Mr. John Ben Roten, Sr. also known as J.B. age 80 of Asheville, NC formerly of the Rich Hill Community, of Creston, NC, departed this life on Monday, April 30, 2018. He was born to the late Ben F. and Myrtle Floss Ham Roten on Monday, August 23, 1937 in Ashe County, NC. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Lenne Belle Roten Miller and Edna Mae Roten Allen.
John graduated from Riverview High School in Creston, then later from Wilkes Community College with a degree in Nursing. On Thursday, September 8, 1955 he married the love of his life, Ilene Lewis. Together he and his wife worked as farmers and for Ashe Memorial Hospital until the early 1980’s when they moved to Asheville to work at the VA Medical Center.
He retired as President of the local chapter of American Federation of Government Employees. John was a member of Black Mountain Masonic Lodge #663, and a member of Sweeten Creek Baptist Church in Asheville where he served as Deacon. He is survived by: his wife of 62 years, Ilene Lewis Roten; their six children, John Ben Roten, Jr., and wife Delilah of Clyde, NC, Lynn Roten Osborne and husband Phil of Millers Creek, NC, Bill Roten and wife Lori of Ladson, SC, Scott Roten and wife Lorrie of Jefferson, NC, Tim Roten and wife Roxann of Lansing, NC, Steve Roten and wife Missy of Asheville; thirteen grandchildren, Josh Roten, Nathan Roten, Bryan Roten, Danielle Osborne, Autumn Hodges, Kinsey Morgan, Kimberly Pruitt, Katy Quallen, Taryn Boston, Cory Roten, Seth Roten, Tyler Roten, Spencer Roten; two sisters, Velma Dingwall of Creston and Elaine Roten of Winston Salem; 18 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel in Jefferson, NC on Friday, May 4th, 2018 at 11 a.m., by Pastor Sam King and Elder Eddie Lyle. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens with Masonic Rites. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday May 3rd at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel.
In addition to the services in Ashe County a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday May 6th, 2018 at Sweeten Creek Baptist Church in Asheville. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Sapp Cemetery Fund, c/o Ed Reed, 250 Le Chemain Dr., West Jefferson, NC 28694 or to Sweeten Creek Baptist Church, 11 Busbee View Rd. , Asheville, NC 28803.
Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www. ashelawn.com. Ashelawn Memorial Chapel & Gardens of Jefferson, NC was entrusted with Mr. Roten’s arrangements.
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