Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Liverett
January 6, 1921 ~ January 28, 2010
Resided in:
Arden, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Mary Elizabeth "Lib" Liverett, 89, of Butler Road, Arden, died Thursday, January 28, 2010 at her residence.
Mrs. Liverett was born in Kernersville and was daughter of the late Laurier J. and Era Smith Bennett. She was wife of the late Robert "Bob" Edward Liverett who died in 2002. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, James and Horace Bennett.
Mrs. Liverett was a 1938 graduate of Lee Edwards High School and a 1941 graduate of Asheville Biltmore College (UNC-A). She also graduated Western Carolina Teacher's College in 1943. Mrs. Liverett taught at Shelby High School and taught adult education at the V.A. Hospital in Oteen. She taught at A.C. Reynolds High School from 1963-68 and also at T.C. Roberson from 1968-86. She was a former member of the NEA and NCEA and was secretary of Buncombe County Retired School Personnel. Her greatest passion was teaching-"loved every minute with her students and being in the classroom." She was a former member of Delta Kappa Gamma and North Carolina School Personnel and volunteered at T.C. Roberson High School and for ABCCM. She was a long time member of Arden Presbyterian Church.
Surviving is a daughter, Deirdre Hawes and her husband, Jeff, of Summerville, SC, a grandson, Jeffrey Tyler Hawes of Clemson and several nieces and nephews.
Services for Mrs. Liverett will be held 10:00 AM on Monday, February 1, 2010 in the chapel of Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. The Revs. Chris Yates, Ken Crabb, Mr. Tommy Koontz and Jeff Bennett will officiate. A private family graveside service will be held following the service.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Sunday at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Asheville Humane Society, 55 Shiloh Road Suite 6, Asheville, N.C. 28803.
Dear Deidre I am so sorry that your mother passed away. I know that you will be sad that she is gone.
Dear Deirdre,
Please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers.
I hope your Mom and my Mom are sitting down together. I sure would like to eavesdrop on that conversation, wouldn’t you?
Remember, you can always call on me, if needed.
God bless you all,
Tommy and Jessie Koontz
Deirdre, know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother was special and had such an impact on so many young lives. Oh, did she ever think you were special. You are!
Prayers and blessings,
Michele
I think as educators we always tend to teach as we were taught. I can only hope to influence young people in the way your Mom did. It’s been 30 years since she was my teacher and I still remember her so fondly. We are all better for having known her.What a wonderful lady….
I remember Lib from working with her at Wachovia Bank in Asheville in the late 40’s as tellers. She was a most gracious lady and I can still hear her heels clicking in the lobby as she came to work, very erect and smiling all the way to her station. I enjoyed working with her.I am sure she will missed and the family has my deepest sympathy.
I am so sorry to hear of Mrs. Liverett’s passing. She was my teacher at TCR in the early 80s. She was a wonderful teacher and a lovely person. She will certainly be missed by many. Rest in Peace!!
What a blessing to have shared life with this great lady! She was a amazing teacher but even more a lady who left a legacy forever. She will be missed!
I am sorry to hear about Mrs. Liveretts passing. I will truly miss her. If not for her, I probally would not have graduated. She never took any of my shananagens, and helped me become a better man. I will never forget.
Mrs. Liverett was a true southern lady who loved her students and would go out of her way to help them. She will be missed by many.My condolences to the family.
What a teacher, what a friend! She always made me feel special. She was my teacher during my time at Reynolds High School. I’ll never forget her. My prayers are with the family.
Deirdre,
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your mother. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. If you need anything please let us know.
deirdre,
i am not even sure where to begin here and say what i need to say, my
true connection with your mom came later in life after the tcr days.
over the past 5 or more years, she and i had grown very close and i am really gonna miss her
motherly love,
every time i spoke to her on the phone, she always ended our conversation with
i love you david and i loved her.
oh how she always loved those
pink roses, each time, they were even more beautiful that the last.
the tcr community has lost
one of the ‘best of the best’
and
we are now minus one of our
‘golden girls’,
but her memory will live forever
in
our hearts…
Mrs. Liverett touched so many people. She always had such a wonderful sense of humor and once you met her you would never forget her. My condolences to the family and all of her loved ones. May God bless you with the warmth of His Peace and Love during this time. We must ‘praise Him in the storm’ and He will hold all of our tears and make all things new. With His Love.
