Gladys Ashe

Gladys Benge Ashe, age 80, of Marion, North Carolina, passed away on the night of Monday, April 1, 2019 at the SECU Inpatient Unit in Forest City.  Her loved ones were by her side.  Born in Gaffney, South Carolina on May 12, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Clarence and Sieney Benge.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Otis Ashe (December 25, 2001); one daughter, Kathy Ramsey (May 4, 2018); three sisters; and seven brothers. 

Gladys enjoyed watching gameshows, working puzzles and going “penny” shopping with her family, but most of all, she loved spending time with her grandchildren.  A member of Ridgeway Free Will Baptist Church for over 30 years, Gladys also loved her church family. 

She is survived by six daughters, Kathryn Miller, Linda Biddix, Loretta Dillingham (Billy), Jackie Smith (Raydell), Tracy Lamb (Robert) and Beatrice Cooper (Bobby); fifteen grandchildren, Joe Ramsey, Katrina Ramsey, Hal Rabon, April Jaynes, Brett Biddix, Kirk Biddix, Lydia Dillingham, Jacob Randall, Justin Randall, Raydell Smith, Jr., Brandi McCall, Lynn Washburn, Sydney Lewis, Camron Cooper and Candace Cooper; twenty three great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild on the way.  Gladys is also survived by her son-in-law, Ed Ramsey; and special friends of the family, Shane Snoddy and Christy Hollifield. 

A funeral service will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service in Marion with Rev. John Crowder officiating.  The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home.  Mrs. Ashe will be laid to rest next to her husband, Otis, on Thursday at 2:00 p.m., following the service, at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain.

Flowers are acceptable and appreciated.  Those wishing to make a memorial donation in her memory are asked to consider, Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, who to extraordinary care of Gladys and her family, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, North Carolina 28043 or by visiting www.hocf.org.