Francella Redwine Poston

Francella Redwine Poston, 103, of Asheville died peacefully at the Brooks Howell Retirement Community on September 9th, 2024. Francella was born in Bryceville, Tennessee in 1921 and grew up in Chattanooga during the Great Depression. As a child she remembered seeing elder soldiers of the Civil War in Veterans Day parades.

She worked for Western Union while attending Vanderbilt University and graduated in 1941. During World War II she enlisted in the Navy and worked at the Naval Air Station in Anacostia, DC. She was among the oldest surviving veterans in Western North Carolina.

She married Ray Poston in 1945 and they moved to Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where she worked for the Atomic Energy Commission. Ray and Francella moved to Asheville in 1951 where Ray worked for American Enka. Between 1951 and 1959 she had five children and was a pioneer in the use of natural childbirth. They were members of Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church and later Central Methodist Church.

Francella displayed a lifelong commitment to improving the quality of life in our community. She volunteered with the Citizens Committee for Better Schools, the Buncombe County Democratic Party and the Concord Coalition. She published numerous essays and letters in The Asheville Citizen Times. She stimulated lively conversation on topics ranging from poetry to American history, politics and the democratic process until she was over 100. She continued to exercise regularly and until the Covid pandemic was among the oldest active members of the YMCA.

Francella is survived by her son Chip Poston of Burnsville, NC; former daughter-in-law Catherine Peck of Burnsville; her daughters Shelly Peters (Jeff) and Wendy Poston of Steamboat, CO; her grandchildren Hannah Poston (Joe) of Takoma Park, MD and Ellie Poston (Eric) of Washington, DC; and her and great-grandson son Felix Redwine Leonardo. She was preceded in death by her husband Ray and two sons, George and Rick.

The Poston family extends its heartfelt thanks to the Brooks Howell Retirement Community for their welcoming spirit and gracious care for her; to Glen Blount and Robbie Chenault of Elevated Living; and to Care Partners Hospice for their support during the final days of her life.

A memorial service for Francella will be announced at a later date. Donations may be made to the Community Fund at Brooks Howell Retirement Community, 266 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801. Asheville Area Alternative is assisting the family.

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