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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Feb. 8, 2017

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.


Jimmy P. Harrison (July 3, 1932 – Feb. 4, 2017) 

BigHarrison, Jimmy 2 - 1Mr. Jimmy Payne Harrison, 84, of Boone passed away Saturday morning, Feb. 4, 2017 at the Foley Center.

Born July 3, 1932 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late James Lorn and Maude Payne Harrison. Mr. Harrison was retired from Loven Concrete where he worked as an accountant. He was a US Army Veteran, having served during the Korean conflict. Jimmy was very creative and enjoyed painting, gardening and cooking. 

He is survived by one niece, Myra Davis Mobley of Fairfax, VA, three nephews, Dr. Jack Presnell of Bluff City, TN, and James V. Presnell of Elizabethton, TN, and Hoyle “Davy” Davis, Jr. of Boone, seven great nieces and twelve great-great nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, J. M. Harrison, two sisters, Martha Harrison Davis and Mildred Presnell and two brothers in law, Hoyle Davis and Jack Presnell.

Funeral services for Mr. Jimmy Payne Harrison will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. George Miles. Graveside services with military honors provided by American Legion Post 130 and DAV Chapter 90 will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family will receive friends Wednesday morning prior to the service from 10 o’clock until 11 at the funeral home. The family respectfully requests no flowers and suggests memorials to the DAV Chapter 90, PO Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607.

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


Robert E. Lee (Jan. 27, 1938 – Feb. 4, 2017)

Robert Earnest Lee, age 79, of Newland passed into His Heavenly Father’s arms on Saturday, Feb. 4, 2017. 

Robert-E-Lee-1486453695A native of Cherokee County, NC, he was born Jan. 27, 1938 a son of the late Roy Earnest and Mary Evelyn Smith Lee.

After working over 40 years for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, he retired to Avery County where after high school he met and fell in love with his wife Opal. His love of the outdoors took him to the gorges which were his favorite fishing holes to the rugged mountainsides to hunt “sang.” He never met a stranger and everyone always left with a smile on their face after talking with him.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Opal; son, Edwin and daughter in law Wendy; brothers, William (Merche) and Bert “Bud” Lee; sisters in law, Mary (Charles) Franklin, Alice (Bill) Dameron, Lila Seabock, Mae Hughes and their offspring.

Funeral services for Robert Earnest Lee will be conducted on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. from the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with the Rev. Roger Wise officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour Tuesday at the funeral home. Interment will follow on Wednesday morning at 11:00 a.m. in the Fletcher Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: The Fletcher Presbyterian Church PO Box 493, Newland, NC 28657 or to the Avery County Senior Center PO Box 447, Newland, NC 28657.

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

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


Amie Lea Lentz Brown (March 1, 1939 – Feb. 3, 2017)

Amie Lea Lentz Brown, 77, of Salisbury passed away on Friday Feb. 3, 2017 at her residence. 

4099198_wlppShe was born March 1, 1939, the daughter of the late Roy Lee Lentz and Vergie Miller Lentz.

She was employed as a machine operator and supervisor in the knitting manufacturing industry.
She also worked at the Salvation Army in Salisbury.

Amie was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend who will be greatly missed.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Clyde Junior Brown, daughter Dawn Brown and son Michael Brown.

Left to cherish her memories are her sons Junior Brown (Debbie) of Mocksville, Ronnie Lee Brown ( fiancée Karen Eagle) of Rockwell, Lloyd Wayne Brown and James Anthony Brown (girlfriend Billie Kissiah) all of Salisbury, 15 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and sister Blanche Roark of Todd, NC.

Graveside Services will be conducted, Sunday afternoon, February 12, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Calloway Cemetery, Highway 163, West Jefferson. Officiating will be Reverend David Cooper.

Lyerly Funeral Home, in Salisbury, North Carolina, is in charge of the arrangements.

Announcement courtesy of Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service.


Mary Hodges Presnell (Nov. 22, 1938 – Feb. 3, 2017)

Mary Doris Hodges Presnell, 78, of Boone, passed away Friday afternoon, Feb. 3, 2017 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.

BigPresnell, MaryBorn Nov. 22, 1938 in Watauga County, Mary was a daughter of Carl and Allie Colvard Hodges. Mrs. Presnell was a long time member of Oak Grove Baptist Church, and for more than 30 years, was employed as the executive administrative assistant at Watauga Medical Center. The love of Marys life was her family, watching grandchildren grow, playing Rook, and enjoying time with friends at the Cove Creek Senior Citizens Center.

Mrs. Presnell is survived by three sons, Ricky Presnell and wife, Paula, of Windermere, Florida and Boone, and Michael Presnell and wife, Tammy and Don Presnell and wife, Martha, all of Boone; six grandchildren, Benjamin Presnell and Jessica Smith and husband, David, all of Windermere, Florida, Dustin Presnell of Boone, Devin Presnell and wife, Chelsea, of Ft. Mill, SC, and Chip Presnell and Sofia Presnell, both of Boone, and great-grandson, Holden Presnell of Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Lloyd Presnell; brother, Richard Hodges; and sisters, Lorraine McGuire, Mollie Roten and Virginia Dotson. 

Memorial services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2017 at 3 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Gordon Noble. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3 o’clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. At other times, friends may call at the home of Michael and Tammy Presnell, 378 Howards Creek Road, Boone. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Crossnore Childrens Home, PO Box 249, Crossnore, NC 28616 or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

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


Erma Rhea Critcher Davison (Sept. 30, 1941 – Feb. 2, 2017)

Heaven became a sweet reality for Erma Rhea Critcher Davison of Sanford, FL on Feb. 2, 2017. 

