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.
Fred Franz (May 27, 1930 – Oct. 10, 2016)
Fred Franz, 86, of Wahoo Lane, Linville, passed away Monday, Oct. 10, 2016, at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.
Fred is survived by his wife, Jean Franz of the home; two sons, Frederick Craig Franz and wife Jennifer of Linville, and Steven Kirk Glass and wife Linda of Port Huron, Michigan; one daughter-in-law, Sue Fleming of Holly, Michigan, and one sister-in-law, Mary Lou Franz of Portsmouth, Ohio.
He is also survived by two grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Fred Bocamp Franz and Ruth Easter Franz; one sister, Thelma Mast; two brothers, Carl Franz, and Kenneth Franz, and one sister and brother-in-law, Lowell and Joy Pack. A memorial service will be held Saturday, October 22, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church of Newland.
Dr. Bill Jones will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Caregiver’s Haven, PO Box 447, Newland, North Carolina, 28657. Online condolences may be sent to the Franz family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Kate Ellen Ollis (Dec. 14, 1929 – Oct. 10, 2016)
Kate Ellen Ollis, 86, of Newland passed away on October 10, 2016 at her residence.
A native of Avery County, she was born December 14, 1929 the daughter of the late Hobert and Dora Buchanan Hicks.
She was a homemaker and enjoyed quilting, gardening and being with her grandkids.
Along with her parents, Kate was preceded in death by her: husband, Jack Ollis; daughter, Kathy Ollis.
Kate has left to cherish her memory her: daughters, Patsy Winters and husband Larry of Newland, Karen Birchfield and husband Gerald of Roan Mountain; 6 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild.
Funeral services for Kate Ellen Ollis will be conducted on Wednesday, October 12, 2016 at 8:00 pm in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Kenneth Lance and Rev. Jack Ollis officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Family, friends and pallbearers will meet at the funeral home on Thursday, October 13, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to Slippery Hill Cemetery for interment services.
The Ollis family would like to say a special thank you to Hospice of the Blue Ridge and Tara McKinney for the care that they gave to Kate.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Hospice of the Blue Ridge in Spruce Pine, NC.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.
The care of Kate and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.
Mr. Clifford D. Jones (March 22, 1940 – Oct. 9, 2016)
Mr. Clifford Dean Jones, 76, of Boone, passed away Sunday night, October 9, 2016 at Watauga Medical Center. Born March 22, 1940 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Will and Daisy Stansberry Jones. Cliff was a member of Vanderpool Baptist Church, and was retired from ASU.
He is survived by one son, Randall Jones of Boone, one granddaughter, Emily Jones, one step-daughter, Amy Morrison and husband Dean, one step son, Jamie Calloway and wife Laura, one sister, Jean Main of Trade, TN and one brother, Ralph Red Jones and wife Vivian of Lenoir, one half-brother Bill Jones, two step granddaughters and two step grandsons, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Ellen Isaacs Jones, his second wife, Wanda Bailey Jones, one son, Jerry Jones, five sisters, Earlene, Ruby, and Edna Jones, Maxine Huffman and Sue Benge, four brothers, Frank, Russell, Harold and Bobby Jones, six half-brothers, Earl, Burl, Cecil, Junior, Lee and James Jones.
Funeral services for Mr. Clifford Jones will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 oclock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, officiating will be Rev. Thomas Brown.. The family will receive friends from noon until 2 oclock. Burial will follow in the Bailey Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to help offset funeral expenses.
Online condolences may be shared with the Jones family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Jones family.
Joe Greer (April 16, 1936 – Oct. 9, 2016)
Mr. Joe Greer, 80, of 214 South Pine Run Road, Boone, passed away Sunday, October 9, 2016 at Caldwell UNC Health Care in Lenoir.
He is survived by his wife, Joyce Bodenheimer Greer of the home; one daughter, Mary Helen Winkler and husband Donald of Millers Creek, North Carolina; one son, Greg Greer of Boone; two granddaughters, Crystal Hoffman and husband Joseph of Cleveland, Tennessee, and Holly Pardue and husband Tony of Boone; one grandson, Matthew Winkler and wife Ashley of Bristol, Tennessee, one great-granddaughter, Keri Jessa Winkler of Bristol, Tennessee; three sisters, Juanita G. Welch of Stoney Fork, North Carolina, Lezette Greer of Boone, and Joann Greer and husband Bill of Lenoir, North Carolina, and two brothers, Shanty Greer and Mack Greer both of Boone.
Survivors also include several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Virgil McDonald Greer and Clara Church Greer; four brothers, Paul Greer and Silas Greer, Zeke Greer and Brook Greer, and two sisters Mozelle Miller, Dare G. Greene.
Funeral services for Mr. Joe Greer will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, October 12, 2016, at 2:00 P.M., at Rutherwood Baptist Church. Reverend Herbert McCoy and Mr. Tim Moretz will officiate. Burial will follow in Rutherwood Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 o’clock, at the church prior, to the service.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Rutherwood Baptist Church, 142 Don Hayes Road, Boone, North Carolina 28607 Online condolences may be sent to the Greer family www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.
