Mrs. Delane Freeman Edney, 99

Mrs. Delane Freeman Edney age 99 of Apple Valley Road, Edneyville, passed away peacefully on February 12, 2015 at her residence surrounded by her family.

She was a native and lifelong resident of Henderson County and graduate of Edneyville High School. She was a member of the Anderson Chapel Church of God of the Abrahamic Faith. She was the devoted wife of the late Lloyd Glenn Edney whom she lovingly cared for during his long battle with Parkinson's disease. She was also preceded in death by her six brothers and six sisters, and also a son in law, Ervin Hoots.

She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother (Nanny) who dearly loved her family and treasured the times spent together. She was a 40+ year breast cancer survivor. She was a strong woman; she loved life, had a quick wit and always loved to laugh. She recently celebrated her 99th birthday with a big party where she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends and she was looking forward to celebrating her 100th. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Her legacy will live on through the lives of those remaining.

She is survived by one son, Hal Edney and his wife Frances Young Edney, one daughter Frances Hoots, one grandson, Brently Edney and his wife June, one granddaughter Lori Gonce and her husband Douglas, two great grandsons, Austin Edney and Kyle Gonce and his fiancé Ashlee Sims and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank her three excellent caregivers: Barbara Burrell, Melva Lively, and Patty Laughter for the love and care they provided. A special thank you to Dr. Hansel and his wonderful staff for the excellent care and concern they provided. We would also like to thank the Edneyville Fire Department for their dedication to the community and their support and assistance over the last few years.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel. The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Shepherd's Memorial Park.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

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Robert "Bob" Carroll Winn, 89

Robert "Bob" Carroll Winn, age 89, of Hendersonville, passed away February 12, 2015.Born in Birmingham, AL to the late Roland and Leonetta Winn, he was also preceded in death by his loving wife, Estelle Witt Winn and daughter, Barbara Winn.

He is survived by his two sons, William "Bill" Winn of Maryville, TN, and John Carter Winn of Osceola, MO; grandchildren Melissa Winn Webb and Amanda Winn Painter both of Maryville, TN, and Tawnya Winn and Kyle Winn, both of Alamogordo, NM; eight great-grandchildren; and many cousins.

Bob honorably served his country in the Navy during World War II, and after his service he worked for GE. He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, and in his retirement very much enjoyed playing golf with his friends at Hendersonville Country Club and taking long walks with his dog.

The family would like to especially thankthe staff and caregivers at Carolina Village Medical and Care Centers for their care and support of the Winn family over the years.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 16, 2015 in the Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville with the Reverend Dan Martin officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Tamassee DAR School, P.O. Box 8 Tamassee, South Carolina 29686.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of the arrangements.

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Kerry Dean White, 53

Kerry Dean White, 53, of Mill Spring, and formerly of Hendersonville, NC passed away February 11, 2015 peacefully at home after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was the son of the late Harold White and Vera Wolfe.
Survivors include three children, Dawn, Deana and Robert; a brother, Ryan White and wife Karen; an uncle, Kelly White and wife Nancy; two aunts, June Burrell and Hazel Ward and several grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends and loved ones.
A grave side service will be held 1:00 PM Monday, February 16, 2015 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park with rev. Stanley Adcock officiating.
Jackson Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family.

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Stewart Ellwood Allen

Stewart Ellwood Allen died peacefully on February 7, 2015, under Hospice care and in the presence of his two surviving children and their spouses. He was almost 92. Born in Ohio in 1923, he was the son of the late F. Ellwood and Dorothy S. Allen and was also preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Rudisill; daughter, Karen Peck; and sisters, Jean Bird and Anne Allen.

He spent many happy summer days at his grandparents' cottage on Put-In-Bay. He enjoyed being at or near the water for his entire life. The family moved to Washington, DC in 1935 and to New York in 1938, when the National Recreation Association retained his father, Ellwood, as their Chief Planner. Stewart graduated from Manhasset (LI) High School in 1940 and attended Massachusetts State (now UMass) until the beginning of World War II, completing two years there before going to work for Gibbs and Cox at the Federal Drydock in New Jersey tracing wires and pipes and documenting the final stages of construction of destroyers for the US Navy.

