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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Aug. 9, 2016

Carl R. Critcher (Dec. 9, 1928 – Aug. 08, 2016)

Carl R. Critcher, 87, of 2947 Deerfield Road, Boone, passed away Monday morning, August 8, 2016, at his home.

3833947_wlppCarl was born December 9, 1928 in Watauga County, a son of the late Fred and Lillie Hartley Critcher. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War and was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Carl was founder of Critcher Brothers Produce, but retired to farming in the 1980’s. He loved cattle, cutting hay, his tractors, his family and especially his 2 grandchildren.

Carl is survived by his wife, Ethel Coffey Critcher of the home; one daughter, Diane Critcher-Rhoney and husband Steve of Hickory; one granddaughter, Shelby Gilliam of Boone; one grandson, Pvt. Andy Critcher of San Antonio, Texas; two sisters, Faye Critcher Castor of Cary, and Margaret Critcher Cook and husband Roger of Boone; four brothers, Dwight Critcher and wife Jenny, and Sammy Critcher and wife Gloria, all of Deep Gap, Ray Critcher and wife Joan of Boone and Charlotte, and Tommy Critcher and wife Robbie of Boone; two sisters-in-law, Lennis Coffey Greene and husband John of Boone, and Emilie Coffey Waddell of Wilkesboro, and one brother-in-law, James Coffey and wife Nancy of Boone. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Randy and Douglas Critcher; three sisters, Selma Critcher Hollar, Mary Critcher Cook, and Joanne Critcher Welborn; three brothers, Bill, Don, and Jerry Critcher; one sister-in-law, Velma Critcher, and four brothers-in-law, Lige Hollar, Ledford Cook, Jack Welborn, and David Castor.

Funeral services for Carl R.

Critcher will be conducted Friday morning, August 12, 2016, at 11:00 o’clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Bud Russell and Reverend Greg Heisler.

Military graveside rites and burial, provided the United States Army, American Legion Post 130, at Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:30 until 7:30 pm, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. At other times, friends may call at the family residence, 2947 Deerfield Road, Boone.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Seby Jones Cancer Center Cancer Patient Emergency Fund, in care of Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 2600, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

James Henry “Jim” Bame, Sr. (Dec. 4, 1934 – Aug. 6, 2016)

James Henry”Jim” Bame, Sr., 81 entered into his Heavenly Home on August 6, 2016 at his residence.

3834086_wlppHe was born in Gaston County on December 4, 1934 to the late William Walter and Virginia Hovis Bame.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of almost 54 years, Ruby Nelle Barnes Bame, his brothers, Paul and Kenneth Bame and sisters Faye Craven, Joyce Bame, Mattie DeHart and Margaret Hollifield. 
Jim was a member of Sandy Plains Baptist Church for over 50 years; he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher and many other committees.

He received his Associate of Arts in Accounting from Mars Hill and his Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Wake Forest University.

Jim is survived by his sons, James H. Bame, Jr., William Franklin Bame, Sr., Paul Gregory Bame and wife Anne; grandchildren Syliva Nicholson and husband Sean, William Franklin Bame, Jr and wife Heather, James Richard Bame and wife Sarah , Madeline Bame and Michael Bame; great grandchildren Cameron and Caitlyn Bame, Morgan Nicholson, Jaiden Bame; and a sister Evelyn Oates.

Family will receive friends on, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, Monday at Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home 
A Celebration of life service will be at 2:00 pm, Tuesday at Sandy Plains Baptist Church with Reverend Richard Brown officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery 
Pallbearers will be deacons of the church

Memorials may be made to Sandy Plains Baptist Church, 5323 Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28056 or Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054

Condolences may be made to www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com.

Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 2916 Union Road, Gastonia, is in charge of the arrangements.

Announcement courtesy of Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service.

Regina Coffey Pierce (Nov. 16, 1965 – Aug. 6, 2016)

3833482_wlppMrs. Regina Coffey Pierce, age 50, of Wildcat Road, Deep Gap, passed away Saturday, August 6, 2016 at Watauga Medical Center.
Regina was born November 16, 1965 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Evelyn Watson Coffey. She was a homemaker, and was of the Baptist faith.

