memorials

The Asheville City Schools Foundation is honored to remember the following vibrant members of our ACS community through our work fostering educational opportunities for all students in our schools.

SHANNAN VANNOY CARLISLE

Shannan Vannoy Carlisle, 44, of James Island and Edisto Beach, SC, died on Sunday, January 9, 2022, at her home on James Island. Shannan was born in Winston-Salem, NC, on July 6, 1977. She was the daughter of the late William Mitchell Carlisle Jr. and Charlotte Gwyn Vannoy Carlisle of Asheville, NC. She graduated from Asheville High in Asheville, NC, in 1995. Shannan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wake Forest University in 1999 and a Master of Education degree from The Citadel Graduate College in 2012. She was a former pre-school teacher.

Preceding her in death are her parents and her brother, William Mitchell Carlisle III. She is survived by her son, Stephen (Phen) Mark Nettles III; daughter, Ada Kathleen Nettles and son, Carlisle William Nettles; father of the children, Stephen Mark Nettles Jr.; paternal aunt, Pat Heilig (Robert) of Aiken, SC; paternal uncle, Michael Carlisle (Patricia) of Aiken, SC; maternal aunt, Tina Hutchins (Jim) of Garner, NC; maternal uncle, John T. Vannoy III (Susan) of Purlear, NC; sister by heart, Amanda Felix of James Island, SC, and many beloved cousins and friends.

Shannan Carlisle was a bright light for everyone fortunate enough to meet her and a beloved member of our education community. The Asheville City Schools Foundation is humbled to accept gifts to her brother’s memorial scholarship fund in Shannan’s memory. Please click here to make a contribution. Every dollar gifted will continue her legacy of caring for all children. Visit the family’s guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston

Patricia Ann Griffin

Asheville’s education community owes a great debt to Mrs. Pat Griffin and her unwavering vision of educational equity. What a gift Mrs. Griffin was to our students and community; we are deeply honored and humbled to remember her dedicated, kind, and loving spirit through our college scholarship program.

“Patricia Ann Griffin (née Brown) was born on June 8, 1941 in Asheville, North Carolina to Jack E. Brown and Magnolia Green Brown. She grew up in Asheville, the second oldest of five children, and attended Asheville City Schools. Patricia graduated from Stephens-Lee High School in Asheville in 1959. After attending Stillman College for one year, she received a B.A. from Mars Hill College in 1971. She received a M.A. in Education from Western Carolina University in 1985. She retired from the Asheville City Schools in 2003 after working over 30 years as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and administrator. She cared deeply about her students and dedicated her career to doing what she could to improve the outcomes of traditionally marginalized and overlooked students, especially Black students in the school system. Shortly after retirement, Patricia returned to Asheville City Schools as a school administrator and as a contracted reading specialist. She also worked with the Asheville Housing Authority as a community activity program manager. Additionally, Patricia served on the Asheville City Schools Board of Education from 2017 through 2021…” Please click here to continue reading

AMANDA (ANDERSON) KLEIN

Amanda A. Klein, 64 of Kingsport, formerly of Asheville, NC, passed away on Sunday, February 27, 2022. She moved from New York to North Carolina with her family and graduated from Asheville High School. Amanda attended Mars Hill College as well as UNC-Asheville, studying botany. She designed clothes that were sold on consignment at a clothing boutique in Asheville and worked as a gardener in nurseries over the years. Amanda loved wildflowers, and she always cared for stray animals. Amanda loved the outdoors and hiking. Spring with its rebirth was her favorite season.

Amanda was preceded in death by her parents, Elbert Carl and Susanna Robinson Anderson; her first born son, Jonathan; nephew, Charles K.R. Anderson; sister-in-law, Caroline Klein. Survivors include her husband of 40 years, Mark Klein; children, Jeffrey Klein of Kingsport and Beth Klein of Nashville; siblings, Charles L.W. Anderson and wife Patricia of Asheville, NC, Susan Anderson and husband Alex Mathas of Eugene, OR; nieces and nephews, Benjamin Klein, Christian Klein, Caroline Anderson, and John and Christian Crabb. Amanda is remembered fondly by her classmates in the AHS Class of ‘76.

