Carolina. Her family moved to a farm in Wilkes County when she was five years old. She attended Elkin High School. At Woman's College of UNC (later UNC-G) she studied Spanish and English, receiving her BA degree there in 1959. She, along, with her two younger sisters, became teachers. In 1961, she married Boyce M. Lyon and moved to Asheville. She began teaching Spanish at Lee Edwards High School in 1962 and later became the head of the Spanish Department.

When she became pregnant in 1969, she had to resign from teaching (as was the law). She was offered a job teaching Spanish at Asheville School for Boys and became only the third woman to teach there. When she returned two years later to public school, she was assigned to South French Broad Junior High, where she spent fifteen years teaching Spanish and English before returning to Asheville High. Nancy always had active Spanish clubs, led several student trips to Mexico, and mentored many new teachers over the years. She retired in 1994 after 34 years in the classroom, although she remained active in the local chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, the professional honor society of women educators. She enjoyed traveling with her family, painting landscapes, cooking, teaching Sunday School, and playing golf.

Survivors include her husband of forty-nine years, Boyce M. Lyon; a son, Gregory B. Lyon of Asheville, and two sisters, Sandra G. Cockerham of Wilkesboro and Linda L. Cockerham of San Diego, California.

A memorial service for Mrs. Lyon will be held 3 p.m. Thursday, May 12, 2011 at the Skyland United Methodist Church with the Reverend Keith Turman officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will follow at Calvary Episcopal Churchyard in Fletcher. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Delta Kappa Gamma (Gamma Chapter) Grants-in-Aid Fund, c/o Bonnie Wells, 47 Pine Ridge Road, Mars Hill, NC 28754, or to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org). Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family. A memorial register is available at grocefuneralhome.com.

Bruce McNeal (1926-2010)

Bruce McNeal, 84, of Asheville, died Friday, September 17, 2010 at his residence. A native of Micaville, he grew up in Marion. He was son of the late Frank and Nora Hyder McNeal.

Mr. McNeal was a US Navy Veteran of WWII. He graduated from NC State University with a degree in education. He taught for 32 years at Lee Edwards and Asheville High Schools before retiring in 1989. He was an Elder Emeritus and member of First Christian Church.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Noleta McNeal; two sons, Jim McNeal and his wife Robyn of Asheville and John McNeal and his wife, Stevie, of Chapel Hill; one daughter Jennifer McHarg and her husband, Michael of Wilson; one brother, Robert McNeal and his wife Sue of Fairfax, Virginia; ten grandchildren, Rachel, Daniel, Stephen, Paige, Abby, Maddie, Chloe, Gabby, Duncan and Dawson Claire and one great granddaughter, Lia.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM, Monday, September 20, 2010 in the chapel of Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue with the Rev. Drs. Tom Everton and Buddy Corbin officiating. Interment will follow at Lewis Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, Sunday, September 19, 2010 at the funeral home.

Flowers are appreciated, memorials may be made to First Christian Church, 470 Enka Road, Candler, NC 28715.

DORIS J. FORNEY (1910-2009)

Doris J. Forney of Lake Pointe Landing, Hendersonville, formerly of Kenilworth in Asheville, died Tuesday, April 20, 2009, peacefully after a brief illness.

She was born in Hinsdale, Mass., in 1910, the daughter of George and Adelaide Schnopp. She was a graduate of Boston University and held a master’s degree from Columbia University. She taught high school in Connecticut, Long Island, N.Y., and Asheville at the former Lee Edwards High School. She also taught at two Asheville colleges, Biltmore and the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She was an honorary member of the American Association of University Women, a former volunteer and president of the St. Joseph Hospital Guild in Asheville.

She and her husband delivered Meals on Wheels for more than 10 years while living in Asheville. They also enjoyed Duplicate Bridge, which she continued to play at Lake Pointe Landing until three weeks before her death.

She and her husband were world travelers, but they always called Asheville home. In 1999, they moved to Lake Pointe Landing in Hendersonville, where she had many dear friends. She was an avid reader and a loyal fan of the Atlanta Braves and UNC basketball.

She was predeceased by her husband of 57 years, George R. Forney, who died in May 2002, and her son, George Dennis Forney, who died in January 2007. She is survived by a daughter, Doreen Forney of Vermont and Scotland; a grandson, Benjamin Forney; and two great-grandchildren, William and Rachael of Georgia. She will be missed by all who knew her for her kindness, wonderful sense of humor and the ability to always see the glass as half full.

