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Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Sept. 17, 2014

Boyd
Boyd

Max Boyd (Sept. 28, 1938 – Sept. 12, 2014)

Max Russell Boyd of the Woodlawn/Sevier community left his earthly body to be present with the Lord Friday morning, Sept. 12, 2014. Born the fifth child & fourth son of Everette Paul and Jessie Opal Washburn Boyd on Sept. 28, 1938, he attended North Cove High School and lived his entire life in the mountainous area he loved.

Along with his father, brothers and son, Max worked in construction and the stone industry all his life.

A member of Woodlawn Baptist Church Max always enjoyed visiting and singing in area churches. He loved the Lord and lived and worked for Him in this and surrounding areas as he taught singing and reading music in the old fashioned Shaped Note manner. He was the lead singer for many years with the Boyd Family Quartet, traveling all around Western North Carolina and recording albums of the family’s favorite songs. He also sang with the Nix Creek Quartet.

He was an accomplished woodsman, hunter and fisherman, teaching about and sharing nature’s bounty with others. Known for his concern for others and their rights, Max was a member of the Upper Catawba River Land Owners Alliance and served numerous years on the McDowell County Planning Board, the last 15 of those as Chairman. He was also a Master Mason with Mystic Tie Lodge #237 in Marion.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Joe Boyd and brother-in-law Onan Washburn.

Surviving are his wife of 54 years, Elva Young Boyd; sons, Bryan and David; daughter, Elizabeth and husband Sam Brinkley; grandchildren and the highlights of his day, grandson Jacob & granddaughters Rebekah and Jessie. Also surviving are brothers Paul & wife Margaret, Harold & wife Jean, Van & wife Pat; Sister in law Devon Boyd; sisters Shirley Washburn, Peggy Boyd Tipton & husband Bill & Linda Boyd Smith & husband Bill, all of Marion. Max also leaves a number of nieces & nephews along with their children & grandchildren who loved him dearly. Max also leaves a multitude of friends all around Western North Carolina.

Visitation with the family will be at Yancey Street Baptist Church, 302 East Yancey Street, Marion, NC 28752 Tuesday evening Sept. 16 from 4 to 7 p.m. Services will be held Wednesday Sept. 17 at 2 p.m. in the church with the Reverends Roy Whitson, Floyd Junior Bailey, Jason Bright, John Burnette and Dean Owenby. Masonic rites will also be conducted. Interment will be in Snow Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of McDowell County.
Condolences and memories may be shared at www.rsfh.net
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is assisting the family.

Maynard D. McKinney (April 11, 1969 – Sept. 10, 2014)

McKinney
McKinney

Maynard Dewayne McKinney, 45, of Buck Hill passed away Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014 at the Cannon Memorial Hospital.

Maynard was born on April 11, 1969 in Avery County and was the son of Maynard and Linda Benfield McKinney. Maynard was preceded in death by his wife; Lisa Buchanan McKinney, maternal grandparents; Gale and Martha Benfield and paternal grandfather; Cephas McKinney.

He was a member of the Buck Hill Presbyterian Church. He liked to hunt and loved being a father to his son, Holden.

Left to cherish his memories are his son; Holden Ryan McKinney of the home, parents; Linda and Maynard McKinney of Buck Hill, brothers; Michael Dean McKinney and wife Mollie of Ingalls, and Mitchell David McKinney and wife Melinda of Little Buck Hill, a sister; Amanda Jo Hope McKinney of Buck Hill, paternal grandmother; Mabel McKinney of Newland, brother in laws; Marvin Buchanan and wife Tammy, and Gary Buchanan both of Marion, a nephew; Benjamin Micah McKinney and nieces; Melania Diane Julia McKinney and Mindy Lee McKinney.

The family respectfully requests the honor of your presence at the funeral service honoring the life of Mr. Maynard McKinney on Friday, Sept. 12, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Chapel of Webb Funeral Home with the Rev’s. Wallace Wise and Jim Hoilman officiating. Interment will follow in the Benfield Cemetery. A time to receive friends, share memories and support the family will be held from 12 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home.

Flowers will be accepted and appreciated.

Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, NC is assisting the McKinney family.

Carrie Hicks (Oct. 28, 1939 – Sept. 9, 2014)

Hicks
Hicks

Carrie Hicks, 74, of Humpback Mountain Road in Spruce Pine, died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2014 at Care Partners in Asheville, NC.

A native of Avery County, she was the daughter of the late Stokes Stafford and Sabie Greene, and the wife of the late Herman Hicks who passed away in 1994. She was preceded in death by her sister; Hazel Hoschar, brother; Steve Greene, and son Herman Hicks, Jr.

Mrs. Hicks is survived by her two sons; Paul L. Hicks of Spruce Pine and Ted L. Hicks of Green Mountain; her daughter ; Vanessa Lynn Young of Marion, sisters; Brownie Burleson of Plumtree, Frances Gragg of Newland and Beulah Staton of Spruce Pine, three grandchildren; Jessica Rahn, Jennifer Burleson and Christopher Hicks and seven great grandchildren.

The funeral services for Carrie Hicks will be conducted on Monday, Sept. 15, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Thomas officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday from 12 to 2 p.m. at the church.

Words of comfort may be e-mailed by going to our website; Error! Hyperlink reference not valid. selecting Mrs. Hicks name and then clicking on her name and then signing her guestbook. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, NC is assisting the Hicks family.

Mildred Daniels “BaBa” Aldridge (Jan. 29, 1932 – Sept. 9, 2014)

Aldridge
Aldridge

Mildred Daniels “BaBa” Aldridge, 82, of Banner Elk passed away on Sept. 9, 2014 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

She was born in Avery County on Jan. 29, 1932 a daughter of the late Harold Conway and Pearl Gragg Daniels.

She was a member of Westview Christian Church in Charlotte.

Mildred enjoyed entertaining and taking care of her family. She was very hospitable and her home was always open for family and friends. She and her husband enjoyed Square Dancing and were members of the Mecklenburg Wildlife Club Square Dancers.

Along with her parents, Mildred was preceded in death by her: husband, Rondal Aldridge.

Mildred has left to cherish her memory her: daughters, Rhonda Nixon and husband Gary of Charlotte, Becky Warren of Charlotte; sisters, Peggy Buchanan and husband Herbert, Jr. of Greenville, S.C., Evelyn Minton of Newland, Patsy Vance of Crossnore, Dianne Calhoun and husband Tony of Newland; grandchildren, Shane Nixon and wife Heather of Mt. Holly, Gretchen Royall and husband Shawn of Mt. Holly, Jonathan Nixon and wife Katie of Charlotte, Katie Warren and fiance Grayson Bedenbaugh of Charlotte; great grandchildren, Ridge Nixon, Addison Royall, Case Nixon, Payton Royall, Caroline Nixon.

Funeral services for Mildred Daniels Aldridge will be conducted on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014 at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Newland with Rev. Wesley Duncan and Dr. Bill Jones officiating. Interment will follow in the Hughes Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service.

The family would like to thank the nursing and support staff at Cannon Memorial Hospital, Dr. Baker and his staff along with Medi Home Hospice for the wonderful care and love that she received.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Medi Home Hospice at PO Box 1357 Newland, NC 28657.

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 Aldridge family.