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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – June 21, 2016

Mrs. Margaret A. Bennett (Sept. 6, 1928 – June 21, 2016)

Mrs. Margaret Auton Bennett, age 87, of Russ Cornett Road, Boone, passed away Tuesday morning, June 21, 2016 at Watauga Medical Center. Born November 6, 1928, in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late William Henry and Gladys Beatrice Hatton Bennett. Margaret was a member of Poplar Grove Baptist Church. She was retired from TRW where she worked as an assembler.

She is survived by one daughter, Cynthia Barton and husband Fred of Clemmons, one granddaughter, K. D. Barton and fiancé Eddie Wright of Clemmons, one sister, Oleta Nelson of Lenoir, four brothers, Marvin Auton and wife Rosa of Boone, Frank Auton of Melbourne Florida, R. D. Auton and wife Judy of Boone, and Lewis Auton and wife Faye of Newton, her God granddaughter, Amber Osteen and husband Matt, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Willie Bennett, two sisters, Virginia Berry and Margie Wilcox, and two brothers, Ivan and Harley Auton.

Funeral services for Mrs. Margaret Auton Bennett will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 oclock at the Poplar Grove Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Chuck Campbell and Rev. Raymond Spann. Entombment will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 until 2 oclock at Poplar Grove Baptist Church.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Poplar Grove Baptist Church, 1228 Poplar Grove Road South, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be shared with the Bennett family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

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

Andrew E. Yates (Nov. 18, 1930 – June 19, 2016)

Andrew Everette Yates, 85, passed away at his home in Banner Elk on Sunday morning, June 19, 2016 surrounded by his family.

BigYates, AndrewHe was born November 18, 1930 in Watauga County, a son of the late Calvin McKinley and Roxie Watson Yates. Andrew was a member of Bethany Baptist, where he served as a Deacon for many years. He also sang with the Yates Quartet for many years. Andrew loved his family, his church family and community.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Virginia Ward Yates. Three daughters, Karen Young of Winston-Salem, NC, Angela Alexander of Anderson SC and Becky Miller and her husband Frank of Clemmons NC. Two sons, Mitchell Yates and wife Tricia of Vilas NC and Allen Yates and wife Sharon of Banner Elk.

Three granddaughters, Jennifer Stevens and husband Todd of Sugar Grove NC, Amanda Delp and husband Todd of Arlington VA and Megan Ellis and husband Roan of Virginia Beach VA. Four grandsons, Jonathan Yates and wife Stephanie of Clyde NC, Justin Ward of Charlotte, Preston Ward and wife Mandy of Winston Salem NC, Jackson Yates of Mountain City TN and one granddaughter in law, Jessica Ward of Concord, N.C.

Three brothers, Henry Yates and wife Dorothy of Boone, Alfred Yates and wife Glenda of Banner Elk, and David Yates and wife Kay of Banner Elk. Two special brothers-in-law, Conley Harmon of Baltimore MD and Jim Banner of Newland. One sister-in-law, Louise Greene and husband Jim of Blowing Rock.

He is also survived by four great-grandsons, four great granddaughters, two step-granddaughters and two step-great-grandsons and 5 step-great-granddaughter.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and Roxie Yates and nine sisters and three brothers.

Services for Andrew Everette Yates will be conducted Wednesday, June 22 at 11:00 am at Bethany Baptist Church on Worley Road in Banner Elk, NC. Officiating will be Rev. Harvey Presnell and Rev. Gene Carver. Burial will follow in the Yates cemetery, with Rev. Lynn Shook officiating.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, June 21, from 6-8 pm at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Flowers are appreciated or donations can be made to either Caldwell Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir NC 28645 or to the Yates Cemetery Fund c/o Vanessa Rupard, 1078 Upper Crab Orchard Rd., Banner Elk, NC 28604. Online condolences may be shared with the Yates family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Paul Graybeal (Oct. 19, 1935 – June 17, 2016)

BigGraybeal, PaulPaul Graybeal, age 80, of Silverstone Road, Zionville, passed away Friday morning, June 17, 2016 at Watauga Medical Center. Born October 19, 1935 in Ashe County, he was a son of Adolphus and Lula Greer Graybeal. Paul was a member of Westside Baptist Church. As a young man, Paul enjoyed fishing, loved working with wood, and performing with several local bluegrass bands. As a master wood craftsman, Paul designed and hand crafted guitars, mandolins and dulcimers. For more than 20 years, he demonstrated his stringed instruments at Merle Fest in Wilkesboro and at the North Carolina State Fair in Raleigh. In later years, Paul began to design and construct miniature replica instruments of professional musicians. These he gifted to the artists.

