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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Sept. 21, 2016

Hazel Holcombe Greene (Nov. 5, 1928 – Sept. 19, 2016)

Greene
Greene

Hazel Holcombe Greene, 87, of Daniel Boone Drive, Boone, passed away Monday morning, Sept. 19, 2016, at her home.

Hazel was born November 5, 1928 in Madison County. She was a public school teacher. Hazel taught 1 year in Mecklenburg County and 1 year at Cove Creek Elementary School. She was also a substitute teacher at Appalachian High School. Hazel worked at Farmers Ski Shop as a buyer and a sales person. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Boone.

Hazel is survived by her husband, Cecil Greene of the home; two daughters, Terri Greene Langdon, and JoAnn Greene Phillips and husband Robert, all of Boone; two sons, David C. Greene and wife Robin, Steven P. Greene, all of Boone; seven grandchildren, Patrick Phillips, Ivy Phillips, Jack Greene, Jason Langdon, Brandon Langdon, Torie Greene, and Holly Greene; four great-grandchildren, Case Langdon, John Henry Langdon, Harrison Langdon, and Hattie Leigh Langdon, and her special nurses, Christy Brown and Hunter Boone. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephew.

She was preceded in death by one son-in-law, Robert Graham Langdon, Jr., two sisters and five brothers.

Funeral services for Hazel Holcombe Greene will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, September 21, 2016, at 2:00 o’clock, at First Baptist Church of Boone. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock.

Officiating will be The Reverend Roy Dobyns. Entombment will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to the “Rise Up” Capital Campaign, First Baptist Church of Boone, 375 West King Street, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Mrs. Tsuneko Wada Downs (April 6, 1927 – Sept. 18, 2016)

Tsuneko
Tsuneko

Tsuneko Wada Downs, 89, passed away on Sept. 18, 2016 at Guilford House in Greensboro, NC. Mrs. Downs, formerly of Boone, was married to the late J. C. Downs, who passed away in 1987.

Tsuneko was born on April 6, 1927 in Atami Japan. Tsuneko and J. C. were married in Japan, eventually settling in Boone after JC retired from the Navy. Tsuneko was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church for many years.

Tsuneko moved to Kernersville, NC in 2009 to be close to her daughter and son-in-law, as her health began to decline with Alzheimer’s.

Tsuneko is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sharon (Downs) Snow and Tim Snow of Kernersville, NC and her son and daughter-in-law, Jim Downs and Denise Downs of Floral Park, NY. She has 3 grandchildren: Chris Snow of Winston Salem, NC and Taylor Snow of Kernersville, NC and Teddy Downs of Floral Park, NY. She is also survived by one aunt, Dorothy Greene Norris of Boone and one niece, Judy Phillips of Boone and several nephews.

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 24, 2016 from 2-3:30 pm at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home in Boone, followed by a graveside service 4:00 at Cool Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Brook Greer (Oct. 12, 1934 – Sept. 18, 2016)

Greer
Greer

Brook Greer, 81, of Deep Gap, passed away Sunday afternoon, September 18, 2016, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Brook was born October 12, 1934 in Watauga County, a son of the late Walter Monroe Greer and Viola Nichols Greer.

He was the retired owner and operator of Greer Wholesale and Vending, and was a mason with Ashler Lodge #373.

Brook is survived by one son, Randy Greer and wife Carolyn of Deep Gap; one granddaughter, Amanda Presnell and husband Chris of Banner Elk; one grandson, Terry Chestnut and Christan Presnell of Conway, South Carolina; one great-grandson, Christopher Presnell of Banner Elk; two great-granddaughters, Lindsay Presnell of Banner Elk, and Caylin Chestnut of Conway, South Carolina, and one brother, Kent Greer of Wilkesboro. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by wife, Rita Norris Greer; one sister, Anna Lee Greene, and three brothers, W.M., Fayne, and Quentin Greer.

Funeral services for Brook Greer will be conducted Wednesday morning, September 21, 2016, at 11:00 o’clock, at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Homer Greene and Reverend Travis Suits. Burial, with masonic graveside rites, will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

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

The family would like to extend their gratitude to his nurse, Linda Hampton, for her wonderful care.

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

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

Anne Shuford McBryde (Nov. 8, 1913 – Sept. 18, 2016)

Anne Shuford McBryde, 102, longtime resident of Gibson, NC and Blowing Rock, NC, peacefully entered eternal life on September 18. Anne was born on November 8, 1913 in Conover, NC to Adrian Lafayette and Annie Warlick Shuford.

She was predeceased by her parents, her siblings Adrian L. Shuford Jr., Mary S. Palmer, and Betty S. Yount, and is survived by her brother, W. Henry Shuford (Nancy).

Anne made her debut in 1932, graduated from Salem College in 1934, and then taught school for 4 years.

McBryde
McBryde

It was during this time that she met and married William “Bill” McKenzie, the first of two loves of her life. They had two daughters, Anne Shuford McKenzie and Barbara McKenzie Scott. Bill tragically died of cancer in 1945, leaving Anne to raise their two young daughters. She later married Gaston McBryde in 1949, who Anne and Barbara dearly loved as their daddy. Anne and Gaston enjoyed 42 years together, before Gaston died in 1991.

