Obituaries - Hendersonville Lightning (2024)

Recent Obituaries

Death Notices 8/5/24

Jerry "Dave" Duggin 86 Hendersonville, NC 7/31/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation Aug 17 2pm Church Street Funeral Chapel

Lorraine Cochrane 75 Hendersonville, NC 7/31/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Elizabeth deRosset Maybank Guérard Wright

Elizabeth “Libby” deRosset Maybank Guérard Wright, 93, died peacefully Thursday, August 1, 2024, at the Bishop Gadsden Episcopal Retirement Community. Her funeral service will be held Friday, August 9 in St. Philip's Church, 142 Church Street at 11:00 am. Arrangements by J. Henry Stuhr, Inc. Downtown Chapel. Inurnment will follow in the churchyard.

Born February 8, 1931, in Charleston, South Carolina, Libby was the youngest child of the late U.S. Senator Burnet Rhett Maybank and Elizabeth deRosset Myers Maybank.

After attending grade schools in Charleston and Columbia, moves necessitated by her father’s election as Governor and then U.S. Senator, Libby graduated high school in 1949 from the Holton-Arms School in Washington, D.C. She then attended Winthrop College and the University of South Carolina before moving back to Charleston.

Libby spent every summer of her childhood in Flat Rock, North Carolina, and she loved staying on Highland Lake where she lived. She enjoyed riding horseback, swimming in Highland Lake, climbing Glassy Mountain, and picnics. Every Sunday she could be found at St. John in the Wilderness Church where she and her best friend, Alicia Rhett Walker, loved singing in the choir.

A member of St. Michael’s Church in Charleston, upon her marriage to Theodore Bogert Guérard on April 14, 1956, she moved down the block to worship at St. Philip’s where she held numerous volunteer positions, including helping in the nursery, sewing communion kneelers, helping many years with the church bazaar and the soup kitchen, and working at the Canterbury House. She was also a board member of The Women of St. Philip’s Church.

A dedicated preservationist, Libby was instrumental in organizing the Save Charleston Foundation to oppose destruction of historic buildings in the area of East Bay and Meeting streets by developers in the 1970s. Her work was essential in alerting the Charleston community to the potential loss of their heritage, and the Save Charleston Foundation was successful in stopping demolition. For that work, along with her support of several preservation organizations, she received the Three Sisters Award from Charleston’s Committee to Save the City.

While her volunteer work was rewarding, Libby most enjoyed spending time with Theodore and their children. Summers at Rockville fishing and crabbing and fall weekends in Flat Rock to see the leaves change were always appreciated. As “Yubby,” she was a devoted grandmother and always happy to share her stories when her grandchildren visited.

Additional volunteer work included her memberships in the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in South Carolina, Ivy Garden Club, Huguenot Society of South Carolina, Charleston Museum, Save Charleston Foundation (board member), South Carolina Historical Society (board member), Preservation Society of Charleston, Historic Charleston Foundation (board member), Historic Charleston Foundation Aiken-Rhett Committee, E. Milby Burton Memorial Trust (original board member), Confederate Home and College (board member), Charleston Day School (original board member), Charleston Neighborhood Association (original board member), Gibbes Museum of Art, Historic Flat Rock, Inc. (board member), Ladies Aid Society of Flat Rock, and St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Flat Rock.

After Theodore’s death in 1997, Libby was blessed to marry Capt. Richard “Dick” Taliaferro Wright, U.S. Navy (Ret.) in 1999 until his death in 2022.

She is predeceased by her parents and her siblings Burnet Rhett Maybank, Jr. and Roberta Maybank Prioleau. She is survived by her three children: Elizabeth Guérard Parker (Donald) of Charleston, Anne Guérard Coletta (Paul) of Flat Rock, North Carolina, and Russell Guérard (Tara) of Charleston; six grandchildren: Elizabeth Parker Doddington (Everitt) of Charleston, Donald Frost Parker, Jr. (Courtney) of Mount Airy, North Carolina, John Coletta of New York, New York, Aiken Guérard, Myers Guérard, and Lila Guérard all of Charleston; and two great-grandchildren: Walker and Teddy Doddington as well as beloved nieces and nephews. Additional survivors include Dick’s children: Major Benjamin Wright, USMC Reserve (Rebecca), Christian Wright (William Rashbaum), and Elizabeth Wempe (Ken) and their families.

Memorials may be made to St. Philip’s Church (142 Church St., Charleston, SC 29401), St. John in the Wilderness Church (P.O. Box 185, Flat Rock, NC 28731), or the Charleston Museum (360 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29403).

The family would like to thank the Bishop Gadsden staff for the excellent care they provided Libby.

A memorial message may be sent to the family by visiting our website at www.jhenrystuhr.com.

Death Notices 7/31/24

Carol Taylor 77 Fletcher, NC 7/24/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Darlene Ann (Danko) Sowa

Darlene Ann (Danko) Sowa 12/21/1946 - 7/14/2024

Darlene Sowa passed away peacefully at her home in Hendersonville, North Carolina on Sunday, July 14, 2024 after a presumed battle with cancer. Darlene was born in Detroit, Michigan where she spent her childhood and attended grade school at St. Raymond, and high school at SS. Cyril and Methodius. She worked at Wayne State University as a secretary to one of the doctors on staff while at the same time completing her higher education to attain a Master's Degree in Exercise Physiology. Darlene married the love of her life, Thomas Sowa, in 1972 and together they resided in Warren, Michigan until 2016 when they relocated to Hendersonville, North Carolina. Darlene's accomplishments were extensive and impressive. She pursued and completed courses in energy healing. She attained certification as a Healing Touch Therapist (CHTP) and performed energy focused therapy sessions for clients, family and friends. She founded PFS (Professional Fitness Systems) guiding her clients through personal fitness programs. Her passion for holistic health and exercise culminated in authoring her 2007 book "Taking Flight Through Movement" which explores how exercise with spirit can enhance every experience in our life.

Darlene's true love and legacy was her love of the wonders of nature and God's beautiful world. The Blue Ridge Mountains of Hendersonville were her oasis of peace and harmony. She initiated a hiking group and led routine hikes through the mountain trails. She acquired many friendships and experienced great joy from these experiences Darlene could feel the energy housed within the crystals and ancient rocks she collected on her journeys. She was a perpetual student of metaphysics, the universe and the power of the changing seasons, the eastern philosophy of healing, and spirituality. She was widely admired for her knowledge and avid reading in these fields. Darlene's philosophy was one of naturally focused self care, meditation, and the power of harnessing the energy within yourself.

Darlene was a loving wife, sister, aunt, godmother and friend. Darlene was pre-deceased by her mother, Marian (Pasko) Danko and father Edward Michael Danko. She is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Tom, and their cherished dog Maggie, who was Darlene's constant companion. She is also survived by her brother Donald Danko (Nancy) and her sister Cheryl (Danko) Fox (Mark), seven nieces and nephews and fifteen great nieces and nephews. She will be remembered for her undying passion for the beauty of creation and her desire to share her passion with all who knew her. Highlands Cremation & Funeral Care is in charge of arrangements and condolences may be sent through the website www.Highlandscare.com.

Death Notices 7/24/24

Nancy Gilchrist 75 Mills River, NC 7/17/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Peter Bonesteel 88 Flat Rock, NC 7/20/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation July 27 2:00pm Church Street Funeral Chapel

Death Notices 7/17/24

Dorice Narins 91 Hendersonville, NC 7/05/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Cary Justice 81 Hendersonville, NC 7/11/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Robert Eicheldorfer 78 Hendersonville, NC 7/13/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Coy Merrell 95 Brevard, NC 7/13/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Death Notices 7/3/24

Richard Kamis 93 Hendersonville, NC 6/27/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Gary Semmel 75 Rutherfordton, NC 6/28/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation Jul 3 3pm Church Street Funeral Chapel

James Luzadder 79 Hendersonville, NC 6/29/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Nancy Harberston

Nancy Harberson, 79, of Hendersonville, NC, passed away on May 2, 2024 in her hometown of Hendersonville, NC. She was born to James “Tracy” and Allene Harberson on March 11, 1945. She was a lifelong resident and proud graduate of Hendersonville High School.

Nancy was known for her kind, generous, and helpful nature. She touched the lives of many with her warmth and compassion. She had a love for children and spent much of her life caring for not only her children and grandchildren, but also those she taught at Grace Lutheran Pre-School.

