JoAnn Carter Roberson

JoAnn Carter Roberson, 98, passed away Friday, June 23, 2023. JoAnn was born April 17, 1925, in the Beaverdam community of what is now North Asheville, to Elmer and Carrie Mae Carter. She attended Grace School, graduated from Lee Edwards High School, and attended Brevard College. JoAnn demonstrated a great love for music at an early age. She sang in her church choir and was requested to sing at many other church events. Her contralto voice led eventually to a nationwide talent search contest in Chicago at age 15, which she won. She provided the music for the "Mr. Bill Show" on WLOS-TV for a number of episodes in the 1950s. She was the musical director for Blue Ridge Assembly for two summers in the early 1960s. She eventually became one of the many featured soloists in the choir for Central United Methodist Church. She also organized several barber-shop-style all-women singing groups that performed at many events, the one group most remembered was The Sweet Adalines. She taught piano to many young folks from home for many years. She played the piano for the Kiwanis Club of Asheville. In the late 1970's she found the opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning a music store when she purchased Cagle Music Company in downtown Asheville. Now a business owner, she was invited to join the Kiwanis Club as a full member, the first woman in the club. A lifelong baseball fan, through her music store she sponsored the organ at McCormick Field for the Asheville Tourists. Asthma finally stifled her breathing so that she no longer could sing to her liking, so she began directing various choirs and playing the organ and/or piano for services. She spent the most time at Oteen Baptist Church, and then Beaverdam Baptist Church. She loved the church and loved serving the Lord with her musical talents. For many years she and her husband, Frank, and sister, Dixie were fixtures at Asheville Tourist games, there in their box seats on top of the Tourists' dugout. They traveled to Florida for Spring Training games, as well. She loved and followed the Atlanta Braves. She also loved ACC Basketball, especially the North Carolina teams (primarily a Duke fan, but don't say that out loud). She also loved “the Other Carolina,” the University of South Carolina Gamecocks. JoAnn was predeceased by her husband, Frank Roberson, her children, David Roberson and Diane Blackwell, and siblings she loved so dearly, Floyd "Shorty" Carter, Mildred Knighten, Maurice Carter, Elmore "Bo" Carter, Dixie McMahan, and Colleen Prevatte. She is survived by her son, Jay Roberson and his wife, Debbie, and her grandson, Justin Roberson. A memorial service will be held at Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church on Beaverdam Rd on Saturday, June 24 at 11:00 AM. Officiants will be, Ron Brown and Jeff McCumbers, with organ music by Kevin Bryant. She always wanted her fellow organists to be recognized. She requested any memorials to be made to the Kiwanis Club of Asheville, Asbury Memorial United Methodist Church, and Oteen Baptist Church. We are so thankful for the wonderful care provided by Pisgah Manor and Four Seasons Hospice Care.

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JoAnn Carter Roberson

April 17, 1925 - June 23, 2023