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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled March 24, 2014

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled March 24, 2014

Pauline Ward, D. March 23, 2014

Ward
Ward

Pauline Presnell Ward, age 84, of Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, passed away Sunday morning, March 23, 2014 at her residence.

Mrs. Ward was born October 11, 1929, a daughter of the late Link Presnell and Ann Younce Presnell.  She was a homemaker and a member of Mountain Dale Baptist Church.

Mrs. Ward is survived by two sons, Sam Ward and wife Linda of Belleville, Illinois and Paul A. Ward and wife Wendy of Vilas; one daughter-in-law, Sandra Oberst and husband Alan of Vilas; three grandsons, Paul Daniel Ward of Vilas, Douglas Ward and wife Julia of Tampa, Florida and David Ward and wife Rachel of Tucson, Arizona; one granddaughter, Rachelle Bowker and husband John of Loveland, Colorado; two sisters, Louise Cornett of Boone, and Ruth Cornett and husband Clint of Vilas, and one sister-in-law, Opal Auton of Claremont, Florida.  She is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, William Sam “Dub” Ward.

Funeral services for Pauline Presnell Ward will be conducted Thursday afternoon, March 27, 2014, at 2:00 o’clock, at Mountain Dale Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Eric Cornett. Burial will follow in Mountain Dale Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice.

Online condolences may be sent to the Ward family atwww.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

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

Kenneth Walker, D. March 23, 2014

Mr. Kenneth Kimball Walker, age 90, of Blowing Rock, N.C., and long time resident of Grosse Ile, Michigan, passed away Sunday morning, March 23, 2014, at his Blowing Rock, N.C. home. Born July 29, 1923 in South Lyon, Michigan, he was the son of Wells and Pauline Dupree Walker. 
    
Mr. Walker attended Michigan State University and was a WWII veteran, having served as an aircraft carrier fighter pilot. He was retired from the concrete and trucking industries, and was an active member of the Grosse Ile Rotary Club. An avid golfer and boater, he was a life member of Grosse Ile Golf and Country Club and a member of the Grosse Ile Yacht Club. 
    
He is survived by his former wife Phoebe Nelson and their three children; Christopher Walker of Baldwin, Michigan , Geoffry Walker and wife Cinda of Atlanta, Georgia, Laurie Orgass and Tony Spencer of Blowing Rock, N.C.; four grandchildren, Melissa and Wells Walker, Drew Orgass and Lucas Orgass and wife Natasha; step grandchild, Kinsey Spencer; two great grandchildren, Robby and Avery Orgass; and a number of beloved nieces and nephews.
     
Immediate services for Mr. Kenneth Kimball Walker will be held at 4:00 p.m., March 25, 2014, at St. Mary’s of the Hills Episcopal Church. A summer memorial event is being planned and will be held on Grosse Ile, Michigan, at a time to be announced. 
    
In lieu of flowers charitable contributions may be made to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund/NICoE Satellite Mission “Make it Visible,” through the link https://makeitvisible.org/index.html
    
Online condolences may be shared with the Walker family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Teresa Stanley, D. March 22, 2014

Stanley
Stanley

Teresa Lynn Reece Stanley, age 51, of Mabel School Road, Zionville, passed away Saturday evening, March 22, 2014 in Zionville. Born February 23, 1963 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Glenn and Hazel Brown Reece. For more than 20 years, Teresa was a CNA at Glenbridge where she cared for and offered companionship to all her patients, loving them as if they were family. She was a member of Mabel Baptist Church. 

Ms. Stanley is survived by her companion of 24 years, Ricky Lawrence; son, Joshua Franklin Stanley of the home; three sisters, Ruth Childers of Morganton, Linda Osborne of Zionville, and Barbara Martin of Mountain City, TN.; a number of nieces and nephews, including Sherry Brown who showed unconditional love and care during her illness, Joan Price and Jimmy Brown, who were more like sister and brother; and special friend, Martha Shore. Preceding her in death were her parents, Glenn and Hazel Brown Reece; two brothers, Eugene and Benny Reece; and sister, Kathleen Reece Brown. 

Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, March 25, 2014, at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. David Ward and Rev. Frank Johnson. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 1 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Private graveside services will be in the Reece Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. 