Regina is survived by her husband, Keith Pierce of the home; one step-daughter, Sabrina Lever and husband Jay of Statesville; one step-granddaughter, Natalie and one step-grandson, Noah, both of Statesville; one half-sister, Lori Hollars of Boone; one half-brother, Eric Hollars of Jefferson; and her mother-in-law, Margie Pierce of Hays. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Watson Coffey.

Funeral services for Mrs. Regina Coffey Pierce will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, August 10, 2016 at 2:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Eric Proffit and Mr. James Watson. Burial will follow in the Cornerstone Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00, at Hampton Funeral Service, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Cornerstone Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 171 Cornerstone Lane, Deep Gap, North Carolina 28618 or to Saint Jude’s Childrens Research Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105.

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

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

Barbara Richardson Calhoun (June 2, 1951 – Aug. 6, 2016)

Barbara-Calhoun-1470600740Barbara Richardson Calhoun, 65, of Newland, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at the Johnson City Medical Center.

A native of Avery County, she was a daughter of the late William Ray Richardson and the late Essie Shell Richardson. She was a member of the Newland Christian Church and enjoyed her flower gardening, bird watching and doll collecting.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ferrell Calhoun, who passed away on June 14, 2016.

Barbara leaves behind to cherish her memory, her children, Marcie Waycaster, and husband, Chad, of Elk Park, Lance Calhoun of Newland; a grandson, Drew Waycaster; sisters, Ella Freeman, and husband, Jimmy, of Powder Mill, Darlene Langrudi, and husband, T.L., of Watha, NC, and Connie Stout of Elk Park.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. in the Crossnore First Baptist Church, where her and Ferrell got married. Interment will follow in the Fork Mountain Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 4pm until the service hour Thursday at the church.

The care of Barbara and her family have been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home.

Sherry Street Horney (June 3, 1943 – Aug. 6, 2016)

Sherry-Horney-1470498092Sherry Street Horney, 73, of Banner Elk, passed away on Saturday, August 6, 2016 at her residence.

A native of Banner Elk, she was born on June 3, 1943, the daughter of the late John and Polly Carver Street. Sherry graduated from Cranberry High School and retired from the United States Postal Service, having served at the Banner Elk Post Office for over 27 years.

She was a member of the Mount Calvary Baptist Church and was very active with Sunday School and the church choir. She enjoyed traveling and flowers, and loved Southern Gospel Music, especially attending Gospel Concerts with her family and friends.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband, Gary Horney of the home; her children, April Pittman, and her husband, David, of Frank, Travis Horney, and his wife, Melissa, of Banner Elk; brothers, Dickie Street, and his wife, Ronnie, of Banner Elk, Jimmy Street of Unicoi, TN; her grandchildren, Connor, Ellie, Caleb, and Caitlin. Sherry also leaves behind a host of extended family and friends.

Funeral services for Sherry Horney will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 8, 2016 from the Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk, with the Rev. George Wright, Rev. Don Holder, and Rev. Ben Price officiating. Interment will follow in the Mount Calvary Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until the service hour, Monday at the church.

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

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

Lonnie Alvin Ward (Feb. 17, 1928 – Aug. 5, 2016)

Mr. Lonnie Alvin Ward, age 88, of Sugar Grove, passed away Friday, August 5, 2016 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir.

3833018_fbsHe was a long time member of Antioch Baptist Church, a US Army veteran having served in WWII in the 88th Blue Devil Division. In honor of his love for playing music he was presented with the Brown-Hudson Folklore Award in 2011, for playing the banjo two finger style. He loved and enjoyed playing music with many of his family members and friends. He loved to bowl, loved his Lord and loved people.

