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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Jan. 26, 2016

Bobbie Fox Byrd (Feb. 11, 1936 – Jan. 25, 2016)

Bobbie Jean Fox Byrd, 79, of NC Hwy 105 South, Banner Elk, passed away Monday morning, January 25, 2015 at the Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Byrd
Byrd

Born Feb. 11, 1936 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Bob and Sibyl Fox. Mrs. Byrd was a member of Foscoe Christian Church. She retired from the Watauga County Board of Elections and the Watauga County Chamber of Commerce. Active in community activities, Bobbie was a participating member of the Womens GOP Club and the Foscoe Ruritan Club. She always had a smile on her face when she talked about her family with love and enjoyed preparing meals and crocheting tablecloths for her children. Often she could be found outside tending her flower and vegetable gardens.

Mrs. Byrd is survived by three daughters, Debbie Arnett and husband, Vernon, of Vilas, and Teresa Greene and Melanie Hollar and husband, LaBaron, all of Boone; son, William Byrd and wife Stephanie of Boone; granddaughters, Keri Anne White and husband, Derek, Kelly Greene, and Samantha and Heather Byrd; grandson, Tanner Byrd; great-grandchildren, Jackie, Ryan and Jordyn White; and step-grandson, Wesley Hollar and wife, Madison; brothers, Jim Fox and wife Gail, of Vilas and Jerry Fox and wife, Brenda, of Richmond, VA; brothers-in-law, Bennie Byrd and wife Sharon, of Morganton, Bennett Byrd and wife, Mary Alice and Baxter Byrd and wife, Janet, all of Zionville; sisters-in-law, Rosedna Thomas and husband, Ronnie, of Zionville, and Lathenia Byrd of Roan Mountain, TN and Pam Rogers of Huntersville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Andy Byrd; parents, Bob and Sibyl Fox; father and mother-in-law, Will and Emma Byrd; and sons-in-law, Charles Greene and Greg Edmisten.

Funeral services for Bobbie Jean Fox Byrd will be conducted Thursday afternoon, January 28th, at 2 oclock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Mr. Kenneth Caswell.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6 until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes.

At other times, friends may call at the home of her daughter, Debbie and Vernon Arnett, 368 Arnette Hollow Road in Vilas.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Watauga County Hunger and Health Coalition, 141 Health Center Drive, Boone, NC 28607, or to the State Employees Credit Union Family House, 1970 Baldwin Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103, or to a charity of the donors choice.

Online condolences may be shared at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

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

Keith Laws (Dec. 2, 1964 – Jan. 22, 2016)

Keith Laws, age 51, of Newland passed away on January 22, 2016 in Lenoir.

Laws
Laws

He was born December 2, 1964 at Perrins Air Force Base in Sherman, Texas a son of Frances Townsend Laws of Elk Park and the late Hall Keith Laws.

He was a US Air Force and Army National Guard Veteran. Keith was a dedicated public servant who served with the Avery County Sheriffs Department for over 20 years. He was a member of the Cranberry Baptist Church and enjoyed fishing and woodworking.

Along with his father, Keith was preceded in death by a brother Chris Laws.

In addition to his mother, he has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Kim Laws of the home; daughter, Caroline Laws of the home; son, Connor Laws of the home; sister, Angela Greene, and her husband, Gary, of Elk Park; brother, Mike Laws, and his wife, Pam, of Marion; uncle, Charles Laws, and his wife, Irene, of Haslett, TX; aunts, Susie Davis, and her husband, Rick, of Huntersville, Bitsie Collins, and her husband, Al, of New Bern, Brenda Marsh, and her husband, Keith, of Mt. Carmel, TN, Judy Cornell of Lenoir; nieces and nephews, Cody, Kayla, Zach, Ciara, Carrie, Charlie, Harlie, Thomas; great nephew, Cash; great niece, Arizona; and his family of the Avery County Sheriffs Office.

Funeral services for Keith Laws will be held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, January 25, 2016 at the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. David Burnop officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. until the service hour, Monday at the funeral home.

Family, friends, and pallbearers will gather at the funeral home on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. to go in procession to the Heaton Cemetery for interment.

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

Roy Langdon Brewer (March 19, 1943 – Jan. 21, 2016)

Brewer
Brewer

Roy Langdon Brewer, age 72, of Newland passed away on January 21, 2016 at his residence.

He was born March 19, 1943 a son of the late Kenneth and Etta Moody Brewer.

Roy was a shrubbery man and owned Roy and Roy Brewer Tree Farm with his son.

