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Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled March 15, 2013

Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled March 15, 2013

Jimmy Dean Farmer, D. March 10, 2013

Jimmy Dean Farmer
Jimmy Dean Farmer

Jimmy Dean Farmer, age 68, passed away on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at his home.

He was born on March 11, 1944 in Whitetop, VA, the son of John Henry and Ocie Alice (Hamm) Farmer. He had owned a trucking business since the age of 16 and was co-owner of Farmer Sand and Gravel since 1992.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Jene (Gibbs) Farmer; two daughters, Rachel A. Farmer, Angela D. (Robert III) Sloan, and one son, Kim Royal (Lisa Acres); his grandchildren: Joshua J. Taylor, Brent E. Taylor, Samantha R. Taylor, Kelly C. (Jimmy) Wilson, Alik D. Farmer, Blake C. Sloan, Alexis J. Sloan, Robert C. Sloan IV, Elizabeth Royal, and great-grandson Connor Wilson; his siblings: William Henry (Lucile) Farmer, Shirley (Phil) Weaver, Virginia A. (Joseph) Calhoun, Johnny R. (Laurie) Farmer, Leroy (Janice) Farmer, and John Douglas (Kathy) Farmer; sister-in-law, Donna (Tom) Madigan; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Larry Jo Farmer.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 8pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Larry Shepherd officiating. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 12pm at Farmer Memorial Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm on Friday, two hours prior to the funeral service.

Goldie Miller, D. March 9, 2013

Goldie Miller
Goldie Miller

Goldie Mae Miller, age 92, of West Jefferson passed away Saturday night, March 9, 2013 at Ashe Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 2:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Vernon Eller, Rev. Keith Elledge and Rev. Keith Casey officiating. Burial will follow in Claude Mash Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00-8:00pm on Monday, March 11, 2013 at Boone Family Funeral Home.

Mrs. Miller was born in Ashe County on Tuesday, May 18, 1920 to the late John and Mary Miller. She was a Homemaker. Goldie was a member of Roundknob Baptist Church.

She was also preceded in death by two sons, Walter Cox and Van Cox and four brothers, John Miller, Everett Miller, Smith Miller and Luther Miller; three sisters, Carrie Severt, Pearl Barker and Clyde Cox. Goldie was known for her good cooking. She loved to see people come to visit and loved to feed them. The most important thing to her was her family. Goldie was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be missed by all.

Mrs. Miller is survived by her husband, Jessie Britt Miller; five sons, Ander Cox and wife, Martha, of West Jefferson, Jessie Ray Miller, of West Jefferson, Dean Miller, of West Jefferson, Lloyd Miller and wife, Nancy, of West Jefferson and Mark Miller and wife, Pam, of Jefferson; six daughters, Edith Clark and husband Goss, of West Jefferson, Frances Cozart and husband, Sheldon, of West Jefferson, Violet Roten and husband, Clint, of West Jefferson, Shelby Casey, of West Jefferson, Debbie McClure and husband, Mike, of Jefferson and Vickie Barker of West Jefferson; a sister, Ada Polk, of Mocksville; two brothers, Clint Miller, of West Jefferson and Shade Miller, of Jefferson; thirty-three grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren; fourteen great, great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to Claude Mash Cemetery Fund, c/o Ken Mash, 620 Claude Mash Road, Jefferson, NC 28640.

Mary Sue Hamm Wallace, D. March 8, 2013

Mary Sue Hamm Wallace
Mary Sue Hamm Wallace

Mary Sue Hamm Wallace age 69, of Lansing, NC died Friday, March 8, 2013 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem, NC. Mrs. Wallace was born on October 22, 1943 in Washington County, VA to Lester and Ella Carpenter Hamm. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by sister, Ruby Waddell and brothers, Bob Hamm & Howard Hamm.

The family will receive friends starting at 1:30 PM Saturday, March 16th at the home of Lisa Sturgill, 144 Fees Branch Rd., Lansing.

Mrs. Wallace is survived by: 1 Son: Randy Wallace of Lansing, 2 Daughters: Rita Testerman and husband Justin of Lansing & Greta Wallace of Asheville, 2 Brothers: Bill Hamm of Cherokee & Lynn Hamm of Volney, VA, 2 Sisters: Frances Blevins of Whitetop & Erma Blevins of Borto, PA 5 Grandchildren: Lisa Sturgill, Jonathan Wallace, Matthew Wallace, Jarett Pennington & Randall Pennington, special great-grandchild, Haley Wallace 6 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.

Badger Funeral Home was entrusted with Mrs.Wallace’s arrangements.

Minnie Jones, D. March 6, 2013

Minnie Jones
Minnie Jones

Minnie Marybell Stike Jones, age 88, of Villages of Wilkes, formerly of Ashe County died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at Wilkes Regional Hospital.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 10, 2013 at the Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lonnie Jones officiating. Burial will follow in the Howell-Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends at 1:00 P.M. until 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 10, 2013 prior to the funeral service.

Mrs. Jones was born in Ashe County on Tuesday, April 15, 1924 to the late Luther and Effie Neese Stike.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Garfield Jones; a daughter, Lorene Church; four brothers, Aster Stike, Edgar Stike, Hester Stike, Robert Stike.

Mrs. Jones is survived by three daughters, Mary Sheets and husband John “J.W.” of Jefferson, Evelyn Bliss of North Wilkesboro, Lenna Faye Spears and husband Jim, of Jefferson; two granddaughters, Joanna Bare and husband Michael of Jefferson, Tanya Thompson and husband Chris of Millers Creek; two grandsons, Jason Sheets and wife Amber of Jefferson, Tommy Church and wife Lynn of Wilbar, six great grandchildren; several nieces; several nephews.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 North Michigan Avenue, Floor 1, Chicago, Illinois 60601

The family will be meeting at the home of J.W. Sheets, 332 Earl Sheets Road, Jefferson, NC 28640

Timothy Wayne Penley, D. March 6, 2013

Timothy Wayne Penley
Timothy Wayne Penley

Mr. Timothy Wayne Penley age 46, of West Jefferson, NC died Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at his home. Mr. Penley was born March 29, 1966 in Jefferson, NC to Loyd and Wilda Greer Penley. Mr. Penley was preceded in death by his mother and brothers: James & John Penley. He was always a happy person who never met a stranger. He loved to go fishing and camping.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, March 10, 2013 at 11:00 am at the Big Laurel Mennonite Church by Rev. Kirby Herman & Rev. Mike Farmer. Burial will follow in Greer Bentley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Badger Funeral Home.

Mr. Penley is survived by: His Father: Loyd Penley, 2 Sisters: Sarah Osborne and husband Tracy & Rachel Holsclaw all of West Jefferson, 4 Brothers: Bobby Greer and wife Terry, Jimmie Penley and wife Amanda & Dale Penley all of West Jefferson & Joseph Lee Penley and wife Sirena of Lenoir, 3 godchildren: Selena Keys, Ava Keys & Nevaeh Holsclaw, several nieces and nephews.

Flowers will be appreciated, or memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105, Gideon’s International, PO Box 993, West Jefferson, NC or World Vision, PO Box 9716, Federal Way, WA 98063.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.

Badger Funeral Home was entrusted with Mr. Penley’s arrangements.

Wylene Absher, D. March 5, 2013

Wylene AbsherWylene Wood Absher, age 77, of Wilkesboro, passed away Tuesday morning March 5, 2013 at her home. Wylene passed away after a prolonged illness from a rare neurological condition call Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, more information can be found at www.psp.org.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 8, 2013 at 12:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Andrew Lee, Rev. Reeves Jones and Speaker Jesse Absher officiating. Burial will follow in the Glendale Springs Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 11:00-12:00pm on Friday, one hour prior to the funeral service.

