Faye Roberts Barnard

Faye Roberts Barnard, 98, of Asheville died peacefully on, March 5, 2015 with her children beside her. She was preceded in death by her husband, William O. Barnard, Jr., her parents, Mabel and E.S. Roberts and her brother, Ray. She is survived by her son, William O. Barnard III of Marietta, GA; her daughter, Sheila Nungesser and husband, Phil of Lake Lure, NC; her brother Cecil Roberts and wife Betty of Mills River, NC; her grandchildren, William O. Barnard IV and wife Adriana of San Diego, CA; Vanessa Barnard of Alameda, CA; Philip Nungesser III of Atlanta, GA; as well as five great-grandchildren. Faye was born in Madison County on November 16, 1916 and moved to Asheville at age 5. She graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1933 and from Cecil's Business College in 1935. She married in 1940 and pursued a career in personnel and administrative services in Asheville. She retired from the U.S. Postal Service in 1980 and continued to serve her community through her church and volunteer activities. She dedicated over 18 years and 10, 000 hours of service to Memorial Mission Hospital where she assisted families of emergency room patients. The hospital honored her as a Lifetime Member of Volunteer Services. She was also a member of the West Asheville Presbyterian Church for 85 years where she served as an Elder, President of the Women of the Church; circle chairperson, choir member and Life Member of Presbyterian Women. Faye volunteered with the American Red Cross and served on the Board of the Y.W.C.A. as well as the Board of Auxiliary Volunteers of Mission Hospital. She has served as chapter President of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Rhododendron Club and was active in the Soroptimist Club, Toastmistress Club, and several bridge clubs. The funeral service will be held at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. in West Asheville at 2:00 PM on Monday, March 9. Rev. Kent Smith and grandson Billy Barnard will officiate. The family will receive friends at 1:00 PM preceding the service. Private interment will be at Green Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the West Asheville Presbyterian Church, 690 Haywood Rd., Asheville, NC 28806.