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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Jan. 26, 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.


Mrs. Betty S. Mahaffey (Nov. 4, 1956 – Jan. 25, 2017)

Mrs. Betty Miller Mahaffey, 60, of Lansing, passed away Wednesday morning, Jan. 25, 2017 at Forsyth Medical Center.

Born Nov. 4, 1956 in Ashe County, she was a daughter of the late Burton R. and Ethel Stike Miller. Betty was a homemaker and a member of Oak Hill Baptist Church. She enjoyed quilting, scrapbooking and her family and friends. 

She is survived by her husband Bobby Mahaffey, one daughter, Vicky Mahaffey and fiancé Geoff Hayes of North Wilkesboro, one sister, Mary Steelman and husband Larry of Jefferson, two brothers, David Miller and wife Shelia of Fleetwood and Allen Miller and wife Debbie of Jefferson.

Funeral arrangements for Betty Mahaffey are incomplete. The family respectfully requests no food or flowers. Memorials may be made to the Oak Hill Baptist Church in Lansing.

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

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


Fred Allen Bowers (April 10, 1942 – Jan. 21, 2017) 

Fred Allen Bowers, 74, of Boone, passed away Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017. 

BigBowers, FredFred was born in Oneonta, NY on April 10, 1942. He was raised in upstate New York, moving to Florida following high school graduation in Pulaski in 1961. Subsequent to earning his BA degree at Florida Southern College, Lakeland, and Master of Divinity at Emory University, Atlanta he served as a United Methodist minister in Florida for 18 years. In 1990, he began a second career, as a Rehabilitation Counselor with the State of Florida. He graduated from Auburn University (Alabama) in August of 2001, with a Masters Degree in Education, earning his Certificate in Rehabilitation Counseling shortly thereafter. He retired from both professions on April 30, 2007, and moved to Boone in July, 2009.

From 1992 to 2009, he was a member of the Daytona Beach Concert Band, playing Alto Sax. He continued to play-in the Watauga Community Band-through Spring of 2015, and, at the time of his death, was a member of Deerfield United Methodist Church. He was a resident of Appalachian Brian Estates. 

Fred was preceded in death by his father, Glenn Allen Bowers and his mother, Katherine Estella Hamlin, and is survived by three children, Joy Barlow of North Carolina, Pete Bowers of Arizona and Ashley Barclay of Georgia; grandsons, Thomas and Marty of Georgia; granddaughter, Jillian Estella of North Carolina and sons-in-law, Paul Barlow and Lee Barclay. 

Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday, January 24, at 11 AM at Deerfield United Methodist Church, officiated by Pastor Wes Austin, Rev. Jim McKinney and Rev. Curtis Mull.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Watauga Community Band, in care of Pat Maddux, 454 Grand Blvd., Boone, NC 28607.

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

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


Mrs. Edna Lou Wilkinson (Feb. 6, 1936 – Jan. 20, 2017)

Edna Lou Wilkinson, 80, passed away Friday, Jan. 20 2017, at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation in Boone, NC. She was born on Feb. 6, 1936, in Watauga County, NC, and married George GC Wilkinson on Dec. 22, 1951, at the age of 15.

BigWilkinson, EdnaHe preceded her in death. She relocated to Fort Wayne, IN, with her ironworker husband where they raised two children, and fostered many others, before returning to Zionville, NC, in 1985. At any time, Aunt Lou could be found teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who would listen as she was a faithful Good News Club teacher for Child Evangelism Fellowship for several years. She was a humble, God fearing woman, whose most concern was for others personal relationship with Jesus Christ. She was a loving wife, mother, grandma, sister, and friend.
    
Surviving are her two children, Kerry Wilkinson of Zionville and Tanya (Denny) Miller of Leo, IN; three grandchildren, Rachel (John) Moreland, Seth (Betsey) Miller and Sara (Phil) Bultemeier; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis (Russell) Swift of Vilas, NC, and Kathy (Lynn) Greene of Mountain City, TN; brothers, Kenneth (Lois) Greene of Vilas, NC, and Eddy (Cretha) Greene of Ossian, IN; and, sister-in-law, Jackie Thomas of Concord, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Fred and Coletta Greene.
    
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 12 noon at Zionville Baptist church. Pastors Dwayne Tester and Ray Greene will be officiating. Receiving of friends is from 10:30 until noon at the church. Burial will be in Zionville Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to CEF of NC Inc. Greater Yadkin Valley Chapter, 130 Green Valley Rd, Elkin, NC 28621 or to the cemetery fund at Zionville Baptist Church, 8174 Old US Highway 421, Zionville, NC 28698.

