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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Aug. 2, 2017

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.


Lois Sanders Townsend (Feb. 5, 1947 – Aug. 1, 2017)

Mrs. Lois Sanders Townsend, age 70, of Morganton, formerly of Watauga County, passed away, Tuesday, August 1, 2017 at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care.

Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Lois Sanders Townsend are incomplete and will be announced.

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


Johnnie B. McCoury (March 17, 1926 – July 31, 2017)

Johnnie B. Nicely McCoury went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday July 31, 2017.

Johnnie McCoury

She was born March 17, 1926 in Luttrell, Tennessee the daughter of Burl Henry Nicely and Sarah Louise Skeen Nicely, who preceded her in death as well as her husband of 57 years, Elbert W. McCoury and her siblings Christine N. Booker, Mabel N Mackie, Doris Lee N. McCourry, Boyd Nicely, and infant twin brother and sister Simon Burl and Martha Murl Nicely. 

She leaves to cherish her memory her sons Kent W. McCoury and wife Eleanor C. McCoury of Apex, NC; Dale C. McCoury of the home and David P McCoury of Burnsville, NC;
Grandchildren Wendy Grace McCoury of Greensboro, NC and James (Jeb) McCoury of Apex, NC and several nieces and nephews along with a special friend for 75 years Ludella Ollis Carter; also, many dear friends who have been a joy and encouragement through her lifetime.

She was a member of First Baptist Church of Elk Park, where she taught the Ladies Sunday School Class along with taking part in all church activities. She was a former member of Cranberry Baptist, Cedar Ford and Warwick’s Chapel Baptist. 

She worked in the public for many years and enjoyed every job she ever had. She was a 1943 graduate of Cranberry High School and she and her husband were on the first Cranberrian Board when the old school building, and grounds were purchased. 

She especially enjoyed reading, solving crossword puzzles and browsing through antique malls. As she says good-bye for now to her family and friends, she is looking forward to being with them in Heaven. 

Johnnie’s family will receive friends on Thursday, August 3, 2017 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home with the service to follow. Rev. John McCoury and Finley McCoury will officiate.

Family, friends, and pallbearers will gather at the funeral home on Friday morning at 10:00 to go in procession to the Ashley Cemetery for interment.
Pallbearers will be Phillip Odom, James McCoury, David Thomas, Danny Miller, Mike Smith and Jerry Turbyfill.

Honorary Pallbearers are Harold Greene, Howard Hoilman Jr. and Avery County Transport.
Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the McCoury family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net.

The care of Johnnie and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.


Dawn Rogers Church (June 4, 1961 – July 29, 2017)

Mrs. Dawn Alease Rogers Church, of Boone, passed away on Saturday, July 29, 2017.

Dawn Church

Dawn was the daughter of Mildred and Wayne Rogers and grew up as an only child. She graduated from Watauga High School and attended Appalachian State University where she majored in theater arts and Spanish as a second language. Dawn was the secretary and later the office manager for the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association. 

Dawn was a dedicated and supportive wife to Dr. Jeff Church for twenty years. She enjoyed planning and preparing for family events and pampering her nieces with gifts and affection. Dawn was a member of the SCA Andover Household. Gardening, reading, cooking, creating sewing crafts and costumes, bead work, stained glass and steam punk crafts were her favorite past times. Dawn enjoyed taking part in steam punk conventions with Jeff to meet new people and share design ideas. She was always excited to create colorful displays in her yard and home to share with family and friends. 

Dawn is survived by her husband, Dr. Jeff Church; her fur babies, Sammy and Franny; her father and mother-in-law, Otis and JoAnn Church; brother and sister in-law Jason and Jessie Church; her nieces, Gloria, Shay, Caroline, and McKinley Church; and her family friend, Peter Hess; her best friend, Todd Allen. She is preceded in death by her mother, Mildred Rogers; her father, Wayne Rogers; and her best friend, Barbara Upchurch.

Friends and family are invited to attend the celebration of life services at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel in Boone, North Carolina on Thursday, August 3, 2017 at 3:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Watauga Humane Society at 312 Paws Way P.O., Box 1835 Boone, NC 28607.

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

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


Michele Warren (Nov. 26, 1967 – July 27, 2017)

Deannah Michele Warren, age 49, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at her residence in Newland, NC.

She was a daughter of the late Helen Madeline Gray Rash and Pete Rash. 

In addition to her father, she leaves behind her husband, Doug; brothers, David Rash and Dan Rash.

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Warren family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net.

The care of Deannah and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.


