1000 x 90

Watauga, Avery Obituaries – July 25, 2017

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.


Arnold H Hicks (Aug. 28, 1945 – July 23, 2017)

Arnold Hicks of Buck Mountain died at the age of 71, Sunday July 23, 2017 at Mission Hospital in Ashville, NC.  

He was proceeded in death by his parents Norman and Elizabeth Hicks, his wife Phillis Hicks, brothers Carrol Hick and Leon Hicks. 

He is survived by his wife Sharon Hicks. His siblings Elwanda and Elijah Garland of Roan Mountain, Brenda and Charley McKinney of Roan Mountain, Jerry and Patty Hicks of Elk Park, Kay and Chris Hogan of Elk Park.

His children Julie Green and David Tripp of Lithia Springs, Georgia, Tommy Hicks of Elk Park, and Angela Bare of Elk Park and Crystal and Billy Napier of Elk Park. He is also survived by his grandchildren; Lacy Hicks, Derrick Morgan, Crystal Gwyn, Thomas Guinn, Josh Bare and Louren Zellers. He had seven great-grandchildren that loved him dearly. Arnold also had three special fur babies, Buddy, Zoey, and Izzy. 

Arnold was the love of his wife’s life. He was loving, generous and a loyal husband, father and friend he will be terribly missed.

Services for Arnold H Hicks will be held on Wednesday July 26, 2017, beginning at 8:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. The family will receive friends beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday July 26, 2017.

Interment will be in the Banner Cemetery in Elk Park, Thursday July 27, 2017 at 11:00 AM. 

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Hicks family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net. The care of Arnold and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.


James Bradley Teague (Jan. 16, 1937 – July 22, 2017) 

James Bradley (BRAD) Teague, 80, of Highway 105, Boone, passed away Saturday morning, July 22, 2017 at his home.

Born Jan. 16, 1937 in Watauga County, he was the son of Mont and Verlee Storie Teague. Brad was a member of Greenway Baptist Church for the past 52 years. In 1992, he retired as a salesman for Suburban Propane.

He served as a member of the Ashler Masonic Lodge in Deep Gap and the Taylorsville Masonic Lodge in Mountain City, Tennessee for 50 years. And also, for the last 50 years, he was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodie in Knoxville, Tennessee, and the Shriners Oasis Temple in Charlotte. He loved motorcycles and cars, and was a licensed pilot with a passion for flying. He and Ruth Ann traveled in all 50 states. 

Mr. Teague is survived by his wife of 57 years, Ruth Ann Banner Teague; Son, Anthony Teague and wife, Karen; four granddaughters, Sophia, Samantha, Phebe and Clementine and one grandson, Joel; and sister-in-law, Jeanne Banner Combs. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Mahlah Teague; and in-laws, Bob and Nina Banner. 

Funeral services for Bradley Teague will be conducted Wednesday morning, July 26, at 11 oclock at Greenway Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Darrell Hobbs and Rev. Homer Greene. Masonic graveside services, provided by Ashler Lodge 373 will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Bibles to Gideon International, Boone Camp, in care of Dale Hayes, 3207 NC Hwy 105 South, Boone, NC 28607; to the Greenway Baptist Church Upper Class, in care of Dottie Fairchild, 880 Greenway Road, Boone, NC 28607; or to the Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children, in care of Randy Vines, 1005 George Wilson Road, Boone, NC 28607.

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


Mindy L. Rich (May 4, 1960 – July 22, 2017)

Mindy Lou Rich, age 57, of Boone, passed away Saturday, July 22, 2017.

She was the daughter of the late Walter William and Rosemary Baster Parrish. She is survived by her husband Russell Rich, her brother, Billy Parrish of Georgia, and a sister-in-law, Alice Brown and her husband Gary, of Boone. Three nieces, Rosemary Parrish, Crystal Brown and Linda Poole. Two nephews, Wayne Poole and Joseph Brown.

A graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. in the Boones Fork Community Cemetery, Blowing Rock. Memorial donations may be made to Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to assist with the service costs.

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


Earlene Pyatte (April 12, 1951 – July 22, 2017)

Earlene Pyatte, 66, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at her residence in Newland.

A native of Avery County, NC, she was born April 12, 1951 a daughter of the late John Earl and Rebecca Woods Franklin. 

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Franklin Stines.

Earlene was a mother to all children that she met. Special to her heart were Joannie Aldridge, Rayanna Calhoun, Isaiah Aldridge, and Kristy Hayes. She worked for many years at the Quik Shop in Newland, where she greeted everyone with a smile.
Earlene has left to cherish her memory her: husband, Keith Pyatte of the home; sisters, Patricia Brooks of Newland, Mary and Tom Aldridge of Crossnore, Vickie Smith of Elk Park, Karen and Johnny Hayes of Elk Park; brothers, Tim and Sherry Franklin of Heaton, John and Roxanne Franklin of Banner Elk; brother in law, Kelba Stines of Newland.

Funeral services for Earlene Pyatte will be held on Tuesday, July 25, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. from the Grandfather Chapel of the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. The family will receive friends beginning at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Family, friends, and pallbearers will meet at the funeral home on Wednesday Morning to go in procession to the Burleson Cemetery for interment.

Serving as pallbearers will be: Richard Carpenter, Kelvin Stines, Ernie Stines, Scott Stines, Jerry Stines, Isaiah Aldridge and Kris Stines. Honorary pallbearers will be: Tony Hughes and Matthew Hayes.

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Pyatte family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

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


Ida M. Harmon (July 31, 1933 – July 21, 2017) 

Ida Marie Harmon, age 83 of Jimmy Billings Road, Vilas, passed away peacefully Friday morning, July 21, 2017. 

She was the daughter of the late Jones Carter and Pina Presnell Harmon. She was preceded in death by her husband, William Walter Harmon, Retired Navy Chief Petty Officer. 

She is survived by her son, Chris Harmon of Vilas, her brother, Bobby Harmon of Sugar Grove, sister-in-laws, Georgia Ward and Addie Mae Maynard both of Sugar Grove. Three nieces, Charlene Harmon of Sugar Grove, Nancy Mixon of Mountain City, TN., and Mary Ann Trivette of Beech Mountain. Two nephews, Tom Combs of Lenoir, and Mike Accetta of West Jefferson.

Services will be announced at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Association, 4600 Park Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, N.C. 28209, or visit their website at www.alz.org.

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


Iva Lee Clark (Jan. 1, 1935 – July 21, 2017)

Iva Lee Clark, 82, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Friday, July 21, 2017 at the Charles Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.

She was born on Jan. 1, 1935 in Avery County, North Carolina, a daughter of the late Bynum Webb and Lucy Woody Webb.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Clark. Iva Lee loved her family and enjoyed working, whether in her garden, her kitchen, watching the animals, quilting and crocheting. She retired from Baxter Healthcare and was a member of the Long Ridge Baptist Church.

She leaves behind her sons, Vernon Edward Clark and wife Myrna of Marion, Ronnie Lee Clark of Marion, Melvin Howard Clark of Jonas Ridge, Danny Allan Clark of Jonas Ridge, Brian Keith Clark of Weaverville; nine grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Friday July 28, 2017 from 5:00PM to 7:00PM at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. 
Funeral service will begin at 7:00 PM. 
Graveside will be Saturday July 29, 2017 at 11:00 am at the Calloway Cemetery. 

The family would like to extend their thanks to Regina Johnston for all her help and to the Nurses of Medi Home Hospice for the tremendous care and support.

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

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Clark family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net.


Lester Carroll Johnson (July 6, 1941 – July 20, 2017)

Lester Carroll Johnson, 76, of Lester Johnson Road, Vilas, passed away Thursday afternoon, July 20, 2017 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.

Born July 6, 1941 in Watauga County, he was a son of Roby Don and Myrtle Greene Johnson. Lester owned and operated Lester Johnson Heating Company. He enjoyed raising tobacco, farming and gardening and was of the Baptist faith. 

