James Earl Wolfe
October 1, 1941 ~ September 11, 2019
Born in:
Asheville, NC
Resided in:
Leicester, NC
James Earl Wolfe, age 77, of Leicester, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2019.
Earl was born October 1, 1941 in Buncombe County to the late Rev. Lloyd Wolfe and Gertrude Wolfe; he was a resident of the Leicester Community for most of his life. He retired as a supervisor from Southern Bell in 1991. Earl also retired from the United States Army Reserve. After retiring at the age of 50 from Southern Bell, he wasn’t ready to slow down so he began a stress-free, meaningful job at Thoms Rehab. After 10 years he finally retired to enjoy traveling, being Ruby’s handyman, and mowing daily.
Earl loved the Lord and was a faithful member of Beulah Baptist Church where he was a long time Trustee and choir member. He loved his church and church family. He served as a basketball and baseball coach in the Erwin community for many years. He was a loving husband, daddy, and papaw. He cherished the time that he got to spend with his grandchildren by playing jokes, watching them play sports, and supporting them in everything they were involved in. He loved to laugh and brought joy to his family every day.
He was preceded in death by his father, Rev. Lloyd Wolfe, mother, Gertrude, and sister, Linda Falcone.
He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Ruby Smith Wolfe; son, Rev. Ricky Wolfe and wife Chrissy; daughter, Kim Jones and husband Greg; and 5 grandchildren, Dylan and wife Jessica, Austin, Madison and fiancé Seth, Ashlyn, and Allie. He is also survived by his brothers, Ronnie Wolfe (Pong) of Surprise, Arizona and Bill Wolfe (Irene) of Candler, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Receiving of friends will be held Saturday, September 14th from 5:00-7:00 pm at Newfound Baptist Church in Leicester, N.C.
A celebration of life will be held Sunday, September 15th at 3:00 pm at Beulah Baptist Church with the Rev. Ricky Wolfe officiating. Pallbearers are: Dylan Jones, Austin Jones, Seth Carter, Danny Stevens, Drew Gerhardt, Matthew Smith, Barry McDonagh, and Phillip Freeman.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Beulah Baptist Church Building Program c/o Marlene Weaver, 373 N. Turkey Creek Rd., Leicester, NC 28748.
The family would like to say a special thanks to Dr. Noel, Lauren and the Memory Care Team, Mountain Care, and Four Seasons Hospice for loving and taking such good care of him.
Services
Funeral Service: September 15, 2019 3:00 pm
Beulah Baptist Church
North Turkey Creek Road
Leicester, NC 28748
828-252-3535
Burial: September 15, 2019 4:00 pm
Beulah Baptist Church Cemetery
North Turkey Creek Road
Leicester, NC 28748
828-252-3535
Visitation: September 14, 2019 5:00 pm - April 24, 2025 7:00 pm
Newfound Baptist Church
New Leicester Highway
Leicester, NC 28748
828-252-3535
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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So sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my prayers.
Jan Elingburg
Ruby, Ricky, Kim and families,
I am so sorry to hear about Earl. He was a very special man. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dear family,
I am so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man with a wonderful family. You all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ruby, and family, so sorry to hear of your loss. Praying God’s comfort and peace during this time.
Dear precious family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. He was a wonderful man with a wonderful family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss. We are praying that our Heavenly Father will wrap you in His loving arms and comfort you during this time. May you find comfort in knowing that Earl is now whole again and that you’ll be reunited.
So sorry to hear about Earl Wolf . I worked with him at Southern Bell you could not have worked with a better guy . He was a great guy and he loved his church and family. Thoughts and prayers for Ruby and rest of the family . Prayers .
Ruby and family, so sorry to learn of Earl’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
So, so sorry for your loss. Earl was a precious person that was always a joy to be around. Loved, loved his devotion to his grandchildren. Ruby, I am so sad for you the kids, and grandkids. Y ‘all are a precious family and I know your heart is broken. Heaven has truly gained an angel. Much love and prayers from the two of us.
