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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Feb. 21, 2017

Pansy Ward Tester (Dec. 31, 1915 – Feb. 21, 2017)

Pansy Ward Tester, 101, of Creedmoor, a formerly of Watauga County, passed away Tuesday morning, February 21, 2017.

Funeral arrangements for Pansy Ward Tester are incomplete at this time.

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

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


Marie M. Cuthbertson (Nov. 11, 1931 – Feb. 20, 2017)

Marie M. Cuthbertson, 85, of Newland, a loving wife and mother passed away peacefully on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine, NC.

A native of Newland, NC, she was born Nov. 11, 1931 a daughter of the late Lillard and Augusta Cole Johnson.

She was a member of the Crossnore Baptist Church. She loved flower arranging, crafting, sewing, homemaking, her church and Sunday School class, reading the Bible, and volunteer work with little children. She made the best lemon pie you ever tasted and a banana pudding that was sampled before it could reach the table. Marie had Volunteered for the Sloop Memorial Hospital for many years and had served as a Teacher’s Aide and Substitute Teacher.

Along with her parents, Marie was preceded in death by her: husband, J.P. Cuthbertson, two sisters Nellie Vines , Shirley Sines and two brothers Hoyle and Jimmie. 

Marie has left to cherish her memory her: two daughters, Martha and husband Jesse Hardy of Pinnacle NC and stepdaughter Lisa Evers and husband John, and stepgrandaughters Amanda and Isabella. Priscilla and Emmett Cox of Crumpler NC and stepgrandsons Robert and Jesse and three stepgrand children, Jacob, Raissia and Haylon. two sons, David and Linda Cuthbertson of Newland, Nathan and Alice Cuthbertson of Burgaw NC, and grandchildren Olivia and Ben; three sisters Velma and husband Jim Oxendine , Doris Taylor and husband Glen, Wilda Woodie, and one brother Bud Johnson and many nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services for Marie M. Cuthbertson will be conducted on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at 3:00 pm at the Crossnore First Baptist Church with Rev. Lander Heafner and Dr. Phil Murdock officiating. Interment will follow in the Cuthbertson Family Cemetery in Newland. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until the service hour, Thursday at the church.

Flowers are welcome or memorial donations may be made the Mitchell House activities program, the Blue Ridge Regional Hospital or the Crossnore First Baptist Church. 

The family would like to thank the Mitchell House and Blue Ridge Regional Hospital for the loving care they provided for Marie. Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.


Mary Presnell Trivette (March 17, 1926 – Feb. 19, 2017)

Mary Presnell Trivette, 90, of Kellersville Rd., Banner Elk, passed away Sunday morning, Feb. 19, 2017 at the home of her daughter in Lenoir.

Born March l7, 1926 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Mac and Pearl Farthing Presnell. Church and family was Marys pride and joy, especially her daughters. In addition to maintaining the family home, she managed the family farm, raising tobacco and cattle and especially loved planting, harvesting and canning from her annual vegetable gardens. 

Mrs. Trivette is survived by her daughters, Patsy Holman of Lenoir and Peggy Lee Trivett of Banner Elk; four sisters, Jessie Harmon, Pauline Millsaps and husband, Arvel, and Bessie Mae Hicks, all of Sugar Grove, and Carrie Lee Estep and husband, Captain of Elk Park; and brother, Dean Presnell and wife, Wanda of Lexington, NC. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Edgar Trivette; and son-in-law, Larry Holman. 

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, February 22, at 2 oclock at Zion Hill Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor David Icenhour and Rev. Nicholas Wilson. Burial will follow in the Zion Hill Church Cemetery. 

Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes. The family respectfully requests no food, however, flowers are appreciated. 

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Trivette family.


Jonathan Tate Sanders (June 29, 1979 – Feb. 18, 2017)

Jonathan Tate Sanders, 37, of 306 Will Isaacs Road, Zionville, passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017.

Jonathan was born June 29, 1979 in Watauga County, son of Johnny and Debbie Sanders. He worked with his father for 21 years at Johnny’s Body Shop in Zionville. Jonathan was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by three sons, Calvin Sanders and twin sons, Daniel and Trenton Sanders, all of Zionville; the mother of his children, Kimberly Baumgarner of Zionville; his father and mother, Johnny and Debbie Sanders of Zionville; one sister, Lydia Townsend and husband Joey of Zionville; his paternal grandmother, Beulah Sanders of Zionville; his maternal grandparents, Reverend Herbert and Jean McCoy of Todd; six aunts, Aretta Carroll and husband Casey of Deep Gap, Lois Townsend of Morganton, Joyce Hartzog and husband Basil of West Jefferson, Lori Candler, Brenda Sanders, and JoAnn Sanders, all of Zionville; one uncle, Lynn McCoy and wife Barbara of Crumpler; one niece, Layla Townsend, and one nephew, Hunter Townsend, both of Zionville. He is also survived by a number of cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Frank Sanders, and three uncles, David Sanders, Larry Sanders, and Commie Lee Townsend.

