Except during his education and the time he served in the Navy during World War II, J. Aaron Prevost lived his entire life in his beloved mountains, specifically in Haywood County. A successful businessman, Prevost worked in manufacturing before going on to become president of what is now Wachovia, formerly First Union Bank of Waynesville. He served on the board of directors of First Union in Charlotte and was the longest serving member on the board of governors of the University of North Carolina system. In addition, he was the principal owner of the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway and a director of the Wellco Corporation.
Prevost approached The Community Foundation in 1994 and created The Fund for Haywood County, an endowment dedicated to serving local charitable needs. He remarked at the time, “Ours is a good, solid progressive county, and we need an endowment that can help with all our charitable causes, from the smallest nonprofit organization to the largest. The Fund for Haywood County is for all our people, and anyone can give to it.” The Fund became one of The Community Foundation’s affiliates, and Aaron served on its board of directors for the remainder of his life.
At his death in June 2001, assets from Prevost’s charitable remainder trust created the J. Aaron and Adora H. Prevost Endowment, which will forever benefit Haywood County in his name and that of his first wife, who died in 1995. Grant recommendations on behalf of this endowment will be made by The Fund for Haywood County’s board of directors, and each year, as grants are distributed to address the county’s changing needs, Prevost’s legacy of caring will live on.
Prevost spent many hours volunteering for Meals on Wheels. This photograph was taken in 1994 while he was on a delivery route.