Juanita Edwards Ensley
May 25, 1926 ~ March 24, 2010
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Arden ~ Juanita Edwards Ensley, 83, passed away on Wednesday, March 24, 2010.
She was born in Mars Hill, NC and was the daughter of the late Jeter Pritchard Edwards and Ethel Rebecca Bailey Edwards. She was preceded in death by her husbands, L. Guy Ensley and W. W. Mattox and a son, Carroll Dean Ensley as well as five sisters and four brothers.
Mrs. Ensley was a 1944 graduate of Mars Hill High School and worked in the Buncombe County School System for over 40 years as a secretary at both Valley Springs School and T. C. Roberson High School. She was a member of the Grange in Skyland, an active volunteer in the Arden / Skyland Community for most of her adult life and a dedicated volunteer at Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove for more than 10 years.
She was a former member of the Little Ivey Baptist Church in Mars Hill, Big Ivey Baptist Church in Barnardsville and for over sixty years a staunch supporter and active member of Biltmore Baptist Church.
She is survived by her son, Curtis Edward Ensley; two grandsons, Eric Christopher Ensley and Kevin Michael Ensley and wife Ashley Harbinson Ensley all of Arden; a brother, Jesse Edwards of Leesburg, Fl.
A memorial service will be held Monday, March 29, 2010 at 4:00 P.M. at Biltmore Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. James Walker and Dr. Ian Walker officiating.
The family will receive friends Sunday from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian on Long Shoals Road.
Private family graveside services will be held at Old Field Cemetery in Sylva.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Children's Ministry at Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden, NC 28704 or to T. C. Roberson Education Foundation, 250 Overlook Rd. Asheville, NC 28803.
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Mrs Ensley was one of those rare people from my teen years that had a profound impact on me. She was such a kind, beautiful lady. My prayers go to her remaining family, and know that she was dearly loved by many. Janice Parris – TCR grad 1974
I will always remeber her with a smile. She always had something nice to say even when we where in trouble. Almost made it worth going to the office. Class of 67.
Curtis and family
i will always cherish the times i spent with your mother working in the office at tc roberson,
and the fun we had climbing those apple trees in hendersonville many years ago, the very last time i saw her at arbor terrace, we talked about her climbing those trees one more time, she always found the perfect apple in the very top, it seemed. it was always such a joy after i left tc in 1974 to run into her or to visit with her these last few years at arbor terrace. i will always remember her and love her.
she was such a beautiful lady.
god bless
Mrs. Ensley was such a kind soul…my fondest memory is her support when I went to the school in 1977 to tell my brother of our father’s death. She met me at the office door and didn’t leave my side until Mr. Koontz and David had joined us. What a great loss -heartfelt condolences to the family.
~Ann Kiser Fagan
Polly N. Kiser
Curtis, my sincere condolences to you and your family. I loved and appreciated Mr. & Mrs. Ensley very much during my years at TC. I lost my dad three weeks ago so I know your heart is heavy. I’m very sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jean (Guthrie) Graham, class of ’65
My mother worked at TC Roberson, so I had the opportunity to know Mrs. Ensley, long before my high school days. After my day ended at Valley Springs, I went to TC Roberson to ride home with my mother. To the office I would go, on a daily basis, just to visit Mrs. Ensley. She always greeted me with that beautiful smile and offered kind words of encouragement for many years thereafter. I will never forget her.
I can’t think of Valley Springs or TC Roberson without picturing Mrs. Ensley and it always brings a smile to my face. Class of ’67
I am so sorry for your loss. I wish she could have seen her great grandson, Mason, but she will be with him in spirit. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Sorry to hear of our beloved Mrs. Ensley’s passing. We have many wonderful memories of our times at T. C. Roberson.
I still remember the smile that Mrs. Ensley always had on her face every morning at TCR. She was a grand lady and was well respected. I know you feel her loss and will miss her. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May God keep you close at this time.
I have many fond memories of Mrs. Ensley and, of course, Mr. Ensley. I’m sure she is in heaven with my mother looking proudly on how all of her kids turned out.
Curtis,
Ijust wanted to let you know that during these days Iam remembering you and your family in the loss of your Mother.She was a close friend of my Mom, Majorie Brown.Her life was an inspiration early on in my ministry.God Bless and Keep You,and I will always know that she fought the good fight,and is with the Lord!
Ron Brown
Pastor
Enka Baptist Church
Curtis,
Everyone who grew up in the Valley Springs School and TCR era of the 50’s and 60’s, had unmeasurable respect for your Mom and Dad. I will always remember them and the influence they had in my life. We will be thinking of you and your family as you mourn the loss of your Mom.
Gene
Curtis,
I am thinking of you and lifting you up as you journey through these difficult days. Your mother was a lady in every sense and always had a smile and kind word for everyone. She seemed to know when an extra kindness was needed and always made me feel special. I adored her as did everyone that knew her. Your lovely mother will be missed.
Curtis,
I am very sorry to hear about your mom. My mom told me after you had called her the other night. Your mom was always special to me and had a huge impact on me. She was always one of the kindest individuals that I have ever met. I know how much she has always meant to my mom as well.She always had such a special way about her that very few people have. She had a profound influence on everyone she came in contact with. I will always remember her smile and her genuine kindness.