Funeral services for Jonathan Tate Sanders will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, February 22, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Herbert McCoy, Reverend Thomas Whray, and Reverend Allan Perry. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, from 5:00 until 8:00 o’clock, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Hand-In-Hand Building Fund, in care of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 1564 Silverstone Road, Zionville, North Carolina, 28698.

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


Johnny Ray McCoury (Jan. 1, 1960 – Feb. 18, 2017)

Johnny Ray McCoury, 57, of Newland passed away on Feb. 18, 2017 at his residence.

A native of Cranberry, NC, he was born January 1, 1960 a son of the late Billy Ray and Rosalee Henson McCoury.

He was a proud US Navy Veteran and the Owner and Operator of McCoury’s Drywall Service. He was a member of the Cranberry Baptist Church where he was Baptized as a child.

Johnny has left to cherish his memory his: Fiancé’, Barbara Clark of the home; sisters, Lisa King of Newland, Rachel McCoury of Virginia; and his loving dog, Bella.

Funeral services for Johnny McCoury will be conducted on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at 11:00 am from the Cranberry Baptist Church with Rev. David Burnop officiating. Interment will follow in the Cranberry Cemetery with Military Honors provided by the Pat Ray Post of the VFW. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the church on Tuesday

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


Rev. Joseph “Bud” Howell D. Feb. 18, 2017

Rev. Joseph “Bud” Howell, 84, of Hendersonville, formerly of Banner Elk, passed away into the loving arms of his Savior and was reunited with his loving wife, Beth, Saturday, February 18, 2017 at the Elizabeth House in Flat Rock, NC. 

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, his son and daughter-in law, Keith and Teresa Howell of Spring Hill, TN., and daughter Ileta Howell Silvia of Hendersonville, NC.; five grandchildren, Kenneth Howell of Seattle, WA., Andrew Howell of Spring Hill, TN., Alisa Howell of Spring Hill, TN., Michael Silvia of Hendersonville, NC. and David Silvia of Hendersonville, NC. 

A service to celebrate the life of Rev. Bud Howell will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at the Banner Elk United Methodist Church.


Gordon Cameron, Sr. (June 18, 1940 – Feb. 17, 2017)

Gordon Cameron, Sr. of Blowing Rock was born June 18, 1940, and went peacefully home to Jesus on Feb. 17, 2017. He died surrounded by his family and friends at Watauga Medical Center.

He has called this area home for almost 30 years and built an incredible log cabin rental business with his wife Pamela. He was a talented man and could fix just about anything. He loved to tinker and create all kinds of things. He was friendly and never knew a stranger. He loved the Lord Jesus! Before coming here to this area he was a first class plasterer and a custom home builder in the Tidewater Area of VA. 

His survivors include his wife Pamela of Blowing Rock, his son Garnett Cameron of West Palm Beach, FL; a son Rick Cameron and his wife Dana of Virginia Beach, VA; his youngest son, Brent Cameron who preceded him in death while stationed in the military on Okinawa Island and his wife Margie of Rising Fawn, GA. He leaves behind grandchildren and great grandchildren, one brother, Glen Cameron and wife Shirley of Chesapeake, Virginia, and one sister, Sandra Williams and her husband Don of Ft. Meyers, Florida. He leaves behind a special niece and nephew and many close friends. 

His Father, William Glenwood Cameron and his mother, Arlene Lilly Cameron both preceded him in death, both from Chesapeake, VA.; his sister Arlene Lilly Lewis and husband Charles Lewis of Va Beach, VA whom both preceded him in death. Gordon had a light that was all his own and that light will be missed greatly!

A celebration of Gordon’s life will be conducted and announced at a later date.

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


Paul Glen Carroll (Dec. 27, 1930 – Feb. 17, 2017)

Mr. Paul Glen Carroll, 86, of Pumpkin Run Road, Purlear, formerly of Brownwood Road, Deep Gap, died Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir.

Mr. Carroll was born Dec. 27, 1930 in Fish Dam, Tennessee, now known as Watauga Lake. He was the son of Eliza Graybeal Carroll Watson and step-son of Arthur “Boose” Watson, both of whom are deceased. He moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he worked and retired from the shipping department of Bowman Products. He was an assistant Boy Scout Master, with his best friend Jim Wellborn. He was a baptized christian, loved to fish, loved country music and liked to garden.

An only child, he is survived by a daughter, Patricia Carroll Greer of Wilkesboro and a grandson, Geoffrey Nelson and wife Cynthia of Boone. Three children of Cleveland, Ohio, Paula, Pamela and Paul David Frankovic.

