All Obituaries

Donald Glenn Skinner, 84, son of David Toliver Skinner and Ruby Eleanor Strickland Skinner, died on February 18, 2020, at the John F. Keever Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, NC. He was born in Selma, Alabama, and grew up in nearby Wilcox County, Alabama, graduating high school from Moore Academy in Pine Apple, Alabama. He earned a BS in chemistry and a MBA from the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the Kappa Alpha fraternity. Don was preceded in death by his parents, a twin...

Elizabeth MacFarlane Thomson (Bette) Weir, passed away in Asheville, NC on February 1, 2020 at the age of 98. Bette was born on September 18,1921 in Newark, NJ to Jesse Muir and Alexander MacFarlane Thomson. She moved to Washington Valley in Mendham Township, New Jersey as a child and resided there for many years. On November 22,1947, Bette married Edwin Richard Weir who predeceased her in 2009. Bette is survived by one son, John Weir and his wife, Becky Haaksma of Asheville, NC. She is...

Louis Edwin Whitley, Jr., 72, of Waynesville passed away on April 3, 2020 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville with his family by his side. Born March 25, 1948 in Birmingham, AL, he was a son of the late Louis and Essie Whitley. In 1966 he graduated from Englewood H.S. in Jacksonville, FL. In 2012 he retired from Big Lots as manager after 15 years of service. He attended Shady Grove U.M.C. in Waynesville. Of his many passions he enjoyed working in his vegetable...

Julia Faye Langford, 80, died on March 27, 2020 at her home in Weaverville, NC. She was born in Tuscaloosa, AL. The daughter of James Edgar Thomas and Julia Vaughn Partrich. She grew up in Northport, AL, and in The Highlands in Tuscaloosa, AL. Julia graduated from the University of Alabama with a Master of Arts. She earned a scholarship to study theatre in Hollywood, CA at The Passadena Playhouse and she appeared in a Perry Mason episode. She then returned to Alabama to start a life...

Beverly Denise Maxwell Lyda, 59, of Swannanoa passed away on Thursday, March 19, 2020 at the Memorial Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville. Born July 16, 1960 in Asheville, she was a daughter of Barbara Ramsey of Marshal and the late Hall Maxwell. She was a member of Biltmore Church East Campus and was employed at Beverly’s Place. Some of her enjoyments in life included cooking, caring for others, camping, traveling, and loving Jesus. In addition to her father, she is preceded in...

Thomas Edwin Barnes, 73, of Black Mountain passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2020 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Born October 4, 1947 in Havre de Grace, MD, he was a son of the late James Barnes and Margaret McFadden. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Linda Kay Barnes. Surviving are his children, Chris Edwin Barnes of Black Mountain, Vikki Lynn Barnes of Candler, Kayla Renee Barnes of Black Mountain, and Tonia Marie Barnes of Leicester; brother, Jim...

William Daniel Seay, 87, of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 16, 2020 at Fleshers Fairview Health Care Center in Fairview, NC. Born October 7, 1932 in Asheville, he was a son of the late William and Grace Seay. He proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1995, he retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad after 44 years of service. He was a member of Malvern Hills Presbyterian Church, Oasis Shriners, and the Masonic Temple. One of his favorite things...

Sharon Anne Manus McCollum-Kelly, 71, of Leicester passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 15, 2020 at her home with her husband by her side. Born May 10, 1948 in Hamilton County, TN, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Manus and Mildred Bishop. Previously she resided in both Dalton and Ellijay, Georgia. Sharon certainly didn’t have a shortage of talent especially when it came to her artistic abilities regarding glass art. Surviving is her partner and spouse of 29 years, Albert...

Charles David Tweed, 65, of Mt. Carmel, TN passed away suddenly on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at Holston Valley Medical Center in Kingsport, TN. Born May 16, 1954 in Asheville, NC, he was a son of the late Ervin and Marjorie Ballard Tweed. He was a graduate of Mars Hill H.S. class of 1970 and was a member of Upper Laurel Baptist Church. His favorite past time was spending time with his grandchildren and his extended family; birds, Jake and Petie, and Star the cat. In addition to his parents, he...

Jeanne Louise “Jena” Kelly Peterson passed away on March 12, 2020, after an extended illness. A beautiful life ended too soon at the age of 66 years. Jena, youngest daughter of the late Dorothy Waterloo and William Kelly, was born on September 1, 1953, in Columbus, Ohio. Her father’s military/civil service career led to homes and travel in the United States and Europe during her childhood and the family eventually settled in Arlington, Virginia. She attended high school in Arlington,...