Kettron Conrad Smathers

KETTRON "K.C." SMATHERS Kettron C. Smathers, 88, formerly of West Oakview Road Asheville, passed away Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at Aston Park Health Care Center. A native of Buncombe County, he was a son of the late J.G. Smathers and Lilly Cogburn Smathers. He is also preceded in death by his wife, Rhobena Israel Smathers; a sister, Virginia Penland; two brothers, J.D. and Andrew Smathers and grandson, Mark Smathers. He was a retired estimator for Asheville Steel and a member of Enka Baptist Church. He taught welding at AB Technical College and was employed by Norfolk Shipyard during WWII. He also attended the Nashville Auto Diesel School. Surviving are a son, David R. Smathers and wife Shirley of Asheville; a daughter, Rachel Smith and husband Truett of Fletcher; a brother Coyle Smathers and wife Clara of Candler and three sisters, Margaret Higgins of Asheville, Mae Boone of Candler and Geraldine Britt and husband Eugene also of Candler; four grandchildren, Steven Smith and wife Laurie of Charlottesville, VA, David Smith and wife Elizabeth of Lancaster, PA, Laura Lawrence and husband Jody of Candler and Carla Brank of Candler; two step-grandchildren, Mark Kennedy and wife Robin of Gainsville, GA and Ed Kennedy of Asheville; and six great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held 3:00pm Thursday at Enka Baptist Church with Reverends Ron Brown and G. Scott Lynch officiating. Interment will follow at Piney Mountain Methodist Church Cemetery. Hominy Masonic Lodge will conduct masonic graveside services. His family will receive friends an hour and a half prior to the service at the church.