Avery County Obituaries – Compiled March 27, 2012
Larry Eugene Townsend, D. March 18, 2012
Larry Eugene Townsend, age 63, of Banner Elk passed away on Sunday, March 18, 2012 at his residence.
He was born inWataugaCounty, January 6, 1949 a son of the late Leonard F. and Zada Harmon Townsend.
Larry was a member of the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era and was stationed in Germany.
He worked as a Technician in the Water Treatment Industry, a custodian for Banner Elk Elementary School and was a “Jack of all trades”.
Larry was a member of the Holy Communion Lutheran Church where he previously served on the Church Council.
He enjoyed fishing, camping, photography and working on old cars and vehicles. He loved life and was a kid at heart.
Along with his parents, Larry was preceded in death by his sister, Martha Ann Townsend.
Larry has left to cherish his memory his: son and daughter-in-law, Johnathan and LeAnn Townsend of Roan Mountain, TN.; sisters, Dessie Davis of Marion, NC, Alma Johnson and husband Sherill of Newland; brother, Jesse Townsend and wife Patricia of Hudson, NC; grandson, Brayden Townsend, his “little buddy”of Roan Mountain, TN. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services for Larry Eugene Townsend will be conducted on Thursday, March 22th at 2:00 p.m. at the Holy Communion Lutheran Church with Rev. David Mielke officiating. Interment will follow in the Holy Communion Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21st at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Holy Communion Lutheran Church at1525 Clarks Creek Rd. Banner Elk, NC 28604.
To view video tribute, click to http://videos.lifetributes.com/292245.
Mava Young Heaton, D. March 21, 2012
Mava Young Heaton, age 90, of Minneapolis passed away on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Roan Highlands Nursing Home in Roan Mtn., TN.
A native of Avery County, she was born March 12, 1922 a daughter of the late P.L. and Nell Burleson Young.
She was a member of Minneapolis Christian Church and enjoyed working in the church, her flower garden, collecting angels, keeping a daily journal and telling stories about her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Mava retired from Avery County Department of Social Services.
Along with her parents, Mava was preceded in death by her: husband, James E. Heaton; sisters, Ava Vance, Iva Johnson, Evanell Young; brothers, Howard Young, Dayton Young; son-in-law, Barry Spratt.
A devoted, wife, mother and Nanny, Mava has left to cherish her memory her: son, Jim H. Heaton and wife Pam of Johnson City, TN; daughter, Lucia Spratt of Marion, NC; brother, Wood Hall Young, Sr. of Minneapolis; grandchildren; Tiffany Strasser, Lori DeVault, Jamee Roberts, Leah Shomaker, Mary Ruppe, Jimmy Shomaker; great grandchildren, Levi, Jack Josie, Max, Summer, Hank, Jameson; special care givers, Sherry Rose, Jenny Jones, Kathie Stewart; many special nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Mava Young Heaton will be conducted on Saturday, March 24th at 2:00 p.m. at the Minneapolis Christian Church with Rev. Eddie Fine and Rev. Bryan Griffith officiating. Music will be under the direction of the Shoupe Family and Diane Pyatte, Pianist. Interment will follow in the Minneapolis Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the service hour.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Food Pantry 900 Spring St. Johnson City, TN. or the Minneapolis Christian Church PO Box 58 Minneapolis, NC 28652.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Heaton family.
To view video tribute, click to http://videos.lifetributes.com/292883.
Willla Dean Benfield, D. March 25, 2012
Willa Dean Benfield, age 65, of Newland passed away on Sunday March 25, 2012 at her residence.
A native of Avery County, she was born December 2, 1946 a daughter of the late Ernie and Fannie Taylor Buchanan.
Along with her parents, Willa was preceded in death by her: brothers, Richard Buchanan and Micky Buchanan.
Willa has left to cherish her memory her: daughter, Candy Yates and husband Jason of Newland; sister-in-law, Linda Buchanan of Spruce Pine; nephew, Chris Buchanan and wife Natasha of Spruce Pine; great nephews, Myles Buchanan and Chandler Buchanan both of Spruce Pine.
Funeral services for Willa Dean Benfield will be conducted on Tuesday, March 27th at 8:00 p.m. at the Midway Holiness Church with Rev. Charles Austin and Rev. Ronnie Pyatte officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the service hour. Family, pallbearers and friends are asked to meet at the funeral home on Wednesday, March 28th at 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the Church of Jesus Christ Cemetery for interment services.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at 4819 Park RoadSuite C Charlotte, NC 28209-3842 or www.kidneync.org.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Benfield family.
Listing of Avery County Funeral Homes:
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland:
296 Ash Street
P.O. Box 215
Newland, NC 28657
828-733-2121