I absolutely loved this lady! She was my English teacher in 1986 at TCR, and by far my favorite teacher. She made such an impact on my life. The principles she instilled in me I am using to teach my kids. I am blessed to have know her!!!
Mrs Liverett taught all of our children-and much loved by our entire family-she will be greatly missed. Our deepest sympathy to all the family- Ginny and Bob Hunter
Teachers have the ability to greatly influence people’s lives, and Mrs. Liverett did just that! My sisters and I were fortunate enough to be among the blessed ones to learn from her. I also have memories from Arden Presbyterian and seeing her faithfully there every Sunday. Her faith was the foundation of her servanthood!
Deidre: My sister Felicia, brother Donny and I want you to know that we thought your Mom ‘hung the moon’ as far as teachers go. I am so glad I had the blessing of seeing her 2 years ago at a gathering. Please accept our condolences and thoughts.
I loved Mrs. Liverett, she was the best teacher I had at TCR. She always was someone that you loved to go by and talk to. She will be missed!
La paz del Señor esté con ella y con ustedes.
Lee y Ginny
Deirdre, I am sorry to hear of the passing of your mom. She was a great lady. She taught me well at Roberson and always made me want to do my best. I was glad in the last few years that I got to care for her when she came into my medical office. A wonderful women who will truly be missed. May God bless and fill your life with His Grace.
Lib’s Family, It has been several years since Lib attended a Class of 43 function. Her brother Horace was in our Class and James finished before us. Regardless of age, health, or any other circumstance we are never ready to lose our loved ones. The only comfort has to come from our Faith in the Sovereignty of God and the manifested concern of caring friends. We are thinking of you and will hold you in our prayers. Joe and Zunita Clark
Deidre, Our thoguhts and prayers are with you and your family. As you know, your mother touched so many lives – especially mine and my mother’s. Her joy and love of life was inspirational. It was an honor to know her. Sincerely, Beth
I was saddened to read of your mother’s death. She was such a wonderful teacher and a caring teacher. It isn’t often you find both of these traits in a teacher. She taught me at AC Reynolds. She would always remember me when I would see her out and about. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mother made a lasting impression on many lives. May God give you comfort during this time of loss.
I would like to offer my sympathy in the loss of your mother. She was an extraordinary woman and a wonderful teacher. I was in her 10th grade english class at T.C. Roberson and I have very found memories of this time. I hope your mother knew what an inspiration she was to all her students. May God bless you.
sorry for your lost I enjoyed seeing your mom one day in the summer when she was walking around school with you. she will be missed
WOW what a lady! Your Mother will always be so precious to me. The picture you have here captures her at her best…full of life and ready to do the best for her students! What a woman and teacher! We are all better people from having her walk through our lives! I will miss her!
…I am lifting you up to a Loving God through…thoughts and Prayers…it’s not that she ‘was’….but still ‘is’ a great memorie in my heart….
Deirdre –
Like so many others, your Mom helped shape who I am today. I am a writer today in large part to her challenging me to excel. And like so many I was fortunate to ‘double dip’ because my first couple of years teaching years ago were back at Roberson where she continued being a mentor – this time in a different way.
I don’t think you knew she went to school with my Dad at Lee Edwards and I loved to hear her tell tales about their friendship – and some of the escapades she remembered. I cherish those moments.
Know you and all your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May God’s angels hold you all safely in the comfort of their wings – especially His newest angel now with Him…
I have fond rememberances of Lib as we shared our times of walking the track at TCR and tackling the chore of weaving the ‘perfect’ basket. I cherish every moment spent with her.
Deidre,
I am so sorry to hear the passing of your mother. She was a great lady! I remember being in her classes at TCR and on the newspaper staff. You and your family are in my prayers. May God be with your family during this time of sorrow.
Deirdre, your mom was so special to so many of us. She was more than a teacher – she was a true friend. I still have the Clemson sweatshirt that she asked you to get for me when you were there. =) She was a true inspiration and I know that a soul like hers has a very special place in heaven. I know that she will be greatly missed.
What a wonderful woman Mrs. Liverett was. I have never forgotten her. She was a tremendous inspiration to me when I was in her english class. She helped me to become who I am today and I remember her fondly.How lucky we all were that she chose education for her career.
Fortunately, Lib Liverett dedicated her life to a career in the classroom. Staying young in body, mind and soul way beyond her years she taught and inspired all of us with her wit, wisdom and perseverance. She was a teacher in every sense of the word. I am honored to have been her friend and colleague.
