Gertrude Kinchen Stepp

Gertrude Kinchen Stepp, 94, of Hendersonville, NC, died Thursday evening, June 24, 2010 at The Laurels of Hendersonville.

Born in New Orleans, LA, she was the daughter of the late Ace and Alice Powers Kinchen. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Nicholas Stepp; twin sons, Nelson and Nolan Engle; one brother, James Kinchen; and sister, Louise McChesney.

She had lived in Henderson County for over 60 years and was a member of Berea

Baptist Church. She enjoyed photography. She and her husband ran Valley Hill Grocery for many years.

She is survived by her loving family, daughter Norma Franklin and husband, John R., of Ft. Walton Beach, FL; nine grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; and one sister, Ann Skeins of Springfield, Missouri; daughter-in-law Joan Engle Edneyville and Linda Engle of Mexico

A funeral service will be held at 2 PM Friday, July 2, 2010 at Berea Baptist Church with the Rev. James Byrd officiating. Burial will follow in Berea Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Four Seasons Compassion for Life, 571 S. Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731.