Sept. 27 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley

Mable Banks

Black Mountain

Mable T. Banks, 81, of Black Mountain, passed away Sept. 13, 2018.

She is survived by her husband, Daniel Leon Banks; two children, Vicki Harris (Ned Harris) and Keith Lanning; four grandchildren, Melissa Hoskins, Matthew and Zachary Moore, and Shawn Lanning; great grandchildren, Hunter, Adelyn, and Mason Hoskins, and Emma Moore; and brother, John Tilson.

The funeral service was held Sept. 18, at Grove Stone Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Sky View Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service time at the church. Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.

Louise Willet

Black Mountain 

Louise Stewart Willet, 92, of Black Mountain, peacefully passed on Sept. 17, 2018 surrounded by her family.

Louise was born Aug. 5, 1926 in Mitchell County to the late Fred and Annie Stewart.

Our mother gave her all to raising five children. She instilled values of pride, hard work, respect and the love of family, church and music. Our home was open to many family, friends and children through the years. We have many memories of large family gatherings, birthday celebrations and holidays. Our mother was an avid reader, enjoyed traveling, self-taught, and a progressive thinker.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Howard Roland Willet.

Louise is survived by her children, James Sullins (Cheryl) of Marion, Gloria Hollifield (Milton) of Cary, Van Sullins (Ann) of Black Mountain, Cindy Byrd (Sam) of Black Mountain and Darlene Schleider (Theo) of Candler; grandchildren, Steven Sullins, Christy Schwartz (Jeremy), Judson Hollifield (Jamie), Kimberly Burpeau (Brian), Peyton and Erin Byrd, Jennifer Edney (Woody), and Tate Schleider (Savannah); great grandchildren, Reagan and Rachel Reynolds, Stewart and Avery Hollifield, Cevan Bachelor, Bryson Burpeau, Greenwood and Adeline Edney, Adyson and Everett Schleider; loving sister, Ruby Stewart Cairnes; and special niece, Sharon Craig.  

A celebration of life service was held on Sept. 19, 2018 at First Baptist Church, Swannanoa.

The family received friends one hour prior to the service time.

Burial was Sept. 20, at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Our family is grateful to the staff and special friends of Mountain Ridge Health Center for their care and friendship to our mother.

 Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.  

Mary J. Hyde

Asheville

Mary J. "Doody" Hyde died peacefully at home surrounded by family on Sept. 14, 2018 at age 87.  Mary is survived by her four daughters Susan Knudsen, Eve Hyde, Adele (Joel) McRae and Elizabeth Hyde. 

She is also survived by grandchildren Parker Knudsen, Alyse Knudsen, Victor McRae, Ian McRae, and extended family members Karly Raymond and Lincoln Cook. 

Born in Roundup, Montana, Mary relocated to Chicago as a child. Mary graduated from the inaugural Bachelor of Science nursing program at Loyola University Chicago. Following her marriage to Frederick Hyde, they lived in the Chicago area before retiring to Asheville in 1980.

While continuing her nursing career with the American Red Cross and Highland Farms, Mary was an active member of several community groups including the American Association of University Women (AAUW), Women’s Civic Club of Asheville, Asheville New Friends, World Affairs study group, and the Current Literature Book Club. 

Mary was a past president of both AAUW and the Women’s Civic Club. Mary’s affection for her new home town was instant and her interest in Biltmore House and Biltmore Village inspired her to launch the Biltmore Village Historic Museum. 

Graced with an inquiring mind, Mary organized trips, traveling the globe with family and friends.  Mary will be remembered for her generous kind heart and inclusive nature. 

She leaves behind many treasured friends who were an important part of her life. Services will be held at a later date.

Larry Axelson

Black Mountain

Larry Allen Axelson went to be with his Lord after an 11-year battle with cancer. He was a veteran of the United States Army. 

He is preceded in death by Raymond Axelson Sr., Faye Axelson, Ray Axelson Jr. and Patricia Marlowe.

He is survived by sisters Barbara Guinyard (James) and Linda Albano (Mark).  He is survived by three aunts and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Burial will be at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 28, at the Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, N.C.