A memorial Mass will be held at the Our Lady of the Angels Chapel of Immaculate Conception Roman Catholic Church, where she was a member, at 10 a.m. Friday. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels, 146 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC 28801, or Four Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care, 571 S. Allen Rd., Flat Rock, NC 28731, or Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington St., Hendersonville, NC 28792.

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

CLARK WELLINGTON PENNELL (1921-2008)

Clark Wellington Pennell, Sr., 87, of Weaverville, NC, died on Monday, December 29, 2008, at his home. He was an educator and school principal for 35 years. A native of Lenoir, NC, he was a son of the Carl Wellington and Ora Haas Pennell. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Rex Wilson Pennell, Ned Hill Pennell, and his sister, Dorothy Pennell Porter.

Mr. Pennell served in the 690th Field Artillery of the United States Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal. He was in five major combat battles: Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe.

After receiving his B.S. and M.E. degrees from Western Carolina University, he began his career in education at Weaverville High School in 1949 teaching mathematics, biology, physical education and coaching all sports. In 1951, he was appointed principal of Weaverville High School. He later served as principal of A.C. Reynolds High School and Lee H. Edwards High School (currently Asheville High School). In 1973, he was appointed principal of Shelby Junior High School, in Shelby, NC, and returned to Buncombe County six years later as principal of North Buncombe High School. He also served as Associate Superintendent of Buncombe County Schools. He retired in 1984 after 35 years working in the public schools.

During the years Mr. Pennell worked, he was active in education circles, twice elected president of the NC State Division of Principals and served eight years on the Board of Directors. He served five years as a consultant with the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges and was a charter member of Western Carolina University's Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, receiving its Outstanding Educator Award in 1975.

After retiring, Mr. Pennell was a member of the Buncombe County Teaching Fellows Scholarship Committee for 12 years and was chairman of that group for eight years. In 1998, he was honored by the Buncombe County Board of Education which named the new Weaverville Elementary School Office Complex in his honor.

A member of the First Baptist Church of Asheville and the King's Workers Sunday School Class, he served as deacon for several terms and on various church committees. He was a loyal friend of "Meals on Wheels," and enjoyed making his deliveries each week for 12 years.

Mr. Pennell is survived in death by his wife of 61 years, Virginia Cope Pennell, a native of Asheville; his children, Clark W. Pennell, Jr., and his wife Beverly Dent Pennell of Bald Head Island, Ann Pennell Bolinger and her husband Woody of Weaverville, and Laura Pennell Brazil and her husband Ron of Asheville; five grandchildren Matthew Clark Pennell and wife Linda of Monroe; Amanda Pennell Lindler and her husband Chris of Charlotte, Carol Love Bolinger of Weaverville, Benjamin Eugene Bolinger, of Weaverville; and Jonathan Clark Brazil of Asheville; great-grandchildren Emory Pennell of Monroe and Wyatt Linder of Charlotte; and brother Jack Boyce Pennell and his wife Tiny of Lenoir.

Funeral services will be held Friday, January 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Asheville, with the Rev. Guy Sayles officiating. Burial will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.

Audrey M. Celley passed away on December 26, 2008 in Asheville, NC. She was 94 and residing at Givens Estate. ( No obituary found)

Weaverville - Josephine Osborne, 92, a resident of the Mars Hill Retirement Community, died Tuesday, November 4, 2008, at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was born August 22, 1916, in Weaverville to parents J. Fred Osborne of Haywood County and Mary Evelyn Peeke of Weaverville. She was the granddaughter of George Washington Peek and Mary Catherine (Mollie Kate) Weaver Peek, and James Nelson and Nelia Pless Osborne. A graduate of Berea College, she had an A.B. degree in Organ and Public School Music. She retired from Asheville High School at the conclusion of 36 years as a public school music teacher. Fondly known as Jo or Miss Jo, she loved her country, church, and family. Patriotic music was a favorite and she was looking forward to voting Tuesday, the 24th presidential election in her lifetime.

A faithful member of the First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville for many years, she served as organist/choir director, Sunday school teacher and Bible study leader. Her Bible study group traveled to the conference room at Mars Hill to enjoy Bible lessons and lunch with Jo. She was so pleased to play the piano for the weekly vespers services on Sunday afternoons at the Mars Hill Retirement Community.

