May 17 Obituaries
Jerry Hoover
Swannanoa
Jerry Hoover, 70, went to his heavenly home peacefully on April 27, 2018 at the Asheville VA Hospice Center with family by his side.
Jerry was born August 25, 1947 in McDowell County and was a long-time resident of Swannanoa. He proudly served in the US Navy for four years. He was a well-known electrician and owner of Hoover Electric. Jerry enjoyed time with his family and adored his grandchildren. He was an avid sports fan to include NASCAR, golf, and he was a huge Duke fan. Jerry loved and was well loved by family and friends. He was very generous and always there to help anyone out.
He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Nelle Hoover.
Surviving is his loving wife of 34 years, Sandra Hoover; lovingly remembered by his sons, Rob (Dee) of Holly Springs, NC, Derek (Rebecca) of Charlotte, NC, Jamie (Susan) of Charlotte, NC and Matthew of Swannanoa; 10 grandchildren; sister, Debbie of Burnsville; brothers, James of Burnsville and Mike (Karen) of Black Mountain.
The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Harwood Home for Funerals. Burial was private in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation or a charity of your choice.
A humble man, in his own words said, “When I go, I don’t want no big fuss.” He will be sorely missed.
Arrangements are by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Mary Loftis McMurray
Black Mountain
Mary Loftis McMurray, 94, of Black Mountain passed away May 5, 2018 at Givens Highland Farms.
Native of Clinton, SC, she was the daughter of Samuel Belton Loftis and Adeline Huggins Loftis. Mary was a graduate of Clinton High School and Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC where she majored in English. She married William Harvey McMurray, Jr. on May 5, 1945 who she met at Presbyterian College. After World War II, they settled in Swannanoa, NC where Bill joined his father at McMurray Chevrolet Company.
Mary was first and foremost a mother and homemaker, but was also very active in community affairs. She was a member at First Presbyterian Church of Swannanoa, and later a member of the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church where she was a Deacon. She served for many years as a guest speaker for the Christian Woman’s Clubs in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. She was a member of Presbyterian Women PCUSA and received an Honorary Life Membership in 2005.
She was a charter member of the Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League. Mary was a well known artist in Black Mountain. A gallery at the Red House Studios and Gallery, in Black Mountain, was named in her honor. She was a member of the Tea and Topic Book Club and an avid bridge player.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William H. McMurray, Jr.; her sister, Eva Nelle Bowman; brother, Frank Huggins Loftis; and daughter, Mary Elizabeth McMurray.
Mary is survived by her sister, Nanette and husband Bob Bollinger of Gibsonia, PA; sister-in-law, Betty Rand and husband Joe of Black Mountain, NC; her children, Bill and wife Ann of Lexington, NC, Bob and wife Pam of Black Mountain, NC, Cathy Skeen and husband Stan of Swannanoa, NC, David and wife Sarah of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Mary Beth and husband John Hoomani, Brooke and husband Justin Wheeles, Laura Farish, Sarah and husband Nathan West, Matt Skeen and wife Salam, Lucy Skeen, Katie and husband Chris Pyle, and Brown McMurray; and eleven great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life service was held Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church with Rev. Mary Katherine Robinson officiating. The family received friends following the service in the fellowship hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Swannanoa Valley Fine Arts League or the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Arrangements are by Harwood Home for Funerals.
Reatha Bailey Stark
Black Mountain
Reatha Bailey Stark, 81, a native of Black Mountain, passed away May 10, 2018.
Reatha had lived many years in Florida, and returned home to the Black Mountain area in her latter years. She is preceded in death by her parents, Willard Bailey and Mary Lee Rayburn Bailey; husband, Ralph Stark; four sisters and two brothers.
Reatha is survived by her daughters San Stark Guice and Victoria Robeck; grandchildren Trey Spratt, Adam Stark and Kyle Stark; and great-grandchildren Cannon Stark, Noah Stark and Issabella Stark.
A graveside service was held Friday, May 11, 2018 at 2 p.m. at Mountain View Memorial Park. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals.