Our Staff

Ruth Penland

Founder

Mrs. Ruth Ford Penland and her husband George moved from Hayesville, NC to Asheville in 1967, where they began their lives working in funeral business. They started working for Ruth's first cousin Betty and her husband George Hall at a funeral home on Charlotte St. in Asheville.

In 1969, George and Ruth bought half of it and changed the name to Penland- Hall Funeral Home.

In 1970 they bought the other half of the funeral home and had the name changed to Penland and Sons Funeral Home, where Ruth and George worked along side their sons Jerry, Jim and Joe.

They lived in the upstairs 6 rooms of the funeral home along with Ruth's mother and they all worked together side by side. In addition to the funeral home they also owned and operated Penland Ambulance Service. 

In 1976 they had opened up another location at 125 South Ave., Swannanao, NC.

In 1986 the Funeral Home located on Charlotte St. burned down beyond repair.

They moved all operation to the Swannanoa location.

In 2001 she lost her beloved husband of 64 years George Penland, In 2005 she lost her son Jerry Penland and in 2014 her son Joe Penland.

At 104 years old she has 10 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren and enjoys each day God blesses her to spend with her family and friends.

Jim Penland

Co-Owner

Jason Penland

Co-Owner

Elizabeth Gillespie

Funeral Director/ Manager

Brittany Gehring

Office Manager/ Apprentice Funeral Director