The Stanley’s wish to express a special thank you to Becky, Kim, Cassandra and Virginia, of Medi Home Health and Hospice in Boone. 

The family will be at the home of Sherry Brown, l65 Old Burg Road in Zionville. 

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

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

Thomas ‘Mike’ Brown, D. March 22, 2014

Mike Brown
Mike Brown

Thomas Michael “Mike” Brown, age 52, of 149 Hensel Lane, Boone, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 22, 2014 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center.

Mr. Brown is survived by a son, Michael Brown and wife Kim, a daughter Michelle Brown, and two grandsons, Logan Brown and Hunter Hicks all of Boone, his mother, Lee Lentz Brown of Salisbury, and four brothers, Wayne Brown, Junior Brown, Ronnie Brown and Anthony Brown, all of Salisbury.  He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Norris Brown, his father Clyde Junior “June” Brown, and an infant sister, Dawn Brown.

Memorial services for Thomas Michael “Mike” Brown will be conducted Sunday, March 30, 2014, at 3:00 o’clock, at Cool Springs Baptist Church.  Officiating will be Reverend Burl Greer.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2:30 until 3:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brown Family, c/o Pastor Burl Greer, PO Box 3051, Boone, NC 28607, to assist with final expenses.

Online condolences may be sent to the Brown family atwww.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Geneva Greer, D. March 22, 2014

Greer
Greer

Geneva Sue Brown Greer, age 71, of 1617 Sutherland Road, Creston, passed away Saturday afternoon, March 22, 2014 at her home.

Mrs. Greer was born September 16, 1942, a daughter of the late Frank Brown and Madge Potter Brown.  She was a homemaker and a seamstress at Mountain City Glove Factory.

Mrs. Greer is survived by her husband, Charles Thomas “Tommy” Greer of the home, one daughter, Wanda Brown and husband Wayne, and four sons, Thomas Larry Greer, Carl Greer, Timothy Greer and wife Jan, and Mark Greer and wife Wendy, all of Creston, two sisters, Nancy Hughes and husband Bill of Mountain City and Pat Thomas and husband David of Zionville, and one brother, Barton Brown and wife Vioda of Mountain City.  She is also survived by 22 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sons, Mike and Keith Greer, two daughters, Terry Lee Greer and Sherry Lynn Greer, two grandchildren April Sue Brown and Charles Wayne Brown, one great-grandson, Payton Greer, one sister, Jean McMahan and two brothers, Jerry Brown and Jimmy Brown.
 
Funeral services for Geneva Sue Brown Greer will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, March 25, 2014 at 2:00 o’clock at Sutherland Baptist Church.  The body will lie in state, at the church from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock.  Officiating will be Revered Allen Younce, Dr. Sonny Younce, and Reverend James Henson.  Burial will follow in the Sutherland Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

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

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

James Eggers, D. March 21, 2014

Eggers
Eggers

James Hoover Eggers, age 83, of 2552 Dutch Creek Road, Banner Elk, died Friday, March 21, 2014, at his residence. 

Mr. Eggers was a son of the late Clyde James Eggers Sr. and Dollie Townsed Eggers. He was a retired truck driver for B. L. Byrd Construction and Elk River Construction Companies.

Mr. Eggers is survived by his wife, Mary Lou Eggers, of the home, two sons, Steve Eggers and girlfriend Amanda Arnette of Banner Elk and Tracy Eggers and wife Annette of Valle Crucis, two daughters, Jane Presnell and husband Dexter of Johnson City, Tennessee and Evelyn Main and husband Roy of Banner Elk, two brothers, Clyde James Eggers, Jr and wife Linda of Banner Elk and Denver Eggers and wife Faye of Marion, four granddaughters, Sherry Blackburn of Johnson City, Catherine Tester of Zionville, Dawn Presnell of Johnson City, and Brittney Forrester of Valle Crucis, two grandsons James Main of Boone and Chris Presnell of Johnson City, one great-grandson, Hunter Tester of Zionville, and five great-granddaughters, Elizabeth Tester and Rayliegh Tester of Zionville, Gina Presnell, Mariah Presnell and Natalie Presnell of Johnson City. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services for Mr. James Hoover Eggers will be conducted Monday afternoon, March 24th, 2014, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.  The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:30 until 2:00 o’ clock.  Officiating will be Reverend Gordon Noble. Burial will follow in the Matney/Liberty Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon. from 12:30 to 2:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the Eggers residence.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Medi-Home Health and  Hospice, 136 Furman Road, Suite #2, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Eggers family atwww.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

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

Walter Hicks, D. March 20, 2014

Hicks
Hicks

Walter Mack Hicks, age 85, of Boone, died Thursday, March 20, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center.

