Mildred Cornette Groce

Asheville � Mildred Cornette Groce passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at the Givens Health Center in Asheville at the age of 95. Mrs. Groce was born April 25, 1914 in Jonesville, VA and was a daughter of the late Rev. James Clark and Frances Delp Cornette. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, the Rev. W. Harold Groce, a Methodist Minister who passed away in October of 2002. As a daughter of a minister as well as a minister�s wife, she well understood the important role of the wife in a ministry partnership. In the eulogy for Harold in the WNC Conference Memorial Service, Jacob Martinson, Jr. said, �Harold Groce could not have been what he was or accomplished what he did across his 50 plus years of ministry without the warm support of Mildred. Both were children of ministers. They had insights which few have�this conference must salute and thank two people who have contributed so much to the quality and strength of the church.� Mildred had many skills in her own right. In addition to her parenting and homemaking skills, she was an accomplished writer. Her poems were published in a private collection for the family. The insights and truths in her poems cause family members to say they reflect her most powerful poem, the life she lived. Although she has stayed in the background, the quiet power of her character and spirituality, the firm devotion to her family, the selfless service to her husband, children, God and church and the steadfast love for each family member have created a forceful testimony that no poetry reading could touch. Mildred is survived by one daughter, Susan Groce of Asheville; two sons, Bill Groce and his wife, Barbara, of Morganton, GA and Bob Groce and his wife, Donna, of Amelia Island, FL; one granddaughter, Marti Groce of Woodstock, GA; three grandsons, Hal Groce and his wife, Sherri, of Charlotte, NC, Clark Groce and his wife, Stacy, of Woodstock, GA and Robert Scott Bynum and his wife, Ashley, of Atlanta, GA; six great-grandchildren, Zachary and Erin Groce of Charlotte, Megan, Claire and Caroline Groce of Woodstock, GA and Carly Bynum of Atlanta, GA. She is also survived by one sister-in-law, June Groce of Asheville, one brother-in-law, Hugh W. Groce of Asheville as well as several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 23, 2010 at Green Hills Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in the Wesley Room at the Givens Heath Center, 600 Barrett Lane in Asheville at 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 23, 2010. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Groce to Givens Estates Resident Supplemental Assistance Fund, 2360 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803, Abernethy United Methodist Church, 1418 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC 28806 or to the CarePartners Foundation, PO 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.