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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 31, 2013

 Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 31, 2013

Emogene Miller, D. Oct. 30, 2013

Mrs. Emogene M. Miller, age 78 of Joe J. Miller Road, Boone, passed away Wednesday evening at Watauga Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Emogene M. Miller are incomplete. Online condolences may be shared with the Miller family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Jacob Smit, D. Oct. 27, 2013

Jacob Smit
Jacob Smit

Mr. Jacob Smit, age 88, of Deep Gap, died Sunday morning, October 27, 2013, at Glenbridge Health Care.

Mr. Smit was born July 10, 1925 in Holland, a son of the late Andre and Martha Hofman Smith. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. He moved from Manassas, Virginia to Deep Gap in 1985. He was a graduate of Siena College, a World War II Veteran where he served as a navigator and radar observer in the United States Air Force. He was a physicist for the United States Bureau of Standards. His high country interests included hiking, running, model airplanes, model trains, power lifting, and “people”, as well as being a voracious reader. It was not unusual for folks needing an answer to a question on any subject to say, “ask Jake!”

He is survived by three nephews, Andy Gallo and his wife, Cheryl, and their children, Chris, Joe, and Melissa of Modesto, California, Jeff Gallo and his wife, Tammie, and their children, Jeremy, Tara, and Seth of Riverbank, California, Dan Gallo and his wife, Lisa, and their children, Chelsea, Talia, and Sam of San Jose, California, a cousin Corrine Loucks of Boone, and extended family members in Schenectady, New York. He is also survived by special friends in the high country, Dan and Fran Greenfield, Robert and Brenda Cornell, Kenneth Hubbard, Marty and Christine Watson,Janice Miller, his fellow parishoners at Grace Lutheran Church, and the managers and wait staff at the Golden Corral.

In addition to his father and mother, Andre and Martha Hofman Smith, he was preceded in death by his loving wife, Norma Smit, and his sister and brother-in-law, Martha and Bill Gallo.

Memorial services for Mr. Jacob Smit will be conducted Thursday, October 31, 2013 at 4:00 o’clock at Grace Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Pastor Derek Boggs, and Pastor Harwood Smith.

A receiving of friends will be held following the service in the Grace Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 115 East King Street, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the Smit family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

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

Joe Garner, D. Oct. 26, 2013

Dr. Joe Francis ‘Peck’ Garner, II, age 62, of Little Laurel Road Extension, Boone, passed away Saturday morning, October 26, 2013 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Born August 11, 1951 in Jacksonville, Florida, he is a son of Sally S. Garner and the late Dr. Joe Francis Garner. 

Joe GarnerPeck Garner lived a life of spirituality, dignity and grace. His warm heart and gentle hand touched more lives than we can possibly imagine, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was more than a gifted physician; he was a sailor, gardener, astronomer, cook, home brewer, cyclist, musician, animal lover, avid traveler, and Alabama football’s biggest fan. Though all of these pursuits were his passions, his most treasured role was that of a husband, father, and grandfather. Saturday morning we lost one of the greatest people to walk this earth, and those blessed enough to have known and loved him will carry his spirit with them forever. 

Peck is survived by his wife, Melissa McGhee Garner; daughter, Sarah Garner Cook and husband, Casey, of Granville, Ohio; sons, Joe Francis Garner III and wife, Amy, of Asheville, and Michael Leonard Garner and wife, Julie, of Chapel Hill, and David Finley Garner of the home; two grandsons, Connor Powers Cook and Oliver Benjamin Cook; his mother, Sally S. Garner of Dothan, Ala.; two sisters, Annharrow Purvis and husband, Dennis, of Nicholson, Ga., and Julie Schreiber and husband, Jerome, of Brasstown, NC; brother, Erly Garner and wife, Julie, of Hayesville; a number of nieces and nephews; and his extended family at Boone Dermatology.

A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, October 30, at 12 noon at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, officiated by Father Conrad Hoover and Father David Brzoska. A gathering of friends to celebrate Peck’s life will follow services Wednesday afternoon from 2 until 4 o’clock at the Harvest House, Boone Heights Dr., in Boone. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Melanoma Research Foundation, 1411 K St., NW, Suite 800, Washington, DC 20005.

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

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

Amy Ward Shelton, D. Oct. 26, 2013

Mrs. Amy Ward Shelton, age 59, of Hideaway Lane, Vilas, passed away Saturday morning, October 26, 2013 at Watauga Medical Center. Born March 21, 1954, she was the daughter of Ray and Virginia Ward.

Amy Ward Shelton
Shelton

In addition to her parents she is survived by her husband Gerald Shelton, one son Benjamin Ray Shelton of Sugar Grove, three daughters Candace Nicole Shelton of Valle Crucis, Kristi Lynn Shelton of Boone, and Jessica Elizabeth Shelton Shore and husband Dustin of Vilas, two sisters Melanie Ward Greene and husband Ronnie, and Diane Ward and husband Barney Hodgson all of Boone, one brother Mark Alan Ward and wife Nancy of Horton, Kansas, one uncle, Howell Cook of Valle Crucis, and one aunt, Anna Mae Cook Reid and husband George of Falls Church, Virginia. Several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.

Amy was a graduate of Appalachian State University and was employed as a Telecommunication Specialist for the Appalachian State University Police Department. She was the chairperson of the Cove Creek School Preservation and Development Committee and an active member and former president of the Mountaineer Ruritans. 

Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Life Visitation on Wednesday evening from 5 o’clock until 7 o’clock pm at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. A private rites service will be conducted for Mrs. Amy Ward Shelton at a later date.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Cove Creek School Preservation and Development, PO Box 344, Sugar Grove, NC 28679 or to the Mountaineer Ruritan Club Scholarship Fund, in care of Jim Harmon, 196 Phillips Branch Road, Vilas, NC 28692. Online condolences may be shared with the Shelton family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Shelton family. 

Mildred “Midge” Hodges Shook, D. Oct. 25, 2013

Mildred “Midge” Hodges Shook, age 82, of 1957 Dobbins Road, Banner Elk, passed away Friday, October 25, 2013, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir.

Mrs. Shook is survived by four daughters, Linda Cook and husband Ronnie of Lenoir, Brenda Puckett and husband Robert of Banner Elk, Glenda Shook and fiance’ Howard Smith of Banner Elk, and Cindy Elliott of Johnson City, Tennessee, and two grandsons, Brad Puckett of Banner Elk, and Nathan Elliott and wife Tabitha of Vilas. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Sylvester Shook; her father and mother, Roby Willard Hodges and Texie Myers Hodges; two sisters, Louise Ruppard and Norma Berry, and four brothers, Paul, Joe, Tate, and Douglas Hodges.

Funeral services for Mildred Hodges Shook will be conducted Sunday evening, October 27, 2013, at 7:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 5:00 until 7:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Eugene Braswell and Reverend George Wright. Graveside services and entombment will be conducted at 11:00 o’clock Monday morning at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 5:00 until 7:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Service.

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

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

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

Jerry Lee Watson, D. Oct. 23, 2013

Jerry Lee Watson, age 57, of Harmon Road, Banner Elk, passed away Wednesday evening, October 23, 2013, at Watauga Medical Center.

Jerry was born January 26, 1956 in Avery County, a son of Reba Miller Watson and the late Leonard Watson. He was a retired police officer for the Beech Mountain Police Department.

In addition to his mother, Jerry is survived by one brother, Johnny Watson of Banner Elk, and two nephews, Danny Horney and wife Jessica, and Randy Horney and wife Judy, all of Banner Elk. He is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles, and additional nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Carolyn Horney.

Graveside services and burial for Jerry Lee Watson will be conducted Friday afternoon, October 25, 2013, at 1:00 o’clock, at the Michael Cemetery in the Cool Springs Community. Officiating will be Reverend Richard Trivette.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Michael Cemetery Fund, in care of Velva Michael Cook, 2056 Worley Road, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604.

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

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

Jeff Whitson, D. Oct. 22, 2013

Jeff WhitsonJeff Whitson (US Navy Retired), age 61, of Boone, passed away Tuesday evening, October 22, 2013 at Watauga Medical Center.

Jeff was born May 27, 1952 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a son of Hester L. Sanford Whitson and the late Thomas W. Whitson. He served in the United States Navy, retiring after 20 years of service. After his military career, he became a licensed funeral director/embalmer, where he was employed with Hampton Funeral Service, Inc. in Boone, North Carolina. Jeff was a member of Boone Church of Christ.

In addition to his mother, Jeff is survived by his wife, Kay W. Whitson of the home; two sons, Joshua Whitson and wife Amber of Milton, Florida, and Jason Whitson of Jacksonville, North Carolina; two brothers, Jerry Whitson and wife Shelia of LaGrange, Georgia, and James Whitson and wife Judy of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and his sister, who he called “Favorite”, Jan Simpson of Crescent Lake, Florida. He is survived by no grandchildren “Yet”, but is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas W. Whitson.

Funeral services for Jeff Whitson will be conducted Saturday morning, October 26, 2013, at 11:00 o’clock, at Boone Church of Christ. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 9:30 until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Minister Randy Covalt. Full military honors, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow the funeral service.

The family will receive friends Saturday morning, from 9:30 until 11:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Boone Church of Christ, 130 Cool Woods Drive, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to American Legion Post 130, in care of Finley Hodges, 886 Laurel Fork Road, Vilas, North Carolina, 28692.

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

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

Johny “Gunny” Matheson, D. Oct. 22, 2013

Johny Mack “Gunny” Matheson, age 81, of Old Hampton Road, Boone, passed away Tuesday evening, October 22, 2013, at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Mr. Matheson was born November 2, 1931 in Caldwell County, a son of the late Jack and Betty Triplett Matheson. He was a retired crime scene investigator, for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and served with the United States Marine Corp.

Mr. Matheson is survived by his wife, Margaret C. Matheson of the home.

A private service for Johny Mack “Gunny” Matheson will be conducted at a later date.

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

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

Joe Mitchell, D. Oct. 21, 2013

Joe Mitchell
Joe Mitchell

Mr. Joseph Gilbert “Joe” Mitchell Jr., of Boone Trail, North Wilkesboro passed away Monday, October 21, 2013 at his home. Born May 14, 1952 in Cleveland Ohio, he was a son of the late Joseph G. Mitchell Sr. and Della Mae Carlton Mitchell. Joe worked at Oakwood’s Country Club as a landscaper. He attended Truth Community Church.

He is survived by three sisters; Judi Mitchell and husband Bob and Betty Rush all of North Wilkesboro, and Brenda Mitchell of Las Cruces, New Mexico, one uncle, Grady Carlton and wife Joyce of Fleetwood, one niece, Tina Nuger and one grand niece, Sable Roselli.

Graveside services for Mr. Joe Mitchell will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Gap Creek Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Rick Tomlinson. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. 

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