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.
Lynn D. Greene (June 21, 1960 – May 14, 2017)
Lynn David Greene, a.k.a. Skynyrd, age 56 of Deep Gap went home to be with his Lord Sunday, May 14, 2017.
He was a native of Watauga County and the son of the late Burl and Lucille Hayes Greene. Lynn was well known in the community, working in the automotive repair and parts business for over 30 years. He was also known for his smile and always enjoyed a good joke and his uncanny ability to make people laugh.
He was a member of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Betsy Rose Marsh, and a brother, Rex Greene.
He is survived by his wife, Tracey Wheeler Greene.
Sons, Josh Greene and wife Amanda of Boone, and Jonathan and wife
Jessica of Zionville.
Daughter, Shannon Marsh and husband J.T. of Boone.
Brother, Tommy Greene and wife Gale of Boone.
Sister, Carolyn Stephens and husband Doug of Culpeper, Va.
Sister-in-law, Mary Greene of Boone.
Grandchildren, Colton Greene, Cadence Greene, Noah Greene, Quinlan Marsh, Nathan Greene, Michael Marsh, Mia Marsh, and a grandson on the way.
A number of nieces, nephews, in-laws, aunts and uncles also survive.
Funeral services for Lynn David Greene will be conducted Saturday, May 20, 2017 at 1 p.m. in the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday prior to the services. At other times friends may visit at the home, 341 Hodges Road, Deep Gap.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of the donors choice.
Online condolences may be shared with the Greene family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Greene family.
Kathleen Clark Freeman (April 9, 1927 – May 14, 2017)
Kathleen Clark Freeman, 90 , of Jonas Ridge Community passed away on Sunday, May 14, 2017 at Life Care Center of Banner Elk.
She was born on April 9, 1927 in Burke County, North Carolina, a daughter of Otie and Emma Reeves Clark.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Charles Freeman.
Kathleen leaves behind to cherish her memory several cousins: Lela Rupard of Lenior, Mary Hull of Pineola,Patricia Hefner of Spruce Pine, Thomas D Reeves of Spruce Pine and Very special friends Ann Beam and Lisa Guinn.
Services for Kathleen Freeman will be held on Wednesday May 17, 2017 beginning at 7:00 pm with the Revs. Poncho Guichard and Andrew Thomas officiating.
The family will receive friends beginning from 5:00 to 7:00 at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home
Interment will be Thursday at 11:00 at the Jonas Ridge Cemetery. Family, friends, and pallbearers will gather at the cemetery on Thursday morning at 10:45. Pallbearers will be: Tom Reeves, Richard Clark, Allen Clark, David Oaks, Jr., Max Morgan and Ned Guinn.
Kathleen was a very sweet lady that will be missed by many. She retired after 30 years of service working in the business office at Spruce Pine Community Hospital, a member of the Jonas Ridge Baptist Church and also a member of the Daughter’s of the American Revolution.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Medi- Home Hospice PO Box 1357 Newland, NC 28657.
The family would like to offer a special thank you to the nurses and staff of Medi- Home Hospice for the wonderful care provided, and to the staff of Life Care Center.
Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Freeman family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net
Opal Ragan Gragg (Jan. 25, 1929 – May 12, 2017)
Opal Ragan Gragg, 88, of Hilltop Drive, Boone, passed away Friday morning, May 12, 2017 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.
Born January 25, 1929 in the Meat Camp community of Watauga County, she was a daughter of Daniel Boone Ragan and Carrie Proffitt Ragan. Opal was a member of Three Forks Baptist Church. She served as a member of the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary.
Mrs. Gragg is survived by her son, Larry Gragg and wife, Liz of Cornelius; two granddaughters, Dawn Hodges and husband, William, of Boone and Lora Cornwell and husband, Steve, of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; three great-grandsons, Dylan Stevens of Boone, Tyler Wren of Smyrna, Tennessee, and Noah Wren of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; and great-granddaughter, Adelyn Cornwell of Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her husband, Martin McKinley Gragg, and daughter, Linda Lou Carroll. Opal was the last member of the Ragan family of five brothers and three sisters.
Funeral services for Opal Ragan Gragg will be conducted Sunday afternoon, May 14, 2017, at 3 oclock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. David Ricker. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2 until 3 oclock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Graveside services will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.
Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Gragg family.
Mr. Paul W. Moretz (Nov. 27, 1942 – May 12, 2017)
Paul Willett Moretz, 74, of Parks Road died Friday, May 12, 2017 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
A funeral service will be at 2:00 PM Tuesday at Piedmont Funeral Home Chapel by the Rev. Billy Peterson. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:00 PM Tuesday at the funeral home before the service. At other times they will receive friends at 1584 W. Old US Hwy 64 in Lexington.
Mr. Moretz was born in Watauga County on November 27, 1942 to the late Willett Hamilton and Rebecca Maine Moretz. He was of the Baptist faith, and retired from PPG Industries after 33 years of service. He enjoyed yardwork and tinkering with his cars. He was preceded in death by his wife Vicky Spry Moretz, brother Earl Moretz, and sister Mary Jane Moretz Moretz.
Surviving are daughters Kim Moretz Workman and husband Phillip of Southmont, and Kelly Dawn Moretz Kingen and husband Charlie of Lexington; brothers Howard Moretz and wife Pauline and J.D. Moretz and wife Phyllis all of Southmont. Also surviving are grandchildren Mandy Hedrick and husband Bobby, Wrenn Workman, and Austin Kingen; and great-grandchildren Meredith Hedrick and Landon Hedrick.
Memorials may be made to The Davidson County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 122, Lexington, NC, 27293.
Online condolences may be made at www.piedmontfuneralhome.com.
Mark Lynn Johnson Jr. (April 19, 1993 – May 11, 2017)
Mark Lynn Johnson Jr., 24, of Banner Elk, passed away on May 11, 2017 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
He was born on April 19, 1993 to Mark and Audrey (Norwood) Johnson of Banner Elk NC. Mark worked as a CNA, he attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk. Mark was a First Responder for Banner Elk Fire and Rescue.He enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping in his free time.
Mark was a great son, he held up to his name. He could make you smile when you were down and out. He was a special person that always put others first. He was a very hard working young man.
Mark leaves behind to cherish his memory, his parents Mark and Audrey Norwood Johnson of Banner Elk NC: Two Sisters, Mary Johnson of Banner Elk, NC, Missy Johnson and fiancé Oliver Patterson of Banner Elk, Special Niece: Diamond Johnson; Grandfather, Dale Norwood; Step Grandmother Paulette Begley and Grandmother Dorothy Lee; Two Uncles, Leonard Johnson, Danny Johnson; Three Aunts, Wanda Whitner (Joseph), Bertha Johnson, June Johnson.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Melvin Johnson, grandmother, Mary Johnson, and grandfather, Jacob Johnson.
Visitation will be Friday May 12, 2017 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Reins- Sturdivant Funeral Home
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday May 13, 2017 at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk. Interment will follow at White Rock Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home to help cover funeral expenses for the Johnson Family. Online condolences can be given at www.rsfh.net.
You must be logged in to post a comment.