CRAA
375 Lake Eden Road
Black Mountain, NC 28711
Remembering Brian Weatherby
The Rockmont family recently lost a dear friend, faithful servant, gifted teacher, musician, father, and brother in Christ, Brian Weatherby.
Brian passed away peacefully on March 24, 2026, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. He was 69 years old.
For more than twenty summers, Brian volunteered and worked at Camp Rockmont, becoming woven into the fabric of this place and community. What began in 1999 as a work exchange to give his son Daniel the opportunity to experience camp soon became something far deeper. Rockmont became a second home — a place where Brian invested his time, talents, humor, and heart into generations of campers, staff, and fellow alumni.
Brian dedicated his professional life to education, serving for 34 years as an elementary school teacher in Georgia. He believed learning extended beyond the classroom and created opportunities for students through space clubs, immersive programs, theater, and educational field trips. Even in retirement, he continued serving students as a substitute teacher in special education programs.
Those who knew Brian knew someone who never did anything halfway. He brought creativity, thoughtfulness, and humor into every aspect of life. Whether it was a bluegrass performance on upright bass, playful family traditions, or long conversations around camp, Brian had a gift for making people feel seen and valued.
One of the most fitting descriptions of Brian:
“To know Brian was to know someone who never did anything halfway.”
That spirit was unmistakable at Rockmont. Brian showed up fully — fully invested in people, fully present in conversations, fully willing to serve, and fully committed to the relationships he built here.
He also carried a deep and joyful sense of humor. In the final moments of his life, even as his family gathered around him in grief, Brian managed to leave them smiling through tears — a reflection of a life marked by love, connection, and just enough unexpected humor to brighten the room.
Brian is survived by his wife of 37 years, Donna; his son Daniel and daughter-in-law Carleigh; his daughter Rebecca and son-in-law Michael; and his beloved granddaughter, Scout Eden Weatherby.
The entire Rockmont Alumni community extends our prayers and deepest condolences to the Weatherby family. Brian leaves behind a legacy of faith, kindness, service, laughter, and authentic connection that will continue to impact countless lives for years to come.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Additional obituary information can be found at A.S. Turner & Sons Funeral Home Obituary Page
Clarence James Inman
August 22, 1935 ~ September 3, 2017 (age 82)
Clarence James Inman, age 82, of Old Fort, North Carolina passed away Sunday, September 3, 2017. He was born in Buncombe County to the late Byrd and Katie Kelly Inman of Black Mountain, North Carolina on August 22, 1935.
Clarence has been a resident of Old Fort for the last twenty two years. He retired from Camp Rockmont after fifty years of service (1959-2009). He was a veteran of the United States Marines Corps.
He is survived by his wife of sixty years, Norma Robinson; six children, Randy Inman of the home, Gary Inman of Swannanoa, Ricky, Roger, Cherry Brendle and Debra Smith of Old Fort; a granddaughter McKenize Inman of the home; three sisters, Betty Thomas, Mary Robinson of Old Fort and Maggie Robinson of Black Mountain. Also surviving Clarence are seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
Virtually every individual who has been a Rockmont camper or staffer has a visual of Clarence etched in their memory. There have not been many days during Clarence’s 50 years as Grounds Manager when one could have toured Rockmont and not seen Clarence on a tractor, with a shovel or rake in hand, on a ladder applying a fresh coat of paint, mulching gardens, etc. Being the head groundskeeper for a 600 acre facility with a reputation of being among the most beautiful camps in the country is a career one can be proud of.
Clarence was a kind and gentle soul and will be missed! Two of his boys, Rick and Gary, continue his legacy as the Rockmont groundskeepers. More reason for Clarence to be proud.
Franklin Graham Locke
1975-2016
Nashville, TN
Franklin Graham Locke (41) passed away on Saturday, November 5th, 2016. He was a devoted son, father and brother.
Survived by his children: Benjamin Graham Locke, son (13); Kathryn McKenzie Locke, daughter (10); and Piper Madeline Locke, daughter (4); his parents: Dr. Benjamin and Lucy Locke; and his brothers: Benjamin Todd Locke, Robert Clark Locke (Nicole) and Joseph Weston Locke; nieces and nephews: Maddox, Lucy, Elle and Pierce.
