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Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Aug. 27, 2014

Ronnie E. Bunnells (Feb. 23, 1952 – Aug. 24, 2014)

Ronnie Earl Bunnells, 62, of Banner Elk passed away on August 24, 2014 at his residence.

Bunnells
Bunnells

He was born Feb. 23, 1952 in Cumberland County, NC a son Lucille Mabe Bunnells of Hope Mills, NC and the late John Bunnells.

Ronnie served the North Carolina State Highway Patrol as a Trooper and Driving Instructor, retiring with 30 years of service. After retirement, he worked as a Driving Instructor for Mayland and Caldwell Community Colleges.

He was a member of the Banner Elk Kiwanis Club, a member of the Elk River Fishing Club and enjoyed playing golf.

A wonderful Dad who will be missed, Ronnie has left to cherish his memory along with his mother, his: wife, Kathleen Procter Bunnells of the home; daughters, Brandy Roberts (Mike Chester) of Banner Elk, Dawn Stamey (Mark) of Linville Falls; granddaughters, Abby Roberts, Lauren Stamey, Madison Stamey; brothers, Mike Bunnells (Doris) of Fayetteville, Harold Bunnells (Rose) of Fayeteville; a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Ronnie Earl Bunnells will be conducted on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the Grandfather Chapel with Rev. Lander Heafner officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services.

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 Bunnells family.

Michael Scott Singleton (April 3, 1974 – Aug. 23, 2014)

Singleton
Singleton

Michael Scott “Hippy” Singleton, 40, of Newland passed away on August 23, 2014.

A native of Avery County, he was born April 3, 1974 the son of Hansel Junior and Donna Pittman Singleton of Newland.
He was a member of Frank Presbyterian Church and enjoyed helping with the Newland Cruise-In, cars, reading, spending time with his children and watching them play sports. His favorite music was AC/DC, Pearl Jam and Motley Crew.

Along with is parents, Michael has left to cherish his memory his: three sons, Cainan Singleton, Carson Singleton and Cole Singleton all of the home; step daughter, Kacey Willis of Spruce Pine; sister, Lorie Ann Singleton of Newland; maternal grandmother, Martha Pittman of Newland.

A Celebration of Life for Michael Scott “Hippy” Singleton will be conducted on Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at 8:00 pm at the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev, Hal McNeely officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the service hour.

The family respectfully requests no flowers and that memorials be made to Yellow Mountain Enterprises at: PO Box 548 Newland, NC 28657.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.

Everett Ray Watson (Feb. 2, 1928 – Aug. 23, 2014)

Watson
Watson

Everett Ray Watson, 86, of Pineola passed away peacefully to join his loving wife Libby and their Savior in Heaven.

Ray passed at his residence with his loving family at his side.

A native and life long resident of Avery County, he was the son of the late George and Myrtle Watson.

Ray was a U.S. Air Force Sgt. serving 3 years in WWII all in the U.S. He was an active member of Crossnore First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon.

He was a Contributor to the Cranberrian Corporation, a founding member of Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department, a Charter Member of Mtn. Glenn Golf Course, a Little League Coach, avid sports lover and enjoyed singing in multiple quartets.

Ray retired from Mountain Electric.

He loved spending time with family and friends, especially his fishing buddy Grant Townsend in Linville Gorge, Raquet Creek and many journies to Montana on the Madison River.

He leaves behind to hold his memory in their hearts his: sons, Bobby Watson and wife Denise of Pineola, Billy Watson and wife Darlene of Pineola, Steve and wife Diane Watson of Pineola; grandchildren, Trent, Clent and Craig Watson, Tracey Singleton, Charity Mattinez, Beth Waldroop, Stephanie and Olivia Watson; 12 great grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his precious sister, Lois Edwards.

Funeral services for Ray Watson will be Monday, August 25th at 7:00 p.m. at Crossnore Baptist Church with Rev. Ken Lance and Rev. Lander Heafner officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour. Internment will be Tuesday, August 26th in the Crossnore Baptist Church Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials be made to Medi-Home Hospice at PO Box 1357 Newland, NC 28657 and also Juvinille Diabetes Research Foundation atwww.jdrf.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 Watson family.

Floyd Landon Gragg (Oct. 16, 1936 – Aug. 23, 2014)

Floyd Landon Gragg, 77, of Newland passed away on August 22, 2014 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

Gragg
Gragg

A native of Avery County, he was born October 16, 1936 a son of the late Harvey Joseph and Rosa Jennings Gragg.

He was famous for his Bluegrass Music and was a member of the Grandfather Mtn. Bluegrass Band and was known for running the roadside stand near Grandfather Mountain for many years.

Along with his parents, Floyd was preceded in death by his son, Floyd Gragg, Jr. “Pete”.

A wonderful father, grandfather, husband and provider for his family, Floyd has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Barbara Ann Gragg of the home; daughter, Wilma Hartley and husband Mike of Morganton, NC., daughter-in-law, Mary Gragg McKinney of Newland; brother, Obie Gragg of Lenoir; sisters, Linda Winkler of Granite Falls and Hazel Icard of Asheville; grandsons, Jeremiah Gragg of Newland, Adam Gragg (Bobbie Sue) of Elk Park, Wesley Hartley (Shannon) of Fayettville,NC., Michael Brandon Hartley (Kayla) of Lecanto, FL., Camden Hartley of Morganton, NC.; granddaughters, Sarah Gragg Ward of Newland, Barbara Gagnon (Ken) of Trinity, FL., Amber Hartley (Clayton) Watts of Sanford, NC., Chelsie Hartley of Greensboro, NC., Lydia Hartley of Morganton, NC.; great grandchildren, Natalie Ward, Caleb Ward, Matthew, Michael and Nicholas Gragg, Alex Watts, Matthew Hartley, Sebastian Gagnon, Cecilia Hartley.

