Austen Rose Gilreath
October 2, 2003 ~ July 30, 2014
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Austen Rose Gilreath, of Asheville, died on Wednesday, July 30, 2014 after a lengthy battle with leukemia.
Austen was born in Atlanta, Georgia on October 2, 2003 to Evan M. Gilreath and the late Ashley Elizabeth Tennent Gilreath. She was also preceded in death by her grandfather, David L. Tennent, and her uncle, Michael David Tennent.
Austen was a 5th Grade student at Koontz Intermediate School and she was a member of Congregation Beth HaTephila.
In addition to her father, Austen is survived by her twin brother Jonathan Tennent Gilreath; grandparents Melvin E. and Grace Page of Asheville; grandmother Ellen R. Gilreath of Asheville; grandparents Frank and Alison Gilreath of Asheville; great-grandmother Dorothy V. Holt of Candler; uncle Gregory S. Tennent and aunt Tana Tennent of Gilbert, Arizona; and aunt Spencer Gilreath and uncle Joe Barber of Asheville.
Austen was an amazing person, witty and wise beyond her years. She was feisty and funny. Her indomitable spirit had a profound effect on those who knew and loved her. Austen was an absolute blessing to her family and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Sunday, August 3rd at Congregation Beth HaTephila, 43 North Liberty Street in Asheville, with Rabbi Batsheva Meiri officiating. Interment will follow at Riverside Cemetery. There will be a luncheon in Austen's memory at Beth HaTephila in Dave Social Hall following the interment.
The family extends its heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff of Mission Health for the care and love that Austen has received over the last couple of years.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Arts for Life (www.artsforlifenc.org), the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.lls.org), or Give Kids the World Village (www.gktw.org).
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.
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Sending prayers out for for all of the family and friends whose lives Austen touched – may you be comforted and given the strength to get through this time. Heaven gained a new angel today.
Austen’s spirit was infectious, she could light up the room with her smile and have the entire room laughing through their tears. I knew she was special from the moment I met her. Being her caregiver was a honor, my privilege and I thank her family for sharing her with me. I apologize for being unable to attend her services as I will be out of town. My thoughts will be with you.
To Dot Holt and family of Austen Rose! Our deepest sympathy for the loss of sweet Austen. May the years of her life and memories help you through this difficult time. God bless and keep you all in His loving care.
Sincerely,
Susan Partain
Thelma Perry
My prayers continue for Austen’s family and loved ones. Know you are loved and in the thoughts and hearts of many.
My thoughts and prayers are with you! You have my deepest sympathy!
I am so sorry for your loss. But I am so blessed to have had the privilege of helping to take care of Austen these past couple of years. She had the ability to brighten any day with her smile. She will always be remembered.
Such an honor to have known such a beautiful young lady!
I am so sorry to hear about sweet Austen. My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time, especially Jonathan and Evan. I pray that you will find peace and comfort in knowing that Austen is no longer suffering. She is with Ashley now and they are both happy, healthy and watching over you all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Take Care.
Our thoughts and prayers are with this most wonderful family. It was such an extraordinary honor to get to know Austen, her brother Jonathan, and others during our visits to Mission with our pet therapy dog Jelly. Please know we are all thinking of you.
Evan I know your heart is hurting. Your family will be in my prayers. Please let me know if there is anything I can do.
Evan (and all) Word aren’t enough to express the brightness Austin brought to her care nurses and myself on my visits to her. Her spirit will linger at Mission and our memories of her sweet chatty self will last forever. Hoping you and your family can concentrate on healing and holding on tightly to Jonathan for comfort. My whole family is thinking of You and praying for the entire family. Sincerely Deborah Lockhart
I am so sorry to hear about your loss. Death is something that pains us all, we never want to see our love ones go. I will like to send my condolence to the family and friends, as well as, to share a comforting scripture. It’s Rev 21:4- ‘ And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.†May this scripture bring comfort to you all, for this is a loving promise from our heavenly Father, a promise that soon all suffering will end, especially death.
Evan and Jonathan, you don’t know us but we are friends with Trudy and Henry. We have followed Austen’s battle through them. Our prayers are with you as you grieve her loss. May God give you comfort, peace, and strength as only He can do.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you difficult time!
Ellen and family, I wish there was something I could say to lessen your pain of losing Austen. May your memories of her lively spirit live in your hearts forever.
Sincerely, Marcia Banner
Peggy Seagrave
Austen Rose will be remembered by everyone she knew or has touched indirectly like myself.
Sincerely Peggy
Evan,
I was terribly sorry to hear about your loss of Austen. I know that she really put up a good fight. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you, Spencer, and your entire family at this difficult time.
With deepest sympathy,
Kiki Matthews
Ellen Sue, Evan and family,
We were so sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful and courageous Austn. For you she was truly a light in a sometimes dark world. Know that her spirit lives on inside you, and all around you. May the Lord bless you and may his arms surround and comfort you, Our love and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Jim and Debra Farmer
Evan and family,
Just wanted you to know that I feel your heartbreak, and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Marcia Allen
Nicholas Blankenship.
Dear Evan and Family,
I am so very sorry to hear the news of Austen’s passing! She was in the 4th grade reading group I led at Estes. I was so touched by Austen’s joyous and energetic spirit! She was truly one of the brightest and kindest children I have ever met! She always wanted to read more, write more, and experience more! She had such a zest for life! I am deeply saddened by her loss but take heart in knowing that she inspired so many people in her time here. I will keep you all in my prayers during this difficult time! My deepest sympathies to you.
Sincerely, Susan Mundy
Dear Evan
I am so, so sorry to hear of the heart-breaking news about Austen. May God help you find some peace in your life as you shoulder this sad burden. My thoughts are with you, Spencer and all who loved Austen.
With sincere condolences, Bambi Meister-Cummins