She is survived by the love of her life, Bill Orr, her brother Lamar Harberson, her children Kelly Roberts (David), Tracy Rynkowski (Gene), and Glenn Dotson (Darlene), as well as her grandchildren Kaela Morgan, Catherine Morgan, Jareth Dotson, and Virginia Rynkowski.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, and brother, James Harberson.

In lieu of Flowers, please consider a contribution to Four Seasons Hospice in Nancys memory.

A Celebration of Life to honor Nancy Harberson will be held on July 1st at Hendersonville Presbyterian Church, 699 N Grove St. at 2:00 PM in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a service with a time for sharing stories and memories of Nancy. Her family would be blessed if you could join us at this time to celebrate her memory. Come in what makes you comfortable, it's what she would have wanted!

Death Notices 6/26/24

Linda Doner-Fatland 77 Flat Rock, NC 6/16/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

LaVera Kelley 80 Hendersonville, NC 6/19/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation Jul 1 11am Church Street Funeral Home Chapel Shepherd Memorial Park

Joyce Youngblood

Joyce Johnson Youngblood, a cherished resident of Hendersonville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on May 31, 2024, at Carolina Village. Born in New Bern, North Carolina, Joyce lived a life marked by dedication to both her family and her community.

Joyce was a paralegal and later became a devoted homemaker when her children were born, displaying a remarkable balance between her professional pursuits and her love for her family. She volunteered her time to better the lives of many in our community. Her passions included tending to her beautiful garden filled with flowers, traveling to new places, and playing tennis – activities that brought her great joy and fulfillment.

A proud member of the Hendersonville High School Class of 1953, Joyce went on to attend Radford College, further enriching her life with education and experiences. She was a faithful member of Fletcher United Methodist Church, where she found spiritual nourishment and community.

Joyce is preceded in death by her loving parents, David W. Johnson and Loraine Johnson, her beloved son, John Youngblood, and her brother, David Johnson, Jr. She leaves behind a legacy of love and cherished memories with her surviving family members: husband of 63 years, Kenneth Youngblood; her daughter, Kaye Youngblood of Hendersonville; her grandson, Jake Youngblood of Hendersonville; sisters-in-law, Ann Allen of Hendersonville and Becky Johnson of San Diego, CA; along with nieces and nephews, Ricky Johnson (Eunie), Sherry Hougard (Steve), Beth Youngblood (Paul Jason), Josie Sidhu, Katie Henderson, Peter Youngblood (Victoria), Mary Youngblood (Luis Martinez), Megan Moore, Chance Moore, Kata Moore, Jaiden Sidhu, Isaac Henderson, Addisyn Sidhu, Mark Henderson, Michael Moore, Joe Martinez, Dean Martinez, Madison Hougard, Nate Hougard, and Shane Hougard, and extended family members who will deeply miss her presence.

The funeral service to honor Joyce’s life was held at 11 AM on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Fletcher United Methodist Church with Reverend Randy Sherrill officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hendersonville High School Scholarships, Fletcher United Methodist Church, or Hands On! Children’s Museum.

Joyce’s nurturing spirit, vibrant personality, and unwavering kindness touched the lives of all who knew her. She will be remembered always and forever missed by her family, friends, and community. Shuler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements and an online registry may be found at www.shulerfuneral.com

Death Notices 6/12/24

Gwendolyn Hicks 90 Hendersonville, NC 6/4/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation June 8 Pinecrest ARP Church Shepherd Memorial Park

Abbie Turner 37 Hendersonville, NC 6/4/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation June 15 2pm - 6pm Mills River Brew House

Death Notices 6/5/24

Paul Ross 79 Hendersonville, NC 5/29/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Death Notices 5/29/24

Roger Louise Gause 88 Saluda, NC 5/22/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Mickie Jean Pinckney 71 Saluda, NC 5/22/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation May 28 1pm Saluda City Cemetery

Death Notices 5/22/24

Judy Gosda 70 Chimney Rock, NC 5/13/24 Church Street Funeral & Cremation May 20 6pm Church Street Funeral

Shari Eeakes

Shari Eakes 1964-2024

Shari Eakes died April 29, 2024, at her home in North Mills River, following a valiant nine–year battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her loving family and assisted by nurses from Four Seasons Hospice.

Survivors include Andy Brittain, her husband of 41 years, her son Gabriel Brittain, her mother Ginny (Eakes) Whitehead (Rev. John), sisters Shelly (Joe) Fore, and Laurie (Terry) Brock, brother Kirk (Cheryl) Eakes and several nieces, nephews and in-laws, Joanne, Jere, Phil, Ashley, Doug, and May Brittain.

