1000 x 90

Avery, Watauga Obituaries – Sept. 22, 2015

Virginia Aldridge (Nov. 3, 1922
- Sept. 21, 2015)

Mrs. Virginia Aldridge, age 92, of Highway 105 South, Banner Elk, passed away Monday morning, Sept. 21, 2015 at the Life Care Center of Banner Elk.

Aldridge
Aldridge

Mrs. Aldridge is survived by one son, Bobby Aldridge and wife Lisa of the Foscoe Community; one daughter, Marlene Henson and husband James of Boone; two grandsons, Eric Greer and wife Jennifer of Boone, and Dustin Aldridge and wife Alecia of the Foscoe Community; three great-grandsons, Jacob Greer and Hunter Greer, both of Boone, and Parker Aldridge of the Foscoe Community; one step-grandson, Dwain Henson and wife Lesa of Newland; two step great-granddaughters, Shannon Isaacs and husband Mackie of Boone, and Holly Henson of Greensboro; five step great-grandsons, Ethan Henson of Boone, Jordan Isaacs and wife Anna of Fleetwood, Tyler Isaacs of Boone, D.C. Braswell and Kyler Braswell, both of Newland; one step great great-grandson, Cohen Isaacs of Fleetwood, and one step great great-granddaughter, Mya Braswell of Newland.

She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Marl D. Aldridge; her father and mother, Fowl and Nora Mae Earp Hollars; four sisters, Hazel Walls, Edith Greene, Melba Hayes, and Dorothy Gutkin, and one brother, Clay Hollar.

Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Virginia Aldridge are incomplete at this time.

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

Odell McCurry (Nov. 19, 1944
- Sept. 21, 2015)

Mr. Odell McCurry, of Church Road, Boone, the Foscoe Community, passed away Monday evening, Sept. 21, 2015 at his residence.

Funeral services for Mr. Odell McCurry are incomplete at this time and will be announced by Hampton Funeral Service.

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

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

William J. “Joe” Justice (Feb. 3, 1945
- Sept. 20, 2015)

Justice
Justice

William J. “Joe” Justice, age 70, of Shore Drive, Blowing Rock, passed away Sunday evening, Sept. 20, 2015, at Watauga Medical Center.

Joe was born Feb. 3, 1945 in Rowan County, a son of the late James D. Justice and Mary Doris Keever Justice. He was retired from the textile industry.

Joe is survived by his wife, Jane Wilson Justice of Statesville; two sons, Richard Justice, and Scott Justice and wife Jennifer, all of Raleigh; one sister, Ellen Thomasson of Leland, North Carolina; one step-sister, Martha Harmon and husband Carroll of Statesville; two brothers, John Justice of Carrboro, and Spruce Hart and wife Sherri of Advance, and two granddaughters, Julia Justice and Lucy Justice, both of Raleigh. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one step-sister, Kay Hart, and two brothers, Jimmy and Richard Justice. 

Funeral arrangements for Joe Justice are incomplete at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 128 South Tryon Street, Suite 1588, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202.

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

Thomas Keith “Sonny” Taylor (Oct. 11, 1960
 – Sept. 20, 2015)

Taylor
Taylor

Thomas Keith “Sonny” Taylor, age 54, of Slabtown Road, Zionville, passed away Sunday morning, September 20, 2015, at his home.

Sonny was born October 11, 1960 in Boone, North Carolina, a son of Anna Mae Davis Shook and the late George Thomas Taylor. He was a retired stone mason and furniture worker.

Sonny is survived by one son, Michael Taylor of Lenoir; his mother, Anna Shook of Zionville; and two sisters, Kathy Crowder of Mountain City, and Debby Saulman and husband Larry of Morganton. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Mike Taylor.

Funeral services for Thomas Keith “Sonny” Taylor will be conducted Thursday evening, September 24, 2015 at 7:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 6:00 until 7:00. Officiating will be Reverend Dwayne Tester and Reverend James Henson. Burial and Graveside Services will be Friday morning, September 25 at 10:00 at Zionville Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 7:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Service, one hour prior to the service.

