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Avery, Watauga Obituaries – April 14, 2015

Mr. Willie B. Cole (Sept. 29, 1913 – April 10, 2015)

Mr. Willie B. Cole, 101, of Vilas, passed away Friday morning, April 10, 2015. He was born in Watauga County, September 29, 1913 to the late Benjamin F. Cole and Nancy Winebarger Cole. He married Margaret Chloe Warren in 1937.

BigCole. WillieWillie was a member of Henson Chapel United Methodist Church from an early age, and remained active most of his life. A scoutmaster in the 1950’s and early 1960s, he led a troop of boys from Henson Chapel and the surrounding area. Willie was well loved and blessed by family and many wonderful friends during his lifetime. He walked over most of Watauga and Ashe Counties and beyond. He may have at one time been acquainted with more people in those counties than anyone else.

Willie was basically a farmer, but worked several occupations, including service station co-owner/operator in Zionville, supervisor for the distribution of surplus food in Watauga county, and custodian at ASU.

He is survived by sons Franklin Cole and wife Betty of Vilas, Tommy Cole and wife Marie of Hudson; grandsons Kenny Cole, Mark Cole, Bruce Cole and Alex Cole; granddaughters; Teresa Hoyle and Patricia Hodges, thirteen great grandchildren, four great-great grandchildren, one sister, Betty Jo Stanberry, two brothers, Clyde T Cole and Arlton G. Cole, a step brother, Lester Warren and his dedicated caregiver Michael Sawyer.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Clinton D. Cole, sisters Pearl Garland, Faye Miller and stepsister Rose Edna Green, a brother, Charlie Cole and a daughter in law, Verlee Anderson Cole.

Funeral services for Mr. Willie B. Cole will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Henson Chapel United Methodist Church. Officiated by Rev. Katherine Cornell and Rev. Jim McKinney. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at the church. At other times friends may call at the home of Franklin Cole, 178 Cole Drive, Vilas, NC 28692. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Henson Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 120 Henson Hollar Road, Vilas, NC 28692 or to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

The family would like to say a special thank you to the caregivers of Medi Home Hospice.

Online condolences may be shared with the Cole family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Cole family.

Margie Lee Calhoun (May 13, 1936 – April 10, 2015)

Margie Lee Calhoun , age 78, of Crossnore passed away on April 10, 2015 at Charles A. Cannon Memorial Hospital .

Calhoun
Calhoun

She was born May 13, 1936 in Coatsville, PA a daughter of the late George McKinnley and Mary Alice Brown Johnson.

Margie was owner/operator of Margie’s Love Day Care for 28 years and a member of Crossnore First Baptist Church where she was a member of the Naomi Sunday School Class.

She enjoyed crocheting, word search puzzles, reading and loved game shows.

Along with her parents, Margie was preceded in death by her: son, John McKinnley Calhoun; and brothers, Roy Johnson and David Johnson.

Margie has left to cherish her memory her: husband of 61 years, John Calhoun of the home; daughters, Susie Smith of Crossnore and Donna Suazo and husband Juan of Ft. Washington, MD.; son, Jim Calhoun and wife Donna of Oneatona, NY; sisters, June Buchanan of Ingalls and Pat Greene and husband T.J. of Pineola; sisters-in-law, Judy Johnson and Blanch Johnson both of Newland; aunt, Marie Hathaway of Chattanooga, TN; six grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and many children whom she loved and cared for through her day care.

A Celebration of Life for Margie Lee Calhoun will be conducted on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 at 7:00 pm at the Crossnore First Baptist Church with Rev. Lander Heafner officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until the service hour at the church. Graveside Services will be Wednesday, April 15th at 11:00 a.m. in the John Johnson Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: the Naomi Sunday School Class of Crossnore First Baptist Church or to Medi Home Hospice, P.O. Box 1357 Newland, NC 28657.

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

Earl E. Miller (Jan. 28, 1927 – April 8, 2015) 

Mr. Earl E. Miller, 88, of Emory Greer Road, Zionville, passed away Wednesday evening, April 8, 2015 at his residence.

