All Obituaries

WOFFINDIN, Samuel Edwin, passed away peacefully at his home in Asheville, NC on Dec. 20, 2021, just ten days shy of his 99th birthday. He was deeply loved. Sam was the son of Joseph and Lillie Woffindin (née Neuman) of Landsdale, PA, and reared by his mother and very special grandparents. He was graduated from Lansdale High School in 1940 where he was a member of the student senate and a star athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and baseball. He attended both Juniata...

Sarah Lee Barker, 79, of Woodfin passed away on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 at the CarePartners Solace Center in Asheville. Born January 11, 1943 in Buncombe County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Paul Harrison Stines and Margaret Wooten Jones. She retired from Milkco after 14 years of service. She enjoyed word search books and watching the waves crash on the beach, but nothing compared to the enjoyment that her faith and family brought to her. In addition to her parents, she is...

Bernard Kessel (Bernie), 59, of Weaverville, passed away at the CarePartners Solace on January 18, 2022. He is survived by his parents, Harold and Bernadine Kessel, his wife of 36 years, Becky Hollidge Kessel, their adult children Lauren, Jesse and Ben, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family. He was preceded in death by his brother David. Bernie battled cancer for 20 months, with an unfailingly positive attitude. Bernie was an outdoorsman who loved to hunt, fish, hike,...

Earl Alfred Andrew Carlson III, known to all as Andy, passed away on December 26th, 2021 at the age of 65. He transitioned at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville, NC, surrounded by his family. Born to the late Earl Alfred Carlson and Judith Hu Durrell on September 13th, 1956 in Chicago, IL, he was the eldest of four siblings: Brian, Eric, and Matt. After earning his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music, he led a 35-year international career as a concert tubist,...

Jeffrey Allen Cobb, 58, of Candler, NC, passed away peacefully on December 29, 2021 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Born on December 20, 1963, in Shelby, NC to the late Flora Nell Berry (2016) and Pearl Cobb. He was a dependable employee at Silverline Plastics for twenty-three years. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his step-father, Glen Head. Jeffrey is survived by his loving spouse of twenty-nine years, Thurline Cobb; a daughter, Sasha Webb (Matthew Webb) of...

William Robert Donehower, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and uncle, passed away January 10, 2022, at the Western North Carolina Baptist Home. He was 93. Born in Trenton, New Jersey, on May 28, 1928, Bill lived a full and adventurous life, working as a carpenter, radio announcer, and advertising man. He traveled widely before settling down in Asheville with his wife, Wanda. An extraordinary storyteller, incurable optimist, and devoted gym-goer, he will be missed by the many who...

Thomas Andrew Whittemore, 50, of Saluda, NC, sadly passed away due to heart complications on January 10, 2022. Born November 21,1971, Tom grew up in Lake Lure and was a 1990 graduate of Edneyville High School. Following graduation, Thomas enlisted in the United States Army and was assigned to the 1st Squadron/11th Armored Calvary Regiment, the “Blackhorse Regiment.” He was a proud Persian Gulf War Veteran, and remained close to the brotherhood after separating in 1998, always...

John Benjamin Fields, 59, of Black Mountain, NC passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 1, 2022 at the Solace Center in Asheville, NC.  Born on June 14, 1962 in Atlanta, GA, he was a son of the late Robert Fields and Elise Fields.  He was a graduate of Rabun County High School and proudly served in the U.S. Army.  Taking his children fishing and camping were among his favorite things to do.  In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister, Scottie...

Raymond Higgins Sr., 62, of Burnsville passed away on December 31, 2021 at the home of his wife surrounded by family and friends. Born April 22, 1959 in Burnsville, he is the son of Zulene English Higgins Gardner of Burnsville and the late Ned Higgins. Raymond worked for R.L. Coleman and Company from 1984 to 2011 when he retired. Of his many hobbies, he enjoyed woodworking, working in his flower gardens and landscaping the yard and most of all spending time with his family and...

James Lester “Jimmy” Dickson (37) of Asheville, North Carolina passed away December 21, 2021. James was born April 7, 1984 to Lester Lee Dickson of Alpharetta, Georgia and Sara Frances Magruder of Dawsonville, Georgia. James is preceded in death by his Grandfather James Tyler Magruder, his Grandmother Frances Craig Magruder and Father in-law Dana Ray Phillips. James graduated from AB-Tech as well as UNCA with a bachelors in sociology. James was passionate about many things in...