Mr. Graybeal is survived by his wife, Jean Thomas Graybeal; sister, Ardna Triplett and husband, Steve, nephew, Jonathan M. Triplett and wife, Regina, and step great-niece, Carlie Buckner, all of Zionville; and aunt, Viola Trivette of Creston. A number of cousins also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a great-nephew, Michael Dane Triplett.

Funeral services for Paul Graybeal will be conducted Sunday afternoon, June 19, 2016 at 2:30 at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Sam Lawson. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1 until 2:30, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes.

Graveside services, officiated by Rev. Eugene Braswell, will be conducted Monday morning, June 20th, at 11 o’clock, at Ashelawn Memorial Gardens in Jefferson.

Friends may call at the home of Jean Graybeal, 2231 Silverstone Road in Zionville, or at the home of Ardna and Steve Triplett, 2229 Silverstone Road in Zionville.

The family respectfully requests no food.

Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneeralhome.com

 

Horace G. McQueen (May 15, 1941 – June 17, 2016)

Mr. Horace Greeley McQueen, age 75, of Dallas, N.C., and formerly of Boone,

Passed away Friday, June 17, 2016. He worked in the agricultural industry in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania for many years.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Rebulah Frances McQueen, and a sister, Voris Grimes.

He is survived by a niece, Deborah Lepera, and a nephew, Christopher George Grimes, Sr.

A private graveside service was held in the Clarrisa Hill Cemetery, Boone.

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

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

Clara Mae Arnett (Aug. 27, 1943 – June 17, 2016)

Clara Mae Arnett, age 72, of Banner Elk passed away on June 17, 2016 at Watauga Medical Center.

A native of Avery County, NC, she was born August 27, 1943 a daughter of the late Wesley and Gladys Ruth Cole Arnett.

Clara-Arnett-1466417367She was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church of Banner Elk.

Along with her parents, Clara was preceded in death by her: brothers, Ford Arnett, Rhonda Arnett; sisters, Elizabeth Arnett Teaster, Annie Arnett, Lillian Arnett, Floy Arnett.

Clara has left to cherish her memory her: brothers, Ray Arnett of Banner Elk, Buster Arnett and wife Jane of Banner Elk; sisters, Edna Townsend and husband Paul of Banner Elk, Evelyn Bailey and husband Robert of Crossnore; nieces, Ruthy Harmon, husband Terry and son Hunter of Elk Park, Robin Ramsey and husband Allen of Banner Elk and a host of other nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Clara Mae Arnett will be conducted on Monday, June 20, 2016 at 8:00 pm at the Grandfather Chapel with Rev. Lonnie Barnes officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home. Interment will be on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 at 11:00 am in the Cove Creek Cemetery.

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

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

Patricia Eager Downs (March 12, 1920- June 16, 2016)

3749966_wlppPatricia Eager Downs, age 96, of Boone, died away Thursday afternoon, June 16, 2016, at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone.

“Do not put in (the) newspaper that I have ‘passed away’ – I did NOT pass away. I died. It’s appointed unto man (or woman) once to DIE – NOT ‘pass away’ (Hebrews 9:27).” I died! To die is GAIN.”

This was on a sticky note in our mother’s handwriting. She gave this to her son, Keith, almost 10 years ago. 

Our mother, Pat, lived a long, fruitful life. She was a generous woman to her family and friends. Pat was a stylish dresser, energetic, full of life and never met a stranger. She had friends across generations.

She was born in Jackson, Mississippi on March 12, 1920, to the late Patrick Henry Eager Jr. and Minnie Mae Wilkinson. Her sisters were Mary Jane Edgar and Mai Eager Dalziel, both deceased. 

Educated at Central High School, she went on to attend Randolph-Macon Women’s College in Lynchburg, Virginia for a year. She transferred to Millsaps College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.

She married Henry Grady Graham in 1942.

