Zula Zinavage

Waynesville-Zula V. Zinavage, 86, formerly of Rolling Green Drive in Waynesville, died Friday, December 3, 2004 at Givens Estates in Asheville after a long illness. She was a native of Rainelle, West Virginia and was the daughter of the late Roderick and Virginia Vance. Born in West Virginia, she was the first recipient of a degree in Piano Performance from Maryville College, Maryville, TN. She taught public school music and private piano, and eventually decided upon a business career, enrolling at National Business College in Roanoke, VA. From there, she went on to work for the Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC, where she met her future husband, Thomas Zinavage, a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy (also deceased), while singing in a church choir. Lt. Cmdr. Zinavage was appointed Commanding Officer of the naval base in Okinawa in the early mid-'50's, and the couple spent several years there. A longtime resident of Waynesville, she was a member of First United Methodist Church, and very active in Methodism. Formerly a church secretary in Shelby, NC, she served as secretary to the District Superintendent of the Methodist Church at Lake Junaluska. She was also President of United Methodist Women, and traveled extensively over the Western Carolina conference area, giving programs and installing officers. She was a founding member of Givens Estates, and an advocate for quality nursing care for the aged. Throughout both their lives, the Zinavages where faithful and enthusiastic members of the church choir, wherever they happened to be living. She was an avid supporter of the arts and enjoyed playing the piano throughout her life, often playing for church or school functions. She was also a talented needlework artist. She is survived by her daughter, Carol Zinavage of Knoxville, TN; stepdaughter, Floretta Smith of Landisburg, PA; three grandchildren, Bob Phillips of Gloucester, VA, Annette Shuman of Shippensburg, PA, Kathy Lyman of Pensacola, FL; six great grandchildren, and many beloved cousins and friends. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 22, 2005 with the receiving of quests to follow in the narthex. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 838, Waynesville, NC 28786.

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