He was drafted into the Army in 1942 and, despite being employed in the defense industry and eligible for deferment, he chose to serve. His military service brought him additional schooling at Clarkson College of Technology. Serving in the infantry in the First Division, he fought in the battle of Aachen, the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, and the Battle of the Bulge. He made friends with a family in Aubel, Belgium at that time which lasted a lifetime and crossed generations of both families. He corresponded for years with the family of a fallen comrade and kept the memory of their son alive. Like many of his generation, he did not talk of his war service until late in his life. Under Jeff Miller's leadership and thanks to fundraising by the people of Hendersonville, Stewart was on the first ever Honor Air flight to Washington, DC and the World War II Memorial, and that flight meant the world to him. He was one of the participants featured in the Honor Air documentary that received national TV coverage.

Stewart and his father formed The Allen Organization in 1945 as an expansion of the recreation planning work that Ellwood had done in the public sector. This first of its kind consulting firm helped private industry, cities and towns establish meaningful long range plans to serve the recreation needs of their people. Stewart served on the Board of the National Parks and Recreation Association and received numerous awards for his long service in the field of recreation including an award of Excellence for the Coal Street Park Ice Skating facility in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Despite all of the national recognition, he was most proud of receiving the Theresa Brungardt Award for Service to Recreation and Parks in Vermont. His passion and vision for making places for all of us to have access to healthy outdoor recreation lives on in neighborhoods and communities across the country. He wrote and published a book on how to combine the public sector and private enterprise to make parks financially sustainable.

After the war, he found the love of his life, Sarah Rudisill of Marshall, NC who was working in upstate New York. They married in 1948 and raised three children, Karen, Deborah, and Craig in Pownal and Bennington, VT. They grew vegetables and found ways to make ends meet while keeping a creaky old farmhouse warm and homey. They saved to put all of their children through college and give them a good start in life. They hosted Fulbright Scholars and international students and those friendships too continue across generations. They retired to Western North Carolina in 1983. Sarah and Stewart travelled the world and loved visiting the National Parks of the US and Canada.

Community service was an integral part of Stewart's life. He served on many community, church, and school boards and was Chair of the Bennington School District where he was very active in promoting the Union High School concept that became Mount Anthony. He was President of the Bennington Rotary Club. In Hendersonville he served as a volunteer guide at the Carl Sandburg Home and at The North Carolina Arboretum. He was President of the Lake Pointe Landing Residents Association for a total of six years, finishing his last term just this past December.

Stewart had a passion for coin collecting and ran a small numismatic business in VT for several years. He was a dowser without ever questioning how it worked, and it worked for him. At the age of 60 he took up walking to take off a few holiday pounds, and it turned into a passion that led him to a goal of walking the distance around the world at the Equator, 24,902 miles. He completed that walk in 2000, despite being waylaid for a time by triple bypass surgery. Most recently, his walking companion was his Boston terrier Tiger, a dog with a heart of gold (and a will to disobey!).

Music and theatre were woven throughout Stewart's life from early family plays to recent dramatic readings in retirement, and he briefly seriously considered acting as a career. He was always a "ham." He loved Broadway musicals and got to see many of the great performers and plays while living in or visiting New York. There was always a song on his lips and that carries through to his children and their children.

Stewart was a voracious reader who also loved to write. At the age of 89 he completed and self-published a 100 page Memoir that told of his early life through the time he moved to North Carolina. He had an amazing memory for detail, and his mind remained lively and active until the end.

Stewart was devoted to his family and friends and loved sharing a cup of coffee and talking about big and small issues. Strangers were always unmet friends whom he greeted with a smile and a twinkle, and he reached out to those who suffered hardship or loss. His greatest delight was getting people to smile. Beloved by many for his warmth, generosity, and sense of humor, he will be missed by all those privileged to know and love him.

Stewart would have never made it this far without the love and attention of his caregivers, especially Rhonda Harmon, Sherri Griffith, Sherry Helms, Donna Horne and Susie-Q Aruffo, and his friends from his community at Lake Point Landing.

He is survived by his daughter, Deborah Allen and her husband Howard Schein of Urbana, Il; son, Craig Allen and his wife Lynne of Austin, TX; grandchildren, Jennifer Kauffmann and her husband Jeffrey, Cassandra Allen, Stevie Schein, and Zoe Schein; great-grandchild, Morgan Dowling; sister, Barbara Kennedy and her husband John of Ithaca, NY.