A graveside service will be conducted, Sunday, February 19, 2017 at 2:00 o’clock at Sunrise Cemetery in Bluff City, Tennessee. Pastor William Reed will officiate.

The family will receive friends at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, Saturday from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Champion Fire Department, 491 Champion Mt. Pleasant Road, Ferguson, North Carolina 28624.

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


Nancy Lynn Howard (Oct. 7, 1947 – Feb. 17, 2017)

Nancy Lynn Howard, 69, of Apple Cove Road, Banner Elk, the Valle Crucis Community passed away, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017.

She is survived by one sister, Susan G. Howard, of Banner Elk and two nieces, several cousins and many beloved pets.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother John Bennet Howard and Bobbie Moselle Davis Howard.

A memorial service for Nancy Lynn Howard will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, P.O. Box 1835, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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


Lola Norris Edmisten (Aug. 28, 1917 – Feb. 17, 2017) 

Lola Norris Edmisten, 99, formerly of Edmisten Road, Blowing Rock, passed away Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 at the Foley Center.

Born August 28, 1917 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Elbert and Margaret Coffey Norris. Mrs. Edmisten was a member of Cool Springs Baptist Church. Lola was a lady whose hands were always busy. In addition to raising her children, winters were spent quilting and summers were for tending her prized vegetable and flower gardens. 

Mrs. Edmisten is survived by three sons, William Edmisten and wife, Jeanette of Vilas, Baxter Edmisten and wife, Shirley of Blowing Rock and Joe Edmisten of Vilas; half-brother, Edwin Norris and wife, Betty of Boone; and 12 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, 17 great-great-grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren, 13 step-great-grandchildren and 13 step great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Shuford Edmisten, daughter, Ruth McCrary and husband, Rufus; son, Ray Edmisten and wife, Nicki; daughter-in-law, Bobbie Edmisten; grandsons, Greg and Stephen Edmisten; brother, Denver Norris, sisters, Nina Norris, Clara Painter and Sally Lafferty; and half-brothers, Paul and Jake Norris. 

Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon, Feb. 20, at 1 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Burl Greer. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes. 

Memorials may be made to Cool Springs Baptist Church, in memory of Lola Edmisten at PO Box 3051, Boone, NC 28607 or 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 Edmisten family.


Alma Clark Benfield (June 29, 1914 – Feb. 17, 2017)

Mrs. Alma Benfield, 102, of Crossnore, the Altamont Community, passed away on Friday, February 17, 2017 at her residence.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Collins Benfield; son, Carr “Sid” Benfield; and a grandson, Luke Greenwood.

She leaves behind her daughters, Jane Greenwood and Mary Norbury. 


Hildred Maltba Holtsclaw (Nov. 19, 1947 – Feb. 14, 2017)

Hildred Maltba Holtsclaw, 69, of Newland passed away on Feb. 14, 2017 at Cannon Memorial Hospital. 

She was born Nov. 19, 1947 a daughter of the late Roy and Ruby Stewart Maltba. 

Hildred retired from Baxters as a Kiefel Operator and enjoyed reading and taking care of her grandchildren. 

Along with her parents, Hildred was preceded in death by her: son, Rex Holtsclaw; brothers, Larry Tex Maltba, Delbert Maltba; sisters, Minnie Pittman, Joyce Franklin, Elizabeth Goforth. 

Hildred has left to cherish her memory her: daughters, Pam Calloway and Frank Guinn of Altamont, Amber Barrier and David of Jonas Ridge; brother, Newt Maltba of Altamont; sisters, Nell Pittman of Spruce Pine, Phyllis Vance of Morganton; grandchildren; Brandy and Jerry Stonecipher of TN., Destiny Lowery and Cody of the home, Taylor Lowery of the home, Ashley Clark of the home, Dillion and Brittany Barrier of Raleigh, Allen Barrier of Jonas Ridge, Connar Maltba-Guinn of the home, Carley Stonecipher of TN; one great grandchild on the way; many nieces and nephews whom she loved like her own. 

Funeral services for Hildred Maltba Holtsclaw will be conducted on Thursday, February 16, 2017 at 8:00 pm in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Ted Henry officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the service hour. 

The family would like to thank Donna Tate FNP and her office, Medi Home Hospice and all EMS personnel for the loving care that they gave to Hildred. 

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

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


Mr. Billy C. Townsend (Sept. 17, 1933 – Feb. 15, 2017) 

Mr. Billy Clint Townsend, 83, of Clarks Creek Road, Banner Elk, the Valle Crucis community, passed away Wednesday morning, February 15, 2017 at his home.

Born September 17, 1933 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Enzer and Clemmie Byrd Townsend. Bill was a US Army Veteran and was retired from TRW. He was a member of Clarks Creek Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon. Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing and being outdoors. 