Mrs. Absher was born in Laurens County, Georgia on Sunday, October 27, 1935 to the late Wiley Edward Wood and Cleo Daniel Wood. She graduated from A.L. Miller School for girls in Macon, GA in 1953. She was a member of Glendale Springs Missionary Baptist Church, where she taught Adult Women’s Sunday School Class for over 40 years. She retired from Wilkes County Department of Social Services, where she worked as a Medicaid Intake Worker for 22 years. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be missed by all.

She is survived by her husband; Charles Roger Absher; two sons; Charles Roger Absher, Jr. of Rural Hall, NC, and Carlton Edward Absher of Matthews, NC; one daughter; Joy Cheree Harrold, of Knoxville, TN; two sisters; Delores Oppizzi and Janice Bassett both of Perry, GA; two grandchildren; Bradford Absher and Emily McNeill both of Wilkesboro, NC; several nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorials may be made to: CurePSP, 30 E. Padonia Road, Suite 201, Timonium, MD 21093 or to Gideon’s International, PO Box 993, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

Arvel Lyalls, D. March 5, 2013

James Lyalls
James Lyalls

Arvel Lyalls, age 82, of Mountain City, TN, formerly of Ashe County passed away Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at his home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 3:00 P.M. at Boone Family Funeral Home.

The family will receive friends from 1:00pm until 3:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home on Saturday, March 9, 2013 prior to the funeral service.

James Arvel Lyalls was born on August 29, 1930 in Ashe County to the late Ambrose and Leah Miller Lyalls.

Mr. Lyalls is survived by his wife, Gwendoline Cable Lyalls of Mountain City, Tennessee; a son, Kenneth Lyalls of Jefferson; a step son James Nelson and wife Maureen of Washington, DC; two step-daughters Jennifer Witherspoon of Fleetwood, Julie Nelson Miller and husband Chris of Fleetwood, a brother, Burl Lyalls of Crumpler, a sister, Opal Ballou of Jefferson, a granddaughter, Bailey Witherspoon of Fleetwood.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to Gideon’s International, PO Box 993, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

You may leave the family your condolences at www.boonefuneralhome.com.  

Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.

Grace Howell Faw, March 5, 2013

Grace Faw
Grace Faw

Mrs. Grace Howell Faw age 89, of Lansing, NC died Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem. Mrs. Faw was born May 17, 1923 in Ashe County to Webb and Dora Dickson Howell. Mrs. Faw was preceded in death by her parents, her husband: Elmer Jones Faw, sister: Bertha Faw and 4 brothers: Glenn, Carson, Vaughn and Goss Howell. She was a member of Landmark Baptist Church and enjoyed attending. She retired from Sprague Electric.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Badger Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Charles McCoy. Burial will follow in Howell Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Saturday prior to the service.

Mrs. Faw is survived by: 1 daughter: Shirley Baldwin and husband Darrell of Lansing, 1 son: Chuck Faw and wife Brenda of Lansing, 1 brother: Larry Howell of Charlotte, 3 grandchildren: Greg Baldwin and wife Shelia, Jennifer Shumate and husband Mark & Derrick Faw and wife Samantha, 1 Great Grandchild: Allison Faw, also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Seby Jones Cancer Center P.O. Box 2600 Boone, NC 28607 or Landmark Baptist Church c/o Linda Blevins, 315 A. L. Blevins Rd., Lansing, NC 28643.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.

Badger Funeral Home was entrusted with Mrs. Faw’s arrangements.

Tamela Riddle Roland, D. March 4, 2013

Tamela Roland
Tamela Roland

Tamela Leigh Riddle Roland, better known as “Tammy” age 41, of West Jefferson passed away Monday night, March 4, 2013 at Rex Hospital in Raleigh.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at 2:00pm at Phoenix Baptist Church with Rev. Jeff Dollar, Rev. Tommy Graybeal and Rev. Ken Furches officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:30-9:00pm on Friday, March 8, 2013 at Boone Family Funeral Home.

Mrs. Roland was born in Ashe County on July 9, 1971 to Harold Smith and Karen Lowe Osborne Riddle. She was a loving daughter, wife and mother. She was a member of Phoenix Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday school for many years. Tammy always had a smile on her face when you would see her. Her number one priority was raising her two sons; she loved them dearly.

Tammy is survived by her husband, Kevin Lee Roland; two sons, Justin and Alec Roland, both of the home; her parents, Harold & Karen Osborne Riddle, of West Jefferson; her grandmother, Haskell Osborne, of Lansing; a uncle; two aunts; several cousins also survive.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to: Relay for Life for Ashe County, 4A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407.

Ina Greer Barker, D. March 2, 2013

Ina Greer Barker
Ina Greer Barker

Mrs. Ina Greer Barker age 52, of Warrensville, died on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at the Ashe Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Barker was born on October 15, 1960 in Chester County, PA to Paul William and Betty Barker Greer. Mrs. Barker was preceded in death by her father. Mrs. Barker enjoyed crocheting and knitting. She was a member of Pleasant Chapel Baptist Church and attended as long as her health allowed. Ina also enjoyed spending time with her little dog “Vixie”.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Badger Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Jim Greer, Rev. Bill Miller and Rev. Jerry Lingerfelt. Burial will follow in Pleasant Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at Badger Funeral Home.

Mrs. Barker is survived by: her husband, Jackson Gwyn Barker, daughter, Vicky Lynn Price and Fiancée Scott Blankenship of Warrensville, grandson, Dakota William Price, her mother, Betty Barker Greer, brother, Charles William Greer and wife Andrea all of Warrensville also surviving are several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family c/o Badger Funeral Home, PO Box 139, West Jefferson, NC 28694 or to the Pleasant Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Charles Greer, 2540 West Mill Creek Road, Warrensville, NC 28693.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.

Badger Funeral Home was entrusted with Mrs. Barker’s arrangements.

Maxie Rose Blevins Cahill, D. March 2, 2013

Maxie Blevins Cahill
Maxie Blevins Cahill

Mrs. Maxie Rose Blevins Cahill, age 77, Purlear died Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday 2:00 PM, March 5, 2013 at Shelter Baptist Church in Crumpler with Rev. Dean Watson and Rev. Clyde Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Scott Blevins Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro, NC and from 1 until 2 at the church prior to the service at the church.

Mrs. Cahill was born March 10, 1935 in Ashe County to Stanley and Lucy Howell Blevins. She worked for Ithaca Industries and was a member of White Oak Baptist Church.

She is survived by: her husband, Alden Lee Cahill of the home; one son, Joey Cahill and wife, Dorinda of Purlear; grandchildren, Justin Cahill, Taylor Cahill Barnes, Austin Cahill, Paige Cahill, Dustin Holcomb, Dorinda Wilt, Brent Wilt; great-grandchildren, Chloe Barnes, Landon Barnes, Benjamin Absher, Zachary Absher; two sisters, Shirley Watson of Fleetwood, Annie Goodman of West Jefferson; two brothers, Robert Blevins of Millers Creek and Jack Blevins of Greenfield, IN.

Thomas Roberts, D. March 1, 2013

Thomas G. Roberts, age 84, of Warrensville, passed away Friday morning, March 1, 2013 at Watauga Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 3:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Margaret Wannemacher, Speaker Ward Sexton and Elder Eddie Lyle officiating. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery with military rites.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-3:00pm on Sunday, prior to the funeral service.

Mr. Roberts was born in Ashe County on Tuesday, September 25, 1928 to the late Austin Greene Roberts and Gertie Gambill Roberts. Tom graduated from East Tennessee State University. He served in the United States Air Force Military Air Transport during the Korean Conflict. He worked in early years for the NC Employment Security Commission and later was the Director of Wilkes Community College-Ashe Campus. Tom also was former president of the NC Cattlemen’s Association, past president of the Rotary Club, served on the Northwest Development Board and Agricultural Stabilization Board. He was a member of Clifton United Methodist Church.

He was also preceded by three brothers, Herman Roberts, Kermit Roberts and Paul Roberts.

He is survived by his wife, Virginia Ruth Price Roberts; two sons, Thomas G. Roberts and wife, Tammy, of West Jefferson and Todd Roberts and wife, Keta, of West Jefferson; a brother, John Roberts and wife, Madge, of Jefferson; two sisters, Mary Sexton and husband, Herbert, of Lansing and Shirley Powers, of Perryville, MD; three grandchildren, Meghann Roberts, Preston Roberts and Annsley Roberts; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews also survive.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made: Clifton United Methodist Church, c/o Eloise Price, 11026 Highway 88 West, Warrensville, NC 28693

Chasidy Pennell, D. March 1, 2013

Chasidy Kay Pennell, better known as “Chas” age 39, of North Wilkesboro passed away Friday, March 1, 2013 at her home.

A private funeral service will be held. Burial will follow in the Roans Creek Cemetery.

Chasidy Kay Pennell was born on December 6, 1973 in North Wilkesboro.

Miss Pennell is survived by her parents, Tim and Kay Severt of Jefferson; a sister, Carrie Caddell and husband Graham of Jefferson; her grandparents, Tony Church, Wilma Church, Claude Severt; a neice, Keely Caddell of Jefferson.

Memorials may be made to Roans Creek Cemetery Fund in care of Tommy Craven at P.O. Box 59, Glendale Springs, NC 28629

You may leave the family your condolences at www.boonefuneralhome.com

Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.

Susanne Geist Black, D. Feb. 27, 2013

Services for Susanne Geist Black, MD formerly of 509 E. Roosevelt St., Dillon, SC and more recently of Jefferson, NC, have been scheduled. A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, 2013, at Jefferson United Methodist Church in Jefferson, NC. Music will begin at 2 p.m. Visitation will follow the service at the church. Graveside services will be held Monday, March 4, 2013, at 3 p.m. at Greenlawn Cemetery in Dillon, SC. Viewing and visitation with the family will be prior to these graveside services from 1-3 p.m. on Monday, March 4, 2013, in the First Baptist Church, Dillon, SC.

Dr. Susanne Black
Dr. Susanne Black

Dr. Black died on Wednesday, February 27, 2013 in Jefferson, NC. She was born on July 8, 1919 in St. Paul, MN, daughter of the late John M. Geist and the late Susanne Williams Geist of St. Paul. She was the wife of the late Swift C. Black, MD of Dillon.

Dr. Black earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Doctor of Medicine degrees at the University of Minnesota, serving an internship at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL. She completed her Master’s in Public Health and Preventive Medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She became Board Certified in Family Medicine and in Public Health, having achieved Diplomate status in both specialties.

Dr. Black was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Dr. Swift Black. Together they established a family practice partnership in Dillon, SC in 1946. In 1970, she became District Medical Director for the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control of the Pee Dee Health District until her retirement in 1983.

Dr. Black served in numerous professional activities including president of the SC Medical Association Alliance and president of the SC Public Health Physicians. She was chosen for many years as delegate from Dillon County to the South Carolina Medical Association House of Delegates. She was a member of the American Medical Association and received the Certificate of Merit from this organization for 50 years of dedicated service to the medical profession. Life membership in the American Academy of Family Physicians was conferred upon her for 50 years of active support of this organization. She served on the Governing Boards of many organizations, including the SC Public Health Association, Southeastern Council on Nurse Midwifery, Pee Dee Health Systems Agency, SC State Employees Association, and the Florence-Darlington Technical College Nursing School. She also served for years on the Board of Review for the National League of Nursing in New York.

She was appointed by Governor Carroll Campbell as State Commissioner of the SC Commission on Aging, representing the Sixth Congressional District. She was an Adjunct Professor of Public Health at the Medical University of SC. Additionally, she served on the Advisory Committees of the SC Child Protection Association, the SC Alzheimer’s Association, the Pee Dee Area Health Education Center, and St. Eugene Hospital of Dillon. Locally, she served as president of the Dillon County Medical Society and its Medical Auxiliary, the Dillon Interagency Council, Dillon County Health Council, and the Dillon County Tuberculosis Society.

The prestigious award for “Outstanding Community Service by a Physician” in South Carolina was presented to Dr. Black in 1989 by the SC Medical Association on behalf of the A. H. Robins Pharmaceutical Company.

She authored scientific articles including “Tuberculosis Among Medical Students” in the Journal of the American Medical Association and “Abortion: Dimension of Public Health?” at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She presented her paper on “Male Family Planning: An Innovative Approach” at the national meeting of the American Public Health Association. Dr. Black received a scholarship award from the World Health Organization for an original research study on health care in Europe; she was able to study health programs extensively in five European countries.

She was chosen as SC “Career Woman of the Year” by the SC Federation of Business and Professional Women and was honored by a resolution of the South Carolina Legislature paying tribute to her for her contributions to her adopted state. She was honored as “State Employee of the Year” by the SC Employees’ Association, Pee Dee. The Dillon Chamber of Commerce awarded her and her husband the “Co-Citizen of the Year” award.

Dr. Black’s interest in her community covered many fields other than medicine. She received a 25-year pin for her work in Girl Scouting, having initiated the Girl Scout program in Dillon with the formation of troops over 50 years ago. She served as camp counselor, troop leader, and member of the Board of Directors of the Pee Dee. She established a meeting place for the Girl Scout troops of Dillon, spearheading the effort to locate and furnish a building to serve as the Dillon Girl Scout Hut. She headed the Board of Trustees for extensive property bequeathed to the Boy and Girl Scouts of Dillon. She initiated the formation of the Candy Striper program at St. Eugene Hospital. She was a charter member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club, the Dillon Junior Charity League, and the MacArthur Avenue Theatre Board. She served as secretary of the SC Federation of Women’s Clubs. She founded the Red Cross Blood Bank in Dillon County. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Dillon and served as a Sunday school teacher, superintendent of the Young People’s Department, and a member of the church choir for over 30 years. In Jefferson, she was a member of the Jefferson United Methodist Church.

She served as president of two federated study clubs, the Etudier Club of Dillon and the Avon Study Club. She initiated the formation of the Dillon County Historical Society and served as president. She rescued the original home of James W. Dillon from a destruction crew and led the effort of the Historical Society to purchase and refurbish the building as a museum. She was a member and officer of the Rose Garden Club and served as Worthy Matron and Grand Martha of the Eastern Star. She taught reading in the tutorial program of the SC Literacy Commission and was co-founder with her husband of the Dillon Swimming Pool project of the Civic Club Community Center.

Dr. Black’s hobbies included genealogy, literature, rare books, antiques, and classical music. She was an amateur naturalist, clothes designer, poet, and author. She was an avid sports enthusiast having taught swimming and lifesaving, as well as competing in state level ice skating and tennis tournaments in her youth.

She was just as involved in her adopted community of Jefferson, NC, where she relocated in 2001. She joined the Blue Ridge University Study Club, the Ashe County Arts Council, Friends of the Ashe County Library, and the Jefferson United Methodist Women. She initiated the New River Book Club as well as the Christmas Tree Chapter of the Red Hat Society. For over ten years, she took a class each semester “just for fun” at the local community college.

Considering her accomplishments and accolades, she herself believed her roles as wife, mother, and grandmother the most important careers of her life.

