Aug. 9 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Julie "Mae" Woody
Asheville
Julia “Mae” Woody, 82, of East Asheville, went home to be with the Lord on July 30, 2018.
Mae was born June 12, 1936 in Buncombe County to the late Lawrence and Gladys Stroupe. She retired from Kearfott and was a member of East Asheville United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Elmer James Woody; beloved son-in-law, Tim Hubert; and siblings, Pauline Blankenship, Bill Stroupe, Robert Stroupe, Lorine Burnette, and David Stroupe.
Mae is survived by her daughter, Wanda Hubert; son, Ed Woody (Victoria); grandchildren, Brooke Smith, Whitney Sylvester, and Morgan Woody; great grandchildren, Simeon, Quinn, and Rhea Mae; daughter-in-love, Anja Woody; and #2 son, Ricky Burnette.
The family received friends Thursday, August 2 at East Asheville United Methodist Church. A celebration of life service followed.
Burial was at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. James Marnock and his staff.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to East Asheville United Methodist Church, 48 Browndale Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
Arrangements were made by Harwood Home for Funerals (www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Brenda Kaye Buckner
Swannanoa
Brenda Kaye Buckner, 75, of Swannanoa, went to be with the Lord on July 29, 2018 at her home surrounded by family.
Mrs. Buckner was a member of Grove Stone Baptist Church. She was a precious mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. Brenda loved being her family, cooking, crafting, and gardening. Christmas was her favorite time of the year which she wanted to make special for everyone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Colin B. Bridges and Ruth L. Bridges; husband, Vernon Buckner; sister, Lillian Phillips; and brothers, Bill Bridges, Kenneth Bridges, and Junior Bridges.
Brenda is survived by her daughter, Renae Dillingham and husband, David; son, Dwayne Buckner and wife, Kim; grandchildren, Hailey Dillingham Hudgins (Corey), Heather Ruth Dillingham, Brandie Buckner, and Matthew Buckner; great grandson, Jarret Hudgins; sisters, Louise Walker (Oscar) and Patsy Desmond; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life service was held Wednesday, Aug. 1, at Grove Stone Baptist Church with the Reverends Michael Long and James Lamb officiating. Burial was in Bee Tree Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to her granddaughter, Brandie Buckner, and the nurses and staff at CarePartners Home Hospice.
Arrangements were made by Harwood Home for Funerals (www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Nancy Hope
Montreat
Nancy Wallace Hope, 85, Montreat NC, passed away peacefully at Givens Highland Farms on Sunday, July 29.
Her memorial service will be held at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. on Aug. 11.
Nancy was born on Dec. 9, 1932 to Margret McIver and Ruley Gart Wallace in Carthage NC, the County seat of Moore County, well known for its Seagrove pottery. This led to her love of pottery, quilts and crafts. This former Miss Moore County and Camp Merri-Mac counselor grew up with a life-long passion of working to eradicate racial discrimination. Nancy was beautiful both inside and out, was vivacious, and made deep and lasting friendships where ever she went. She was generous, kind, considerate and friendly. Nancy had a unique ability to give people her undivided attention and was extraordinarily interested learning their life stories. She delighted in her devoted husband, her children and grandchildren, she also had a special love for Montreat, its people, its panoramic views, its sunsets and its neighborly ways. Nancy was the consummate hostess and joyfully entertained frequently, and her Montreat home was open to all.
Nancy, in death, closely follows her beloved husband Reverend Samuel R. Hope who passed away in February of this year. Surviving are sons, Beau, David and Robert along with 6 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
Nancy and Sam were childhood sweethearts who grew together in strong Christian faith and life-long activism against discrimination and injustice. Throughout Sam’s ministries and missions, Nancy was the rock and Sam’s foundation. She found her own unique and meaningful ways of helping people wherever they went. Some examples are…Roanoke, where they organized anti-discrimination rallies in public places that were previously off-limits…Saigon Vietnam, where she counseled soldiers at the USO and worked with people suffering from mental illness and also those suffering with leprosy…Durham, creating the Host Homes Program with Duke Medical Center… and locally as Director of Volunteers with both Memorial Mission Hospital and the Montreat Conference Center.
The Family is eternally grateful to Pippin Boissy-Jones and her son Miles for bringing light, love and laughter into Nancy’s last year and months. Also to the many friends and family that helped ease the burden of dementia.
The Family requests donations in lieu of flowers or gifts to Memory Care (MemoryCare.org) or Montreat Land Care Projects at montreatlandcare.org via amurphy@townofmontreat.org.
Carol Wilson Holmes-Manchester
Black Mountain
On July 16, 2018, Heaven gained the sweet spirit and beautiful smile of Carol Wilson Holmes-Manchester, 86, of Givens Highland Farms, Black Mountain, NC.
Carol was born in Washington, DC on January 31, 1932, to Lafon and Gertrude Wilson. She was preceded in death by husbands, Thomas Holmes and John Manchester; sons, James, Thomas and Christopher Holmes; and sisters, April and Lois. She is survived by several step-children, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Carol retired from the Miami-Dade County Public School System in Florida. She spent most of her retirement years in the mountains of Western North Carolina. She had a love for music which was evident by her skill on the piano and her interest in various genres of music. She also enjoyed the fun and excitement of square dancing. Carol was very involved in church life and her church family. She graciously opened her home for weekly Bible studies.
Carol will be deeply missed by family and friends. She will never leave the hearts of those who love her.
There will be a memorial service at Givens Highland Farms at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 11.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries, PO Box 235, Black Mountain, NC 28711 and Friendship Presbyterian Church, PO Box 116, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Condolences may be sent to the family at
www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com.