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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – May 30, 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. 


Jim Banner (May 14, 1922 – May 29, 2017)

James R. “Jim” Banner, 95, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Monday, May 29, 2017 at The Waters of Roan Mountain.

He was born on May 14, 1922 in Avery County, North Carolina, a son of the James Atlas Banner and Lucy Davis Banner.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Ola Yates Banner; sisters, Virgie Baird, Flo Goodman, Foy LaBarbera, Carrie McCoury; brothers, Harry Banner and Lawrence Banner. 

Jim was the founder of Banner’s Cabinets in Newland and stayed active for 75 years with the company. He was a member and Past Elder of the Newland Presbyterian Church, he had served as a Newland Town Alderman, and on the School Committee for the Avery County Board of Education.

Jim leaves behind to cherish his memory his: Son, Joe Banner, and his wife Debbie of Newland, NC; grandson, Joseph Banner, and his wife Christina of Newland, NC; great granddaughter, Sophia Banner of Newland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Services for Jim Banner will be held on Friday, June 2, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at the Newland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Michael McKee officiating. Interment will follow in the Montezuma Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Banner family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

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


Lois Etta Houck Hayes (April 19, 1923 – May 29, 2017)

Mrs. Lois Etta Houck Hayes, age 94, of 450 Jefferson Road, Boone, died Monday, May 29, 2017 at her residence.

            Hayes

Lois was born April 19, 1923 in Watauga County, daughter of the late Partee and Sarah Dishman Palmer. She was a retired inspector for Shadowline in Boone, and was employed at Watauga Medical Center in the housekeeping department. Lois was a faithful member of Perkinsville Baptist Church.

Lois is survived by three daughters, Patsy Houck Miller of the home, Barbara Hayes Gilliam and husband John of Morristown, Tennessee, and Betty Dearmin and husband Jim of Boone; one son, Jerry Houck and wife Lois of Vilas; four granddaughters, Sherry Tibbs and husband Jeff of Winston-Salem, Angela Gurganus and husband John of Wallace, North Carolina, Lisa Staikas and husband Greg of Wilmington, North Carolina and, Lori Dearmin and husband Andy of California; five grandsons, Danny Triplett and wife Jeanette of Bristol, Tennessee, Glenn David Triplett and wife Tonya of Damascus, Virginia, Jerry Wayne Houck and wife Kim of Vilas, Danny Dearmin of Colorado and Jamie Dearmin of Vermont; eight great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren; one brother, J.P. Palmer of Boone, and one niece, Keva and one nephew, Jason.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Bowie M. Houck and her second husband, Hoyle S. Hayes and one sister-in-law, Kathy Palmer.

Funeral services for Mrs. Lois Etta Houck Hayes will be conducted, Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 1:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Seth Norris will officiate. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 11:00 until 1:00 o’clock. Interment will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends, from 11:00 until 1:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street North West, Lenoir, North Carolina 28645.

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

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


Mr. Clint Ward (Aug. 3, 1933 – May 27, 2017) 

Mr. Clint Ward, 83, of Stone Mountain Road, Vilas, passed away Saturday morning May 27, 2017 at his home.

Ward

Born Aug. 3, 1933 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Claude and Maggie Tester Ward. Clint was a US Army Veteran and was retired from Thomasville Furniture. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and farming, but his greatest joy was his family. 

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Juanita Eggers Ward, one son, Billy Dean, one daughter Patricia Bruce and husband Everette, two granddaughters, Tabitha Richards and husband Toby, and Marcy Edmisten and Jonathan Jennings, four great grandchildren, Zack Bradshaw, Colton Key, Hailey Harmon and Mackenzie Jennings, one God-son, Clinton Harmeyer, one sister, Carrie Lee Cornett and husband Allen of Zionville, one brother, Alfred Ward and wife Grace of Vilas, his best friend, Douglas Harmeyer and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by four sisters, Joy Millsaps Eggers, Sarah Presnell, Ina Mae Garr and Lucille Hicks and two infant daughters Karen and Debbie.

Funeral services for Mr. Clint Ward will be conducted Monday evening at 7:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Officiating will be Rev. Eric Cornett. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 6 oclock until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. 

Graveside services and burial will follow at the Millsaps Cemetery Tuesday morning at 11 AM. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Millsaps Cemetery Fund, in care of John Eggers, 1078 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, NC 28692. The family would like to thank the Beaver Dam fire Department and First Responders for their care and assistance.