Graham was a life-long Tennessean with brief stints elsewhere before returning to Nashville. He attended Harding Academy, Franklin Road Academy, David Lipscomb University, the University of Tennessee School of Dentistry and graduated from the Endodontics program at Boston University.
He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to hunt, spearfish and be on the water.
Graham lived big. He experienced life. Everyday had purpose. Some days were for work and others were for play – but days were never wasted. There are people that will exist well into their 90s and won’t live as full of a life as Graham did in 41 years. He challenged himself by constantly pushing the limits of his comfort zone. He had an unquenchable thirst to feel alive each day. He got stuff done. Within a ten-year period, Graham built a large endodontics practice with five offices throughout the Nashville area.
Center Hill Lake was his favorite place. Being on the lake with family and friends was heaven on Earth for Graham.
He was a bighearted giver and shared generously. Graham wanted others to experience the same things that brought great pleasure to his life like a weekend on his houseboat at the lake.
His intense desire to get the most out of each day was both powerful and admirable. His passion for living inspired others around him to strive to be greater and achieve more too.
More than anything else, Graham loved his kids. Whether he was hunting or at the lake, he wanted his kids to be there too.
A celebration of his life will be held on Friday, November 11th, 2016, with visitation to begin at 10am, followed by a service at 12pm at Brentwood Baptist Church, located at 7777 Concord Road.
To truly honor Graham, live your life to its fullest. He will be forever pleased if you do something unexpected, an over-the-top act of generosity for a friend, a loved one, or if you’re a parent, for your children.
Please direct any donations to the charity of Graham’s choice, the Interfaith Dental Clinic. (www.interfaithdentalclinic.com)
An online guestbook is available at AustinFuneralService.com, 615-377-0775.
Published in Tennessean from Nov. 9 to Nov. 10, 2016
James Alan Jensen
Fernvale, TN
For 56 years, Alan Jensen brought life, laughter and comfort into every room
and every relationship that he entered.
He was funny. He was strong. And, he was competitive. He had a rancher’s hands and a servant’s heart. In short, he was someone you could count on, even when it was inconvenient. To the hundreds of lives he touched, Alan was a model of common sense wisdom and uncommon commitment to his faith, his family, and his many friends.
Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, Alan was introduced to Middle Tennessee
via the childhood summers he spent working on his grandfather’s farm in Fernvale.
He loved riding and working the land — and after graduating from North Georgia College, he moved to Nashville, where he met and married Kim Kibble while they both attended Belmont Church.
In 1986, Alan founded HomeLift, a pioneer in elevator and accessibility solutions. During his 30-year tenure as President, HomeLift expanded to four states and helped to create a national brand of accessibility products called, Symmetry Solutions.
In addition, Alan was a tireless devotee to numerous local and national boards, including: Adaptive Equipment Manufacturers Association; Christian Leadership Concepts; Fellowship of Christian Athletes; National Association of Elevator Contractors; Symmetry Elevating Solutions; Tucker’s House; and YoungLife of Nashville.
Even more notably, Alan and Kim built their beloved Triple Creek Ranch in
Fernvale into a trail riding and training facility that has been shared for decades with local Boy Scouts, military veterans, young people, and students from Christ Presbyterian Academy.
That’s the kind of man Alan Jensen was. He gave everything he had to everyone in his path. He was dearly loved and he will be profoundly missed.
Today, Alan is survived by his wife of 28 years, Kim, and their three devoted
children, Callie (Jacob) Krider, Cody (Caitlyn) Jensen, and Adam Jensen. His mother, Betty B. Jensen, and his sister Amy J. (Jeff) Stadler, and their four children, Andrew, Nicolas, Hannah and Joshua. He is also survived by his aunts and uncles, Bill (Melba) Blevins, Lettie Brown and Rudy Brown, and numerous beloved cousins.
Alan was preceded in death by his father, Dr. Peter Allen Jensen Jr., paternal grandparents Peter Allen and Gladys Jensen, and maternal grandparents, Jim and Pat Blevins.