He was a member of Newland Christian Church and attended Lower Shell Creek Christian Church.

Along with his parents, Roy was preceded in death by his: brothers, Robert, Richard, Jim, Ed; sisters, Pricilla Waycaster, Barbara Stines, Juanita Cuthbertson, Iva Raines, Lula Mae Brewer.

Roy has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Brenda Smith Brewer of the home; daughter, Cindy Lindecamp and husband Richie of Newland; sons, Darrell Brewer and wife Sharon of Newland, Kenneth Brewer and wife Dorothy of Shelby; nine grandchildren; five great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Roy Langdon Brewer will be conducted on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Gerald Holly officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Interment will be in the Heaton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Blue Ridge Hospice and Palliative Care at 236 Hospital Drive Spruce Pine, NC 28777.

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

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Brewer family.

Mary Guignard Elder (Oct. 19, 1910 – Jan. 19, 2016)

Mary Guignard Elder, 105, of Banner Elk passed away on January 19, 2016 at her residence.

A native of Avery County, she was born October 19, 1910, a daughter of the late James Sanders and Anna VonCannon Guignard.

She received her early education at Lees-McRae Institute and attended Lees-McRae College where she served as President of the SGA.

Mary was a member of the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church and was Past President of the Banner Elk Woman’s Club, member of the Greater Banner Elk Heritage Society, a charter member of the Banner Elk Historical Society and a life member of the Banner Elk Garden Club.

Along with her parents, Mary was preceded in death by: husband, William T. Elder; brothers, James Guignard, William Guignard, John Guignard, Lewis Guignard, Charles Guignard.

Mary is survived by: daughter, Mary Frances Frisbie and husband Charles of Beech Mountain; sons, William G. Elder of Banner Elk, W. Clifton Elder and wife Kathy of Banner Elk, John M. Elder and wife Olga of Burlington; granddaughters, Lora Elder and husband David Pauls, Katie Elder and husband David Schumann, Cynthia K. Burton; grandsons, Charles G. Frisbie, William Frisbie and wife Holly, James Frisbie and wife Heather, William Patrick Elder and wife Katie, Walter C. Elder and wife Estefi, Lucas B. Elder and wife Lydia; great granddaughters, Anna Frisbie, Sarah Frisbie, Stella Frisbie, Mary Kate Frisbie, Kayleen Pauls, Brenna Pauls; cherished nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mary Guignard Elder will be conducted on Monday, January 25, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. at the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church with Rev. Edward Donnell and Rev. Lonnie Barnes officiating. Interment will be in the Banner Elk Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 24th from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the family home place, 815 Dobbins Rd. Banner Elk, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Banner Elk Presbyterian Church at PO Box 158 Banner Elk, NC 28604 or to Lees-McRae College at PO Box 128 Banner Elk, NC 28604.

Additional information may be found at our website www.rsfh.net.

Jay Greene (Jan. 29, 1954 – Jan. 16, 2016)

Greene
Greene

Julian Forbes “Jay” Greene, Jr., 61, of Newland, passed away on January 16, 2016 at the Johnson City Medical Center.

He was the son of the late Julian Forbes Greene and Doris Taylor Greene of Newland. In addition to his father, Jay was preceded in death by his grandparents, Arl and Myrtle Greene and Fred and Laura Taylor.

In addition to his mother, he leaves behind to cherish his memory his loving wife and caregiver, Mary Cocke Greene of the home; daughters, Julia G. Henson, and husband Josh, of Crossnore, Jennifer G. Burleson, and her husband, Tony of Plumtree; sister, Fredda Greer and her husband, Russell, of Salisbury; brother, Dudley Greene, and his wife, Allyson, of Marion, NC; grandsons, Cody Cook, Dalton Cook, Tipton Braswell, Zeb Burleson; granddaughters, Jillian Burleson, Jadyn Henson; former wife and mother of his children, Sharon Jennings; step daughter, Scottie Benfield; step sons, Julian Benfield, John Benfield; step grandchildren, Carly Benfield, Kayden Benfield, Thomas Hazelgrove, Erin Hazelgrove; step great granddaughter, Hanalee Lovett; nieces, Laura G. Kuykendall, Leslie G. Persinger, Mary Greene; nephew, Julian Greene.

Jay was the President and Owner of the once family business, Greene and Taylor Nurseries, Inc. of Newland and an avid truck driver. He loved his family more than life. He retired from the Newland Volunteer Fire Department where he had served as Chief.

