Lea Ashley (Tiller) Bortell

          Lea Ashley Tiller Ross Bortell, age 80, of Black Mountain, NC, passed away on Monday, October 12, 2020 at Hospice of the Carolina Foothills in Forest City. Mrs. Bortell was born on March 21, 1940 in Buncombe Co., to the late Lee Hugh Tiller and Julia Caldwell Ashley. She was a third generation and lifetime member of Black Mountain United Methodist Church and at one time was very involved and active there. Mrs. Bortell graduated from the Women’s College of University of North Carolina in Greensboro with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. She worked as a bookkeeper at Christmount Christian Assembly in Black Mountain until her retirement. Lea was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother. She had a great sense of humor and enjoyed being with people. She really loved the Irish culture and traveled several times to Ireland. She adored her daughter and grandchildren and had a very special relationship with each one. In addition to her parents, Lea was preceded in death by her first husband, F. Vincent Ross; and her second husband, Carl Bortell. Those left behind to cherish her memory are her only child and daughter, Kathy Messer and her husband Allen, of Cliffside, NC; a granddaughter, Laura Moore of Cliffside, NC; a grandson, Logan Moore and his wife Katie of Sylva, NC; three great-grandchildren; and a very special friend and care giver, Melissa Raines.
          A graveside service to celebrate Lea’s life will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 11am at Mountain View Memorial Park with Pastor Joe Friddle and Pastor Mike Elgin officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that memorial contributions be made to: Camp Carefree, 275 Carefree Ln., Stokesdale, NC, 27357 and Black Mountain United Methodist Church, 101 Church St., Black Mountain, NC 28711. Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Bortell Family and assisting them with arrangements.

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