A memorial service will be held at 3:30 pm, Friday, February 13, 2015 at Lake Pointe Landing Retirement Community in the Smoky Mountain Theater, 333 Thompson St, Hendersonville, NC 28792. The family will receive friends following Stewart's service.

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Ruth Pauline Rhodes, 87

Ruth Pauline Rhodes, 87 of Hendersonville went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday February 10, 2015 from Pardee Hospital.
A native of Henderson County, she was the daughter of the late Otto and Ola Mae Capps Owens Jr. and wife of the late Vaughn Rhodes. She was preceded in death by two brothers, James Owens and Wayne Owens, three sisters, Brenda Lanning, Lillian Short and Darla Owens.
She was a member of Barker Heights Baptist Church. Family was important to her and she was a wonderful mother, grandmother and a good homemaker.
Survivors include; one daughter Margaret Rhodes Osteen and her husband Dwight of Hendersonville, one brother Eddie Owens and his wife Mary Anna of Hendersonville, two grandchildren, Tammy Summey and her husband Craig of Hendersonville and Christopher Osteen of Hendersonville, two great grandchildren, Kyle Seelig and Joshua Summey of Hendersonville and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held Friday February 13, 2015 at 11 AM at Barker Heights Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy Owens officiating. Burial will follow the service at.
The family will receive friends on Thursday night from 6:30 to 7:30 pm at The Chapel in the Pines of Jackson Funeral Service.
Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Dorthula "Dot" Summerall Bailey, 85

Dorthula "Dot" Summerall Bailey, 85, of Hendersonville, died Monday, February 09, 2015, at Cherry Springs Village. A native and lifelong resident of Henderson County, she was a daughter of the late James and Ruby Summerall and wife of the late William Bailey who died in 2014. She was employed by Kyocera for over 20 years, retiring in 1994, and was a member of Stoney Mountain Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Vivian Johnson and Vera Lee Summerall and one brother Tommy Summerall.

Surviving are two sons, James "Bo" Mills of Arden and Michael Ray Mills of Hendersonville; two stepsons, Jimmy and Joey Bailey and their families of Weaverville, NC; several grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews; a sister, Ann Phillips and husband Charles of Hendersonville, NC.

No services are planned. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. To offer online condolences,visit www.forestlawnhendersonville.com. Forest Lawn Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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David Allen Buckner, 58

David Allen Buckner of Hendersonville, 58, died Thursday, February 6, 2015 at Duke University Hospital. He was the son of the late Mildred and Garnett Buckner.

David worked for Printpak for 38 years. He was also a member of Mud Creek Church. He is survived by: his twin brother Danny Buckner, a brother Wayne Buckner and his wife Aline, sister Carol Kentopp and sister Judy Hedrick and her husband Kenny.

There will be a private memorial gathering at a family member's home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society at 120 Executive Park, Building 1, Asheville, NC 28801. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

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Barbara Ann Thompson, 78

Barbara Ann Thompson, 78, of Flat Rock, passed away Wednesday, January 28, 2015.
Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family.

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Max Brant Freeman, 76

Max Brant Freeman, 76, entered into the kingdom of Heaven peacefully on Thursday, February 5, 2015 at his residence. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jack and Elsie Freeman.

Max was a Henderson County native and attended Hendersonville High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served our country until his discharge in 1963. Max then began a very long and successful career in the automobile parts business. He was the former owner of Freeman's Auto Parts in Hendersonville until his retirement in the late 1990's. If Max wasn't selling automotive parts, he was "tinkering" with one of his cars. He was well known around town as having immaculately clean and well running automobiles.

Max is survived by his daughter, Jackie Freeman Hull and her husband, Bob of Davidson. He is survived by his one sister, Ann Freeman, as well as two brothers: Jack Roland Freeman and his wife Harriett, and Roy Clifford and his wife, Frances all of Hendersonville. He is also survived by one step-daughter, Cindy Johnson and her husband, Jackie of Hendersonville; one son, Terry Schoonderwoerd and his wife, Susan of Raleigh; six grandchildren, two great-grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews, along with his life long friend, Sally Shuping.

The family would like to extend their grateful appreciation and thanks for the wonderful care that the entire staff of the Charles George V.A. Medical Center of Asheville provided for Max for numerous years, as well as the compassionate end of life care that June, and Toy bestowed on Max.

The funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, February 8, 2015 at The Shepherd Memorial Park Chapel with the Pastor Ken Mason officiating. Burial will follow in the cemetery. The family will receive friends at 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Baptist Church at 2501 Haywood Road, Hendersonville, NC 28791.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

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Emmie Owenby Laughter, 86

Emmie Owenby Laughter, 86, of Hendersonville died Saturday, January 31, 2015 at the Golden Living Center in Hendersonville. She was born in Hendersonville, NC to the late Whitt L. Owenby and Ruth Gibbs Owenby Laughter as well as the daughter of the late Clyde R. Laughter. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Earl Wayne Laughter in 1984. Emmie was also preceded in death by a daughter: Diane L. Tinsley, three sisters: Helen O. Laughter and her husband Harry, Iris Luther, and Velma Judith Boyd.

Emmie lived her entire life in Henderson County and was a graduate of Edneyville High School. She came from a big family of six brothers and sisters. Emmie loved her church where she was a member of Fruitland Baptist Church. She spent many years working at Bon Worth where she had been promoted to manager before she retired. She enjoyed reading, traveling and searching and visiting the lighthouses and was proud of the fact that she personally visited every lighthouse on the coast of North Carolina.

She is survived by: her daughter Janet L. Edney and her husband Donald F. of Flat Rock, her brother Harold Owenby and his deceased wife Margie Owenby , Larry Laughter and his wife Wanda, a sister Ethen L. Capps of McDonough, GA, a brother- in- law Bob Boyd and his wife Sharon, her son –in- law David Tinsley and his wife Susan of Sumter, SC, three grandchildren: Darrin Tinsley and Aaron Edney of Hendersonville, and Bryan Edney and his wife Ashley of Alpharetta, GA, and four great grandchildren Jordan Tinsley, Jenna Tinsley , Claire Edney and Reese Edney. She also had many nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and family at 1:00 PM on Friday, February 6, 2015 at Shepherd's Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel at 5045 Asheville Highway, Hendersonville. A funeral service will follow at 2:00 PM and burial will immediately follow. Memorial contributions may be made to Golden Living Center- ACU for Emmie O. Laughter at 1510 Hebron Street, Hendersonville, NC 28739.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

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Ethel M. Adams, 89

Ethel M. Adams, 89, of Hendersonville passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2015.
She was a native of Detroit, MI and a resident of Henderson County for 12 years. Ethel was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, William Ray Adams, and she was a member of Hendersonville Church of Christ.
Her survivors include her daughter, Sondra Ulman and husband Mike of Hendersonville; sons, Ron Adams and wife Mary Jane of Iron, MI and Randall Adams and wife Donita of Land of Lakes, FL; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; and two great-great- grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family

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Jerry Shelko, 60

Jerry Shelko, 60, of Mountain Home passed away peacefully Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at the Elizabeth House, surrounded by his family and friends.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Jerry was the son of the late Gerald and Dorothy Nelson Shelko. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Wendy Shelko and brother, Fred Shelko.
Jerry was an Army veteran, having served during the Vietnam War. He moved to Henderson County in 1989 and was a member of Balfour Baptist Church. Jerry enjoyed outdoor activities with his wife and fellowship with his church family.
He is survived by his loving wife of 19 years, Sandy Shelko of Mountain Home; his stepdaughters, Lisa Souther and husband, Joel, of Hooper's Creek, and Michelle Quinn of Mills River; stepson, Jason Quinn and wife, Megan, of Hendersonville; sister, JoAnn Kozel and husband, Joe, of Hendersonville; five step-grandchildren, Christopher and Cayden Quinn, Mitchell and McKenzie Souther, and Bailey Quinn; sister-in-law, Martha Pace of Brevard; niece, Tammy Bennett of Columbia, SC; nephew, Jerry Silhan of Warren, OH; and step-niece, Debbie Bracken and step-nephew, Joey Pace, both of Brevard.
A graveside service with military honors will be held at 11 am Friday, February 6, 2015 at Blue Ridge Gardens of Memory in Pisgah Forest. The Reverends Travis Harrison and Joe Lund will officiate.
To offer condolences online, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Glenn W. Small, 85

Glenn W. Small, 85 of Saluda passed away Monday January 26, 2015 at home after a long battle with Prostate Cancer. He served 20 years in the US Navy and 20 years at General Electric. He was a native and long time resident of Saluda,NC. His hobbies were wood working, gardening, listening to classical music, reading, and sharing books. Dedicated to making the world a better place. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Barbara Jean Small, his 5 daughters, Debbie Angel, Pamela Hatley, Renee Koche, Stephanie Lindsay, and Andrea Small. There are 6 grandchildren and 4 great grand children and his brother Barton Small from Alabama.