We all morn the loss of such a special lady. She was always ready to give a smile and an encouraging word. Her warmth and genuine caring were a blessing to everyone she met. Heaven will be a much more enriched place with her presence. Rhonda Latella
I know that you will miss your mother/ grandmother. She was such a special lady. I loved her cheery disposition and helpfulness both as a student and as a staff member at TCR. She was always such a lady. I never heard her use your dad’s first name. It was always Mr. Ensley. She will be remembered fondly.
Dear Ensley Family,
Your Mother was such a special part of all those who walked the halls of TCR. I will cherish the memory of her smile and her caring nature. Thanks for sharing both of your parents with all of us! Pam Ducker
Mrs. Ensley was a wonderful lady who had a beautiful heart. I admired her grace and beauty. She will be greatly missed.
I will always remember Mrs. Ensley as one of the sweetest and most professional ladies I have known. I give thanks for having known her and for the support and love she shared with me and all the teachers at TCR.
As a member of the first graduating class of T.C. Roberson High School, I fondly remember Mrs. Ensley’s kindness and friendliness.
My condolences to her family.
Curtis, your Mother was so well-loved at Valley Springs and Roberson; she will definitely be missed. That sweet nature and kind spirit helped many a student through the day. She was one of my very favorite people. Sincere condolences..Shaw Aardema
I have so many memories of your Mom, first as a student at TCR then for several years when I came back to teach. Her gentle spirit and warm smile always helped make a day going bad turn around. You and your family are in my heart, thoughts and prayers as I celebrate the wonderful person you were lucky enough to call Mom. May she and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace…
Some people leave a lasting impact on your life forever. That was certainly Mrs. Ensley. No matter where you seen her at school or lastly at Biltmore Baptist Church she was beautiful, genuine and certainly a roll model. You will be missed my friend. Thank you for giving to God as you have.
Ensley Family,
Mrs. Ensley will always be synonomous with grace, charm and kindness…a true Southern Belle! Her smile and encouraging words were never absent. In the midst of difficulties her reply was, ‘Isn’t God good?’
Her support and encouragement over the years leave us loved and better people for having known her.
Our deepest sympathies,
Chuck, Cheryl and Jessica Durrant
Curtis, I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother.She affected so many lives not only at TCR but way beyond. She will be greatly missed.
Keith Huntsinger
Such a bright light from my high school years – she will be sorely missed!!! God Bless you during this difficult time!
Thank you for all you the good you did for so many people, especially our students. You will be greatly missed.
What a wonderful, precious lady. Her sense of humor caught many people off guard. She seemed so serious and was so efficient but she was never surprised by a practical joke and never shocked by any of the stories she heard by the students. My best to her family.
Curtis,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother was a shining light in the hearts of many both at TCR and afterwards. May God guide you and bless you with comforting peace and love.
Jennye
What a warm. supportive and kind person Mrs. Ensley was, and what a wonderful legacy she has left with all of us, former students and others, who had the blessing of her touch in our lives. We will never forget her.
I’m so sorry to hear of Mrs Ensley’s passing. She was always so warm and welcoming to me. She will be missed. TCR class of 1969.
Curtis, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Your mother was a special person in my life at Biltmore Baptist Church and also at T.C. Roberson High School.
I was so lucky to be able to work along side Mrs. Ensley at T.C.Roberson. What a special lady. She did so many things for me and so many others.
Curtis:
Mary Beth, Lydia, Austin, Mom and I all send our thoughts and prayers to you and your famliy.
May Juanita rest in peace.
Curtis,
Ron and I are thinking and praying for you. Your sweet and very kind mother would come into the bookstore at BBC and give me encouragement. She was always very gracious and we will miss her.
Ron and Dottie Setran
Curtis and family, I just wanted to tell you that I recall your mother, with such fondness, during my growing years as a young girl in church and school. However, I can honestly say that I have always held her in a special category. First, she always had a smile on her face and was such a wonderful role model for girls. I was so fortunate to have had her in Sunday School a few years. Secondly, she was one of the godliest women that every graced my life. I was sad to hear this news, although she will suffer no more. I do pray that you will lean on one another, now, as I know your whole family misses her greatly.
Love, Paula Queen Crouch Smith
Dear Curtis, you are ever in my heart…My last memory of your dear mother is sitting with her in her home after she had pulled out albums of photographs she had been organizing after years of ‘collecting’….a project she was so proud of nearing completion. And those years at TCR of her always cheerful demeanor in the office, and always a warm welcome when I would stop by to visit when driving through Skyland from wherever….What a lady…You and your family are in my thoughts and meditations. Love, Barbara
Growing up and knowing Mrs. Ensley in the setting of the schools I went to and am proud to have been part of the teaching system for a mere two years there at Roberson—what goes through my mind is the future she will have in Glory. What a role model, a solid citizen, and lovely individual. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to see you again one day!!!
Loving regards to her family members.
Sheila N. Mickey
Mr. & Mrs. Ensley were great educators that taught many South Buncombe students that there was no ‘free lunch’…even though some of us were not very astute at being students. Mr. Ensley’s firm hand was always tempered by Ms. Ensley’s pleasant look of confidence as one exited with one’s tail between his legs! Everyday I thank Mr. & Mrs. Ensley and all the great teachers, Janitors & Lunch ladies who guided me to a great career and enjoyable life. I thank them and appologize for all my trying anticks!
M. A. ‘Crockett’ Dumas