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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 16, 2014

Florence Hughes Greene (March 16, 1917 – Dec. 15, 2014) 

Greene
Greene

Mrs. Florence Hughes Greene, 97, of Wey Street, Boone, passed away Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation in Boone.

Mrs. Greene was born March 16, 1917, in Avery County, a daughter of the late Charles Hughes and Nelle Hall Hughes. She was retired school teacher, having taught for many years at Green Valley Elementary in Watauga County. She was a member of Newland Presbyterian Church.

Mrs. Greene is survived by one niece, Kay Sudderth and husband Rusty of Kernersville; two great-nephews, Chip Sudderth and wife Shannon of Durham, and Chuck Sudderth of San Jose, Cal., and one great great-nephew, Will Sudderth of Durham.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Lee Greene; and one sister, Mabel Hughes Collins.

Funeral services for Mrs. Florence Hughes Greene will be conducted Friday morning, Dec. 19, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 10 to 11 a.m. Officiating will be Reverend Paul Woodall. Burial will follow in the Hughes Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday morning, from 10 to 11 a.m., at the Funeral Home, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made to the Hughes Cemetery Fund, in care of Lib Greene, 124 Maple Street, Newland, NC, 28657.

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

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

Evelyn B. Wanzer (Feb. 17, 1920 – Dec. 14, 2014) 

Wanzer
Wanzer

Mrs. Evelyn B. Wanzer, 94, of Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living Center, Boone, passed away Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center.

Mrs. Wanzer is survived by her daughter Ruth Pittard of Davidson; her son, Chuck Wanzer and wife Sue of Blowing Rock; one grandson, James Pittard and wife Sandup of Charlottesville, Virginia; one granddaughter, Marian Goecker and husband Rob of Bradenton, Florida; two great-grandsons, Robby Goecker of Bradenton, and Kunchok Pittard of Charlottesville, and two great-granddaughters, Abby Goecker of Bradenton, and Tsepel Pittard of Charlottesville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Robert Wanzer; her father and mother, Edgar and Pinkey Forney Bolick, and two sisters, Forney Zammiello, and Marian Mebane.

Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Evelyn B. Wanzer are incomplete at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Abernathy Laurels Retirement Community, for the new health care facility, 102 Leonard Avenue, Newton, North Carolina, 28658.

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

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

Reba Glenn Moretz (March 31, 1933 – Dec. 12, 2014) 

Moretz
Moretz

Reba Glenn Moretz, 81, of Wade Moretz Road, Deep Gap, passed away Friday, Dec. 12, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center.

Born March 31, 1933, in Watauga County, she was a daughter of George and Texie Greene Glenn. Reba was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. She was a mother who loved and cherished her family, and provided for them by planting, harvesting, and canning the annual vegetable gardens. In her spare time, she enjoyed crocheting and raising and caring for her flowers.

Mrs. Moretz is survived six children, Wanda Moretz, Joyce Coppley and Freddie Moretz and wife, Tammy, all of Lexington, Teresa Grubb and husband, Stanley, of Deep Gap, and Ronnie Moretz and wife, Rebecca, of Thomasville, and Linda Hampton of Todd, twelve grandchildren, Barrett Crook, Scottie Coppley, Christy Clonch and husband, Marty, Amanda Metgzer and husband, George, Amy Hawks, Trevor Hampton, Jennifer Warren and husband, Jim, Christopher Grubb and wife, Katie, Brian Moretz and wife, Julie, Matthew Moretz and wife, Faith, Hailee Moretz and Isaac Moretz; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Bill Glenn and wife Wilma, and Wallace Glenn and wife, Roseann, all of Lexington; one sister, Barbara Humphries of Lexington; sister-in-law, Mary Moretz of Deep Gap; and brother-in-law, Earl Moretz and wife, Ruby, of Boone.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frederick Luther Moretz, Sr.; sister, Mable Glenn Moretz; two brothers, Harold Glenn and George Junior Glenn, Jr.; son-in-law, Robert Coppley; brother-in-law, Wade Moretz; and sister-in-law, Lucille Moretz.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2014, at 3 p.m., at Bethany Lutheran Church, officiated by Pastor Laura Weant and Rev. John Bollinger. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2 to 3 p.m., one hour prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow in Mount Pleasant Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Watauga Project on Aging, 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Suite A., Boone. NC 28607; to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645; or to Bethany Lutheran Church, 1030 Big Hill Road, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Moretz family.

Richard “Rick” Ramsey (Sept. 28, 1957 – Dec. 10, 2014) 

Ramsey
Ramsey

Richard “Rick” Ramsey, 57, of Banner Creek Road, Banner Elk, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 10, 2014, following an extended illness.