Nancy and I have been so blessed and encouraged by your Christian influence in the community and beyond. Your embrace has been large enough to include so many. Earl and the Wolfe family have demonstrated the very best of what it means to be a “Christian family.” We are asking the “God of all comfort” to continue to give to you a “peace that passes understanding.” We love you all.
All of you are in our thoughts and prayers. We pray for God’s comfort in the coming days. I am reminded of the lyrics in the song, “Wish you were here. HEAVEN IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.” I’m sure if he could speak to you now that is what he would say. It is good to know that you have the hope that someday you will get to experience what he is experiencing now. LOVE AND PRAYERS!
So sorry about Earl. He was a great guy and I am so glad he is no longer suffering. May God continue being close to all the family members during the coming days. Prayers for you!
Debra and Mike Watts
To all the Wolfe family, you all will always have a special place in my heart. I pray for God’s comfort and peace for you all. I have so many precious memories of all our vacations together, and the wonderful love, and fellowship. Love you all so much.
You have prayers from me and many friends and I know the pain of losing a spouse, I will continue to pray for you after the all funeral tidings have stopped. I know how lonesome it can be . Love and prayers to you and your family.
My heart is so heavy. Earl was a true Christian influence, just like your entire beautiful family. He was such a man of integrity- a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, son, and brother. He always made me smile, laugh, and feel loved- even through all the 1980’s something’s! May God comfort you at this time and know you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I love you all so very, very much.
Kristy Moore
Cousins, Ruby & family So sorry for your loss . He was a wonderful Christian man. Prayers for all.
Dearest Ruby and family, We are so sorry for your great loss of your precious loved one. Please know you are all in our prayers. May our Lord and Savior comfort you. Love, Tom and Carolyn Dorsey and Family
We are so saddened to hear about Earl. I will always remember his sweet smile. Our prayers are with you all💕
Norma & David Welsh
So sorry for your loss, I worked at Bellsouth with him, he was kindest man and the best supervisor I ever had. Prayers to the family
So very sorry for your loss. Such wonderful memories you all have of Earl. May God give you peace and comfort now and the coming days.
Tracey sharpe
Sorry for you loss. Prayers from our family to yours.
Love The O’Mary’s
“Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning” May God comfort you as only He can.
Ruby and family
Sorry to hear about Earl, went to school with him, enjoyed time with him on Facebook and the “train”. You are in our prayers, may God hold you and your family in His loving arms now and forever.
So sorry for your loss..Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Juby Ricky and Kim, are so honored to have been considered as part of the Smith and Wolf family but I look forward to seeing Earl’s smiling face in Glory Land. Love and prayers to to all the Wolf and Smith for healing and compassion, the sorrow will gradually fade away but we will always have the memories.
Dear Earl Wolfe family, I first met Earl many years ago when we played baseball in Little league and Babe Ruth and basketball at the old YMCA. I knew even at the age of 12 and up that Earl was different than most young boys and teenagers. I realized later that it was his wonderful sweet Christian heart that made him different. He never changed, I would see him about every five years or so and here he would come, huge smile and all, the same old Earl. He is now in Heaven, still spreading the love of Jesus. Thank you Earl for being the hands and feet of our savior!
Gary and Annette Miller So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We send your family and friends healing love and prayers.
With deepest sympathies in this time of sorrow. What he must be seeing as he walks in heaven.
Love Roger and Janie Teague
So sorry for your loss to all the family Always enjoyed seeing him at the games Sandy and Dale Cox
Ricky and family, So very sorry for your loss, thinking about you and praying for you.
Joe Sharpe
Ruby and family I am so sorry for your loss, I know God is with you during this time and I pray for your comfort. Just know his suffering is over and a new life has begun.
OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY.
The Smith Family Singers were such a blessing to my father Pastor Daniel Stephenson during his time as Pastor of Beulah Baptist Church. I will always remember them singing at my Father’s going home service . May God bless them and I know my Father is waiting for Sarah Ann, Jack and the other family singers to sing for him. Ricky and Kim we are praying for you.
Trp. T.W. Stephenson
NCSHP { Ret}
I am so sorry for your loss and pray that you can feel God’s comfort as you go through this last step. Earl was always such a pleasant person to be around. I always enjoyed seeing his face when I worked at Care Partners.