Memorial services for Jay Greene will be held on Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. from the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Dr. Ken Harper officiating.

As Jay was an avid animal lover, the family respectfully requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to the Avery County Humane Society.

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

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Greene family.

Leslie Karen Hart (Sept. 9, 1964
- Jan. 15, 2016)

Leslie Karen Hart, age 51, of Hummingbird Lane, Elk Park, passed away Friday, January 15, 2016, at her home.

Hart
Hart

Leslie is survived by five daughters, Kelly Anne Sellers of Elk Park, April Krystine Sobalvarro of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Amber Michelle Griffin of Atoka, Tennessee, Jessica Danielle Penna of Memphis, Tennessee, and Crystal Marie Morrow of Georgia; two sons, Stephen Jacob Penna of Memphis, and Robert Clayton Sellers of Georgia; seven grandchildren, Hailey Michelle Sobalvarro, JoAnna Danyelle Sobalvarro, and Sydaley Kaye Sobalvarro, all of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Caydence Krystine Tidwell and Jaycob Bayne Tidwell, both of Atoka, Tennessee, Hayden Marie Morrow of Georgia, and Gracelynn Rose Penna of Memphis, and one sister, Lorie K. Harper of Byhalia, Mississippi.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Phillip Glen Hart and Linda Kaye Adamson. 

Memorial services for Leslie Karen Hart will be conducted Thursday afternoon, January 21, 2016, at 2:00 o’clock, at Boone Advent Christian Church. Officiating will be Reverend Gordon Noble.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family, in care of Kelly Anne Sellers, 66 Hummingbird Lane, Elk Park, North Carolina, 28622.

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

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

John Clayton Sellers (Jan. 7, 1964
- Jan. 15, 2016)

John Clayton Sellers, age 52, of Hummingbird Lane, Elk Park, passed away Friday, January 15, 2016, at his home.

Sellers
Sellers

John is survived by five daughters, Kelly Anne Sellers of Elk Park, April Krystine Sobalvarro of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Amber Michelle Griffin of Atoka, Tennessee, Jessica Danielle Penna of Memphis, Tennessee, and Crystal Marie Morrow of Georgia; two sons, Stephen Jacob Penna of Memphis, and Robert Clayton Sellers of Georgia; seven grandchildren, Hailey Michelle Sobalvarro, JoAnna Danyelle Sobalvarro, and Sydaley Kaye Sobalvarro, all of Olive Branch, Mississippi, Caydence Krystine Tidwell and Jaycob Bayne Tidwell, both of Atoka, Tennessee, Hayden Marie Morrow of Georgia, and Gracelynn Rose Penna of Memphis, and one brother, Lance Edward Willinger of Burlison, Tennessee. 

He was preceded in death by his mother, Sarah Yvonne Sellers.

Memorial services for John Clayton Sellers will be conducted Thursday afternoon, January 21, 2016, at 2:00 o’clock, at Boone Advent Christian Church. Officiating will be Reverend Gordon Noble.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family, in care of Kelly Anne Sellers, 66 Hummingbird Lane, Elk Park, North Carolina, 28622.

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

Reba Miller Watson (Nov. 25, 1929
- Jan. 15, 2016)

Mrs. Reba M. Watson, 86, of Harmon Road, Banner Elk, passed away, Friday morning, January 15, 2016 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation Center in Boone.

Mrs. Watson was born November 25, 1929 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Ellie Mae Miller. She was resistor maker at IRC/TRW.

Mrs. Watson is survived by one son, Johnny Watson and Mickie and Shauna of Banner Elk; two grandsons, Danny Horney and wife Jessica, and Randy Horney and wife Judy, all of Banner Elk; one granddaughter, Shannon Dean and husband Kirk of Cary, North Carolina; six great-grandchildren; and five sisters, Shirley Rash and husband Billy Ray of Trade, Tennessee, Helen Shearer and husband David of Pennsylvania, Dare Ward of Lexington, North Carolina, Audrey Hartley and husband Neil of Boone, and Faye Eggers and husband Denver of Marion, North Carolina. She is also survived by a number of brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Filmore Watson, her mother Ellie Mae Miller, one son, Jerry Watson, one daughter, Carolyn Horney, one brother, James Matney, and three sisters, Reda Mae Ward, Doris Lee Storie and an infant sister, Rachel Ann Wallace.

Graveside services for Reba Miller Watson will be conducted Saturday afternoon, January, 16, 2016 at 3:00 o’clock at Matney-Liberty Community Cemetery. Officiating will be Mr. Steve Ward.

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