Dec. 13 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Wanda Mills
Swannanoa
Wanda Loretta Biggs Mills, our earthly angel, 65, of Swannanoa, went to her heavenly home peacefully, Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018.
Wanda is preceded in death by her father, Homer Ed Biggs; mother, Audrey Geneva Edwards; and brother, Paul Biggs.
Surviving Wanda is her daughter, Stephanie Lee Vanover (Harrison) of Marion, NC; brothers: Luther Biggs (Peggy)of Candler, NC, Wayne Biggs (Jo) of Anderson, SC, Sam Biggs of Murphy, NC, David Engle of Bryson City, NC, Bobby Engle of Asheville, NC; sisters: Sheila Allen of Candler, NC, Brenda Hensley of Asheville, NC; grandson, Austin Chandler, of Marion, NC; granddaughters, Makensie Chandler, of Weaverville, NC, Makaylah Chandler, of Marion, NC, Kadence Vanover, of Marion, NC, and lots of nieces and nephews.
Wanda was a real estate agent for several years. She enjoyed cooking, shopping, fishing, going to the lake & most importantly spending time with loved ones, & making memories with her grandchildren that lit up her life!
A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, at The Place Fellowship Church, 306 Whiston Avenue, Swannanoa. Pastor Mike Anderson is officiating. A special thank you to all doctors, nurses, and staff at St. Joseph Hospital ICU department that went above and beyond caring for our loved one as well as our family.
Condolences can be made to the family at www.ashevilleareaalternative.com
This Is Not A Goodbye, Only Our "See You Later, Donnie!"
Billie Sue Atkins
Fairview
Billie Sue Atkins, 78, of Fairview, formerly of Black Mountain, passed away Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018.
Mrs. Atkins was born Oct. 21, 1940 in McDowell County to the late George and Julia Rickman.
She was a member of First Baptist Church, Swannanoa.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by two grandsons, Austin and Dalton Ponder.
Mrs. Atkins is survived by her husband, Kenneth Atkins; daughter, Jill Ponder (Brian); brother, Bobby Rickman; and grandson, Garrett Ponder.
A Celebration of Life Service was held Dec. 5, 2018 in the chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals, where Rev. Robert Ponder officiated.
The family received friends prior to the service.
Flowers are acceptable and appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.
The family would like to extend a sincere appreciation to CarePartners Home Health for their loving care of Mrs. Atkins.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Motokie Styles
Black Mountain
Motokie Styles, 87, of Black Mountain, passed away Dec. 2, 2018 at home.
Mrs. Styles was born March 6, 1931 in Madison County to the late Bill and Linda Davis.
Motokie loved her family and friends, her dog, bingo, elephants, fishing, flowers, and listening to her husband Johnie play Bluegrass music. She was a member of Tabernacle United Methodist Church and retired from Kearfott after 27 years of service.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sisters, Lillie Correll, Virginia Lyman and Hazel Atkins.
Motokie is survived by her husband of 67 years, Johnie Styles; children, Tommy Styles (Kim), Johnny Styles (Karen) and Judy Allen; brother, McKinley Davis; 6 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; and special friend, Hazel Taylor.
The family received friends on Dec. 5, at Tabernacle United Methodist Church.
A Celebration of Life Service followed at the church, where Rev. Lisa Beth White and Rev. H.D. Houck officiated. Burial was in Mountain View Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Tabernacle United Methodist Church, 385 Tabernacle Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Lawrence Nelon
Black Mountain
Lawrence Nelon, 79, of Black Mountain, passed away Dec. 3, 2018.
Mr. Nelon was born in Buncombe County to the late Charles and Minnie Nelon. He loved spending time with his family, gardening, wood working, traveling to Florida, fishing and eating. Lawrence was a jack of all trades, and he was a member of East Black Mountain Free Will Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, Lawrence is preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Pat Nelon; four sisters and two brothers.
Lawrence is survived by his wife of 19 years, Phyllis Nelon; daughters, Lisa Godfrey (Scott) and Linda Sceizina (Ray); step children, True Hollifield (Jeff), Edward Love, and Crystal Jones (Matt); sisters, Shirley Gentle (Ted) and Kathleen Yarborough; brothers, Harvie Nelon (Merna), Carl Nelon (Ruth), Ray Nelon (Betty), and Lester Nelon (Evelyn); grandchildren, Tyler Godfrey (Jacqui), Chase Godfrey (Heather), and Michael Sceizina; step grandchildren, Seth Hollifield, Brandon Love, Austin Love, Bryson Love, Madalyn Jones, Hunter Arrowood, and Levi Arrowood; great grandchildren, Ava and Camden Godfrey, and Leah is on the way; step great grandchildren, Charlie, Zack and McKenna Love; and special friends, Jimmy and Sherrill Ragans.
The family received friends on Dec. 5, at Harwood Home for Funerals.
A celebration of life service was held Dec. 6 at the funeral home, where Rev. Danny Sprinkle officiated. Burial was in the Broad River Baptist Church Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to East Black Mountain Free Will Baptist Church, PO Box 545, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Camilla Burnett
Black Mountain
Camilla H. Burnett, 89, of Black Mountain, passed away Dec. 5, 2018.
A lifelong resident of Black Mountain, Camilla was born Nov. 14, 1929 to the late Preston and Dollie Padgett. She was devoted to her family and her grandchildren were very special to her. Camilla was a lifelong member of Kerlee Heights Baptist Church and was a long-time employee of Bi-Lo.
She enjoyed socializing and spending time with the people in Black Mountain. Camilla was a strong person who survived breast cancer and lived a long happy life surrounded by family and friends.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Cecil H. Burnett; and sister, Trilby Blankenship.
Camilla is survived by her children, Brenda Press (Dennis) and Bryan Burnett (Roxanne); grandchildren, Zachary C. Burnett, Joshua B. Burnett, and Allison N. Press; and siblings, Mary Sneed, Albert Padgett and Robert Padgett.
The family received friends on Dec. 8 at Harwood Home for Funerals. A Celebration of Life Service followed immediately.
Burial was in Mountain View Memorial Park where she was laid to rest beside her husband.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (www.harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Virginia Dale Jones
Asheville
Virginia Dale Jones, 46, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018 at her residence.
Mrs. Jones was a native of Morristown, Tennessee but lived in Asheville for many years. She was the daughter of the late Joe Charles and Verda Mattie Lee Moore Wells. She a private duty Certified Nursing Assistant. And of the Baptist faith.
She is survived by her son, Brandon Cowan of Black Mountain; her sister; Teresa Craig of Lenoir City, TN and Karen Wells Cowan of Black Mountain. She is also survived by her 5 nieces Hali Marie Cowan, Lindsey Kristene Wilson, Janaica Padgett, Elizabeth Brigmon, Mandy Pack and her nephew Mason Dean Kagley.
A Graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday Dec. 15, 2018 at Bent Creek Cemetery in Whitesburg Tennessee. Rev. Josh Wilson will officiate.
The family will receive friends Friday Dec. 14 at Penland Family Funeral Home in Swannanoa.
Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be caring for the Jones Family.
Condolences may be sent to www.PenlandFamilyFuneralHome.com.