Jack Ray Asbury

Jack Ray Asbury, 69, of Royston, GA formerly of Bluewell, WV, passed away to his heavenly home surrounded by his loving family on May 10th after a short battle with cancer. 

Jack was born on December 25, 1953 to Cosby Asbury Dillon of Leckie, WV. After Jack graduated from Gary High School in 1971, he joined the army and served overseas in Germany. After his service to his country he started working as a coal miner in McDowell County.  In 1978, Jack met Mary Farmer Asbury under the oak in the center of town in Anawalt, WV and they were wed in 1980.  He told Mary on their first date that he was going to marry her.  She just laughed because she had only just met him but he knew and they fell deeply in love.  Jack was committed to his family and was known to always put them first in his life above all else.  He worked hard to provide for them and was fiercely committed to his wife and two girls. In his final years he enjoyed life with his two grandchildren who were his whole world.  He stood at six feet eight inches tall and everyone looked up to him in both height and in character.  He was known as a "gentle giant" who loved to have fun but was a generous soul with an amazingly big heart.  He will be deeply missed but his legacy will live on forever. 

Jack was preceded in death by his mother, his sister Victoria Brunson of Tacoma, Washington, and his brother Sam Dillon of Bluefield, Virginia. He is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, his daughter Stephanie Phillips, husband Jonathan and his daughter Candace McKinney, husband Drew both of Royston, Georgia, and his grandchildren, Ruth Anne Phillips and Daniel McKinney.  He is also survived by his 3 brothers Eddie (Sandy) Asbury of Bluefield, VA, Frank Dillon of Narrows, VA, and John (Pat) Dillon of Tazewell, VA and many beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell, WV on Sunday May 14th from 6-8PM with the funeral on Monday at 11AM.  Burial to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park with military honors being performed by the Mercer County Veterans Honor Guard. Service will be officiated by Rev. Eric Lovin, Rev. Dwayne Farmer, and Fr. Sebastian Devasya.  Serving as pallbearers are Zachary Harman, Josh Dillon, Devante Dillon, Jeremiah Pack, Raymond Gene Hopkins, Augie Coppola, Allen Kelly, and Kenton Sandifer.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Joyful Noise Preschool in Royston, GA, a wonderful ministry organization for children.  Please mail donations to 137 Franklin Springs Street, Royston, Georgia and designate his name in the memo.  The family would like to thank all of their many family and friends for their love, prayers, and support during this difficult time.