Fredrice Louise Foster O'Kelley

Fredrice Louise Foster O'Kelley, a native and lifelong resident of Buncombe County passed away on Wednesday, November 4th 2015 at The Laurels of Summit Ridge. She was fondly known as 'Tooter' to family and many friends. Fredrice was born on November 7, 1925, the daughter of Fred E. and Millie Hawkins Foster. In 1941 she married Dewey James O'Kelley, who predeceased her in 1992. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her two brothers, Charles and Billy Foster. Her two sisters who survive her are Martha (Norburn) Hyatt of Candler and Rosa Lee (Earl) Bumgarner of Brevard. She is also survived by nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews and great, great nephews and nieces, each of whom was dear to her. She was employed as a Legal Secretary for the law firm of Pennell, Pennell, and Sale for many years and later for Attorney Robert B. Wilson. She also served as Secretary/Treasurer of Green Hills Cemetery until age 80. She worked as a court reporter for Buncombe County for several years. Fredrice was a 60-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star and currently a member of Biltmore Chapter #38. For 30 years she was Secretary of Esther Chapter #12 in Asheville. She also served as Grand Electa for Grand Chapter of N.C. in 1996-97, as well as a grand representative to Vermont. Fredrice was a member of the Edward Buncombe Chapter of the DAR, and of Hominy Baptist Church. Her funeral will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, November 7th, which would have been her 90th birthday, at Groce Funeral Home, Patton Ave., with interment following at Pisgah Baptist Church cemetery. Family will receive friends at the funeral home at 1:00 pm and will be at the clubhouse at Brigadoon following the interment. The family would like to express a special thanks and gratitude to all of the people who gave Fredrice wonderful care over these past ten years.