George Noble Ennett ’45

George Noble Ennett ’45, of Asheville, N.C., passed away Aug. 23. He was the son of the late George Noble Ennett, Sr. and Grace Tompkins Ennett. He was also preceded in death by his uncle, Daniel Augustus Tompkins. George was born Sept. 30, 1922, in Richmond, Va. He grew up in Montreat, N.C., and maintained a lifelong love for the mountains of western North Carolina. He graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tenn., where he was captain of the track team. He also graduated from Davidson where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. A U.S. Army veteran of WWII, he served as a first sergeant in the 82nd Airborne Division, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment. He received the Silver Star during a reconnaissance mission in Germany, a Bronze Star during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium, and four Purple Hearts. George founded Corporate Benefit Services in Charlotte, N.C. He remained the president until retiring to Asheville in 1991. While in Charlotte, he was twice president of the Olde Providence Racquet Club, president of the Charlotte Heart Association, and vice president of the Charlotte Lung Association. After returning to Asheville, he was a member of the Rhododendron Royal Brigade of Guards. He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Betty Ann Wortham Ennett, 15 Stuyvesant Rd., Asheville, NC 28803-3022, whom he married May 26, 1951; three devoted children, Virginia Corinne Ennett Graybiel (James Daniel Hayward), Susan Tompkins Ennett (Wayne Pein), and George “Skip” Noble Ennett, Jr. (Jacqueline). He is also survived by a special friend of the family, Glenna Smith. He leaves two dogs, Coffee and Cocoa, who provided years of joy. He had numerous friends, both lifelong and recent, who were a source of unwavering pleasure.