obituaries

Feb 20, 2021

Jerry "Bear" Talton, age 70, of Academy St. passed away at his residence Saturday, February 20, 2021. He is the son of the late Clay and Ethel Gosnell Talton. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brothers, Donnie, Roger, Verlin, Billy, Jack, and Alvin Talton.

He is survived by his sisters, Linda...

Feb 19, 2021

Barbara "Bobbi" Ashman Luckner Darling, age 75, passed away in her home in Mars Hill, NC on 2/19/21. Bobbi lived most of her life in Stepney and Fairfield, CT, where she attended Unquowa School and Fisher Junior College (MA). She combined two passions when she opened an art studio/flower shop in CT and spent many years as a loving...

Feb 18, 2021

Mrs. Marie Young Messer, 90, of Asheville passed away on Thursday, February 18, 2021 at Emerald Ridge Health and Rehabilitation. She was the daughter of the late Hobert Young and Ruth Summey Young Hoffman. Marie was raised by her aunt and uncle: Will and Rachael Strange. Marie was widowed by her husband Aubrey Worth Messer and preceded in death...

Feb 17, 2021

Katherine Hensley Wolfe 69, of Weaverville, went to be with The Lord on Wednesday, February 17, 2021. She is the daughter of the late Carmen Hensley and Emline Tipton Jackson and was a native of Yancey County having lived most of her life in Buncombe County. Katherine was a mom to everyone and loved taking care of others. She...

Feb 16, 2021

Katherine Elizabeth Hancock Hamby, age 79, of Mars Hill passed away on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at Madison Health and Rehabilitation Center. She is the daughter of the late Fred Hancock and Etta Long. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Ball and sisters, Dottie Price and Mary Church, and brothers, Bobby,...

Feb 14, 2021

Janet Lynn Reese Gentry, age 47 of Hot Springs, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2021 at her residence. She is the daughter of Jerry Dean and Barbara Jane Duckett Reese. Janet was a very loving daughter, devoted mother, and grandmother. Janet was very, passionate about caring for others during her employment as an ER Tech at Mission Hospital.

Feb 9, 2021

Suzanne "Lee" Rice, 73, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away on February 9, 2021. Lee was born to the late Herman and Ruth Fite Clay, on April 21, 1947 in Asheville, North Carolina. Suzanne and Roy "Alvin" Rice were married on August 10, 1964 in Asheville, North Carolina. They moved to Orlando, Florida in 1967. Together they raised 4...

Feb 9, 2021

Naomi Smathers Garrison, of Mars Hill, passed away February 9, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Jack and Kate Smathers of Canton, NC. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Garrison. She was a Mission Belle, having been part of the first graduating nursing class at Mission Hospital. Naomi worked...

Feb 9, 2021

Regina Bechtol Bailey, born December 4, 1967 went to be with The Lord on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. She is the daughter of the late Irene Fisher Bechtol and a lifelong resident of Madison County. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Victor Michael and Phillip; and "Granny" Lela Fisher.

She...

Feb 6, 2021

Evelyn Penland Hensley, age 89 of the Paint Fork community in Madison County went home to be with the Lord on February 6, 2021. Evelyn was a native of Yancey County. She was the wife of the late Roy Floyd Hensley. In addition to her husband, she is preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Estie Robinson Penland;...

Feb 6, 2021

Ruben "Kenneth" Gosnell, age 77 of Weaverville passed away Saturday, February 6, 2021 at his home. He is the son of the late Ruben and Esther Mae Rice Gosnell. In addition to his parents, Kenneth was preceded in death by a daughter Linda Gail English. Everybody knew that Kenneth was a trucker. Depending on where he was, his handle...

Feb 3, 2021

Champ Rice, Jr. age 70 of Mars Hill passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. He is the son of the late Rev. Champ Rice, Sr. and Sophia Norton Rice. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Reva Allison and brother Donald Rice. Mr. Rice is a US Army Veteran, Airborne Division.

Feb 2, 2021

James Worley gained his angel wings Tuesday February 2nd, 2021 at 3:35am. James spent his final days at Keever Solace Center in Asheville, NC following an exceedingly long illness. He recently developed the COVID Virus which turned into pneumonia. James was a US Army Veteran serving in the Korean Conflict and was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church....

Feb 2, 2021

Arlyon Warren Chandler, 77, beloved husband, father and papaw left this world to be with his Savior on February 2, 2021. Arlyon was much loved and respected by so many. Countless people have been touched by his witness and walk with the Lord. Arlyon loved his family and that love only surpassed by his love for Jesus. He is...

Feb 2, 2021

Arthur "Tom" Rathbone age 70, of Marshall, went to be with his Lord after losing his battle with cancer. He is the son of the late Johnny Thomas and Robertta Rogers Rathbone. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 47 years, Kathy Marshall Rathbone in May, 2020. Mr. Rathbone was a US...

Jan 26, 2021

Shirley Jean Janssen Netherton, 84, of Weaverville, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, January 26, 2021. Shirley was born October 30, 1936 at Cranberry Lake, MI. She was the daughter of the late August "Gus" & Doris Sageman Janssen; she was a resident of Buncombe County for most of her life. In addition to her parents, Shirley...

Jan 23, 2021

Christine Capps Medford, 89, of Candler, NC, passed away January 23, 2021. She was the daughter of the late Andrew and Emma Roberts Capps. Christine was a member of White Rock Baptist Church and retired from Vanderbilt Shirt Company. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, JR Medford, who passed in 1995, sister...

Jan 22, 2021

Thomas Wayne Tweed, born March 17, 1937, went to be with our Lord, Friday, January 22, 2021. He was a native of Madison County and lived in Marshall, NC his entire life. He was a wonderful father, grandfather, great grandfather, and devoted Christian. He was a member of the Red Oak Church of Christ, but in recent years he...

Jan 21, 2021

James "Jimmy" Bullman passed away from natural causes on January 21, 2021.

Due to COVID, private graveside services will be held on January 31, 2021 at the Spurgeon Bullman Cemetery where he will be interred.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not...

Jan 20, 2021

Jean Estella Boone, born July 24, 1932 passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2021. Jean is the daughter of the late Floyd and Frankie Chandler. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Woodrow Boone.

Jean is survived by her son, William "Bill" Boone (Peggy) of Mars Hill; step grandchildren, Brian Roberts (Debra),...