Grace Wolcott Kouns

Grace Wolcott McLean Kouns, 98, of 29 Fox Chase Rd, E., died Thursday, May 19th at home after a period of declining health. Born February 26, 1907, in Archbald, Pa., she was the daughter of late William Francis Wolcott, Sr. and Sarah Elnore Lewis Wolcott, later of Carbondale, Pa. Following high school graduation at the age of 16 she came to Asheville in 1924 to attend the Grove Park School for Girls which later became the Plonk School. Upon graduation from the North Carolina College for Women, now known as UNC-Greensboro, in 1930, she did post graduate work in medical technology in New York. Returning to Asheville she worked for the late Dr. Thomas Huffines and Dr. Eugene Carr. After her marriage to Ralph Ramsey McLean in 1936, they moved to Raleigh where he was named warden of Central Prison. During the war years, she became the head of the state Department of Hygiene. In 1944 they returned to Asheville and purchased the Asheville Livestock Yard. After the death of Ralph McLean in 1951, she continued to operate the livestock yard until 1966 when she sold the business and it was moved to Canton, NC. In 1957 she married William Douglas Kouns who had two daughters. He owned the Carolinian Motor Court, which she took over, after his death in 1964 and operated it until she retired at age 79. She demonstrated her leadership in many areas as a woman who was well ahead of her time. She was the first woman elected president of the North Carolina Beef Cattlemen’s Association, and also was the youngest president of the Women of the Church at First Presbyterian Church of Asheville when elected. More recently she was a member of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church. One of her major interests was the Vetust Study Club where she served twice as president and was chairman of the Asheville Antiques Fair, a club project started in 1946, the year she joined the club. The proceeds of the fair are annually donated to community charities. She was the club historian for many years until this year. Two weeks ago she braved a heavy rain for an interview in the studio of WCQS of National Public Radio in order to tell others of the educational aims and contributions of her beloved Vetust Club. The interview was designed to be heard during the annual August antiques fair. Beginning in the 1940s she was active in politics and served as the second president of the newly formed Buncombe County Democratic Women’s Club. She enjoyed a lifelong interest in gardening and was well informed on gardening subjects which she applied to her own garden. She was a past president of the Asheville Garden Club, and later she became an officer in the NC Garden Club. Throughout her life she enjoyed traveling both at home and abroad, and also enjoyed a love of sports. She was a faithful and Knowledgeable fan especially of the Atlanta Braves until her death, and also followed the UNC-Chapel Hill basketball games. Family and a host of friends remember her gift-giving generosity. She began her holiday plans months ahead, often making creative crafts and decorative items. She is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law; Susanna K. and Thomas C. Howle of Fayetteville, Ga, Nancy K. and Charles R. Worley of Asheville; grandson Charles A. and wife Jami Worley of Bradenton, Fla; granddaughter Megan R. Worley of Asheville; a sister, Ruth Wolcott Barfield of Asheville; a sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Wolcott of Asheville; nephews and nieces, William F. III and wife Deborah Wolcott of Asheville, Anne W. and William M. Guillet of Waynesville, Carolyn McGarity of Boulder, CO, and Robert H. and Sylvia Wright of Springfield, Va. Survivors also include a number of cousins and grand-nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, William F. Wolcott, Jr., and her niece, Janet Barfield Stratton. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Kimberly Richter officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the UNC-Asheville Foundation for the William F. Wolcott, Jr. Scholarship Fund, One University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804.