April 12 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Rose Whitehead Osborne Roberts
Black Mountain
Rose Whitehead Osborne Roberts passed away peacefully on April 4, 2018. She was born on August 4, 1925 in Salisbury, NC. She was the daughter of John Osborne and Susie Morris Whitehead Osborne. Rose loved her three children, Clarence Roberts (son, deceased; wife Patricia), Joe Roberts (son; wife Debra), Sue Ford (daughter; husband Hobey Ford) and her five grandchildren, Lauren Ford (husband Andrew Oom) of NYC; Sallie Ford and Louisa Ford of Portland, OR; Emily Roberts of Atlanta, GA; and Nick Roberts of Raleigh, NC.
Rose lived and raised her family in Salisbury, NC. She was an active member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, where she sang in the choir and was a member of the Vestry. She was active with the Piedmont Players. Her favorite role was playing the lead in On Golden Pond. In Salisbury, Rose also worked with Head Start and Meals on Wheels.
Rose lived for over twenty years at Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain, NC. She particularly loved the staff and her community there. In Rose’s early days there, she was an active, independent resident. She participated acting and singing groups. In her later years, she was President of the Skilled Nursing Residents’ Council. She was proud to be initiated into the Order of the Duck, a society for residents who reach 90 years and older.
Rose had many, many friends and loved people more than anything. Anyone who knew her experienced her Southern charm. Her laughter, humor, singing and loving heart will be sorely missed.
Rose’s family deeply appreciate the loving care that the staff gave her. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made by check to: Givens Highland Farms Residence Corporation. Please earmark the check as “For the Employee Appreciation Fund.” The donations benefit the staff that Rose cherished so much. Checks can be mailed to: Givens Highland Farms, 200 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Rose’s Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 14 at 3:30 p.m. at Givens Highland Farm in the Assembly Room. Visitation with the family will be from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Arrangements are by Harwood Home for Funerals, harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.
James Howard Stafford
Black Mountain
James Howard Stafford, 75, of Black Mountain, NC, passed away Friday, March 16, 2018 at his home.
Howard is preceded in death by his father, James Ray Stafford; mother, Christine Lenora Smith Stafford; wife, Joyce Diana Carter Stafford, and son, Kenneth “Kenny” Edwin Stafford.
Surviving Howard are his sons, James Howard Stafford, Robin Lee Stafford, Dale Alan Stafford, Christopher Lee Stafford, and Ray Nicholas Stafford; daughters, Kelly Diane Stafford, and Cynthia Jean Stafford Shelton; 19 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
No official service or visitation will be held; instead family will be celebrating Howard’s life with a BBQ on Sunday, April 22 from 2 to 4 p.m. at 5 Wolf Creek Dr., Black Mountain, NC 28711. In lieu of flowers family will be accepting donations to help with final expenses.
Condolences can be made to the family at ashevilleareaalternative.com.
Kay Ellen Swann
Black Mountain
Kay Ellen Swann, 79, of Black Mountain, passed away Thursday, April 5, 2018.
Mrs. Swann was born February 16, 1939 in McDowell County to the late Frank and Mabel Byrd Hamby. She was an avid Tarheel fan and enjoyed walking around Lake Tomahawk. Kay devoted her life to peace and love. She retired from the Black Mountain Center with 21 years of service as a CNA.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her aunts, Cleo, Ethel and Kat Byrd, Carolyn Hogan and Pauline Medford.
Kay is survived by her daughter, Swanee Swann (David), sons, Mark Swann (Sheila), Tracey Swann (Cris), Terry Swann Jr. and Scott Swann; grandchildren, Sheena, Josh, Brittany, Alex, Christopher, Heaven, Hunter, Chelsie, Cheyenne, Sophia, and Olivia; and great-grandchildren, Will, Zoe, Ronan and Sadie.
The family received friends Monday, April 9, 2018 from 12-1 p.m. at Mills Chapel Baptist Church with a celebration of life service immediately following. Burial was in Bethlehem Community Cemetery in Old Fort. Arrangements are by Harwood Home for Funerals.