A sixth generation descendant of pioneer settlers John and Elizabeth Biffle Weaver, Jo was the matriarch of the Tribe of Jacob, the annual gathering of the descendants of Jacob and Elizabeth Siler Weaver. Proudly preserving and interpreting the heritage of the area, she was one of the founders of the Dry Ridge Museum in Weaverville and served on the museum board for the entire 25 years of existence. Often referring to the museum as her baby, she last visited it two weeks ago and was as enthusiastic as ever. She and her cousin Wanda Peeke Teague co-authored The Tribe of Jacob A Supplement 1962-1984.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her only brother, Frederick Weaver Osborne and his wife, Dorothy K. Griffin Osborne; and niece, Linda K. Osborne. Surviving is her niece, Judy Osborne Hart and husband, Dr. Richard Hart, of Yucaipa, Calif.; nephew, Michael Mike Osborne and wife, Ivonne, of Yakima, Wash.; five grandnieces and nephews; eight great-grand nieces and nephews and a host of special cousins and friends.

Services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, November 10 at First Presbyterian Church of Weaverville, with the Revs. Skip Gillikin, Sam McGinn and Al Harrell officiating. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in West Memorial Park.

Pallbearers will be Steve Blevins, Paul Clauhs, Tom Ray, Jim Rogers, Steve Russell and Mike Ward.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Dry Ridge Museum Board, P.O. Box 413, Weaverville, NC 28787; New Directions Ministry, P.O. Box 968, Mars Hill, NC 28754; First Presbyterian Church Missions, P.O. Box 247, Weaverville, NC 28787, or Wycliffe Bible Translators, P.O. Box 628200, Orlando, FL 328628000.

Hazel Curtright passed away on November 28, 2005 in Asheville, NC at the age of 94. (No obituary found)

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Isabelle Finch Gilbreath; daughter, Catherine Lawson and her fiancé, Ryan Platt, of Duluth, Ga.; son, John W. Gilbreath Jr. and his wife, Dianne, of Duluth, Ga.; granddaughter, Lisa Jordan, of the University of Georgia; step grandchildren, Pamela Smith, Brenda Fields and Rick Parker; and seven great-grandchildren.

A native of Guntersville, Ala., Mr. Gilbreath lived with his family for 40 years in Asheville before moving to Georgia. He was a high school teacher and coach at Asheville High School, where he retired after more than 30 years of dedication to his students and athletes. While living in Asheville, he and his family were members of Trinity United Methodist Church. Mr. Gilbreath was proud of America and served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps with the 1077th Army Air Forces Unit.

Grace Pusey Passed away on February 14, 2005 at the age of 82. (No obituary found)

Asheville - J. Ted Carter, 91, of 301 Lakewood Dr., Asheville, died at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, July 23, 2006, at Mission Hospitals, Memorial Campus, after a period of declining health.

Mr. Carter lived in Asheville for most of his life, but was born in Mars Hill on January 9, 1915 to the late Dr. J.T. and Mrs. May Peek Carter. He was also the grandson of J.B. and Mary Merrell Peek and Solomon M. and Mary Ramsey Carter. He was also preceded in death by two sisters, Muriel C. Baldwin and Opal C. Corpening. Mr. Carter graduated from Berea College, Berea, Ky. and did graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He coached championship basketball teams at Hendersonville High School, Gastonia High School, and Lee H. Edwards High School. He retired as City of Asheville Athletic Director in 1980.

He was a veteran of the United States Army, 5th Army-Field Artillery, during World War II. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, and retired as a Captain. He wrote and published four books and was a former columnist for The Asheville Times. Mr. Carter was a direct descendant of one of the founders of Mars Hill College. He was a member of Central Methodist Church.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Elizabeth Grubbs Carter; one son, Michael W. Carter Sr., and his wife, Linda, of Asheville; two grandsons, Michael W. Carter, Jr. and his wife, Allyson, and Chad S. Carter; two great-grandchildren, Danielle Carter and Gregory Carter; two sisters, Bernice C. Bradham and Elizabeth C. New; several nieces, nephews and lots of cousins

Those who attended Hall Fletcher will remember Frank Lewis as a wonderful, caring Civics teacher and he will be missed. Our condolences to his family.

