The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland
Cynthia Ann Englund
September 13, 1953 ~ June 17, 2026
Cynthia Ann England, age 72, of Vilas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Glenbridge Health & Rehab. Cynthia was born in Coral Gables, FL, on September 13, 1953, to Lester Roger Shellhouse and Eva Oleta Stebelton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Denis and Gordon Shellhouse, as well as her daughter, Ginger Gallander.
She is survived by her daughter, Felicia Reahard Daniels; her sisters, Jean Johnson and Barbara Harvard and husband, John; her brother, Roger Shellhouse; grandchildren, Micheal Reahard, Bailey Parton, Zak Parton, Earle James, and Ashley Gallander; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Mela, Alex, Jalicia, and Leia; nieces and nephews, Traci, Danielle, Daryn, Tammy, Doug, and Sonya; as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great-nieces, and great-great-nephews.
Cynthia was a good Christian with a strong faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Through the strength she found in her faith and the help of AA, she was able to overcome drug and alcohol addiction for more than 20 years, a miraculous transformation in her life.
In lieu of flowers or memorial donations, the family requests donations be made to the American College of Rheumatology and the Rheumatology Research Foundation.
Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory are serving the Englund family.
Teresa Leigh Ward
May 4, 1961 ~ June 17, 2026
Teresa (Terry) Leigh Ward, of Valle Crucis, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on June 17, surrounded by the love of family and friends after 65 years of filling the world with kindness and creativity.
Born in Watauga County, Terry was the daughter of Robert Howard “Bob” Ward and Geraldene “Gerry” Trivett Ward. She was a lifelong resident of Valle Crucis and treasured the beauty, traditions, and close-knit community of the place she proudly called home.
Terry was known for her kind heart, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to her family and friends. She loved her cats, wildflowers, and making little treasures for family and friends. She enjoyed spending time with those she loved, celebrating family traditions, and creating lasting memories with each generation. Her gentle spirit, caring nature, and warm smile will be remembered by all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her father, Robert Howard “Bob” Ward, her beloved sister, Tamberlyn “Tammy” Ward Alderson, and her brother-in-law, Fred Alderson.
Left to cherish her memory are her mother, Geraldene “Gerry” Trivett Ward; her sister, Robin Ward Miller (Curt); nephews, Jason Greene (Casie), Tucker Isaacs, Carson Isaacs, and Ryan Miller; nieces, Lea Miller Haywood (Noah), and Kaylee Miller; great-nephews, Taylor Williams (Ashley), Dustin Knighten (Kinsley), Cory Williams (Sydney), and Zachary Laird (Jasmine); great-great-nephews, Brayden Knighten and Zander Knighten; great-great-nieces, Rylie Williams, Kylie Williams, Scarlett Knighten, and Myla Williams; extended family members; and many dear friends whose lives were enriched by her love and friendship.
A celebration of Terry’s life will be held Monday, June 22nd, at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home in Boone, North Carolina. Visitation will begin at 12 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. Immediately following the service, Terry will be laid to rest at Mount Lawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Valle Crucis United Methodist Church Flower Fund or the Watauga County Humane Society.
Though Terry will be deeply missed, her legacy of kindness, love, and devotion to family will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
Linda Lois Blackburn
May 9, 1949 – June 12, 2026
With one last breath, she left this Earth at 7:24 pm on Friday, 12 June 2026.
Linda Lois Blackburn, born 9 May 1949 in Boone, North Carolina, went home.
A lifelong resident of Boone, Ms. Blackburn attended Poplar Grove Baptist Church and Boone Baptist. For almost 20 years, she was employed at TRW, where she held multiple positions, concluding in the Accounting Department. Following the buyout of TRW by IRC, she was able to retire and begin her second career as Deputy Tax Collector for Watauga County, which lasted 28 years. At the tax office, she was in her element, being social and assisting the public. So many friendships were made and maintained during this time. There was hardly a place she could go without someone saying hello. With retirement, Ms. Blackburn moved to the Foley Center, where yet again, “Ms. Social” was reborn among other residents and staff.