After World War II, they returned to Jackson where Grady established an automobile business and she worked at home, rearing their three children, Patrick, Keith and Rebecca.

The family were members of First Presbyterian Church where Pat was very involved. Pat taught several classes, including a ‘Singles and Doubles’ Sunday school class, a women’s Bible class and couples Bible study. She loved God with all her heart and even after she began to lose her eyesight she would listen to audiotapes, often on Romans, her favorite book of the Bible. She lived and left a legacy of generosity and love of Jesus Christ.

After the death of her husband, Grady, she moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, where her sister Mary Jane lived. 

Years later Pat moved to Roanoke, Virginia to be near her son Keith and three of her six grandchildren. There she taught a women’s Bible study at First Presbyterian Church. 

She moved again in 1998 to Missoula, Montana with her son Keith and three grandsons. Once again she taught a women’s Bible study at Missoula’s First Presbyterian Church. She taught until the age of 87, impacting the lives of many women.

Later in life, Pat moved to Boone, North Carolina where her oldest son Patrick, his wife Gloria and Pat’s daughter, Rebecca, cared for her. During her last years of life, she was lovingly cared for at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living.

Pat is survived by children: Patrick Henry Graham and his wife Gloria Grubbs Graham, George Keith Graham and Rebecca Graham Glaser; grandchildren Nathan Grady Graham, Jordan Clay Baxter, Hunter Grady Graham, Joshua Reynolds Graham, Reid Alexander Graham, Kathryn Glaser Elias and Elizabeth Glaser Strickland; great-grandchildren William Graham and Gardner Graham; nieces Pat Bartee and Christine Moody, and nephews Carl B. Anderson, III and David Anderson.

A memorial service for Patricia Eager Downs will be held at a later date in Jackson, Mississippi.

Memorial gifts can be sent to Billy Graham Evangelic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, North Carolina 28201 or Samaritan’s Purse, Post Office Box 3000, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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

Arlene Miller Ingwersen (Jan. 13, 1928 – June 16, 2016)

Mrs. Arlene Doris Miller Ingwersen, age 88, of Braswell Road, Newland, passed away Thursday morning, June 16, 2016, at her residence.

3749589_fbsMrs. Ingwersen was born January 13, 1928 in Chicago, Illinois, a daughter of the late Charles Miller and Dorothy Polko Miller. She was a homemaker, and a member of Grace Lutheran Church.

Mrs. Ingwersen is survived by one son, Allan Ingwersen and wife Twila of Montezuma; one daughter, Sherry Green and husband Jesse Woodrow “Skip” Green, Jr., of Clayton, North Carolina; four grandsons, Daniel Ingwersen and wife Ashley of Montezuma; David Ingwersen of Portland, Oregon; Davis Green of Garner, North Carolina; and Christian Green of Clayton North Carolina. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Erik Ingwersen, her father and mother, Charles Miller and Dorothy Polko Miller, and a sister, Betty Miller.

A Celebration of Life Service for Arlene Doris Miller Ingwersen will be conducted Sunday afternoon, June 19, 2016 at 4:00 o’clock at Grace Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Vicor Syliva Bull.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 3:00 until 4:00, at Grace Lutheran Church, one hour prior to the service.

The Ingwersen family wishes to express many thanks and much gratitude to the dedicated caregivers and to the medical staff of Medi-Home Hospice, for the love, the care and attention provided to Mrs. Ingwersen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medi-Home Hospice of Avery County, Post Office Box 1357, Newland, North Carolina 28657.

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

 

David Woodruff Ford (Feb. 9, 1955
- June 15, 2016)

David Woodruff Ford, age 61, of Rominger Road, Banner Elk, passed away Wednesday, June 15, 2016, at his home.

David was born February 9, 1955 in Dallas, Texas, a son of the late Mary Ann Tomlinson Ford.

3749542_fbsHe was a gifted self-employed artist.

The life of David Woodruff Ford may very well remain an enigma. His compassion, creativity and courage inspired us all, while his sensitivity, introversion and discord left us humbled. A father of four, a commodore, an artist, a culinary master, and beautifully passionate man has left this earthly world but he will never abandon our hearts. David the youngest of four siblings was a renaissance man, an inventor, entrepreneur, a force of life… David was first and foremost a teacher and leader for his very own children, these 4 individuals stand proud today to say that not only was this man their leader but foremost their greatest friend.