Mr. Lewis was born in Old Fort, was a son of the late Frank Howard Lewis Sr., and was a 1957 graduate of Burnsville High School and a 1961 graduate of Appalachian State University. He taught for one year at Glenwood High School in McDowell County and at Maryland Park Junior High School in Prince George County, Md., the following year. For the next five years, he taught at West Asheville's Hall Fletcher School before being named principal of Shiloh Elementary School in 1968 and Biltmore School in 1970. He was then principal of Glen Arden Elementary School for eight years before transferring to the Buncombe County Schools office as assistant superintendent for personnel. He later became director of student services, a position he held until his retirement in July 2000. At the time of his death he was working as supervisor of student teachers for Appalachian State University and he also maintained a business at the N.C. Farmer's Market. He was a member and Sunday school teacher at West Asheville Baptist Church and was a member of the board of directors of Skyland Fire Department.

He is survived by his wife, Donna A. Lewis; his mother, Exam Lewis Haney of Marion; his brother, James A. Lewis of Burnsville; and two uncles, Elmer B. Manick of Marion and Max B. Manick of Old Fort. Funeral services will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday at West Asheville Baptist Church with the Rev. Ken Lewis officiating. Burial will be in Burnsville. An honor guard will be provided by the Skyland Fire Department. Pallbearers will be Ken Jarvis, Tommy Koontz, Bob Embler, Bill Teague, Tony Huntsinger, J.B. Arrington, Frank Yeager, Dennis Pressley, John Parris, Dusty Pless and Joe Eblen. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is in charge of the arrangements. Memorials may be made to the Eblen Foundation, 304 Summit Street, Asheville, NC 28803. The memorial register is available at "Funerals Scheduled" at Groce Funeral Home

Virginia O'Shaughnessy passed away on October 11, 1999 at the age of 93. (No obituary found)

Ruth Fanning passed away in Asheville, NC at the age of 94 on January 25, 1999. (No Obituary found)

Vivian Stanton passed away on March 24, 1997 in Raleigh, NC at the age of 72. (No obituary found)

Harriet Wiggins passed away on January 19, 1996 in Asheville, NC at the age of 91. (No obituary found)

Margaret Pickens passed away on October 25, 1994 in Asheville, NC at the age of 91. (No obituary found)

Martha Wurst passed away on July 22, 1994 in Asheville, NC at the age of 73. (No obiturary found)

Malichi Cromartie passed away in Asheville, NC at the age of 70 on November 27, 1994. (No obituary found)

Maribel Jones passed away on March 9, 1989 in Asheville, NC at the age of 71. (No obituary found)

Arthur Ray Isbill passed away on October 1, 1986 in Asheville, NC at the age of 76. (No obituary found)

Vernon Kyker passed away on September 11, 1971 in Durham, NC at the age of 43. (No obituary found)

Laurie M. Lehto, 64, of 111 Cumberland Avenue, died at 10:15 p.m. Sunday in an Asheville hospital after a long illness

Mr. Lehto had been a teacher in the vocational department of Lee Edwards High School for the past 32 yeares. He was a member of the North Carolina Vocational Association and a lifelong member of the NCEA.

For many years, Mr. Lehto was faculty advisor for "The Hillbilly", the Lee Edwards yearbook, which was dedicated to him this year.

He was a photographer who did the photography for The Hillbilly for a number of years and, as an accomplished printer he did a large volume of printing work, stationary, tickets and such, for Lee Edwards and for the city school system.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Ellen P. Lehto; a son, Dr. Erwin A. Lehto of Murry, KY; a sister, Mrs. A. A. Raihala of Kwewatin, MN; and two granddaughters. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Colonial Chapel of Morris Hendon Funeral Home. The Rev. James Smith, pastor of First Christian Church, will officiate. Burial will be in Ashlawn Gardens of Memory.

Pallbearers will be Don Jones, Larry Mashburn, Joe Silkowski, Bruce McNeil, Mike Banks and Steve Tayor. Honorry Pallbearers will be Dr. Donald Vollmer, Dr. Richard Nailing, Dr. John Codnere, Dr. Sam Walker, Woodrow Griffin, Clark Pennell, Ralph Kennedy, Herb Coman, Clarence Gilbert, members of the faculty of Lee Edwards High School, members of the Bible Class of the First Christian Church, DM Osborne, LN Sicha, RW Willis, Leo Roberts and Frank Sexton.