Bearl Nesbitt

Bearl Floyd (B. F.) Nesbitt, a 42 year resident of Henderson County passed away at home on Sunday, September 9, 2007, at the age of 89. Born and raised in Buncombe County, he met and married the former Emily Palmer of Crabtree in 1941 and called Haywood County his home for over 25 years. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Emily, 3 children: Dr. Joe Nesbitt of Mills River, Jack Nesbitt and his wife, Becky, of Mills River, and Janet Nesbitt Orr and her husband, Eric, of Blowing Rock, 6 grandchildren, Scott Nesbitt, Josh, Jake and Sarah Orr, Stacey and Mark Nesbitt, and 3 great grandchildren. He was the son of the late John Baxter and Carmie Marlow Nesbitt of Fairview. He was the sixth of nine children and is survived by 3 siblings: Mrs. Alene Heron of Elkton, Maryland, Boyce Nesbitt of Fairview, and Mrs. Wilma Metcalf of Cherryville. A graduate of both Brevard College in 1937 and N. C. State in 1939, he became a Lieutenant in the Army Air Corps during World War II; afterwards, he taught vocational agriculture for 15 years at Crabtree Iron Duff High School, became a demonstration poultry and dairy farmer, and served as a member and chairman of the Haywood County School Board in the sixties until appointed to the N.C. Milk Commission where he served for over 25 years. He brought many positive changes to the dairy industry for N. C. farmers. He served on the N.C. Farm Bureau as Vice-President while continuing to be a leader in the dairy industry in Henderson County. He received several distinguished awards, including one for superior service, both locally and nationally. All of this culminated in his name being added to the WNC Agricultural Hall of Fame in 1996. His hobbies included hunting, fishing, gardening, and beekeeping. He was a former member of Crabtree United Methodist Church and for the last 40 years, a member of Mills River United Methodist Church. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 12, 2007, at Crabtree United Methodist Church with the Reverend Dr. Robert M. Blackburn, Jr. and Reverend Kathy McAbee officiating. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at Dawn Memory Garden adjacent to the church. Memorials may be made to the Women's Organization of Crabtree United Methodist Church, 5405 Crabtree Road, Clyde, NC 28721.

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