Aug. 22 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley
Robert Edwards "Rooney" King
Black Mountain
Rooney King passed away on Aug. 14, 2019. He leaves behind his wife, Pamela C. King, five brothers and their wives and children, three stepsons and their wives and children. He is remembered by all as a kind, caring man with an extraordinary sense of integrity and humor.
Rooney was born and raised in Troy and was a graduate of the University of North Carolina — Chapel Hill. He had a long career as a CPA and as a Chief Financial Officer with several companies in Charlotte and Vero Beach, Florida. He was especially proud to have been the Treasurer of the Ivey’s Department Stores Company until its merger with the Marshall Fields Corporation.
After Rooney and Pam decided to move from Florida to North Carolina, they lived briefly in Asheville and then fell in love with Black Mountain and settled down. Rooney was pleased to serve his neighbors as a CPA with an office in downtown Black Mountain.
A Celebration of Life for Rooney will be held at the White Horse Black Mountain at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 25. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcomed to the Friends of the Black Mountain Library, 105 North Dougherty Street, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.
Helen Taylor Owenby
Asheville
Helen Taylor Owenby, 83, of Asheville, passed away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2019.
Mrs. Owenby was born July 17, 1936 in Buncombe County to the late Horace and Elsie Juanita Taylor. She loved spending time with her family and traveling with her friends who she considered her “traveling family”. Helen retired from Beacon Manufacturing and was a member of Grassy Branch Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Roy Melvin Owenby.
Helen is survived by her children, Kenneth Owenby (Colleen) of Asheville, Karen Cox (Ace) of Fairview, James Alan Owenby of Black Mountain, William Owenby (Sharon) of Greeneville, Tennessee, and Jason Allen Owenby (Alisha) of Black Mountain; siblings, Robert Taylor (Linda) of Florida and Dollie Blevins (Don) of Erwin, Tennessee; grandchildren, Sarah, Matthew, Destiny, Ryan, Roy, Hunter, Ray and Crystal; and great grandchildren, Paxton, Mark, Alyssa, and Lexie.
The family received friends on Aug. 18, at Grassy Branch Baptist Church. A Celebration of Life Service, officiated by Rev. James Lamb, followed.
A graveside service was held Aug. 19, at Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.
Jackie Wheeler
Black Mountain
Jackie Ray Wheeler, 70, of Black Mountain, passed away August 16, 2019 at Mission Hospital.
Jackie was born June 2, 1949 to Jack and Ruth Carswell Wheeler.
He is survived by his wife, Vickey Bryant Wheeler; sons, Jeffrey (Stacy), Kenneth (Tammy), and Todd (Wendy); grandchildren, Rebecca, Scotty, Katelyn, and Colin Wheeler; great grandson, Mack Smith; brother, Earl Wheeler (Christine) of Jackson, MI; and sister, Gail Frierich (Glenn) of Black Mountain.
The family received friends at Harwood Home for Funerals on Aug. 18.
A Celebration of Life Service and burial was held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery on Aug. 20.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.
LaVerne Jones
Black Mountain
LaVerne Jones, 93, Black Mountain, NC, passed away August 16, 2019 at the McCune Center.
Mrs. Jones was born April 28, 1926 in Ozona, Florida. She has been a resident of Black Mountain for 67 years. With her husband, Arnold Jones, she founded a successful real estate and construction company called Arnold Jones & Sons Realty and Construction. LaVerne was a loving mother who was very devoted to her family, church and community. She served many years as a visiting Eucharist minister taking communion to shut ins. LaVerne served on the St. Vincent de Paul Society helping community members in need. She was a member of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Swannanoa.
LaVerne is preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Jones; and son, Jim Jones.
She is survived by her daughter, Martha Baldwin (Mike); sons, Tom Jones (Bonnie) and Paul Jones (Sara); sister, Willa Frances; brother, John Winskie (Doris); 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.
A Funeral Mass was officiated by Father Matt Leonard at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church on Aug. 19. Burial was in Mountain View Memorial Park.
Those desiring to make a memorial contribution are encouraged to consider Marjorie McCune Center 101 Lions Way, Black Mountain, NC 28711 or Parkinson’s Foundation, 200 SE First Street, Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to the caring staff at the Marjorie McCune Community.
Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.