Mr. Johnson is survived by his daughters, Kelley Triplett and husband, David, and Neeta Clark and husband, Phillip, all of Vilas; two grandchildren, Justin Triplett and wife Bridgette and Casey Triplett and friend, Calvin Vincent, all of Vilas; and four great granddaughters and four great-grandsons. He was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Sue Harris Johnson; infant daughter, Julie; and parents. Graveside services for Lester Carroll Johnson will be private. The family will receive friends Saturday evening, July 22nd, from 6 until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes. 

At other times, the family will be at the home of Kelley and David Triplett, 118 Lester Johnson Road in Vilas. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Union Baptist Cemetery Fund, in care of Roxanna Miller, 6797 Old US Hwy 421, Zionville, NC 28698.

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


Clyde Van Fore, Sr. (March 24, 1948 – July 19, 2017)

Clyde Van Fore Sr., 69, of Frank Mast Road, Valle Crucis, passed away Wednesday morning, July 19, 2017, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.

Clyde was born March 24, 1948 in Newton, North Carolina, a son of the late Clyde Pascal Fore and Charlotte Wiggins Fore. He was a retired Auto Salesman.

Clyde is survived by his wife, Ginger Mast Fore of the home; one son, Clyde Van “Buddy” Fore of Boone; one step-son, Nicholas Asa of Charlotte; one step-daughter, Kimberly Asa of Brooklyn, New York; one brother, Eric Fore and wife Betty of Hickory, and two brothers-in-law, Norman High of High Shoals, North Carolina and David Mast of Valle Crucis. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Kenneth Fore, and two sisters, Sherri High and Judy Baker.

A Celebration of the Life of Clyde Van Fore, Sr. will be held Friday, July 21, 2017, from 5:00 until 8:00 o’clock, at the home of his son, Buddy Fore, 280 Graggville Road, Boone.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

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


Frank M McKinney (Sept. 1, 1939 – July 19, 2017)

Frank Marshall McKinney of Chestnut Dale Road, went home to be with his Lord on July 19, 2017.

He was surrounded by his family and friends, as he had been his entire life. Frank was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church for most of his life and he loved his church and his church family. 
Frank was a retired painter who loved to be around people. He loved riding and working with horses, rodeos, NASCAR and singing. He loved family gatherings and any opportunity to get together with his children and grandchildren, especially his two great-grandchildren Kale and Eli who were his two newest loves. 

Frank was the son of Dewy and Tempie McKinney formally of Whitaker Branch. He dearly loved his brothers; Mutt, Tom and Jack as well as their wives and children. He also loved his sisters; Nellie Pittman, Hildred Hopson, Thelma Greene and Ruth Rector, along with their families.

Left to carry on his legacy is his wife of 57 years, Johnnie B McKinney of the home, his son John and his wife Joy, and granddaughter Sage. His daughter Mitzie and her husband Dale Huffman, grandson Marshall and his wife Francesca. Daughter Frankie and her husband Dean Bare, grandsons Garrett and Christian. Daughter Regina and her husband Nick Daniels, grandson Preston and his wife Ashley, and Chatty, his granddaughter. 

Funeral services for Frank will be held at the church he loved, Pleasant Hill Baptist on Friday July 21, 2017 at 3:00, family will start receiving friends at 2:00. Graveside service will follow the funeral service in the Whittaker Branch Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Medi-Home Hospice P.O. Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657. Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the McKinney family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

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


Dawn Lorraine Muirhead (March 9, 1962 – July 19, 2017)

Dawn Lorraine Muirhead, age 55 of Boone passed away Wednesday, July 19, 2017.

She fought a very long and hard battle with cancer, and never gave up. She was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church, and was loved dearly by her family, church and community. Dawn was employed Appalachian State University for many years and was a U.S. Army veteran.

She is survived by her parents, Carole Ragan Muirhead and Clyde Muirhead. One sister, Dianna Johnson, and one brother Christopher Muirhead. She is also survived by two nephews, Dylan and Jonathan Moody, and one niece, Karissa Jones, and one great aunt, Ruby Arnold.

