Groce Funeral Home

Cecil Kermit Colon Jr. passed away at Deerfield Retirement Community in Asheville, North Carolina on Thursday, January 2nd at the age of 94. He was the only child of the late Cecil K. Colon and Marian Palmer Colon of Lake Charles, Louisiana. He is survived by Barbara, his wife of 69 years, and his son, John Guerin Colon and wife Deborah of Darien, Connecticut. He is also survived by grandchildren Jessica Baker Colon, David Guerin Colon, Sarah Palmer Colon, and Michael Wyatt Colon. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Jeffrey Palmer Colon, and Robert Baker Colon. Cecil was born in Shreveport, Louisiana on June 21st, 1930, and grew up in Lake Charles, La., where...

Stephanie Hope Fisher Cooper, long time Asheville, NC resident, businesswoman and civic leader, passed away on December 29, 2024. Born June 8, 1940, in Brooklyn, NY to the late Harold L. & Betty Fisher, Stephanie received an Associate degree from Brooklyn College. She and her first husband, the late Lloyd Cooper moved to Asheville in 1978 and founded the Cooper Travel Service. She later married the late Joseph Harrison. She was recognized by numerous business organizations and as an expert on travel by people with disabilities. Stephanie served as an officer and board member of many Jewish and community organizations in Asheville. She is survived by her twin sister Alice Fisher...

Phyllis Noreen Goins passed away at her residence in Fletcher, NC on November 10, 2024. A native of Knoxville, TN, she graduated from Young High School, received her diploma in Nursing from the University of Tennessee MRCH (1st in graduating class), her BSN from the University of Pennsylvania: AFIT distinguished graduate, her MSN in Community Health with minor Family Nurse Practitioner University of Arizona, and her doctorate in Administration of Higher Education from Auburn University. Phyllis was a retired USAF Colonel. She had a variety of assignments in the Air Force ranging from OR Nurse, Flight Nurse Examiner, Supervisor Out Patient Clinics, Operating Room Supervisor in a combat...

John "Spencer" Atwater, Jr. passed away on October 5, 2024, after a courageous battle to recover from a stroke and spinal cord injury sustained in 2020. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 46 years, Marion Richards Atwater. Spencer is survived by his four children: Whitney Atwater of Brooklyn, NY; John Atwater of Asheville, NC; Sara Atwater, MD of Winston-Salem, NC; and Tom Atwater of Asheville, NC. He also leaves behind his cherished grandson, Mason Atwater of Asheville, NC, as well as his sister, Libba Drewicz (Tom) of Atlanta, GA, and many wonderful cousins, nieces, and nephews. Born on September 14, 1944, in Rochester, MN, Spencer was the son of John Spencer Atwater, Sr....

Kathi Jo Haynes Donaldson, 66, of Mills River, N.C., passed away on Sept. 18, 2024 at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville after a period of declining health. Kathi was born and raised in the mountains of Waynesville, N.C., and graduated from Tuscola High School. She worked briefly as a legal secretary, before marrying the love of her life, Dwight Donaldson, 33 years ago. They enjoyed traveling all over the United States in their motor home, and spent extended time at Lake Chatuge in Hayesville, N.C., and Hilton Head, S.C. They both traveled to all University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill home football games over the last few years and attended many Tar Heel basketball games and other...

David Lorain Brookshire, 74, lifelong resident of Asheville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 7th 2024 after a brief illness. He was born August 6th, 1950 in Asheville to the late Lorain Balfour and Martha Williams Brookshire. On March 10, 1973, he married the love of his life, Sharon Phipps Brookshire, to whom he was married for 51 years. David is survived by his wife, Sharon, sons, Matthew (Christy) of Asheville, Timothy (Blake) of Greenville, SC, and three grandchildren, Anna Ruth, Adam, and Marie. He is also survived by his brother Larry (Jolene) and several nephews, nieces, and cousins. David was a member of Skyland United Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir...

Henry Dayton Wilde, Jr., 93, left his earthly life on June 3, 2024, at Highland Farms in Black Mountain, North Carolina where he and his wife, Cis, have been living since 2020. Henry was born in Houston on May 7, 1931, to Henry Dayton and Louise Key "Easy" Wilde. Growing up with two younger brothers, he attended River Oaks Elementary, Lanier Middle School, and Lamar High School, graduating in 1949. He then attended The College of William and Mary where he pledged Kappa Sigma Fraternity, was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, was elected cheer leader and graduated in 1953 with a BS in Chemistry. In 1996, he received William & Mary's Outstanding Alumni Award. On June 14, 1955, he...

Philip Coleman Davis was born on October 30, 1936 in Norton, Virginia to William Dean Davis and Virginia Coleman Davis. He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College in 1958. After teaching school in rural Virginia he entered The Medical College of Virginia and graduated in 1964. After an internship at the Medical College of Virginia he completed his residency in Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory University and Grady Memorial Hospital from 1965-1968. He served in the United States Army Medical Corp from 1968-1970, reaching the rank of Major. He returned to Atlanta from 1970-1972, completing a fellowship in Gynecologic Oncology at Emory University. In 1972 he moved to Asheville and joined...

Barbara Jean Miller Gosnell, 91, formerly of Asheville, passed away on Thursday February 29 2024, at a Maryville, TN, hospital. She was surrounded by daughter, Cindy Fuller, son, Steve Yarborough, and granddaughter, Tamera Partin. She was the daughter of the late Tindle and Gertrude Smith Miller. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Larry Gosnell; sons, Scott Yarborough, Sr., and Darren Yarborough; grandchildren, Scott Yarborough, Jr., and Brandi Humaid; sisters, Janette Davis, Geneva Stuman, Helen Lefler, Sara Brookshire, Inez Davis, and Norma Mathis; and brother, Bill Miller. She was a 1950 graduate of Sand Hill High School in Asheville. She worked most of her life in area...

