Gary Wells Shaft, Sr.
April 8, 1934 ~ September 13, 2007
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Gary Wells Shaft, Sr., 73, of 18 Teakwood Place, Asheville, died Thursday, September 13, 2007, at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center.
Mr. Shaft was born in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Clyde and Ruby Brookshire Shaft. He was a self-employed brick mason and had also worked at Fishburne International. He attended Emma Baptist Church and Calvary Freewill Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Frances Clement Shaft; one daughter, Deborah Penland and her husband, James, of Asheville; one son, Gary W. Shaft, Jr., and his wife, Edith, of Candler; four sisters, Betty Branton of Leicester, Phyllis McCarson of Candler, Rhonda Miller of Avery?s Creek and Erma Chow of Florida; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Allen T. Shaft.
Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Wayne Sorrells, Frank Cantrell, Ronnie Dotson and Charlie Sams officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Jason, Joshua, and Joseph Penland, Joshua Boyd, David Clements and Wesley Thomas.
The family will receive friends from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
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Deborah & family, our thoughts are prayers are with you. I’m thankful that your dad was a Christian and that he is with the Lord now. Be happy in knowing that is free from pain and smiling again.
God Bless you all!
Dear Gary and Edith,
I know how heartbroken you are right now, and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mom and your dad fought a courageous battle this past year, and although we will miss them terribly they will always be with us in spirit. I’m here for you, Edith, just like you always are for me. Sending lots of love to you both.
Dear Gary,
We are so sorry to hear of your father’s death. Just be comforted in knowing that he is no longer suffering and that you will see him again!
To all the family,
I pray god gives you comfort.
Jean Crook Harris
Dear Gary & Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your Father’s passing. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. I graduated with Erma. I haven’t seen her in years. Please convey my condolences to her and all the family as well. We are only a phone call away.
Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. May God Bless and Comfort you all during this difficult time.
Carolina Internal Medicine Staff
i was so sorry to read of Gary’s death. he was a great guy, always had a smile when I needed one and was a great leader in our shop. his kind don’t come along very often and he will be missed.
Frank Fishburne, Jr.
Just want to say I’m thinking about all of you and you are in my prayers.
May your faith in God sustain you during the time of this great loss and may He make you keenly aware of His love for you all.
Precious Family: On Thursday God looked down from Heaven and decided that it was time for Mr. Gary to come home. He swept through the portals of time and took him to a land called Heaven where there is no pain nor sorrow. Where he will wait for each of you to meet him one day soon. To each of you I hold such fond memories and love. I believe today if Mr. Gary could send us a telegram it would read something like this. I have arrived safely, I’m doing fine, and I sure Wish you were here. Hold on to the faith that we will see him again real soon. You are in my thoughts and prayers during your grief and sorrow. Elaine (Moseley) Sluder
Nanny, Debbie, Buzzy, and family… We are so sorry for your loss. Gary was a great man and will be missed greatly. I know that he is in Heaven now free from pain. Now you know tha you have a great guardian angel to watch over you and your family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. If you need anything don’t hesitate to call. We love you!!!Kim, Kevin, Tucker, and Titus
Debra and Family,
I am so sorry for the loss that you are going through. Debra my prayers and Love are with you.
Rhonda McElrath
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If you need anything let us know.
My prayers are with you and your family. Tammy
Deb, James and Kids,
I am sure this is a very hard time for you all. You have MANY wonderful memories with your Father/Grandfather. Cherish each and every one of them and creat your own memories with your children. I love you all and will be there if and when you need ANYTHING!
So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. My prayers are with the whole family. I remember fondly of our youth together and playing over at Aunt Laura’s house. We did have a fun time together. I always liked Gary for he teased me a lot and I loved it. My thoughts are with all of the family today. It is hard to lose a cousin.
Peggy Guest-Totherow
Lorraine, I am so sorry about Gary’s passing. You were my mom’s best friend and Gary was Sonny’s.
I love you dearly. May God be with you and hold your hand as you face one of the most trying time’s in your life. Please know that our prayers are with you. Doris Scott