Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Vernon Monroe Cram
Black Mountain
Vernon Monroe Cram, 91 years young, passed on to his final reward in Heaven on November 22, 2015. His wife, Theresa Cram preceded him in death on May 3, 1995.
Vernon is the son of the late Dr. Albert M. Cram and Winifred Belle Cram, both of Bridgewater, Vermont. After graduating from high school he joined the Army’s 10th Mountain Division Ski Troops, served in Italy during WWII where he was twice wounded in 1945. He received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. While training at Camp Hale, CO, he served as an Army Ski Instructor. Skiing was his passion and found great joy teaching others this free-feeling sport. Vernon and his wife, Tess were on the National Ski Patrol for many years, skiing in Vermont, New Hampshire, as well as North Carolina.
Vern kept active by volunteering for the Kiwanis Thrift Store in Black Mountain and spent many years volunteering for Habitat for Humanity. He was often seen in his ‘75 CJ5 Jeep going up and down his road scraping, plowing, digging and blowing out the ditches for his neighbors. He was loved by all.
He is survived by one brother, Wendy Cram of Manchester Center, VT; son, Christopher Cram of Keene, NH; four daughters, Paula Arriaga of Black Mountain, NC, Vicki Cram of Asheville, Heidi and her husband, Stanley Kaufman of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and Lisa and husband, Steven Hutchins of Old Fort, NC; seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
His favorite saying was, “Old Skiers never die, they just go downhill.”
A graveside service will be held Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Riverside Cemetery in Woodstock, VT. Donations in his memory may be made to Habitat for Humanity in Asheville, NC.
Arrangements are by Harwood Home for Funerals, Black Mountain, NC and Cabot Funeral Home, Woodstock, VT.
Emmy Lou Capps
Legerton
Emmy Lou Capps Legerton, 88, early childhood educator, church and community volunteer, avid reader and gardener, died , Nov. 23, 2015, at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville. Engaged as a citizen and leader in every community in which she lived, she was active in Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, a volunteer for the Montreat Conference Center and served on the Board of Adjustment and the Committee for Parks and Recreation for the town of Montreat, NC. Committed to the well-being of all children, Ms. Legerton was a founding board member of the Swannanoa Valley Voice for Children, now the Verner Center for Early Learning.
Born July 29, 1927, in Norfolk, Virginia, she was the third daughter of Marion Roper and John Edward Capps. She attended the Women’s College of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, George Washington University, earned her Bachelor’s in Religious Education at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia, and a Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Georgia State University.
She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Fitzhugh McMaster Legerton; a daughter Winifred Roper Legerton of Greensboro, NC, married to John J. Young (three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren); a son Fitzhugh McMaster Legerton, Jr. (Mac) of Pembroke, NC, married to Donna F. Chavis (four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren); and a son John Capps Legerton of Asheville, NC, married to Katharine R. Meacham (two grandchildren and one great-grandchild).
A memorial service was held at 2 p.m. Nov. 28, at Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church in Swannanoa, NC. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Montreat Conference Center Development Office, P.O. Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757; Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 9000, Asheville, NC 28815 or the Verner Center for Early Learning, 2586 Riceville Road, Asheville, NC 28805. Penland Family Funeral Home in Swanannoa is handling arrangements.
Phyllis “Hiddy”
Patchett Doren
Franklin
Phyllis “Hiddy” Patchett Doren, 70, of Franklin, NC passed away November 25, 2015.
Hiddy was born April 2, 1945 in Utica, NY to the late Sidney and Phyllis Patchett.
She was a strong, independent and loving wife, sibling, mother, grandmother and friend.
Hiddy will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by husband, Sidney Doren.
Hiddy is survived by her daughter, Chavela Robin (Raymond); siblings, Sidney Patchett (Katrina), Michael Patchett (Carol) and Judith “Dugan” Patchett; and 8 grandchildren.
Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Heifer International, 1 World Avenue, Little Rock, AR 77702.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwood homeforfunerals.com.
Barbara Wimberly Holder
Swannanoa
Barbara Wimberly Holder, 73, passed away November 25, 2015.
Barbara was born January 16, 1942 in Buncombe County to the late William and Margaret Wimberly.
She was a loving mother, and grandmother who will be missed by all who knew her.
Barbara was a member of Black Mountain Church of God.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her granddaughters, Kayla Murphy and Kasey Murphy.
Barbara is survived by her children, Clifton Keith Holder, Eddie Holder (Stephanie), and Trena Murphy (Wesley) and siblings, Bill Wimberly, Pat White, Sam Wimberly, and Sandy Kilpatrick
She is also survived by her grandchildren, Chad Lord, Ashley Murphy, Paula Holder, Rachel Holder, Tyler Murphy, Kaylie Holder, and Zachary Murphy; and two great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Sunday, November 29, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals.
Burial followed in Gashes Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday, November 28, 2015 from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomefor