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Avery, Watauga Obituaries – Aug. 5, 2015

George Michael “Mike” Greene (Sept. 22, 1953
Died: Aug. 5, 2015)

George Michael “Mike” Greene, 61, 281 Troy Norris Road, Boone, passed away Wednesday morning, Aug. 5, 2015.

Funeral arrangements for George Michael “Mike” Greene are incomplete at this time. 

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

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

Margie Auton Lookabill Wilcox (Feb. 23, 1931 – Aug. 4, 2015)

Mrs. Margie Auton Lookabill Wilcox, 84, of George Wilson Road, Boone, passed away Tuesday morning, Aug. 4, 2015, at her residence.

Mrs. Wilcox was born Feb. 23, 1931 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late William Henry Auton and Gladys Beatrice Hatton Auton. She was a retired employee of IRC/TRW, and was a member of Faith Baptist Church.

Mrs. Wilcox is survived by her husband, Conley Wilcox of the home; one son, Ralph Shore, Jr., and wife Marilyn of Charlotte; three daughters, Diane Miller of Todd, Delena Pearson and husband Tom of Blowing Rock, and Janet Moretz and husband Len of Boone; three step-sons, Jim Lookabill and wife Betty, and Ricky Wilcox, all of Boone, and Tim Wilcox and wife Jessica of Newton; four step-daughters, Judy Trivette and husband J.B., Beth Potter, and Stephanie Wallace and husband David, all of Todd, and Janice Phillips and husband Walter of Hudson; two sisters, Margaret Bennett of Boone, and Oleta Nelson of Lenoir; four brothers, Frank Auton of Melbourne, Florida, Marvin Auton and wife Rosa, and R.D. Auton and wife Judy, all of Boone, and Lewis Auton and wife Faye of Conover; one Aunt, Dorothy Greene Norris of Boone; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren and several step-grandchildren. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Ralph Shore; her second husband, Walter Lookabill; a daughter, Delois Campbell; a son-in-law, L.H. Miller; two sisters and three brothers.

Funeral services for Margie Auton Lookabill Wilcox will be conducted Saturday afternoon, August 8, 2015 at 2:00 o’clock at Faith Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00. Officiating will be Doctor Sonny Younce and Reverend Raymond Spann. Entombment will follow in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Friday evening, August 7, from 6:00 until 8:00, at Hampton Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to MediHome Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina 28607, or to a charity of the donors choice. 

Online condolences may be sent to the Wilcox Family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. 

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

Frances Hess Presnell Wilcox (July 15, 1932
 – Aug. 2, 2015)

3263006_wlpp
Wilcox

Mrs. Frances Hess Presnell Wilcox, 83, of North Hampton Road, Boone, died Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015.

Mrs. Wilcox was born July 15, 1932 in Richlands, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Willard Isaac Hess and Elsie Howington Hess. She was a retired seamstress from Shadowline of Boone. She was a member of Howards Creek Baptist Church. 

She is survived by one daughter, Elsie Presnell of the home; one son, Ray Presnell and friend Vicki Parsons of Fleetwood; three grandsons, Joshua and Matthew Braxton of Sparta, and Dwayne Call of Wilkesboro; three sisters, Ellen Hess Dancy and husband Jack of Vilas, Shelba Hess Hicks of Mountain City, and Mary Lee Thompson of Avondale, Pennsylvania; three brothers, John Hess and wife Flora of Mountain City, Millard Hess and friend Freda of Laurel Bloomery, and Willis Hess of Vilas. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her first husband, Avery Richard Presnell, her second husband, Arthur Stuart Wilcox, a daughter, Alice Presnell Call, and two brothers, Donald and Wesley Hess. 

Funeral Services for Mrs. Frances Hess Presnell Wilcox will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, August 5, 2015 at 2:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:00 until 2:00. Officiating will be Reverend Bill McGuire.

Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 12:00 until 1:30, at Hampton Funeral Service. Online condolences may be sent to the Wilcox family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com 

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

 

Creed E. Taylor (Dec. 1, 1923 – Aug. 2, 2015) 

Creed Estes Taylor, 91, of Riverbank Cove, Boone, the Foscoe community, passed away Sunday morning, August 2, 2015 at his home.

Born Dec. 1, 1923 in Watauga County, he was a son of Willie and Stella Aldridge Taylor. Mr. Taylor was a veteran of the U.S. Army and served in Japan during WWII. He retired as a quality controller from Broyhill Furniture and enjoyed farming, growing corn, tobacco and raising and marketing Christmas trees. Mr. Taylor was

Taylor
Taylor

a life-long member, Deacon and Trustee of the Foscoe Christian Church. He loved sports, and umpired baseball for local county leagues. His favorite pastime was hunting game, especially deer, rabbit, turkey and raccoon.

Mr. Taylor is survived by daughters, Jodi Perry and husband, John, of Thomasville and Linda Reneger of Shelbyville, Tenn.; sons, Terry Taylor and wife, Judy Humphrey of Boone, Mark Taylor of Hudson, and David Taylor and wife, Mary, of Banner Elk; four grandchildren, Jeremy Perry and wife, Wendy, of Nicaragua, Mary Rachel Taylor of Banner Elk, Stacey Smith of Shelbyville, Tenn., and Teresa King of Wichita, Kansas; one sister, Lavirn Shoffner of Haw River, NC; and one brother, Denver Taylor and wife, Ann, of Banner Elk.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Maude Ruth Fox Taylor; son, Ned Taylor; sister, Opal Smith; and brothers, Carl, Ford, Lester, Rex, Edgar, Meade and Wayne Taylor.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, August 5, at 2 o’clock, at Foscoe Christian Church, officiated by Pastors Dan Burks, Ken Caswell, J.C. Anderson and Gordon Noble. The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at the church.

Military Graveside Honors, provided by American Legion Post 130 and the Disabled American Veterans, will follow at the Foscoe Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Foscoe Christian Church Building Fund, 8834 NC Hwy 105 South, Boone, NC 28607. On-line condolences may be shared with the family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Taylor family.

 

Wilmeta (Willie) Ann Greene Calloway (Aug. 10, 1975 – Aug. 1, 2015)

Wilmeta-Willie-Calloway-1438680168Wilmeta (Willie) Ann Greene Calloway, 39, of Newland passed away on Aug. 1, 2015 at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, NC.

A native of Avery County, she was born Aug. 10, 1975 a daughter of the late Zeb Vance and Alice Marie Brown Greene.

Along with her parents, Willie was preceded in death by her brother, Zeb Vance, Jr.

Willie has left to cherish her memory her: two sons, Shian Calloway of Newland, Kameron Calloway of Newland; grandchildren, Alice and Sebastion; sisters, Twana Blevins of Newland, Jenena Greene of Newland; brother, Jesse Greene of Marion; a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Wilmeta (Willie) Ann Greene Calloway will be conducted on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 2:00 pm at the Bethel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine with Rev. Luther Carver officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethel Baptist Church. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 5, 2015 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

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

William Eugene “Gene” Wilson (May 5, 1929
- July 31, 2015)

Mr. William Eugene “Gene” Wilson, 86, of Queen Street, Boone, passed away surrounded by family, Friday evening, July 31, 2015, at his home.

Gene began life at Banner Elk Hospital. His dad was Calvin Ray Wilson, known as Ray, and the family lived on a small farm in the Silverstone community in northwestern Watauga County, NC.

His mother Myrtle Barlow Wilson was a native of the Heaton Community in Avery County, NC. On May 5, 1929 she went back to Banner Elk in Avery County and gave birth to her son William Eugene Wilson.

Gene’s first jobs were working for his dad on the family farm and with a little sawmill operation at age 12. 

Gene graduated from Cove Creek High School then getting a taste of non-farm work at Belk’s and A&P, at that time both were in downtown Boone. Eventually, he became assistant manager at the A&P grocery store. 

Opportunities were slim in the post World War II area in Watauga County.

Gene eventually moved to Lenoir, where he lived with his uncle and worked for Harper Furniture Company. Salaries were even higher in the north and Gene who had recently married his wife of 66 years, Odenia Little on August 13th 1949 and moved to Cleveland Ohio, to work in 1950. He made bumpers and other car parts that headed to the then thriving automobile industry in Detroit Michigan.

After about two years the young couple, tired of the “big city life” moved back. Gene got a job driving trucks for his father-in-law. As the years went by, four children, two boys and two girls were born. Tim, Kelia Ann, Keva and Travis. A chance for a better paying local job came at Shadowline, where Gene rose to be a supervisor of the cutting department.

His political itch arrived as the filing season for county commission was underway in 1968. Gene won his seat and served until 1976 and was chair for the final two years. Entering politics meant more than just attending commission meetings. He represented the county on a variety of boards. New River Mental Health was one of the first he joined and he served on that board for four decades. The number of boards that sought Gene as a member grew exponentially and included county Social Services, Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, the Health Department and the local prison facility among others.

In 1971, midst of these political activities, he found a new career. He and two others bought a restaurant in Boone that had opened in the mid-1960s and was known as Dan’l Boone Inn. After a few years Gene bought out the partners. The farm boy was now in the restaurant business. By the end of the 70’s Gene was managing a group of 10 restaurants in Watauga and Caldwell counties and Eastern Tennessee and serving as president or vice president of several food service companies.

Gene’s return to political office came in 1985 when he was selected to serve out an unexpired term in the NC House of Representatives. Gene served his districts and state with compassion and zeal in Raleigh over the next 20 years.

Wilson
Wilson

After 40 years in politics, serving his county, region and state he retired from the political scene in 2006. Looking back over the past 40 years of policies, Gene would always say, “I didn’t do a thing for recognition. I did things because people needed them”. “I tried to do a good job for this area, and I am still trying to make it a better place for our people. I’ve had a good life”.

Retirement rested gently on his shoulders. His family remained important, as it was all his life. A manager takes care of the day-to-day operations at the Dan’l Boone Inn Restaurant and Gene spent his time at home and in his garden. Gene Wilson never forgot his farming roots as a boy in Silverstone. And we will never forget Gene Wilson.

Gene is survived by his wife, Odenia Little Wilson of the home; two sons, Tim Wilson and wife Alice and Travis Wilson and wife Teresa, all of Boone; one daughter, Keva Sigmon and husband Maran of Boone; four grandsons, Daniel Wilson and fiancee’ Megan Sweeting, Rayland Wilson and wife Krystal, Traver Wilson and wife Lindsey, and Tanner Wilson, all of Boone; one granddaughter, Chelsea Johnston and husband Robert of Boone; one brother, Calvin Wilson and wife Winnie of Boone, and three sisters, Virginia Wilson and husband Clay of Zionville, Phyllis Moretz and husband H.C., and Sandy Wicker and husband Chip, all of Boone. He is also survived by one great-grandson, Dex Wilson, two great-granddaughters, Chanler Hamby and Kaylin Wilson, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one daughter, Kelia Ann Wilson; his father and mother, Calvin Ray Wilson and Myrtle Barlow Wilson, and one sister, Peggy Johnson. 

Funeral services for Mr. William Eugene “Gene” Wilson will be conducted Monday afternoon, August 3, 2015 at 2:00 o’clock at Greenway Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00. Officiating will be Reverend Harold Bennett and Reverend Darrell Hobbs. Entombment will follow in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 1:30 until 4:30, at Greenway Baptist Church. 

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Greenway Baptist Church, 880 Greenway Road, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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

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

John Edward Norman (Jan. 02, 1927 – July 31, 2015)

Norman
Norman

John Edward Norman, age 88, of Norman Road Extension, Boone, passed away Friday morning, July 31, 2015 at Watauga Medical Center.

Born January 2, 1927 in the Shulls Mills community of Watauga County, he was a son of Clyde Mitchell and Cordie Caroline McLean Norman. Mr. Norman was a veteran of the United States Army, serving in both WWII and Korea. He was a member of Foscoe Christian Church. John supported his family as a carpenter and stone mason. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing, beekeeping, gathering and selling herbs, raising tobacco and tending the annual vegetable gardens. He loved working in his wood shop, crafting fiddles.

Mr. Norman is survived by his children, Gary Norman and wife Lois, Dianne Norris and husband, Danny, Tim Norman and wife, Jennifer, and Brenda Barrier and husband, Scott, all of Boone; eleven grandchildren, Jennifer Arnette and husband, Adam, Nathan Norman, Mitchell Norman and wife, Nicole, Amos Earp, Kevin Doss, Caitlin and Nick Barrier, Finleigh and Isabelle Norman, Brandon Norris and wife, Erica, and Kayla Alderson and husband, Jared; thirteen great-grandchildren; and his sister, Martha Duckworth of Boone. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Alice Combs Norman; and brothers and sisters, Howard and Eugene Norman, Verla Harrison, Raleigh Norman and infant Gwendolyn Norman.

