Aug. 1 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Chuck Root
Swannanoa
Chuck Root, 74, of Swannanoa, passed away Monday, July 22, 2019.
Mr. Root was born August 12, 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Miami, Florida. At the age of 17 he joined the Marine Corps and served for 27 years and two combat tours in Vietnam. Chuck was one of 78 Marines selected as an undercover Federal Sky Marshall in 1970 until the FAA could hire/train.
He was Guard Chief for a top-secret facility – special waiver from POW Admiral Jeremiah Denton to receive Joint Service Commendation medal. Chuck worked at the Employment Security Commission as a Disabled Veterans Outreach Specialist. He spent his last 10 years of employment with the United States Postal Service. He was a member and Deacon of First Baptist Church, Swannanoa.
Chuck is preceded in death by his mother, Nazarena Mary Griffin; first wife, Julia Root; second wife, Connie Root; sons, Charles, Arnold and Randy; and siblings, Marie, Nazarena, and Theresa.
Chuck is survived by his daughters, Jennifer Thompson of Fairview, Angela Swift (Jerry) of Lincolnton, and Michele Dubay (Brian) of Atlanta, Georgia; sister, Linda Wise of Pembroke Pines, Florida; grandchildren, Courtney Edwards, Ariel Jones, Dakota Cowart, Baylie Cowart, Morgan Elder, Carson Dubay, Brayden Elder, Donovan Dubay, Kayla Thompson, Landon Dubay, and Katelynn Thompson; great granddaughter, Addison Hunter; adopted daughter through love and Christ, Frankie Lynn Davis; and adopted grandson through love and Christ, Quinn Graham.
The family received friends at Harwood Home for Funerals on July 28.
A celebration of life service was held at First Baptist Church, Swannanoa on July 28. Burial followed at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Swannanoa Eternity Childs Fund, 503 Park Street, Swannanoa, N.C., 28778.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.
Ray Melton
Swannanoa
Ray Wilson Melton, age 90, of Swannanoa, passed away July 24, 2019.
Ray was born Oct. 15, 1928 in McDowell County to the late William and Cordelia Melton. He lived most of his life in Buncombe County. Ray was a quiet, but very loving husband and father. He was admired and respected by everyone who knew him.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Cheryl Eudy; brothers, Roy and Grady Melton; and sisters, Virginia Setzer and Gracie Melton.
He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mildred Melton; children, Kathleen Hannigan (Michael) of Asheville and David Melton (Tammy) of Swannanoa; grandchildren, Jessica Hannigan, Derek Melton, Devin Melton, Mel Eudy, and Michael Eudy; and several great grandchildren.
The family will received friends at their residence on July 28.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.