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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Feb. 12, 2014

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Feb. 12, 2014

McKinnnley Odell Stevens, D. Feb. 10, 2014

McKinley Odell Stevens
McKinley Odell Stevens

Mr. McKinnley Odell Stevens, age 87, of Boone, passed away Monday, February 10th at Watauga Medical Center.

Born June 28, 1926, in Watauga County, to Millard and Biddie Lewis Stevens, Odell was a member of the Christian Biblical Church of God and a long time truck driver – carefully delivering glass and mirrors for a number of years.

Surviving are his wife, Gladys Maine Stevens, of the home in Boone; daughter Judy Lookabill & husband George; granddaughters Sherry Williams and husband Brian and Carrie Lookabill all of Johnson City, TN; grandson Dale Lookabill and wife Denise of Baltimore, MD; brother Charles Stevens and wife Lorraine of Todd, NC; sister Edna Mae Kirby of Lenoir, NC; five great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Millard and Biddie Lewis Stevens.

Funeral services for McKinnley Odell Stevens will be conducted Friday, February 14, 2014, at 11:00 AM at Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel officiated by Garrett Williams.

Burial will follow at Hopewell Community Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Austin & Barnes from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM prior to services.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hopewell Community Church Cemetery in care of Betty Davis, 4061 Highway 194 North, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Stevens family.

Jerry Jones, D. Feb. 10, 2014

Mr. Jerry Dean Jones, age 53, of Isaacs Drive, Vilas, passed away Monday at Watauga Medical Center.

He is survived by one daughter, Emily Jones of Vilas, his father, Clifford Jones of Boone, one brother, Randall Jones of Boone, three step children, Melanie Canter Porter and husband Bobby of Trade, Joshua T. Canter and Kristin S. Canter both of Vilas, and 8 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his mother, Martha Isaacs Jones, and his maternal grandparents, Jay and Mary Alice Isaacs. 

Funeral services for Mr. Jerry Dean Jones will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Vanderpool Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Thomas Brown. Burial will follow in the Vanderpool Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 until 2 o’clock at Vanderpool Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Jones family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared with the Jones family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Jones family. 

Bertha Eggers Cornett, D. Feb. 9, 2014

Bertha Eggers Cornett
Bertha Eggers Cornett

Bertha Eggers Cornett, age 92, of 111 Echo Drive, Elizabethton, Tennessee, a former resident of the Mountain Dale Community of Vilas, passed away Sunday morning, February 9, 2014, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton.

Mrs. Cornett was born November 11, 1921 in Carter County, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Ross and Nettie Phillips Eggers. She was a retired meat cutter of the Farmer Jacks Grocery Store in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Mrs. Cornett is survived by a daughter, Lana Dugger of Elizabethton, Tennessee; two sons, Jack A. Cornett and wife Dorothy of Naples, Florida, and Robert Cornett and wife Elaine, of Oxford, Michigan, Two sister, Mary Jane Phillips and husband J.C. of Salt Springs, Florida, Ella Rossie Skidmore, of Cranks, Kentucky, one brother, Paul Eggers and wife Cindy of Wisconsin. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Shannon Dempsey, Carrie Ann Cornett, Spencer Cornett, Shane Cornett, Brian Dugger, David Cornett and Tony Cornett, 11 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Ray Cornett, one daughter, Mary Ann Cornett, one son, Roger Cornett, one brother, Edgar Bill Eggers, four sisters, Lola Dishman, Zell Johnson, Jean Hodges and Kate Kellerman.

A memorial service for Bertha Eggers Cornett will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent to the Cornett family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jack Hughes, D. Feb. 9, 2014

Elmer Jack Hughes
Elmer Jack Hughes

E. Jack Hughes, age 80, of Rominger Road, Banner Elk,and formerly of Hickory Nut Gap, Newland, passed away Sunday morning, February 9th, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center.

Born July 19, 1933 in Avery County, he was a son of David Jacob Hughes, Sr. and Viola Johnson Hughes. Jack was a deacon and past member of the choir at the First Baptist Church in Newland.

He retired as Emergency Management Co-coordinator for North Carolina, serving 18 counties. Mr. Hughes was awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine by Governor Jim Hunt for his state service. Always active in community affairs, he served as chairman of the Avery County Republican Party and retired from the Newland Fire Department.

He was a Shriner and a member of the Linville Masonic Lodge #489, a member of Mountain Glen Golf Club, and a life member of the Elk River Fishing Club. Mr. Hughes served his country as a veteran of the US Army. 

Survivors include his wife, Lois Eller Hughes; daughter, Deedee Hughes Rominger and husband, Gary, of Banner Elk; granddaughter, Jessica Leigh Hughes of Belews Creek; two grandsons, William Garth Rominger of Banner Elk and Matthew Tyler Bissell of Kitty Hawk; and great-granddaughter, Alyssa Jayla Hughes of Belews Creek; five sisters, Louise Buchanan of Newland, Mary Helen Henley and husband Pete, of Asheville, Sandra Kay Phillips and husband, Clinton, and Betty R. Robbins and husband, Doran, all of Newland, and Lynda Hodges and husband, Pat, of Banner Elk; and two brothers, David Jacob Hughes, Jr. and wife, Norma Ann, of Inca, and Johnny Wayne Hughes and wife, Jackie, of Newland. 

Numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, and great-great nieces and great-great nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by a son, Jackie Dean Hughes; his parents; and twin brothers. 