George Patterson (Pat) Bishop Jr, 91, of Flat Rock, NC passed away October 4, 2023. Born in Montezuma, Georgia to George Patterson Bishop and Dovie Brown Bishop, Pat earned a Business Administration degree from Auburn University and enlisted in the United States Air Force. Pat was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Pat's accounting career included positions with Ralston Purina Company and Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co (KPMG), Lewis Business Forms, Inc (Duplex Products), American Heritage Life Investment Corporation, and Davis Diversified Investments before retiring in 1997. Pat met and married wife Irene in Jacksonville, and raised two sons. He attended St. John's...

Biltmore Forest, NC. Janet Yarborough Kelly, age 83, died September 20, 2023 after an extended illness while a resident of The Landings of Mills River assisted living facility. Janet was born in Sanford, NC on December 29,1939 to Wilma Crystal Hartness and Phillip Chaffin Yarborough, Sr. Janet was the youngest of six children. Her mother, Wilma, passed away in 1947 when Janet was eight years old. Her father, Phil, also became very ill. While he was at Duke Hospital weeks prior to his death, he married Edna Earl Beddingfield as they planned for her to raise the children. In 1949 when Janet's father died, Edna Earl became a caring stepmother to Janet and her siblings until her death in...

A Celebration of Life Service for William Thomas "Billy" Greer, Jr. will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Virginia Wesleyan University. Billy's complete obituary is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.

William Thomas Greer, Jr. 81, died peacefully at his home in Asheville, NC, on August 30th, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born to parents William Thomas Greer and Winnie Agnes Duke Greer in Brunswick, GA, on July 28th, 1942, Billy Greer grew up in Tifton, GA, and graduated from Valdosta State University. Feeling drawn to the ministry, he studied at Emory University's Candler School of Theology and earned an M.Div. degree from Drew University. Seeking yet broader theological understanding, he was research assistant for a year for Professor William Barclay, the distinguished Scottish theologian at the University of Glasgow. He went on to earn a Doctor of Sacred Theology degree at Emory...

Patricia T. Frye, 85, wife of David R. Frye, died August 26, 2023, in Asheville. Information is available at GroceFuneralHome.com.

Patricia T. Frye, 85, wife of David R. Frye, died August 26, 2023, in Asheville. Information is at GroceFuneralHome.com.

David H. Bucher passed away at Givens Estates retirement community in Asheville, NC on July 9, 2023 at the age of 89. He was the son of the late Christian G. and Violette Hoffer Bucher of Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. Dave grew up on the family farm and graduated from Hershey High School and Hershey Junior College in PA. He went on to earn both BS and MS degrees in Engineering from Penn State University and was a licensed professional engineer. Dave was employed for 37 years as a research and development engineer with Deere and Co. As lead engineer, he was responsible for the development of tractor rollover protective frames that established the safety standard for the industry. He was a...

Malcolm David Hathaway, Jr., known throughout his life as "M. D.", transitioned from this earthly life on 7/8/23 at 80 years of age, at home surrounded by loved ones. M.D. grew up in the village of Churchland, Virginia and attended Norfolk County public schools through graduation from Churchland High School in 1961. He was awarded a football scholarship by the University of South Carolina and lettered in football there, making friends for a lifetime. He made connections with athletes from the entire Tidewater area as he enjoyed all sports and excelled in most. He was speaking with some of these lifelong friends throughout his recent illness. M.D. worked for many years for McLean...

Thomas John Havey passed away June 23, 2023 at his residence in Asheville, NC. A service and memorial of Tom's life is scheduled for Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 3:00 PM at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, NC. His family will greet friends at the funeral home for one hour prior to the service. Burial at Calvary Churchyard will be private. His complete obituary and a guest register are available online at grocefuneralhome.com.

Lois Joan(n) Cline Sawyer Glisson, 90, of Hendersonville, passed away on Saturday June 10, 2023 at Margaret R. Pardee Hospital in Hendersonville. A Graveside Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Oak Ridge United Methodist Church Cemetery in Oak Ridge, NC with Pastor Mike Carr officiating. To view a more complete obituary and to share fond memories or offer condolences with Joan's family, please visit her obituary page at www.grocefuneralhome.com. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian in Arden, NC is assisting the family.

Patricia Quinn Presley, 80, of Asheville, passed away at her residence on Sunday, May 7, 2023. A native of Dallas, NC, she was a daughter of the late Earl Quinn and Willie Ruth Hovis Quinn. She was also preceded in death by her husband, James Richard Presley, Jr. and two sisters, Deborah Harris and Millicent Rundgren. She was a graduate of Dallas High School and worked as both an interior designer and in retail sales at Sears and JC Penney. She was a member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church. Patricia is survived by two sons, Tony Quinn (Beth) and Mike Naylor (Sherri); one brother, Bill Quinn (Sylvia); three grandchildren, Rachel Quinn, Adam Naylor and Sam Naylor, as well as several nieces,...

A celebration of the life of Yolanda Blozan Hall will be held in the Auditorium in the Education Center at The North Carolina Arboretum on Friday, July 7, at 10 am. Yolanda was born in Bell, California on March 31, 1938. She was the daughter of the late Fred and Ella Blozan and the sister of Carl Blozan who now resides in Brevard, North Carolina, with his wife Kathie. She spent most of her early years in San Marino, California, attending the elementary and high school there, graduating from high school in 1956. She attended the University of Oregon for her first two years of college, graduating from Redlands University in 1960. Her first job after graduating was as an assistant buyer at...