Jan. 25 Obituaries
Joyce Elaine Sutphin
Nebo
Joyce Elaine Sutphin, 68, of Nebo, formerly of Asheville, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2018.
Joyce was born April 16, 1949 in Buncombe County to the late Leroy and Edna Sutphin. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church and McDowell Senior Center. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Ray Sutphin.
Joyce is survived by her daughter, Jodie Owen (Tommy); sons, Michael Candia (Misty) and Cordero Candia (Megan Hafley); and brother, Leroy Sutphin.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Victory Baptist Church, 57 Vance Avenue, Black Mountain, NC, with Rev. Randy Gregg officiating. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Lydia Margaret Cavin Brigman
Swannanoa
Lydia Margaret Cavin Brigman, 84, of Swannanoa, passed away Friday, January 5, 2018.
Mrs. Brigman was born May 14, 1933 in Kingsport, TN to the late A.W. and Cora Sifford Cavin. Margaret was a long-time resident of Buncombe County. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters, Carrie Shelton and Dorothy Tittle; and brother, Clarence Cavin.
Margaret is survived by her children, Curtis Brigman (Cindy), Deborah Adams (Bob), Kay Gill, Bill Brigman (Linda), Cathy Davis (Terry), and Patricia Hall (Randy); 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals.
Frankie Edward Bartlett Sr.
Black Mountain
Frankie Edward Bartlett Sr., 77, of Black Mountain passed away on January 11, 2018 at the John Keever Solace Center.
He was born on March 15, 1940 in Swannanoa to Ed and Annie Harvey Bartlett. In addition to his parents, Frankie is preceded in death by his wife Judith Bartlett. He is survived by his children Darlene McMahan (David) of Fairview, NC, Frankie Bartlett Jr. (Bonnie) Martville NY, Charissa Bartlett of Rochester NY, Tammy Bartlett of Salinas CA, and Melissa Rice (Michael) of Black Mountain NC; his sister Hazel Burnett of Black Mountain NC; grandchildren Steven Robinson of Asheville NC, Kristi Dean (Greg) of Asheville, Chris Bartlett (Bobbie) of Martville NY and Mikayla Rice of Black Mountain; and great-grandchildren Kha`Maury Drake of Asheville NC and Jadah Saxe of Martville NY.
The family received friends at the home of his daughter Melissa on Tuesday, January 16 from 4-6 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to John Keever or to Mission Cancer Center.
Leonard Worley
Black Mountain
Leonard Worley, 76, of Black Mountain passed away Saturday, January 13, 2018.
Mr. Worley was born May 28, 1941 in Madison County to the late Frank and Elva Worley, living most of his life in Buncombe County. He loved gardening and was a member of Meadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church. Leonard retired after 35 years of service as a custodian at Black Mountain Primary School.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Nellie Worley and sister, Elizabeth Massey.
Mr. Worley is survived by his daughter, Lynn Roberts (Robin); granddaughters, Nicole Lee (Tony), Kim Brigman (Jason Cole), and Kristie Tolley (John); great-grandchildren, Jordan, Haley, Tiara, Taylor, Emily, and Ethan; and brother, Lyndon Worley.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at 11 a.m. at Meadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Stone officiating. Burial followed in Mountain View Memorial Park.
The family received friends Monday, January 15, 2018 from 6-8 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.
Ray Kilby
Black Mountain
Ray Kilby, 68, of Black Mountain passed away Friday, January 12, 2018.
Ray was born October 9, 1949 in Buncombe County where he lived most of his life. He was a veteran of the US Navy and loved spending time with his family. He was a loving Pop-Pop, father, son, and brother. Ray recently received his Black Belt in martial arts with Asheville Aikikai/Aikido.
Ray is preceded in death by his father, Louie Kilby. He is survived by his daughters, Kelly Kilby and Ashley Carr; mother, Juanita Penland Kilby; brothers, Michael and Kenneth Kilby; and grandchildren, Odin, Raleigh-Rae, Aela, Irie, and Anna-James.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Friday, January 19, 2018 at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals. A gathering of family and friends took place immediately following the service. Burial was in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Aikido Dojo, 939 Riverside Drive, Asheville, NC 28804. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.
Harrell Roger Parish
Mauldin, SC
Harrell Roger Parish, 82, of Mauldin, formerly of Black Mountain, NC, husband of Lynn Justus Parish, died Tuesday, January 16, 2018.
Born in Grundy, VA, he was a son of the late William Grady Parish, Sr. and Edna Looney Parish.
Roger was retired from 3M Corporation, where he had been an Information Technology Specialist. He was a very active member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church for over thirty years, serving in many roles including elder, usher and committee member.
Roger was a loving, devoted husband, father and grandfather; a man of few words but much wisdom. He had a flawed flesh heart but a heart overflowing with love, mercy and generosity. While maybe not fully appreciated by a busy world that celebrates the wrong definitions of success and wealth, Roger was a Godly man, that is being celebrated and receiving glorious eternal rewards in heaven.
Survivors, in addition to his wife since 1963, include one daughter, Kathryn Hartwig and husband Ronald of Taylors; two grandchildren, Nathan Hartwig and Conner Hartwig; and a sister, Kathryn Leggett. He was predeceased by a daughter, Lesley Burns and a brother, William Grady Parish, Jr.
