Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Frances Kathryn
Stuart Martin
Ridgecrest
Frances Kathryn Stuart Martin, age 90, passed away at the John F. Keever Solace Center in Asheville, NC on February 14, 2016 at 10:45 p.m. from natural causes in the presence of her children and other family members.
Frances was born on September 12, 1925. She was the youngest of 10 children born to Thomas Lee and Arema Leslie Parnell Stuart of Anderson, SC. Frances (age 6) and her sister Martha (age 10) were moved to Swannanoa, NC to be raised by their older sister Ellen Elizabeth and husband, James Victor Tipton shortly after their mother passed away from tuberculosis. She loved “the village” and all the friends and neighbors they had there.
Frances was preceded in death by her parents, eight siblings, and in 2005 her beloved husband of 63 years, Wade Hampton Martin.
Frances (often called Nanny) is survived by one sister, Martha Christine Stuart Mackey of Westminster, SC; her children, Nancy M. Hoffman and Bruce Van Martin (Cynthia); grandchildren, Tiffany Vanessa Martin Aceto (Ben) and Johnathan Marcus Martin; great-grandchildren, Kylie Aceto, Knox Aceto, Ava Martin and Sophia Martin; many nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.
Frances retired from Kearfott (a division of The Singer Company) in October of 1988. She later worked at the local Bon Worth clothing outlet where she enjoyed doing displays and interacting with the customers.
She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Swannanoa for many years where she served as treasurer, and kept little ones. Frances remained active in her church until health problems prevented the continuation of her service.
Frances was recently a resident of Mountain Ridge Wellness in Ridgecrest, NC. Frances was a Christian. A kind, compassionate person who always had a big smile for everyone she met. That smile and Frances will be sorely missed by all.
Services were held at 12 p.m. Friday, February 19, 2016 at Harwood Home for Funerals, 208 West State Street, Black Mountain, NC with family visitation following. Frances was buried with her late husband at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Hwy. 70, Black Mountain, NC.
Judith (Dugan) E. Patchett
Franklin
Dugan Patchett, 64, passed away Sunday February 14, 2016. Dugan was the daughter of Sidney and Phyllis Patchett of Miami, Florida. Her brother and extended family live in Black Mountain.
In addition to her parents Dugan was preceded in death by her loving sister Hiddy Doren. Left to cherish her memory are her brothers, Sidney Patchett (Trina), and Michael Patchett (Carol); and her niece Vela Robin (Ray). She also leaves behind a niece, nephews and many beloved friends and family.
Dugan was a former Commodore of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club in Coconut Grove, Florida. Dugan was an avid sailor and loved sailing on Biscayne Bay. She moved to Western North Carolina to be with her sister, and they spent many years enjoying the mountain life. They were also avid stitchers and made many friends within their hobby.
Dugan was an animal lover, her beloved cats held a special place in her heart. Memorial donations may be made to your local animal shelter. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomefor
James McKinnley Cline
Swannanoa
James McKinnley Cline, 57, of Swannanoa, died Saturday, February 13, 2016, at Mountain Wellness Health and Rehab.
A native of Norfolk, VA, he was a son of the late William and Rebecca Danner Cline. Mr. Cline was employed with Ingles Grocery. Surviving are his brother, Michael “Kevin” Cline (Nicole Carter) of Swannanoa.
Memorial services were at 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb.21 at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road in Asheville. The online register is available at grocefuneralhome.com.
David “Foot” Hall
Ridgecrest
David “Foot” Hall, 54, of Ridgecrest, went home to be with the Lord on February 17, 2016.
Mr. Hall was born December 7, 1961 in McDowell County to David and Barbara Hall. David was an avid craftsman, and enjoyed working in his shop. He was a member of East Black Mountain Free Will Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, David is survived by his wife of 35 years, Theresa H. Hall; sons, Cody Hall (Amy Parker) and Jake Hall (Joan Barham); and sister, Tammy Hall.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Sunday, February 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals with Revs. Danny Sprinkle and Steven Bugenhagen Jr. officiating. Burial followed in Mountain View Memorial Park. The family received friends on Saturday, February 20, 2016 from 7-9 p.m. at Harwood Home for Funerals.
Dorothy Rogero Burgess
Black Mountain
Dorothy Rogero Burgess, 95, of Black Mountain and New Smyrna Beach, Florida, died on Thursday, January 21 at her Florida childhood home.
Dorothy was a beloved friend to many in Black Mountain, having worked as the Executive Assistant to the Director at YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly for most of her career. She was an avid Black Mountain Chamber volunteer and spent her last summers in the mountains enjoying continuing education programs at Montreat College.
In 1942, Dorothy was one of the first women lifeguards at Coronado Beach, now New Smyrna Beach. She enjoyed life around water her entire life, spending many weekends on her houseboat at Lake James. She was a fervent cat lover and friend to animals.
Dorothy is preceded in death by her husband, Walt, and survived by her daughter, Bam Heiner (Jerry), of California, three granddaughters and two great-grandchildren. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.
Ahmed Hassan Bangura
Swannanoa
Ahmed Hassan Bangura, II, 14, of Swannanoa, passed away Sunday, February 21, 2016 from Juvenile Huntington’s Disease.
Ahmed was born July 20, 2001 in Buncombe County. He touched many lives during his short life and was an inspiration to all who knew him.
Ahmed is survived by his mother, Angie Carter (Kevin); father, Ahmed Hassan Bangura; sisters, Amara and Adazia Bangura; maternal grandparents, Linda and Henry Fisher; two step-siblings, Porsha and Kevin Carter, II; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomefor
Kathleen “Kat” Swann
Black Mountain
Kathleen “Kat” Swann, 82, of Black Mountain, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 20, 2016.
Kat was born August 12, 1933 in South Carolina to the late James and Ida Bruce. She retired from Beacon Manufacturing after 35 years of service, and she was an active member of Calvary Free Will Baptist Church. Kat was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who will be missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brother, Edward Bruce.
Kat is survived by her husband, Gene “Bud” Swann; children, Tommy “Red” Bordner (Yoshiko), Jo Crowe (Mike) and Lynn Marett; grandchildren, Charles, Josie, Tina, Rob, Travis, and Colton; great-grandchildren, Aimee, Shaun-Michael, Jonah, Cade, Damian, Jayla, and Jessica; and a host of friends and neighbors.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 7 p.m. at Calvary Free Will Baptist Church. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. prior to the service time at the church. Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.