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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Feb. 14, 2017

Compiled by Jesse Wood

The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland. Send obituary notices to jesse@highcountrypress.com.


Constance Elizabeth Berger (Aug. 30, 1922 – Feb. 14, 2017)

Constance Elizabeth Berger, 94, of Lakeview Drive, Deep Gap, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 14, 2017, at her home.

Funeral arrangements for Constance Elizabeth Berger are incomplete at this time.

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

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


Allen Burl Farmer Sr. (April 24, 1948 – Feb. 13, 2017)

Allen Burl Farmer, 68, of Banner Elk passed away on Feb. 12, 2017 at his residence.

A native of Creston, NC, he was born April 24, 1948 a son of the late Baxter and Tressie Campbell Farmer.

He retired from truck driving after 33 years and was a member of the Elk Valley Baptist Church. Allen served as the bus driver for K.C. and the Elk Valley Boys for many years.

Along with his parents, Allen was preceded in death by his: brothers, Ivan, Hubert, and Herbert Farmer; sisters, Maxine Stout, Chessie Prillaman; a grandson, Michael Payne.

Allen has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Gladys Farmer of the home; sons, Brian and Julie Farmer of Roan Mountain, TN, Burl and Robin Farmer of Newland, Brian and Kristy Smith of Vale, NC; brother, Walbert and Linda Farmer of Creston, NC; sister, Janice and Robert Greer of Kannapolis, NC; eight grandchildren; two great grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Allen Burl Farmer will be conducted on Wednesday, February 15, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Elk Valley Baptist Church with Rev. Tommy Carver and Rev. Michael Greer officiating. Interment will follow in the Elk Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Danny Horney, Randy Horney, Glen Horney, James Horney, Neil Horney, Joey Horney, Donald Wooten and Junior Farmer. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home.

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


Ruth Eggers Cook (Aug. 2, 1929 – Feb. 13, 2017)

Ruth Eggers Cook, 87, of Statesville and formerly of Bamboo Rd., Boone, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2017 at Autumn Care of Statesville. Born Aug. 2, 1929 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of George and Lona Hollars Eggers. Ruth was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church.

 She is survived by her daughter, Crystal Ellis and husband, Stephen, of Mocksville; son, Dorman Cook, Jr. and wife, Melinda, of Huntersville; 3 grandchildren, Jeff Cook (Holly), of Denver, Karen McVickers (Travis) of Stanley and Lauralynn Ellis of Mocksville; 6 great-grandchildren, Ava Ruth, Lana and Lyla Cook, Grace, Graham and Grady McVickers; and 3 brothers, Tom Eggers of Sawmills, Charles Eggers and wife, Martha, of Rural Retreat, VA, and Gurney Eggers and wife, Elaine, of TN.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dorman George (Doc) Cook, Sr. and 9 brothers and sisters.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 15, at 2 oclock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Bud Russell. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1 until 2 oclock, prior to services. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625.

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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


Donna Tucker Lindquist (Sept. 20, 1961 – Feb. 11, 2017)

Donna Tucker Lindquist, 55, of Meadow Hill Drive, Boone, passed away Saturday morning, Feb. 11, 2017, at her home.

Donna is survived by two daughters, Jennifer Posthuma and Jamie Lindquist, both of Boone; two sons, Brent Scarlett of North Carolina and Brian Lindquist of Charlotte; one granddaughter, Amira Eddiba of Boone; one sister, Sandra Tucker and husband Dave of Kernersville, and one brother, Jason Tucker.

Memorial services for Donna Tucker Lindquist will be conducted at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to SECU Family House, 1970 Baldwin Lane, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103.

Online condolences may be sent to the Lindquist family at www.hamptonfuneranc.com

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


Mr. Ted Bunton (Feb. 4, 1935 – Feb. 11, 2017)

Mr. Ted Bunton, 82, of Sugar Grove, passed away Saturday, Feb. 11, 2017 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation. Born Feb. 4, 1935 in Avery County, he was a son of the late Clyde and Ruth Farthing Bunton. Ted was a farmer and a member of Mt. View Baptist Church.

He is survived by two brothers, Allen Bunton and wife Lois of Lexington, and Fred Bunton and wife Mildred of Elk Park, four sisters in law, Katherine Lockner, Nancy Louise Ward, Evelyn Greer and husband Larry and Vernell Lockner, six nephews; Greg Bunton, Jeff Bunton, Teddy Bunton and wife Shelby, Tim Bunton, Jeff Ward and Michael Ward, three nieces, Angela Bunton, Charlotte Ward and Tonya Watson, and a number of great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Lockner Bunton.

Funeral services for Mr. Ted Bunton will be conducted Sunday evening at 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Derick Wilson, Rev. Lynn Hicks and Rev. Tim Bunton. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 6 oclock until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Monday morning at 11 oclock at the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Mt. Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Darryel Reece, 3041 Flat Springs Road, Elk Park, NC 28622.


Christine Bolick Harmon (June 8, 1920 – Feb. 10, 2017)

Christine Bolick Harmon, 96, of North Wilkesboro, formerly of Boone, passed away Friday morning, Feb. 10, 2017, at Wilkes Senior Village in North Wilkesboro.

Mrs. Harmon was a member of Three Forks Baptist Church where she was a Sunday School Teacher, church treasurer, a choir member, a member of WMU, a GA leader and a Bible School teacher.