Miller
Miller

Earl was born Jan. 28, 1927 in Zionville, a son of the late Luther Miller and Minnie Johnson Miller. He was a US Air Force Veteran, who retired after thirty years as a rural letter carrier, was a business owner and a farmer. He was a member of Zionville Baptist Church, a 65-year member of Masonic Snow Lodge #363 of Boone, and was a charter member and former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Zionville Volunteer Fire Department.

Earl is survived by his wife of 59 years, Lucille Wilson Miller of the home; a daughter, Debbie Potter and husband J. V. of Zionville; two sons, David Miller and wife Terri, and Donald Miller and wife Amy, all of Zionville; six granddaughters, Cindy Isaacs and husband Frankie, Jennifer Miller, Becky Zaragoza and husband Jay, Leslie Tankersley and husband Todd, Christy Miller and Victoria Lucille Potter, all of Zionville; one grandson, Michael Earl Miller and wife Christy of Zionville; two great-granddaughters, Cheyenna Isaacs and Ava Zaragoza of Zionville; and four great-grandsons, Caleb Isaacs, Dillon and Logan Zaragoza, and Nathaniel Miller, all of Zionville. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father and mother, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Max and A.L. Miller and one sister, Mary Lou Reese.

Funeral Services for Mr. Earl E. Miller will be conducted Saturday afternoon, April 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Zionville Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1 to 2 p.m., prior to the service. Officiating will be Reverend Dwayne Tester and Reverend Doug Cheshier. Fireman honors will be provided by the Watauga County Fire Fighters Association. Masonic graveside rites and entombment will follow in the Zionville Baptist Church Garden Mausoleum, provided by Snow Lodge #363.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, from 6:00 until 8:30 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service.

The Miller Family expresses a special thank you to the staff of Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care for the care given to Mr. Miller.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Zionville Baptist Church Garden Mausoleum Cemetery Fund, in care of Ollie Phipps, 800 Modock Road, Trade, Tennessee 37691 or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645.

Online condolences may be sent to the Miller Family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

James “Jim” Mills (May 1, 1936 – April 8, 2015) 

James “Jim” Mills, 78, of Flat Gap Road, Valdese, passed away Wednesday evening, April 8, 2015, at Lifecare Center of Banner Elk.

Mills
Mills

Jim was born May 1, 1936 in Lillington, North Carolina, a son of the late Harvey Mills and Naomi Turlington Mills. He was a veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Marines, and was a retired supervisor for a heating and air company.

Jim is survived by four daughters, Paula Mills of Shallotte, North Carolina, Susan Mills and Sherry Fowler and husband Nick, all of Hickory, and Lisa Smith of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; one son, James Earl Mills, Jr. of Granite Falls, and two sisters, JoAnn Lepley of Angier, North Carolina, and Pat Cook of Burgaw, North Carolina.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Larry Mills and Charles Mills, and two sisters, Doris Smith and Ruth Wimberly.

Funeral services for James “Jim” Mills will be conducted Sunday afternoon, April 12, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Gordon Noble. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of the Carolinas, 5970 Fairview Road #725, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28210, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28215.

Online condolences may be sent to the Mills family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jason L. Weaver (Oct. 30, 1979 – April 6, 2015)

Jason Lynn Weaver, age 35, of St. Petersburg, Florida, and a native and former resident of the Todd community, passed away April 6, 2015 in Florida.

Weaver
Weaver

Born October 30, 1979 in Watauga County, he was a son of Evelyn Lewis Weaver and the late Rex Weaver. Jason was a former manager of Wendy’s in Boone, and worked as a short order cook and various restaurants. He enjoyed ink and pencil art. Jason had an outgoing personality and never met a stranger.

He is survived by his mother, Evelyn Weaver of Todd; three brothers, Jesse Weaver and wife, Amanda, of Todd, Travis Weaver and wife, Melissa, of Boone, and Terry Weaver and fiancé, Heather Bristol, of Lenoir; and six nieces and nephews, Saydie, Memphis, Maverick, Emma, Sawyer and Landon Weaver.

Services for Jason will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses.

Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Weaver family.