Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Sept. 27, 2013
Mabel Esther Ramsey, D. Sept. 24, 2013
Mabel Esther Ramsey, age 84, of Banner Elk passed away on September 24, 2013 at Life Care Center.
A native of Avery County, she was born March 24, 1929 a daughter of the late Johnny and Naomi Arnett Townsend. She was a member of the banner Elk Seventh Day Adventist Church and enjoyed quilting and sewing by hand.
Along with her parents, Mabel was preceded in death by her: sisters, Edith Arnett, Dovie Townsend; brother, Homer Townsend; son, Billy Joe Ramsey; daughter, Debbie Ann Eggers.
A loving mother and ma maw who thought the world of her family, Mabel has left to cherish her memory her: husband, Mack Ramsey of the home; daughters, Shirley Arnett and husband Jerry of Banner Elk, Judy Ramsey of the home; sons, Mack Ramsey, Jr. and wife Betty of Spruce Pine, Randy Ramsey and wife Lenise of Spruce Pine, Mark Ramsey of Banner Elk; 12 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; 4 great-great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 26th at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with graveside services to follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery with Mr. Randy Ramsey, Jr. officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family.
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 Ramsey family.
Mary Ruth Hicks, D. Sept. 23, 2013
Mary Ruth Hicks, age 79, of Roan Mountain passed away on September 23, 2013 at Sycamore Shoals Hospital.
She was born September 9, 1934 a daughter of the late Ira Edward and Hessie Elizabeth Guy Clawson.
Mary loved to cook for her family, spend time with her kids and grandkids and enjoyed gospel music.
Along with her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her: husband, James Murphy Hicks; son, James Robert Hicks; daughter, Janie Belinda Jones; brothers, Lloyd Clawson, Stanton Clawson, Edward Clawson, Shelton Clawson; sister, Rosa Woody.
A wonderful mother and grandmother, Mary has left to cherish her memory her: children; Kenneth Hicks of Roan Mountain, TN, Kay Brown and spouse Thearon Hearne of Mountain City, TN; brothers, Jim Clawson, Allen Clawson, Elwood Clawson and Elsie Clawson; 15 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mary Ruth Hicks will be conducted on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at 12:00 pm at the Pleasant Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Don Winters and Rev. Kenneth Junior Hicks officiating. Interment will follow in the Hicks Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, September 25th from 6:00 p.m,. until 8:00 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.
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 Hicks family.
George Barrett Gilmer Jr., D. Sept. 21, 2013
Rev. G. Barrett Gilmer passed away on September 21, 2013 at Cannon Memorial Hospital following injuries from an accident.
Barrett Gilmer was born August 1, 1932 in Anderson, South Carolina. His parents were George B. Gilmer and Margaret Fouche Gilmer. After growing up in Anderson, he graduated from King College and Columbia Theological Seminary. He served Presbyterian churches in Rural Retreat and Seven Mile Ford, Virginia, then was chapel minister of First Presbyterian Church in Kingsport, TN. In 1964 he and his family moved to Banner Elk, NC, where he became the first resident director of Holston Presbytery Camp.
Mr. Gilmer spent most of his ministry developing fledgling programs that would enrich people’s lives. He enjoyed 21 years at Holston Camp, touching hundreds of people and growing the small summer church camp into a year-round conference center. In 1986 he became administrator of newly-formed Yellow Mountain Enterprises for adults with disabilities. During his tenure, the program increased and moved its location from a church basement to its own facility in Newland, NC.
Barrett Gilmer was among those who brought Habitat for Humanity to Avery County. From 1986-2001, he was committed to that project. After his career retirement, he served as a full-time volunteer at Avery Habitat for four years as director and builder.
Gilmer was adept at connecting people. His visions were realized through a leadership style that was humble and inclusive. He held the conviction that every human being is to be valued and loved.
Barrett Gilmer is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Mary Dudley, and four children: Meg Julian of Foscoe; Ellen Stapleton and husband Peter of Banner Elk; George Gilmer of Hillsborough, NC, and Kirk Gilmer and wife Chrissy of Buffalo, NY. Also surviving are a brother Lyonel Gilmer and wife MaryJo of Nashville, TN, a sister Anna Margaret Shivers of N. Augusta, SC; two step-sisters Alice Reynolds of Charlotte and Peggy Reynolds-Hufstettler of Rock Hill, SC. There are also 11 grandchildren: AJ, Gil and Mary Julian; Sam, Joe and Adam Stapleton; Anna, Rachel, Brendan, Amelia and Alina Gilmer. Special in-laws are: Tony and Claire Fortune, Gaines Steer, Adrian Julian, Susie Gonzales, Charity Dollar, Zacharie Boyle. Great-grandchildren are: Alexa Julian, Liam Stapleton, and Rosie Richards.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church on Saturday, September 28 at 2:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, gifts honoring Barrett Gilmer may be made to Holston Presbytery Camp, Box 428, Banner Elk, NC 28604; Yellow Mountain Enterprises, Box 548 , Newland, NC 28657; or Avery County Habitat for Humanity , Box 1016, 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 Gilmer family.
Carl Auggie Petersen Jr., D. Sept. 20, 2013
Auggie passed away peacefully in his home on Beech Mountain on September 20th. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Auggie was born in Evanston, IL, in 1929, and grew up in Wilmette; IL. After graduating from New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL, he attended Tulane University in New Orleans, LA, and graduated from the University of Illinois in Champagne-Urbana, IL, with a degree in architecture. While in college, he participated in the Naval R.O.T.C, and after graduation served aboard the heavy cruiser U.S.S. Los Angeles for two years during the Korean War.
Back home from the military, Auggie began his internship in Chicago, IL, and completed it in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Two year later, he opened his own office in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL. where he slept under his drafting board for a short time. As his practice grew, he established his permanent office and adjoining residence on the N.E. 14th Street Causeway in Pompano Beach, FL, where he worked and lived for over 40 years. Both the east and west coasts of South Florida are dotted with numerous residences, large developments, condominiums and prominent buildings that bear his signature design. He also had design projects in Georgia, New Jersey, Tennessee, as well as Nassau and Saudi Arabia.
Auggie discovered the two loves of his life, his wife of 25 years, Laura “Sally” Petersen and the mountains of North Carolina. After retirement Auggie and Sally settled into their dream house on Beech Mountain, where Auggie continued his work throughout the High Country with the same dedication and design skills he had used in South Florida. His last endeavors were in Headwaters, Sunalei and Bear Creek. He loved his profession and kept at until age 82.
In addition to his wife Sally, Auggie is survived by many nieces and nephews who uniformly boast of the positive impact that Auggie had on their lives. He will be best remembered for his wonderful dry sense of humor, and the good times that he inspired in both close friends and casual acquaintances. During his illness The people and the Town of Beech Mountain provided the Petersens with the extra special care they could not have found anywhere else.
Final arrangements are being provided by the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland, NC. Condolences may be registered on-line at www.rsfh.net. The Petersens were very supportive of the Beech Mountain Volunteer Fire Department and the Avery County Humane Society. He was at home with hospice care, and they were wonderful. Donations may be made to any of those organizations, or to a charity of your choice.
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