Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley

Robert Lowell Wolfe

Wasilla, Alaska

Robert Lowell Wolfe, 74, a Wasilla, Alaska resident, passed away at his winter home in Goldendale, Washington on December 29, 2015. He was born in Asheville, North Carolina on June 11, 1941 to Evelyn Lucille (Sharpe) and Robert Lee Wolfe.

Bob graduated from Biltmore High School in 1960 and served in the Army Reserve as a medic. On September 2, 1965 he married Mary Elizabeth Coumo in Asheville. They recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this last September.

Mr. Wolfe worked as a biological technician for the United States Forest Service and for private businesses as well. Bob retired from the Forest Service in Anchorage, Alaska. He served as a volunteer fireman and EMT for the Riceville Fire Department in Asheville and the Wasilla Fire Department in Alaska.

Mr. Wolfe attended the Wasilla Bible Church, Asheville Presbyterian Church and the Goldendale United Methodist Church. He was baptized at the Lower Grassy Branch Baptist Church, Asheville, North Carolina. He loved hunting, fishing and traveling in his RV.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Wolfe of Wasilla and Goldendale; sons Joseph “Lee” Wolfe of Wasilla, AK, Edward Wolfe (Andrea) and four grandsons: Nathan, Nicholas, Brady and Parker of Vancouver, WA and another son Thomas Wolfe of Bingen, WA; sisters Vivian Roland (Bill) of Asheville, NC and Diane Moss (Carl) of Leicester, NC; brother David Wolfe (Wanda) of Asheville, NC and lots of nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wasilla Bible Church Benevolent Fund, 1651 W. Nicola Ave., Wasilla, AK 99654 or PHSW Foundation, PO Box 2516, Vancouver, WA 98668. A graveside service was held Thursday January 7 at 2 p.m. at Skyview Memorial in Asheville, North Carolina. Please send condolences to the family by visiting gardnerfh.com.

Mary Helen Wilson

Montreat

Mary Helen Wilson, 93, of Montreat, passed from her earthly life to meet her Savior face to face on Thursday, January 7, 2016.

Mrs. Wilson was born October 6, 1922 in Dothan, Alabama to the late Carl E. and Helen Player Sellers. She has lived in Montreat since 1963. Mary Helen was a member of First Baptist Church, Swannanoa.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. T.W. Wilson; grandson, Richard Thomas Wilson; and son-in-law, Dr. Jerry Pereira.

Mary Helen is survived by her son, Rev. Jim Wilson of Montreat; daughter, Sally Pereira of Black Mountain; grandchildren, Emily Pereira Meyer (David), Mary Pereira, Angela Bledsoe, Mary C. Andrews (Todd), Katherine Hsiao, and Laurie Monterosso (Nick); and 18 great-grandchildren.

Mary Helen was an only child. She graduated from Dothan High School and attended Bob Jones College, Greeneville, TN for two years. It was there she met her future husband, T.W. Wilson of Charlotte, NC. They were married June 26, 1942 and were totally devoted to each other until his death on May 24, 2001. Together they lived in Ashburn, GA, Dothan, AL, Minneapolis, MN, and Montreat, NC.

She supported T.W. in every phase of life, when he was a pastor, Youth for Christ Vice President, Vice President of Northwestern Schools, a traveling evangelist, executive personal assistant to Billy Graham, and Associate Evangelist for many years.

She “stayed by the stuff” while T.W. traveled. She was an accomplished pianist, seamstress, cook, and homemaker. She was an amateur architect who lovingly designed two homes for their family. She also hosted a number of overseas tours in conjunction with the Billy Graham Crusades.

Mary Helen considered her most important task to be a loving wife, mother and Mimi, helping to pass their faith in Jesus Christ to the next generations. This is their greatest legacy.

A Celebration of Life Service was held Sunday, January 10, 2016 at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church, Swannanoa with Dr. Billie Hanks, Jr. and Rev. Jeff Dowdy officiating. A reception immediately followed in the Family Life Center.

A private burial at Mountain View Memorial Park preceded the service.

Flowers are accepted and appreciated. Memorial gifts may be made in her memory to: First Baptist Church, Swannanoa, 503 Park St., Swannanoa, NC 28778, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201, or Jim Wilson Evangelistic Association, PO Box 560043, Orlando, FL 32856-0043.

Arrangements are by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.