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Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Feb. 5, 2014

 Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Feb. 5, 2014

Roy Allen Smyth, D. Jan. 31, 2014

Roy Allen Smyth ,age 87, of Banner Elk, NC, formerly of Charlotte passed away on January 31, 2014 at Life Care Center of Banner Elk. 

A native of Millville, MA, he was born April 29, 1926 a son of the late Harold and Ethel Ballou Smyth. 

He was a graduate of Blackstone Valley High School. Roy actually missed the graduation ceremony due to joining the United States Army Air Corps during World War II where he was stationed in Germany, where a carton of cigarettes would buy a day’s worth of Ski Instruction at Bad Oberdorf. He was a Ski Patrolman on the first volunteer ski patrol on Beech Mountain under Slim Owens. Later he also patrolled at Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. 

Along with his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his: sisters, Marion and Muriel; brothers, Harold (Bud), Jr., Donny, and Harrison. 

Roy has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Mari-Liis; daughters, Debbie, Rhonda, Corinne, Bethanne; brothers, Gordon, Douglas; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren. 

The family requests the honor of your presence at a gathering to be held at the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home on Saturday, February 15 from 11:00 am till 1:00 pm. 

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 Smyth family. 

Carolyn H. Shell, D. Jan. 27, 2014

Carolyn Shell
Carolyn Shell

Carolyn H. Shell, age 58, of Elk Park passed away on January 27, 2014 at her residence. 

A native of Avery County, she was born November 22, 1955 a daughter of the late Junior and Wynonna Markland Holtsclaw. 

She was a member of Elk Park Freewill Baptist Church and enjoyed working crosswords and helping her son with his racing cars. 

Along with her parents, Carolyn was preceded in death by her sister, Ivory Holtsclaw. 

A loving mother, Carolyn has left to cherish her memory her: son, Kevin Shell of Elk Park; a grandson; several nieces and nephews; Christi Miller Presnell, Nikki Presnell, Shane, Savannah and Maleya Presnell all of Roan Mountain, TN; ex-husband, Willie Dean Shell of Roan Mountain, TN; sister-in-law and best friend, Brenda Hoss of Linville; aunts, Gay Arnold of Newland, Vertie May Houston of Newland; uncle, Ray Markland of Johnson City, TN; brother-in-law, Ronnie Miller of Roan Mountain; special family member, Neil Thompson. 

The family would like to especially thank Dr. Earwood and staff, Appalachian Health Care and Medi-Home Care. 

Interment will be Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. in the Taylors Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Chad Street, David Presnell, Charles Birchfield, Danny Buchanan, Shorty Buchanan, Chris Mackie, Dustin Johnson. Jamie Moody will serve as honorary pallbearer. The family will gather at the funeral home with friends Thursday from 12:30 pm until 1:30 pm. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home to help the family with funeral expenses. 

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 Shell family. 

Barbara Helen Ward, D. Jan. 25, 2014.

Barbara Helen Ward, age 59, of Newland passed away on January 25, 2014 at Johnson City Medical Center. 

A native of Avery County, she was born July 4, 1954 a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Frances Norman McKinney. 

She was a homemaker and enjoyed flowers and gardening. 

Along with her parents, Barbara was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Gene Ward. 

Barbara has left to cherish her memory her: sons, Lee Ward of Newland, Bradley Ward of Newland; granddaughter, Katrina Ward of Newland; brothers, Mike McKinney of Newland, Robert “Pink” McKinney and wife Shelia of Newland; several nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services for Barbara Helen Ward will be conducted on Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at 7:00 pm at the Grandfather Chapel with Rev. Steve Turbyfill officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour. Interment will be Wednesday, January 29, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. in the McKinney Cemetery. 

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 Ward family.