Online condolences may be sent to www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Wilkinson family.

Ronnie Ray Aldridge (June 17, 1946 – Jan. 20, 2017)

Ronnie Ray Aldridge, 70, Banner Elk, died Friday morning, January 20, 2017 at his home.

BigAldridge, RonnieRonnie was born June 17, 1946 in Watauga County to Ray Mack and Flora Fox Aldridge. He was a member of Watauga Baptist Church. Ronnie was a longtime volunteer fireman with the Foscoe Fire Department and was instrumental in the beginning organization of the department. After his love of family, Ronnie enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming and gardening. 

Mr. Aldridge is survived by his wife, Patricia Ramsey Aldridge; daughter, Sherry Aldridge of Banner Elk; sister, Julia Jaynes of Newland; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Regina Grace Aldridge; sisters, Jackie Aldridge and Beulah Aldridge Triplett; and brothers, Steve and Roger Aldridge. Memorial services for Ronnie Ray Aldridge will be conducted Sunday afternoon, January 22, 2017 at 3 oclock at Watauga Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Len Aldridge. The family will receive friends at the church from 2 until 3 oclock, prior to services. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to assist with funeral expenses, or to the Foscoe Volunteer Fire Department, 9230 NC Hwy 105, Banner Elk, NC 28604. 

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

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

Lois Yates Rominger (Nov. 23, 1931 – Jan. 20, 2017) 

Lois Yates Rominger, age 85, of Boone, passed away Friday evening, January 20, 2017 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation. Born November 23, 1931 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of David and Anne Smith Yates. In addition to providing a loving home for her family, Lois worked as a seamstress at Shadowline, prepared salads at Hardies Restaurant, and was a loving child care provider in her home. 

BigRominger, LoisMrs. Rominger is survived by her daughters, Marie Chamra of Boone and Martha Rash and husband, David, of Miller’s Creek; sons, Hal Rominger and wife, Dessie, of Johnson City, TN and Michael Rominger of Advance; 3 grandsons, Nathan Rominger and Zane and Allan Chamra, and 6 granddaughters, Natasha R. Shumate, Stacie Beshears, Holly Oehm, Jennifer and Christine Rominger, Feslisa Holsclaw; 13 great-grandchildren; and brothers, Bennie and Richard Yates, both of Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Warren Rominger; grandson, Josh Rominger; 3 sisters, Emma Lou, Ruth and Eva, and 2 brothers, Hugh and Hade; and son-in-law, Rick Chamra. 

A celebration of life receiving of friends for Lois Rominger will be Saturday, January 28, from 11:30 AM until 1 PM at Austin & Barnes. The family respectfully requests no food and suggests, in lieu of flowers, memorials, in memory of Josh Rominger, be sent to Josh’s Jog, 2225 B, Sweet Bay Drive, Greenville, NC 27834, a charity which benefits CureSearch for Children’s Cancer, or to Medi-Home Health and Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, N,C. 28607. 

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

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

Mary Shull Moody (May 18, 1929 – Jan. 20, 2017)

Mrs. Mary Shull Moody, 87, of 540 Calloway Road, Boone, the Foscoe Community, passed away Friday, Jan. 20,2017 at Life Care Center Of Banner Elk.

4081992_wlppMary Shull Moody grew up in Valle Crucis, North Carolina with her family, Donald and Boyd Shull and her two sisters Jeanne and Elizabeth on the Shull Farm. Mary graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College. She married Charles Ray Moody and moved to Maryland. She retired from teaching and moved back to Foscoe in 1987. Mary and Ray adopted their niece, Juanita, and helped raise their three nephews Don, John and Paul.

Mary will be remembered for her love and devotion to her family and friends.

Mrs. Moody is survived by one daughter, Juanita Moody Keehn and husband Terrence of Dunkirk, Maryland, two granddaughters, Brittney Schade of Dunkirk, Maryland and Casey Begley and husband Mat of Lusby, Maryland, one grandson, Kyle Schade of Dunkirk, Maryland, two nephews, Donald Moody and Carolyn of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and John Moody of Bend, Oregon, two great-granddaughters, Ayvah Begley and Kennedy Begley both of Lusby, Maryland, one great-grandson, Adam Foster of Dunkirk, Maryland and one sister, Jeanne Shull Church and husband James of Oxon Hill, Maryland.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Ray Moody, one nephew, Paul Moody, her father and mother, Ira Don & Boyd Caudill Shull and one sister, Betty Shull Moody.

