Stephen Blaine Deaver, III, age 72, of Weaverville, passed away on Wednesday August 7, 2024. He was born on October 16, 1951, in Buncombe County to the late S.B. Deaver, Jr. and Lucille Lance Deaver.

Steve was a 1969 graduate of North Buncombe High School. After graduation, he joined the US Air Force and served from 1970-1974, he was a Vietnam Veteran. Steve was employed at the VA Medical Center from 1974 – 1999. After retirement in 1999, he worked with Thoms Rehabilitation on the Mission Hospital campus, Care Partners at the St. Jospeh campus and Out-n-About patient transport.

Steve loved sports, especially the Carolina Panthers, NASCAR and his beloved New York Yankees of which he was a life long super fan. He enjoyed listening to gospel music and had a radio program on WHBK Radio for several years in honor of his father's quartet, The True Gospel Quartet. He was also an avid member of the Fellowship Baptist Church.

Steve was a natural caregiver and possessed a gift that few saw in him, kindness, he hid it well. He was a monthly donor to Shriner's Children Hospital.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his first wife, Diann Sherlin Deaver who died in 1998; and a brother, Michael "Mike" Deaver, who died in 1986.

Steve is survived by his wife of 21 years, JoAnn Morris Deaver; daughter, Stephenie Dillingham (Gary); son, Stephen Deaver, IV; stepdaughters, Samantha and Jamie; four granddaughters; one grandson; three great grandchildren; sister, Joyce Burroughs; and multiple nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 pm on Thursday, August 15, 2024, in the chapel of Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain. Reverend Jerry Jamerson will officiate.

The family would like to express a special thank you to all family, friends, neighbors and Dr. Moore along with his staff at North Buncombe Family Medicine as well as Dr. Manly and staff at Mountain Kidney and all the many patients that allowed Steve to care for them for so many years.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.