How proud you can be of your Mother’s life, Deirdre! She touched so many of us. My thoughts are with you and your family.
Ms. Liverett taught my brother at ACR, and she knew my family. My fond memories of her were from the track at TCR. She had a great personality and was a very loving person. She will be missed by all that knew her.
God bless you during this time.
Though she will be missed greatly, I am blessed that I got to know her as my mother’s best friend. Take comfort in the fact that they are now together again, and having the best time ever!
I was so saddened to hear of Mrs. Liverett’s passing. I missed the opportunity to have her as a teacher, but I knew her through many conversations while I was at Roberson, and later on at the TCR track. What a wonderful inspiration to SO many students, and to the TCR community for so many years. Heaven is a much better place with her there, and she will greatly be missed here. My prayers go out to her family.
Dear Deirdre
I was so saddened to hear about the death of your dear Mother. I first met her in 1983 when I was serving as an Assistant Principal at Roberson. We became good friends spending hours walking the track at TCR. Walking with her made walking fun. When I returned to Roberson in 1991, your Mom really helped me and the school by coming out of retirement to teach one ninth grade English class. As ususal, she was a great teacher at the very end of her career just as she was her first year. She will be missed by so many people. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
So very sorry to hear of Mrs. Liverett’s passing I had the joy of being in her class in 1967 at ACR. GOD SPEED on your journey home. Sincerely, Susan Swann Rogers
Dear Deirdre,
Please accept our deepest sympathy. Your Mother was indeed one of the ‘special’ people who had a positive impact on everyone she met and knew. The halls of Reynolds High School still reverberate with the ‘jokes’ that were played between her and the coaching staff at that time. She will be missed but her legacy lives on in those who were inspired by her.
Dear Deirdre, I can’t think of a single person that knew your Mom that wasn’t touched just by knowing her. She nurtured some of us through some very tough high school times, and was truly one of God’s special angels. The whole community has lost a very dear and special soul, but she will continue in all our hearts forever. God be with you and your family through this difficult time. Steve & Janice (Shuford) Parris
I feel very honored that Lib Liverett passed through my life. She was a wonderful person with an even more wonderful sense of humor. Her patience and understanding helped me tremendously. God speed Ms Liverett.
mrs.Liverette was a great teacher and touched my heart and life in a very positive way. she always had a smile and a hug when i would run into her years latter
Mrs. Liverett had that special way of making everyone in her life feel special and important. While in her English class, and yearbook staff, at TCR I not only learned English but how to be a better person. It was fun to graduate the same year she retired, and later see her at the track and walk. I only hope that my students can remember me with as much fondness and respect as hers do! We will laugh with her again in heaven one day!!
Deirdre and family,
Your wonderful mother was my teacher, my mentor, my model and in my adult years she was my friend. I will miss her.
I am sorry we could not be there Deirdre. The icy roads in Raleigh and Greensboro was too much for us to make the trip. We will all miss her, especially me. I always tried to stop in on my travels with work in Western NC. The last fun time we had was this summer when I stopped by and took her to lunch. We rode in style in a rented Jaguar XE 300 (or something like it). She was hesitant to go, but after we got out on I-26, her comment was…’how fast can we go’. After making it to the J & S in about 2 minutes, she indicated the following..’That was fun!’ Then proceeded to tell me stories of her youth and going fast in old cars. She had a nice lunch as well. She was always fun to be around I will miss her on my trips. I know she is having fun again with James and my dad..what a crew!
Mrs.Liverett was a wonderful person.
She was a great teacher and friend
to all. She truly will be missed.
Deirdre: When I came to TCR to teach in 1983, your mom took me under her wing. I enjoyed and appreciated our friendship and will continue to do so in reliving these wonderful memories of her and your dad. Both of them are indeed memorable people. This is a great loss. They were so proud of you, Jeff, and especially Tyler.
Fondly, jeannie gooch
Dear Deirdre, I was so sorry to hear about your loss, but what a wonderful legacy your mom has left behind – thousands of former students whose lives were better because of her love and concern for both their education and their character.
I had the great fortune to be on the yearbook staff during her last two years at TCR, and I will always treasure her smile, her laugh, her spirit, and her ability to keep mass chaos under control. (She also salvaged many a disaster with that fantastic zuchini bread of hers!) I have always treasured her heartfelt reaction when the staff successfully pulled-off a switch-a-roo with the yearbook company and replaced a page in the 1986 Aries with her retirement tribute page.