She took delight in and was very proud of her family, including her two devoted daughters, Anne and Barbara (Jim); three grandchildren, Robin Harvey (Jennifer Brown), Margaret Lawrence (Jamie), and Kathy Rummage (Abe); and six great grandchildren, Elise, Michael & William Harvey, Gavin Lawrence, and Brodie & Mack Rummage. Many family members, friends and children affectionately referred to her as “Grannie Annie”.

Anne had a servant’s heart, always concerned about the needs of those around her, and how to better her community. She was a lifelong member of Laurinburg Presbyterian Church; she served as the Vice President of the Scotland County United Fund; chairman of the Scotland County chapter of the American Cancer Society; member of the board of directors for the NC Society for Crippled Children; and President of the Scotland County Memorial Hospital Auxiliary. As a loyal Democrat, the highlight of her political involvement was serving as a delegate to the 1956 national convention. She was a political pioneer, as the first female in Scotland County to run for county commissioner.

She served on the very first Board of Trustees for St. Andrews University in Laurinburg, NC. Her many years of generous support of the university was recognized when she was honored with the Algernon Sydney Sullivan award in 1986. When being presented with this award, then President of St. Andrews University A.P. Perkinson, Jr. had this to say about her: “A conversation with Anne is a conversation with a person who is interested in and concerned about everybody she meets. She wants to know not only who you are but also what noble task you currently have your heart behind . . . and do you need some help with it? If you are not engaged in some noble endeavor, rest assured you will be challenged to accept one of hers before you are through.” She was also awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities by the university in 2000.

From an early age, Anne developed a love for Blowing Rock, having summered there as a child, and continued to do so throughout the rest of her life. She found great joy in the simple pleasure of sitting on her porch and admiring the view of the Blue Ridge mountains, a view that she loved to share with her frequent visitors. Many of her friendships were fostered by a mutual love of playing bridge.

She kept her mind sharp by enjoying numerous games of bridge, Scrabble and FreeCell, well past the age of 100! She also took a keen interest in the stock market, and read the paper daily to stay abreast of local and world events. Anne’s family wishes to acknowledge Marcia Tillotson, who transcended her role as financial advisor to become a member of the family.

The family also expresses their gratitude to those who have cared so lovingly for Anne over the past several years, especially to DeeDee Taylor in Blowing Rock and to the staff at Southminster in Charlotte.

One tenet Anne lived by is her “attitude of gratitude.” She believed that you would only be blessed with more in life once you are grateful for that which you already have been given. She is remembered for her fiercely independent spirit, a quality that has served her well through many trials and tribulations over the past century.

Anne was a remarkable woman, who left an indelible impression on all those who were fortunate to know her. She truly embodied a life well lived.

A memorial service celebrating Anne’s life will be held on Saturday, September 24 at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, at 11am.

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

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

Fred Diehl (Sept. 12, 1931 – Sept. 17, 2016)

Fred Diehl, age 85, of Charter Hills Road, Beech Mountain, passed away Saturday evening, September 17, 2016, at Life Care Center of Banner Elk.

Diehl
Diehl

Fred was born September 12, 1931 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, a son of the late Palmer Venus Diehl and Marjorie Boyd Diehl. He was the retired owner of Ed Wing Pest Control.

Fred is survived by two daughters, Susan Knepka and husband Bernie of Beech Mountain, and Deborah Ann Pothmann and husband Sven of Hollywood, Florida; one son, Bradford Kiehl and wife Christine of Burns, Tennessee; one granddaughter, Melanie; five grandsons, Brandon, Devon, Aaron, Richie, and Phillip, and one brother, Dave Diehl and wife Carol of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn Heiges Diehl, and one brother, Stephen Diehl.

Memorial services of Fred Diehl will be private.

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

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is charge of the arrangements.

 

Wilma Duckworth Hicks (June 3 – Sept. 16, 2016)

 

Wilma Duckworth Hicks, age 85, of Newland passed away on September 16, 2016 at the Charles A. Cannon Memorial Hospital.

A native of Avery Co, NC, she was born June 3, 1931 a daughter of the late Gurney L. Duckworth, Sr. and the late Brazilla Braswell Duckworth.

wilma-hicks-1474119071She was a member of the Sugar Mountain Baptist Church and enjoyed canning.

Along with her parents, Wilma was preceded in death by: a son, Gary Hicks; sisters Paula Martindale, Mary Moser; brothers, Ray Duckworth, Gurney Duckworth, Jr., Wayne Duckworth.