Rick was born Sep. 28, 1957 in Avery County, a son of Sidney Fred Ramsey and Mildred Townsend Ramsey. Prior to his illness, he was a truck driver. He was a member of the Seventh Day Adventists Church of Banner Elk.

Rick is survived by his wife of thirty-one years, Jeannine McGee Ramsey of the home; one son, Lucas Ramsey and wife Miranda of Zionville; one daughter, Amanda Ramsey of Banner Elk; one brother, Steve Ramsey and wife Jan of Banner Elk; three sisters, Sue Willis and husband Odell of Hampton, Tennessee, Glinda Yates of Banner Elk and Brenda Ollis and husband Bo of Elk Park; his parents, Sidney Fred and Mildred Ramsey of Banner Elk; one granddaughter, Jaden Ramsey and one grandson, Caleb Ramsey, both of Zionville. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and countless other friends and family.

He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Eve Esther Ramsey and a brother-in-law, Steve Yates.

Funeral services for Richard “Rick” Ramsey will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Dec. 13, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Banner Elk Seventh Day Adventist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Edwin McKinney. Burial will follow in the Townsend Family Cemetery in Banner Elk.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Ramsey family, in care of Susan Norris, 145 Hopewell Church Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Wanda Shook Hardy (Dec. 8, 1953 – Dec. 10, 2014) 

Hardy
Hardy

Wanda Shook Hardy, 61, of 10221 Highway 105 South, Banner Elk, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 10, 2104, at Watauga Medical Center.

Wanda was born Dec. 8, 1953 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Randall Russell Shook and Geneva Fox Shook. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist Faith.

Wanda is survived by her husband, Michael Hardy of the home; two sons, Daniel Shook of Johnson City, Tenn. and Vergil Lee Hardy of Banner Elk; one daughter, Mitzi Hardy of Boone; one granddaughter, Michaela Brooke Church of Boone; three sisters, Freda Greene and husband Jim of Blowing Rock, Retha Ann Adams of Lenoir, and Anna Lou Shook of Banner Elk. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Randall Russell Shook and Geneva Fox Shook; one sister, Martha Jane Yates, and three brothers, Iris, Raymond, and Bob Shook.

Funeral services for Wanda Shook Hardy will be conducted Saturday morning, Dec. 13, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 10 to 11 a.m. Officiating will be Reverend Arvill Hardy. Burial will follow in Watauga Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service.

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

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

Kenneth H. Poe (March 02, 1928 – Dec. 9, 2014) 

Poe
Poe

Kenneth H. Poe, 86, of Appalachian Drive, Boone, passed away Tuesday evening, Dec. 9, 2014, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Mr. Poe is survived by his wife, Herlinda Estrella Poe; sons, Conrad Poe and wife, Jody, of Boone, and Montgomery and Gary Poe, both of San Diego, Cal..; daughter, Sharon Bohen and husband, Tom, of San Diego, Cal.; five grandchildren, Joshua Poe and wife, Vanessa, Christopher, Travis, Tyler and Andrew Poe; four great-grandchildren, Rylee, Bronson, Easton and Hayes Poe; three half-sisters, Betty Williams of Buna, Tex., Joy Parks and husband, Dwayne, of Seelby, Tex. and Hazel Burge and husband, Buddy, of Lumberton, Tex.

Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday morning, Dec. 16th, at 11 a.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, officiated by Father Dave Brzoska and Rev. Reggie Hunt. The family will receive friends Tuesday morning from 10 to 11 a.m., prior to services, at the church.

Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post 130 will follow services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Poe family.

Conard R. Ward (May 31, 1933 – Dec. 8, 2014) 

Ward
Ward

Conard R. Ward, 81, of Flat Springs Road, Elk Park, passed away Monday morning, Dec. 8, 2014, at his home.

Mr. Ward was born May 31, 1933 in Watauga County, a son of the late Charlie Lee Ward and Kizzy Presnell Ward. He was a retired carpenter and a deacon and member of Faith Baptist Mission.

Mr. Ward is survived by his wife, Berlyn Turbyfill Ward of the home; three daughters, Leta Trivette and husband Sammy, Patsy Potter and husband Randy, and April Ward and husband Shawn, all of Elk Park; five sons, Donley Ward of Elk Park, Arville Ward of Mountain City, Tenn., Randell Ward and wife Libby, and Larry Ward and wife Donna, all of Boone, and Jamie Ward and wife Heather of Deep Gap; two sisters, Berlie Ward of Elk Park, and Rosie Hicks and husband Julius of Banner Elk, and three brothers, Aris Ward and wife Grace of Elizabethton, Tenn., Lonnie Ward of Sugar Grove, and Earl Ward and wife Pansy of Hudson. He is also survived by eighteen grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his one brother, Arnold Ward.

