Edna Webb "Mimi" Meeker

edna webb meeker

April 3, 1921 ~ July 11, 2022

Born in: Buncombe Co., NC
Resided in: Asheville, NC

Edna Meeker (Mimi) passed away peacefully on July 11, 2022 at the age of 101. Although she endured declining physical health over her last few years, she retained her razor-sharp mental acumen until the end.

Edna was born on April 3, 1921 in the Dix Creek Community in rural northwest Buncombe County to Lonzo and Hattie Webb, and was the middle child of nine siblings, of who she was the last survivor. She was raised on a small family farm during the depression when times were hard, and money was scarce. Her childhood helped mold her lifelong strong sense of diligence, frugality, determination for improvement, and ability to endure hardship. In high school, Edna excelled as a student, serving as salutatorian, and began her lifetime dedication to reading, education and learning for her and all her family.

Although quite the beauty, Edna did not marry early as was then the custom. In 1943, she met a handsome soldier who was returning to Savannah from Pearl Harbor, where he had been stationed during the Japanese attack. On his way, he stopped in Asheville to visit Edna’s aunt who had corresponded with him throughout the war. Although they had not met prior to his visit, two months later Edna and Paul Meeker were married.

As well as being married, they were also business partners for the 73 years of their marriage (until Paul’s death in 2016). Paul was the entrepreneur/salesman who never met a stranger and could sell anything to anyone. Edna’s role in the partnership was to work behind the scenes to provide motivation and keep Paul straight, and like everything Edna did, she was very good at it. They began with owning and operating a small grocery store on Deaverview Road and traded and worked their way up to owning and operating the Meeker Lincoln-Mercury car dealership on Patton Avenue in Asheville for many years before Paul’s retirement in 1994. Edna also worked for many years as a weather records manager for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where she provided weather records to customers throughout the world.

But it was not all work for Edna and Paul. They both loved to travel and took many trips to Europe and throughout North America, some of which were provided by Ford Motor Company as prizes for winning sales contests. When a travel contest was announced, Paul would ask Edna if the destination was someplace to which she wanted to go. If it was, Paul would almost always win the trip and take the whole family. In their travels, they saw many wonderful sights and made many lifelong friends, including Senator Sam Ervin.

First and foremost, Mimi valued family. She was a wonderful wife, mom, grandmother, great grandmother, daughter, sister and aunt. She was always there to provide love, kindness, support and encouragement. But she also instilled the need for appropriate conduct and accountability. Although she did not have the resources growing up to continue her education, she provided her family with the encouragement and financial backing to attend the top preparatory schools, universities and graduate schools of their choices.

Mimi is survived by her son, Michael D. Meeker (Connie) of Greensboro; her step-granddaughter, Lauren Ritch of Raleigh; her grandson, Michael A. Meeker (wife Raquel and sons Aidan and Gavin) of Charlotte; her grandson, Mark C. Meeker (wife Emily Carey Meeker and children Hudson, Hunter and Hayden) of Charlotte; her special niece, Faye Odum (husband Everette) of Savannah, Ga.; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews in the Asheville area and elsewhere.

A visitation will be held at the Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue on Monday, July 18, 2022 from 12 noon until 1:30 PM, followed by interment at 2:00 PM at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery, 962 Old US Highway 70, Black Mountain.

Services

Visitation: July 18, 2022 12:00 pm - October 5, 2024 1:30 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Funeral Service: July 18, 2022 2:00 pm

Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel
962 Old US Hwy 70
Black Mountain, NC 28711

828-252-3535

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  1. Mike and family,
    I’m sorry for the loss of your dear mother. Reading her obituary, this morning, brought back many great memories of both she and your dad. I remember her as a gracious, warm and friendly lady that made me feel so welcome in her home when I would come to your house after school. She always had the best snacks and suppers. The last time I saw her was at Christ School when she and your dad were there for a football game between the Greenies and the Blues. She is one of those people you’ll never forget because of the positive impression she made on people.
    May God bless you and your family and give you His grace at this time.
    David M King

  2. Aunt Edna was my “favorite” aunt! She was always so very welcoming each time I would come back home to visit. I remember one Christmas when she invited my family over to see her “all pink” Christmas tree! It was gorgeous with pink ornaments, lights, angel hair fluff, and pink flocked snow! I have wonderful memories of her and Uncle Paul. Prayers for Mike, Mark, Aaron and all of the family. Lots of love, Dianne, Dan, and Megan.

