Helen DeBruhl Greene

Helen DeBruhl Greene, 89, died Wednesday, August 19, 2009, at The Oaks following an extended illness. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Drs. Diane G. and Webb M. Smathers, Jr., of Westminster, South Carolina, one granddaughter, Tiffany Diane Smathers of Clemson, South Carolina, a sister-in-law, Luretta Miller DeBruhl of Asheville, seven nieces and nephews including Shirley Smith Lewis of Black Mountain, LaMont Miller DeBruhl and Deanna Smith Jordan of Asheville, eighteen great nieces and nephews and twenty-four great, great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, William G. "Bill" Greene. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, she was the daughter of the late Hattie Minerva Wilde DeBruhl and George Wade DeBruhl. The youngest daughter of ten children, she was preceded in death by four sisters and five brothers, Willie Dell White, Thelma Rose Fenwick, Addie Reba Cunningham, Georgia Jo Smith, Max Woodrow DeBruhl, Charles Talmade DeBruhl, James Raymond DeBruhl, Fuller McCoy DeBruhl, and Joe Wilde DeBruhl. Mrs. Greene retired as the manager of the Biltmore Country Market in 1981. Prior to becoming the manager, she was a pinecone craftsman for the market. After retirement, she became a 10, 000 hour Volunteer in the gift shop at St. Josephs Hospital. An active member of the community, she was a 50 year member and the oldest Past Matron of Biltmore Chapter #38, Order of the Eastern Star. She was also Past Grand Counselor of the United Commercial Travelers of North Carolina and Past President of the Quota Club of Asheville. Additionally, she was an active member of Biltmore United Methodist Church for many years. A service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday at Biltmore United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at New Salem Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 pm Friday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that contributions be made to the Hospital Guild at St. Josephs Hospital, Room W133, 428 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801.