All Obituaries

Burnice “Bernie” Paul Rice, 66, of Candler, NC passed away on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 at his home.  Born November 17, 1952 in Buncombe County, NC, he was a son of the late Frank C. Rice and Pauline Ray Browning.  He was an alumnus of A-B Technical College where he received an associate degree in Criminal Justice, and retired from Gerber Inc.  Of his many passions in life camping in the Pisgah National Forest was among his favorites.  Some others were...

Roger Wayne Beasley, 55, of Shelby passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 17, 2019 at the Testa Family Hospice House in Kings Mountain, NC. Born February 27, 1964 in Bryson City, NC, he was a son of the late James and Ethel Beasley. He married the love of his life, Rhonda Burke, on May 14, 2004, and together they raised their canine children, Gidget and Abby. He enjoyed boating and was an avid Carolina Panthers fan. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Brenda...

Barbara Dale Jackson Higgins, 83, of Asheville, NC passed away Sunday, September 22, 2019 at Givens Highland Farms in Black Mountain, NC. She is preceded in death by her father, Frank George Jackson; mother, Florence Ingle Jackson; and husband, Oswald Kenneth Higgins. Barbara earned a BS degree from UNC-Greensboro and after was a teacher with Asheville City Schools. She attended Warren Wilson Presbyterian Church and volunteered for many years with ABCCM and Mission Hospital. Barbara was a...

Matthew Joseph Haun, 61, of Hendersonville, NC died unexpectedly but peacefully on October 13, 2019. Matt is survived by his loving wife, Shannon of Hendersonville, daughters Stephanie Haun of Nashville, TN and Kristen Stay of Atlanta, GA, four grandchildren, Bailey Emerson, Olivia Emerson, Adelaide Emerson and Brooks Stay, sister Cathie Knoff and husband Greg, brothers Larry Haun and wife Lore, Chris Haun and wife Leah, sisters-in-law Eileen Haun and Sharon Haun, and as well as many nieces...

Barbara Byrd Brown, 75, of Candler passed away peacefully on Friday, October 4, 2019 at the John F. Keever, Jr., Solace Center in Asheville. Born March 6, 1944 in New Orleans, LA, she was a daughter of the late Lamar Byrd and Ruth Galloway. She worked as a real estate broker and was a member of West Asheville Baptist Church. She was an avid gardener and enjoyed the majesties of all of God’s creatures. She was devoted to her children and adored her grandchildren. In addition to her...

Ruth Evelyn Brown, 86, of Old Fort passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 3, 2019 at the John F. Keever, Jr., Solace Center in Asheville. Born August 21, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY, she was the daughter of the late Axel Joel Heaman and Rosa Marie Lindblad Heaman. She was a graduate of the Brooklyn Public School System and attended Brooklyn College. She was a member of St. James Episcopal Church in Black Mountain. She was a talented opera singer and enjoyed quilting and knitting. ...

Rolla E Rogers, Jr., 86, of Flat Rock, passed away October 9, 2019.  Rolla was born in Washington County, Illinois a son of the late Rolla E. Rogers, Sr and Hulda Meier Rogers.  He is preceded in death by his brother Russell A. Rogers. Rolla graduated from Southern Illinois University with a major in Finance and Marketing.  He was a self-employed small business owner in Henderson County for 42 years.  Rolla was charitable with his time and talents.  He was a member...

Benjamin Lyman Grimes, III Born in El Paso, Texas at the Hotel Dieux to Benjamin Lyman Grimes, Jr and Francis Elizabeth Craighead Grimes June 7, 1935 Ben graduated from North Dallas High School in 1953 and attended Texas A&M University, and in 1959 he graduated from Southern Methodist University with a bachelor's in Civil Engineering and married the love of his life, Margaret Ann Morrison. Shortly after the wedding, Ben and Peggy moved to Norman, Oklahoma, where he served in the...

Sarah ‘Maxine’ Hensley Evans Sutphin, age 89 of Asheville, passed away suddenly on September 27 at Mission Health in Asheville after suffering an aneurism with her devoted daughter Robin holding her hand. Oh, what a celebration in Heaven this week as Maxine has arrived. Maxine was born on August 8, 1930 in Spillcorn, Madison County, NC, to Max and Hassie Hensley. She was extremely proud of her heritage and enjoyed sharing stories about growing up in Spillcorn raised by her...

Charles Richard Farnham III, 61, of Mill Spring, NC passed away suddenly on Saturday, September 28, 2019. He was a loving husband of Deborah (Hall) Farnham to whom he was married 26 years and best friends for 36 years. He attended Words of Life Tabernacle, Arden. An Air Force Veteran, he was a Staff Sergeant last based in Elmendorf, AK. He was a great dad to his two cats, Lucy Marie, and Jazzer. A self-taught Bible scholar, he is described as a "Bible-eater" who loved to study its...