June 13 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Steve Haney
Fairview
Steve Haney, 78, of Fairview, passed away June 5, 2019.
One of 11 children, Steve was born in Black Mountain, on September 5, 1940 to the late George and Bertha Haney.
Steve was a family man who was so proud of his kids, their spouses, and his grandkids. He was a sports enthusiast and was a Tennessee fan and alumnus. Steve never missed a sporting practice or game involving his children. Over the years, he developed wonderful relationships with all those he met including his kids’ friends. Steve had a big heart, a big personality, and never met a stranger. He was a great storyteller, whether the tale was true or false. Steve loved the beach and enjoyed spending time with his breakfast buddies.
Steve is survived by his wife, Terry Haney; daughter, Janet Haney Amburgey and her husband, J. Thomas Amburgey; son, Jonathan Michael Haney and his wife, Rachel Levine Haney; grandchildren, Taylor Lane Amburgey, J. Griffin Amburgey, Julia Rose Haney, and Spencer Reid Haney; and siblings, Kay Bartlett, Bud Haney, Ann Knight, and John Haney.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, at Harwood Home for Funerals in Black Mountain.
A reception will be held from 2 - 4 p.m. at the Black Mountain Ale House, following the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Association, PO Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the Doctors and Nursing Staff at Mission Hospital, Mission Heart staff, Dr. John Gardner, and Dr. Duncan Dorris.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).
Lenoir Tucker
Black Mountain
Lenoir Mercer Williams Tucker died on May 22, 2019.
She was born in Rocky Mount, NC on November 27, 1928 to Isham Rowland Williams and Lenoir Mercer Williams. After attending St Mary’s High School in Raleigh, she graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she received her BA in Math Education in 1950.
Lenoir taught math in Whiteville, Goldsboro and Raleigh, NC schools, and did graduate work at UNC Chapel Hill, and later at the University of Florida.
Lenoir married Leslie Campbell Tucker, Jr. in Dunn NC, on April 27, 1957. Lenoir was a devoted friend who always put others first.
She will be best remembered for her unwavering love and support for her children and grandchildren and her ability to enjoy life with a positive outlook no matter what the situation.
She was predeceased by her husband, Leslie, in 2006, her brother, Isham (Rody) Williams, Jr. in 1999, and an infant granddaughter, Hannah Gilbert in 1996. She is survived by three children, Campbell Tucker (Burnet), Mercer Tucker, and Frances Gilbert (Greg), and by her grandchildren, Sam Issermoyer, Thomas Issermoyer, Davis Gilbert, Grace Gilbert, Carley Tucker and Sarah Campbell Tucker.
Burial will occur at Greenwood Cemetery in Belmont at 2 p.m. on June 15. A memorial service will be held at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church at 2 p.m. on June 16.
Memorials can be sent to either the Presbyterian Women’s Circles of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church or to the Montreat Conference Center.
Arrangements are with McLean Funeral Directors, Belmont.
Winfred Lynch
Black Mountain
Winfred William Lynch, 82, of Black Mountain passed away Saturday, June 1, 2019 at the Charles George VA Medical Center.
Mr. Lynch was born May 7, 1937, on flourishing farmland by the banks of the Broad River in rural Rutherford County, to the late Blanch and Juanita Burnette Lynch. In approximately 1944, the Lynch family moved to Black Mountain.
Winfred was a retired Master Sgt. E8 of the US Army with 25 years of service to his country. Following retirement from the Army, he acted as a security guard for Juvenile Evaluation Center in Swannanoa, where he oftentimes played a mentoring role to at-risk youth.
But he will be most remembered for his lifelong service, commitment and wholehearted dedication to family and community.
Looking back over the life of Winfred William Lynch, it seems he was born to be the family pillar.
