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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – March 15, 2016

Hazel Marie Lawrence Love (Nov. 19, 1931
- March 14, 2016)

Hazel Marie Lawrence Love, 84, of Trade, Tennessee, went to join our Lord Jesus Christ in heaven, March 14, 2016, at her home.

3627831_wlppHazel was born November 19, 1931 in Johnson County, Tennessee, a daughter of the late Mcton Carson Lawrence and Bessie Mae Brown Lawrence. Hazel met the Lord early in life and was a member of Zionville Baptist Church. She was a fifty-year member of the Eastern Star. Hazel was a very devoted mother and was always there to make her children’s memories complete.

She was an excellent bowler, and was involved in bowling tournaments for several years. Hazel, along with her partner won the doubles in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a semi-pro tournament, which she was always very proud of.

Hazel will be missed.

Hazel is survived by her Loving Husband of 68 years, James Elwood Love of the home; one son, James Elwood Love, Jr. and wife Joan Mason Love; two daughters, Rebecca Jane Love Hughes and husband Mickey Hughes of Greenville, South Carolina, and Deborah Mae Love Cruz and husband Ray H. Cruz of Trade, and one sister, Billie June Lawrence Lookabill of Shelby. She is also survived by three grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and four step great-grandchildren. Hazel is survived by a number of nieces and nephews who grew up close to her, and they love her dearly.

In addition to her parents,she was preceded in death by her sister, Eleanor Grace Lawrence Burns, and one brother, James Earl Lawrence.

Funeral services for Hazel Marie Lawrence Love will be conducted Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2016, at 2:00 o’clock, at Trade United Methodist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Richie Hayes. Entombment will follow in the Love Family Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Trade United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of R.D. Oliver, 420 Modock Road, Trade, Tennessee, 37691.

Online condolences may be sent to the Love family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Eula Jones Tester (Nov. 11, 1924 – March 14, 2016)

Eula Moretz Jones Tester, 91, of Crumpler, and formerly of Perkinsville, passed away Monday morning, March l4, 2016 at her home.

Born November 11, 1924 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Ira and Lizzie Jackson Moretz. Eula was an active member of Perkinsville Baptist Church and retired after many years as the church custodian. Mrs. Tester was a housewife, homemaker and a great mom to her children and grandchildren. She loved providing for her family. Sunday dinner was prepared for her family from her bountiful vegetable gardens. She enjoyed canning, growing flowers around the house, and working puzzles.

Eula is survived by her daughter, Sharon Jones Phillips of Crumpler; six grandchildren, Travis Jones and wife, Amy, of Concord, Tracy Shepherd and husband, Johnny, of Fleetwood, Chris Hones and wife, Robin, of Weddington, Kim McAulay and husband, Daniel, of Boone, Angela Wilkerson of Rock Hill, SC, and Bradley Harmon of Jefferson; thirteen great-grandchildren; brother, Gilbert Moretz of Gastonia; and sister-in-law, Sue Jones of Boone.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold Jones, her second husband, M. F. Tester; two sons, Jerry Jones and infant Harold Jones Jr.; daughter, Laura Jones Johnson; and her parents, Ira and Lizzie Jackson Moretz.

Funeral services for Eula Jones Tester will be conducted Thursday afternoon, March 17, 2016 at 2 oclock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Seth Norris. The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon from 1 until 2 oclock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Graveside services will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

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

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory in Boone is serving the Tester family.

Brandon Harvey Aldridge (Nov. 22, 1999
- March 13, 2016)

Brandon Harvey Aldridge, age 16, of Aldridge Park, Banner Elk, passed away Sunday afternoon, March 13, 2016.

Brandon was born Nov. 22, 1999 in Watauga County, a son of Harvey and Tanya Dawn Shelton Aldridge.

3627773_wlppHe was a honor student at Watauga High School where he played on the baseball team. Brandon was an avid skier and a great assistant basketball coach. He loved his family and hanging with his friends. Brandon was a member of Foscoe Christian Church and most importantly loved his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

In addition to his parents, Brandon is survived by his brother, Bryson Aldridge; his paternal grandmother, Claudia Aldridge of Banner Elk; his maternal grandparents, Jack and Wanda Shelton of Vilas; three aunts, Sandra Aldridge Denny and husband Bart of Smyrna, Georgia, Jamie Aldridge Vaughn and husband Henry of Banner Elk, and Tonya Aldridge Hill and husband Greg of Tampa, Florida; two uncles, Mark Aldridge of Smyrna, Georgia and Scottie Shelton and wife Tressa of Creston, and four first cousins, Shona Parris, Renae Shelton, Noland Hill, and T.J. Hill.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Jim Aldridge.

