Helen "Granny" Gorman Mears
January 20, 1930 ~ March 29, 2021
Born in:
Leicester, NC
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailHelen “Granny” Gorman Mears, age 91, of Asheville, left us on March 29th, 2021, to join her Heavenly Father. She passed away at Memorial Mission with the thoughts and prayers of her family and those who loved her all around her. Granny, as everyone called her, was born in Leicester, NC on January 20, 1930, and was the daughter of Carter and Reva Gorman.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Jack Mears, Sr.
She is survived by siblings, Carter Lee Gorman (Wanda), John Gorman (Carolyn), and Sharon Sutton (Joe). Her loss will also be felt greatly by her five loving children, Linda Anders, Jack Mears, Jr. (Brenda, deceased), Jim Mears (Bonita), Jerry Mears (Cheryl), and Jeff Mears. Granny loved and was devoted to her grandchildren and those she was closest with: Rebecca Marsh (Chuck), Jamie Slagle (Roger), Alicia Chapman (Keith), Julie Silver (Heath), Mitch Mears, Alison Mears, Mark Jarvis, Melana Jarvis, Philip Sutton (Heather), Bradley Sutton, Ashley Willis (Travis), and Patty Cantrell. She was always proud of the accomplishments of her great-grandchildren and loved spending time with them: Grayson, Jordan, Kyle, Caleb, Aaron, Hayes, and Karsyn. She will also be missed by countless nieces and nephews, and her wonderful friend, Marie Whitner.
Granny was a fiercely independent woman, who raised her children as a single mom. She had a strong love for the Lord and attended Grace United Methodist Church most of her life. She grew up spending time at the family farm on Newfound, and also with her parents, who worked at the county home. She went to Leicester High School and over the years remained close to friends she made in her youth in the community. She worked for American Enka for 28 years, where she was known for her “grand mothering” of others, and her cooking. She later worked for Mission Hospital and Ingles, where she loved working in the bakery department decorating cakes. Granny was known for her chocolate pies and loved making afghan blankets for others. In the last few years, she served food every Wednesday at the “Welcome Table” at the Leicester Community Center.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home, with the Revs. Sandra Devoid and Mitch Mears officiating. Attendance is limited to 75 and masks are required. Burial will follow at Grace United Methodist Church.
The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Per the NC Executive Order, attendance is limited to 50 at a time, and masks are required.
Granny loved flowers, and they will be appreciated. But for those who wish, memorials may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Carol Bryson, 14 Buckner Rd., Leicester, NC 28748.
Services
For those who wish to pay their respects: April 2, 2021 6:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Funeral Service: April 3, 2021 11:00 am
Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806
(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com
Burial: April 3, 2021 12:30 pm
Grace United Methodist Church Cemetery
Newfound Road
Leicester, NC 28748
Dear Mears Family, Please know how much I loved Granny. For many years we met every Wednesday and served food together at the Welcome Table at Leicester Community Center. We had many good laughs and good stories shared with each other. She was such a delight. I will always remember her sparkling blue eyes and wonderful love she had for all. I know she is strolling over heaven probably instructing others on how to make banana bread. God Bless you all. Love, Yolanda (Yo) Gibson
Brenda shared recipes with me like Granny’s lemon pound cake it’s my family’s favorite!
Rejoicing going on in heaven for sure! May God comfort all of you in the days to come .
Granny was such a sweet lady. To all the family, my deepest sympaties. My prayers are with you all.
Dearest Mears Family, we were so sad to learn of Granny’s passing but comforted to know she is walking again with our Heavenly Father. We are away and cannot be there, but just know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. God gave y’all one of the dearest and best moms one could have asked for, so many beautiful and dear memories to hold on to. May you be comforted by God’s wonderful love and Grace.
Family the family of Carroll W Gorman and Molly Cole Gorman send our thoughts and prayers.
Sorry for your loss.
My sincere condolences. God bless.
Sending deepest sympathies and prayers to the entire family.
what a beautifully written tribute to this wonderful lady. she was loved by so many and a icon to this community. there must be many, many memories that will be a comfort to you all. praying for you as you say your goodbyes to her, knowing they are temporary , as we will see her again
May God comfort you as only He can is my prayer for the family. Weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning!
May we offer our condolences.
Jackie, Jim and family,
We send our thoughts and prayers to you all.
Allen & Patsy Singleton
I am very sorry to hear of granny passing. She was a much loved woman and will surely be missed God bless her family and hang tight to her memory.
Helen was a sweet wonderful woman a friend to all I know she will be missed Heaven gets sweeter every day🙏
Dear Sharon & family,
We wanted to express our sympathy to you & your family when we heard about your sister’s passing. Cherish your memories. You are in our thoughts & prayers. Again our condolences.
So very sorry for your loss Our prayers are with the family.
Granny was a wonderful women who loved her family and church family. Granny meant alot to us and the community. I know it is hard, but what a wonderful 91 years she had. Jim and I spoke earlier this week and what a wonderful week to go home to her heavenly father! Easter Week “passion week”. We Love Ya’ll and our prayers and thoughts are extended.
Love, DJ, Kady, Ruby and Charley Rice
Jerry, Cheryl and Mitch, so sorry for your loss. You will be my thoughts and prayers.
We are so sorry for your loss – Granny was a very special lady and will certainly be missed! We know that these first few weeks without her will be so hard, but all of the happy memories you have will help replace the sad ones from this week. She is at home and at peace – hopefully this will bring you some peace too. We love you and we are keeping you in our prayers!
So, so sorry to learn of Granny’s passing. What a wonderful Mom and lady she was. I remember you guys growing up at Uncle Theodore’s. She was a strong woman who loved her family so much. Loved her personality!!! I have her sugar cookie recipe, and was told to only use Parkay. So funny. Y prayers are with you all. You are like family.
Jack, Jim, and all the Mears and Gorman family. Our heart goes out to you during this very difficult time. So sorry to hear of ‘Granny’s’ passing
We were so sorry to hear about your mother, she was a great lady and everyone who knew her through the years will miss her. Heaven has gained a wonderful angel and the world as we know it as lost a wonderful person.