Iva Roberts Thomas

Iva Roberts Thomas, 84, of Asheville, passed away on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, at the John F. Keever Hospice Solace Center. Mrs. Thomas was born on April 6, 1930, in Maryville, TN, to the late Grace and C.K. Walker, Sr. Upon moving to Fort Lauderdale, FL, she raised her family and was a successful motel manager and real estate broker. She semi-retired to Black Mountain, NC, and founded Treasures and Trivia. She also owned Biltmore Antique Mall in Asheville before permanently retiring in 2004. She was also a longtime member of Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Thomas is survived by her husband, Wendell Thomas; daughter, Patricia Jackson; son, Michael Ballard (Yvette); step-son, Ed Roberts; sisters, Wilma deZanger (Arie), and Barbara Walker; brother, Kenneth Walker (Sharon); five grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; three nieces, four nephews, and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews. A graveside service for Mrs. Thomas will be at Lauderdale Memorial Park, Fort Lauderdale, FL, with the Rev. Jack Noble officiating. Barbara Falowski Funeral Services is assisting the family in Fort Lauderdale. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. is assisting the family in Asheville.