All Obituaries

William Heard Boatwright July 15, 1933-October 12, 2019 Family and friends of William Heard Boatwright are mourning the loss of a kind-hearted man, great friend, valued church member and provider. They are also celebrating a life well lived, and the value of life-long relationships. Born July 15, 1933 in Marion, South Carolina to William Heard Boatwright and Rosa Ada Simons, William grew up in Darlington, South Carolina. After graduating in 1951 from St. John’s High School, he...

Jerry Eugene Roark, 71, passed away on October 11, 2019 at his home in Henderson Co., NC. Jerry was born May 10, 1948 in Ashe Co., NC to Clayborn Eugene Roark and Opal Lawrence Roark. He attended Wilkes Community College and served in the United States Army during Vietnam. During his life he worked as an electrical contractor after retiring from the NC Highway Patrol. Jerry was an enthusiastic witness of Jehovah and a member of the Mills River congregation. He was a hardworking provider, a...

     June Ellis Hillyer, 95, of Asheville, North Carolina, passed away Friday, October 11, 2019 at Givens Health Care Center in Asheville.      Mrs. Hillyer was born in Ida Grove, Iowa on June 26, 1924, to the late Guy Gerard Ellis and Adelheid Emilie Ashbrenner Ellis. She was married to the late John I. Hillyer. Prior to living in Asheville, Mrs. Hillyer lived in Chicago, Illinois. She received a degree in Production Crafts at Haywood Technical...

Janet Lynn Angel Wakefield, 56, of Lenoir, North Carolina, died Friday, October 11, 2019, at Mission Memorial hospital. Janet was born August 4, 1963, to Dorthy Flora McCoy Angel and Kenneth Edwin Angel in Concord, NC. She graduated from Brevard High School and attended A-B Technical College, then worked as a seamstress in the furniture industry. Janet is survived by her husband of 34 years, David Brian Wakefied; her father and step-mother, Sue Smith, of Brevard, NC; her daughters, Ashley...

Paul Edward Johnson passed away peacefully with family by his side on Tuesday morning October 1, 2019.  Paul was born on October 16, 1938, to Leo & Illa Johnson. Paul is survived by his sister, Leola Mills (Allen, 2017), and his children Peggysue Jameson (Dave), Paula Robinson (Mike, 2013), Annette Prather, Mark Johnson (1979) and Ali Gee (Brandon).  He has several loving grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  Paul’s wife, Pat Johnson, preceded him in death...

Sandra Alanoa Gordon Smith, 80, of Buncombe County, passed away on September 30, 2019, at her home in Asheville, NC. Sandra was born November 24, 1938 to William Gordon and Audrey Vardlman in Buncombe County, NC, where she spent her life. She was a retiree of the UMAR Corp. and a member of the Family of Faith Fellowship. She was preceded in death by both her parents, as well as her brother Gene Gordon. Sandra is survived by her daughter Dawn Dollinger of Asheville, NC; sons David Smith...

Hal Victor Cartwright died on September 30, 2019 at the age of 96. He is the second son of the late Zack Cartwright, an author, and Carroll Churchill Cartwright, an accomplished artist. After one year of college, Hal worked as a welder in the shipyard at Bremerton. He joined the Merchant Marines during World War II, attending the Merchant Marine Academy, making twenty-six north Atlantic and Pacific crossings in convoy on a Matson ship converted for transport, and becoming a licensed...

Curtis Carl Banther, 87, of Lake Toxaway and Brevard, departed this world on Sunday, September 29th after a period of declining health. Curtis was predeceased by his parents Dock and Betha Patterson Banther; son, Ronald Banther; daughter Diane Banther Rice; brothers Lawrence Banther and Kenneth Banther; sisters Leo Owen, Annie Keller and Ruby Chapman; and grandson Matthew Hughey. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Marilyn Townsend Banther; son Gary Banther (Kim); a sister Janice...

David Earle Eden, 82, of Brevard, N.C. — storied long-distance runner and lover of a good Maryland crab cake ⁠— died at home September 28, 2019. He was married to Linda, his college sweetheart, for 61 years. Together, they raised two strong, independent-thinking daughters, Lynn and Wendy. Dave was born June 25, 1937 in Washington, D.C. to Vivian and Earle Eden Jr. He was reared in Silver Spring, Md. by his paternal grandparents, Savilla and Earle Eden. Dave attended Towson...

Evelyn May Short Johnson, 91, of Hendersonville, North Carolina, died September 28, 2019, at Pineville Rehabilitation and Living Center in Pineville, NC.   Evelyn was born in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, on May 15, 1928, to Lilly May Ford Short and George A. Short. She attended Mt. Pleasant High School, and worked for Nancy Johnson Realty and for Kingsley Mortgage Company in North Miami. Formerly of North Miami and Saddlebag Lake Resort in Lake Wales, Florida, she was a 34 year long resident...