A memorial service will be conducted in the fall of this year. The family respectfully no food or flowers and suggests memorials to the SECU Home, 1970 Baldwin Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or to the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center, PO Box 2570, Boone, NC 28607, or to a charity of the donors choice.

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


Loretta Tosch Van Gilder (Jan. 15, 1937 – July 19, 2017) 

Loretta Tosch Van Gilder, 80, of Deerfield Forest Parkway, Boone, passed away Wednesday afternoon, July 19, 2017 at her home. Born January 15, 1937 in New York City, she was a daughter of Bruno and Anna McGrath Tosch. Mrs. Van Gilder was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. 

She is survived by her daughter, Linda LaCross and husband, Rick, and granddaughter Jennifer Eller and husband, John, great-grandchildren, Julie and Johanna, grandson, Ted and wife Michelle, great-granddaughter, Madeline, granddaughter, Theresa LaCross and wife Alicia Case and granddaughter, Christine Curley and husband, Tim; daughter, Ann Langdon; son, Paul and wife Vanessa, granddaughter Charlotte and grandson, Ben; daughter, Lisa; daughter, Christine Abbott and husband, Randy and granddaughter Rachel, grandson, Matthew and granddaughter, Vanessa; daughter, Clare; son, Tom and wife Jennifer and granddaughters, Molly, Emma and Abigail; and daughter, Kate.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Van Gilder. 

A funeral Mass for Loretta will be celebrated Saturday morning, July 22, at 10 o’clock at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Memorials may be made to Medi-Home Health and 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 Van Gilder family.


Barbara Townsend Greene (June 7, 1940 – July 18, 2017) 

Barbara Elizabeth Townsend Greene, 77, of Robert Bruce Way, Greer, S.C, widow of Arvil Clayton Greene, passed away July 18, 2017, surrounded by family members at the home of her son, the Rev. Roger Greene, in Greer, SC after a battle with cancer.

Born in Banner Elk, NC (Clarks Creek) Watauga County on June 7, 1940 she was a daughter of the late Nellis James Townsend and Lona Victoria Townsend. She was a retired seamstress from Shadowline in Boone, NC and was of the Lutheran faith.

Barbara is survived by three sons, Arvil Dean Greene, James Edward Greene, (Carolyn) and the Rev. Roger Alan Greene (Cheryl); one daughter, Sandra Greene Winebarger; four grandsons, Shane Greene, J.B. Greene, Chip Greene (Anna), Michael Hardy; seven granddaughters, Kelly Greene, Krista Greene, Tanya Nichols (Dustin), Jessica Winebarger, Jennifer Winebarger, Savanna Wyatt (Jeremy), Heather Greene; two great-granddaughters, Aaliyah Greene and Kahlyn Nichols; five great-grandsons, Konner Calhoun, Kaleb Calhoun, Jaxson Wyatt, Kolton Nichols and Graham Arnold; two sisters, Mable Jones and Shirley Icenhour (David); sister-in-laws, Carolyn Greene Snyder (Carol) and Elsie Greene Tucker; a sister-in-law, Viola Greene, a former daughter-in-law, Debbie Greene. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Arvil Clayton Greene, her Parents Nellis and Lona Townsend, a daughter-in-law, Theresa Greene; sister-in-law, Edith Greene Elliott and brother-in-laws, Frank Jones, Raymond Greene and Donald Elliott.

Funeral services for Barbara Townsend Greene will be conducted at 7 p.m. Friday, July 21, 2017 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Roger Blevins and Wendell Williams. Burial will be at sea at a later date.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the service at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory. A meal will be served to family and friends at the Faith Chapel Fellowship Hall, 141 Campbell Glenn Lane, Fleetwood, NC on Friday, July 21, 2017 at 2 pm.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice House of the Carolina Foothills, Post Office Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043 or Victorian Hills Community Church, 209 Victor Ave Ext, Greer, SC 29651. Online condolences may be sent to the Greene family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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