GEORGE N. ENNETT

George Noble Ennett - Mr. Ennett, 85, of Asheville, NC, formerly of Charlotte, NC, died Saturday morning, August 23, 2008, at his home on Stuyvesant Road in Biltmore Forest. He was the son of the late George Noble Ennett, Sr. and Grace Tompkins Ennett, formerly of Montreat, NC. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Daniel Augustus Tompkins, formerly of Charlotte.

Mr. Ennett was born on September 30, 1922 in Richmond, VA. He grew up in Montreat, NC and maintained a lifelong love for the mountains of Western North Carolina. He graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, TN, where he was captain of the track team. He also graduated from Davidson College in Davidson, NC, class of 1945. He was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

A US Army veteran of World War II, he served as a first sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He received the Silver Star during a reconnaissance mission in Germany, a Bronze Star during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium and four Purple Hearts.

Mr. Ennett founded Corporate Benefit Services in Charlotte. He remained the president until retiring to Asheville, in 1991. While in Charlotte, he was twice president of the Olde Providence Racquet Club, president of the Charlotte Heart Association, and vice president of the Charlotte Lung Association. After returning to Asheville, he was a member of the Biltmore Forest Country Club and the Rhododendron Royal Brigade of Guards.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Betty Ann Wortham Ennett, whom he married on May 26, 1951; three devoted children, Virginia Corinne Ennett Graybiel and her partner, James Daniel Hayward of Pensacola, FL, Susan Tompkins Ennett and her husband, Wayne Pein of Chapel Hill, NC, and son, George Noble Ennett, Jr., known as Skip, and his wife, Jacqueline of Charlotte. He is also survived by a special friend of the family, Glenna Smith. He leaves two dogs, Coffee and Cocoa, who provided years of joy. He had numerous friends, both lifelong and recent, who were a source of unwavering pleasure.

Memorial services will be 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Asheville, where he was a member. The Reverend William Whisenhunt will officiate. Interment will be private. Memorials may be made to the Montreat Conference Center, 401 Assembly Drive, Montreat, NC 28757 or Trinity Episcopal Church, 60 Church Street, Asheville, NC 28801. Morris Funeral Home, 304 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville, NC, is assisting the family. Condolences may be sent through the website at www.Morrisfamilyfuneralhome.com.

(The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC, 25 Aug 2008 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker)
 

Grave marker for George Noble Ennett in Riverside Cemetery, Asheville (Buncombe County), North Carolina.