When I returned to Asheville on breaks and summers during college, I would frequently get to catch up with her at the TCR track, and in subsequent years, I got frequent ‘Mrs. Liverett updates’ from my parents (who knew her through Arden Presbyterian Church). I know that she continued to be a tremendous influence on folks through her humor, her outlook, and her faith.
Having just lost my father over the Christmas holidays, I can certainly identify with your loss. Even though we have never met, please know that my thoughts are with you and your entire family during this difficult time.
To: Lib’s Family
I am very sorry about your loss.I always remember her wonderful smile and zest for living while I was a student at Reynolds in the mid 60s. My Mom and Dad were teachers at Reynolds and Fairview and thought the world of her. Once again, my deepest sympathy.
Deidre, I’m so sorry your mother passed away. She was an inspiration to all the studens at TCR, even those of us who did not have her as a teacher. When I was at Roberson I always loved her smile and joy for living. I’m sorry the snow kept me away but know that you’re family is in my prayers and thoughts.
TCR class of 1974
Deidre,
I am saddened by the loss of your mother. She was a friend and loved by many. Mary Lib motivated many with her love and enthusiasm for education and the world around her. She will be remembered and she will be missied. I pray that many wonderful memories of your mother and your father will continue to fill your lives for years to come.
I regret that I was unable to make it to her service due to driving conditions in my area.
Love, Carole
D’
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you always. MaryLib will always have a special place in my heart.
I was privilegded to be with her on her journey home. She in deed, was one of a kind. What a Lady.
I shall miss her greatly Love Pat Wayne
Mrs Liverett was a very special Lady.To put up with my clowning around and still have the patience to teach me.She is one teacher that I will never forget.God bless the family and His peace comfort you at this time. Greg Pippin T C Roberson (1983)
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mary Elizabeth Liverett. I have thought of her often through the years. I will never forget the positive impact that she has made in my life and the lives of others. The world will miss her.
The smile of Mrs. Liverett was one of the most encouraging experiences of life. She was always so warm and friendly. She will be greatly missed. Mom and I were so sorry to not be able to make it because of the weather. Our many prayers are with you.
Dear Deirdre and family,
I send my deepest sympathy and heartfelt thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry that your mother has passed. She will always hold a special place in my heart. I will cherish her memory.
I regret that I could not attend her memorial service. My husband open heart surgery on January 28th in Birmingham, AL.
Take care and know that others are praying for you during this time of grief.
Cousin Kathy & Steven Kirkland
Deirdre, I so regret not being able to come to Lib’s funeral. I loved your mom. I had her for Golden Fleece not for English, but I always had a great relationship with her and as we went to the same church I was always able to see her. Later with the T.C. Ramblings Back Porch group we cemented another special aspect of that relationship. She will be missed so very much. I will keep you in my prayers. I can only imagine how difficult having her gone is to you. Rhonda Maxwell Latrella
Mary ‘Lib’ was one of my dear friends and mentors when I came to work at TCR in 1983. She always had good advice for me and ‘saucy’ humor to keep me laughing! She touched lives as only a devoted teacher and mentor can. I will miss her very much!
May you have the comfort of knowing that she was loved by many and will be organizing a great yearbook in Heaven!
Sherry Baldwin
Am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. Lib taught with me my first year at Reynolds High School in 1963.
Mr. Pennell hired her after school had started and she had her homeroom in the library. She was an inspiration to me and the students, her ready wit, jokes and practical advice will never be forgotten. ACR’s loss was TCR’s gain when your Mom and Dad moved into the Roberson school district. I have kept up with her thru the years via other students and teachers.
Keep the memories you have of her in your heart and she will always be with you. God bless and keep you and give you comfort in the days ahead.
Love in Christ,
Ethel Jacobson
Deirdre,
Your mom was a special lady. We are glad her life was a part of ours at Roberson. She made that time and place especially memorable. You must be gratified to see how many lives she touched.
With deepest sympathy,
Cheryl and Chuck Durrant
She was a woman you liked or hated. She was the only one who made me want to enjoy english class and we had many talks about many things before I ever left school
My deepest sympathy to the family for the loss of Mrs. Liverett. May God comfort you during this time.
I’m so sorry for the family’s loss. What a wonderful teacher but she was also a wonderful person. She made such an impact on me. She was my favorite teacher.