A memorial service will be held Friday February 06, 2015 at 2 pm at The Chapel in the Pines of Jackson Funeral Service. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the chapel Condolence cards may be sent to the family at www.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Maren Scott Robinson

"Maren Scott Robinson of Zirconia died peacefully at Elizabeth House, Four Seasons Hospice on February 1, 2015 after struggling with cancer for two and one-half years. Born April 6, 1980, in Hendersonville, Maren graduated from Asheville Country Day School in 1998 and Appalachian State University in 2002. She most recently worked at LifeTouch of Charlotte, NC. Maren is survived by her parents, Lee and Maureen, of Zirconia, NC; her brother James, sister-in-law Joanne, and nephews Liam and Spencer of Charlotte, NC; aunts Debbie Johnson of Atlanta, Florence Canfield of Zirconia, Martha Scofield of Naples, Fl, Wendy Robinson of Bonita Springs, Fl, Eleanor Robinson of Berwyn, PA, and Mary Cobb of Orange Park, Fl, great-aunt Frances Armentrout of Naples, Fl, and, uncle, Frank Scott of Altamont Springs, FL, as well as close and loving cousins and friends. A celebration of Maren's life is being planned for Spring 2015.
The family requests that those wishing to honor Maren's life consider a donation to the Maren Robinson Photography Scholarship Fund (c/o ASU Foundation, Inc., ASU Box 32014, Boone, NC 28608) or Elizabeth House (c/o) Four Seasons Development Office, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731). "
Jackson Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family.

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Martha Frances Sinclair, 92

Martha Frances Sinclair, 92, of East Flat Rock, passed away on Friday, January 30, 2015, at a local nursing home.

She was born in Hendersonville and was the daughter of the late
Milas K. Sinclair SR. and Minnie Bagwell Sinclair. She was also
preceded in death by three brothers, William Edgar Sinclair, Clarence
Hammond Sinclair and Milas K. Sinclair JR.

She was a graduate of Flat Rock High School, Mars Hill College
and attended Michigan State University. She was employed by the First
Baptist Church of East Flat Rock and was a faithful member since joining
in 1937.

Miss Sinclair is survived by her sister, Betty Sinclair Franks of Arden, ten nieces and three nephews.

A celebration of Martha's Life will be held 11:00 AM, Friday,
February 6, 2015 at the Chapel In The Pines of Jackson Funeral Service
with Rev. Brent Thomas officiating. The family will receive friends one
hour prior to the service in the chapel. Burial will follow at Oakdale
Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist
Church of East Flat Rock, Designated for Missions, PO Box 305, East Flat
Rock, NC 28726 or to Four Seasons Compassion For Life, 571 South Allen
Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.

Condolence cards may be sent to the family atwww.jacksonfuneralservice.com or PO Box 945, Hendersonville, NC 28793.

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Gene Norman, 81

Gene Norman, 81, of Hendersonville, passed away Friday, January 30, 2015 with his family by his side.
He was a native and lifelong resident of Henderson County and a son of the late James Virgil and Maggie Cagle Norman. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Bill Norman; and sisters, Betty Bennett and Helen Capps.
Gene served in the U.S Army during the Korean Conflict and was employed by the city of Hendersonville and retired from General Electric. He was an active member and Deacon of Main Street Baptist Church. He was also a member of the Hendersonville High School Hall of Fame. He was selected to play in the East-West All-Star Basketball game held at Elon College.
Gene loved his Lord and family. He also gave many years of service to youth athletics in the community. He loved to play golf with Hazie. Taking care of all of his children was his joy. They often heard "God bless you Sugar."
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Hazel Gibson Norman; daughter, Linda Bagwell and her husband Marty; sons, Mike Norman and his wife Sharman, Steve Norman and his wife Kathy, and John Norman and his wife Tessa; grandchildren, Kyndal, Spenser, Brooke, Alyssa, Kristina, Austin, Davis, Joshua, and Emma; great-grandchildren, Ariah, Kajlynn, and Payton; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at the Main Street Baptist Church in Hendersonville with Revs. Carl Connelly and Victor Rampey officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hendersonville. Hubert M. Smith American Legion Post 77, Hedrick-Rhodes Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5206, and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 14 will render military honors. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 in the Chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Hendersonville.
In lieu of flowers memorial may be made to: Autism Society of America, 4340 East West Hwy Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814.
A sympathy card and online register book is available by visiting www.forestlawnhendersonville.com
Forest Lawn Funeral Home in Hendersonville is assisting the family

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Jack Reed Allison, 78

Jack Reed Allison, 78, of Hendersonville, died peacefully at his residence on Monday January 26, 2015. He was born on March 20, 1936 to the late Byrd Mary Allison and Conley Deitz.

