Dorothy Nell Vance Gilreath Holt
October 16, 1922 ~ November 7, 2019
Born in:
Buncombe County, NC
Resided in:
Candler, NC
Dorothy Nell Vance Gilreath Holt, 97, passed away Thursday, November 7, 2019, at Pisgah Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center following a long, fruitful life.
A native of Buncombe County, Dorothy was the daughter of the late William L. Vance and Etta Matthews Vance. She was also preceded in death by her husbands, Frank L. Gilreath, Jr. (1955) and Francis S. (Bud) Holt (1996), her brother, William L. Vance, Jr., her sister, Louise Vance Swilling, and her great-granddaughter, Austen Rose Gilreath.
She is survived by her daughters, Trudy Gilreath Coble (Henry), Debra Gilreath Howard (Greg), and Kimberly Holt Dawson (Mike); her son, Frank L. Gilreath, III (Alison); seven grandchildren, Lori Coble Heatherly (Steve), David Henry Coble (Amanda), Evan Michael Gilreath (Monica), Spencer Rae Gilreath (Joe), Courtney Steele Howard, Matthew Holt Dawson (Erin) and Katelyn Dawson Sorrells (Travis); and 14 great-grandchcildren. She is also survived by her dear nieces, Judy Vance Garren, Nancy Swilling Redmon (Mike), and her loving nephew, William H. Swilling.
Although Dot experienced many difficult times in her life that required untold sacrifices, she embraced life with a positive attitude, a smile on her lips, and an infectious laugh. She instilled in her family that optimistic spirit which has served all of them well. Dot was a creative woman of many talents. She was an excellent seamstress and loved working with needlepoint, cross stitch, and knitting. Her family is blessed with many examples of her giftedness which will be treasures to them. She was intricately involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, who lovingly referred to her as “Granny Dot”.
She retired from American Enka Corporation/BASF Corporation after over 30 years. She was a devout Christian and a member of Lake Hills Church at the time of her death.
Her Celebration of Life Service will be at 3:00 p.m. Sunday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with her family conducting her service.
The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. Sunday prior to the service which will follow at 3:00 p.m. Interment will be at Green Hills Cemetery subsequent to the service.
Her family wishes to thank the staff of Pisgah Villas, Pisgah Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and CarePartners Hospice for the love and care they provided to Dot.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice in memory of Dorothy.
Services
Celebration of Life: November 10, 2019 3:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Visitation: November 10, 2019 1:30 pm - May 3, 2025 3:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
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If she’s anything like you Trudy, she was an amazing woman. May God’s peace overwhelm you and your family during this hard time.
She had a wonderful smile for me when I visited with her
She was a blessing to me always!
Now she is with Her Savior!
I know this is hard for the family but I also know you are rejoicing for no more pain. Trudy you have her smile. Love and prayers.
Trudy, Debbie, & Kim,
So sorry for your loss. She was a great lady who taught all of you how to enjoy life and live it well. It was my pleasure to have met her and known you. Rejoice & celebrate her home going! Much love, Denise Hanks
Trudy I knew your mother at Enka and I can see a lot of her personality in you. Sorry I am just now finding out she was your mom. So sorry for your loss.prayers for family.Willene Wise
Trudy and family, Sorry for loss of your Mom. What a long blessed life. Can see where you get your smile and sweet personality. Praying. Carolyn Stamey
Remember her well because of her beauty and personality .She was always smiling and encouraging to our senior choir from PC Church.Her family sure inherited her wonderful smile .She will be missed
Trudy and Henry and family, we send our love and prayers to you in the loss of your sweet mother, Mrs. Dot. May our Lord comfort you.Brian,Lynda,John David, and Nathan(your buddy)
My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of loss of “Dot”. She was a wonderful person, a good friend to all who knew her. My Aunt Ruth, who passed away recently thought of “Dot” as her very dear friend. Even though I did not know her well, I knew she was a kind and loving person. She will be missed
by all who knew her. Rest in peace, “Dot”.
Prayers are with your family. Enjoyed seeing and talking to Dot while visiting my Mom at Pisgah Manor. She was always smiling and so sweet.
Vickie Carter
Dot and my mom, Mary Lou Phillips, were best friends and co-workers for many years. Dot always had a smile and infectious laughter. I remember her fondly.
I came to know Dot thru my Mom, Thelma Perry. I was hired at American Enka when I was 23 years old. She was such a special lady, always so friendly and gracious. I Remember her going out trying to save the baby squirrels from the crows . We had windows in our offices and when she saw a crow trying to get the babies, she would go outside and try to save them. Always loved Dot, prayers for the family at this time
Dear family,
We loved her dearly and we will always miss Grannie Dot.
Love to all,
Kathy and Larry
Trudy, Henry and family,
We are so sorry to learn of your mother’s passing. She lived a beautiful life! Praying for comfort in the coming days.
May the love of God give you peace.
Love all you guys Phyllis
To all of Dot’s family
I remember her happy and laughing, a true joy to be in her company. To my daughter Lara and I, she will always be “Granny Dot”. She was loved and she will be greatly missed.
Praying for you and your family at this time. She was a very sweet lady.
Trudy and family. So sorry for your loss. She was a gracious loving soul. I loved her dearly. My prayers are with the family. Nancy Riggins
Our love and condolences to all the family. I remember the times I met her she always made you feel like she’d known you forever, so friendly and happy. I know she will be greatly missed. You’re all in our prayers.