Keeping her memory alive are her daughter, Karen Blackburn of Boone, and her beloved grandson, Clay Campbell of Fort Mill, South Carolina. She was preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Eula Blackburn, and siblings William (Bill), Eugene (Gene), Betty, David, and Peggy. Surviving along with Karen and Clay, her sister Mary (John) Pendill of Manteo, North Carolina, and brother Roy (Margaret) Blackburn of Boone. Many special nieces and nephews held places in her heart, along with a myriad of others she adopted as children/family along the way.
A celebration of life will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00, prior to the service.
The family respectfully request no flowers and any donation to be made to Mecklenburg County Young Marines 8600 Hayden’s Way
Concord NC 28025.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service in charge of the arrangements.
Barbara Knight Oliver
February 22, 1940 – June 15, 2026
Barbara Oliver, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and faithful servant of the Lord, passed away Monday, June 15, surrounded by the love of her family and the legacy of a life well lived.
Barbara was born in Lancaster, South Carolina, into a family of modest means. Though material possessions were few, she often spoke with deep love and gratitude for her parents and the values they instilled in her. Those humble beginnings shaped Barbara into the compassionate, selfless, and generous woman that so many came to know and love.
At just fifteen years old, Barbara married the love of her life, Bob Oliver. Together they built a life grounded in faith, hard work, and devotion to family. Shortly after marrying, they began raising their family and eventually built a successful paving company together. Through God’s abundant blessings, Barbara and Bob were able to travel the world, create lasting memories, and, most importantly, give generously to others.
Barbara’s heart for serving was evident in every aspect of her life. She was passionate about supporting causes that reflected her Christian faith, including Samaritan’s Purse, Mercy Ships, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and the nation of Israel. Yet her generosity extended far beyond organizations. Whether a neighbor, friend, stranger, or family member was in need, Barbara was often among the first to step forward with help, encouragement, and support. There was rarely a need she heard about that she did not try to meet.
Her life was deeply rooted in her faith in Jesus Christ. She trusted the Lord through seasons of both joy and sorrow and sought to reflect His love through acts of kindness, generosity, and service. Her faith was not simply something she professed—it was something she lived every day.
Barbara was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob Oliver; her sons, David Oliver and Greg Oliver; and her son-in-law, Tim Hudson.
She is survived by her son, Ken Oliver; daughter-in-law, Ruth Oliver; and daughter, Lisa Hudson. She also leaves behind eight cherished grandchildren: Candace Shultz, Andrew Oliver, Ashley Turman, Rebecca Nobles, Robby Oliver, Dylan Oliver, Taylor Oliver, and Matthew Oliver; as well as fourteen treasured great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to her life.
Barbara’s greatest legacy is not found in the business she helped build or the places she traveled, but in the countless lives she touched through her unwavering faith, generous spirit, and unconditional love. She leaves behind a family strengthened by her example and a community made better because she was part of it.
While her family grieves her absence, they rejoice in the assurance that she is now in the presence of her Savior, reunited with loved ones who have gone before her, and hearing the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Her memory will be treasured, her faith remembered, and her love carried forward for generations to come.
Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 PM Friday June 19, 2026, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow in Mabel Methodist Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Samaritan’s Purse at www.samaritanspurse.org
Online condolences may be sent to the Oliver family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Virginia Yates
January 15, 1935 – June 15, 2026
It is with tears of sadness and shouts of praise that we share the passing of Virginia Ward Yates on Monday June 15, 2026.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Andrew E Yates, her parents: Amos Lee Ward and Ethel Odessa Baird Ward, her grandparents: Stanley Baird, and Zenia Triplett Baird, William Ward and Rebecca Harmon Ward, her brother-in-law: Jim Greene, two nephews: Monty Greene, Johnny Greene, and one granddaughter-in-law: Mandy Ireland Ward of Winston Salem.
Those left to cherish her memory are her sister: Louise Green of Nashville, TN. Her children: Karen Young of Advance, NC. Mitchell (Trisha) Yates of Vilas, NC. Allen (Sharon) Yates, Angela Alexander of Trade, TN. Rebecca Yates and fiancé Randall Smith of Vilas, NC. Her Grandchildren: Jonathan (Stephanie) Yates, Jennifer (Todd) Stevens, Justin Ward and fiancé Amanda Stophel, Preston (Missy) Ward, Amanda (Todd) Delp, Megan Ellis, Jackson (Kaitlyn) Yates. Niece: Robin Rickards of Nashville, TN. Great grandchildren, Sam and Maggie Stevens, Paxton and Payton Ward, Allie Grace Yates, Kennedy and Mason Ellis, Aila and Aden Delp, Atlas, Merrit and Noble Yates. Her step grandchildren: Frank Minervini, Julie Stephens, Nick Minervini and her great-great granddaughter: Stella Stephens.