Funeral services for Conard R. Ward will be conducted Thursday afternoon, December 11, 2014, at 2:00 o’clock, at Faith Baptist Mission. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 12:30 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Richard Trivette, Pastor Daniel Lawrence, and Reverend Jerry McCurry. Graveside services and burial will follow in Mount Gilead Cemetery officiated by Preacher David Ward and Preacher Doug Rasnick.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the church, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the residence, 5199 Flat Springs Road, Elk Park.

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

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

J.B. Norris (Jan. 11, 1941 – Dec. 8, 2014) 

J.B. Norris, 73, of Old McKinney Road, York, S.C., a native and former resident of Watauga County, passed away Monday afternoon, Dec. 8, 2014, at his home.

J.B. was born Jan. 11, 1941 in Watauga County, a son of the late Bynum and Sarah Ragan Norris. He was a retired steel rigger for Duke Power Company.

J.B. is survived by three sons, Stephen C. Norris and wife Rayann, Brian K. Norris and wife Meg, and Wesley C. Norris and wife Kasey, all of York, S.C.; one daughter, C. Dawn Burrell and husband Bo of Westminster, S.C.; two brothers, Ronda Norris of Mentor, Ohio and Frank Norris of Lenoir; four sisters, Bertha Struzak of Ohio, Millie Vogel of Oklahoma, Patsy Pennell and husband George of Boone, and Betty Leger of Canada; four grandsons, Zachery Norris and wife Tessa, Nick Norris and wife Chelsea, and Dillon Norris, all of York, S.C., and Tyler Watson of Westminster, S.C.; six granddaughters, Jennifer Moore and husband Jackie of Gastonia, Sierra Norris of York, S.C., Chelsea Watson and Brianna Burrell, both of Westminster, S.C., Susannah Nivens of Clover, S.C., and Kansas Norris of York; one great-grandson, Caden Norris of Clover, and two great-granddaughters, Bristol Norris and Brooklyn Norris, both of Clover. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Maranda Shores Norris; two brothers, Henry and Lon Norris, and three sisters, Verna Phillips, Reda Holloman, and Grace Barnes.

Funeral services for J.B. Norris will be conducted Thursday afternoon, Dec. 11, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Brother George Pugh. Burial will follow in Hopewell Community Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Interim Hospice of York, South Carolina, 154 Amendment Avenue, Suite 106, Rock Hill, South Carolina, 29732, or to the family, in care of Stephen C. Norris, PO Box 353, Clover, South Carolina, 29710.

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

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

Beverly K. Morgan (July 29, 1931 – Dec. 8, 2014) 

Mrs. Beverly K. Morgan, 83 of Goshen Creek Lane, Boone, passed away Monday, Dec. 8, 2014. Beverly grew up in Washington, Ind. and taught school for many years in Florida.

She is survived by her husband, Virgil Morgan; two sons, Thomas P. Morgan and wife Nancy J. of Mint Hill, and John L Morgan and wife Karen of Pembroke Pines, Fla. One granddaughter, two grandsons and one great-granddaughter also survive.

Funeral services for Mrs. Beverly K. Morgan will be conducted Thursday, Dec. 11 at 2 p.m. in the Friendship United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Friendship United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared with the Morgan family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory, Boone, is serving the Morgan family.

Dana R. Matheson (Jan. 19, 1928 – Dec. 6, 2014) 

Matheson
Matheson

Dana Ross Matheson, 86, of Sunnybrook Lane, Sugar Grove, passed away Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, at his home.

Born Jan. 19, 1928 in Watauga County, he was a son of Ross Lee and Rosa Cook Matheson. Dana was the most fun loving man who enjoyed family, home and farming. He was the greatest Husband, Dad, Grand-Daddy and Great Grand-Daddy. Mr. Matheson was a long time member of Antioch Baptist Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Force and was the last man from Watauga County to be drafted into WWII.