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


Sammy Laws (Dec. 7, 1964 – May 27, 2017)

Laws

Sammy Laws, 52, of the Heaton Community, passed away on Saturday May 27, 2017 at his home.
Born Samuel Paul Laws December 7, 1964 in Johnson City Tennessee to Sam and Janice McCracken Laws.
A lifelong residence of Avery County, North Carolina. Sammy was a graduate of Avery County High School. He attended Linville EMC.

Sammy started as a young man in the grading and excavating business with his dad and his brother. Later he and his brother started Laws Brothers Construction.

Sammy enjoyed life and had many interest, hunting, fishing and nascar are among a few. Sammy and Maxine made so many happy memories with traveling and and seeing new places. Maxine has been left with amazing memories of all the adventures they had and the love they shared. 

In addition to his parents Sammy leaves to cherish so many wonderful memories his wife, Maxine Harmon Laws; One Brother: Steven Laws “Myra;” a Nephew: Ethan Laws; Step Daughter: Penny Rupard Hicks “John;” and Step Grand Daughter : Codie Hicks Berry “Billy.”

Visitation for Sammy will be Wednesday May 31, 2017 from 6:00 – 8:00 at Reins- Sturdivant Funeral Home. Newland North Carolina Service will follow visitation at 8:00 Interment will be Thursday June 1, 2017 at 11:00 at Heaton Cemetery.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors and nurses at Cancer Treatment Centers of America in Zion IL.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to :

Cancer Treatment Center
Donations
Midwestern Regional
Medical Center
2520 Elisha Ave.
Zion, Illinois 60099

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


Ted T. Greene (Feb. 6, 1938 – May 26, 2017)

Ted T. Greene, 79, of 134 Dancy Lane, Vilas, passed away Friday morning, May 26, 2017, at The Foley Center At Chestnut Ridge in Blowing Rock.

Greene

Ted was born Feb. 6, 1938 in Watauga County, a son of the late Clay and Dora Greer Greene. He was the retired owner and operator of Mountaineer Barber Shop in Boone, and a member of Brushy Fork Baptist Church.

Ted is survived by his wife of fifty five years, Betty Triplett Greene of the home; one daughter, Jayne Greene and husband Johnny Hollandsworth of Vilas; one brother, Clay Verne Greene of Vilas; one sister-in-law, Mary Moody and husband Dean of Vilas, and three brothers-in-law, Joe Triplett of Mountain City, Jack Triplett and wife Patsy of Abingdon, Virginia, and Thomas Triplett and wife Jeanette of Clinton, Tennessee. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Ivalee Dancey and her husband Howard, and Mabel Miller and her husband Max and one sister-in-law, Martha Jean Greene.

Funeral services for Ted T. Greene will be conducted Sunday afternoon, May 28, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Brushy Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Johnmark Brown and Reverend Bud Russell. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow at the Adams Cemetery in Vilas.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Brushy Fork Baptist Church, 3915 US Highway 421 North, Vilas, North Carolina, 28692 or to the Adams Cemetery Fund, in care of Johnny Hayes, 171 Laurel Fork Road, Vilas, North Carolina, 28692.

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

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


Jimmy Ford Taylor (June 13, 1944 – May 26, 2017)

Jimmy Ford Taylor, 72, of 1991 Deerfield Road, Boone, passed away Friday afternoon, May 26, 2017, at Watauga Medical Center.

Taylor

Jimmy was well known throughout the high country for the family business of drilling and blasting rock. He worked with his brother Joe at the company his father started “Taylor Blasting” for 37 years. He loved his work and met many wonderful people along the journey. His astounding memory never let him forget them and he could spend hours recalling experiences along the way. Jimmy loved his old vehicles (all Fords of course) and loved to tease or pull a joke on Joe or Jerry.

Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife of 39 years, Kathy Proffitt Taylor of the home, one son, Jerry S. Taylor and Rick Russell of Mooresville, one brother, Joe Taylor and wife Wanda of Boone, four nieces, JoAnna Wayt and husband Chuck of Lansing, Sherry Farmer and husband Jackie of Meat Camp, Toni Leigh Dishman and husband Ronnie of Boone and Jennifer Proffitt of Boone, three nephews, Dylan Proffitt of Morganton, John Taylor and wife Kimberly of Foscoe and Greg Greer and wife Abby of Boone, one aunt, Laverne Schaffer of Graham, North Carolina and one uncle, Denver Taylor of Foscoe. He is also survived by several great nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Stacy Ford Taylor and Dorothy Hampton Taylor and one brother, John Stacy Taylor.