Surviving are her four children, Swift C. Black, Jr. of West Jefferson, NC; John G. Black, MD (Anne Ellis Black) of Lexington, SC; Susanne E. Black, PhD, of West Jefferson, NC; and MaryAnne Black Moore (Donald Ray Moore) of Jefferson, NC. Her three grandsons are Jonathan Dillard Black of Lexington, SC, Anderson Lee Moore, and Stanton Cooper Moore, both of Jefferson, NC. She is also survived by her brother, Robert Williams Geist, MD (Rosemary), and her sister, Marie A. Geist, both of St. Paul, MN. She was predeceased by her husband and her brother, John Williams Geist of Northfield, MN. Another survivor includes her sister-in-love, Merial Black Holland of Winston-Salem, NC; special nieces and nephews also survive.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for the Swift C. Black and Susanne G. Black Scholarship Fund payable to the SCMA Foundation, PO Box 11188, Columbia, SC 29211. This scholarship was established for deserving medical students from the Pee Dee area.

Arrangements are being coordinated by Badger Funeral Home in West Jefferson, NC and Kannaday Funeral Home in Dillon, SC.

Juanita Roark, D. Feb. 26, 2013

Juanita Roark
Juanita Roark

Mrs. Juanita Dolinger Roark, age 84, of North Wilkesboro passed away Tuesday morning, February 26, 2013 at Villages of Wilkes.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 1, 2013 at 2:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Roger Blevins officiating. Burial will follow in the Ashelawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00pm on Friday, March 1, 2013, one hour prior to the funeral service.

Mrs. Roark was born in New Garden, PA on Sunday, January 13, 1929 to the late Lester and Forna Blevins Dolinger. She worked in a Mushroom Cannery. She was a member of the Ashe County Baptist Associational Choir and a volunteer at Ashe Memorial Hospital.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Gale Spencer Roark; two infant brothers and a sister, Jane Dolinger.

Mrs. Roark is survived by a cousin Veda Wingler, of Millers Creek.

Flowers will be accepted.

Ira Junior Chapell, D. Feb. 26, 2013

Ira Chapell
Ira Chapell

Brother Ira J. Chappell was born on April 20, 1939 to the late Bill and Nancy (Harris) Chappell in Mt. Gilead, NC. Ira lived and worked in Albemarle and Charlotte, NC before coming to Ashe County. Once here Ira continued to work out of town until his retirement due to health conditions. Ira always had a sense of humor and greeted everyone with a smile. Ira was a member of Cox’s Grove Baptist Church.

Ira was preceded in death by his wife, Janet, three brothers, Willie Clyde Chappell, Billy Ray Chappell and Alfred Chappell along with two sisters, Nannie Bell Hayward and Josephine Little.

Ira leaves to cherish his memory, two daughters, Michelle Chappell-Merlos of Crumpler and Felicia Chappell-Thomas of New Haven, CT, three sons, Tony Chappell of Albemarle, NC, Terry Chappell of Albemarle, NC and Ivory Chappell of New Haven, CT, two sisters, Sadie Chappell and Fannie Gore both of New Haven, CT. Special nephews, Detrich Reeves of Crumpler, Thomas Hamilton of Jefferson, several grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 1:00 pm at the Ashelawn Memorial Chapel by Rev. Walter Kyle, Rev. James Perkins. Burial will follow in Cox’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 3, 2013 at Ashelawn.

Words of comfort and remembrance may be viewed or sent to the family through our website at www.ashelawn.com.

Ashelawn Memorial Chapel & Gardens was entrusted with Mr. Chappell’s arrangements. 


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Listings of Funeral Homes in Ashe County:

Ashelawn Memorial Chapel, Gardens & Mausoleum
3470 U.S. 221 N
P.O. Box 148
Jefferson, NC 28640
336-982-2121
www.ashelawn.com

Badger Funeral Home
300 North Main Street
P.O. Box 139
West Jefferson, NC 28694
336-246-7114
www.badgerfuneralhome.com

Boone Family Funeral Home
2005 Mount Jefferson Road
PO Box 786
West Jefferson, NC 28694
336-846-7979
http://boonefuneralhome.com