  3. Aunt Edna was the sweetest woman and will truly be missed. May she Rest In Peace- Megan Morton

  4. Beautiful tribute for a beautiful woman. Sending lots of love to the Meekers, I know this is a tremendous loss.

  5. Aunt Edna was a wonderful Aunt. She always made us feel loved and appreciated with her kindness .
    I will always remember her and Uncle Paul and the way they lived their life . She never seemed to grow
    old. Thank you for your example to all of us . I am praying for peace and comfort for Mike and all of
    the family.

  6. Mike and family, I’m so sorry to hear about Aunt Edna! What a beautiful and wonderful life she had! I have so many wonderful memories that I will always cherish of her and Uncle Paul. I can’t tell you how much I loved them both. I’m so sorry I can’t be there to pay my respects but please know my thoughts and prayers are will you all!
    Susan Webb

  7. Edna was a wonderful sister in law. We had many years of friendship, family get togethers, and good memories. Prayers for the family. Much love to Mike and all of the family. Louise Meeker.

  8. My great grandmother was such a sweet woman. She always inspired me to be a better person to the people around me. May she rest in peace. Aidan Meeker.

  9. Mike, sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. I was one of the neighborhood kids on Deaverview road that came and played ball in your backyard. I also accompanied you at Malvern hills swimming pool. My Mother Amanda Brown worked for your Mother. Your Mother had a wonderful life life and l remembered her well. Thoughts and prayers for your family. Sharon Brown Norton

  10. Mike and family,
    So sorry to learn of your Mother’s passing. She was such a beautiful, well groomed lady, and very kind. We worked together for several years, and she would always remember me as the “little girl” who would bring my Grandmother’s butter out to the store on Deaverview on Saturdays. Your father, Paul, or Edna would give me a ticket to take to my Grandmother for her to “trade” for food staples. Edna, my sister, Joyce and I would see each other at the Hairdresser very often. Edna always kept her hair beautiful. She could also be ready to laugh at something funny, and loved to talk about her grandchildren, which she was so proud of. May she rest in peace. My thoughts are with you all as you go through this sad time. You were blessed to have Edna in your life. I was blessed to know her and Paul as friends.

  11. Mike:
    Audrey and I are saddened to hear about the loss of Aunt Edna. Only a couple of weeks ago I was able to stop by for a very brief time on Saturday and see her and we spent time on the porch talking. She is the last matriarch of the Webb family and grandma and pap Webb are were proud of her. Her and Uncle Paul were always wonderful and giving to my Dad and mother and to us. I still cherish the summer working for him on North Market Street, see Aaron and Mark as little kids running around the dealership and Uncle Paul beaming, having to learn to drive a Lincoln up the narrow, winding parking deck and Kenny teaching me the correct way to polish and detail a car. Aunt Edna was there for Grandma and Papaw, but more important there for Tincey. I still cherish Aunt Edna inviting me to speak at Tincey’s funeral. Like Aunt Edna, Tincey was a unique blessing. No handicap ever kept her down. I know how much she loved you and her grandkids and how proud she was of you all. She was a true mountain women who was blessed to live a full and cherish life and make a lot of friends and touch those she was around.
    She was blessed, but we are blessed to have know her. As the last of the Webb family of Mamaw and Pap (Lonnie) Webb I trust the family will stay in touch and cherish her and all the others memories.


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