John W. Nesbit III
October 26, 1948 ~ January 2, 2015
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
John Williamson Nesbit III, 66, died Friday, January 2, 2015, at his home.
Mr. Nesbit was born in Portland, ME, and was a son of the late John W. Nesbit II and Prudance Washburn Nesbit. He served in the National Guard and moved to Asheville in the late 1980's where he worked with the Buncombe County School System, primarily at Johnston Elementary, as a bus driver and head custodian. He also worked part-time in security at Milkco for a number of years. He was a member of Big Sandy United Methodist Church.
He is survived by his wife, Linda Prestwood Nesbit; daughter, Jennifer Harris (Ger); son, John W. Nesbit IV (Rosa); step-sons, Jamie Radcliff (Jennifer) and Jason Radcliff (Sofia); grandchildren, John W. Nesbit V, Alex Nesbit, Michala Nesbit, Mason Harris, Grant Harris and Cole Harris; brother, Robert Nesbit (Jackie), and brothers-in-law, Ronald Prestwood (Mary) and Terry Prestwood (Virginia).
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Fred D. Sibley and Ricky Townsend officiating.
The family will receive friends following the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Leicester VFD, PO Box 100, Leicester, NC 28748, or to Big Sandy UMChurch, c/o Tracy Shook, 164 Willow Creek Drive, Leicester, NC 28748.
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I went to Johnston elementary he was my bus driver from kindergarten until 5th grade he was a sweet man!
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss. I worked with John and Linda several years at Johnston Elementary school. Mike and Patricia (Surrett) Swilling and Aaron Surrett.
He was my bus driver when I was in kindergarten and first grade at Johnston. Prayers and thoughts are with the family. Very sweet man!!
John was a great man and I enjoyed working with him at Johnston. My prayers are with you Linda and the rest of the family.
Linda-it was just November that Pam and I saw you too at the Erwin craft show. John had his trademark smile on that day and that’s how I always remember him. I’m so sorry for your loss. Danna Knight
Linda, You and your family are in our prayers. Words cannot express how much you and John have touched our lives. We will miss John’s sweet smile and his caring heart. He was a very special man and we feel blessed to have known him as our friend.
John was the head custodian at Johnston my first year of teaching (and for the years I was there). He was so good to me as a new teacher – and didn’t yell (too loud) at me when I stepped on a freshly waxed floor when I came in one summer to work and didn’t know my footprints would be there for a long time! He was such a nice, sweet man with really funny stories. He will be missed for sure, as he always had a kind word for everyone. Linda – I will be thinking of you and praying for you.
Linda and family, I was very saddened to hear of John’s passing. John was a very good man and a really great friend. He sure helped me out of a very bad situation years ago and I will never get him for that, I always loved and respected him for the man he was and the family he had behind; he sure was very proud of his family and loved everyone of you. John’s death is a great loss to our community, but a perfect angel for Jesus. John may be gone in body, but never forgotten in out minds and in our hearts. My thoughts and prayers are with you all, may God bless you and see you through your dark days as John is watching over us all now and smiling.
To a man that showed nothing but love and compassion. He carried a heart of gold always there to lift you up. John stood behind and beside his family and friends. John never had to go to Heaven to become an angel for he walked the earth with hidden wings. He was a great friend and MOST of all one hell of a step-father. I sure will miss you! Love you and the memories that I can carry with me till my days are fulfilled.
Linda and family, We are so sorry for the loss of John. Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
I frequently remarked that John was the best ambassador Johnston school could possibly have. He had a big smile and a friendly welcome for everyone who came ithrough the door. I’m positive that there is no way to measure the influence he had on the thousands of children who attended Johnston while he worked there. What a wonderful legacy he left!
John was one of BC Schools hidden gems. I met John when our Migrant Program held our summer school at Johnston Elementary many years ago. John was so friendly, helpful and the kids took to him right away. He generously volunteered to drive a bus in an emergency when our driver’s son was in an accident, and he quickly became the kids’ favorite. I will never forget his generous spirit and his servant heart! My prayers are with you all as you grieve. Thank you for sharing John with all of us through the years.
Linda we are so sorry for your loss. You will be in our thoughts and prayers
I’m so sorry for your loss Linda! We always enjoyed working with you both and loved seeing you both around Asheville. Take care. You will be in our thoughts!
Linda, I was so sorry to learn of John’s passing, In my years at Johnston, he was always my ‘go-to’ guy when I needed something. His kind demeanor and willing heart will not be forgotten. You and your family are in our prayers.