Survivors include, two daughters, Carolyn Broyhill and L.C. of Moravian Falls, North Carolina and Marilyn Roten of North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, three granddaughters, Sarah Chapman and husband Chris of Charlotte, Lisa Outland and husband Wright of Clemmons, North Carolina and Cynthia Roten of Asheville, three grandsons, John Roten, Jr. and wife Jane of Palm Harbor, Florida, Jason Roten and Aimee of Wilkesboro, and Geoffery Roten and Kim of Boone, seven great-granddaughters, Alexandria, Callan, Makayla and Jadie Roten, Haley Ball, Ashlyn Chapman and Paighton Outland, three great-grandsons, Kenan and Eli Roten and Cullen Chapman, one brother, Ben Bolick, Jr. and wife Frances, two sisters, Cleo Cook and husband Hugh, and Nadine Williard, one sister-in-law, Mildred T. Bolick of Charlotte, and one brother-in-law, L.P. Harmon of Lenoir, and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J.D. Harmon, her father and mother, Benjamin Franklin and Docia Harrison Bolick, two brothers and sisters-in-law, Clyde Bolick and Faye, and Cloyd Bolick and Rose, one brother, Coy Bolick and one sister, Colene Bolick, one sister and brother-in-law, Cleda Graham and L.D.

Funeral services for Christine Bolick Harmon will conducted Saturday afternoon, February 18, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Three Forks Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend David Ricker. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Wake Forest Care at Home Hospice, 126 Executive Drive, Suite 110, Wilkesboro, North Carolina 28697.

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

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


Ella Reese (Sept. 23, 1942 – Feb. 9, 2017)

Ella Reese, age 74, of Henson Branch Road, Vilas, passed away Thursday morning, February 9, 2017, at Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tennessee.

Ella was born September 23, 1942 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Lewis Martin Presnell and Cora Virginia Price Presnell. She was a retired seamstress for Shadowline in Boone.

Ella is survived by one son, Jay Taylor and wife Susan of Zionville; one granddaughter, Gracie Taylor of Zionville; one grandson, Jonathon Taylor of Zionville; two sisters, Rosie Presnell of Florida and Debra Clark of Vilas, and one brother, Perry Presnell of the Beech Creek Community.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Linny Franklin Reese; two brothers, Jack and Wiley Presnell, and one sister, Martha Novella Sluder.

Private graveside services and burial for Ella Reese will be conducted at the Old Presnell Cemetery. Officiating will be Reverend Chris Townsend.

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

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


Nancy Linebarger Fletcher (June 26, 1926 – Feb. 9, 2017)

Nancy Winebarger Fletcher, 90, of Lynhill Road, Boone, passed away Thursday, Feb. 9, 2017 at Watauga Medical Center. Born June 26, 1926 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Edd and Viola Moretz Winebarger. Mrs. Fletcher was a member of Mabel United Methodist Church.

 She is survived by her daughter, Priscilla Rainey and husband, Tom, of Boone and son, Ronald Fletcher and wife, Patty, of Tampa, FL; 6 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren; brother, J. C. Winebarger and wife, Sue, of Zionville; sisters-in-law, Elsie Winebarger of Zionville and Phyllis Greene of Boone; and brother-in-law, Ted Cook of Granite Falls. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Fletcher; sisters, Ruby Cook and Lucille Dugger; and brothers, Earl, Berlin, James, Dean and Tommy Winebarger. Funeral services for Nancy Winebarger Fletcher will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, February 14, at 1 oclock at Mabel United Methodist Church, officiated by Pastor Katherine Cornell. The family will receive friends from noon until 1 oclock, prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow services in the Mabel Methodist Church Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Mabel Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of J. C. Winebarger, 4166 Old Hwy 421, Zionville, NC 28698.

Online condolences may be shared at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

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


Virginia Hayes Cook (Aug. 17, 1925 – Feb. 8, 2017)

Virginia Hayes Cook, 91, of Montana Drive, Boone, passed away Wednesday evening, Feb. 8, 2017, at Watauga Medical Center.

Virginia was born August 17, 1925 in Watauga County, daughter of the late Jesse Don Hayes and Marilyn Virginia Wheeler Hayes. She was a retired inspector for Shadowline of Boone and a member of Rutherwood Baptist Church.

Virginia is survived by one daughter, Donna Cline and husband Jimmy of Kannapolis; two sons, Gene Cook, and Jeffrey Cook and wife Anita, all of Boone; two granddaughters, Margaret Cook Ugenti and husband Michael of Hawthorne, New Jersey, and Kathryn Leigh Cook of Boone; three grandsons, Michael Gene Cook of Anderson, North Carolina, Steven Travis Cook of Boone, and Clayton James Cline of Kannapolis, and one great-grandson, Jesse Phillip Cook of Anderson, North Carolina.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald L. Cook, and an infant grandson, Gerald Thomas Cook.

Funeral services for Virginia Hayes Cook will be conducted Saturday afternoon, February 11, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Herbert McCoy will officiate. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, North Carolina, 28645.

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

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


Margie L. Houck (Oct. 7, 1953 – Feb. 7, 2017)

 Margie Lou Tuell Houck, age 63 of Todd, passed away Tuesday February 7, 2017.

 She is survived by her husband, Barry Houck, one daughter, Buffy Blevins and husband Ronnie Sluder of Todd, one son, Chad Blevins and wife Terry Graybeal of Lansing, her parents, Rev. Dan Tuell and Carol Dean Walton Tuell of Virginia, one brother, Timmy Tuell and wife Joyce of Virginia, and one sister Suzie Kesley also of Virginia. Five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

The family will receive friends throughout the day Saturday, February 11, 2017 at the Houck residence, 210 Milt Houck Road, Todd. A memorial service will begin at 12:00p.m. in the home.

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

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