Verna DeBord Battle
April 29, 1904 ~ October 26, 2004
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Asheville Butterfly Trail
Verna DeBord Battle, 100, formerly of 16 Shackelford Drive, Asheville, died Tuesday, October 26, 2004, at Aston Park Health Care Center.
Mrs. Battle was born April 29, 1904, in Sandy Mush of the Leicester Community. She was the daughter of the late Thomas and Magnolia Boyd DeBord. She was preceded in death by her husband, John B. Battle who died in 2000, a daughter Joan Elizabeth Battle, sisters Amanda Cooper, Charlotte DeBord and Reva Colville and brothers Bennett and James DeBord.
She was a graduate of Asheville Normal Teachers College and Western Carolina University. Mrs. Battle taught at Whittier Elementary School in Swain County for 29 years. She was a member of Whittier United Methodist Church, the Order of Eastern Star, Tuckaseigee Chapter in Bryson City, and the Retired NC Association of Educators.
Surviving are a daughter, Jean B. Fisher and her husband Bob of Asheville; two sons, Nick Nichols and his wife Jan of Tallahassee, FL and John B. Battle, Jr. and his wife Annette of North Wilkesboro; one brother Harold DeBord of Bryson City; grandchildren, Michael and Philip Fisher, Diane and Greg Nichols, and John, Brian and Jeffery Battle; and thirteen great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the Patton Avenue chapel of Groce Funeral Home with the Revs. Ken Lewis and David Tucker officiating. Burial will follow at Swain Memorial Park in Bryson City. Grandsons will be pallbearers.
Her family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to the Building Fund of West Asheville Baptist Church, 926 Haywood Road, Asheville, NC 28806.
The family wishes to acknowledge the friendship and loving care given to their mother by the staff of Aston Park Health Care Center.
Mrs. Battle was my second grade teacher and I shall always remember how special she treated me (as well as my fellow classmates). When I recall my childhood days at Whittier Elementary, I think of Mrs. Battle and smile. God bless her and her family.
I took care of Mr & Mrs Battle at Aston Park until 2001. I really thought the world of the both of them. I truly am sorry, but I know they are finally back together.
I will miss this dear sweet lady. She was my beloved aunt, who shared her warm sense of humor and gracious heart with us all. Today she is with her dear ones who have gone before. Bless you, Aunt Verna, I will always love you and smile when I think of you. Your niece Mildred
My mother, Evelyn Pate, shared a room at Aston Park with Mrs. Battle
until Mother was hospitalized and died in mid-September.
I was always struck by Mr. Battle’s constant reading and Mrs. Battle’s listening to books on tape.
I enjoyed talking with Mrs. Battle about what she was reading or hearing about the family as well as her personal history as a teacher. As I had told Mrs. Battle, my husband and I are old friends of Mary Jo Battle Underhill and her husband Henry. I would often share any news with Mary Jo by e-mail after my visits to Aston Park.
To Philip and family,
My deepest condolences in the loss of your grandmother. As much as you will miss her, keep in mind that not many of us are blessed with a hundred years on this earth to spend with our families…what a precious gift given to her and her family by God. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Nick & Jan:
Just a note to let you know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. Regardless of the age of the parent, the circumstances of their death or the age of the child, I am not sure that we are ever ready to let them go. The world in which we live is a very strange place and it is odd the situations that bring people together. For the events that brought the two of you into our lives, I remain thankful. If we can be of any assistance, please know that we are here. I regret that staffing issues and children will prevent me from traveling with Harry to the services, but know that I will be praying for you. As always Lynn
Ms. Battle was a sweet, wonderful lady. We will miss her at Aston Park. Sorry I cannot attend the funeral today. I was out of town at a meeting yesterday and I have 2 Department Managers out today. Our prayers and thoughts are with you.
Marsha Kaufman
What a blessing my Granny was to Kim and I. We will miss her so much. I will miss holding her hand, kissing her cheek, and telling her how much I love her. She meant so much to me and was such a sweet and loving person. I know she is in heaven with Jesus and rejoicing with Papaw and other family members. It is a blessing knowing I will see her some day. I will cherish forever the many wonderful memories.
All of my love,
Michael
I am thankful for the opportunity to have known Granny, and for the sweet memories of her that I will personally cherish. Her talents, her wisdom and her inexhaustible kindness. A precious, sweet soul who will be missed; but I know that her suffering is over and she is joyous in Heaven today with Pappy and Joan.
I am also so very grateful that Heather and Tricia have had the uncommon privalege of knowing both their great-grandparents into their adult lives. They have many good memories of times spent when they were both of sound mind and body. Pappy’s teasing, Granny’s incredibly sharp wit…and of course, her angel biscuits that ‘nobody else can make like Granny’.
They are both so sad that they are unable to be here today to say their good-byes, but they have their memories and they know too, that Granny is so very happy now…and she can make angel biscuits again…and she can read and converse again…and she can tat as much beautiful lace as she cares to because she is whole again and there is no pain.
Those are just a few of the things that Granny’s great-great grandchildren will someday be lovingly told of her.
We all thank-you, Granny, for the example your life has been to ours. You will be missed.
Jean, Nick, and John:
Margaret and I both had Mrs. Battle as a classroom teacher many, many years ago. She was so loving and cared about each child. We also have memories of playing with Joan as a child, and attending church with your family. You were blessed to have your wonderful mother for so many years. Know she was a treasure to those of us who knew her!
Our prayers are with you,
Margaret Varner
Roberta Arsuffi
We have been truely blessed to have shared so many sweet years with our little Granny. She loved her family and always put a smile on our face. We can still hear that sweet little laugh. What a testimony she was to all who knew her. She will be greatly missed but will always hold a special place in our hearts. We love you Granny.