Ethel Kearse

Ethel Drinnon Kearse, 91, passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at MedWest – Haywood. She was born September 21, 1920 to Henly C. and Lillie Greene Drinnon in Hawkins County, Tennessee. She attended schools in Rogersville, Tennessee and graduated from Johnson City Business College. She was a legal secretary. Ethel was a member of the Canton Presbyterian Church. She loved music and was an avid reader. Ethel also enjoyed gardening and was a member of the Rhododendron Garden Club of Canton for many years. She was also an avid birdwatcher. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. W.O. Kearse, who died in 1975; two sisters, Florence D. Helton and Bonnie D. Shields; and a brother, Guy L. Drinnon. She is survived by four children; Dr. W.O. Kearse, Jr. and his wife, Barbara, of Lubbock, Texas, Karen K. Fisher and her husband, Kay, of Canton, Bobby Kearse and his wife, Pam, of Canton, and Lynn K. Lamar and her husband, Bill, of Waynesville; 12 grandchildren; a special sister-in-law, Lena Drinnon of Rogersville, Tennessee; 15 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at Canton Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Esta Jarrett and the Reverend Riley Covin officiating. A private family burial will be held. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday at Wells Funeral Home of Canton. Following the service, the family will be at 282 Viewmont Drive. Memorials may be made to Canton Presbyterian Church, 190 Main Street, Canton, NC 28716 or for the Black Mountain Home for Children, Youth, and Families, 80 Lake Eden Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711, or to Haywood Regional Medical Center Hospice, 560 Leroy George Drive, Clyde, NC 28721.

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