Clara Styles Culbertson

Clara Styles Culbertson, 103, of Asheville, died on Monday, September 14, 2026.

Born on February 19, 1923, in Yancey County, Clara was the tenth child born to the late Elbert Hugh and Julia Mae Honeycutt Styles. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Neil Wallace Culbertson; granddaughter, Cindy Culbertson; and her siblings, Elzie Styles, Kate Styles, Bert Styles, Mack Styles, Carrie Styles Wilson, Lee Styles, Ruth Styles Bowers, Walter Styles, Grovia Styles Wright, Jay Styles, and Dorothy “Dot” Styles Horton.

Growing up in the Paint Gap community, Clara and her siblings worked hard on the farm, hoeing corn, picking beans, carrying cornshucks, and milking cows. Theirs was a large and loving family that gathered regularly for family reunions.

Clara attended Montreat-Anderson College after graduating from Bald Creek School. She enjoyed a career as an outstanding administrative assistant at American Enka (Akzona). After retiring in 1985, she continued writing notes, grocery lists, and recipes in shorthand—if only we could read them.

Clara was a faithful, longtime member of Abernethy United Methodist Church, where she generously shared her time and talents. She served as church treasurer for many years and was actively involved in the B.E.A.R. Closet, Women of Faith, and Joy Band. Through Joy Band, she helped sell thousands of packages of pecans each holiday season and hemmed prayer quilts for the church’s quilt ministry. Clara knew her Scripture backward and forward and often read the Gospel of Luke’s Christmas story during Abernethy’s Christmas Eve service.

Clara treasured all of her friendships at Abernethy, especially her annual beach trips with the “Beach Girls”—Edith, Clara H., Arnell, Celia, and Sharon. Their yearly trips were a beloved tradition filled with yellow-eyed beans and cornbread, chicken casserole, and early morning beach walks.

Clara was a voracious reader and completed hundreds of jigsaw puzzles throughout her lifetime. She was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, as well as an often-disappointed Carolina Panthers fan. Clara was also an exceptionally gifted crocheter, making many soft blankets for her children, grandchildren, and loved ones.

Clara was a staunch supporter of women’s rights and a forward thinker, especially for her time. She frequently updated her grandchildren on the latest headlines. After enjoying dinner with David Muir and the nightly ABC News, she would call in her votes for Dancing with the Stars and American Idol.

Clara was incredibly strong and resilient, living independently for the majority of her life. She sailed through two hip replacements—one at age 95 and another at 102—and had a pacemaker placed at 99. When asked the secret to her longevity, she would say, “Keep moving, and have hope for tomorrow.”

Above all, Clara loved her family deeply and made sure they knew it. In recent months, she often ended phone calls with a phrase that became unmistakably hers: “I love you very, very, very, very much.” It was a sentiment she carried for all of those she loved.

Mrs. Culbertson is survived by her son, Neil Wallace “Wally” Culbertson, Jr., and wife Mary; daughter, Martha Tyner and husband Harrison; grandchildren, Greg Culbertson (Cathy Culbertson), Hill Culbertson, Kinsley Culbertson Maas (Tyler Maas), Christopher Tyner (Jessica Young), and Carol Tyner; and great-grandchildren, Tayler Rae Culbertson, Logan Faith Culbertson, Beau Wallace Culbertson, and Leo Dean Tyner.

The graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, at Pisgah View Memorial Park. A celebration of Clara’s life will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Abernethy United Methodist Church. Pastor Noel Sweezy will officiate both services.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the caregivers at Brookdale Asheville Overlook for the compassionate care, kindness, and support they provided.

Memorials may be made to Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Ave., Asheville, NC 28806.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is assisting her family.