He is survived by his wife, Rachel Greene Townsend, three sons, Raymond Townsend of Banner Elk, Robert Townsend and wife Sam of Zionville and Richard Townsend and wife Cynthia of Banner Elk, three grandsons, Michael Townsend, Mark Townsend and wife Natalie and Gavin Proffit, three granddaughters, Allison, Hannah and Megan Townsend, two great granddaughters, Kaelynn and Brynlee Townsend, and one brother, John Townsend of Banner Elk and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Beulah Gregory and Ada Schreffler, and eight brothers, Melvin, Fred, Vance, Bob, Mack, Ray, Floyd and Glenn Townsend. 

Funeral services for Mr. Billy Townsend will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 oclock at Clarks Creek Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. David Lunceford, Rev. Mike Townsend and Rev. Gordon Noble.

Burial with military honors provided by American Legion Post 130 will follow in the Clarks Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 oclock until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared with the Townsend family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. 

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


Clara S. Hardy  (Jan. 14, 1928 – Feb. 14, 2017) 

Clara Shepherd Hardy, 89, of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away on February 14, 2017.

Born in Maryland, she was the daughter of the late Melvin Lawrence Shepherd and Dollie Ward Shepherd. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Melvin Lawrence, Jr., John and sisters, Juanita and Anna Lee.

Clara graduated from Appalachian Teachers College in 1949 and began teaching in Shelby, NC, and retired from John B. Dey Elementary School in Virginia Beach, VA, after 46 years.

Left to cherish her memory are: a brother, Paul E. Shepherd, many nieces and nephews, and a dear friend, Eloise Miller.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at Mt. Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens, Boone, NC. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Hardy family.


Nora Lourie Percival (Oct. 14, 1914 – Feb. 14, 2017) 

Nora Percival, died peacefully at her home in Boone, NC on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017 at 102 years old.

She was a great storyteller, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, and writer of three memoirs about her life and dramatic historic events she experienced. She enjoyed her family, had many wonderful friends with whom she liked to spend her time, and also liked traveling, reading, gardening and watching old movies. 

She always expressed amazement that, from being an only child who lost all her family early, she could end up giving rise to a large tribe of caring, loving people who work to make the world a better place. She graduated from Barnard College Class in 1936 and was a career woman when that was still unusual. She encouraged and inspired her offspring to be strong, independent, and creative. 

Nora Lourie was born in Samara, Russia, on October 14, 1914, to Adolf Lourie and Olga Eliasberg. After surviving the Russian revolution, famine, and communist oppression, at age eight she and her mother immigrated to New York City to join her father, who had earlier fled from the Bolshevik revolution. Those early experiences and the tragic death of her mother are recounted in her memoir, Weather of the Heart. 

Her years at Barnard College in New York City during the Great Depression, her great love for Columbia College poet and journalism student Herman Gund, their marriage and his early death while she was pregnant with their son, are described in her second memoir, Silver Pages on the Lawn. Her third memoir, The Whirligig of Time, recounts her second marriage to James Percival, her experiences on the home front during World War II as a counselor to women workers, and her life raising her son and four daughters in Buchanan, VA, Long Island, NY and Kent, CT. Details can be found at norapercival.com. 

Nora had a long career, mostly in publishing and editing. She was Director of Alumnae Affairs at Barnard College and later editor of the Barnard Alumnae magazine. She was a dedicated supporter of women’s education and loved her college and continued as Class Correspondent for the Barnard Magazine until last year. She received a President’s Award for her long service to Barnard at her 75th Class Reunion in 2011. She also published, with her husband, a local small town newspaper The Forum of Kent, [Conn.] when they were already in their mid-60’s.

Nora has been active in Boone since moving here in 1985 to be near her daughters. She was a long-term member of the Appalachian State Senior Scholars, where she was awarded lifetime membership. She was an early member of High Country Writers of Boone, where in addition to presenting her own work and receiving several awards for her writing, she acted as mentor and editor for many of the other writers. 

Nora is survived by her son Peter Gund of Fort Myers, FL; daughters Elizabeth Percival of West Jefferson, NC; Jill Wynns of San Francisco, CA; Laurie Percival Oates of Sugar Grove, NC; and Nora James Percival of Seattle, WA. She also is survived by eleven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren: Suzanne Hale and daughters Juliette and Audrey; Ganesha Howell; Isani Howell; Justin Wynns and children William and Natasja; Emily Wynns Francis and daughter Lucia; Evan Wynns and son Owen; Jesse Oates Vest; Austin Oates; Anna Miller; Zoe Friesen; Irene Muller and daughter Wilder Mae.

Interment will be private; a memorial service is planned for this spring. In lieu of flowers, donations in her name may be offered to Barnard College, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Percival family.