The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland
Chester Monroe Townsend
March 14, 1937 ~ April 12, 2026
Chester Townsend, born in Watauga County, NC March 14,1937. His parents were Jason Alexander Townsend and Essie Louisa Townsend of Watauga County, NC.
Chester graduated in 1956 from Cove Creek High School, Sugar Grove NC. He worked at Shuford Mills and General Electric.
He was married for 67 yrs. to Virleen Hudson Townsend of Burke County, NC. His children are Teresa Gray and husband Randy Gray of Burke County, NC, Darrell Townsend of Caldwell County, NC, Randy Townsend of Burke County, NC, Tammy Smith and husband Eddie Smith of Burke County, NC; Grandkids Jacob Townsend and wife Brittany Townsend of Caldwell County, NC, Megan Murphy and husband Dale Murphy of Caldwell County, NC, Hayley Townsend of Caldwell County, NC, Justin Ward and wife Gwen Ward of Caldwell County, NC, Faith Townsend of Caldwell County, NC, Mathew Smith and wife Logan Smith of Davidson County, NC, Travis Smith of Burke County, NC; Great Grandkids, Maggie Murphy of Caldwell County, NC, Emma Townsend of Caldwell County, NC, Jason Townsend of Caldwell County, NC, Walker Ward of Caldwell County, NC, Ryleigh Ward of Caldwell County, NC, Caroline Smith of Davidson County, NC; sister Rosa Greene and husband Vernon Greene of Caldwell County, NC; brother in law Howard Hudson of Catawba County, NC; and many nephews and nieces.
He is preceded in death by his grandson, Scott Townsend; brothers, Claude Townsend and wife Helen Townsend, Earl Townsend and wife Betty Townsend, Gradie Townsend and wife Hazel Townsend, sisters, Texie Towsend, Cora Townsend, Macy Townsend, Gracie Mitchell and husband Fred Mitchell Louise Townsend and husband Ulas Townsend.
He was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church.
Chester loved bowling and was on Colonial Lanes Bowling Teams for years. He enjoyed hunting and spending time at the hunting cabin, as well as gardening and canning what he grew.
He built 7 houses in his life and survival sheds. Chester enjoyed going camping in Cherokee with family and spending time at the mountain house.
He loved God and his country very much.
He loved his family very much and we loved him the same.
Visitation from 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Holy Communion Lutheran Church with funeral service at 1:30 PM. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarensfuneralhome.com
Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Townsend family.
Georgia S. Jones
June 16, 1941 ~ April 15, 2026
Ms. Georgia Jones, age 84, of Boone, died Wednesday morning, April 15, 2026, at Watauga Medical Center. Born June 16, 1941, she was the daughter of the late George and Elfa Greene Smitherman. She was a retired Teacher’s Assistant and thoroughly enjoyed the 21 years she worked with first and second graders at Hardin Park Elementary School. Prior to that she worked alongside her husband, Bobby, at Nic-Mac Market of which they were a co-owner. Georgia was an active member of the Boone Advent Christian Church and loved to call friends each day and to take the opportunity to witness to everyone she met.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, Bobby Ray Jones, Sr.; sisters, Cornelia Miller and Erie Winkler, sisters-in-law; Mabel Brown, Iva Lee Hayes, Stella Jones, Joann Moretz, and Brenda Gragg, and brothers-in-law; an infant, and Clyde, Lester, Chester, and Kenneth Jones. Surviving are two daughters; Anita Fogle and husband Shawn, of Lenoir, and Kyra Jones, and fiancé Ricky Sheets, of North Wilkesboro, one son, Bobby Jones, Jr., and wife Meredith of Boone, six grandchildren; Derek Calhoun and wife Katie, Brandon Calhoun and wife, Anna, all of Fleetwood, Cameron Fogle and Brock, Bowen, and Baylon Jones, all of Boone; and two great-grandsons, Grayson and Colson Calhoun of Fleetwood and sister-in-law Marie Jones of Boone along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services for Ms. Georgia Jones will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o’clock at the Boone Advent Christian Church. Officiating will be Rev. Rick Page and Tom Redmond. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family requests no flowers and, in lieu of, memorials may be may made to the Boone Advent Christian Church Youth Group and/or the Women’s Home & Foreign Mission Society in care of BACC, PO Box 2515, Boone, North Carolina 28607. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon prior to the service from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock at Boone Advent Christian Church.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Jones family.