4098636_wlppErma Rhea was born in Watauga County, Boone, NC on Sept. 30, 1941 to the late Carnie C. and Juda Thompson Critcher. She was preceded in death by four brothers: Edward, Carlton, Howard and Richard Critcher, and one sister-in-law, Vee Critcher.

She married George Davison on Feb. 3, 1968 at New Tribes Mission, Jersey Shore, PA. She was a faithful and loving wife, as well as a prayerful and devoted mother and grandmother to her sons and grandchildren. Her greatest joy in life was reading and studying God’s Holy Word.

Erma Rhea was a 1959 graduate of Appalachian High School, Boone and a 1965 graduate of Shenandoah Bible College, Roanoke, VA. She and George served with New Tribes Mission for over 48 years (including 10 years as missionaries in Australia) until retirement and currently resided at New Tribes Retirement Homes, Sanford. She was a member of Sanford Bible Church.

She is survived by her husband, George, of 49 years, two sons, Geordie (Chris), and Steven Davison of FL; four grandchildren, Liam, Rhea-Lynn, Landon, and Riley Davison of FL; six brothers, Truman (Lenore), Harry (Wanda), John (Dana) and Stephen Critcher all of Boone, Reggie Critcher of Lenoir, NC, and Rev. David (Linda) Critcher of Rustburg, VA. She is also survived by two sister-in-law’s, Ester Critcher and Anna Critcher Dyer of Boone, one uncle, Jack Thompson of Hudson, NC, as well as many loving nieces and nephews. 

A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 7:00 P.M. at New Tribes Retirement Homes Chapel, Sanford.

Also, a Memorial Service will be held at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Boone, on Saturday, February 18, 2017 at 11:30 A.M. conducted by Rev. Dr. David Critcher and Rev. J.D. Critcher. The family will receive friends from 10:30 A.M. until time of service. 

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests Memorial Contributions be made to Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 3505 Bamboo Rd, Boone, NC 28607 or New Tribes Mission, 108 Missions Blvd, Sanford, FL 32771. Cards of sympathy can be mailed to George Davison, 230 Brazil Court, Sanford, FL 32771.

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

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


Richard Grant Dean (Jan. 28, 1970 – Feb. 2, 2017)

Mr. Richard Grant Dean, age 47, of 169 Cherrybrook Lane, Boone, died Thursday, Feb. 2, 2017.

4094689_wlppGrant is survived by his wife, Chrystal Dean of Boone, one daughter, Lydia Dean of Boone, his mother, Ruth Ann Dean of Vandalia, Ohio, one sister, Suzanne Dean of Vandalia, Ohio, his mother-in-law, Sandie Ollis of Morganton, three nieces, Laura Johnson, Sarah Johnson, and Kathleen Johnson, all of Vandalia, Ohio, one brother-in-law, Gary Ollis, Jr. and wife Julie, and one nephew, Zack Ollis, all of Elon.

He was preceded in death by; his father, Rick Dean, and his father-in-law, Gary Ollis, Sr. A celebration of life will be Sunday afternoon, February 5, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Boone United Methodist Church. Officiating will be Reverend David Hockett, and Reverend Jeff McClain.

A reception will follow at Boone United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Lydia Dean Education Trust, 980 Highway 105, Boone, NC 28607. 

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

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


Joyce Eugenia Ligon (Feb. 28, 1960 – Feb. 2, 2017)

Joyce-Eugenia-Ligon-1486395633Eugenia Ligon, age 56, of Newland passed away on Feb. 2, 2017.

A native of Knoxville, TN, she was born Feb. 28, 1960 a daughter of Jacqueline Church Cole and the late Harold Belton Ligon.

A graduate of T.C. Roberson High School in Asheville and Mayland Community College, Eugenia worked as a hairdresser. She was a kind and loving person who enjoyed talking to people and getting to know her friends. She loved listening to rock and roll. 
Ms. Ligon has left to cherish her memory her: mother, Jacqueline Church Cole, and her husband, Jack, of Swannanoa; daughter, Spencer Turbyfill, and her boyfriend, Todd Henson, of Newland; sisters, Harriett Meyer, and her husband, Joe, of Pheonixville, PA, Annette Kirk, and her husband, Phillip, of Raleigh, NC; two nieces and three nephews.

Services for Joyce Eugenia Ligon will be conducted on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. from the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with the Rev. Gene Liton officiating. Interment will follow in the Newland Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until the service hour Saturday at the funeral home. 

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


Lucy Greene Winebarger (Jan. 22, 1913 – Jan. 31, 2017)

Lucy Greene Winebarger, 104, of 2487 Meat Camp Road, Boone, died Tuesday, January 31, 2017, at her residence.

4093410_wlppMrs. Winebarger is the daughter of the late, Richard and Belle Lookabill Greene, she was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Winebarger is survived by two sons, John Winebarger of Boone, and Jerry Winebarger and wife Barbara, of Lenoir, two daughters, Helen Bledsoe and husband Chet of Mocksville, North Carolina and Rachel Townsend and husband Dana of Lenoir, one daughter-in-law, Violet Winebarger of Boone, three sisters, Mary Helen Greene, of Boone, Virgie Holman, Sue Miller and husband Glen all of Maryland, 18-grandchildren, 34-great grandchildren and 27 great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Winebarger, three sons, Albert Winebarger, Jr., Joseph Winebarger and Steve Winebarger, two daughters, Barbara Reese and Mary Sue Winebarger, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild, one son-in-law, Gene Reese, two daughters-in-law, Betty Winebarger and Muriel Winebarger, one brother George W. Greene, and one brother-in-law, Cliff Holman.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Lucy Greene Winebarger will be conducted Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 11:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Jerry Moretz and Reverend Brian Cornell will officiate. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hopewell Community Church Cemetery, care of Betty Davis, 4061 US Highway 194 North, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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

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