Zelma Bennett Barnes
April 1, 1909 ~ April 2, 2001
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailA native of Haywood County, she was a daughter of the late Rev. John C. and Allie Fisher Bennett. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Robert R. Barnes and by a daughter, Delaine Barnes. Mrs. Barnes taught in the Buncombe County School System for 35 years. For the last 29 years before her retirement she taught first grade at Candler Elementary. During that time she was selected to teach in the summer demonstration program at WCU Cullowhee six summers. She was a member of the NC Association of Educators.
Mrs. Barnes and her husband joined Enka Baptist Church in 1940, and held many leadership positions in the church since then. She was a member of the Buncombe Baptist Association and served as associational director of women's work for five years. For two years she served on the board of the Baptist State Woman’s Missionary Union, representing the field of young people’s mission activities. She also held several offices in the Woman’s Club of Asheville, and was active in the Turnpike Extension Homemakers Club in Candler.
She is survived by her daughter, Alma Barnes Kiss of Huntsville, AL; sisters, Ruth B. Russell of Jackson, TN and Lily B. McGinty of Louisville, KY; granddaughter Beverly Greenwood of New York City and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Thursday at Enka Baptist Church with Rev. Ron Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
Groce Funeral Home, Patton Avenue is in charge of arrangements.
Alma, so sorry to hear about your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Mother died March 4 (Billie P. Nichols) so I know where you are. It is a sad time, but a joyful time for our Mothers.
Ann and Tommy Cashion
May God’s grace and peace be yours in abundance.
1 Peter 1:2
We enjoyed getting to know your mother while I was interim pastor at Enka. She was a beautiful, gracious
Christian lady. With our prayers.Francis & Nina Chesson
With All Our Love
We are saddened by Zelma’s passing from our presence but happy that she has gone on to be with her Lord, and with Bob. We loved both of them and enjoyed working with them in Lions work and WMU and Associational matters. Both were examples of the most ‘solid citizens’ that could be found anywhere. We will miss Zelma and our prayers are with the family and friends who were closest to her in their loss.
We are saddened by Zelma’s passing from our presence but happy that she has gone on to be with her Lord, and with Bob. We loved both of them and enjoyed working with them in Lions work and WMU and Associational matters. Both were examples of the most ‘solid citizens’ that could be found anywhere. We will miss Zelma and our prayers are with the family and friends who were closest to her in their loss.
Our thoughts are with you and yours.
I offer my condolence in your loss of a very ‘special’ lady.
I’v signed once,but I’m not sure it went through.
I cherish the memory of Zelma and her willingness to help those around her. She was faithful to God & man. Had it not been for her precious sister, Ruth, I would have missed the privilege of knowing Zelma. Alma, you & Beverfly have my deepest sympathy.
It was with great sorrow that we learned of Grace’s death. She was the most beautiful example of a true lady that I have ever known. Our love and thoughts are with you at this time.
Thinking of you in your time of sorrow.
I remember Zelma fondly as my excellent directing teacher. I have gained so much from her and I have enjoyed teaching first grade for many years. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Pat Edwards
I just heard about your mother and even though it has been several months,I wanted to express my condolences to you and your family. I was your mother’s dental hygieniest and friend for 28 years and thoroughly enjoyed her all that time. What a wonderful person she was and I will certainly miss her.