Zan Keith Fisher, 81, of Ellenboro, NC, passed away peacefully in his sleep on November 29, 2025. Zan, the son of George W. Fisher and Maggie Mostiler Fisher, grew up in the Caroleen Community and was a member of Missionary Methodist Church.  He was a 1962 graduate of Chase High School and attended Brevard College. 

He began his career at Cone Mills Cliffside Plant as personnel manager.  In 1974 he joined Carter Chevrolet as Used Car Manager and in 1977 he moved closer to home to Bill Turner Chevrolet as Sales Manager where he remained until the mid-1980s. He then transitioned to the banking industry where he began his work as an Independent Financial Advisor from which he retired just this past June.  He was a true salesman at heart, never met a stranger, and never forgot your name.

Zan lived many years in South Carolina with his beloved late wife, Louise Wood Fisher. Zan and Louise were very active members of Trinity United Methodist Church where they sang in the choir and worked with Meals on Wheels making meal deliveries.  In 2022, after having some health struggles, Zan returned to Rutherford County where he joined Florence Baptist Church and immediately became a fixture at Smith’s Drug Store where could be seen several mornings a week eating breakfast and fellowshipping with his “breakfast buddies”.  He loved eating out with friends, sitting on his front porch greeting neighbors, and tinkering with the latest gadgets.  And although he had many health issues in recent years, he never lost his love for life or his positive attitude.

In addition to his wife, Zan is preceded in death by his son, Allen Fisher.

Surviving Zan are his daughter, Kelli Fisher Wilson and husband Aaron of Forest City; daughter in law Tonya Fisher of Mooresboro; and granddaughters Jordan Wilson Hubbard and husband Justin of Ellenboro, and Maggie Wilson of Forest City; along with many special cousins and dear friends.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, at 1pm at Florence Baptist Church, Forest City.   The family will receive friends following the service.  The service will be also be live streamed for his out of town family and friends via the Florence Baptist Church Facebook page at facebook.com/FlorenceForestCity.  He will lie in state from 9:30 until 11:30 on Wednesday morning at The Padgett and King Mortuary for anyone wishing to pay their respects. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607 (samaritanspurse.org) or to Florence Baptist Church, 201 S. Broadway, Forest City, NC 28043 (florencechurch.net/give). 

The Padgett & King Mortuary & Crematory  is in charge of the arrangements, and an online guest registry is available at www.padgettking.com