Funeral services for Floyd Landon Gragg will be conducted on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the Sugar Mountain Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the Tanglewood Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society at 4-A Oak Branch Dr. Greensboro, NC 27407-2145 or www.cancer.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 Gragg family.

Horton Woodrow “Buddy” Houston Jr. (Oct. 21, 1950 – Aug. 21, 2014)

Horton Woodrow (Buddy) Houston, Jr., 63, of Powdermill Creek Road, Newland, NC, passed away on Thursday, August 21 at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Asheville, NC. He was a son of the late Woodrow Houston, Sr. and Mildred Oakes Houston. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Glenda Louella Houston.

Buddy is survived by his devoted wife of thirty four years, Deborah Ann Houston; two loving children, a daughter, Angela Ann Cassell, of Newland, and a son, Steven Douglas Cassell, and wife, Karowin, of Glade Valley, NC; a precious sister, Wanda Gail Buchanan and husband, Terry Buchanan, of Spruce Pine, NC. Buddy will also be missed by his five wonderful grandchildren, Douglas Hart Cassell, Bryan Douglas Cassell; Colleen Ainsley Cassell; Benjamin Thomas Cassell-Egidio; and Amanda Rayne Cassell-Jones. Also a niece, Tracy Buchanan-Boyd and husband, Chris Boyd of North Cove, NC; a nephew, Christopher Calloway and wife, Jolene, of Newland, several extended family members and a host of friends.

Buddy was a GED graduate of Mayland Community College and an FFA Alumni Member. He worked many years for North Carolina Department of Transportation and looked forward to retirement. Buddy always “needed a vacation,” but seldom left Powdermill when he took one. Buddy was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend and looked forward to visits with loved ones. He especially enjoyed cars, trucks, 4-wheelers, auto racing, and the mountains. Buddy was a member of Powder Mill Baptist Church.
A funeral service for Buddy Houston will be held in the Chapel at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home on Thursday, August 28 at 6 PM with his brother-in-law, the Reverend Sam Grist officiating. Visitation will follow at 6:30. PM.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you to Mayland Community College Life Skills Program.

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 Houston family.

Shirley Mae Hamby Bare (Nov. 20, 1939 – Aug. 21, 2014)

Shirley Mae Hamby Bare, 74, of Elk Park passed away on August 21, 2014 at Select Medical Hospital in Bristol, TN.

Bare
Bare

A native of Avery County, she was born November 20, 1939 a daughter of the late John and Hazel Turbyfill Hamby.

She was a member of Peasant Valley Baptist Church and enjoyed sewing, crafts, cooking, canning and flowers.

Along with her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her: brother, Robert Donald Hamby; sisters, Frankie Blakenship, Ruby Clawson.

Shirley loved her family dearly and has left to cherish her memory her: husband, Harry Bare of the home; son, Doug Bare and wife Annette of Elk Park; daughter, Connie Yarber and husband Doug of Elk Park; grandchildren, Timothy Bare of Elk Park, Daniel Bare of Savannah, GS., Chad Bare and wife Cassandra of Newland, Alesia Chappell and husband Ricky of North Fork, VA; great grandchildren, Gavin Bare of Newland and Ady Bare of Newland.

Funeral services for Shirley Mae Hamby Bare will be conducted on Sunday, August 24th at 7:00 p.m. in the Grandfather Chapel with Pastor Lynn Price officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour. Interment services will be Monday, August 25th at 12:00 p.m. in the Taylors Chapel Cemetery.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.

Crystal “Chris” Woodie (April 22, 1967 – Aug. 20, 2014)

Crystal "Chris" Woodieþþ¤þþþ‘þþþi
Woodie

Crystal “Chris” Iris Woodie, 47, of Newland passed away on August 20, 2014 at Johnson City Medical Center.

A native of Avery County, she was born April 22, 1967 a daughter of Phyllis Maltba Vance of Newland and the late Buster Aldridge Vance.

Chris was a member of Long Ridge Baptist Church and enjoyed painting and loved children.

She worked for the Avery County Department of Social Services and was very active in fundraising for the Phillips Gaultney Day Care.

Along with her mother, Chris has left to cherish her memory her: siblings, Ronnie Vance and wife Diane of Jonas Ridge, Claudia Cook and husband Larry of Morganton, Vanessa Stout and husband David of Morganton, Roger Vance and wife Christy of Crossnore, Brenda Gibson and boyfriend Jerry Stout of Newland, Sharon Hollifield of Jonas Ridge; great nephew, Dwayne Deaton of Newland; best friend, Anita Banner of Newland; long time friend, Ronnie Woodie; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Crystal “Chris” Iris Woodie will be conducted on Friday, August 22nd at 2:00 p.m. in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Ken Staton and Jim Shoupe officiating. Interment will follow in the Daniels Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the service hour.

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 Woodie family.