Feb. 22 Obituaries
Pauline “Polly” Jenkins
Swannanoa
Pauline “Polly” Jenkins, long time resident of the Swannanoa Valley passed into Heaven on the afternoon of 2/11/2018 leaving a legacy of love.
Born in 1925 to William McKinley Head and Donnie Elvira Lavender in McDowell County, at a very young age her parents moved to Swannanoa where her father worked as a welder at Beacon Manufacturing.
As a young lady, she worked various jobs until finding Beacon Manufacturing. At Beacon she forged a career that spanned more than 40 years.
Polly met the love of her life - Guy Jenkins - while carrying her groceries home. From that humble beginning - much like her career, the union of Guy and Polly lasted in excess of 40 years until his death in 1993.
Polly was preceded in death by her parents; her loving husband; three sisters, Mary Grace Howie, Nellie Ruth Harris and Dorothy “Dot” Garrison; and three nephews, Phil H. Garrison, Tommy Harris and Billy Boehner.
Survivors left to cherish the memories of her love are nieces, Sharon Howie Eakett and Lana Garrison; nephews, David Harris and Michael Heath Howie; a very special caregiver and friend, Letha Howie; longtime friend, Harold Ogle; and an extensive extended family and a multitude of friends.
The family received friends, Tuesday, February 13, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals. A Celebration of Life Service was held Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Piney Grove Cemetery. Harwood Home for Funerals is assisting the family, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Rev. Samuel R. Hope
Montreat
The Reverend Samuel Rainey Hope, 86, of Montreat, passed away on Wednesday, February 7, 2018. Born in Coral Gables, FL, to Edward Buist Hope and Isabella Currie Hope, he spent most of his childhood in Fayetteville and Montreat, NC. Sam earned his BA degree in History from Davidson College and went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from Union Theological Seminary. He earned a Master of Clinical Pastoral Education degree from the consortium of Andover Newton and Harvard Divinity schools and was later awarded a Doctorate of Ministry from Union Theological Seminary.
The great love of Sam’s life was Nancy Wallace Hope, whom he first met when they were young teenagers. They married in 1953. While raising their three sons, Sam and Nancy dedicated their lives to helping others: working with the Civil Rights movement starting in Richmond in the mid-1950s, volunteering internationally to spread justice and peace, and preserving the natural habitat of their beloved Montreat. Sam started his professional ministry as the founding minister of the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, VA, in 1957.
For a few years in the early 1980s, he was director of the Montreal Conference Center. When he left that position in 1984, he spent much time in Nicaragua as a member of Witness for Peace during the Contra War, becoming a director of the organization in the DC office, then Development Director in the Durham, NC, office.
Sam and Nancy moved back to Montreat in 1996 for a “retirement” of more nonstop community involvement. Sam continued to get himself arrested when he felt it was for a just cause and to travel the world as a volunteer in more than 80 countries, while also helping to preserve thousands of acres of wilderness in Montreat and helping to create the Walk Jones Wildlife Sanctuary and, with his son, Beau, the Bridge of Hope.
Sam spent the last years of his 65-year marriage devotedly taking care of Nancy as her health has declined. He passed peacefully in a bed beside her bed, after they told each other they loved each other and fell asleep.
Along with his wife, Nancy, Sam is survived by sons Beau Hope of Black Mountain, David Hope of Greensboro, and Robert Hope of Montreat; grandchildren Sam, Charlotte Ann, Hannah, Carleigh, Sarah, and Molly; and great grandchildren Owen and Wren, along with numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, and a large extended family. The family would like to thank all the caregivers who have tended to and helped Sam and Nancy and have become part of the family.
A funeral service was at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018 at the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 117 Montreat Rd, Black Mountain, NC 28711. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you donate to bountyandsoul.org or bmpcnc.org. The family would appreciate friends writing and sharing memories of Sam at PO Box 1264, Montreat, NC 28757.
Betty Jo Hall Stein
Black Mountain
Betty Jo Hall Stein, of Black Mountain, NC passed away February 9, 2018 after a long battle with dementia. She was born September 14, 1935 in Looneyville, WV to Romie and Icie Hall.
She graduated from Charleston High School in WV in 1952 at the age of 16, she was proud of being in the marching band and playing the clarinet. Betty Jo retired from Atlantic Richfield Co. in 1995 where she was a Real Estate Conveyancer. Shortly afterward she moved to Black Mountain, NC.
She enjoyed nature, flowers and gardening. She was a fabulous cook and baker and was always happy to host family and friends for meals. She also loved needlepoint, sewing and quilting.
Betty Jo will be greatly missed by her husband, Daniel Stein; her sons, Tim Offutt (Stephanie), Charles Offutt, and Dave Offutt (Janet); her daughter, Elizabeth Patel (Naseem) and their families, to include 12 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her son, Philip Offutt; grandson, Matthew Offutt; brothers, Herbert Hall and Jack Hall; and sister, Mildred Hall Miller. Visitation services were Monday, February 12, 2018 from 3-5 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals in Black Mountain.