Mr. Ward is survived by three daughters, Betty Cornett of Boone, Peggy Nicely and husband Jim of Vilas, and Stella Chambers and husband Darrell of Cornelius, North Carolina two sons, Reverend Russell Ward and wife Naomi of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee and Harley Ward and wife Donna Newberry of Kingsport, Tennessee, five granddaughters, Ch (Cpt) Patricia Nichols and husband Ch (Ltc) Jimmy Nichols of Fort Lewis, Washington, Valarie Durham and husband Maj. Neal Durham of Midway, Georgia, Amy Lynn Cornett of Boone, Starr Nicely and husband Joe Gren of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, and Christie Jones and husband Eddie of Davidson, North Carolina, five grandsons, 2 Lt. Russell Ward, Jr. and wife Jennifer of Biloxi, Mississippi, Travis Charlie Cornett and wife Amanda of Boone, Scott Garlock and Fiancee Angela Stark of Huntersville, North Carolina, Eric Neil Ward of Banner Elk and Brian Nathan Ward and wife Christy of Zionville, two sisters, Berlie Mae Ward of Elk Park, North Carolina and Rosie Hicks and husband Julius of Banner Elk, two brothers, Aris Ward and wife Grace of Elizabethton, Tennessee and Earl Ward and wife Pansey of Hudson, North Carolina, 18 great-grandchildren, and a special friend, Geneva Glenn of Sugar Grove.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Hannah Ward, his father and mother, Charlie Lee Ward and Kizzie Presnell Ward, one granddaughter, Tonya Sue Nicely, and two brothers, Conard and Arnold Ward, and a son-in-law, Len Cornett.

Funeral services for Mr. Lonnie Alvin Ward will be conducted Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at Antioch Baptist Church. Pastor Daniel Lawrence, Pastor Eric Cornett and Pastor Jeff Wilson will officiate. The body will lie in state at the church from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock.

Military rites and burial, provided by the United States Army, American Legion Post 130 and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in the Ward Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645.

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

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

Bette Jean Murrow Whitley (April 2, 1932 – Aug. 1, 2016)

Proverbs 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. Although they will miss her greatly, the family of Bette Jean Murrow Whitley is grateful she has arrived into eternal life on Aug. 1 2016.

3830631_fbsShe possessed a wonderful spunky sense of humor and an unmatched love of family. She forged loyal friendships that lasted a lifetime and treasured the times she spent with them dining out and shopping.

Her life will be celebrated at 1 PM on August 4, 2016 at Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church with Reverend Donald Thomas officiating. The family will greet friends in the fellowship hall during a reception following the service. Interment will be private.

Bette was born in Savannah, GA and was lovingly raised by Roy and Etta Murrow and following Etta passing’s when Bette was 13, at the age of 15 she became part of the family of Dave and Lucille Bolman. She graduated from Curry High School where she met her sweet heart and love of her life, Robert E. Whitley. They were married in 1950 and celebrated fifty-seven years of marriage.

After Bob’s retirement they were quite successful for over thirty years with a craft and basket making business and enjoyed traveling to different craft fairs around the Southeast. She was a talented craftsman and could see the possibility of beautiful art in items that others could not. While raising four children, Bette was also a successful administrator over the years while Blue Bell transitioned to VF. Bette had a green thumb and treasured time in her yard tending to flowers and her garden.

She was a life-long member of Mt. Pisgah UMC where she participated in the Women’s Circle.

She was a supportive and loving wife and a shoulder to lean upon for her children. She remained in her home after Bob’s passing because when her home was filled with family her heart was filled with joy. She adored her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

She will be missed by her children and their spouses, David Whitley of Burlington, Dawn Whitley of Greensboro, Paige and Randy Jones of Boone, and Karen and Terry Grant of Pickens, SC and former daughter-in-law, Melinda Whitley; grandchildren and spouses, Justin and Hannah Whitley, Sarah and Daniel Thomas, Abbey Powers, Brian Moore, Lauren and Christopher Prentice, Kaylie Jones, Kristen Jones, Annie and Ryan Lee and Matthew and Nicole Owens; and great-grandchildren, Ethan, Hayden, Joshua , Bridgette, Gage, and Cooper. 

