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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Sept. 2, 2014

Mr. Rex A. Lunsford (June 27, 1960 – Sept. 1, 2014)

Rex Allen Lunsford, 54, of Vannoy Lane, Boone, passed away Monday, Sept. 1, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center. Born June 27, 1960 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Allen Dexter and Mary Glannie Ford Lunsford. Rex worked as a cook at various restaurants in the area.

Mr. Lunsford is survived by his life-long friend, Jerry Montgomery; nephew, Nelson Cobb of Statesville; Beth Cobb of Asheville; and a number of aunts and uncles.

Rex. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law, Judy and Jackie Cobb.

Memorial services for Rex Allen Lunsford will be conducted Thursday afternoon, Sept. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum, officiated by Rev. Gordon Noble.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Watauga County Humane Society, P.O. Box l835, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared with the Lunsford’s at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Mr. Jack Rielly (July 13, 1952 – Sept. 1, 2014)

Rielly
Rielly

John “Jack” Rielly, 62, loving husband, father, grandfather, friend, and musician passed away early on Monday, September 1st at his home in Todd after losing a courageous battle with metastatic melanoma.

Jack was born in White Plains, NY, and grew up in Scarsdale, N.Y. He started out in the apparel business working with his father, and then spent the greater part of the next three decades in the apparel business in New York and North Carolina.

Jack moved to Todd from the Carolina coast in 2001 and knew he had found his home. He loved the stories, the families, the music, and the culture he found in the mountains. He became a board member of the Todd Community Preservation Organization to protect the community he loved.

With his partners, Jim Lewis and Walt Franzen, Jack founded Heart of the High Country Real Estate. He and his wife operate the Todd Mercantile.

Jack is survived by his wife, Helen Barnes-Rielly, daughter Sarah Pollan (Evan), son Sean Rielly (Paige), step-daughter Elise Burdette, four grandchildren, former wife Lori Kattner, numerous family members, and close friends.

His family would like to thank Medi-Home Health and Hospice for their care and support. Additionally, many thanks to the local musical community, who provided so much joy in Jack’s final days.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held on Saturday Sept. 6, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Cook Memorial Park in Todd.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Todd Community Preservation Organization, PO Box 15, Todd, NC 28684 or Medi-Home Health and Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607 in Jack’s name.

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

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Rielly family.

Brian Conlan (Died Aug. 31, 2014)

Brian Conlan, 46, of the Mill Ridge Community, Banner Elk, passed away Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014, at his home.

Funeral arrangements for Brian Conlan are incomplete at this time.

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

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

Ray Charlie Woodring, Sr. (May 08, 1935 – Aug. 31, 2014)

Woodring
Woodring

Ray Charlie Woodring, Sr., 79, of Woodring Circle, Boone, passed away Sunday morning, Aug. 31, 2014 at Caldwell County Hospice in Lenoir. Born May 8, 1935 in Watauga County, he was a son of Charlie and Ethel Moretz Woodring. Ray was owner and operator of the Woodring Trailer Park in Boone, and, for a time, employed in the furniture plants in Lenoir.

Mr. Woodring is survived by his son, Ray Woodring, Jr. and girlfriend, Melissa Robertson, of Lenoir; three grandchildren, Noah Riley Woodring, of Lenoir, Rebecca and Genna Woodring, both of Boone; sister, Grace Trivette of Boone; and brother Gene Woodring of Lenoir. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Ethel Moretz Woodring; five brothers, Carl, Jake, Bob, Henry and Dave Woodring; and one sister, Verlie Woodring.

Funeral services for Ray Charlie Woodring will be conducted Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Hopewell Community Church, officiated by Rev. Charles E. McKinney and Rev. Charlie Woodring. Burial will follow in the Hopewell Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Austin & Barnes.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Hopewell Cemetery Fund, in care of Betty Davis, 4061 NC Hwy 194 North, Boone, NC 28607.

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

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

Virginia Johnson Ward (April 11, 1935 – Aug. 30, 2014)

Ward
Ward

Virginia Johnson Ward, 79, of 588 Abingdon Road, Lenoir and a former resident of Watauga County, died Saturday morning, Aug. 30, 2014 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

Mrs. Ward was born April 11, 1935 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Reverend Noah Johnson and Ola Miller Johnson. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Ward is survived by her husband, Albert Ward of the home, three sons, Grady Ward of Morganton, Ronnie Ward and wife Karen, and Billy Ward, all of Lenoir, five grandchildren, one sister, Opal Baird of Vilas, and three brothers Johnny Johnson of Todd, Bernard Johnson and wife Cara Lee of Boone, and Leroy Johnson and wife Beverly of Todd. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by a brother, Ray Johnson.

Funeral services for Virginia Johnson Ward will be conducted Monday afternoon, Sept. 1, at 2:00 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Delmar James. Burial will following in the Proffitt’s Grove Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at the home, 588 Abingdon Road, Lenoir.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, North Carolina, 28645

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

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

Iris Norwood Aldridge (Jan. 24, 1929 – Aug. 30, 2014)

Aldridge
Aldridge

Iris Norwood Aldridge, 85, of Highway 105 South, the Foscoe community, passed away Saturday afternoon, Aug. 30, 2014, at her home. Born Jan. 29, 1929 in Avery County, she was a daughter of John Wheeler and Doris Calloway Norwood. Mrs. Aldridge was a member of Foscoe Christian Church. She retired from Shadowline, Inc. after more than 35 years.

Mrs. Aldridge is survived by two daughters, Norma Kay Yates and husband, David, of Banner Elk and Shelia A. Marshburn and husband, Dennis, of Blacksburg, SC; and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Adam and Aiden Hodges, all of Banner Elk. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cloyd Shula Aldridge; son, Gary Edward Aldridge; grandson, Kelly Dwayne Hodges Norwood.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, 2014, at 11 p.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel. Burial will be private.

The family will receive friends Tuesday morning from 10 until 11 p.m., one hour prior to services, at Austin & Barnes.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Medi-Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

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

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

Ms. Jo Rita Wise (Jan. 01, 1937 – Aug. 26, 2014)

Mrs. Jo Rita McKinney Wise, 77, of Storie Lane, Newland passed away Tuesday afternoon, August 26, 2014 at Roan Highlands Nursing Care. Born July 19, 1937 in Avery County, she was a daughter of the late William and Odie Oaks McKinney. Mrs. Wise was a member of Roaring Creek Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, reading and was an Atlanta Braves fan.

She is survived by three son; Billy Franklin and wife Tammy, Tim Wise and wife Jeannie and Anthony Wise and wife Angie all of Newland, 8 grandchildren, Chris Franklin and wife Michelle, Ashley Hughes and husband Dustin, Briana Wise, Erica Wise, Sabrina Wise, Nick Wise, Ambrielle Wise, and Avenn Wise all of Newland, two great grandchildren, Harlie and Hudson Franklin, one brother, Ray McKinney and wife Peggy of Banner Elk, four sisters, Lucy Shook and husband David of Foscoe, Sue Duckworth of Newland, Annalee Shook and Hazel Pyatte and husband Huey all of Foscoe. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by one sister, Joyce McKinney and one brother, Tommy McKinney.

Funeral services for Mrs. Jo Rita Wise will be conducted Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Roaring Creek Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Vernon Buchanan. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 6 o’clock until 7 p.m. at the church.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Friday morning at 11 p.m. at the McCurry’s Rock Cemetery.

Online condolences may be shared with the family of Jo Rita Wise at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Wise family.