Burial will be at the Criner Cemetery, Roane County, WV. Harwood Home for Funerals is assisting the family.
Mickey Ann Chapman McElrath
Black Mountain
Mickey Ann Chapman McElrath, passed away on February 11, 2018. Mickey was born in Canton, NC, on May 4th, 1927 to the late Haywood and Rebecca Chapman.
Mickey was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband of 69 years, James Oliver McElrath.
Mickey leaves behind her loving children and their families: son, Dean (Judy); daughter, Terry both of Black Mountain; son, Dale (Penny) of Graham; grandchildren, Jennifer Johnson (Tim), Clint McElrath (Melissa); and 2 beautiful great-granddaughters, Keira Johnson and Jade McElrath.
Mickey graduated from Canton High School where she was an all-star athlete. After high school she continued to enjoy playing both basketball and softball in industrial leagues in the Canton area. She passed on her love for sport to her children and grandchildren.
Mickey retired from NC State University as a Buncombe County Agricultural Extension Aide. After retirement Mickey enjoyed gardening, swimming, canning, visiting with her family and neighbors and being the best jelly maker in Western North Carolina. She was an active member of FBC Black Mountain for 70 years. Mickey was an avid Owen Warhorse and Warlassie fan.
There will be a private graveside service that will be followed by a Celebration of Life at First Baptist Church Black Mountain at 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 15, 2018 with visitation to follow.
The family requests donations in lieu of flowers. Donations may be made to the Owen High School Warhorse Basketball Program, c/o Owen High School, 99 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Harwood Home for Funerals is assisting the family.
Richard Harold Workman
Black Mountain
Richard Harold Workman, 78, died Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC following prolonged illness.
Born in Gaston County, NC, the son of P.A. and Mary Catherine Young Workman. He resided in Black Mountain, NC.
Richard went to college at the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee. Richard worked as a construction contractor for much of his life but more than anything he was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. His loved visiting with his granddaughters, attending their track meets, and knowing they were safe.
He had great adventures to National Parks on RV trips with his family, always a lover of nature’s beauty and all creatures great and small. His favorite times of year was the emergence of Spring flowers, the harvest of Summer vegetables (a connoisseur of homemade tomato sauce and tomato sandwiches), and the color of Autumn leaves.
Eating hot dogs and hamburgers with friends or watching movies with family was some of his favorite pastimes. Richard was a warm, witty, and sweet man, and he will be missed by his family, friends, and the community in Black Mountain.
Richard is survived by his wife of 57 years, Billie Jo; his daughters Heidi (Jeffrey) and Heather (Rune); his granddaughters, Alexandria, Isabella, Olivia, Fionna, Aurora, and Louisa; his brother, Ronald (Marcia); and his nephew, Ronald, as well as many loving neighbors and friends. Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com, is assisting the family.
Dennis Eugene Austin
Swannanoa
Dennis Eugene Austin, 59, a beloved Swannanoa native passed away Wednesday February 14, 2018.
Mr. Austin was born May 25, 1958 in Buncombe County to the late Ottoway “Bud” Austin and Nancy Forga. Dennis was an icon in the community with a hard-driven work ethic surpassed by few and a talent for mechanics and engineering. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Daniel “Danny’ Austin.
Dennis is survived by his sons, Marc Austin (Robert) and Joseph Wood; siblings, Ann Allison (Howard), Carol Ingle (Lawrence), Lois Harris (Steve), and Ross Austin (Joyce); 2 grandchildren, Shelby and Josephine; 9 nieces and nephews and 12 great-nieces and -nephews. “Dennis was a small man in stature with integrity bigger than most.”
The family received friends Saturday, February 17, 2018 from 6-9 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals. A Celebration of Life service was be held Sunday, February 18, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals. Burial followed in Mountain View Memorial Park. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.
Donna Hughes
Black Mountain
Donna Hughes, 86, of Black Mountain, passed away February 13, 2018.
Mrs. Hughes was born January 26, 1932 in New Jersey to the late J. Eugene and Caroline Matthews. Donna and her late husband, Jim, loved to travel, and were actively involved in various activities and clubs with the town including the Lions Club, Land of The Sky Shrine Club, and Black Mountain Center. She was a member of Black Mountain United Methodist Church and attended Tabernacle United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Hughes, sister, Betty Dean; and brother, Durward Matthews.
Donna is survived by her sons, Jamie Hughes (Teri), and Terry Hughes; six grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Monday, February 19, 2018, at 1 p.m. at Tabernacle United Methodist Church with Pastors Mike Macdonald and Michael Harrill, Jr. officiating. The family received friends immediately following the service at the church. Harwood Home for Funerals is assisting the family.