George Coggin Hampton IV (April 16, 1959 – July 27, 2017)

George Hampton

George Coggin Hampton IV , 58, passed away at is home July 27, 2017 in Altamont after a long incapacitation following a stroke.

He was preceded in death by his father, George “Buck” Hampton III and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. George Hampton Jr. of Greensboro NC and Roy and Mary Weld of Altamont.

He is survived by his mother, Ann Weld Hampton and his brother James Michael Hampton of the home, his brother Robert Hampton and Robert’s wife, MaryAnn of Yancey County, his niece Cynthia Wilson, nephew Hunter Hampton, and his former wife Rose Bailiff Hampton.

A memorial service will be held at Altamont United Methodist Church on Monday, July 31, 2017 at 7:00 PM, the family will start receiving friends at 6:00 PM prior to the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Altamont United Methodist Church, c/o Edna Vance, treasurer, 571 Stamey Branch Road, Newland, NC 28657 or to Medi-Home Hospice; P.O. Box 1357 Newland, NC 28657.

The family gratefully thanks friends in George’s church for their kindness, Dr. Alfred Earwood, Medi-Home Hospice and Compassionate Care and all their staff, especially Sheila Greene, Penny Hughes and Debra Fox for their tender dedication to George. 

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Hampton family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

The care of George and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.


Pauline Greene Wilcox (May 13, 1932 – July 25, 2017)

Pauline Rebecca Greene Wilcox, 85, wife of Glenn W. Wilcox, Sr., passed away Tuesday, July 25, 2017. 

Pauline Wilcox

Mrs. Wilcox was born in Blowing Rock, NC, a daughter of the late Wiley and Joyce Chandler Greene and was also preceded in death by a sister, Thelma Dale.

A very loving and devoted wife to her husband of 66 years and mother of five children, ten grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren, Pauline spent many hours preparing and running a warm and caring home, which also included lots of hours outside of the home for children’s music lessons, sports, choirs, Church and school activities.

Her loyal and active membership at First Baptist Church, Asheville, began over 50 years ago when she joined the Church with her family in August 1965. She contributed and participated in many projects including Sunday School teacher, member of the Women’s Missionary Union (WMU), and participating many years to help prepare the decorations of the Church at Christmastime.

Pauline, with her great love of children and young women going through pregnancy, volunteered in the 1970s at the Baptist Children’s Homes Asheville home for unwed mothers. She was a past member of the Board of Directors of Brevard College. 

Pauline and Glenn met in high school in Boone NC and were married in 1951, in Blowing Rock NC. They lived in Boone where Glenn was a bus driver for Queen City Trailways, then he opened Wilcox Travel Agency. They were active members of First Baptist Church of Boone. All five of their children were born in Boone. In 1965, the family moved to Asheville NC to have a branch office of Wilcox Travel Agency and be one of the first tenants of the new downtown Northwestern Bank Building. Later that building became the BB&T Bank Building, and now it is being transformed into the Arras Hotel and condominiums known as The Arras Residences. Pauline and Glenn loved Asheville for family and business, and have been residents ever since.

Pauline and her husband were great supporters of projects of First Baptist Church, the United Way, ABCCM, Billy Graham Association, Community Foundation, Diana Wortham Theatre, Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, Memory Care, and so many other non-profit organizations in Western NC. 

Pauline lived with Alzheimer’s Disease from 2006 onwards, and was a resident at Arbor Terrace of Asheville since February 2013. 

In addition to her husband Glenn, she is survived by two daughters, Sharon Wilcox Moulds (William) of Minneapolis, MN and Asheville, Marie Wilcox Woodson (Robert) of Weaverville; three sons, Glenn Wallace Wilcox, Jr., (Annette), William V. Wilcox (Michelle) and David N. Wilcox (Pamela), all of Asheville; ten grandchildren, Will Garrison (Lauren), Diana Woodson Reece (Travis), Glenn W. Wilcox, III (Bridgette), Tyler Wilcox (Monica), Corey Wilcox, Joshua Wilcox (Jennifer), Ashley Wilcox Howell (Ryan), Marisa Woodson, Elizabeth Wilcox, and Rebecca Wilcox; seven great grandchildren, Kate-Marie Reece, Gavin Reece, Weston Wilcox, Rosalie Wilcox, Emma Marie Wilcox, Judson Wilcox, Hudson Wilcox and three due later this year. Also surviving is a sister, Shirley Greene Isenhour (Norman) of Boone; two nieces, Susan Isenhour Anderson and Joy Dale Travis (Charlie) of Boone and one nephew, Van Dale (Connie) of Charlotte.

