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Avery, Watauga Obituaries – March 10, 2015

Bonnie Austin Coffey (Feb. 8, 1930 – March 10, 2015) 

Bonnie Austin Coffey, 85, of Wilkinson Boulevard, Gastonia, passed away Tuesday morning, March 10, 2015, at Meadowood Nursing Center in Gastonia.

Funeral arrangements for Bonnie Austin Coffey are incomplete at this time.

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

Willie J. Hicks (Oct. 19, 1984 – March 7, 2015) 

Hicks
Hicks

Willie Jo Hicks, 30, of Lonnie Carlton Road, Deep Gap, the Triplett community, passed away Saturday evening, March 7, 2015.

Willie Jo was born Oct. 19, 1984 in Watauga County. He was a graduate of Watauga High School and was employed as a warehouse manager for Ridge Runner Trading Company. His favorite pastime was spending free time outdoors fishing and hunting. He enjoyed his active membership on the Boone Shaka Team playing Ultimate Frisbee, and participating in Contra Dancing.

Mr. Hicks is survived by his mother, Betty Jo Carlton Hicks of Deep Gap; two sisters, Janie Ann Hicks and Jeanette Jo Leavitt and husband, Peter, all of Deep Gap; aunts, Susie Barlow and husband, Roy, of Deep Gap, Phyllis Potter of Newland, and Evelyn Harmon and husband, Ernest, of Banner Elk; and numerous cousins, including Cindy Calloway and her children, Phoenix and Asher, all of Deep Gap. He was preceded in death by his father, William Franklin Hicks; maternal grandparents, Lonnie and Ethel Carlton; and his paternal grandparents, Plato and Nina Hicks.

Memorial services for Willie Jo Hicks will be conducted Wednesday morning, March 11, 2015 at 11 a.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Harvey Bauman and Rev. Doug Roberts. Burial will follow in the Little Laurel Creek Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes. At other times, the family will be at the home of his mother, Betty Jo Hicks, 1423 Lonnie Carlton Road, Deep Gap, NC 28618.

In lieu of flowers, memorials gifts may be made to the Hicks Family.

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

Helen Triplett Carroll (June 16, 1924 – March 6, 2015) 

Carroll
Carroll

Mrs. Helen Triplett Carroll, 90, of Blowing Rock, passed away Friday, March 6, 2015, at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston Salem.

Mrs. Carroll was born June 16, 1924 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late William Leon Coffey and Marion Edna Norris Coffey. She was a retired dental assistant and homemaker, and was a member and Sunday School Teacher of Greenway Baptist Church.

Mrs. Carroll is survived two sons, Jim W. Triplett, and David J. Triplett and wife Kathy, all of Blowing Rock; one grandson, Jack Triplett and girlfriend Jennifer, of Blowing Rock; four step-daughters, Roxana Slaughter and husband Bill of Graham, Denise Carroll of Toano, Virginia, Lila Phillips, and Nelda Smith and husband Larry, all of Charlotte; three step-sons, Terry Carroll and wife Carol of Wilkesboro, Marc Carroll and wife Terry of Swansboro, and Sabin Carroll and wife Jennifer of Hudson; two sisters, Irene Woods of Lenoir, and Jewell Moody of Blowing Rock; one brother, Wayne Coffey of Blowing Rock; one sister-in-law, Betty Coffey of Blowing Rock; 14 step-grandchildren, and two step great-grandchildren. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Carroll was preceded in death by her first husband, Conor Jones “Jack” Triplett, her second husband, Archie J. Carroll, two sisters, Thelma Deal and Marie Broyhill, and three brothers, Homer, Wade and Owen Coffey.

Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Triplett Carroll will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, March 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at Greenway Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service. Officiating will be Reverend Darrell Hobbs and Dr. David Luster. Burial will follow at Laurel Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, March 10, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, the family will be at the home of a son, Jim Triplett, 142-1 Triplett Lane, US Highway 321, Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Watauga County Arts Council, in Memory of Helen Triplett Carroll, 377 Shadowline Drive, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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

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

Stella Reece Lawrence (June 28, 1913 – March 5, 2015)

Lawrence
Lawrence

Stella Reece Lawrence, age 101, of 148 Buck Lawrence Road, Zionville, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 5, 2015, at her home.

Mrs. Lawrence was born June 28, 1913 in Watauga County, the daughter of the late Coy Lee Reece and Cora Wilson Reece. She was a retired employee of Appalachian State University and a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Mrs. Lawrence is survived by one son, Kenneth “Buck” Lawrence and wife Dora Deane of Zionville; one granddaughter, Lisa Colvard and husband Phillip of Zionville; one great-grandson, Marc Colvard and fiancée Jalyn of Lenoir; one sister-in-law, Ruth Lawrence Isaacs of Lenoir; special friends, Jessica Miller, Rena Davis, Martha Miller, Helen Hicks, and Wanda Winebarger, and special caregiver, Julie Wright. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Will Lawrence, and one brother, Gene Reece.

Funeral services for Stella Reece Lawrence will be conducted Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Herbert McCoy and Reverend Allan Perry. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hand-In-Hand Fund at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, in care of Ann Thomas, 1514 Silverstone Road, Zionville, North Carolina, 28698.

The family respectfully requests no food.

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

Lori Lynn Cavanaugh (August 9, 1965 – March 5, 2015) 

Lori Lynn Cavanaugh, 49, of Shores Way, Boone, passed away, after a long illness, Thursday morning, March 5, 2015, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Cavanaugh
Cavanaugh

Lori was born Aug. 9, 1965 in Norfolk, Virginia. Lori was a wonderful mother to her son Ryan, a daughter, a sister and a friend to many. As an elementary school teacher at Hardin Park Elementary for many years, she was an inspiration to her students. At Makoto’s where she worked for many years, she brought joy and laughter to the many guests she served. Lori was fluent in sign language and loved to teach others various words. She was an avid reader, a lover of music and theater, enjoyed crossword and jigsaw puzzles as well as board games. She loved children and was a wonderful ‘mommy’ to her two dogs Brady and Bruiser.

“Lori lit up every room when she walked in and many people feel she was put on this Earth to make other people laugh, which she did all the time.”

Lori is survived by one son, Ryan Patrick Cavanaugh of the home; three brothers, Timothy Cavanaugh of Sherman Oaks, California, Christopher Cavanaugh and wife Kerri of Independence, Missouri, and Robert Cavanaugh of Lapeer, Michigan; her mother, Beverly (nee Bukowski) Rosen of Boone, and her step-father, Harry Robert Rosen of Boone.

She was preceded in death by her father, Michael Robert Cavanaugh.

A memorial service, celebrating the life of Lori Lynn Cavanaugh, will be conducted Saturday afternoon, April 18, 2015, at 3:00 p.m., at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Officiating will be Father Dave Brzoska. The family will receive friends, at a reception at the church, following the service.

A mass honoring Lori’s life will be held Sunday morning, April 19, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

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

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

Roy Dexter Harmon (July 6, 1931 – March 5, 2015)

Harmon
Harmon

Roy Dexter Harmon, 83, of 335 Laurel Branch Road, Vilas, passed away Thursday afternoon, March 5, 2015, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.

Mr. Harmon was born July 6, 1931 in Watauga County, a son of the late Coy Wiley Harmon and Della Oaks Harmon. He was a retired service station attendant and a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. Mr. Harmon enjoyed working as a vendor at local Flea Markets.

Mr. Harmon is survived by his wife, Georgia Parks Harmon of the home; three daughters, Sharon Stone and husband Luke of Lenoir, Alice Mitchell and husband Wallace of Eden, and Geraldine Harmon of Lenoir; two sons, Michael R. Harmon and wife Kristin of Sugar Grove, and Larry D. Harmon and wife Cathy of Granite Falls; four sisters, Hazel Isaacs of Sugar Grove, Peggy James of Zionville, Louella Dotson of Trade, Tennessee, and Janice Brooks of Deep Gap, and two brothers, Ed Harmon and wife Carolyn of Zionville, and O’Dell Harmon and wife Pat of Lynchburg, Virginia. He is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, thirty-three great-grandchildren, three great great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Joan Triplett and Mary Lynn Hodge; three brothers, Dwight, Albert and Dean Harmon, and two grandsons.

Funeral services for Roy Dexter Harmon will be conducted Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2015, at 2:00 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Lee Reece. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

Roy E. Holder (June 18, 1928 – March 4, 2015) 

Roy E. Holder, 86 of Blowing Rock, and formerly of High Point, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on March 4, 2015, surrounded by his loving family.

Holder
Holder

He was born on June 18, 1928 in High Point to Rue Holder and Hester Cox Holder. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Valoree, and by his loving wife of 10 years, Melda.

Roy graduated from High Point University. For many years he served as Minister of Music and Education for Baptist churches throughout the state of North Carolina. Later in life, he served as the Director of Missions for the Transylvania Baptist Association in Brevard, North Carolina.

Roy is survived by his loving son, Jim Holder and daughter-in-law Sandy Holder; his loving daughter Julie and husband Roger Robertson; granddaughter Katie Holder; grandson Josh Holder; grandson Jesse Robertson and wife Mandy; grandson Brock Robertson and wife Heidi. Other survivors include Meldas four daughters, Brenda Oxford, her husband Steve and their children Stephanie and Scott; Peggy Johnson, her husband Philip and their children James and Andrew; Sherri Thomas, her husband Jackie and their son Adam; and Terri Tucker. He is also survived by his loyal companion, Cuddles.

Roy was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He loved his family and supported them in every way. He was always willing to offer his wisdom and encouragement to everyone that he loved. Roy will be remembered for his service to the Lord, his beautiful voice, his stories and contagious smile.

Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 12:00 p.m. in the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, one hour prior to the service time in the funeral home.

Memorial donations in Roys name may be made to the Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St. NW. Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

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

Adam J. Townsend (April 10, 1921 – March 2, 2015)

Townsend
Townsend

Jessie Adam Townsend, 93, of Norman Road, Boone, the Foscoe community, passed away Monday, March 2, 2015 at Life Care of Banner Elk.

Born April 10, 1921 in Watauga County, he was a son of Andrew and Polly Mae Townsend. Adam was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church and attended Foscoe Christian Church. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and made his living as a farmer and cooking at the Daniel Boone Inn for more than 35 years. An avid gardener, Adam loved working the land planting flowers and vegetables.

He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Birdie Sluder Townsend; daughters, Carolyn Calloway and husband, Roy, of Foscoe, and Doris Miller of Deep Gap; two grandchildren, Chris Calloway and wife, Diana, of Foscoe, and Jeanie Miller and husband, Darrel, of Deep Gap; three great-grandchildren, Jacob Miller, Alanna Calloway and her friend, Brandon Stallings, and Lauren Greer and husband, Tanner; sisters, Alice Daniels of Newland, Lucy Alexander and husband, Gene, of Hickory, Daisy Johnson of Banner Elk, and Viola Daniels and husband, Earl, of Newland; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Rachel and Linda.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Nellie and Lillie Townsend and Pearl Stafford; brother, Larkin Townsend; and great-granddaughter, Ashley Miller.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, March 4, at 8 p.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Dan Burks and Rev. Nathan Caparolie. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes. Graveside services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Foscoe Community Cemetery. The family wishes to extend a sincere ‘Thank You’ to Lula Lyons and all the Life Care and Hospice staffs.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Foscoe Community Cemetery, in care of Foscoe Christian Church, 8834 NC Hwy 105 S., Boone, NC 28607.

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

Fred Meredith Hobson (Aug. 21, 1940 – Feb. 27, 2015)

Hobson
Hobson

Fred Meredith Hobson, 74, of Roan Mountain passed away on Feb. 27, 2015 at Johnson City Medical Center.

He was born Aug. 21, 1940 in Mitchell County, a son of the late Frank and Hattie Carver Hobson.

Along with his parents, Fred was preceded in death by his: son, Steven Ray Hobson; brothers, Jack Hobson, Sherrill Hobson, Roy Hobson; Sister, Helen Hobson

A loving husband, father and friend who was very grateful for everyone’s thoughts and prayers, Fred has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Sherri Hobson of Linville Falls; sons, Michael Hobson and wife Sherry of Burnsville, David Hobson and wife Pam of Citrus Springs, Fl.; five grandchildren.

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 Hobson family.