Avalee Mary Gasperson

Avalee Mary Gasperson, 82, of Holly Hill Drive, died Sunday, November 21, 2004, in a local hospital. Mrs. Gasperson was born on September 5, 1922 in Haywood County to the late Whitt and Juanita “Neta” Collette Owenby. She lived in Buncombe County for most of her life and was a resident of Cleveland County for twelve years. She lived two years in Hominy Valley Retirement Center, formally known as "Maggie's Place." She was predeceased by her husband of 61 years, Thomas Watson Gasperson who died in 2000. Avalee enjoyed growing flowers and loved to quilt. She was a member of Southside Free Will Baptist Church in Hickory but most recently attended Biltmore Baptist Church. Surviving are three daughters, Rena Lance and her husband, Roger of Arden, Margaret Luna of Montgomery, AL., Fran Collette of Shoreline WA., two sons, Thomas Watson Gasperson Jr. and his wife Nancy of Stanley and Texas Joe, (T.J.), Gasperson and his wife, LingLing of Citrus Heights, CA; eleven grandchildren, Gwen Bogan, Randy Gasperson, Laura Antee, Gloria Lamb, Billy Mashburn, Landon and Jared Hendee, Tammy Michael, Daina Stirman, Rachel Snyder and Shawn West; nine great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 26, 2004 at Groce Funeral Home, Lake Julian, with the Reverend Ryland Whitehorn officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Enka. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.