Dec. 6 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley

Bob Rumney

Swannanoa

Robert (Bob) John Rumney, age 85, of Swannanoa, NC, passed away on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018.

He was born on Oct. 7, 1933 in Elizabethtown, NY to the late LD and Beatrice Goodroe Rumney. He was a United States Army Veteran and also served in the Coast Guard Reserves and the Merchant Marines. Bob then worked as a technician for Bell Telephone Co. for 40 years, was a member of St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church in Swannanoa, a member of USO and of American Legion and was married to the love of his life, Adele Rita Lopez Rumney for 45 years until her passing on May 31, 2004.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Kenneth Rumney Sr. and his nephew, Bobby Rumney. Bob is survived by his son, Craig Rumney of Swannanoa; his daughter, Donna Adams (Mark) of Mechanicsville, VA; his niece, Lynn Marletta of Lancaster, PA; his nephews, Vini Lopez of New Jersey and Kenny Rumney of Brick, NJ; his beloved grandson, Robert Lucas Rumney; and his sister-in-law, Eleanor Rumney of Lancaster, PA.

A memorial mass was held Dec. 4 at St. Margaret Mary's Catholic Church. Father Matthew Leonard officiated. The family received friends on Dec. 3 in the Penland Family Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association at 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231.

Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Rumney Family. The online memorial register is available at www.PenlandFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Tony Moseman

Black Mountain

Tony Moseman, 52, of Black Mountain, passed away Sunday, Nov. 25, 2018.

Mr. Moseman was born Aug. 11, 1966 in Buncombe County to the late Douglas Moseman and Alice Raines Barnwell. Tony enjoyed working, hunting, fishing, camping, preaching and spending time with his family.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Douglas “Butch” Moseman; nephew, Zach Davis; stepfather, Howard Barnwell; uncles, Jack, Jim, and Johnny Raines; and aunt, Mae Vandergrift.

Tony is survived by his wife, Patricia Hall Moseman; daughter, Heather Moseman; grandson, Kharter Brown; sisters, Karen Davis (Robert) and Kathy Settle (Ronnie); brother, Eddie Moseman; special aunts, Shirley and Martha Raines; many aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family received friends on Nov. 28 in the chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals.

A Celebration of Life service was held Nov. 29 in the chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals where Rev. Danny Sprinkle and Rev. James Lamb officiated.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, PO Box 15829, Arlington, VA  22215.

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

Marilyn Ruth Mitchell Jones

Louisville, Kentucky

Marilyn Ruth Mitchell Jones was born in Louisville, KY, On Oct. 5, 1930, and died on Saturday, Nov. 24, 2018. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul William and Naomi (Worden) Mitchell, of Louisville, KY, and her daughter Sally Jones.

She is survived by four children, Ann Laird Jones (Mike Caulfield), Douglas Todd Jones and his partner Elizabeth Klein, Carolyn Mitchell Jones Judy (Dudley) and William Laird Jones (Beth); as well as eight beloved grandchildren, Sarah (“Sally”) Jordan Caulfield of Louisville, Douglas Laird Caulfield of Bowling Green, OH, Emma Electra Jones of New York, NY, Evan Walter Jones of Los Angeles, CA, Alice Mitchell Judy and William Mitchell Judy of Louisville, Naomi Redmond Jones and Lena Redmond Jones of San Diego, CA.

Marilyn was an amazing mother, grandmother and gifted artist, filling the days with creative ideas and games and art projects. Her granddaughter said, “She was the very best part of us all.” She loved to travel, visiting nearly 50 countries, including Vietnam and China where she taught on behalf of the Crane House for Asian Understanding. She loved her front-row view of the Louisville Orchestra, and made sure all her children played instruments and loved music. She was an avid reader, especially mysteries. She had a special relationship with all animals.