Funeral services for Brandon Harvey Aldridge will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, March 16, 2016, at 3:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 2:00 until 3:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Chris Wilson and Pastor Dan Burks. Burial will follow in the Foscoe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Foscoe Christian Church Building Fund, PO Box 1995, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604.

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

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

Sherry L. Barker (March 6, 1955 – March 13, 2016)

Sherry Lee Barker, age 61, of Deep Gap, passed away Sunday, March 13, 2016 at her residence.

She is survived by three daughters, Jessica Vannoy and husband Scott of West Jefferson, Sheila Howell and husband Kevin of Fleetwood, and Alicia Trivette and husband Derek of West Jefferson. One sister, Zola Weatherman of Trap Hill, two grandsons and a soon to be granddaughter also survive.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete at this time.

The family requests no flowers but that memorial donations be made to the Watauga Humane Society, P.O. Box 1835 Boone, N.C. 28607.

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

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

David E. “Dave” Ragan (Nov. 3, 1925
- March 11, 2016)

David E. “Dave” Ragan, age 90, of Old Highway 421 South, Boone, passed away Friday morning, March 11, 2016, at Watauga Medical Center.

3626177_wlppDave is survived by one daughter, Kathy Ragan of the home; two sons, Paul Ragan and Steve Ragan and his companion, Margaret Heinlein, all of Columbia, South Carolina; one grandson, Sheldon Ragan of the home; one granddaughter, Christy Fox and husband John of Boone; one great-granddaughter, Brandy Letterman of Boone; one sister, Nancy Sue Price of Zionville; two brothers, Joe Ragan of Boone, and John Ragan and wife Fern of Eden, and one sister-in-law, Joyce Ragan of Boone. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Ruth Blackburn Ragan; an infant son; his father and mother, Doc S. Ragan and Fannie Lookabill Ragan; three brothers, Orville, Jesse, and Lloyd Ragan, and four sisters, Margaret Hayes, Anne and Grace Ragan, and Kathleen Goodman.

Memorial services for David E. “Dave” Ragan will be conducted Sunday afternoon, March 20, 2016 at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.

Officiating will be Dr. Gary Lawrence. Graveside services and burial with military rites, provided by the United States Navy, American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in the Rutherwood Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Service, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, PO Box 2914, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

The family respectfully requests no food or flowers.

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

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

 

Lala Jackson Grimes (Jan. 16, 1924 – March 10, 2016)

BigGrimes, LalaLala Marie Jackson Grimes, age 92, of North Depot Street, Boone, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2016 at her home. Born January 16, 1924 in Avery County, Lala was a daughter of Mark and Mamie McAdams Jackson. She was a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church. Mrs. Grimes was employed as a housekeeper for three former Chancellors of Appalachian State University.

She is survived by her daughter, Mitzi Grimes of the home; sister, Honolou Young of Boone; niece, Marie Whittington Amoda and husband, Carlos, of New Bedford, Mass.; nephew, Johnny Young of Kingsport, TN; great-nieces, Lea Whittington, Alisha, Alana and Amaya Amoda, Lori Woods, Hailey Young, Lynn Patterson and Brittany Ball; great-nephews, John Whittington, Michael and Matthew Woods, Nathaniel Young, Cecil Jackson, Jr. and Mickie Jackson and Zachary, Gabriel and Maxwell Young; great-great nieces, Makayla Whittington, Cecile and Jasmine Jackson and Elaina Patterson; great-great nephews, Aaron Whittington, and Adam, Jonah and Zackery Jackson; and sister-in-law, Rachel Whittington of Chapel Hill.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Paul Grimes; brother, Grady Jackson, and nephew Cecil Jackson.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, March 13, 2016 at 3 PM at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Mike Mathes and Rev. Virginia Peurifoy. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2 until 3 oclock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Graveside services will follow at Clarissa Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone.

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

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