Jean Blackwelder Gaither
January 9, 1943 ~ November 4, 2008
Resided in:
Mills River, NC
Asheville ~ Jean Blackwelder Gaither passed away Tuesday, November 4, 2008 following an extended battle with ovarian cancer.
Mrs. Gaither was born January 9, 1943 in Charlotte, NC to the late Thomas Marvin and Mildred Youngblood Blackwelder. She graduated from South Mecklenburg High School and Women's College, (UNC-Greensboro), with a commercial degree in financial accounting. Through the years, she held bookkeeping positions in Charlotte, Statesville, and Asheville. She most enjoyed her years with UW Baker Construction of Arden.
Jean was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest joys involved her family and her faith. She was active throughout her life in church organizational, benevolent, and leadership roles. She used her financial bookkeeping knowledge to help her home churches through the years. She also aided invalid seniors who could not handle their own af-fairs. Her practical and resourceful approach has been demonstrated many times in Skyland United Methodist Church's efforts to put Faith Into Action. She faced her greatest physical challenge with her strong faith and a positive attitude.
Surviving are her husband of 43 years, Charles (Buddy) Gaither of Mills River; son, Charles (Larry) Gaither and his wife Anne, their daughter Hannah and son, John all of Statesville; daughter, Cheryl Polzin and her husband Michael, their son Nathaniel and daughter, Lucy all of Minneapolis, MN. She is also sur-vived by sisters, Emily Alford of Columbia, SC and Ann Gregory of Charlotte and brothers, Charles Blackwelder and Robert Blackwelder both of Charlotte.
A memorial service will be held at 2:30 pm Sunday, November 9, 2008 at Skyland United Methodist Church, 1984 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803 with Dr. Keith Turman officiating. The family will receive friends at the church beginning one hour before the memorial service, and will again be avail-able afterwards.
Jean's ashes will be interred at Snow Creek United Methodist Church Cemetery in Statesville, NC with a graveside service at 2:00 pm, Saturday, November 8, 2008 with the Reverend Joe Conley officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC or to Skyland United Methodist Church, 1984 Hendersonville Road, Asheville, NC 28803.
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Dear Cheryl I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. I will always remember the fun times we all shared during our elementary school days. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your entire family
Buddy, Sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers are with you.
Sherry and Kerry Levi
Your family is in our thoughts and in our prayers during this very difficult time. Words cannot explain our sorrow.
Buddy,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Jean was such a warm and friendly person, as you are. Please know you have many friends that care about you and want to be here for you in your time of grief.
Brenda and David Tudor
Buddy and family,
My family and I are sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Buddy, I was so sorry to hear about your wife’s death. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I can’t find the words to express to you how special you and Jean were to us at Hope. We loved her very much. She fought a horrible disease with great grace and determination. Her smile and awesome attitude were truly an inspiration to us. Her strength was amazing. She had such a sweet spirit about her. She will be missed very deeply. We are all very honored to have known you both during your journey. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We love you.
Buddy, Larry, and Cheryl,
I am so sorry to learn of Jean’s death. She was so sweet and I’m sure will be missed by all her family and friends. I loved playing bridge with her when you guys were in Charlotte.
I lost John to cancer Jan 24, 2007 and I have had many lonsome days, but with the grace of God I have come thru it and can now see the blessing that he is in heaven free of pain. I will definately keep you and your family in my prayers.
Momma just let me know of Jean’s passing. Your family will be in my prayers. May God’s grace and strength be with you all in the coming days.
To bring you a smile Larry, my memory of you in Taragate Farms is you getting the dry ice and ice cream squares for momma’s hot fudge cakes!
Rhonda Jon Quinn Weathington
‘Blessd are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.’
Matthew 5:4
Buddy, we are so sorry for the loss of your wife. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Don & Rosa Courtney
Buddy and family my prayers are with you. Jean became a dear friend through her disease. Her courage,faith, and positive attitude were an inspiration to all who knew her. We shared tears and laughter and I will always have fond memories. Buddy you have been an inspiration to others during this battle the two of you shared.May God richly bless and comfort each of you. My heart truly breaks with you and for you.
Dear Buddy and Family.
During this time of great loss,I pray you will draw strength and comfort from your faith in God. I will remember your family in pray in the day to come.
Buddy so sorry to hear of Jeans passing.I always thought she was a wonderful lady, mother and neighbor.I will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
Hey Buddy…it’s me again…I just realized I called you Larry in my posting to you…Larry was on my brain at the time…us playing together when we were little in Taragate 🙂
Hope you guys are doing well!
Dear Buddy and Family,
I have been out of town and was so sorry I missed the service for Jean. I know it was a beautiful service, because everyone was telling me so today.
Jean will be missed by everyone that she touched. Jean was always helping no matter what the job was at church she was there to help out. I will always remember her for her great spirit and for the wonderful example she left our church family. I know she has a job in heaven and that all her pain is gone from her now.
God be with you during this time of grief I know all the pain is tough but God will help you and your family through it. Gods Blessings and Love, Jan
Dear Buddy and Family,
My deepest sympathy on the loss of Jean. She was a great women and friend. She always had a smile on her face and would help you with the most difficult and easiest things. I will truly miss her but am a better person for having known her. My prayers and thoughts are with you now at this difficult time, but I am sure she is with our Lord and Savior.
In Christ,
Claudia Zibell
Buddy & Family,
Jean has been such an inspiration to me! Her smile & laughter have helped me to face troubles with a more positive attitude. I will miss her so much! Please let us (your church family) help you in as many ways as we can! My thoughts & prayers are with you. Karen Rohrer
Buddy, Cheryl and family,
I just wanted to let you know that you all have been in my heart, thoughts and prayers for a very long time. I am extremely sad and sorry for your loss, but am glad to know that Jean is with our Savior now.
Sincerely,
Cindy Paxton Tyndall
Our Sincerest Sympathy to you, Buddy, and your family. Jean and your help with Skyland UMC’s Parsonage will always be a fond memory of the both of you, and the follow-up call made by you Buddy will always be appreciated.
Marcia & Kurt Myers
Buddy,
You and yours are in our thoughts and prayers as you go through your loss of Jean. May the lord be with you. In our hearts, Belinda and Jeff
Buddy, You and your family are in oues prayers.
Buddy, You and your family are in our prayers.
Jean was a very sweet person and I am certain she was a wonderful partner for Buddy. We wish the family our best in dealing with this great loss.
I was very saddened to hear the news of Jean’s passing. We were neighbors with Jean and her family in Glen Arden Estates and my mom (Judy Dotson) and Jean have been friends ever since. She should be an inspiration to anyone going through adversity. She had an amazing spirit, very easy to talk to and the most positive attitude as she was going through her ordeal. I could only hope I could aspire to be like her. I had hoped and prayed that she could win this battle, but I do know that she is in heaven with Jesus now. I am blessed to have known her. I think of her often and pray that you will find comfort and peace.
Sorry for your loss our thought’s
and prayer’s are with you.