May 2 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Diana Sawyer
Black Mountain
Diana Sawyer, 64, of Black Mountain, passed away April 22, 2019.
Diana was born Sept. 29, 1954, to the late Samuel Stone and Pearl Virginia Stone Mundy. She was currently employed for 18 years with Old Dominion Freight Lines.
In addition to her parents, Diana is preceded in death by her step father, Creed Mundy, Sr.; siblings, Evelyn Josephine Haney, Robert Michael Stone and Charles Douglas Haney, Sr.
Diana is survived by her sons, Brian Michael Sawyer and Dustin Kane Sawyer; life partner, Gary Wayne Sparks; sister, Mitzi Denise Cormier; grandchildren, Kane Malcolm Sawyer and Malaki Harper; nephew, Christopher Joseph Cormier; best friend, Lynnette (Lou) Antle; and a large extended family.
The family received guests on April 29, at Harwood Home for Funerals.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.
Jay Gregory
Asheville
Alvin Jay Gregory, Jr., 49, passed away Friday, April 19, 2019.
A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, Jay was a well-known roofing contractor in the Black Mountain area. He was the son everyone wanted to have, and knew no stranger. He loved fishing, camping, and old cars, and will forever be remembered as a wonderful and loving son, husband, father, Pop-Pop/Poppy, brother, uncle and friend.
Jay was the son of Alvin Jay Gregory, Sr. and wife Brenda, and Priscilla Ann Conner Nesbitt and husband, Jay’s “Pap,” Gene.
In addition to his parents, surviving are his bride of 14 years, Karen McFee Gregory; children: Allie (the love of his life), Hannah (Austin), Jonathan (Jasmine), and Jeffrey (Tara); grandchildren: Maci, Averi, Aubrey, Laylah and Dallas; sister, Connie Wright and husband Stanley; lifelong friends/brothers: Jamey Vess, Frank Stroupe and Wayne Cabe; and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 4 at the Land of Sky Shrine Club, 39 Spring Cove Road, Swannanoa.
Anders-Rice Funeral Home is assisting Jay’s family.
To sign Jay’s guestbook online, please go to “Memorials” at www.andersrice.com.
Fred Shook
Black Mountain
Fred Shook, Jr., 77 of Black Mountain passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019.
Mr. Shook was born May 20, 1941 in Buncombe County to the late Fred and Mildred Pressley Shook.
He was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church. Fred loved to hunt, fish and spend time with his family.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by an infant son, Dwayne Eddie Shook.
Fred is survived by his wife, Gail Shook; daughters, Angela Rathbone (Dale), Janet Miller (Rick), and Tammy Lee (Ryan); son, Kevin Shook (Kim); sister, Betty Jean Ballew; grandchildren, David, Jesse (Heather), BreeAnna (Jeffrey), Dalton, Jace, Christine, Nikki, Dylan, Brittlee (Will), Taylee (Logan), Marlee, Savannah, and Soffiah; great grandchildren, Tori, Tanner, Ryder, Waylon, Cole, and Claire and several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of Life service was held on April 24 at Mountain View Baptist Church, where Rev. Brent Bolick officiated.
Harwood Home for Funerals & Cremation Services (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.
Wesley Worley
Swannanoa
Wesley Winfred Worley, 76, of Swannanoa, passed away Sunday, April 21, 2019 at the VA Medical Center.
Wesley was born March 16, 1943 in Buncombe County to the late McKinley Clenon Worley and Katherine Plemmons Rice. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, was a restaurant owner, and he attended Victory Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Walter (Red) Worley.
Wesley is survived by his daughter, Adalyn Ficca Worley of Asheville; sons, Charles Worley of Sebring, FL, McKinley Worley of Black Mountain, NC, and Bryan Worley of Asheville, NC; siblings, John Worley of Conover, NC, Elaine Payne of Black Mountain, NC, Kate Bohannon of Stuart, FL, Sue Wallace of Hickory, NC, Betsy Napier of Maggie Valley, NC, Martha Underdown of Hickory, NC, and Mary Hopkins of Black Mountain, NC; grandchildren, Zach Worley and Elizabeth Worley; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family received friends on April 23 at Harwood Home for Funerals. A celebration of life service immediately followed. Rev. Joshua Hopkins officiated.
Burial was April 24, at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Rev. Randy Stone officiated the service.
In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to Victory Baptist Church, PO Box 955, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.