“His mother's high standard of morality and kindness and his father's skill in farming, combined with fearlessness and the determination to protect himself and his loved ones, was embedded in the Winfred many admired, in the Winfred from which others recoiled,” according to family matriarch, Mary Othella Burnette. “Not only did he have a reputation for giving abundantly and unselfishly to the living, he was forever concerned about caring for the graves of those who had passed on. His major community interest was the care of our cemeteries and he was grateful for the diligence and efforts of the Willing Workers Club. When elderly members of the community needed fresh vegetables, Winfred raised far more than he needed in order to share with them.”
Winfred Lynch possessed a soft heart for those in need and, by example; he showed us the definition of what it means to be a cheerful giver. Winfred’s capacity to be charitable, considerate and compassionate included gifts of land, funds, vehicles, and tools of the trade. According to niece, Regina Lynch-Hudson, her uncle’s selfless generosity greatly influenced and profoundly impacted the long-term life consequences of his loved ones.
It was during his early military years that he sacrificed, scrimped and saved, choosing to live in the barracks versus living off-base, in order to build a brick house on family land──a home designed as a gift to his mother.
“He purchased my first typewriter, an electric Smith-Corona in 1975, and a Pentax Camera,” said Lynch-Hudson, “tools which later fueled and inspired my career in publicity and media relations.”
A nephew, Kevin Logan, says that Winfred not only gave him his first set of golf clubs 50 years ago, but acted as his golf coach; and was instrumental in Kevin setting a course record at the 2001 Skyview Open at Broadmoor Golf Links.
Winfred was also known to be generous with his unsolicited but sage advice.
In addition to his parents, Winfred is preceded in death by his wife, Pearlie Pertiller Lynch; sisters, Hattie Geneva Lynch, Gladys Cordelia Lynch Logan, and Gloria Lynch (newborn twin of Gladys).
Winfred is survived by his sister, Julia Mae Edgerton of Rutherfordton, NC; brothers, Wallace LeVirgil Lynch and Lorenzo Worth Lynch both of Black Mountain; very special great nephew, Nigel Lynch of the home; special nephew and niece, Dwain Lynch of the home, Dede Lynch Waddell (Dwight) who was also his caretaker of Black Mountain, and special niece, Regina Lynch Hudson (Ret. Col. Courtland C. Bivens III) of Roswell, GA; nieces and nephews, Karl Logan (Diana), Karol Logan Speight (Tony), Kevin Logan (Mitzi), and Marcus Lynch (Alexandria); special aunt and family matriarch, Mary Othella Burnette of Saint Clair Shores, Michigan and a host of beloved cousins, great nieces and great nephews; “bonus” children, DeRose Stewart, Matt Black and Michael Black and several "bonus grandchildren and "bonus" great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Service was held at Mills Chapel Baptist Church on June 8, with Reverend Herbert Grant officiating. Winfred’s final resting place is in Oak Grove Cemetery, among Stepp, Burnette, Payne and Lynch ancestral graves that he lovingly festooned with flowers over his lifetime.
As an all-embracing father-figure to a village of nieces, nephews, “bonus children” and others, Winfred’s strong work ethic and giving spirit planted seeds which will perennially bloom in the lives of future generations.
Jerry Atkins
Black Mountain
Jerry E. Atkins, 71, of Black Mountain, passed away Tuesday, June 4, 2019.
Mr. Atkins was born August 29, 1947 in Buncombe County to the late Ruffner and Inez Ramsey Atkins. Jerry was a graduate of AB Tech and a veteran of the US Air Force.
He was a dedicated employee with the Town of Black Mountain in Zoning Administration and retired as a volunteer fireman with the Black Mountain Fire Department earning Fire Captain with 42 years of service.
Jerry was a Fire Service instructor and he received a 40-year service award and Fireman of the Year in 1979. After retirement, Jerry was a Safety Officer up until his death.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his brother, Larry Atkins.
Jerry is survived by his brother, Michael Atkins of Charlotte; aunt, Jean Ramsey of Black Mountain; and extended family and close friends.
A Celebration of Life service was held June 11, at Harwood Home for Funerals. Burial followed at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Black Mountain Volunteer Firefighters Association, 106 Montreat Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Arrangements by Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com).