Irene Smith Seay

Irene Smith Seay, passed away on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, at her residence. A native of Buncombe Co., she was the daughter of the late Jesse Alton Smith and Myrtle Holcombe Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, F. Philip Seay, who passed away in 2001. She is survived by her sister, Patsy S. Blaylock, of Leicester; a niece, Leslie Blaylock, of Leicester; a nephew, Gregory Blaylock and wife Lori, of Atlanta, GA; and a great-niece, Justine Blaylock, of Leicester. She retired from Southern Bell Telephone Co. with 40 years service where she held various jobs. She was a member of the Telephone Pioneers and a baptized, confirmed member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church. A funeral service for Mrs. Seay will be at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church with Pastor Dr. Michael R. McFarland officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. Her family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the church, and at other times will be at Irene's home, 23 Cloyes St., West Asheville. Memorials may be made to the Emmanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund, 51 Wilburn Place, Asheville, NC 28806. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family.