David is survived by his wife, Diana Ford of Asheville; two daughters, Jessica Lee Strain and husband Steve of Cary and Meagan Murphy Goheen and husband Judah of Boone; two sons, Brennan David Ford and Morgan John Ford, both of Boone; three granddaughters, Alora Lee Hamden, Isla Grace Ford and Mia Murphy Goheen; one brother, Fred Shannon and wife Mary of Dallas, Texas; two sisters, Susan Mattei and husband Kern of Dallas, Texas and Montana and Kelli Enlow and husband Dick of Dallas, Texas.

He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service for David Woodruff Ford will be held Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 1:00 o’clock at the home of a daughter, Meagan Goheen.

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

Betty Jo Benfield Johnson Buchanan (June 17, 1929 – June 14, 2016)

Betty-Jo-Benfield-Buchanan-1466007991Betty Jo Benfield Johnson Buchanan, age 86, of Newland passed away on June 14, 2016 at her residence.

A native of Avery County, she was born June 17, 1929. She was the daughter of the late Darty E. and Margie Warren Benfield.

She attended Tabernacle for Jesus and Crossroads Church.

Betty Jo worked as an Inspector for Baxters for 15 years and Glen Raven for 15 years.

Along with her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her son, Trent Johnson; sister, Leona Hughes; brothers, Kenneth Benfield, and D.E. Benfield.

Betty Jo was the best mother any one person could have. She taught humility, respect, how to be kind and most importantly the way to Jesus. Left to cherish her memory are her children; Norma Gail English of Newland, Albert Darty Johnson and wife Norma of Elizabethton, TN, Peggy Renee Hamby of Newland, Karen Buchanan Nelson of Newland; special son-in-law, Mark Hamby; sisters, Katherine McDowell of Lincolnton, NC, Peggy Buchanan of Spruce Pine; grandchildren; Brandi Erwin and husband Dennis “Taz” of Elizabethton, TN, Chestina English of Newland, Selena Frisbee of Newland, Charlene English of Spruce Pine, Natasha Buchanan and husband Chris of Granite Falls, NC, Hunter Nelson of Newland, Roxann Phillips and husband Dan of Burnsville, Ben Taylor of Newland, Haley Johnson of Jonesborough, TN, and Amy Cooper of Spruce Pine; 21 great grandchildren whom she had a hand in raising.

Funeral services for Betty Jo Benfield Johnson Buchanan will be conducted on Friday, June 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm at the Grandfather Chapel with Bobby Oakes and Nathan Silvers officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until the service hour. Interment will be Saturday, June 18th at 11:00 a.m. in the Johnson Cemetery off of Spanish Oak Rd., Newland, NC.

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

Ferrell Calhoun (July 2, 1951 – June 14, 2016)

Ferrell Calhoun , age 64, of Newland entered into his heavenly home on June 14, 2016 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.

A native of Grundy, VA, he was born July 2, 1951 to Carlos and Evelyn Ratliff Calhoun.

Ferrell-Calhoun-1466178414He worked for 40 years with his family business, Carlos and Sons Body Shop in Newland. Ferrell was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed Coon and Deer Hunting, Fishing and horseback riding. He was a member and had served for 30 years as President of the Carey’s Flat Wildlife Club; a member of Hunters Helping Kids and Elk River Fishing Club. He was a member of the Newland Christian Church.

In addition to his parents, Carlos and Evelyn Calhoun of Newland, Ferrell has left to cherish his memory his wife, Barbara Richardson Calhoun; his children, Marcie Calhoun Waycaster and her husband Chad, Lance Ferrell Calhoun; grandson, Drew Waycaster; sister, Wanda Calhoun Pritchard, and her husband, Phillip; brother, Kenny L. Calhoun, and his wife, Kim; several nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Ferrell Calhoun will be conducted on Saturday, June 18, 2016 at 2:00 pm at the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Nick Daniels and Joe Buchanan officiating. Interment will follow in the Fork Mountain Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until the service hour Saturday at the funeral home.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to the Nurses and staff of Medi Home Hospice, Lowes Foods in Newland, Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, Cannon Memorial Hospital, ALS Association-Catfish Hunter Chapter.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to: Medi Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657 or the ALS Association.

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