M. Gwen Self

M. GWEN SELF HOT SPRINGS – Margaret Gwen Self, 56, died unexpectedly Thursday morning, March 24, 2011, in the home she loved and lived in with her sister and brother-in-law in Hot Springs, NC. A native of Buncombe County, Gwen was born April 19, 1954, in Asheville to the late Glenn R. and Ruth B. Self. Gwen was born blind and at the age of five she suffered complications from measles that damaged part of her brain. Before that, the State School for the Blind in Raleigh had tested her and found her IQ to be in the genius range. She retained some of that with her unbelievable memory and her musical ability – she had perfect pitch. Gwen was raised in Buncombe County. After her sister, Lana Cheryl Self, married Richard Muehling in 1974, she spent half the year with them and half with her Mom and Dad until the 1980's, when she came to live full time with Lana and Richard. She got to live with them in Michigan, NC, Rhode Island, California and Texas (where they still have a current residence besides the old family home in Hot Springs, NC). Gwen was the sweetest and most loving person who touched the lives of all who knew her. She was special, precious and dearly loved; her death has left everyone in shock and devastation. Gwen was a life-long member of Jehovah's Witnesses and loved quoting scriptures to all who would talk to her about her faith in Jehovah God. Gwen was amazing. She knew thousands of scriptures by heart. She is survived by her sister, Lana Cheryl Self Muehling and brother-in-law, Richard Muehling; aunt Jean Bryson Self of Asheville; uncle and aunt Robert and Dee Bryan of Dover, TN, and uncle Allen Self of Marion, and numerous cousins. A memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 9, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 220 New Salem Road, Swannanoa, NC 28778. Scott Maness of Ovilla, TX and Robert Muehling of Swannannoa will officiate. A reception will follow to which all are invited to celebrate her life. Gwen was cremated and her ashes will be buried in the Bryan Cemetery, Marshall, NC, beside her parents. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue is kindly assisting the family.