Jack was born in Jackson County, North Carolina on his grandfather's farm. After graduation from High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy. After serving his country he was honorably discharged and began working for the Employment Security Commission in Hendersonville. He then decided to pursue a Bachelors degree in Business Administration and graduated from Western Carolina University. Jack worked as a Personnel Officer for 30 years with the Veteran's Administration, retiring from with the Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Asheville in 1994.

Jack loved motorcycle riding. He had a wonderful sense of humor and was quick with a joke. Jack was also a devoted family man and loved spending time with his loved ones. He was also an avid supporter of Red Gates RV Park helping to carry on the family legacy.

He is survived by his beautiful wife of 45 years Doris Medd Allison of Hendersonville, his daughter Sophia "Boo" Allison and her husband Matthew Gill of California and his son John Allison and his wife Susan Ortiz of Asheville. Jack is also survived by his grandchildren Abigail Byrd Gill and Sylveria Byrd Ortiz-Allison.

An online register book is available for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com. Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center are in charge of arrangements.

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Harry Chester Williams, 68

Harry Chester Williams, 68, of Hendersonville, NC passed away at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC on January 27, 2015.

He was a resident of Henderson County for many years. Harry was known for his positive outlook on life, was an exceptional artist and
was often seen painting on main street.

He resided under the care of Milton Marion and Harry Allen for 13 years. He was an active member with the Special Friends Church group at First Baptist
Church Hendersonville.

He attended Reach For Independence Day Program, played softball, participated in the Special Olympics and was employed part time at
French Broad Baptist Church.

A celebration of life will be held, Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 11:00 AM at the First Baptist Church Hendersonville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Reach For Independence, 57 Howard Gap Road, Fletcher, NC 28732.

Jackson Funeral Service and Crematory is assisting the family.

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Shirley Ann Ray Laughter, 78

Shirley Ann Ray Laughter, 78, of Hendersonville, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2015. A native of the Revere Community of Madison County, she was the daughter of the late Odus and Dorothy Ray.
Shirley graduated from Sand Hill High School and Western Carolina University. She influenced the lives of countless students in Henderson County during her 37 years of teaching and had a special gift of teaching children to read. Following her retirement, she devoted her time to her family, especially her grandchildren, and enjoyed growing beautiful flowers. Shirley was a member of Hendersonville First Baptist Church.
Shirley is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Jimmie Laughter, and by her four sons, Franklin Laughter, Jonathon Laughter, Chris Laughter and wife, Miranda, and BJ Laughter and wife, Amy, all of Hendersonville. She was the cherished grandmother of four, Josh Laughter and fiancé, Kelly, Emma Laughter, Jordyn Laughter, and Avery Laughter, and the great-grandmother of Peyton Laughter. Shirley is also survived by her brother, Champ Ray and wife, Shirley; her sister, Dorene Cutshall and husband, Chester; her nephews, Allen Cutshall and Steven Ray, and niece, Karen Wentcel; and her brother-in-law, Joseph Laughter.
Shirley will be remembered by her family for her never-ending love, which she showed every hour of every day.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 29, 2015 in the chapel at Forest Lawn Funeral Home with Pastor Eric Gash officiating.
To offer condolences online, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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Jimmy L. Garrett, 79

Jimmy L. Garrett, 79, of Hendersonville, passed away Friday, January 23, 2015.
He was a son of the late John and Nora Garrett and was also preceded in death by his brother, Bill Garrett.
Jimmy was a native of Alabama, a resident of Henderson County for 16 years and served in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his loving wife, Charlene Garrett; sons, David and Michael Garrett; step-daughters, Lisa Garber and Lori Gray; seven grandchildren; and 8 great-grandchildren.
To offer condolences online, please visit www.shulerfuneralhome.com. Shuler Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

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