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

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

Thomas Burton Swift (May 22, 1926 – Sept. 20, 2015)

Sergeant Thomas Burton Swift 89, passed away at his home in Boone on Sunday September 20, 2015.

Swift
Swift

Burt Swift, as he was affectionately known, was born May the 22, 1926. An Electrician by trade, he and his uncles helped bring electricity to Boone. He was a WWII veteran who fought from Paris to Czechoslovakia. Mr. Swift received the purple heart and bronze star for this service.

He was preceded in death by his Great Grandfather Dr. Jordan Bare J.B. Phillips, his Grandparents Martha & Enoch Swift, his parents Clark & Maggie Phillips Swift, and his Uncles–Don, Scott, Dave, Wiley, Bob, and Max Swift. Mr. Swift is survived by his wife Emily McGuire Swift of the home, sister Sarah Swift Arnette of the Clark Swift Road in the Phillips Branch community, Cove Creek, daughters Kay Swift Edwards & Erma Swift Staton of Marion NC, one son Rocky Swift and wife Tianshu of Boone NC, Lucille Teague of Boone, Melba Ashley of Boone, Elizabeth Gail Ward Slagle of Elizabethton TN, CS Skip Hicks of Washington State, & one daughter deceased Melissa Lisa Mae Furches of Elizabethton TN. He is also survived by his special niece Hilda Arnette Greer & Tommy of Cove Creek, and special great nephews Brandon & Justin Greer and their respective families all of Cove Creek. 19 Grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren also survive.

Funeral Services for Thomas Burton Swift will be Monday, September 28, 2015 at 6:00 pm at Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends Monday, September 28th from 4:00 until 6:00 pm at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project.

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

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Swift family.

Juanita Graves (June 8, 1920 – Sept. 19, 2015)

Juanita-Graves-1442914868
Graves

Juanita A. Graves, age 95, of Crossnore passed away on September 20, 2015 at Erwin Health Care.

She was born June 8, 1920 in McDowell, Co. a daughter of the late Cleve and Clara Cassette Wise.

Juanita worked as a Housekeeper for the Esseola Lodge for 35 years and was awarded for the being the oldest working person in Avery County by the Employment Office in 1997.

She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ, VFW Ladies Auxiliary, Glen L. Martin Trade Union during WWII and the USO during WWII. She also enjoyed flower gardening.

Along with her parents, Juanita was preceded in death by her: husband, Forest Graves; sisters, Sylvia Penland, Betty Wise, Estelle Cuthbertson; brothers, Melvin Wise, Sam Wise.

Juanita has left to cherish her memory her: daughter, Sue Daniels and husband Danny of Crossnore; granddaughter, Lisa Evans and husband Todd of Clayton, NC.; 16 step grandchildren; great grandchildren, Hannah Evans, Dalton Evans; numerous step-great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Juanita A Graves will be conducted on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 at 3:00 pm in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Dave Atkins officiating. Interment will follow in the Church of Jesus Christ Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services.

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 Graves family.

Jean Benfield (Oct. 5, 1958 – Sept. 14, 2015)

Benfield
Benfield

Jean Benfield, age 56, of Newland passed away on September 14, 2015 at her residence.

She was born October 5, 1958 in Mitchell County a daughter of the late L.J. and Shirley Potter Dugger.

Along with her parents, Jean was preceded in death by her: brother, Bobby Dugger; sister, Cynthia Dugger; brother-in-law, Jerry Johnson.

Jean has left to cherish her memory her: daughter, Susan Carpenter and husband Nick of Newland; husband, Sam Benfield of Plumtree Creek; sisters, Sandy Blair and husband Ray of Roan Mountain, Lisa Johnson of Roan Mountain; brother, Lester Dugger and wife Julie of Roan Mountain; her beloved granddaughters whom she loved spending time with and will remember her saying ” I love you more than the stars in the sky.”, Kiera Carpenter, Samantha Carpenter and Kaylee Aldridge all of Newland; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Jean Benfield will be conducted on Friday, September 18th at 12:00 p.m. in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Donald Gragg officiating. Interment will follow in the Dugger Cemetery in Roan Mountain, TN. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 17th 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 Benfield family.