All Obituaries

      On November 27, 2019 Mary Grace Johnson, 80 years of age, of Columbus, NC (formerly of Vero Beach, Florida) passed away peacefully at Mission Hospital in Asheville, NC. Immediately upon her transition she was greeted at the gates of heaven by numerous family members and friends who had gone on before her. Grace was born into the Johnson family and grafted into the Allen family. She was a beloved sister and aunt to three generations – both by biology and by...

James William Vlahos, 85, of Arden, NC, passed away, Sunday, November 24, 2019 at Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville.      Mr. Vlahos was born in Williamsport, PA, on October 3, 1934, to the late James G. and Emma Vlahos. He was married to his loving wife of 43 years, Sandra L. Vlahos. He graduated from Williamsport High School in 1952 and earned a degree at Ursinus College in 1956. He was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Nativity and was a chemical engineer...

Dorothy Wood Herbert, 84, of Asheville, North Carolina, passed away November 23, 2019 at Brooks Howell Home. Born July 1, 1935 in Yonkers, New York to the late Donald and Marjorie Wood, she graduated from UNC Chapel Hill and later earned her Masters of Social Work degree from Florida State University. She is survived by her beloved husband of 59 years, David Furman Herbert, and their three children, Patricia Herbert Umhau, Charles Furman Herbert, Douglas Wood Herbert and their spouses,...

James ‘Jim’ Stephen Ballew, 80, of Asheville, NC, passed away on November 23, 2019. A native of North Carolina, Jim was born April 17, 1939 to Elkton Gillette Ballew and Vivian Briggs Ballew. He served in the United States Air Force and was a member of the East Flat Rock First Baptist Church in Hendersonville, NC. Jim is survived by his daughters Debbie Johnson (Glenn) of Covington, GA, Terry McGaha (Mike) of Spartanburg, SC, Cheryl Griffin (Gary) Greenville, SC, and Robyn...

Meck Robert Penley, age 77, of Asheville, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2019 at his residence. Mr. Penley was born on June 6, 1942, in Buncombe Co., to the late John Robert Penley and Mary Marie Vanover Penley. He was the oldest of five children and graduated from Owen High School in Swannanoa. He served his country proudly in the United States Navy during  the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba. He was retired from his job as a financial supervisor in the automotive industry. He...

On Thursday, November 14, 2019, Joann “Joan” Matty passed away at the age of 80. Joan was born in New York, NY on August 13, 1939 to Patrick and Ann Traynor. On August 16, 1958, Joan married Michael Matty at St. Francis de Sales Church in Rockaway Beach, NY. In 1985, Joan and Michael moved to Arden, NC. They raised two sons, Michael and Jimmy Matty. Joan had a passion for family and for preserving family history through photographs, story telling, and documenting the family...

Constance Okray Barnard, age 87, died Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at the Cedar Mountain House in Brevard, North Carolina. Connie was born September 23, 1932 to Francis and Alois Okray in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. She graduated from Maria High School, and then she attended University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Connie volunteered with St. Michael’s Hospital and Red Cross. She was a member of Sacred Heart church in Bellingham, Washington. Connie was preceded in death by her husband,...

Joann Jones Livingston, age 44, of Marion, North Carolina, died Tuesday, November 12, 2019, at her home. Joann was born July 7, 1975, to Mildred Ruth and James Ernest Jones in Asheville, NC. She was preceded in death by her father, and by her brother, Billy Ray Owenby. Joann is survived by her partner, Michael Wilson of Marion; her sons, Michael Wilson and DeArcey Jones of Asheville; her brother, Jesse Owenby of Asheville; and her Aunt Patricia and Uncle Johnny Crisp, Aunt Francis...

Adolph Elmore Canant, Jr., age 84, went home to be with our Heavenly Father on November 6, 2019.  He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Judith Ann Presnell Canant, and his father and mother, Adolph Elmore, Sr. And Leila Brinson Bryan Canant.  A.E. was born in Wrightsville, GA on December 25, 1934, and was raised in Naples, FL. He was a proud graduate of Florida State University, and spent a successful career in the insurance industry. A.E. and his wife were involved in...

      Ruth Adele Behrens, age 90, passed Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at her home in Mills River, North Carolina. Ruth was born July 12, 1929, in Brooklyn, New York, to Arthur & Adeline Miller. Ruth was active in her church, volunteered in her community and enjoyed spending time with her family and travelling. She retired from Proctor and Gamble, and moved to North Carolina in 1993. Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her spouse, Carl Behrens, and a...