Charles Norman Hollingsworth

Charles Norman Hollingsworth, age 82, of Mills River passed away Sunday, May 1, 2022 at The Elizabeth House following many years of declining health.  He was a life long resident of Henderson County and a Mills River High School   graduate, Class of 1959.  He was born to the late William Franklin Hollingsworth and Elva Louise Smathers Hollingsworth.  In addition to his parents, Norman was preceded in death by brother, Adron Hollingsworth, brother, William (Jr) Hollingsworth, sister, Vera Martin, brother, Frank Hollingsworth, brother, Ray Hollingsworth, sister, Mary Lee Monteith, brother, Robert (Bob) Hollingsworth, and brother Bruce Hollingsworth.

Norman and Ann Hollingsworth were married in 1962 for a short time before he was drafted into the US Army and primarily stationed at Fort Lewis in the state of Washington where he served for two years.  When he returned home, he worked full time at The Ecusta Mill where he also retired from with 42 years of service as a machinist.  In 1968 he alongside of twenty-three other community leaders served as a founding firefighter for Mills River Fire Department and helped built by hand the first fire station facility in Mills River in 1969.

His past time hobby and true passion during his working career was small engine repair and could always be found in the basement working on anything and everything.  He loved to work on and fix lawnmowers, weed eaters, chainsaws and any other small projects for family, friends and neighbors in the Mills River Community.  He was an avid deer hunter, fisherman, bird watcher and true outdoorsman.  He took great pride in working outside including mowing grass and working in his bountiful garden during the many hot summers. He loved his church family and was a member at Naples Baptist Church.

Norman is survived by his high school sweetheart and love of his life, Ann Worley Hollingsworth; daughters, Becky Acosta and Pam Wooten; grandchildren, Maricela Stallings (Travis), Felisha Fultz (Zach), Adinda Acosta, Dustin Wooten (Whitney); great-grandchildren, Gianna and Brinlee Stallings, Jaxson and Chandler Fultz, and Paisley Wooten.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at Naples Baptist Church with Rev. Richard Merk officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any donations be made to Mills River Fire Department in Norman’s honor.  The family appreciates all the help and support the department has been over the years.