Grace Stamey Keith

Sarah Grace Stamey Keith died March 8, 2005 in Asheville, NC. Born on April 29, 1910 in Joe, Madison County, NC, she was the daughter of Emit Newton and Dora Emeline Murphy Stamey and lived her early childhood on Seven Mile Ridge in Yancey County, NC and in Burnsville, NC where she attended the Yancey Collegiate Institute. She also attended Mars Hill Junior College and Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, NC. Grace was the third of four siblings, Nina Lou Stamey Evans Barnett, William Henry Stamey and James Boyce (Bud) Stamey, who survives her. She is also survived by two sons, James French Keith III, and his wife Sue, of Greensboro, NC and William Riley Keith, and his wife Lynda of Asheville, NC; five grandchildren, Sarah Neil Keith Chowning, and her husband Jeff, Emily Susan Keith and Anna Elizabeth Keith, all of Greensboro, NC, William Jonathan Keith, and his wife Amanda, of Black Mountain and Amy Louise Keith McAfee, and her husband Lewis of Watertown, NY. Other survivors include three nieces, Nina Lee (Patty) Evans Gillespie of Hickory, NC, Beverly Jean Stamey Ponder and Sharon Stamey Boyer of Jacks Creek, Yancey County, NC; one nephew, William Keith Stamey of Asheville, NC and a longtime and devoted friend, Betty Hendricks, of Hendersonville, NC. Prior to her marriage to James French Keith, Jr., on December 31, 1932, in Asheville, NC, Grace worked for American Enka Corporation. Following her marriage, she devoted her life to her family and raising two sons. Her appreciation of nature, art and music ran deep, she was a charter member of the China Painters Guild in Asheville, and painted many beautiful lamps and china pieces which bore nature themes. Grace was a member of Arden Presbyterian Church. Her deep faith was nurtured by that community. Now reunited with her husband of 72 years, as well as family and friends who predeceased her, she will be missed by all who knew her. Burial will be in Calvary Episcopal Churchyard, beside her spouse and companion. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM on Wednesday, March 9 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian with the Revs. Patty Mouer and Bill Edwards officiating. Memorials may be made to Arden Presbyterian Church, 2215 Hendersonville Road, Arden, NC, 28704 or to one’s favorite charity.