All Obituaries

          James “Jimmy” Herman Andrews, age 81 of Swannanoa, passed away on Thursday, May 6, 2021, at the Four Seasons Hospice Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC. Jimmy was born on April 28, 1940, in Bryson City, NC, to the late Austin Glen Andrews and Viola Edwards Andrews. He was a member of Swannanoa Heights Baptist Church and was retired from his job at the Black Mountain Center maintenance department.              He...

            Dora Rosalie Rogers Plemmons, age 83, of Leicester, passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her family on Monday, May 3, 2021. A native of Buncombe County, she was born on January 15, 1938 to the late Roy Rogers and Drama Martin Rogers and grew up in Sandy Mush. Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by sisters, Virginia Blenn, Janet Ross, and Joan McElreath; and a brother, Tommy...

            Texas Wander "Wanda" Archer Thompson, age 83, of Black Mountain, NC, passed away on Monday, May 3, 2021 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, NC. She was born on March 8, 1938 in Shelby County, TN to the late Thomas W. Archer and Ambia Bernice Shankle Archer. Wanda retired from Tecumseh Products in Dunlap, TN and was a member of The Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Pikeville, TN and in Swannanoa, NC. She loved her...

            Beloved mother, Denise Ann Turner Thomas, age 71, of Fairview, NC, completed her life's journey here with us on Friday, April 23, 2021 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, NC. Her passing was not a topic on the evening news nor was it trending on social media. There were no candlelight vigils held outside her window nor in cities around the world. She was born on June 24, 1949 in Decatur, IL to the late Ellis Dwayne Turner and...

            Ralph Cecil Walker, age 93, of Marshall, NC, passed away on Monday, April 19, 2021 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, NC. He was born on January 17, 1928 in Madison County, NC to the late David Walker and Ollie Buckner Walker. Ralph was a retired self-employed carpenter. He was a very hard working and self-made man and a loving husband. He loved to go to flea markets to sell and trade and he loved his cats and dogs.    ...

            Jerry Glenn Owens, Sr., age 84, of Leicester, NC, passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2021 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, NC. He was born on October 31, 1936 in Buncombe County, NC to the late Simon Owens and Lucy Mae Hollifield Owens. Jerry was the owner and operator of Jerry's Garage in Leicester since 1962 and a member of Corinth Missionary Baptist Church in Leicester. He was a deacon, choir director, Sunday school...

                       Austin Blake Padgett, entered life on November 22, 1995 to the late, Tina Renee O'Kelly and Dennis Edward O'Kelly. He went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 9th, 2021. Austin was the most caring and loving young man. He loved spending time with his kids and also loved being outdoors, hanging out with friends, and helping anyone he...

Christopher (Chris) Hughes Wilson, age 66 of Swannanoa, NC (formerly of Chapel Hill, NC) passed away peacefully at home on April 9, 2021 in the care of his loving wife of 42 years, Barbara G. Wilson, three children, and two grandchildren.  Born in Rochester, MN, and raised in Sarasota, FL, Chris was the son of Dr. Leo H. Wilson, Jr. (deceased) and Colleen Y. Wilson.  He graduated from Riverview High School (1972) and received his undergraduate degree from Duke University...

            Lena Clay Searcy Brooks, age 94, of Black Mountain, NC, passed away on Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at Fleshers Fairview Health Care Center. She was born on January 30, 1927 in Fairview, NC to the late John Albert Searcy and Hetty Jane Clay Searcy. Lena graduated as the valedictorian from Fairview High School, worked for the Beacon and Kearfott and was a member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church in Black Mountain, NC. She...

            George Thomas Jones, age 90, of Asheville, NC, passed away on Tuesday, April 6, 2021 at his home. He was born on June 30, 1930 in Buncombe County, NC to the late William Roy Jones and Estelle Keever Jones. George was a retired security guard for the Department of Transportation and he attended Pine Burr Baptist Church of Asheville, NC. He was a hard working and kind hearted man who dearly loved his family. Along with his parents, George was also...