With family at his side, Alan was laid to rest at 12:00 noon on Sunday, August 27 in Harpeth Hills Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, please visit www.christianleadershipconcepts.org or www.tuckershouse.org and contribute generously.
Below is a tribute to Capt Don. Do you have some special memories of him? Please get in touch with us!
Harrison Stokes Smith, 22, of Signal Mountain, Tennessee, passed away on July 15, 2017. He was born in Dallas on February 23, 1995, and moved to Signal Mountain at the age of eleven.
While in Dallas, Harrison was a member of Boy Scout Troop 82, Highland Park United Methodist Church and a member of the Children’s Chorus of Greater Dallas.
He graduated from Signal Mountain High School in 2013 where he was awarded the IB Learner Award, was a talented percussion drummer in the Signal Mountain Marching Band, varsity tennis team member, and member of Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church.
Harrison’s Texas roots lured him to Texas Christian University in the fall of 2013 where he was honored to be chosen as an Assistant to the Chancellor and also loved giving tours of the TCU campus as a member of the TCU Student Foundation. He was elected to the Standard’s Board of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, was a TCU club tennis team member, and a staunch Horned Frog sports fan.
He spent many beloved summers at Camp Rockmont for Boys in Black Mountain, North Carolina. There he was recognized for his leadership, service, and fortitude with the highest ranking given to campers and returned there to work as a counselor and instructor of many skills, including paddle boarding, becoming well known for his perfect headstand on the board.
Harrison was an intern working as a data analyst with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce in membership services. He was passionate about TCU and Fort Worth, and he planned to graduate in December with a degree in Economics.
Harrison had a gentle spirit and was kind and generous to all. He was an instant source of joy when he entered a room and had a genuine interest in everyone. He was a doting, protective, and devoted big brother and faithful friend.
He is survived by his parents, Harry Stokes Smith, Jr. and Kimberly Phillips Smith, his sister and biggest fan, Frances Ann Smith, of Signal Mountain; his grandparents, Stokes and Jane Smith of West Point, MS, Harvey and Christy Phillips of Dallas, aunt and uncle, Mike and Beth Mikeska, cousins Jack and Anna Mikeska of Dallas, uncles, Dan Phillips of Dallas, and Kurt Phillips of Van Nuys, CA.
A celebration of Harrison’s life was held at TCU on Tuesday, July 18. A memorial service will be held on July 22 at 10:00 am at Signal Mountain Presbyterian Church, 612 James Blvd, Signal Mtn, TN.
RICHARD “Ritchie” CECIL MILLER, III Richard Cecil Miller III, 41, died May 12, 2017, in Washington, DC, at George Washington Hospital. Ritchie’s Celebration of Life Service will be held June 3, 2017, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Logan Circle Park in Washington, DC 20005. Born March 6, 1976, in Columbus, Miss., Mr. Miller graduated from Immanuel High School in 1994, before continuing his education at Mississippi State University where he earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration in 1998. Mr. Miller added a Juris Doctor degree, which he received at the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2001. Degrees in hand, Ritchie moved to Baltimore, MD, where he served as a project manager for electronic evidence work at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP. In 2006 he moved to Washington, DC, and joined Deloitte as a Manager specializing in electronic evidence. Mr. Miller was a proud resident of Washington, DC, and lived in his Logan Circle row house that he lovingly christened “The Court of Logan.” Ritchie was larger than life; his spirit was kind, hilarious, brilliant, selfless, and infectious. He was an advocate for the less fortunate, a voice to those who needed to be heard and loved. He went out of his way to make “outsiders” feel like friends, and through him, we all did. Ritchie proudly wore a “coat of many colors” made up of a multitude of friends. He was the definition of Southern Gentleman, full of class and dignity, and owes much of his personal development to the time that he spent at Camp Rockmont in North Carolina, where he served as a Camp Director from 1998 to 2004. Ritchie enjoyed bridge on Sundays with his Tricks & Rubbers bridge club, all things Dolly Parton, and only the finest bourbon spirits. Although Ritchie resided in Washington, DC, Mississippi