Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Aileen Scott Jones
Bill Jones
Black Mountain
Aileen Scott Jones, 75, of Black Mountain passed away Friday, September 18, 2015 at home just two days prior to her husband Bill Jones, who passed away Sunday, September 20, 2015 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center.
Mrs. Jones was born April 21, 1940 to the late Allen and Violet Hipps Scott in Buncombe County where she had lived all of her life. She was a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and with the Black Mountain Center. Aileen and Bill were members of Swannanoa Heights Missionary Baptist Church. She babysat children in the valley and was known to many as “Momma Jones.”
Bill was born January 4, 1939 in Morgan County, TN to the late Charles and Eliza Norris Jones and had been a resident of Buncombe County since 1957. He retired from Drexel Heritage as a plant material manager with over 42 years of service. He also worked as a fireman, policeman, and EMT and volunteered with Meals on Wheels. Bill was the first volunteer IV technician for Black Mountain, received the Fireman of the Year award in 1972 and the 1893 1st Century Superlative in 1993.
Bill and Aileen are survived by their daughter, Rhonda Sawyer and husband, Tom of Sherrills Ford; son, Dewayne Jones of Black Mountain; and one granddaughter, Heather Sawyer.
Aileen is also survived by her siblings, Carolyn Hensley and Woody Scott. Bill is also survived by his sister, Ruth Hedrick.
A Celebration of Life service for Bill and his wife, Aileen was held Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Swannanoa Heights Missionary Baptist Church with Reverends Bruce Robinson and BP Boyle officiating. Burial was in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
The family received friends Tuesday, September 22, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhome forfunerals.com.
James Harlan Pruett Jr.
Swannanoa
James Harlan Pruett Jr., 81, of Swannanoa went to be with his heavenly Father on September 20, 2015.
Jim was a native of Buncombe County and a resident of Swannanoa. He graduated from Swannanoa High School in 1952 and served his country in the United States Navy from 1952-1956. Jim was a respected supervisor of Taylor instruments, Pillowtex Corporation and employed at The Buncombe County Tax Office. He was a long-standing member, deacon and Sunday school teacher of Buckeye Baptist Church. Jim was a beloved brother, husband and father, and was an upright and honest man. He devoted his life to Christian principles.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and Flora Brown Pruett; wife, Martha Pruett; and stepson, Steven Shultz.
He is survived by one child, Christopher Pruett of New York; four siblings, Betty P. Hudgins and Bob Pruett of Swannanoa, David Pruett of Asheville, and Carolyn Pruett of Dallas, Texas; one grandchild, Jamison Shultz; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
The Celebration of Life Service was held Thursday, September 24, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. at Buckeye Baptist Church in Swannanoa with Pastor Mike Cribbs and Rev. Judson Rotan officiating. Burial followed at 12 p.m. at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior to the service time at the church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Buckeye Baptist Church. The family wishes to express appreciation for the special care given by the staff of the North Carolina State Veterans Home. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomefor funerals.com.
Kevin L. Smith
Swannanoa
Kevin L. Smith, 58, of Swannanoa, passed away September 25, 2015.
Kevin served as a law enforcement officer, truck driver, and farmer. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing.
He is preceded in death by his father, Ted Smith. Kevin is survived by his mother, Mozelle Smith.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Monday, September 28, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals. Burial was in Piney Grove Cemetery. Arrangements are by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomefor funerals.com.
Kenneth Franklin
McMinnFletcher
Kenneth Franklin McMinn, 68, died on Wednesday, September 23, 2015 at Mission Hospital. He is preceded in death by his mother, Betty McMinn Ruth of Fletcher, step-father Warren Ruth of Fletcher and brother-in-law John Marshall of Brevard.
Kenneth was a lifelong resident of Henderson County and a member of New Beginnings Baptist Church and a former member Boiling Springs Baptist Church. He worked for SSEACO as a screen printer. He is survived by three sisters: Janice Norton and husband Paul of Swannanoa, Cathy Marshall of Brevard, and Vicki Pace and husband Donnie of Hendersonville. He is also survived by one brother, Samuel Ruth of Hendersonville.
A Funeral Service was at 2 p.m., Monday, September 28, 2015 at Boiling Springs Baptist Church in Fletcher conducted by Reverend Billy Balcom and Reverend Paul Norton. The family received friends from 1-1:45 p.m. at the church. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center are in charge of arrangements.
Clyde Waldo Rickman
Swannanoa
Clyde Waldo Rickman, 84, of Swannanoa, died on Sunday, September 27, 2015, at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals.
A native of Poplar Bluff, MO, Mr. Rickman was a son of the late Judson and Effie Rickman.
Mr. Rickman was fond of saying that he was, “a jack of all trades, but a master of none,” though according to his family, he was a master cabinet maker and very talented wood worker. He also loved camping and grilling out, working in the yard on his John Deere, and listening to gospel music. He had been a member of Sunrise Baptist Church.
Mr. Rickman is survived by his wife of almost 61 years, Grethel Davis Rickman; children, Marvin Rickman (Elke), Noma Cordell (Robert), Jan Rickman, and Grethel Jane Rickman; grandson, Daniel Rickman; and several siblings.
A memorial service for Mr. Rickman will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday at the Groce Funeral Home chapel on Patton Ave. with the Rev. Johnny Wright officiating. His family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, Mr. Rickman’s family asks that memorials be made to Mission Foundation, Heart Services, P.O. Box 5363, Asheville, NC 28813.
The online register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.