Sydney Allen “Syd” Watson
September 13, 1940 – April 15, 2026
Sydney (Paw Syd) Allen Watson age 85 of Deep Gap passed away Wednesday April 15, 2026, at Ashe Memorial Hospital.
He was born September 13, 1940, in Watauga County to the late Willard and Ora Watson. He married Reba Greene February 2, 1963.
He was preceded in death by his brothers Herbert and Joe and his sisters Helen, Pansy, Bonnie, and Sally.
Whenever you met Syd, you were greeted with a smile, and it didn’t take long for him to talk about the Lord and his favorite things to do, cutting wood, fishing, and hunting or spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Syd was a deacon at Cornerstone Baptist Church for 29 years. He loved his church family and was a faithful member of the church and the prayer room where his heart tried to encourage the men and to “carry on.” He greeted people with his favorite “thumbs Up” and usually “thumbs up” as they left.
Those left to carry on are his wife Reba of 63 years and is a perfect example of a “virtuous woman” his daughters Tina Severt and husband George, Polly Miller and husband Bryan and Jennifer Bryan and husband Anthony who he taught anything he would have if they were boys. His grandchildren Sydeena Isaacs and husband Tom, Seirena Richardson and husband Tyler, John Bryan and wife Ashlynn, Josh Bryan and wife Lindsay, great-grandchildren Madie, Katy, Hazel Richardson, Arlie Bryan, Leora Isaacs, Lainey Bryan, Jackson Bryan, Ransom Isaacs and Lawson Bryan. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, church family and a community who will miss him greatly.
If he could say anything back to us, he would say carry it out and win one more soul for Jesus.
Funeral services will be conducted 3:00 PM Sunday April 19, 2026, at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pastor Eric Proffitt and Pastor Bryan Miller will officiate.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00, prior to the service.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Cornerstone Baptist Church c/o Jim Watson P.O. Box 565 Deep Gap, North Carolina 28618.
Online condolences may be sent to the Watson Family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Betty Beach Lookabill
August 17, 1937 – April 17, 2026
Mrs. Betty Ann Beach Lookabill left this earth and entered into heaven in the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, April 17, 2026.
Betty was the wife of her loving husband, Jim Lookabill, for 56 years and loving mother to her sons Kevin J. Lookabill and the late Blake Edward Price. “Aunt Bee” as she was affectionately named by her nieces and nephews, enjoyed Atlanta Braves baseball, NASCAR racing, especially Bobby and Davey Allison, family gatherings, listening to George Jones music, crossword puzzles and most of all reading her Holy Bible.
Betty is also survived by in addition to her husband Jim and son Kevin and wife Sabrina, two sisters, Lynda Lawrence of Zionville, NC and Sharon Reece and husband Butler of Trade, TN, a sister-in-law Judy Trivette and a brother-in-law Alvin Trivette. Five grandsons, Nathaniel, Justin, KJ, Gunner and Sailor Lookabill and a very special great granddaughter Paisley Lookabill. Aunt Bee is survived by a number of nieces and nephews who love her dearly especially her nephew Curtis Williams. They had a very special bond. She is also survived by many friends and her Bethany Lutheran Church family.
Betty is predeceased by her parents, Ralph Upton Beach and Anna Lee Isaacs Beach. Her son Blake Edward Price, one brother Lloyd Ralph Beach, two sisters Lois B Williams and Elaine B Trivette. One niece, Nancy Elizabeth Williams and one Nephew Quentin Allen Greer Jr.
The viewing will be held on Sunday evening, April 19, 2026, from 6pm to 8 pm at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel in Boone, NC. The funeral will be held 11:00 AM Monday April 20, 2026, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 1030 Big Hill Road, Boone, NC with burial following in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, in Zionville, NC. Reverend Laura Weant will officiate.
“Willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord”. 2 Corinthians 5:8
Online condolences may be sent to the Lookabill family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Sherry McDaniel Cline
December 31, 1960 – April 20, 2026
Sherry McDaniel Cline age 65 of Deep Gap passed away April 20, 2026, at her home.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service in charge of the arrangements
Margie Faye Mayberry
December 24, 1932 – April 13, 2026
Margie “Faye” Harris Mayberry, age 93 met her Savior face to face on April 13th at her home surrounding by her family.
Faye was born December 24,1932 to Lytle G. and Bonnie Harmon Harris. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her loving husband, Bill Samuel Mayberry, brothers Elsworth, Warren, Harmon, Glen and Edwin, sisters, Thelma Harris, and Mildred Winters, two grandsons, Jonathan Mayberry, Billy Bradshaw and son in law David Cable.
Faye was also proceeded in death by her long companion Hansel Singleton and her devoted four-legged friend Little Bit.
Left to cherish her memory are her children; Kathy Oliver (Bill) Hampton, Tn, David Mayberry (Madge) Minneapolis, NC, Cynthia Hobson, Elk Park, NC, Debbie Cable (Mike), Elk Park NC, Sonya Davis (Mike), Elk Park, NC and Pamela Bradshaw (David) Marion, NC.
Faye was a proud Grandmother of thirteen grandchildren and twenty, great grandchildren and two great – great children. Faye’s children were filled with pride that she was their mom, (Proverbs 31).
Faye was one of the Godliest women you would ever meet. The most dedicated to her family, church, and community. If someone was sick or in the nursing home, she was there, if someone had lost a loved one, she was there, if the church needed her to do something, she was there (1 John 3-14-18). Her husband even called her “an angel on earth”.
Faye taught herself how to play the piano. At the age of 16, she was elected the piano player of Elk Park Christian Church where she was a faithful and devoted member. Faye proceeded to play the piano for 75 years and only stopped when her health would not allow it at the age of 91. Faye worked at the NC Forest Service for 20 years plus.
However, Faye’s great accomplishment on this earth was God blessing her with a wonderful love in her marriage to Bill her husband, their six children, and life they made together in a tiny house that was so full of happiness and blessings. It did not matter where life led Faye, God always blessed her because she was always and completely devoted to Him. Rest now mama from all your labor’s (Matthew 11:28, Peter 1:4) Though missed more than words can express, Faye’s family are comforted knowing she is now with her Lord and Savior. Faye’s exemplary life serving the Lord will be seen in her family and everyone that knew her for generations to come.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to Medi-Home Hospice, a special thank you from the bottom of our hearts to London Ollis for her outstanding love and care of our mother.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3:00 pm at the Elk Park Christian Church with Rev. DeWayne Sabisch, Adam Davis and David Bradshaw officiating. Interment services will be private.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:50 pm Saturday at the church.
The care of Faye and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.
Jeweldine Aldridge
December 16, 1926 – November 29, 2025
Jeweldine P. Aldridge, age 98, of Newland passed away on November 29, 2025 at Cranberry House in Newland, NC.
Jeweldine (Judy) was born the daughter of Charles and Mary Patrick.
She was predeceased by her parents and husband, Paul H. Aldridge, who was the love of her life.
She was a member of Crossnore First Baptist Church.
Her greatest joy was the company of her family.
Left to cherish her memory are: two daughters Kathy Martin of Frederick MD, Kay Cooper of Palm Desert, CA, a son Paul Kent Aldridge (Irene) of Laurel MD; two granddaughters: Crystal Jordan and Cheryl Bass (Jim); seven great-grandchildren: Bradley, Brandon, Brittany (Andrew), Brian, Mariah, Michael, and Christian; and five great-great-grandchildren: Emerson, Wesley, Lyric, Zoey & Van.
Services for Jeweldine Aldridge will be held at Crossnore First Baptist Church on Friday April 24, 2026 at 10:00 am with burial following at Johnson Cemetery.
The family would like to express our special thanks to the staff of Medi Home Hospice and Cranberry House who showed compassionate care until the end of her time on earth.
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