was cherished in his heart and emblazoned on his sleeve. He was the largest advocate as anyone could be of one’s home state. A fierce Mississippi State Bulldogs fan, he found himself in Starkville, Miss., often, visiting friends, attending tailgates and cheering on the Maroon & White. If not in Starkville, he was glued to every game on television, watching until the final whistle. Ritchie also had a special place in his heart for Oxford, Miss. He loved the tulips in the spring, bourbon on Faulkner’s grave, Square Books and Southern writers. Oxford didn’t have the famous cheese, the cowbells or the winning spirit of Starkville, but he loved the history and his law school. It was a place that allowed him to develop his social justice lens. Ritchie was instrumental in the creation of the LGBT Law Symposium at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Along with several others, he was able to bring legal education and services to Mississippi’s LGBT community who often felt left out when it came to equal rights. He was passionate about ensuring the legal system protected those who had no voice – foster children (as a Court Appointed Special Advocate), LGBTQ persons and many others. He was a generous person whom anyone would aspire to be like. Ritchie is greatly missed. Mr. Miller is survived by his mother, Sherry (Larry) Caves Kostka Feagans; father, Richard (Beverly) C. Miller, Jr.; sister, Jana Miller; one step-sister; three step-brothers; a host of nieces and nephews and a multitude of friends and colleagues that were his chosen family.
Memorials may be designated to The Richard C. Miller Annual Scholarship Fund at Mississippi State University utilizing the “Give Now” feature under the “Other” designation at MSUFoundation.com or by check to: The MSU Foundation, P.O. Box 6149, Mississippi State, MS 39762. Please state “Richard C. Miller Annual Scholarship Fund” on your form of payment. Memorials may also be given to Camp Rockmont’s “Camp Diversity Foundation” for the Ritchie Miller Scholarship Fund to: Camp Diversity Foundation Office, 8 White Palmer Court, Biltmore Lake, NC 28715. Please make checks out to “Camp Diversity Foundation.
Rockmont Family loses a Legend
Rockmont Campers and Staff from 1958-1960 might remember Bob Fillpot as Chief Laughing Beaver (seen above in 1961 & 2015). Bob was an outstanding counselor along with his brother Dave..aka…Chief Shure Shot. Many will remember Bob’s sons, Davin “(Texas Turtle) & Dirk (Texas Armadillo), who both attended from early 80’s to early 90’s as campers and staff. Bob remained well connected to Rockmont over the years, and even spent the last couple of months of his life at Rockmont. Bob will be missed, but his legacy will remain indefinitely! His obituary is below:
Bobby (Bob) Gene Fillpot
Bob Fillpot, 74, of Todd, North Carolina, passed away on March 11, 2017, surrounded by his family.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on March 25, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church in Childress, Texas.
Bob was born in Hollis, Oklahoma, on February 26, 1943, to Raymond “Buster” Fillpot and Lula Amo (Smith) Fillpot. He moved to Childress in 1957 and graduated from Childress High School in 1961, serving as his class president.>
He married his high school sweetheart, Donna Gail (Cole) Fillpot on November 25, 1965, in Childress.
He earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Texas Tech University in 1967 and his Master of Design Studies degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Design in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1997. Bob joined the Lloyd Morgan and Jones architecture firm in Houston and served as Senior Partner of the Lloyd Jones Fillpot and Associates architecture firm from 1983 to 1996. Bob’s remarkable achievements in architecture were honored with numerous awards and recognitions. In addition to the more than 30 years he spent as a practicing architect, Bob also served as the Dean of Architecture at the University of Oklahoma from 1998 to 2009. He also taught architectural design from 2009 to 2012.
His architectural work earned numerous design awards given by professional organizations in Texas, Louisiana and Florida recognizing his achievements in architecture, interior architecture, lighting application, and contribution to the science of understanding tall building design. He was elected a member of the prestigious American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. Bob also received a Citation of Recognition from the Texas Society of Architects and the Texas Tech Distinguished Alumnus in Architecture Award.