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, February 12, 2014, at 11 AM at the First Baptist Church in Newland, officiated by Dr. Bill Jones and Rev. Kenneth Lance. Burial will follow in the Whitaker Branch Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5:30 until 7:30 at the First Baptist Church in Newland. 

The family suggests memorials to D.A.R.T of Avery County, PO Box 1612, Newland, NC 28657.

 Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hughes family.

Susan Rasnick, D. Feb. 6, 2014

Miss Susan Margaret Rasnick, age 59, of Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, NC, died Thursday, February 6, 2014.

She is survived by her mother, Mabel Missey Roberts Rasnick of Boone; sister, Lynn R. Hubbard of Blowing Rock; Brother, Rick Rasnick and wife Becky of Conway, Arkansas; nephews Jason and Brian Hubbard of Boone and Stuart and Justin Rasnick of Conway Arkansas.

Local services for Susan Margaret Rasnick are scheduled for 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 23, 2014 at Glenbridge.

Services are also planned for Arkansas at a date and time yet to be determined.

Maj. Kemper Watson, D. Feb. 5, 2014

Kemper Watson
Kemper Watson

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Kemper Reed Watson, age 79, of Thompson Street, Hendersonville, NC and a former resident of Boone, died Wednesday afternoon, February 5, 2014 in Hendersonville.

Born October 16, 1934 in Vinita, Oklahoma, he was a son of the late Ivan Samuel and Lena Belle Coleman Watson and a lifelong Oklahoma Sooner fan. Kemper received two Purple Hearts during his two tours in Vietnam, and retired after 26 years of service to his country as the Command Sergeant Major with the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg, where he became a UNC Tarheel and Carolina Panthers fan.

Never one to rest, Kemper joined the postal service, and he and Roberta moved to Boone where he became known as a mail carrier with a personable approach in the downtown area.

He is survived by his wife of 59 ½ years, Roberta Smith Watson, his children; Kem White and husband Joe of Watertown, New York, Robert Watson and wife Joann of Norman, Oklahoma, Kathy Norris and husband Kevin of Asheville and Kecia Morris of Hickory, eight grandchildren; Aaron White, Evan White, Kelsey Hobbs, Kellen Watson, Quentin Norris, Brandon Norris, Hannah Pletcher and Christian Morris, and three great grandchildren.

Leaving the postal service after 15 years, he and Roberta stayed active delivering “Meals on Wheels” and helping to re-build homes for hurricane victims. Taking their grandchildren camping and visiting the sights from California to Florida, Kemper and Roberta stayed active until his recent diagnosis with ALS.

Graveside services with military honors will be conducted Monday, February 10, 2014 at 10 am at the North Carolina Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain North Carolina. 

A “Celebration of Life for Kemper Reed Watson” will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone, NC. Officiating will be Rev. Don Price.

The family will receive friends following the service at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Four Seasons Hospice, 571 South Allen Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731. Online condolences may be shared with the Watson family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Watson family. 

Elizabeth Davis, D. Feb. 5, 2014

Elizabeth Davis
Elizabeth Davis

Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips Davis, age 94, of Beaver Dam Road, Vilas, passed away Wednesday morning, February 5, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center.

Born December 13, 1919 in Watauga County she was a daughter of the late Steve and Mary Waters Phillips. Mrs. Davis was a long time member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and also worked at ASU and Dixie Cleaners. Elizabeth enjoyed working outside in her yard and flower gardens. 

She is survived by two sons, Larry Davis and wife Olevia, and Ralph Davis and wife Nancy all of Vilas, two granddaughters; Jan Scott and husband David of Vilas and LeAnne Reese and husband Jeff of Purlear, and one great grandson; Jacob Reese of Purlear. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Hugh H. Davis, six children; Joe Lee and Carl Vester Davis, Martha Jean Davis, Mary Ellen Davis, and Lane and Blaine Davis, two grandsons, Mark and Jamie Pennell, four sisters, Nettie Eggers, Imie Brown, Dorothy Braswell, and Maude Lancaster and four brothers; Claude, Clyde, Roy and Oss Phillips.

Funeral services for Mrs. Elizabeth Phillips Davis will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Michael Greene and Rev. Eugene Braswell. Burial will follow in the Upper Beaver Dam Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Beaver Dam Cemetery Fund, in care of David Scott, 3476 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, NC 28692. 

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 o’clock until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times friends may call at the residence of Ralph and Nancy Davis, 3435 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, NC.
    

 

Earnest Martin, D. Feb. 5, 2014

Earnest Eugene “Gene” Martin, age 73, of Abingdon, Virginia died Wednesday, February 5, 2014, at his home in Abingdon.

Mr. Martin is survived by his wife, Nina Mae Smith Martin, of the home, four daughters, Marlene Reedy and husband Dale, Samantha Evans and husband Paul, both of Abingdon, Virginia, Kimberly Wise and Tracy of Bristol, Virginia, and Kaylee Wise, “granddaughter” of Bristol, Virginia, two brothers, Johnny Martin and wife Mattie, of Castlewood, Virginia and Jerry Martin, of Hazel Mountain, Virginia, and 6 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Allan Martin and Bonnie Southerland Martin, one son, Anthony Eugene Martin, one sister, Shelby Neece, and three brothers, Jimmy, Carlos, and Ray Martin.

A memorial Service for Mr. Earnest Eugene Martin will be held at a later date.

Online condolences may be sent to the Martin family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service of Boone is in charge of the arrangements.