Mr. Matheson is survived by his wife, Ruby Watson Matheson; two sons, Keith Matheson and wife, Judy, of Sugar Grove, and Brad Matheson and wife, Revonda, of Mouth of Wilson, Va.; two daughters, Denise Rominger and husband, Keith, of Banner Elk, and Connie Trivette and husband, Bennie, of Banner Elk; grandsons, Chad Rominger, Brian Rominger and wife, Chasity, Jacob Matheson and wife, Taylor, Isaac Matheson and wife, Amanda, Mark Trivette and wife, Amanda, and Bryer Matheson; granddaughters, April Robbins and husband, Worley, Sonya Hammons and husband, Alan, and Paige Matheson; and great-grandchildren, Austin, Oren, Eli, Luke, Evie, Emma, Cora, Cydney, Ethan, and Joshua; and four sisters, Juanita Smith of Boone, Lena Glenn of Sugar Grove, Betty Jo Cable of Sugar Grove, and Shelby Cannon and husband, Herman, of Vilas. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his Antioch Baptist Church family also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Rayner, Ed, Carter, Len and infant brother, Dale Matheson.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 9, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Daniel Lawrence and Rev. Ray Greene. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. Burial with Military Honors provided by the American Legion Post #130, will follow at the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Bennie Trivette, 211 Honey Dew Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Online condolences may be shared with the Matheson family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Matheson family.

Anne C. Y. Baughman (Sept. 20, 1922 – Dec. 6, 2014) 

Anne Merle Costner Young Baughman (known to many simply as “Aunt Anne”) died peacefully early Saturday morning, Dec. 6, 2014, in Watauga County, at the age of 92.

She was born on Sept. 20, 1922 in Casar of Cleveland County to John Caleb Costner and Fannie Hester Pruett Costner.

Annie Merle Costner graduated from Gardner-Webb College with a degree in business in 1942. She worked during WWII as a relief manager across a multi-county area for Western Union. The job was based out of Marion NC, where she joined the Marion Baptist Church. She married Hyzer Lowery “Red” Young Jr. in 1952 and worked at the Old Fort Finishing Plant where she learned to program and run one of the five largest IBM computers of that time.

Following a move to Black Mountain, Anne became an avid golfer and won the Black Mountain Golf tournament several times. She finished her career with ten years at PPG and a home in Shelby. In 1998 she moved to Boone to be closer to family. Over her many years she enjoyed cruises and travel with family and friends, and had a special affinity towards fishing, CB-radio, needlework, gardening, canning and cooking.

Anne Costner Baughman was preceded in death by her parents, her spouses, and by her sister, Minnie Faye Costner Stacy of Boone, whose children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren all lovingly referred to her as “Aunt Anne.” She is survived by a nephew, John Neely Stacy, and Kay Stacy of Boone, and three nieces: Martha Stacy Carper & Senator Tom Carper of Wilmington, Del.; Dr. Nancy Stacy Shepherd and Francis Shepherd of Cary; and Rebecca Stacy Powell and Dr. Hugh Powell of Holly Springs. Aunt Anne was proud to be part of a large extended family, which also included 59 first cousins and many great nieces and nephews.

A graveside service and fellowship for Anne Costner Baughman will be held at noon on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2014 at the Pisgah Baptist Church, 6101 Ward Gap Road, Casar NC (28020)

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 131 Big Valley Road, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the family at the website of www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Baughman family.

Mr. Fred Greene (Nov. 15, 1937 – Dec. 5, 2014) 

Greene
Greene

Mr. William Fred Greene, 77, of Lenoir and Supply, passed away Friday, Dec. 5, 2014, at New Hanover Medical Center. Born Nov. 15, 1937 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Arvil and Chessie Watson Greene. Mr. Greene was of the Baptist faith and was the owner and operator of Greene’s Trading Post for many years. Fred visited a number of nursing and retirement homes in Caldwell and Watauga County throughout the years. He never met a stranger, and always tried to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ wherever he traveled.

He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth Naomi Kirby Greene, one daughter, Debra Jane Gragg and husband Gary, three sons, Roger Fred Greene and wife Retha, William Fred Greene, Jr., and wife Melinda, and William Michael Greene and wife Lisa all of Lenoir, one sister, Inez and husband Lloyd of Tennessee, thirteen grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Mr. William Fred Greene will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. T. J. Jackson. Burial will follow in the Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home from 1 to 2 p.m.

Online condolences may be shared with the Greene family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Greene family.

Tamma Austin (May 19, 1961 – Dec. 5, 2014) 

Ecclesiastes 3. 1-2

Austin
Austin

l. “In everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under the Heavens. 2. A time to be born and a time to die”.