Bob was the Principal-in-Charge of the 50-story Chevron Building in downtown Houston, developing the building’s design that consistently has rated among Houstonians’ favorite downtown buildings since its construction in 1983. He also provided master planning and design for Allen Center, which included 2.7 million square feet of office space, a luxury hotel, retail space and parking. He also provided master planning of the Orlando (Florida) Centroplex and designed The Orlando Arena. He provided master planning for the Greenway Plaza project in Houston, which consisted of 11 office buildings, a multi-purpose arena for the City of Houston, two condominiums, a hotel restaurants and a health club. Bob served as the Principal-in-Charge of the American General Tower project, providing full services for the building, public spaces of the building, the interiors and total architectural and interior services for a health club. Bob also designed Sewell Hall at the Rice University campus in Houston. He also was the Principal-in-Charge of the Calcasieu Marine National Bank in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Bob served as President of the Saddle Tramps, a student booster organization that supports men’s athletics at Texas Tech and was President of Texas Tech’s Student Government Association. He also was active in the Texas Tech Ex-Students’ Association in Houston for many years.
Bob was loved by many for his incredible heart, compassion, wisdom, sincerity and amazing sense of humor. He loved to laugh, spend time with family and friends, and root on the Texas Tech sports teams.
He was preceded in death by his parents.>
Bob is survived by his wife, Donna of Todd, North Carolina; two sons, Davin Fillpot and wife, Camie, of Austin, and Dirk Fillpot and wife, Erika, of Manassas, Virginia; four grandchildren, Mia and Charlie of Austin, and Cole and Riley Ann of Manassas; brother, David Fillpot and wife, Judy, of Asheville, North Carolina; one niece, Elise Fillpot of Iowa City, Iowa; and two nephews, Ray Fillpot of Asheville and Chris Gustin of Fredericksburg.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to the Margie Firenza Scholarship Endowment for full-time students enrolled in the professional architecture degree program at Texas Tech University, and to provide scholarships allowing economically disadvantaged children to attend Camp Rockmont in Black Mountain, North Carolina, through the Camp Diversity Foundation, 8 White Palmer Ct., Asheville, North Carolina 28715.
Rockmont has lost a beloved member of the camp family. Paul Craft…aka..Little Chief Flying Eagle..was a camper from 1977-1981 and on staff from 1982-1986. Paul was one of a very few to have earned the honor of Rockmont “100 pt. man”. Paul will live on in the Rockmont Hall of Fame! Please see his obituary below:
Paul C. Craft, jr.
March 3, 1966 – October 23, 2014
Paul Charles Craft, Jr. March 3, 1966 – October 23, 2014 Paul Charles Craft, Jr., 48, Memphis, died Thursday, October 23, 2014, after a courageous battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Paul was graduated from Briarcrest Christian School before attending the University of Mississippi, from where he was graduated in 1988 and a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He spent his professional career in private wealth management. Most recently, he served as the Area Wealth Executive at Regions Bank. Actively involved with Second Presbyterian Church, the University Club of Memphis, the Mystic Society of the Memphi, and Chrysalis, Paul also loved to snow ski and spend almost every summer weekend at Pickwick Lake with family and friends. Anyone who knew Paul knew how much he loved to laugh and how important his family was to him. His children were the light of his life. He had a big heart, a great smile, a wonderful sense of humor, and a generous soul. A loving husband, father, son, and uncle, Paul is survived by his wife Holly Walters Craft of Memphis, Tennessee; children: Collin Craft and Katie Anne Craft of Memphis, Tennessee, and Mary Shields Craft of Oxford, Mississippi; his mother and step-father: Anne Heuer and J. Bayard Snowden, III of Memphis, Tennessee; his brothers and sister: Robert Bogardus Snowden (Mary Alice), Alexander Heuer Snowden, John Bayard Snowden, IV (Michelle), Kathryn Snowden Foster (Walter) all of Memphis, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Charles Craft, Sr. A memorial service for Paul will be held on Monday, October 27 at 12 p.m. in the sanctuary of Second Presbyterian Church, Memphis.