She was preceded by her father, Rev. Lee Eakes.

Shari was known for her quick sense of humor and contagious laugh. Shari was a graduate in art from Brevard College and studied pottery at Haywood Community College. She was a well-known potter and her clay creations are now considered rare and collectable. Her annual studio open houses were major community events.

Friends and family have greatly admired Andy’s devotion to Shari’s care during the difficult past nine years.

A memorial gathering will be announced for a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to Four Seasons Hospice inHendersonville.

Death Notices 5/15/24

Merle Bleick 90 Hendersonville, NC 05/09/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation Appleton Highland Memorial Park Appleton, WI

Carol Shellington 79 Hendersonville, NC 05/09/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Nancy Barnett 75 Saluda, NC 05/09/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Iona "Onie" Carland 90 Hendersonville, NC 05/11/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation May 18 2pm Emmanuel Baptist Church Shepherd Memorial Park

Fred W. Roper

COLUMBIA, SC -

Fred W. Roper, 85, died on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. He was the son of the late Mrs. Mary Alice Jones and Mr. U. G. Roper. Fred was a nationally recognized scholar and educator in the field of Medical Librarianship.

Fred earned his Master's of Science in Library Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1962. He completed an internship at UCLA before accepting a position in the Biomedical Library there. He completed his PhD in Library Science at Indiana University in 1971. Fred taught for fifteen years at UNC as Associate Professor and Associate Dean. In 1986, he accepted the position of Dean and Professor in the College of Library and Information Science at the University of South Carolina. As Dean, he introduced the full MLIS program through distance education in South Carolina and to cohorts of students in Georgia, West Virginia and Maine. He integrated computer technology into the curriculum and forged strong ties with the public and academic library communities.

Fred joined the Medical Library Association in 1962. For the next fifty years he served in many leadership roles, receiving countless awards and citations. He co-authored the seminal textbook on medical library information resources.

Fred followed UNC Men’s Basketball with a seriousness unparalleled in sports. He loved cats and babies, his sunroom full of plants, and his trips to England. He baked prize winning pound cakes, and he amassed an enviable collection of pottery and royal memorabilia. He was best known for his kindness, his devotion to his friends and family, and his generosity.

Fred is survived by his spouse, Jon Upson; brother-in- law, Jeff Upson; sister-in-law, Heidi Langston (Jim); nephew, Kai Langston; niece, Kayla Langston, and a host of cousins and friends.

A Celebration of Life service for Dr. Fred Roper will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 18, 2024, at the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 845 Leesburg Road, Columbia, SC 29209. A reception and visitation will follow the service in the Thompson Funeral Home (Greenlawn) Community Room. Woodridge Funeral Home of Lexington is assisting his family.

Fred’s service will be live-streamed for those unable to attend the service. Please read his online obituary at http://www.woodridgefuneralhome.com/to find the link to view his service (on or after May 18, 2024). The link will be active until August 18, 2024.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fred W. Roper Silver Anniversary Scholarship Fund (1B1972). Checks should be made payable to the USC Educational Foundation, 1028 Barnwell Street, Columbia, SC 29208. Please include a note indicating the full name and number of the scholarship, or the Mary Alice and George Jones Fund at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (295921), checks should be made payable to the UNC Chapel Hill Foundation, 216 Lenoir Drive CB #3360, 100 Manning Hall, Chapel Hill, NC 27599.

Jon Laughter

Jon H. Laughter, PE, RLS

Vietnam Veteran

Jon Harvey Laughter, 84, of Hendersonville NC, went to be with our Heavenly Father on Friday, May 3, 2024, from his home where he was surrounded by his loving wife and four daughters.

Jon was born in his Grandmother’s house in Etowah on May 11, 1939 to the late Jesse Harvey and Madge Jones Laughter. He was a graduate of Hendersonville High School, then went on to study engineering and surveying at NC State College (home of the Wolfpack!). In 1962, after graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, he returned to Hendersonville and married the love of his life Linda Connell Laughter. They had four daughters, Stephanie Laughter Sudano, Cynthia Laughter Pope, Jennifer Laughter Mills, and Jessica Laughter Poole.

