obituaries

Dec 15, 2024

Mary Bullman Norton, 88, of Bullman Drive, formerly of Mt. Carmel Rd., Asheville, passed away on Sunday, December 15, 2024. She was born at home in Madison County and was the daughter of the late Andrew Jackson and Polly Chandler Bullman. Mary and her late husband Joseph Lee, while serving our country, have lived in San Diego, CA, Bremerton,...

Dec 14, 2024

Suzanne Farmer Nelms-Riedling, 79, of Mars Hill, passed away on December 14, 2024. She was born on May 4, 1945 in Asheville, NC and was the daughter of the late Carroll Baird Farmer, Sr. and Bessie Mae Patterson Farmer.

Susie attended Lee Edwards High School in Asheville, NC, later known as Asheville High School, and various classes...

Dec 13, 2024

Almarie Marler Wild, 85, of Marshall, NC passed away, December 13, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Curtis and Olveda Worley Marler. Mrs. Wild was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Frederick and Gerald Marler.

Almarie is survived by her husband, Dayton...

Dec 11, 2024

Melinda Joy Laurens-Davis, 64, of Weaverville, North Carolina, passed away on Wednesday, December 11, 2024 in Asheville, North Carolina, due to complications from a stroke she had suffered in September. Born on June 22, 1960, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Darrel Laurens and Mignon St. Lawerence (Gwinn) Laurens of Inman, South Carolina....

Dec 10, 2024

Randolph Keith Eberhardt, 76, of Mars Hill, passed away on December 10, 2024. He was born November 12, 1948 in Mecklenburg County to the late Julius and Minnie Goforth Eberhardt.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Johnny Keith Eberhardt.

Randy was a veteran of the US Army and...

Dec 9, 2024

Nancy Edith Clark, 87, passed away on December 10, 2024. She was born on October 20, 1937 in Buncombe County and was the daughter of the late Irene Elkins McManus Long.

In addition to her mother, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Clark, and brother, William Ellis McManus.

She is survived...

Dec 4, 2024

Bronson Rice, 76, of Marshall, went home to be with the Lord, December 4, 2024. Bronson was born in Madison County to the late Theodore "Ode" Rice and Mae Waldrop Rice.

Also preceding him in death were his brothers, Ralph Rice, Winston Rice, twin brothers Roscoe and Huey Rice; and sister, Robbie Rice Davis.

Bronson...

Dec 2, 2024

Rev. Steven C. Penland, 65, of Mars Hill, passed away December 2, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family. He was born on October 23, 1959 to the late Carmel and Louise Gaddy Penland.

Steven loved fast cars, motorcycles, and tractor pulling. Being a welder, gave him the knowledge to build his own tractor. He pastored...

Dec 1, 2024

Jerry Comer Freeman, 71, of Weaverville, NC, entered into his heavenly home on December 1, 2024, surrounded by family. He was born on November 23, 1953, to his parents, Comer and Alice "Mother" Freeman. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Martha Cole; brothers-in-law, Gordon Cole, LC Chandler, and Raymond McMahan; and sister-in-law,...

Dec 1, 2024

Kay Louise Peek Boone, 86, of Charlotte, NC, passed away December 1, 2024. She was a native of Madison County and the daughter of the late George Washington and Janet Limer Peek. Mrs. Boone was a member of Charlotte's First Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a brother Tom Peek.

...

Nov 30, 2024

Reverend Leonard Cecil Hopps, Jr., 81, of Mars Hill passed away, November 30, 2024. He was the son of the late Leonard and Violet Meadows Hopps.

Cecil served in churches in Madison, Buncombe, Henderson, Rutherford and Yancey Counties. He also served as a Chaplin for the United States Air Force, the Mars Hill Volunteer Fire Department and...

Nov 27, 2024

Robert "Bob" McLaughlin, 85, passed away on November 27, 2024. He was born on April 13, 1939, in Richland, Ohio, and was the son of the late Howard and Christine Baba McLaughlin.

He was a longtime employee of Ingles and was a member of Mt. Sheba Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was...

Nov 26, 2024

Iris McIntosh English, 94, passed away November 26, 2024. She was born on August 20, 1930 in Yancey County, to the late Herman and Frona Roland McIntosh. Iris volunteered for over 30 years at Madison Manor. She was a Long Leaf Pine recipient from the Governor of NC. Iris was a lifelong member of Peasant Gap United Methodist Church...

Nov 25, 2024

James Olsteen Justice Sr., arrived at the Pearly Gates of Heaven on Monday, November 25, 2024. He was greeted and welcomed in by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with "Well Done Thy Good and Faithful Servant!" His mother Hettie Allen was second in line to wrap her arms around her beloved son and show him all the beauty...

Nov 24, 2024

Dorothy Phillips Cody, 93, of Mars Hill, passed away, November 24, 2024. She was a native of Madison County and the daughter of the late, Cash and Dessie Tipton Phillips. Dorothy retired from Mars Hill College (University). In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Ernest Cody; sister, Irene Harris; brothers, Jack and Edward...

Nov 21, 2024

Angela Denise Carver Silver, 59, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on November 21, 2024. She was born on January 24, 1965, and was a daughter to Howard and Phyllis Tipton Carver.

Angela loved photography. She was a member of Middle Fork Baptist Church and attended Shady Grove Baptist Church, where she loved her...

Nov 19, 2024

J.R. Ghosthorse, Fernando Bruno Aranda Jr, age 61, transitioned peacefully, on November 19, 2024.

One-of-a-kind spirit, relative, and Warrior; a Sundancer who suffered for the people and helped many. J.R. was our best friend, father, son, brother, cousin, he made everyone laugh, cry, feel loved even in the darkest times. You are a light that ripples through...

Nov 18, 2024

Carolyn Smith Crowder, 79, of Asheville, passed away Monday, November 18, 2024. She was the daughter of the late Charles and Maude Smith and a native of Haywood County. Mrs. Crowder was preceded in death by her husband, James Crowder Sr.; her daughter, Crystal Banks; a sister, Geraldine McClure; and her brothers, Calvin and James Smith.

Mrs....

Nov 16, 2024

John Edmund Waller, Jr., 91, of Weaverville, NC and formerly of Kingsport, TN, died peacefully at his home on Saturday, November 16, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Ed, as he was best known, was born in Asheville, NC to the late John E. Waller, Sr. and Inez Johnson Waller. He grew up in Asheville and spent several...

Nov 16, 2024

Tiffany Lance Honeycutt, 43, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2024. Born on October 31, 1981 in Buncombe County, North Carolina to the late Katie Clark Lance and William Lance.

She was a loving wife, mother and daughter. Her family referred to her as "Mother Hen" because she always wanted to help everyone she came into contact...