Wilma has left to cherish her memory her husband: Lee Hicks of the home; daughters, Glenda Curran, and her husband, Jim, of Inkster, MI, Tammy Hicks of the home; son, Larry Hicks, and his wife, Madelyn, of Dearborn, MI; sister, Mildred D. Buchanan, and her husband, James, of Morganton; brother, Ted Duckworth, and his wife, Hilda, of Burlington; daughter-in-law, JoAnn Hicks of Michigan; a special “sister”, Avis Williams of Morganton; seven grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Funeral services for Wilma Duckworth Hicks will be conducted on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the Sugar Mountain Baptist Church with Rev. Rick Heinz officiating. Interment will follow in the Tanglewood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Lynn Church, Tony Duckworth, Chris Hughes, Kelvin Stines, Tyler Stines, James Buchanan, Roy Carswell, and Gurney Duckworth.

The family will receive friends from 12 noon until the service hour Monday at the church.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Sugar Mountain Baptist Church.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.

The care of Wilma and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.

Linda Gaye Renegar (Dec. 4, 1947 – Sept. 15, 2016)

 

Mrs. Linda Gaye Renegar, 68, of Shelbyville, Tenn. died Thursday, Sept. 15 at the Waters of Shelbyville.

She was a retired Hairdresser; and a member of the First Baptist Church of Shelbyville, and the Holy Communion Lutheran Church of Boone, North Carolina.

She was the daughter of the late Creed E. Taylor and Mary Kathleen Fox Tate.

She is survived by daughters, Teresa King and husband Mark of Wichita, Kansas, Stacey Smith and husband Jason of Shelbyville; brothers and sisters, Terry Taylor and David Taylor of Boone, Jodi Perry of Thomasville, Sherry Gilmer, Tommy Shook of Spartanburg, S.C., and Mark Taylor of Hudson, and five grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, September 18, 2016, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hillcrest Funeral Home with Jason Williams officiating.
The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Graveside Services and burial will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, September 21, 2016, at 1:00 o’clock, at Watauga Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Wednesday morning, from 11:00 until 12:30 P.M. at Hampton Funeral Service prior to graveside service.

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

Hillcrest Funeral Home, in Shelbyville, Tennessee, and Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service are in charge of the arrangements.

Lois Hayes (Dec. 9, 1934 – Sept. 14, 2016)

Lois Teague Hayes, 81, of Blairmont Drive in Boone, passed away on Wednesday afternoon, September 14, 2016.

Hayes
Hayes

She was born on December 9, 1934 in Watauga County, the daughter of Bynum and Bina Teague. She was married fifty-four years to her husband, Raymond Hayes, until his death in 2006.

Having a lifelong love of learning, she received her BS and MA degrees from Appalachian State University and pursued advanced studies at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, as well as at other universities around the country. During her career she taught early elementary education in Caldwell and Watauga Counties. She taught at Wingate College for several years and then became a Reading and English teacher at Sun Valley High School in Monroe while also teaching night classes at Central Piedmont Community College. Lois loved children and young people, helping them in their learning process and always encouraging them to reach their highest potential.

She and her husband both retired in 1993 and moved back to their hometown of Boone where they became active in the Mountaineer Garden Club and the Strickland Sunday School Class at First Baptist Church in Boone.

She had a great appreciation for nature and enjoyed exploring and photographing beautiful scenery, birds, and flowers. She was a tremendous lover of classical and sacred music. She and her husband shared a love of literature, poetry, and theatre. She not only enjoyed the visual arts, but also created numerous paintings and sculptures during her lifetime.

In addition to her parents and her husband, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Margaret Terkel and Kay Sisell, and a brother, Wayne Teague.

She is survived by her children, Cherry Johnson and husband Roby of Boone, Alan Hayes and wife Lynn, of Valle Crucis, Amy Singleton of Simpsonville, S.C., and Martha Thomason and husband Jason of Raleigh. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Adam Johnson of Nags Head, Lydia Coffman and husband Jerrod of Raleigh, Phillip Johnson and wife Ashleigh of Wake Forest, Micah Johnson and wife Jessi of Hickory, Matthew Johnson of Boone, Daniel Hayes of Boone, Anna Hayes of Valle Crucis, Sidney Hayes of Boone, Haley Despard and husband Derek of Greer, S.C., Christopher, Samuel, Jeremy and Ariel Singleton, all of Simpsonville, S.C., and Levi and Andrew Thomason, both of Raleigh and six great-grandchildren, Cody and Jathan Coffman of Raleigh, Conner, Parker, and Hunter Johnson of Hickory, and Austin Despard of Greer, S.C.

She is also survived by four sisters, Shirley and husband Joe Bentley of Boone, Evelyn Mast of Mt. Pleasant, S.C., Eloise Brown and husband Herb of Winston-Salem, and Clara Gizinski and husband Richard also of Winston-Salem and one brother, Jim Teague and wife Norma of Boone as well as one sister-in-law, Mary Teague of Sacramento, Ca. A large number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial services will begin with the body lying in state from 1-2 pm on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church in Boone. The funeral will follow at 2 pm, officiated by ¬Reverend Roy Dobyns. The family will receive friends immediately following the services in the church fellowship hall. A graveside service will be held at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens at 5 p.m.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lois Hayes Memorial Arts Education Fund at the Watauga County Arts Council, 377 Shadowline Drive, Boone, NC. Donations may also be made online at www.watauga-arts.org or by telephone at 828-264-1789.

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