Rev. Alton Rathbone

Candler - Rev. Alton Rathbone, 85, of Warrens Creek went to be with the Lord on February 26, 2002 at his home attended by his wife Lucille and son Jack. A lifelong resident of Buncombe County, he retired from American Enka Corp. and was a Long time pastor of several churches including South Turkey Creek Baptist Church, Fairmont Baptist Church and was an evangelist for many years. He was a son of the late Benjamin W. and Sarah Camoline Rathbone. Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Lucille O. Rathbone of the home; sons, Jerald, David and Jack Rathbone all of Candler; daughters, Geraldine Gosnell, Linda Cabe both of Candler and Judy Roberts of Leicester; 22 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews. Pa Paw will be missed by all. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the Chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Bennie Wade and brother in Christ Bill Bryson officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery. His family will receive friends from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.