Funeral services for Jimmy Ford Taylor will be conducted Tuesday, May 30, 2017 at 12:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Chuck Bristol and Reverend Kenny Newberry will officiate. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 10:00 until 12:00.

Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. 

The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 12:00 o’clock, prior to the service.

The family will be at the home of the son, Jerry Taylor, 2004 Deerfield Road, Boone.

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

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


Edith McGuire Cook (July 20, 1921 – May 23, 2017) 

Cook

Edith McGuire Cook, 95, of Highway 421 North, Zionville, passed away Tuesday, May 23, 2017 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation in Boone. Born July 20, 1921 in Avery County, she was a daughter of Howard and Mamie Shook McGuire. Mrs. Cook was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Her children and grandchildren were the loves of her life. 

Mrs. Cook is survived by one son, Lester Cook and one daughter, Diane Terry and husband, Steve, all of Zionville; and six grandchildren, Jeff Cook and wife, Lisa, of Zionville, Lisa Cook of Butler, TN, Kim Scott and husband, Terry, , of Vilas, and Ricky Cook, Julie Goldsmith and husband, Michael and Tai Barefoot, all of Zionville. A number of great-grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dean Cook; daughter, Elaine Greene; infant son, Jimmy; grandson, Randy Greene, brothers, Buster and Fred McGuire; and daughter-in-law, Rose Cook. 

Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon, May 26th at 2 o’clock at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Katherine Cornell. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2 o’clock at the church, prior to service. Graveside services will follow at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Hand-In-Hand Building Fund at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, in care of Ann Thomas, l564 Silverstone Rd., Zionville, NC 28698.

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


James A. “Chef” Welch (June 7, 1964 – May 22, 2017)

Welch

James A. “Chef” Welch, 52, of Wilson Ridge Road, Boone, passed away Monday afternoon, May 22, 2017, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. 

James is survived by two daughters, Melissa Welch and DeAnna Welch, both of Jacksonville, Florida; his fiancee, Wendy V. Oliver of Boone; his mother and father, Mae Coward Parker and Charlie Parker of Blanch, North Carolina; his maternal grandmother, Mary Frances Parker of Greensboro; one sister, Debbie Welch of Greensboro; one brother, Buck Matthews of Climax, North Carolina; his aunt, Jean Toler and husband Larry of Greensboro; two nieces, Tiffany Oldham and Rebecca Oldham, both of Greensboro, and a cousin, Pinky Toler of Greensboro. 

Arrangements for a celebration of life for James A. “Chef” Welch will be announced at a later date.

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

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


LaVerne Nelson Cox (May 24, 1927 – May 21, 2017) 

Cox

LaVerne Nelson Cox, 89, of Campbell Glen Lane, Fleetwood, passed away Sunday morning, May 21, 2017 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir. 

Mrs. Cox is survived by her sons, Douglas Cox of Denver, CO. and Byron Cox and wife, Stacy, of Ft. Lauderdale, FL.; three granddaughters, Joyous, Jocelyn and Jenna Cox, all of Ft. Lauderdale; brother, Elmer Nelson and wife, Barb, of San Diego, CA; and special niece, Arlene Lundquist of Fleetwood. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. George Elton Cox.

Graveside services for LaVerne Nelson Cox will be conducted Friday morning, May 26, 2017 at 9:30 at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens, officiating by Rev. Doug Cheashire. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, May 25th, from 6 until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes. 

At other times, friends may call on the family at the residence in Fleetwood. Memorial services will be scheduled in June and announced. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Alliance Bible Fellowship, PO Box 152, Boone, NC 28607, or to Gideons International, Boone Camp, PO Box 3602, Boone, NC 28607. 

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


Donald E. Mast (July 18, 1967 – May 20, 2017) 

Mast

Donald Don Edward Mast, age 49, of Boone, passed away Saturday, May 20, 2017.

He was a native of Caldwell County and graduated from Avery County High School in 1984. He was an employee of the Circle K Stores for many years and was very well liked by all of his customers. He was preceded in death by his father, Marshall Mast.

He is survived by his mother, Priscilla Hampton Mast, two brothers, Michael Mast and wife Lesa of Fleetwood, and Chad Mast also of Fleetwood. One sister, Marsha Durham of Piney Creek, N.C., and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, May 28, 2017 at 4 p.m. in the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends on Sunday from 2:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. prior to the services. At other times friends can visit at the home of Mike Mast in Fleetwood.

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