Jessie Fouts

Candler-Jessie Fouts, age 82, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, October 21, 2003 after a long period of declining health.

Born in Swain County on May 16, 1921, he was the oldest of three children born to the late Moses Fouts and Florence Brooks Fouts. His other siblings were the late Donald Fouts and Gladys Fouts Heines. Preceding him in death also were foster parents, William "Coot" Wood and Ora Hooper Wood Jones of the Caney Fork community of Jackson County, step-mother Lola Luther Fouts, half-brother R. L. Fouts, first wife Minnie Mae Morgan Fouts, former father-in-law and mother-in-law Lonnie and Stella Wood Morgan, father-in-law Lewis R. Kilby, brother-in-law Lon Harris, Raymond Glenn Morgan, and Vernell E. Kilby; and former son-in-law Mike Albino.

Survivors include his wife of 28 years Sue Kilby Fouts of the home; one daughter, Joyce Fouts Jones and her husband Clinton of Asheville, two sons; Jessie Lonnel "Sonny" Fouts and his wife Janice of Anderson, SC, and George R. Fouts and his wife Pat also of Anderson; three grandsons: Shannon Fouts, Casey Fouts and his wife Peyton of Anderson, and Kevin Jones and his wife Erin of Hendersonville, mother-in-law Lena Jones Kilby of Sylva, brother-in-law Griffin Morgan of Sylva, brother-in-law Clifton Kilby Sr., and his wife Eula Mae of Cullowhee, sisters-in-law Mildred Morgan Harris of Sylva, Pat P. Morgan of West Texas, Janette Kilby Parris and her husband Donny of Sylva, Shirley Ashe Kilby Bumgarner of Sylva, and Lucille Fouts Gravley of Danville, VA and Evelyn Kilby Burrell and Reverend Dennis, also of Sylva, five half-sisters: Mozell Fouts Miller of Boone, Nina Fouts Peek and Ruby Fouts Thompson, both of Ronggold, VA, Flora Fouts Turner and her husband of Rudy of Spartanburg County, SC, and Lenora Fouts Wood and her husband Scotty of Abilene, TX. Two step-grandsons Brett Jones of Eden, GA and Robert "Bobby" Jones and his wife Terri of Guyton, GA, two step-great-granddaughters, two step-great-grandsons-in-law and one step-great-grandson.

Mr. Fouts was a World War II veteran, having served over five years in the 129th Army Air Force Base Unit, part of which was in Europe. Decorations and citations were Eamet Campaign Medal with 3 bronze service stars, American Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He had been an active member of Balsam Grove Baptist Church in Jackson County for many years and had attended other churches in Buncombe County until his health failed him. His faith and love of the Lord only grew stronger until God call him home.

The family will receive friends at Wells Funeral Home in Canton Wednesday night October 22, 2003 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., and at other times will be at the home at 338 Old US 19-23 Hwy, Candler, NC 28715. Entombment will follow at Forest Lawn Mausoleum in Enka.

Funeral services will be in the Canton chapel of Wells Funeral Home Thursday, October 23, 2003 at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Jack W. Collins and Reverend Butch Stillwell will officiate. Pallbearers will be Kevin Burrell, Shannon Fouts, Casey Fouts, Kevin Jones, Calvin Kilby and Donny Parris.

Memorials may be made to the Mountain Area Hospice Solace, P.O. Box 16, Asheville, NC 28802.

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