Helen Marie Ingle

HELEN MARIE MULVANEY INGLE, 97, passed away at her home in Zirconia, NC April 4, 2025 after a fall and sudden decline.
Daughter of Leo A Mulvaney and Nan Roberts Mulvaney Grove of Buncombe County, Helen was born in the Clarence Barker Hospital in Biltmore Oct. 29 th 1927. She lived in Buncombe County into 1934, returning a teenager she eventually married and lived there until 1957 when she, husband Ralph, 2 sons and expected daughter moved to St. Pete, Fl. Eventually settling in Orange Park, FL from 1965 until 1983, returning home to their beloved NC mountains and built a home in Zirconia.
She began work as a teenager in a boot factory for the war effort and had many other jobs to help support her family, including a Southern Bell telephone operator in the 1940's. In FL she wasa homemaker and always very active in school, church, union, municipal and political activities. She ran a huge morning paper route for FL Times Union for many years and was well known by all in the county. Later, she and Ralph owned a gunsmithing business, The Gun Doctor, where she of course was the "Gun Nurse". Her passion as a Genealogist continued and she volunteered each Monday at the Henderson County Historical and Genealogy Society into 2020 at age 92.
She had so many interests she loved to share with people; she loved History and Genealogy, reading, children, embroidery, the outdoors and could she ever tell a story! Her Irish heritage came alive with folklore, her hands moving the whole time she talked. She collected rocks and shells, old bibles and history books; watched birds, loved every animal she ever met and cared for so many strays, human and otherwise. She never met a stranger, and her home and table were open to all. She had the house everyone gathered at, her love and generosity unending. Her unconditional optimism and positive, cheerful and humorous disposition even in difficult times are always remembered.
The pride and joy of her life, her most prized accomplishment was her family. She was the heart of her family, always there for them no matter what was needed. She was a mentor, confidant, best friend, loving wife and most incredible mother.
Preceded in death by her husband of 64 years Ralph W. Ingle, her son James Steven Ingle, Daughter-in-law Karen Ingle, Daughter Debbie Ingle Clark, Brother Leo Mulvaney and Sister Margaret Grove Driskill.
Left to treasure her memory are Son, Ralph A. (Tony) Ingle of Etowah, NC; Daughter Patricia Russell and her beloved Son-in-law Edward of Zirconia, NC, Sister Ann J. Stacey of Potomac, MD; Grandchildren Starr Farmer of Gastonia, NC; Melissa Ingle of Waycross, GA; James W. (Trish) Ingle of Gainesville, FL; James V. (Annette) Kerstetter of Beavertown, PA; Jessie Colleen Russell of Zirconia, NC and her cherished Burns family Jessie, Amanda, Morgan, Isaiah and Lillianna; 12 Great and 6 Great-Great Grandchildren; So many nieces, nephews, cousins, adopted grands, unending extended family and her many dear friends.
A celebration of her life will be held Sunday April 13, 2025 at 2:00 in the chapel of Church Street Funeral home with reception immediately following.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you consider a donation in her name to either the Henderson County Genealogical Society or Four Seasons Hospice of Henderson County. See links Below To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Helen, please visit our floral store.