We are glad she and her dogs Iris and Jane are finally able to go on long walks again. She loved time at the beach, but even more her time in Montreat, NC, which she considered a “spiritual home,” loving the mountains, the wildflowers, very dear friends, and wonderful time with family. She had an eye for people and a heart for serving others. She loved to paint watercolors. She especially understood and loved clay, teaching pottery until age 86. These words about pots and potters catch her spirit: “Touch them, hold them, pick them up…feel the curve of earth and sky, kitchen warm or springtime shy a pot is mood of many hues but most of all a pot is to use.” (Cynthia Bringle)

She graduated from Atherton (Girls) High School, Wittenburg University (B.F.A.) and University of Louisville (M.A.T.).  After raising her family, she worked as a Peace Corps Remedial Reading Teacher in Jamaica for 3 years in her 60’s, as an Adult Reading Teacher at the Du Valle Learning Center in JCPS, and as a reading teacher and volunteer coordinator at Kamerer Middle School.  She was the Adult Craft Coordinator and organizer of the summer pottery/craft program for 15 years at Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, NC, where she started the Sally Jones Pottery, a place where many lives are touched deeply. She was Montreat’s sole Potter Emerita.

Marilyn’s life was guided by her deep and abiding faith. A lifelong Presbyterian and ruling elder in the PCUSA, Marilyn was a member of Highland Presbyterian Church. She taught Sunday school, started women’s circles, developed potteries in churches, and created arts ministries. She was very active in creating liturgical art and banners for worship in Montreat and local churches. She spent hours serving others. She worked closely with refugee families, especially her friends from Sudan.

All who met her loved her, and were drawn to her keen mind and ever-present sense of humor, intact even in the final moments of her life. We are deeply grateful to our Treyton Oak Towers family, especially her friends, and those very skilled and dedicated nurses and staff who loved and cared for her on the second floor.

During the last few months we often ended the day (after a few hands of rummy, which she always won) singing a song she taught us many years ago: “Sunday school is over, and we are going home. Goodbye! Goodbye! Be always kind and true,” as we waved goodnight. For the final time, goodbye, goodbye…you are Home.

A Celebration of Life honoring Marilyn Jones was held on Dec. 1, at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Presbyterian Church, 1101 Cherokee Rd, followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kentucky Refugee Ministries (KRM) in Louisville, or the Sally Jones Pottery in Montreat, NC.

Patricia Tubbs

Black Mountain

Patricia Mauldin Gilmer Tubbs went to be with her Savior on Wednesday, November 14, 2018 after a full life of service to God and her family. She was 93 years old and had lived at Given's Highland Farms, Black Mountain for 22 years.

Married to Ace Leonard Tubbs (dec'd February, 2015), she was the daughter of Sam Orr and Maud Elizabeth Cason Gilmer. She met our Dad while attending the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, while he was attending Richmond Theological Seminary. It was love at first sight and they married shortly thereafter in 1946. She was the mother of five, grandmother of eleven and great grandmother of twelve, all of whom fill her life with much joy.

She studied vocal performance at Converse College and used her solo voice in praise to God in many churches and events throughout her life. Now her pure, lilting, lyric soprano voice is enhancing the Heavenly Choir. Her last two weeks on earth were spent singing all her favorite hymns with three of her children, and a son-in-law and a steady stream of saints (who came to her room with their own hymnals). It was a blessed and sweet time for all, including the Highland Farms Nurses and CNA's who lovingly cared for her over many years.

We loved our Mama and Daddy and are grateful to God for the gift of Eternal Life. They are reunited now and forever, which fills us with joy! A family remembrance day is planned for July 4th weekend.

Mama was a big supporter of her daughter's non-profit to help men trapped in addiction. If you wish to honor her, please check out williamsplace.org.

Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Tubbs Family. The online memorial register is available at www.PenlandFamilyFuneralHome.com.

Richard Isele

Black Mountain

Richard Michael Isele, 78, of Black Mountain passed away Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018.

Mr. Isele was born Aug. 9, 1940 in New York.  He was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Margaret Isele and son, Joshua Isele.

Mr. Isele is survived by his children, Michele Mitola (John), Kristen Johnson (Chad), Roxanne Taylor, Micah Isele and Seth Isele; grandchildren, William, Charles, Nicholas, Joseph, Thomas-Colt, Isaiah, Elijah and Jonah; siblings, Sharon Smith, Margaret DeZee, Jacquelynn Bruce, Bob Woods, Matthew DeZee, and Lorie Dillon; and his beloved K-9 companion, Nicky.

A Funeral Mass was held on Dec. 3 at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, where Father Matt Leonard officiated.

Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).