1000 x 90

Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Nov. 1, 2016

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.


Bobbie Ray Paige (June 21, 1930 – Oct. 29, 2016)

Mr. Bobbie Ray Paige, 86, of Blowing Rock, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2016 in Hickory.

3992178_wlppMr. Paige was born June 21, 1930 in Kannapolis, North Carolina, son of the late Eddie and Ruth Ann Carter Paige. He was retired from the United States Postal Service and served in the United States Army.

Mr. Paige is survived by one daughter, Doris Ratchford and husband James, of Todd, one grandson, Samuel Ratchford and wife Alyce, one great-grandson, Kelby Ratchford, all of Blowing Rock, two nieces, Sabrina Bennett and husband Tom, of China Grove, North Carolina, and Michelle Lipe, of Kannapolis, North Carolina, one nephew, Michael Connell of Kannapolis, North Carolina and long time companion, Sarah Mast.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Muller Paige, a granddaughter, Emily Ratchford and one sister, Doris Connell.

A graveside service will be conducted Tuesday, November 1, 2016 at 2:00 o’clock at Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis. Reverend Kenny Newberry will officiate.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 4 until 6 P.M. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the High Country Visual Impaired Support Group, 427 Winklers Creek Road, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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

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


Ray Council Norris (Feb. 10, 1927 – Oct. 29, 2016)

bignorris-ray-c-2Ray Council Norris, age 89, of Boone, passed away Saturday afternoon, October 29, 2016 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation. Born February 10, 1927 in Watauga County, Ray was a son of Marvin and Mae Cox Norris. Mr. Norris was retired from the furniture industry in Lenoir, working at both Singers and Kincaid Furniture.

He is survived by three daughters, Linda Nadeau and husband, Keith, of Lenoir, Kathy Hayes and husband, David, of Boone, and Susan McDaris and husband, Edward, of Morganton; seven grandchildren, Lonnie Price of West Jefferson, Amanda Norman and husband, Jake, of Banner Elk, Junior Holman and fiancé, Stephanie, of Morganton, Crystal Holman and fiancé, Shane, of Morganton, Michael Brown and wife, Kim, Michelle Brown and Chris Hayes and wife, Kendra, all of Boone; l6 great-grandchildren; and his brother, D. J. Norris of Boone.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mandy Brown Norris; son, James Norris; daughter, Betty Brown; brothers, Ralph and Ronda Norris; and sister, Ruth Hayes. Funeral services for Ray Council Norris will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, November l, at 2 oclock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 1 until 2 oclock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Graveside services will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens in Boone. Friends may call at the home of Kathy and David Hayes, 326 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Austin & Barnes to assist the family with expenses.

Online condolences may be shared at austlinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

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


Dr. Ronald L. Reese (May 21, 1950 – Oct. 28, 2016)

Ronald Lewis “Doc” Reese, age 66, of Boone passed away Friday, October 28, 2016. Born in Watauga County May 21, 1950, he was a son of the late Dr. Gene and Frances Allred Reese.

bigreese-ron-5Ronnie was a very humble and intelligent person. In his junior year of high school he attended Governor’s School after being selected by a state wide committee. Ron was also on the wrestling team at Watauga High School. “Doc” was a graduate of the Dentistry Program at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

Ron loved Tar Heel and Chicago Bulls basketball, golf, old movies and especially old music. He was a great friend to anyone who knew him. He was also a wonderful brother. His legacy will live on through his siblings and relatives.

He is survived by five brothers, William Reese, Johnny Reese, Travis Phillips, Evin Phillips, and Boyd Phillips and wife Selina, two sisters, Rebekah Adams and husband Virgil, and Patricia Yale and husband Rick, one niece, Carli Adams and husband Brian Hoofnagle, one great niece, Drew Hoofnagle, four nephews, Daniel Adams, Devan, Evin and Ozzy Phillips, two uncles, Freddie Reese and William Allred and two aunts, Betty Pardue and Helen Benson.

Memorial services for Ronald Lewis “Doc” Reese will be conducted Friday afternoon, November 4, 2016 at 5 o’clock at the First Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Roy Dobyns. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3:30 until 5 o’clock at the First Baptist Church.

In lieu of flowers Dr. Ron Reese’s family requests memorials may be made in his memory to Watauga County Historical Society, PO Box 3453, Boone, NC 28607 or to the UNC Chapel Hill Dentistry Alumni Association, PO Box 7450, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7450.

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

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


William S. “Bill” Barksdale (May 24, 1935 – Oct. 25, 2016)

3990857_wlppMr. William S. “Bill” Barksdale, 81, of Sanford, Florida and Banner Elk, North Carolina passed away Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Mr. Barksdale is survived by his wife, Rebecca Blankenship Barksdale of the home, one daughter, Sharon Lowe, of Eustis, Florida, three grandchildren, Rebecca Yocum and husband Robert, of Walton, Kentucky, Skyler Halliburton, of Tucson, Arizona and Ryland Halliburton of Seabrook, Texas, two great-grandchildren, Matthew and Caleb Yocum of Walton, Kentucky.

Friends may visit the family at their Banner Elk home Friday, October 28, 2016 at 5:00 O’clock.

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

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Avery County Humane Society, 279 New Vale Road, Newland, North Carolina 28657.

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


Della Mae Turbyfill (Sept. 1, 1935 – Oct. 25, 2016)

Della Mae Turbyfill, age 81, of Cranberry passed away on October 25, 2016 at Life Care Center of Banner Elk.

She was born September 1, 1935 in Carter County, TN the daughter of the late Felix and Lena Fields Palmer.

Della was a cook and had worked in the kitchens of Sloop Memorial Hospital and Elk Park Elementary School.

She enjoyed reading and loved spending time with her family.

Along with her parents, Della was preceded in death by her husband, Homer Turbyfill who passed away in 1996.

Della has left to cherish her memory her: daughter, Rita Storie and husband Mike of Cranberry; son, Mike Turbyfill and wife Cindy of Cranberry; grandchildren, Allen Storie and wife Teresa of Hound Ears, Amy Horney and husband Matthew of Cranberry, Travis Turbyfill and wife Kristen of Cranberry; great grandchildren, Finn Storie, Saul Storie, Ayla Horney, Mattux Horney; very special friends, Kitty Shook and Libra Hughes.

Funeral services for Della Mae Turbyfill will be conducted on Friday October 28, 2016 at 8:00 pm at the Grandfather Chapel with Rev. Vernon Buchanan officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the services. Interment will be on Saturday, October 29, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. in the Cranberry Cemetery.

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

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