The Wilcox family is grateful for Pauline’s many wonderful caregivers, as well as years of support from the staff and doctors at Memory Care.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am Friday at First Baptist Church of Asheville. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 pm Thursday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. 

The family also will receive friends on Saturday from 12:30 until 2:00 pm at Barney Hampton Funeral Service in Boone followed by a burial at Mount Lawn Memorial Park in Boone.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Memory Care, 100 Far Horizons Lane, Asheville NC 28803, www.memorycare.org, (828) 771-2219, or First Baptist Church of Asheville, 5 Oak Street, Asheville NC 28801, www.fbca.net, (828) 252-4781.

Online condolences may be sent to the Wilcox family at www.grocefuneralhome.com or to www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian, in Asheville, and Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.


Craig A. Harper (May 7, 1945 – July 25, 2017)

Mr. Craig Harper, former coach at Glassboro State College, Clearview Regional High School, and Pitman High School passed away July 17, 2017, in Boone, NC.

Viewing and interment was private.

Coach asked that memorial donations be made to following: The V Foundation for Cancer Research in the name and honor of Mr. Robert Barratt, former Athletic Director at Glassboro High School; The Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia in the name and honor of Paige Hill and Bobby Barratt, late students at Walls School; or The Greater Philadelphia Chapter of ALS, in the name and honor of the late Clint Ware, football coach at Woodstown N.J. High School.

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

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory, Boone, N.C., is serving the Harper family.


Victoria Durkin Starnes (Jan. 6, 1951 – July 24, 2017)

Victoria Starnes

Victoria Durkin Starnes, 66 years, of Lexington, South Carolina passed away on Monday, July 24, 2017 in Charleston, SC after an extended illness. Her uncomplaining disposition and simple faith in God were an inspiration to those who knew her. She was a very sweet and kind-hearted person, intuitive in matters of the heart.
She was born on January 6, 1951 in Norfolk, Virginia, a daughter of Avaline Dozak Durkin of Gaston, SC and the late Joseph Martin Durkin.

She worked for many years as a Respiratory Therapist and in various medical offices; was a member of the Columbia First Seventh Day Adventist Church in Columbia, SC and enjoyed collecting antiques and listening to music.

Victoria leaves behind to cherish her memory her son, Daniel Starnes of Linville, NC; mother, Avaline Durkin; and brother, Martin (Faith) Durkin of Gaston, SC.

Graveside services for Victoria Starnes will be held on Sunday, July 30, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. in the Leason Carroll Gragg Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Oliver Gospel Mission
1100 Taylor St
Columbia SC 29201
Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Starnes and Durkin families by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

The family wishes to thank all those who prayed for her, visited her, and took part in her care. They are grateful for the compassionate care that she received at Palmetto Health and the Medical University of South Carolina.

The care of Victoria and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.


Ann Calhoun (June 9, 1940 – July 24, 2017)

Margaret Ann Calhoun, 77, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Monday, July 24, 2017 at the Life Care Center of Banner Elk, NC.

Ann Calhoun

She was born on June 9, 1940 in Avery County, North Carolina, a daughter of the late Robert Robbins and Margaret Pritchard Robbins.

Ann was a member of the Oak Grove Baptist Church and had been a member of the Oak Grove Quartet.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Sisters, Flossie Evans, Elizabeth Hartley, Shirley Pittman, Virginia Stewart; Brothers, George, Paul, Jim, Grant, and Tate Robbins; 

Ann leaves behind to cherish her memory her: Sons, Robert Calhoun of Newland, NC, Thomas Clay Calhoun of Newland, NC, Daughter, Jeanene Thomas of Johnson City, TN; twelve grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Services for Margaret Ann Calhoun will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2017 at the Grandfather Chapel beginning at 7:00 p.m. with Rev. Junior Carver officiating. 
The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 pm on Thursday at the funeral home.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Medi Home Hospice for the loving care and support they have shown.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Medi Home Hospice PO Box 1357 Newland, NC 28657.

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Calhoun family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

The care of Ann and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.


Mindy L. Rich (May 4, 1960 – July 22, 2017)

Mindy Lou Rich, age 57, of Boone, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017.

She was the daughter of the late Walter William and Rosemary Baster Parrish.

She is survived by her husband Russell Rich, her brother, Billy Parrish of Georgia, and a sister-in-law, Alice Brown and her husband Gary, of Boone. Three nieces, Rosemary Parrish, Crystal Brown and Linda Poole. Two nephews, Wayne Poole and Joseph Brown.

A graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Boones Fork Community Cemetery, Blowing Rock.

Memorial donations may be made to Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to assist with the service costs.

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

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