Former Weaverville principal Clark Pennell Sr. passed away Monday.  The Citizen-Times has this story:

After two years of teaching math and biology, he became principal of what was then Weaverville High. He went on to spend 35 years in Buncombe County Schools, serving as principal of Reynolds High and North Buncombe High. He also served as associate superintendent of the school district and led Lee Edwards High — now Asheville High — through one of its most difficult periods: integration.

Patriot Guard Riders lead the way up Main Street at the procession of Sgt. Thomas Ray, II.

Photo by Tesla Jamieson

Funeral services for Sgt. Thomas C. Ray, II, killed in action last week in Iraq, will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 1 in the Chapel of West Funeral Home, 17 Merrimon Avenue.  West will be bringing the family to the funeral home for the service via Main Street, then going in procession after the funeral north through town and out Weaver Boulevard.  The Rotary Club of Weaverville is placing American flags along the streets in Ray’s honor, and the public is invited to show their respect by lining Main Street or Weaver Blvd. during the procession.  The procession is expected to begin at 10:40 a.m.

The family will also receive friends 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 31 at West Funeral Home, and memorials may be made to: Carolina Army National Guard, Operation Kids on Guard, PO Box 32127, Raleigh, N.C. 27622 or Soldiers & Airmen Assistance Fund, 7410 Chapel Hill Road, Raleigh, N.C. 27607.

Weaverville’s Sergeant Thomas Ray, II was killed in a roadside bomb attack in Iraq on Saturday.  Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

• WLOS video
• Citizen-Times article