Marian Coates Simons Martin
April 27, 1934 ~ October 24, 2025
Born in:
Ft. Monroe, VA
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Marian Coates Simons Martin, 91, of Asheville, NC passed away on Friday, October 24, 2025. She was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia to Wilbur Johnston Simons and Dora Ethridge Simons who preceded her in death.
Also preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law Wilbur E. and Nina B. Simons; her sister and brother-in-law Grace S. and James H. Rhoads, Sr.
In January 1999, Marian retired from the VA Medical Center in Oteen. She was there for 28 years, with the last 17 years as an Administrative Officer in Nursing Service.
She is survived by a son, Christopher Robin Martin; a daughter, Heather Grace Martin (Dale Coxe); and former husband, Robert Charles Martin.
Marian and her husband built their first and only home atop a mountain in North Asheville, where they raised their two children and which is still the primary family home. Her hobbies included caring for her plants and flowers, caring for her pet cats – and tracing her family genealogy for many years.
A graveside service is planned for Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Mountain View Cemetery in Black Mountain beginning at 2:00 p.m. The family will receive friends at Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road prior to the graveside service from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road is assisting the family.
Services
Graveside Service: October 29, 2025 2:00 pm
Mountain View Memorial Park
392 Tabernacle Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(828)669-7626
Gathering of Friends & Family: October 29, 2025 1:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road
856 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)299-4416
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Funeral Home Assisting The Family:
Groce Funeral Home on Tunnel Road
856 Tunnel Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805
(828)299-4416
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Asheville Butterfly Trail






My brothers and sister will always remember those trips to the mountains for Christmas at Nana’s house where we were all were together, having such delicious food and wonderful times with you and the family. Us kids, were so excited to see you and Uncle Bob , Heather and Christopher Thank you so much for those lifetime memories.