Virginia loved being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved being called Mama, Mamaw, Mrs. Virginia and Jennie (daddy’s nickname for her).
Virginia accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Saviour while working in the garden at the age of 12. She was Baptized in September of 1947.She was the longest member of Bethany Baptist Church, having been a member since 1947. She loved teaching the ladies Sunday school class for many years. Around the house were many copies of the King James Version (only) that she read daily and took notes in the margins, including when the scripture was last taught or preached.
Our Sweet Mama loved working in her garden and flowers. She was not known to be slothful or to procrastinate. She was never ungrateful or wasteful of her many blessings from the Lord.
Virginia was a wife. Mama, and Mamaw to kids that were not her own, she demonstrated hundreds of acts of love in abiding in God’s Doctrine to “love thy Neighbor as thy self” Virginia worked for a period of time at the Blue Ridge Shoe Factory. She then worked at the Valle Crucis cafeteria along with her mother and became the cafeteria manager when her mother retired and drove a school bus for the children of the (High Country) for 20 years which was her witness field. The lessons she taught to those kids were lessons of love, kindness and prayers, that they would come to know the Lord and have a personal relationship with him.
Our Family Bible was not only part of our bedtime routine but also where recorded events and important articles were safely kept.
Along with being remembered for her famous rolls, cinnamon buns and gingerbread cookies, she asked anyone reading this obituary to consider making Jesus their personal Lord and Savior.
Mama, we will commit to honoring your memory with your heart of love and acts of kindness. May we always follow in your guidance to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
We cannot wait to see you whole again. You walked your journey well, You fought the good fight and finished the race with grace. It is the benefit of your lineage that you loved Jesus with your whole heart, mind, soul, and spirit.
You gave your best to teach us to be successful as “Children Of The King”.
Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 PM on June 18, 2026, at Bethany Baptist Church in Banner Elk, NC with Reverend Gene Carver and Reverend Harvey Presnell officiating. A private burial will take place following the service in the Yates Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 12 PM until 2 PM prior to the service.
In Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Yates Cemetery Fund ℅ Vanessa Rupard, 1078 Upper Crab Orchard Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604 or Bethany Baptist Church ℅ Diane Hicks at 1989 Worley Rd, Banner Elk, NC.
The Family is at their respected homes and Mom’s.
Linda Harmon
November 2, 1941 – June 16, 2026
Linda Harmon, age 84, of Elk Park, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on June 16, 2026.
She was proceeded in death by her husband, Clinard Harmon, son, Edward Harmon, Granddaughter, Kasia Harmon, and her parents, Edgar Reese and Francis Younce Reece, one sister, Brenda Hicks, one brother-in-law, Jesse Hicks, and one infant brother Edward Howell Reece.
She is survived by her sons, Paul Harmon (Grace) of Zionville, NC, Danny Harmon (Phyllis) of Butler, TN and her grandsons, Ryan Harmon (Sarah) of Fleetwood, NC, , Christian Haithcock (Brianna) of Hickory, NC, Derrick Arnold (Jennifer) of Zionville, NC, two brothers, Ronnie Reece and wife Tammy and Eddie Reece and wife Brenda and a number of great-grandchildren.
Linda loved gardening and growing flowers and was proud of the two awards she won. She loved her Lord and Savior and cherished her family. She was retired from the Daniel Boone Inn after over 25 years. She enjoyed cooking for every occasion, crocheting, photography, art, and spending time at Emerald Isle
A celebration of life for will be held Tuesday, June 23 at 3 PM at Zionville Baptist Church in Zionville, North Carolina. Pastor Ray Branch will officiate.
The family will receive friends following the service with a meal provided.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of the Foley Center for their wonderful care and compassion shown to Linda, and special friends, Randall & Richard Coffey, for their special care.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Liberty Health Care and Hospice 5 East Main Street, Thomasville, North Carolina 27360.
Condolences may be sent to the Harmon family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service in charge of the arrangements.
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