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary Shull Moody will be conducted Tuesday, January 24, 2016 at 2:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend David Hockett will officiate. The body will lie in state, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock, prior to the service. Burial will follow in the Shull Cemetery.

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

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, in care of Brian Barker, 411 Daniel Drive, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

Online Condolences may be sent to the Moody family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com

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


Justin Geoffrey Mikel (Jan. 9, 1959 – Jan. 17, 2017)

Justin Geoffrey Mikel, 58, of Boone, after fighting a lifelong battle with mental illness, took her own life, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017.

Justin was born Jan. 9, 1959 in Wokingham, England to Margaret A. Mauney and Peter G. Archer.

She graduated from The University of Cincinnati with a Master of Science in Social Work June 7, 2002. Justin was certified as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2005 and certified as a Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist in 2013. She worked as a Psychotherapist for New River Mental Health Center from 2002 until her retirement due to illness in 2011.

Justin took her won life following decades of physical and mental illness. She wanted this known to encourage others to seek and provide help for mental illness.

Justin is survived her mother and step-father, Margaret Ann Mauney and Dr. John David Mauney of Raleigh, and two brothers, David Archer of Chicago, Illinois, and Anthony Anderson and wife Susan of Raleigh.

A memorial service for Justin Geoffrey Mikel will be held at Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Raleigh, North Carolina at a date to be announced.

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

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


Jerry L. Boswell (Jan. 20, 1952 – Jan. 17, 2017) 

BigBoswell 2Mr. Jerry Layne Boswell, age 64 of Zionville, passed away Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at his residence. He was a native of Danville, Virginia and the son of the late Frank and Willie Strader Boswell. Jerry was a heavy equipment operator and a very free spirit. He enjoyed Harley Davidson motorcycles and life. 

He is survived by his daughter, Nicole and husband Greg Triplett of Zionville, good friend Glenda Atkins, a son, Ethan Boswell of Boone, a brother Bill Boswell of Liberty, N.C. friends Charles and Betty Murphy of Lakeland, TN., 3 grandchildren, Aubrey, Marley and Toney. He is survived by nephews Mark Anthony Boswell and William Shannon Boswell, and nieces Melissa Anne Boswell and Sherry Lynne Boswell.

Services will be private.

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


Mr. Ralph C. Greer (Jan. 1, 1925 – Jan. 16, 2017)

BigGreer, Conley - 2Mr. Ralph Conley Greer, 92, of Tater Hill Road, Zionville, passed away Monday evening, Jan. 16, 2017 at his home.

Born January 1, 1925 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Cicero and Lena Wilkinson Greer. Ralph was a member and former Sunday School teacher at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He was retired from Appalachian State University.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Marie Norris Greer, one sister, Hazel Greer Mitchell, and two brothers, Bill and Russell Greer.

He is survived by a number of nieces and nephews, and great nieces and nephews, and his special caregivers, Dan Little and Jessie Wagner.

Funeral services for Ralph Greer will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow in the Union Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 until 2 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times friends may call at the residence. Online condolences may be shared with the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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


Mrs. Shirley M. Nilles (April 14, 1932 – Jan. 16, 2017)

Mrs. Shirley Anne Motte Nilles, 84, of Boone, passed away Monday, January 16, 2017 at her home.

BigNilles, Shirley newBorn April 14, 1932 in Wilmington, NC, she was a daughter of the late David and Annie Covil Motte. Shirley was a homemaker and caregiver. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, PEO Sisterhood, and the Worthwhile Women’s Club. Shirley was a volunteer for many years at Watauga Medical Center.
    
She is survived by her husband, Ralph Nilles, two daughters, Terry Nilles and spouse Marie Mancinelli of Charlotte, and Susan Burkhart and husband Damon of Jacksonville, Florida, one son, Charles Nilles of Newland, two grandchildren, Jessica Bishop and husband Hunter and D.J. Burkhart and wife Luz, two sisters, Joyce Griffith of Matthews and Maxcyne Yaworsky and husband Ray of Ogden, Utah, and a number of nieces, nephews and close friends.
    
Funeral services for Shirley Nilles will be conducted Friday, afternoon, January 20th at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Jeff Smith. Burial will follow in the White Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 o’clock until 2 at the funeral home. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 131 Big Valley Street, Boone, NC 28607 or to the Appalachian Regional Healthcare System Foundation, PO Box 2600, Boone, NC 28607.

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