Chris Merrill

Chris Merrill was a beloved son, brother, and friend. Known for his quick wit, entrepreneurial spirit, and deep loyalty and care for his loved ones, he touched the lives of everyone who was fortunate to spend time around him. Chris was driven to be a natural leader and demonstrated an incredible work ethic.

He graduated with honors from AHS in 2004. A captain of both the Cougars' soccer and basketball teams his senior year, he was also a tenacious player for his HFC and Storm travel teams. He went on to obtain a business degree from NC State University and then pursued a successful career in online marketing, including the establishment of several companies…Continue reading here.

ACSF is honored to continue Chris’ legacy of humble leadership and support for others through the Chris Merrill Memorial Scholarship. Please click here to make a contribution and support our graduating seniors in Chris’ memory.

BETSY PRITCHARD RHODES

The Asheville City Schools Foundation was blessed to have Betsy as an early supporter and member of our Board of Directors. Betsy’s time with ACSF helped shape us into the impactful organization that we are today. We are honored and humbled to remember Betsy’s kind, generous spirit through our work.

“It isn’t just that Betsy Rhodes seemed to have love in every cell in her body. It’s that she worked every day to send that love out into the world. Whether it was staying up till all hours preparing a meal, driving across the state when one of her children needed her, or just providing a sympathetic ear when you needed to talk, Betsy helped first and asked questions later. She punctuated the end of every conversation with “love, love, love,” and you knew it came from the heart. She took greeting card sentiments and made them real. She found a reason to love everyone, and continually looked for ways to serve. Even in hospice care, she wanted to lighten the burden of her nurses, to the point that they had to assure her that they loved their work, they were there to comfort her, and she didn’t have to apologize for asking for something.

Betsy Rhodes died June 28 at the age of 69 at Hock Family Pavilion in Durham. She spent her final days there, surrounded by friends and family, after being treated for pancreatic cancer at Duke University Medical Center…” Please click here to continue reading

J. Hooker wood

Joseph Hooker Wood was born April 13, 1948 in Los Angeles, CA, the son of Joseph and Elizabeth Wood, Jr., the first of three children. He started life in Antelope Valley, CA on the family alfalfa farm where he learned to love the desert and the night sky. He completed his education at Southern Methodist University graduating with a BS in Geology in 1970. It was here that he met his wife, Ann Richardson. They married in 1971 and began a life of fun and adventure that took them around the country and the world and produced two wonderful sons, Adam and Zachary, who were an unending source of happiness and pride. As a bonus they brought him daughters-in-law, Erica and Laura, whom he loved as his own, and one of his greatest joys in life, his first grandchild, Ayla Rose, dubbed “sweet pea.”

Hooker spent his entire career working in the oil field beginning as a mud engineer for Magcobar in Brewton, AL. and ending as Supply Chain Manager with Occidental Petroleum in Houston, TX. In between he managed operations in the U.S., Australia, Mexico, and Central and Western South America. He enjoyed his work, especially the opportunity it provided for travel and converting business associates into friends.

He retired in 2013, built his dream home on a wooded hillside in Asheville, NC and enjoyed a busy and happy life indulging in all of his favorite pastimes: music, poker, wine, literature classes, senior softball, woodworking, his pup, Chance, the Houston Astros and travel. He was an active volunteer with the Asheville School Foundation, tutoring 4th graders at Isaac Dickson Elementary School and a committed friend to the Unitarian Universalist of the Swannanoa Valley congregation in Black Mountain. All along he did what he did best; share his enthusiasm for life with everyone he met.

He died in his Asheville home on May 5, 2018. His wife, sons and granddaughter, his mother, Elizabeth, sisters Carolyn and Peggy, survive him. His “In-Law” and extended family and his many friends share their loss.

He was a happy man who loved his life. The Asheville City Schools Foundation is honored to remember Hooker’s joyful spirit and dedication to students through our work.

For questions about memorial gifts, please contact:

James Carter
Interim Director of Development and Alumni Relations
828 - 348 - 6566
james.carter@acsgmail.net