Funeral services for John Edward Norman will be conducted Sunday afternoon, August 2, at 2:30 at the Foscoe Christian Church, officiated by Pastor Dan Burks. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1:30 until 2:30, prior to services, at the church. Military graveside services, provided by the American Legion Post #130 will follow in the Church Family Cemetery.

The family respectfully requests no food, and suggests memorials to the Foscoe Christian Church Building Fund, 8834 NC Highway 105 South, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Norman family.

Gloria Anne Norman (June 21, 1946 – July 31, 2015)

Gloria Anne Norman ,age 69, of Elk Park passed away on July 31, 2015 at her residence.

Norman
Norman

A native of Lake City, TN, she was born June 21, 1946 a daughter of the late Lee and Margaret Mayes. She was an avid reader, who enjoyed painting, crocheting and gardening.

Gloria was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, who will be greatly missed by her husband, Jack Norman of the home; sons, Jack Norman, Jr., and his long time companion, Kathy of Elk Park, Tim Norman, and his wife, Lisa, of Elk Park, Mike Norman, and his wife, Nichole, of Ruther Glen, VA; daughter, Tina Scott, and her husband, Mike, of Elk Park; grandchildren, Alycia Norman, Eric Norman, Derrick Scott, Autumn Scott, Hannah Norman, Hayley Norman; six great grandchildren, Eli, Frankie, Kaylee, Brandon, Matthew, and Bain.

Funeral services for Gloria Ann Norman will be conducted on Thursday, August 6, 2015 at 8:00 pm from the Grandfather Chapel of the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Donald Gragg officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the service hour Thursday at the funeral home.

Interment will follow on Friday, August 9, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the Elk Park Cemetery.

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

Betty Jo Roberts (April 11, 1936 – July 29, 2015)

Betty Jo Roberts, age 79, of Banner Elk passed away on July 29, 2015 at Roan Highlands Nursing Center.

Roberts
Roberts

A native of Avery County, she was born April 11, 1936 a daughter of the late Virgil Avery “Bird” McGuire and Floy Dollar McGuire.

She attended Emmanuel Baptist Church and enjoyed reading and listening to Conway Twitty.

Along with her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her: two husbands, James Walter Winters and David Roberts; brother, Melton McGuire; son, Larry Melton Goins.

Betty has left to cherish her memory her: daughter, Theresa Moody and husband Gene of Mountain City, TN.; sons, Ricky Goins of Elizabethton, TN., Randy Goins of Banner Elk, Terry Winters and wife April of Roan Mountain, TN.; sister, Bernice Buchanan of Minneapolis, Doris Heaton and husband Jim of Banner Elk; nine grandchildren; six great grandchildren.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 30th from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Family, friends and pallbearers will meet at the funeral home on Friday, July 31st at 12:00 p.m. to go in procession to the Valley Haven Cemetery for Interment Services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Avery County Humane Society at 279 New Vale Rd. Newland, NC 28657 or online at www.averyhumane.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 Roberts family.

Mary H. Wilkinson (Nov. 2, 1926 – July 28, 2015)

Hazel Messick Wilkinson, 88, passed away July 28, 2015 at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville, NC after a brief illness.

Wilkinson
Wilkinson

A graveside memorial service will be held at a later date in Atlanta, GA where her remains will be buried next to her husband, Alan W. Wilkinson who preceded her in death.

Hazel was born in Cambridge, MD where she lived until moving to Atlanta, GA with husband Alan, and then to Blowing Rock, NC where she resided until her death.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Alan Messick and Elizabeth Jones Messick Robbins, along with stepfather Leonard Robbins. Also by brother Ivy and sisters Faye, Midge, Louise and Dot.

Hazel is survived by brother Jim Robbins of Atlantic Beach, NC and sisters Eve Burchette of Knoxville, TN, Shirley Dayton of Cambridge, MD, and Kay Chalk of Westminster, MD, along with many nieces and nephews.

Hazel is also survived by her daughter Kaye Alan Barley and son-in-law Donald Barley of Boone, NC

Memorial donations may be made to MediHome Hospice, P. O. Box 1357, Newland, NC, 28657.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Cannon Memorial Hospital, MediHome Hospice of Newland, NC and Cranberry House of Newland, NC for their support in Mrs. Wilkinsons final days.

Online condolences may be shared with the Wilkinson family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Wilkninson family.