In addition to her parents and spouse she is preceded in death by two grandsons, Brandon and Kyle Whitley.

The family would like to thank the wonderful care Bette received at Hospice Home of High Point during her brief stay.

Floral tributes are welcome or memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Dr., High Point, NC 27262 or Mt. Pisgah UMC, 2600 Pisgah Church Rd, Greensboro, NC 27455. 

Online condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com

Hanes-Lineberry N. Elm Chapel, in Greensboro, is in charge of the arrangements.

Announcement courtesy of Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service.

Maria A. Accetturo (Jan. 23, 1963 – July 31, 2016)

BigAccetturo, maria new picMaria Accetturo, age 53, of Banner Elk, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family and loved ones, on Sunday, July 31, 2016.

Born in Newark, N.J. on January 23, 1963, she was the daughter of Anthony, Sr., and Geraldine Accetturo.

She was preceded in death by her mother in 2015.

Maria is survived by her family and loved ones; Anthony Accetturo, Sr., Geraldine “Geri” Palazzo, Michelle Wright, Anthony and his wife Helen, and Angelo and his wife Angela. She is also survived by; Anthony III and Nicole Palazzo, Angelo, Jr. and Ava, Michelle Wright, Nicholas and Natalie, and Lola and Sofio, and great nephew Anthony Accetturo, IV.

She graduated from Barry University in Miami with a B.S. Degree in Psychology and worked for some time in the Covenant House in Ft. Lauderdale helping children.

Maria was a pillar within the family, the community, and family restaurant, Sorrento’s Bistro. Maria enjoyed life to the fullest. There was never a time that you would see her without a smile. She was also an honorary mother and “big sister” to many. She had a big impact on everyone’s life that she touched.

Mass for Maria Accetturo will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 5, 2016 in St. Bernadette Catholic Church, Linville.

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

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

Mrs. Jean C. Washburn (Oct. 21, 1933 – July 30, 2016)

BigWashburn, Jean webJean Carole Werner Washburn passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2016 in Raleigh, NC surrounded by family.

She was born on October 21, 1933 In Cincinnati, Ohio to Herbert and Charlotte Werner. She attended the University of Cincinnati for one year before moving with her family to Florida, where she graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in education in 1956. She was active in Alpha Delta Pi and President of the college YWCA chapter. Jean taught in Florida and was a teacher’s assistant for many years at Huntingtowne Farms Elementary School in Charlotte, NC. Girl Scouts was a big part of her life, first as a scout and later a scout leader. Jean was also very active in the life of Pilgrim United Church of Christ serving in many areas over the years.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Roland Washburn, a son, Andrew Werner Washburn, a daughter, Lori Ann Washburn Furr, and an infant brother, Herbert Charles Werner. She was a caregiver to her son, husband, and daughter in the last years of their lives.

Jean is survived by her son, Bob Washburn and wife Glenda of Boone, NC; her daughter Liz Moore and husband Brian of Raleigh, NC; seven grandchildren: Matthew Washburn and wife Brittnai, Christina Furr, Sarah Eggers and husband Braxton, Samuel Washburn, Rebekah Washburn, Zoe Moore and Brody Moore. She is also survived by one great-grandson, Graham Eggers.

Graveside services and interment will be at 11:00 am, Saturday, August 6, 2016, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park in Boone, NC.

Donations may be made in Jean’s memory to either:

The Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Rd, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209

Hospitality House of Charlotte, 1400 Scott Ave, Charlotte, NC 28203.

 

Mr. Robert J. Warner, Jr. (Oct. 2, 1926 – July 29, 2016)

Robert (Bob) Jay Warner, Jr. died peacefully on July 29, 2016 in Linville, NC where the family has a summer home. A native Nashvillian, Bob was born on October 2, 1926, and was predeceased by his parents, Jeannette Sloan Warner and Dr. Robert Jay Warner. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruth DeMoss Robinson, daughter Harriet Overton Warner and grandson, Robert Arthur Overton Jones; his younger brother, John Sloan Warner (Peggy); sisters-in-law; Sarah Robinson McAndrew of San Rafael, CA and Lucia Robinson Dugliss (Roderick) of San Francisco; eight nieces and nephews and fifteen great nieces and nephews.

BigRobert Warner  webHe attended Ransom Elementary School, Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville and graduated from the University of the South at Sewanee, TN, where he majored in political science. He graduated from Yale University Law School in the class of 1951.

When he turned eighteen in the fall of 1944 Bob volunteered for the Army. After basic training he was sent to the University of Pennsylvania to study Japanese, and he served as a special agent in the Counter-Intelligence Corps in Nagoya in 1946. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve for several decades, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before his retirement.

In the summer of 1948, Bob was hired to drive Estes Kefauver around the state of Tennessee during Kefauvers campaign for the U.S. Senate. Part of his duties included caring for the raccoon, the campaign mascot. Always interested in politics, Bob became a staunch Democrat but never ran for office. He served as the Davidson County campaign manager for Edmund Orgills gubernatorial campaign in 1958, and for Eugene McCarthys presidential campaign in 1968.

Bob formed his first law firm in Nashville with his friends Ward DeWitt and Henry Denmark Bell when they were just out of law school. He went on to work as an Assistant District Attorney for Davidson County in the early 1950s. During the Nashville sit-ins in 1960, Bob was appointed to Mayor Ben Wests ad hoc Human Relations Committee, which was instrumental in desegregating lunch counters in the city. He felt passionately about civil rights and social justice throughout his life.

Bob worked primarily as a litigation attorney in Nashville throughout his long legal career. In 1958 he joined with Bill Dearborn and DeWeese Berry, Sr. to form Dearborn, Berry and Warner. In late 1970 Bob hired Lamar Alexander to join the firm, which became Dearborn, Warner and Alexander. In 1972 the firm merged with Bailey, Ewing, Dale and Connor to become Dearborn and Ewing. In 1992 most of that firm was merged into Boult, Cummings, Conners and Berry. Bob was a mentor to many younger lawyers in Nashville, including John Edwards, who was hired by Dearborn and Ewing in 1978. Bob was always proud of the fact that the firm was the only one he knew of which had produced two presidential candidates, one Republican and one Democrat.

Bob was a cradle Episcopalian and lifelong member of Christ Episcopal Church. In his twenties he taught Sunday School with his friend Livingfield More. He served on the Vestry and planning committees. In later life he became a lay reader and chalice bearer. He was a great dancer. He had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to tell funny stories in the Southern tradition based on his law practice and extended family. His love of the North Carolina mountains began when he was a boy at Camp Yonahnoka in Linville. He was an avid golfer and, with the aid of a walker, was still out on the golf course daily until only a week before his death, enjoying the beauty of the great Blue Ridge.

The family is especially grateful for the loving and devoted attention of Bobs caregivers, Channette Dobbins, Cheryl Ollis, and Vickie Smith during the final years of his life.

There will be a memorial service at All Saints Chapel in Linville, Thursday August 4 at 11:30am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Canon Memorial Hospital, Linville, NC 28646 or to Christ Church Cathedral, 600 Broadway, Nashville TN 37203.

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

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Warner family.

Linda McClure Tester (Sept. 26, 1944 – July 28, 2016)

Linda McClure Tester, age 71, of Greer Lane, Vilas, passed away Thursday afternoon, July 28, 2016 at her home. Born September 26, 1944 in Marion, Virginia, she was a daughter of Harley and Stella Sutherland McClure. Linda was a member of West View Baptist Church and retired from Watauga Medical Center.

BigTester, Linda-1Surviving are her husband of 50 years, Zane Tester; daughter, Kelly Proffit and husband, Eric, and two granddaughters, Gracie and Lily Proffit, all of Todd; sister, Karen Church and husband, Hayden, of Millers Creek; niece, Kimberly Church of Charlotte; and nephews, Wesley Church of Millers Creek and Norman McNeil of Winston-Salem. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Betty Jo Graham and Lou Ann McNeil.

