Emily Byram Bergere

Emily Eugean Byram Bergere, age 98, died Sunday, October 23, 2016, at the Pisgah Valley Retirement Center where she had resided since 2006. Emily Gean, a native of Asheville, was the daughter of the late Floyd and Stella Wallace Byram. She is survived by her longtime friends and caregivers Bea and Bill Clark, of Mars Hill. Emily always spoke of Bea as being the daughter she never had. Emily Gean had an incredibly sharp mind which she retained until her death. She also had a fantastic sense of humor which she shared with all who knew her. Emily Gean taught for many years at St. Genevieve of the Pines and afterwards at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College. Her hundreds of former students will remember her with much fondness. To Emily's great enjoyment, many of her former St. Genevieve students throughout the U.S. stayed in contact with her through the years following their graduation with visits, flowers, letters and cards. A special thank you to Jane Swicegood of Tucson, Arizona, and Willie VanderKaaden Rhodarmer of Canton, NC and Frostproof, Florida (former students at St. Genevieve's), Dr. Celia Miles of Asheville (former English Dept. Chair at AB Tech), and dear friend Pat Masters of Candler, NC, for their many acts of kindness and love to Emily during her time at Pisgah Valley and through the many years they knew her. The Clarks would especially like to acknowledge the kindness and care extended to Emily Gean by Mrs. Meg Miles of Asheville and her mother, the late Mrs. Margaret Butler. We wish to thank all of those who cared for Emily Gean during her stay in assisted living in the Villa and those who cared for her later in skilled nursing at the Manor. At Emily Gean's request, no services are planned. She will be buried beside her mother and her grandparents in the Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount, NC. Remembrances in Emily Gean's honor may be sent to Asheville Buncombe Techincal Community College Scholarship Fund, 340 Victoria Rd., Asheville, NC. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is in charge of arrangements.