Jan. 11 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Katherine Kitchen Bartlett
Black Mountain
Katherine Kitchen Bartlett, 89, of Black Mountain, went to be with the Lord on January 3, 2018 at the John F. Keever Solace Center.
Katherine was born February 23, 1928 in Buncombe County to the late Bill and Mabel Kitchen. She was a member of Meadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church. Katherine was employed with Beacon Manufacturing, Avondale Mills and Kearfott where she was loved by all of her coworkers. She loved sitting in her recliner looking out the window and visiting with family and friends. Katherine will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Earl E. Bartlett; infant daughter, Carolyn Bartlett; grandson, Steven Reed; and brothers, Charles, Ray and Bobby Kitchen.
Katherine is survived by her children, Wayne Bartlett (Beth) of Black Mountain, Lucy Reed of Black Mountain, and Linda Richards (Jerry) of Hilton Head, SC; sisters, Pearl Davis (JW) of Black Mountain, Betty Richardson (Albert) of Black Mountain, and Willie Jean Padgett (Earl) of Black Mountain; brother Johnny Kitchen of Georgia; grandchildren, Angela Caughorn (Jason) of Georgia and David Blankenship (Wanda) of Black Mountain; great-grandchildren, Tyler Caughorn of Georgia, and Josh and Cory Reed of Swannanoa; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends Monday, January 8, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. in the Chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals. A Celebration of Life Service was Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at 2 p.m. in the Chapel of the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
Flowers are accepted and appreciated. Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Meadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church, 204 Blue Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or the John F. Keever Solace Center, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
Ray Mitchell Conner
Ridgecrest
Ray Mitchell Conner, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 4, 2018 at his home in Ridgecrest, NC.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vollie and Vyrtle Conner; wife, Brenda Rhodes Conner; and two sisters, Helen Conner and Betty Andrews.
Ray is survived by his three children, Wanda McIntosh, Sheila Bentley (Terry) and Jimmy Conner (Kelli); grandchildren, Donny Owensby, Robby Owensby, Jason Murray, Amanda Bentley, Terry Bentley Jr, Jaime Conner, and Michael Conner; six great-grandchildren; and siblings, Herschel Everett Conner, Glen Conner, Harold Conner and Barbara Avaleen Ellege.
Ray retired from the WNC Sanitorium in Black Mountain after 41 years. He was a loving and caring father who loved life and enjoyed joking with people. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
The family received friends Sunday, January 7, 2018 from 1-2 p.m. in the Chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals. A funeral service immediately followed. Burial was in Broad River Baptist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are in the care of Harwood Home for Funerals.