Ruth Cantrell McCrary

    Ruth Fern Cantrell McCrary, 89, formerly of 1548 Hendersonville
Road, Asheville, died Saturday, October 31, 1998, at the Deerfield
Episcopal Retirement Center.

     Mrs. McCrary was a native of Transylvania County, was a daughter of
the late John Oscar and Celia Ann Snelson Cantrell, and was married to
Charles William McCrary, who died in 1981.  She was a graduate of the
Harper Method School of Beauty in Rochester, NY, and operated the
Harper Method franchise in Brevard for several years.  When she moved to
Asheville she operated the Grove Park Beauty Salon.  Her avocation was
gardening and she was a garden club member.  She was also an honorary
member of the Chatmore Club and a member of Arden First Baptist
Church.

     She is survived by a daughter, Mayron Fern Sprinkle of Cleveland, GA;
two sons, Charles Patrick McCrary of Asheville and William Michael
McCrary of Fletcher;  six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

     Funeral services will be at 11:00 am Monday at Groce Funeral Home
Chapel with the Rev. Stephen Summers officiating.  Burial will be at
Calvary Episcopal Churchyard.

     Her family will receive friends immediately following the committal
service at Calvary  Episcopal Church Parish House and request that
memorials be made to Arden First Baptist Church, 3839 Sweeten Creek
Road, Arden, NC 28704.

     Groce Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.