Funeral services for Linda McClure Tester will be conducted Sunday afternoon, July 31, 2016 at 3 o’clock, at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Zane Tester and Rev. Frank Johnson. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1 until 3 o’clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Graveside services, officiated by Rev. Eric Proffit, will follow at the West View Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family respectfully requests no food and suggests memorials to Watauga County Project on Aging, Suite A, 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, or to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

The family extends a special Thank You to all the wonderful caregivers and church families who have graciously supported us during Linda’s journey.

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

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

Sheila Y. Sherman (Feb. 2, 1950 – July 27, 2016)

Sheila Yvonne Sherman, 66, of Todd, North Carolina passed away in her home on July 27, 2016, surrounded by friends and family and her fiercely protective Chihuahua, Renegade.

BigSheila obit squared 2Sheila was born in Northville, Michigan on February 2, 1950. She lived in Wheat Ridge, Colorado through tenth grade and completed high school in Walled Lake, Michigan. Sheila graduated from Oakland University with a degree in Business and later received her Masters Degree in Industrial Arts with a teaching certificate from Appalachian State University.

After dabbling in the corporate world selling bras for Playtex and cookies for Nabisco, Sheila found her true path. She worked as a woodworker, a home-inspector, a builder, a landscaper, and, most significantly, as a teacher throughout the rest of her life. She also worked at Goodnight Brothers in Boone and is a long-time member of the Watauga Farmers Market.

Sheila lived her life with integrity, compassion, and a sense of adventure. Sheila was an explorer. At 22 years old she left a note on her moms bureau–Hey Mom, I am headed to South America. Ill call when I get there. Many more adventures followed. She travelled around the world starting in London and travelling through Greece, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Pakistan. She joined the Peace Corps when she was 30 and served as a volunteer in the Eastern Caribbean. She met Alicia Breton, another Peace Corps volunteer, and after 35 years of a loving, collaborative life together, they were married on January 21, 2014.

Sheila loved fishing, working with her hands, and travelling, especially to the beach in Florida and Mexico. She loved engaging with young people and asking them the critical questions that often generated meaningful discourse. And she loved her dogs!

Sheila is preceded in death by her mother, Eleanor Sherman; father, John Sherman, and brother, John Jr. She is survived by her spouse, Alicia Breton; sister, Sandy Oak; brother-in-law, Bob Oak, and nieces Hannah and Hillary. Also surviving are her brother-in-law, Buddy Breton, his wife Kyong, and their children Angela, Hank and wife Tressa and son Hank V. She is survived by her Peace Corps sister, Mary Kent Whitaker, and last, but not least, Sheila is survived by her Chihuahua, Renegade.

Visitation will be Saturday July 30 from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. A celebration of life service will be held at 4:00 pm immediately following the visitation in the Austin & Barnes Chapel. Friends and family are encouraged to bring an anecdote or memory of Sheila to share. During the service friends and family will have the opportunity to give a written memory to Alicia (her spouse), to read their memory aloud, or to ask one of the speakers to read it aloud.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network by visiting In Memory of Sheila Sherman at this site: http://support.pancan.org/site/TR/DIY/DIYTeamraisers?px=2202469&pg=personal&fr_id=1081

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

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

Fred Carlton Perry (May 23, 1922 – July 27, 2016)

Fred Carlton Perry, age 94, of Horn in the West Drive, Boone, passed away Wednesday evening, July 27, 2016 at Magnolia Creek in Winston-Salem. Born May 23, 1922 in the Sherwood community, he was a son of Henry Grady and Earle Belle Campbell Perry. Fred was a long time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Boone.

BigPerry, FredHe served his country from 1943 to l946 in the US Army as a surgical technician with the 53rd General Hospital during WWII. Fred was employed as manager of Watauga Frozen Foods in Boone before moving to Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation where he retired as warehouse specialist.