Funeral services  for Mr. Walter Mack Hicks will be conducted Saturday, March 22, at 1:00 P.M. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Gordon Noble will officiate. The body will lie in state from 11:00 until 1:00. Interment will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens, with military honors provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90.

The family will recieve friends from 11:00 until 1:00 at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Wilcox Hicks, of Boone, one daughter, Mary Hoper and husband Steve of Butler, Tennessee, two sons, Eddie Mack Hicks and wife Pat, of Wilkesboro, Rusty Frank Hicks, of Boone, one granddaughter, Terry Simmons Page and husband Stephen, of Orlando, Florida, four grandsons, William Mack Simmons and wife Allison, of Waxhaw, North Carolina, James Allen Craven, of Sandy, Oregon, Erik Clayton Hicks, of Keller, Texas and Colter Rustin Hicks, of Hudson, North Carolina, one great granddaughter, Mackenzie Page, of Orlando, Florida, two great grandsons, Vincent Page, of Orlando, Florida, and Noah Hicks, of Keller, Texas, one twin sister, Mary Wallace, of Sugar Grove, and two brothers, Reverand Gene Smith and wife Juanita, of Boone, and Glenn Hicks and wife Judy, of Lenoir, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by three sons, Dusty, Jerry and James Hicks, one daughter, Virginia Hicks, his father and mother, Walter and Jennie Hicks, and two brothers, Shorty Smith, and Frank Hicks.

Online condolences may be sent to the Hicks family atwww.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral And Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangemnts.

Mary Jane Blair, D. March 18, 2014

Blair
Blair

Mary Jane Blair, beloved wife of Brad Blair passed away peacefully March 18, 2014 in Bluffton, SC.

She was predeceased in death by her parents, Clarence and Willa Spragg; her husband of 68 years, Brad; sister, Helen; and brother, Robert. She is survived by her daughter, Tanya Blair Deblitz (Karl) of Bluffton, SC and son, W. Bradley Blair, II (Marianne) of Johns Island, SC; seven grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; four nephews and one niece.

She graduated from Fairmont West High School in Fairmont, WV where she was affectionally known by her classmates and fellow cheerleaders as “Twiggy”.  She furthered her education with a degree from Bowling Green College of Commerce.

After living in many memorable locations during their employment years, including Fairmont, WV, Arlington, VA, Mt. Prospect, IL, Lloyd Harbor, NY, Winston Salem, NC and New Canaan, CT, Mary Jane and Brad fulfilled a lifelong dream of twenty years of summers spent in the NC mountains (Hound Ears Club) and winters in Florida (Punta Gorda Isles) where they created great memories with lifelong friends pursuing their love of golf and boating. 

Mary Jane’s many passions extended to the dance floor where she will be fondly remembered not only for her beauty and grace but equally for her smile and sparkling blue eyes.  She had numerous talents and interests, among them; she was a gifted seamstress, had a knack for entertaining whether it be a pot luck dinner, bar-b-que or a lavish sit down dinner.  She also enjoyed couples bridge and camping and sailing with her family.  Most important, Mary Jane was a loving mother, wife, grandmother and great grandmother and her family is truly blessed by her unwavering love for them.

All who knew you and love you will miss you dearly, Your loving family.

A private memorial service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2014 at 10:00 at Sauls Funeral Home in Bluffton, SC.

Memorials in Mary Jane’s honor may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America at alzfn.org or to the local hospice chapter, Tidewater Hospice Foundation, 10 Buckingham Plantation Drive, Suite A, Bluffton, SC 29910.  843-757-9388.