Rev. Fred Keith Macon

Rev. Fred Keith Macon passed away peacefully on August 11, 2025, at Givens Estates in Asheville, NC. Fred was born May 27, 1936, in Churchland (Davidson Co.) NC to Ernest Michael and Gertrude (Hayworth) Macon. He was a man of great faith who invested deeply in his family, his church communities and his friends while never ceasing to journey closer to the heart of God.

Fred was a life-long learner. He graduated from Summerfield High School in 1954 after attending Troy schools for 11 years. Fred graduated from High Point College in 1958 and received his Masters of Divinity from Boston University in 1961 He continued his graduate work in Bangalore, India and at Duke Divinity School.

While in Boston, Fred met and married Jean Hodge and began a lifetime of mutual love, faith and adventure. The newlyweds immediately moved to India and then to Kathmandu, Nepal with Fred serving as the first full-time pastor for the Protestant church there whose congregation was comprised of missionaries and diplomats from around the world.

Fred was ordained in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church where he served faithfully for decades in a wide range of capacities. His ministry included serving small country churches, campus ministry, missionary work in Taiwan, a pulpit exchange in Bombay (Mumbai) India and leading large urban congregations. He completed his career as the Superintendent of the Asheville District before retiring to Lake Junaluska in 1997.

Fred lived in a very large world. He had an active curiosity that propelled him to learn and to evolve in his perspective and faith. Throughout his life, he focused most especially on social justice issues including civil rights, poverty and homelessness. He studied the nature of Christ and explored different pathways to God from the traditional study of the Bible and Greek to Celtic Christianity and centering prayer. He trained as a spiritual director and led many clergy and lay people in their faith journeys.

Fred also found joy in the secular world. He loved experiencing different cultures, food, music, jokes, politics and especially Duke basketball.

Above all else, Fred Macon was a devoted husband, father and grandfather whose love for his wife, children and grandchildren was deep, unwavering and unconditional. With a gentle heart and an open mind, he encouraged them to appreciate other cultures and to recognize the beauty and dignity in all people. His steady support, open-heartedness and genuine delight in the lives of those he loved will be his enduring legacy.

Fred is survived by his beloved wife Jean Hodge Macon, his children Jennifer Britton Macon Fuller (Bill) of Charlotte NC, Rebecca Hodge Macon Schandevel (Jim) of Hendersonville, NC and Matthew Rabindra Macon (Andy) of Asheville, his grandchildren Jacob Scott Schandevel (Abigail), William Hugh Fuller IV (Allison), Victoria Macon Schandevel, Robert Macon Fuller all of Charlotte, NC and Thomas Britton Fuller of Boston, MA and step grandchild Kirby “Saturn” Valentine of Knoxville, TN. Fred is also survived by his siblings Ernest Michael Macon (Martha) of Kannapolis, NC and Alice Jewel Macon Hart (Bill) of Stowe, OH, brother in law Wesley Scott Hodge (Sherry) of Greenville PA and sister in law Barbara Hodge Rumpf (Richard) of Wisconsin/Florida and many nieces and nephews.

The Rev. Ed Hillman will lead a celebration of life in the Pullium Chapel at Givens Estates on August 23 at 2:00pm. He will be assisted by the Rev. Kelli Mullinex and the Rev. John Boggs. A reception will follow in the Steunkle living and card rooms. The family is deeply grateful for the love and care provided by Given’s Estates’ Healthcare staff and for Four Seasons Hospice nurse Tim Barrett, all of whom provided excellent care for Fred and all of his family with love.

In lieu of flowers, memorials to honor Fred’s life and legacy can be made in the following two ways; checks payable to Haywood Street Church, Memo: Haywood St. Respite in memory of Rev. Fred Macon Mail to: Haywood Street Church, P.O. Box 2982 Asheville, NC 28802

Online Giving

https://haywoodstreet.org/ways-to-support/

Wells Funeral Homes & Cremations is serving the family