Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
John Norman Propst
Black Mountain
John Norman Propst “Old Top,” 75, of Black Mountain, passed away Monday, December 12, 2016.
Mr. Propst was born July 23, 1941 in Buncombe County to the late Woodrow and Mary Williams Propst. John retired from Warren Wilson College after 45 years.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Gin Beddingfield; and brothers, JD Propst and Daniel Propst.
John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Doris “Pat” Propst; daughter, Sandy Jarnagin (Robert); son, Steve Propst; sister, Clara Kelly; brothers, William Propst and Gary Propst; grandchildren, Lauren, Colton, Chance, Samantha, Savannah, and Gage; and special niece, Pam Kelly Collins.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, December 15, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the Chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals with Rev. Cathy Campbell and Rev. Kevin Frederick officiating. Burial will follow in Mountain View Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Norman Propst Scholarship Fund, Warren Wilson College, PO Box 9000, Asheville, NC 28815. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Cancer Care and Mountain Ridge Health and Rehab.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Retha Banks
Black Mountain
On Sunday evening December 11, 2016 one of earths true angels was called home. Retha Banks was many things to many people: a daughter to Ross and Evelyn Wheeler; a sister to Geneva King, Cleta Sherill, Margaret Orr, Coye Wheeler, Tony Wheeler, Troy Wheeler, McKinley Wheeler and Donald Gillette; a mother to Teresa Banks, Fred Banks and Jeremiah Hensley; a grandmother to Matina, Kyle and Ethan Banks as well as Jackson Hensley; and a mother-in law to Tommy Miller, Connie Banks and Jennifer Hensley. Though that list may seem long it is only a small sample of the lives this wonderful woman touched in her time on Earth. Everyone who came in contact with her can, and will, happily share with you stories and memories of how she had a positive impact on their lives.
Retha was a rare woman who had a genuine compassion for everyone she met, always putting others needs before her own. Regardless if they were family, friend or stranger, in her eyes they were Gods children and she treated each of them with love and respect. Though our hearts are heavy from our loss, we also take great comfort in knowing that she can now be at peace and will suffer no more as she is reunited with those friends and family who made this journey before her.
A celebration of Retha's life will be held at Harwood Home for Funerals, located at 208 West State St. in Black Mountain NC, on Thursday December 15, 2016 at 6 p.m. with a memorial service following at 7 p.m. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals,.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.