Jon joined the Air Force late in 1962 where he served in both the Tactical Air Command at Pope Field and Red Horse Squadron in Republic of Vietnam 1967, attaining the rank of Captain, and being awarded both Bronze Star and Air Force Commendation Medals for service to his country. Upon return to civilian life, Jon became the NCDOT District Engineer for Henderson County. In 1974, he started a private engineering and land surveying company in downtown Hendersonville. Laughter Austin and Associates, PA provided professional services in western NC and SC for 50 years.

Jon was a long standing member of the First Baptist Church of Hendersonville NC. He greatly influenced his children in the importance of a lifelong relationship with Christ. He also served his community as a Rotarian, a Hendersonville City Councilman, a member of the City of Hendersonville Board of Education, an appointee to both the County Board and the NC Association of Public Health, and many more. Jon was always seeking to serve the community in various positions. His contributions in community service have left an indelible mark on the City of Hendersonville NC, Henderson County, western North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Jon was also a visionary in the engineering field. His contributions to the Hendersonville community can be seen almost anywhere you turn. Some more recognizable projects include Kenmure, Carolina Village, Carriage Park, City Racquetball Courts, Kanuga Conference, various summer camps and public facilities, numerous water and sewer lines, water storage tanks, stormwater facilities, bridges, highways, pedestrian bridge and gazebo, parks, sidewalks, greenways, business locations, and numerous property surveys. There are too many to list from 50 years of service to the community. Jon was also instrumental in long range transportation planning for the area, proposing the long considered Balfour Parkway which would have improved east west mobility in Henderson County.

In Jon’s own words, “In addition to working and contributions to my community, my most important work done over the last 50 years has been in becoming a father and grandfather to FOUR daughters and a rather indulgent loving grandfather to NINE grandchildren.” Since the time he wrote those words, TWO great grandchildren have been added to the list.

Jon is survived by his loving wife Linda, four daughters Stephanie Laughter Sudano (Tim), Cynthia Laughter Pope (Randy), Jennifer Laughter Mills (Bob), and Jessica Laughter Poole (Shane), and nine grandchildren Jinna Pope Morgan (Blake) , James Hannon Sudano (Marian), Brooke Sudano Davis (Andy), Jonathan Sim Pope, Matthew Tyler Poole (Ashley), Rachael Sudano Meekins (Christian), Shelby Elise Poole, Lindsay Katherine Mills, Caroline Grace Mills, and two great grandchildren Sophia and Grayson. In addition, Jon is survived by his brother Samuel J. Laughter.

Services will be held at First Baptist Church of Hendersonville NC on Saturday May 11th with visitation at 10 am and service at 11 am, with the Rev. Steve Scoggins officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the SECU Family House of Winston Salem NC (familyhousews.org), Four Seasons Hospice in Hendersonville NC (fourseasonscare.org), or First Baptist Church of Hendersonville NC (fbchnc.org).

Laryon Owens

Laryon Cecilia Dayton Owens died peacefully on April 18, 2024, at the age of 91. Laryon was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Navy Commander John Gary Owens: her parents Lawrence E. Dayton & Marion Weinberger Dayton, and her sister Teryl. She is survived by her children: Dayton (wife Sharon), Alycia, Daryck, Myche Owens Taylor (husband Jason), and her grandchildren: Lindsay, Allyson and Michael. Laryon was a classically trained concert pianist who was taught by and performed with Ruth Slenczynska (the last surviving student of Rachmaninoff). Laryon was an artist, architect and teacher. Laryon graduated UC Berkeley and was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta. She volunteered as a pianist for Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Hendersonville Little Theater, Pat’s School of Dance and as accompanist for many instrumentalists and symphony events. She was an ardent fundraiser and advocate for the Epilepsy Society and for people with disabilities. Laryon founded The String Bees for Henderson County school symphonies and with her husband co-founded The Bounty of Bethlehem community Christmas dinner for the under privileged. Laryon and Gary were owners and chefs of The Main Spot restaurant in Hendersonville. For those who would like to honor Laryon, the family requests donations be made in her name to Saint Jude Children’s Hospital.

Death Notices 5/8/24

Josephine Aiken 91 Hendersonville, NC 4/29/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

Janice Montgomery 81 Sebring, FL 4/15/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation May 11 11AM Oakdale Cemetery

Martha Chovan 92 Hendersonville, NC 5/5/2024 Church Street Funeral & Cremation

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