A Memorial Service was held at 10:30 AM on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, with visitation following. Memorials may be made to Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church, 739 N. Main Street, Mauldin, SC 29662. Condolences may be sent to the family at thomasmcafee.com, McAfee Funeral Home, Southeast Chapel.
Katherine Williams Grant
Black Mountain
Katherine Williams Grant, 90, of Black Mountain, passed away January 16, 2018.
Mrs. Grant is preceded in death by her parents, Ransom and Rosa Williams; husband, Frank Grant; sisters, Shelby Denny, Ruby Jo Williams, and Virginia Williams; and brothers, Garland and Billy Williams.
Katherine is survived by her sister, Maude Crisp of Marion; brother, John David Williams of Black Mountain; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Friday, January 19, 2018 from 1-2 p.m. at Mountain View Church with a celebration of life service immediately following. Burial was in Mountain View Church Cemetery. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.
Charles Darwin Thomas, Jr.
Black Mountain
Col. Charles Darwin Thomas, Jr. (USAF, Retired), age 85, of Black Mountain, passed away on Monday, January 15, 2018, at Givens Highland Farms.
Col. Thomas was born on April 18, 1932, and was a son of Dr. and Mrs. Charles D. (Dorothy) Thomas of Black Mountain. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Maria Spence Thomas, and a sister, Julia Ann Thomas.
He served his country in the United States Air Force for more than 25 years as a pilot of single-seat fighters, a flight instructor and base commander. A veteran of Vietnam, he was the recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous Air Medals, and upon his retirement in 1978 he was presented the Legion of Merit. In the years that followed he enjoyed a second career, working in administrative roles with the companies that became Sprint in Kansas City, KS. His full retirement began in 1991, when he and his wife Maria returned to their beloved family home in Montreat, NC. He had been a resident of Givens Highland Farms for the past four years.
Surviving are his daughter, Liz Johnson (Joe) of Montreat; sons, Charles D. “Chuck” Thomas, III (Suzie) of Midland, MI and Drake Thomas (Karen Vernon) of Black Mountain; and his brother, Ray Thomas (Pat) of Kernersville, NC, along with eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom he loved dearly.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 20, at Christ Community Church in Montreat, with the Rev. Richard White officiating. Burial with military honors followed on Monday, January 22, at 2 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, NC.
Flowers are acceptable and appreciated. Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Western Carolina Rescue Ministries (westerncarolinarescue.org) in appreciation of their service to veterans, or to Special Olympics (give.specialolympics.org) in memory of his sister Julia Ann (Judy). Harwood Home for Funerals is assisting the family.
Muriel Todd Miller
Black Mountain
Muriel Todd Miller entered heaven on Sunday, January 14, 2018.
Muriel was born January 19, 1930 in Tabor City, NC to the late Walter and Rutha Todd. She graduated from Williams Township High School in 1947 and completed secretarial training at Kings Business College in Charlotte, NC where she met Robert L. “Bob” Miller, whom she married in September of 1949.
Bob and Muriel moved to Walker Cove in Black Mountain where they lived for 69 years. Muriel was a devoted wife and mother. After her three children were in school she pursued a professional career and eventually became the Director of Medical Records for Black Mountain Center. She was a lifelong member of Mountain View Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School for 50 years, sang in the choir and was head of the WMU.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bob. She is survived by brothers, H.B., Elton and David Todd; sister, Mary Williams; daughter, Karen Eicher, sons, Steve and Alex Miller; nine grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Saturday, January 20 at 2 p.m. with the service to begin at 3 p.m. at Mountain View Church in Black Mountain. Burial followed in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wellspring for Life, (an international well drilling ministry) PO Box 846, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.
Charles Larry Wilson
Montreat
Dr. Charles Larry Wilson, 83, of Montreat, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 17, 2018.
Dr. Wilson was born April 28, 1934 in Polk County, NC and was a resident of Montreat for over 50 years. He was employed with Montreat College for 27 years and a long-standing member and Elder of Christ Community Church. Larry is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Alvin and Eddie Sue Tate Wilson.
Dr. Wilson is survived by his wife, Judith J. Wilson; daughter, Susan Wilson Hood; sons, David Wilson, Bobby Wilson, and Tim Wilson; brothers, Jay and Kay Wilson; 12 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Friday, January 26, 2018 at 3 p.m. at Christ Community Church, Gaither Hall, Montreat with Rev. Richard White officiating. A reception will follow the service. A private burial will be held in Piney Grove Cemetery. Flowers are accepted and appreciated. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.
David Boyce Biddix
Ridgecrest
David Boyce Biddix, 75, passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville. He was born on November 6, 1942 in Buncombe County to the late Flemen Winston and Mary Athelene Melton Biddix. He worked as a mail carrier for the US Postal Service and also for Buncombe County as an inner agency mail distributer. As well as that; he and his brother, Donald had a painting business together for many years. David was also of the Baptist faith.
David was widowed by his wife, Gail Anne Johnson Biddix who passed January 17, 2014. He is also survived by his daughter, Christina Biddix Turner (fiancé, John Anthony Branton) of Swannanoa; brother, Donald Biddix of Black Mountain; three granddaughters, Haley Mikale Turner of Black Mountain, Heather Grace Turner of Swannanoa, and Haegan Anne Wallace Branton of Swannanoa.
A memorial service will be announced by the family at a later date. Penland Family Funeral Home is serving the family. An online memorial register is available at PenlandFamilyFuneralHome.com.