Olivia Hansbarger Gudger

Olivia “Peggy Jo” Hansbarger Gudger, 70, of 3202 Timber Trail, Asheville, died on Thursday, April 5, 2007 at Hospice Solace Center. A native of Pineville, WV, she was a daughter of Peggy Brown Hansbarger and of the late Joe H. Hansbarger. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Dr. C. Edgar Jones. Mrs. Gudger graduated from West Virginia University in 1955, where she was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She recently received her 50 Year Pen from the sorority in October, 2006. She attended the University of South Carolina for one year, and then returned to West Virginia University to receive her master’s degree in education. After teaching high school for 4 years, Mrs. Gudger began her teaching career at UNCA in 1965 in the Literature and Language Department until she retired in 1992, after 27 years of teaching. She also served as department liaison between the Education Department and Literature Department for those going into teaching. In her 31 years of teaching, she had a positive effect on the lives of thousand’s of young minds. Mrs. Gudger married “Tuck” Gudger on April 8, 1989, after which they shared many hobbies together, such as golf, physical fitness, and traveling the world. “Tuck” also introduced her to the Miss America Pageant world, where they judged numerous state pageants. Mrs. Gudger also had obtained her private pilot’s license. Each winter, they traveled to the island of Kauai, Hawaii. She was a board member at YMCA for a number of years. She served on the Athletic Board at UNCA, serving as Chairman for one year. She was also President of the Dental Society Wives, and vice-president of the North Carolina Dental Society Wives. Mrs. Gudger had been a member of Central United Methodist Church for 42 years. In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of 17 years, Albert H. “Tuck” Gudger, of Asheville; sister, Cynthia Hansbarger Johnson and husband Bob, of Butler, TN; daughters, Heather Jones Wood and husband Tom, of John’s Island, SC, and Heidi Jones Keys and husband Vernon, of Garner, NC; step-daughter, Cynthia Gudger Baldwin and husband Bob, of Asheville; step-son, A. Harlen Gudger and wife Vicki, of Moneta, VA; eight grandchildren, Robbie, and Carrie Baldwin, of Asheville, Jaime Moorman and husband John of Moneta, VA, Lindsey Davis and husband Jason, of Newburgh, IN, Jessica and Tanner Wood, of John’s Island, SC, and Parker and Cameron Keys, of Garner, NC; and two great-grandchildren, Tyler Baldwin, of Asheville, and Evan Davis, of Newburgh, IN. Mrs. Gudger’s memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Monday, April 9, 2007 at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. Robert M. Blackburn, Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to Central United Methodist Church, 27 Church St., Asheville, NC 28801, or to Care Partners Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.