Mr. Perry is survived by his daughter, Lana Perry of Winston-Salem, and son, Dr. Dennis Perry and wife, Tanya of Cranberry; grandchildren, Brian Perry and wife, Cathie, of Lucia and Susan Brittain and husband, Todd, and great-grandson, Nathan Brittain, all of Mt. Holly; step-granddaughter, Nichole Harris of Lucia; and sisters, Anna Mae Greene and Carlene Perry, both of Vilas. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lola Miller Perry; sisters, Hattie Greene and Jewell Ragan; and parents, Henry Grady and Earle Bell Campbell Perry.

Graveside services for Fred C. Perry, officiated by Rev. Jeff Smith and military honors provided by American Legion Post 130 and the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will be conducted Saturday afternoon, July 30th, at 2 oclock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 1:30 until 2 oclock, prior to services, at Mount Lawn. The family suggests memorials to the attention of Lisa Horton at Magnolia Creek Memory Care, 2560 Willard Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107.

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

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

William Harwood Byrnes, Sr. (October 26, 1942 – July 26, 2016)

William Harwood (Bill) Byrnes, Sr. of Tampa, Florida and Linville, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on July 26, 2016, in Linville, his favorite place in the world. He is survived by his loving and steadfast wife Jeri, his son and daughter in-law Wood and Lisa Byrnes of McKinney, Texas, his son and daughter in-law Hunter and Christin Byrnes of Danville, Virginia, his eight adoring grandchildren, Hunter, Will, Emma Grey, Jeb, Margaret, Anna Frances, Lily, and Cate, and his half-brother John Quackenboss of Alexandria, Virginia.

Bill was born in Memphis, Tennessee on October 26, 1942 as the second son to Ronald M. and Baylus A. Byrnes. He grew up in many places and often spoke fondly of his times on the farm in Arkansas, attending school in Lake Forest, Illinois, and finishing high school in Rome, Italy. He was a proud graduate of The University of the South. He met his wife, the former Geraldine Johnson, while home in Rome after college. They married soon after on April 17, 1965 and resided in Camden, South Carolina where their two sons were born and Bill taught English. Bills pursuit of knowledge and a graduate degree led the young family to Cooperstown, New York, and then to Bowling Green, Kentucky, and then on to Saratoga Springs, New York. They finally landed back in Memphis in 1977 where Bill and Jeri lived until 2011.

Bill became an entrepreneur and successfully owned and operated several businesses until briefly retiring in 1988. However, golf was not enough to satisfy his dogged work ethic, and he started what became his finest business achievement, Floratine Products Group, in 1990. He and his partners grew Floratine to an internationally recognized and acclaimed leader in turf management products and expertise with a devoted group of distributors. Bill made many friendships along the way that he cherished.

Bill believed in hard work and integrity, and he exemplified both. He was early to rise and true to his nature each day. He competed hard in business and golf, but he always played the game the right way. One of his favorite sayings: You get up in the morning and hit it in the mouth. Then you get up and do it again. During his two and a half year battle with cancer, he did exactly what he preached.

Later in life, Bill became a sweet-hearted grandfather and he liked nothing better than to see or hear about his precious grandchildren. He spent as much time as he could visiting or going on trips with his sons families, watching football, baseball, and soccer games or dance recitals. He also enjoyed playing golf in Linville with his friends and eagerly anticipated the Spring each year so that he and Jeri could return to Linville for the summer with their dog Putter. Bill loved to talk about history, literature, and sports and never wavered on his opinions about any of them. He also loved games, especially his crossword puzzles which for many years he worked on over his first cup of coffee in the morning.

The family wishes to thank all of the friends that have provided so much support for Bill and the family during his illness, from cards and visits to phone calls to providing homes and food. He is deeply appreciated and will be dearly missed.

Private services will be held for the family at All Saints Mission Church in Linville, followed by a memorial service on Sunday the 31st of July at 6:00 p.m. at Camp Yonanoka in Linville. The family requests memorials be sent to the Williams Avery County YMCA in Linville, Medi Home Hospice in Newland, NC, or a charity of your choice.

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

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