Aug. 29 Obituaries of the Swannanoa Valley

Bill "Tunnie" Hall, Jr. 

Old Fort

Bill “Tunnie” Hall, Jr., age 74, of Old Fort, North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019 at Memorial Campus of Mission Hospital in Asheville with his loved ones by his side. Born in Mitchell County, North Carolina on July 26, 1945, he was the son of the late Willie “Bill” and Pearl Buchanan Hall. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Seth Hall; three sisters, Naomi Hoilman, Linda Hicks and Carolyn Stewart; one brother, Charles Hall; son-in-law, Tony Moseman; and a special nephew, David “Foot” Hall. 

A member and Deacon of Brookside Missionary Baptist Church in Old Fort, Bill was known to be a generous man.  He enjoyed traveling to the beach and spending time with his family, which he loved to care for.  Always staying busy, he had a special place in his heart for animals.  Bill enjoyed feeding and watching his squirrels. 

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, Darlene Laws Hall; two daughters, Patricia Moseman and Sandra Davis; two sons, Matthew Hall (Misty) and Thomas Hall; nine grandchildren, Heather Moseman, Jossalin Davis, Jeremiah Davis, Zackery Saunooke Hall, Justin Davis, Steven Davis,  Zachery Dewayne Hall, Ryleigh Blake and Deven Blake; two great grandchildren, Kharter and Kannon Brown; numerous nieces and nephews; and many friends.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Beam Funeral Service & Crematory in Marion.

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 22, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service with Revs. Bill Wilson, Danny Sprinkle and Steve Beugenhagen officiating.  Interment will follow at Bethlehem Community Cemetery in Old Fort.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to the Old Fort Fire Department First Responders, McDowell County Emergency Services and to Walker Hughes, Troy Harris and Ryan Jones for their life saving efforts; to the staff of Memorial Campus CICU, CarePartners Hospice & Palliative Care, Mission Hospital’s Chaplains, St. Joseph Campus 9th floor staff and vascular team for the extraordinary care that they provided both Mr. and Mrs. Hall and his family during this difficult time.

Beam Funeral Service & Crematory is assisting the Hall family. For further information or to sign the online guestbook, visit beamfuneralservice.com , or call (828) 559-8111.

Mary Irene "Mayrene" Harrington Bobbitt

Ormond Beach, Florida

Mary Irene “Mayrene” Harrington Bobbitt died peacefully at Halifax Hospice Care Center in Ormond Beach, Florida, on Aug.18, 2019, at the age of 86.

Mayrene was born on November 12, 1932 in Rockford, North Carolina. to Irene and Walter Harrington. She was a graduate of Taylorsville High School.

After beginning her post-graduate studies at Wake Forest University, she graduated from University of Tampa with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in English and minor in History.

Mayrene wore the crown of Miss Taylorsville High and Miss Alexander County. She grew up in the Taylorsville First Baptist Church and felt a call to ministry at the early age of 15, yet was uncertain of what that calling meant. When she married Paul Bobbitt (Director of the Church Music Department of the Florida Baptist Convention for 23 years, 1970 to 1993) her life calling became clear. Using her skills to assist her husband as a minister’s wife, raising their three daughters, and teaching private piano lessons for 25 years, was the outgrowth of her calling.

Her hobby was reading and collecting books about the stories behind hymns and their writers, plus textbooks on hymnology. In the summer of 1980, while attending a music conference at Ridgecrest, Mayrene found her ministry. After being asked to teach a hymnology workshop, she decided to do it using a character. She once said in an interview, “I saw a man perform as Martin Luther. I wished there was one for a woman to do. I knew I’d do it because I’m a ham.”

This led to her writing and performing 12 monologues (one person plays) portraying various stories behind beloved hymns. They can be found in her books Christian Hymn Writers Come Alive series.

Mayrene was preceded in death by her parents, Irene and Walter Harrington, and her husband, Paul R Bobbitt, Jr. She is survived by her sister, Jane Pflieger and husband Dave of Kane, Pennsylvania; daughters Irene Green and husband Henry of Annapolis, Maryland, Myra Wooden and husband Joe of Ormond Beach, Florida, and Angie Bobbitt of Conyers, Georgia; grandchildren Matthew Green, Natalie Green, Patrick Green, Christine McCrory, Solomon Sallas, and Paul Batten.

Rhonda Marie Lunsford

Burnsville

Rhonda Marie Lunsford, 47, of Burnsville, passed away Monday, Aug. 19, 2019.

Rhonda was born Jan. 13, 1972 in Jacksonville, FL.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Bill and Helen Lunsford and Wayne and Lottie Craig; and brother, Michael Lunsford.

Rhonda is survived by her Dad and Mom, Roger and Becky Lunsford of Swannanoa; birth mother, Brenda Brown (Bob) of Clayton; love and soulmate, Clinton Bickford; brother, Bobby Lunsford (Kelly) of Old Fort, and two nephews, Tyler and Daniel.

A gathering of family and friends was held at Harwood Home for Funerals, Aug. 27.

Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.

William McKinley Rollins, Jr. 

Black Mountain

William McKinley Rollins, Jr. entered his heavenly home on Aug. 22, 2019.

He was born on Aug. 27, 1932 to William and Pearlie Melton Rollins. He retired from Wilsonart International. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving his country proudly. William enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family. He was a member of Meadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church where he served as past Deacon and Trustee.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sisters, Rosa Mae McAbee and Annie Mae Harris; and brother, Everette Rollins.

William is survived by his loving wife, Betty Rollins; son, Ricky Rollins and wife, Linda; daughter, Cindy Carter and husband, Tim; sisters, Genevie Allen, Edith DeHart, Wyonell Smith, and Peggy Duell; brothers, Gary Rollins and J.L. Rollins; grandchildren, Nicole, Ashley, Amber and Amy; and great grandchildren, Jaden and Ama.

A Celebration of Life Service was held at Harwood Home for Funerals, Aug. 26.

A private burial was held at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.

Flowers are accepted or memorial contributions may be made to Meadowbrook Free Will Baptist Church, 204 Blue Ridge Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Harwood Home for Funerals (harwoodhomeforfunerals.com) is assisting the family.