Obituary of CLARINE CORPENING VARNER

Clarine Corpening Varner, 87, died Sunday, April 19, 2009 at Harris Regional Hospital in Sylva. A native of Swain County, she was the daughter of the late E.H. Corpening, Sr. and Margaret Conner Corpening. Mrs. Varner's husband of 56 years, J. Robert (Bob) Varner preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by one sister, Ruth Jones. Clarine worked in the family real estate business, J. Robert Varner and Associates, for 51 years as the office manager along with her husband and was joined in the business by her two daughters and worked with them for over 25 years. Clarine was especially proud that her family established the Varner Family Scholarship which helps many Swain County students attend Western Carolina University. She is survived by two daughters, Margaret Varner of Bryson City, and Roberta Arsuffi of Whittier; three grandchildren, Nicole Baker and husband Jeffrey of Woodland Park, N.J., Mark Payne of Asheville, and Lauren Arsuffi of Bryson City; great granddaughter, Madison Baker; brother, E.H. Corpening, Jr. of Brevard; sister, Margaret Gravely of Brevard, and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at 11:00a.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Bryson City United Methodist Church of which she was a member, with the Reverend Dr. G. David Russell officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 21 at Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City. Burial will be in the Bryson City Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Bryson City United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 817, Bryson City, NC 28713 Crisp Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.