Feb. 21 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Jim Reames
Swannanoa
James “Jim” Clinton Reames, 61, of Swannanoa, passed away Friday, February 8, 2019 at the Charles George VA Medical Center.
Jim was born May 21, 1957 in Columbus, OH and lived in Swannanoa for 35 years. He served by his mother, Gloris Thomas and stepfather, Steve Czap. Jim was a veteran of the US Army.
Surviving are his sisters, Sabrina Thomas Arrington and her husband, John, Cindy Witt and her husband Joe and Margaret Hughes and her husband, Willie; brothers, David Miller and his wife, Marsha and Donald Thomas; several aunts and uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and his daughter, Carolann Reames.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, February 11, 2019 at Swannanoa Christian Church with the Rev. Gordan Dasher officiating.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Mary Biggs
Swannanoa
Mary Lou Biggs, 79, of Swannanoa passed away Saturday, February 9, 2019.
Mrs. Biggs was born October 11, 1939 in Buncombe County to the late George and Lucille Burrell Curtis.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Mary was known as “Mamaw” and the “Cake Lady” around Swannanoa and Black Mountain. She loved her mountains and nature and making trips to the beach with her family and friends.
Mary was a member of Morningside Baptist Church in Asheville.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Larry Eugene Biggs, Sr.; brother, Sonny Curtis; sister, Aileen Crain; and daughter-in-law, Debra Biggs.
Mary is survived by her daughter, Sharon Biggs Bishop (Phillip) of Marion, NC; son, Larry Biggs, Jr., of San Antonio, TX; sister, Judy Summey of Greensboro; brother, Bill Curtis (Vonda) of Cache, OK; four grandchildren, Missy Hall (Tommy), Christopher Biggs, Phillip Bishop, Jr., (Tara) and Elyse Biggs; five great grandchildren, Connor Hall, Carson Hall, Haylee Bishop, Harlee Bishop, and Kaidon Biggs; and special friends, Clorena Bagwell and Florence Christopher.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Thursday, February 14, 2019 at 11:00am in the chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals with Rev. Tommy Hall officiating. A private burial will be held in Green Hills Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 13, 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00pm at the funeral home.
Flowers are accepted and appreciated. Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider: Hope, A Women’s Cancer Center, 100 Ridgefield Court, Asheville, NC 28806.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Roderick Hamilton
Black Mountain
Roderick James Hamilton, 85, of Black Mountain, passed away February 8, 2019.
Mr. Roderick Hamilton was born June 27, 1933 in New Brunswick, Canada. He earned various honors and achievements while serving his country in the Army in Europe during WWII as a Communication Technician. He was an Electronic Engineer and traveled in the US and Europe. Roderick became a citizen on June 20, 1958 and moved to NC in 1994 where he lived the rest of his life. He was employed with RDM of Nebo, NC.
Roderick is preceded in death by his parents, James Irving Hamilton and Mildred Elizabeth Smith Hamilton; and daughter, Mary Susan.
He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Eunice Hamilton; son, Mike Hamilton of Phoenix, AZ; stepsons, Carl Anthony Cox of Asheville, Jimmy Kenneth Cox of Black Mountain, and Ronald Steven Cox of Swannanoa; sister, Phyllis Brown of Jensen Beach, FL; five grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, February 23, 2019 at 2:00pm at his residence, 106 East Connally Street, Black Mountain, NC with Kelly L. Belcher, M. Div., officiating.
Flowers are accepted and appreciated. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
A special thanks to Hospice and all who shared in his life.
Harwood Home for Funerals is assisting the family (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Peggy Pressley
Swannanoa
Peggy Ann Pressley, 75, of Swannanoa, went home to be with the Lord on February 10, 2019.
Mrs. Pressley was born April 13, 1943 in Buncombe County to the late William Aubrey “Bo” and Annie Mae Spivey. Peggy retired from Kearfott with over 20 years of service. She loved her family and church family. Peggy enjoyed traveling, gardening, and singing gospel music with the Happy Echoes. She was a selfless, caring person who put others before herself.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Thomas Weldon Pressley, Sr.; and brother, Charles Spivey.
Peggy is survived by her sons, Thomas Weldon Pressley, Jr., James Kevin Pressley (Becky), and Allen Wayne Pressley (Veronica); siblings, David Spivey (Wanda), Faye Burnette, Linda Smith, Nancy Hanson (Ken), Janice Banks, and David Spivey, Jr. (Stacey); grandchildren, Andrew, Candace, Matthew, Jared, Ashlyn, Kaitlyn, Megan, Cassy, Skyler, and Trevor Pressley; and great grandchildren, Cadyn Pressley, Zariyah Lytle, and Bryson Pressley.
A celebration of life service will be held Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at 2:00pm in the chapel of Harwood Home for Funerals with Rev. Dale Patton officiating. Burial will be in Mountain View Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service time at the funeral home.
Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, PO Box 8195, Asheville, NC 28814.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.
Bill Adams
Black Mountain
William Lynn “Bill" Adams, 82, of Black Mountain passed away peacefully on Saturday, February 9, 2019 at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville.
Born July 12, 1936 in Buffalo, NY, he was the son of the late William R. Adams and Doris L. Adams. He proudly served in the Coast Guard Reserves and owned and operated Adams and Associates Advertising for 22 years. He enjoyed helping others and was a past member of the Kiwanis Club in Miami, FL.
Bill loved living in Black Mountain and using his creative talents to further improve the lives of others. Examples of this were found in his community of Cheshire Village where he worked to enhance the natural beauty of the landscape and where he designed and helped orchestrate the construction of a rustic postal shed which is both utilitarian and a work of art.
Surviving is his partner and wife of 28 years, Elaine Petersen; son, Eric Adams and wife, Maria; and grandson, Jordan Adams. A private memorial service will be held at a later date. Condolences may be made to the family at www.ashevilleareaalternative.com. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville or to the George Mark Children's House, 2121 George Mark Lane, San Leandro, CA 94578.