Irma Kathleen Ambrose

Irma Kathleen Ambrose, 86, of Asheville, died on Friday, March 30, 2012, at Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, where she had been a longtime resident. Born in Weaverville on May 25, 1925, Mrs. Ambrose was a daughter of the late Joseph M., Jr., and Jesse Wyatt Gwaltney. She was also preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Dr. Charles Albert "Al" Ambrose, who died in November, 1997; and by her brothers, William Edgar, Joseph M., and Cecil Thomas Gwaltney. Mrs. Gwaltney attended Mission Hope School, in Asheville, Wake Forest College in 1948, and Bowman Gray School of Medicine from 1949 to 1952. She worked as a nurse anesthetist in hospitals across North Carolina, Maryland, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Florida. Mrs. Ambrose's faith was nurtured at Alexander Chapel and Weaverville United Methodist Churches. She had most recently been a member of First Baptist Church, in Asheville. Mrs. Ambrose also served in the ministry as a pastor's wife in partnership with her husband in Baptist churches in West Lanham Mills, MD, Drexel, NC, and Cherry Hill, NJ. With a life of unequalled passion, drive, and determination, she loved her family, friends, churches and patients whom she served. She will be remembered as a committed Christian servant, nurse, wife, parent, and friend. Mrs. Ambrose is survived by her son, Charles M. Ambrose, of Warrensburg, MO, daughter-in-law, Kristen, grandson, Charlie, and granddaughter, Kathryn. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday in the Patton Ave. chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Rev. Eddie Morgan officiating. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery. Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, P.O. Box 571021, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021, or to the Residence Fund, Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, 1617 Hendersonville Rd., Asheville, NC 28803.