Tamma Presnell Austin’s time to be born was May 19, 1961. Her time to die came peacefully at Cannon Memorial Hospital Dec. 5, 2014. She was surrounded by her loving family as she took the Savior’s Hand and Graduated to Glory. Tammy was a resident at Linville Cove Apartments in Newland. She was the daughter of the late Jim Presnell and Anna Lou Presnell (Watson). In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two sisters Dorothy Trivette and Emma Lou Presnell.

Tamma is survived by her son, Tim ‘TJ’ Austin and wife, Kylie, of Fairview Church Rd., Spruce Pine; daughters, Heather Austin Fields and husband, Michael, of Buck Mountain and Sarah Austin of Newland; seven grandchildren, Taylor Bennett, Jonathon, Emma and Tori Austin and William, Mitchell and Addie Fields; two sisters, Della Gilbert of Hickory and Jimmie Daniels and husband Lynn of Newland. She is also survived by a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends whom she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James Monroe and Anna Lou Hicks Presnell; her step-father, Guy Watson; and two sisters, Emma Lou Presnell and Dorothy Trivette.

Tamma loved spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren and her friends Anita, Penny and Robin. Being confined for the past several months she found pleasure reading her Bible and watching the Court Programs on TV. She was of the Baptist Faith and attended church regularly until her health failed her.

Services for Tamma P. Austin will be held on Monday morning, Dec. 8, 2014 at 11 a.m. at the Austin Barnes Funeral Home Chapel in Boone, officiated by Rev. Hal McNeeley. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Austin & Barnes. Burial will follow in the Upper Forest Grove Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated and Memorial donations may be made to Shriner’s Hospital, in care of Randy Vines, 1005 George Wilson Road, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin Barnes Funeral Service in Boone is serving the Austin Family.

Raymond Stripling (June 29, 1941 – Dec. 4, 2014) 

Raymond Stripling, 73, of Long View Drive, the Seven Devils Community, passed away Thursday evening, Dec. 4, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center.

Stripling
Stripling

Private graveside services and burial will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Dec. 13, 2014, in Highland Memorial Park in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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

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

Maria Louisa Gerber Byers (August 4, 1946 – Dec. 3, 2014) 

Byers
Byers

Maria Louisa Gerber Byers, 68, of Church Hollow Road, the Foscoe Community of Boone, passed away Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 3, 2014 at her residence.

Maria was born Aug. 4, 1946 in Frankfort, Germany, a daughter of Johnny Wise and Lilly Gerber. She was a homemaker and a member and pianist at Shull’s Mill Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, Maria is survived by her husband, Wayne L. Byers of the home; one son, John Price of Delaware; one daughter Chris Pitts of the Foscoe Community; four step daughters, Debbie Burr of Champaign, Illinois; Brenda James and husband Tom of the Foscoe Community, Bonnie Moxely and Jim Mahomet of Illinois, Donna Renner and husband Mike of Cary, Ill., and four grandsons, Dusty and Daniel James, both of the Foscoe Community, Walter Love, II and Christopher Price, both of Delaware; five granddaughters, Marlis Klutz of the Foscoe Community, Tiffany Stephens of Zionville, Amber Love of Delaware, Audrey Anna Pitts of Va., and Jessica Price of Delaware, and two sisters, Kathy Zimbicki of Johnson City and Susie Rogers, of Jonesboro. She is also survived by a nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services for Maria Louisa Byers will be conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2014, at 2 p.m., at Shull’s Mill Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Coffey.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the church, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Shull’s Mill Baptist Church, 283 Shull’s Mill Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Robin Elaine McGuire Townsend (Oct. 21, 1955 – Dec. 2, 2014) 

Townsend
Townsend

Robin Elaine McGuire Townsend, 59, of Bairds Creek Road, Valle Crucis, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2014, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir.

Robin was born Oct. 21, 1955 in Kingsport, Tenn., a daughter of the late Howard Bingham McGuire and Margaret Ann Popewell McGuire. Prior to her illness, she had been employed as a Nursing Assistant in Home Health Care.

Robin is survived by her husband, Fred Townsend, Jr. of the home; two sons, Chauncey Townsend and wife Lorrie of Banner Elk and Christopher Townsend and wife Abigail of Newland; two grandsons, Finnegan Townsend and Rowan Townsend, both of Newland; two sisters, Barbara Campbell, and Peggy McKinney and husband Ray, all of Banner Elk; and one brother, Richard McGuire, also of Banner Elk. She is also survived by a number of Aunts, uncles and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her father and mother, she was preceded in death by one grandson, Gabriel Townsend; and two brothers, Gary and Floyd McGuire.

The family will receive friends Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 beginning at 2 p.m. at the residence of her brother, Richard McGuire, 190 McGuire Mountain Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

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

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