Mr. William A. Bake, Jr. (Nov. 19, 1938 – Oct. 9, 2016)
Mr. William A. Bill Bake, Jr., age 77, of Boone, passed away Sunday morning, October 9, 2016 at Watauga Medical Center. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, he was a son of the late William Albert Bake, Sr., and Virginia Woodworth Bake. Bill was a professional photographer, an avid environmentalist and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Claudia Bake, one daughter, Lorena Harris and husband Rob of Atlanta, one son, William A. Bake, III, wife Leslie and one grandson, William A. Bake, IV of Pittsburgh, one brother, Robert Bake, wife Margaret and one niece, Carrie Bake-Wong of Plymouth, Michigan.
Private services for Bill will be held at a later date.
Online condolences may be shared with the Bake family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bake family.
Carol Ann Weaver (July 23, 1939 – Oct. 8, 2016)
Carol Ann Weaver, 77, of Cool Springs Drive, Blowing Rock, passed away Saturday evening, Oct. 8, 2016, at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro.
Carol was born July 23, 1939 in Washington, D.C., the daughter of the late Harry and Pauline Smith Earman. She was a CNA at Blowing Rock Hospital for several years and retired from housekeeping a Appalachian State University.
Carol is survived by her daughter-in-law, Diane Smith, and one grandson, Shawn Smith, both of La Plata, Maryland; three nephews, don Duncan and wife Dana, Ronnie Duncan, all of Missouri, and Jimmy Allen of Maryland, with other nieces and nephews of Maryland, and her step-children, Edward Weaver, Rex Weaver, John Weaver, Onita Weaver, and Prisilla.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Frank Vincent Smith; husbands, Sam Smith and James Ernest Weaver, and two sisters, Harriet Duncan and Delores Allen. A memorial service for Carol Ann Weaver will be conducted Friday afternoon, October 21, 2016, at 3:00 o’clock, at Cool Springs Baptist Church. Officiating will be Reverend Burl Greer.
The family will receive friends following the memorial service, in the church fellowship hall. Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, or to a Boys Town in Carol’s name.
Online condolences may be sent to the Weaver family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Mrs. Lucy C. Bentley (Oct. 16, 1926 – Oct. 8, 2016)
Mrs. Lucy Nell Carlton Bentley, age 89, of Boone, passed away Saturday evening, October 8, 2016 at her home, surrounded by her family. Born October 16, 1926 in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late E. E. Carlton and Nellie Adeline West Carlton.
She is survived by her children, Tommy Elbert Bentley and Linda of Charlotte, Rosie Bentley and Lydia Bentley both of Boone, and Cynthia Bentley Decess of Cary and Dennis Decess of Apex, three grandchildren, April Creed and husband Bobby of Blowing Rock, Emily Moody and husband Todd of Vilas, Lauren Decess of Wilmington, three Great Granddaughters, Kelci Moody, Luci Brooke Creed and Kylie Creed, and one Great Grandson, Matthew Moody, one sister, Arlene Welch of Rock Hill, SC and one brother, Paul Carlton of Blowing Rock, and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elbert A. Bentley, and one sister, Ruth Carlton South.
Memorial services for Lucy Carlton Bentley will be conducted Saturday, October 15 at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Burl Greer and Rev. Jeff McClain. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 o’clock until 2 o’clock at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607 or to Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 306 Oak Grove Road, Boone, NC 28607.
The family would like to say a special thank you to Medi Home Hospice, Mae Pope and Camille Ward for their compassionate care.
Online condolences may be shared with the Bentley family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bentley family.
Clyde W. McClain (July 11, 1924 – Oct. 8, 2016)
Clyde Walter McClain, age 92, of Elk Park passed away on October 8, 2016 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Carter County, TN on July 11, 1924 the son of the late George and Minnie Perkins McClain.
Clyde was a member of the US Army and served during WWII.
He was Owner/Operator of McClain Realty.
Along with his parents, Clyde was preceded in death by his wife Kit McClain.
Interment Services for Clyde Walter McClain will be Monday, October 10th at 2:00 p.m. in the Elk Park Cemetery with Rev. John McCoury officiating.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.
The care of Clyde and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.
Jan Christian (May 13, 1959 – Oct. 5, 2016)
Janet Lee Christian, age 57, of Newland passed away on October 5, 2016 at Deer Park Health and Rehab of Nebo, NC.
She was born May 13, 1959 in Prince William County, VA the daughter of the late James Ernest and Edith Cable Christian.
Jan was a school teacher in Jacksonville, FL before moving to Avery County where she retired after years of teaching Special Education.
She served as President of the NCAE, the coordinator of the Avery County Special Olympics, and was a member of the CEC.
Jan was very passionate about the Special Olympics, the environment and the welfare of children and animals. She enjoyed reading, playing computer games, crafting and crocheting.
Along with her parents, Janet was preceded in death by her special angel, Natasha Lowe.
Jan has left to cherish her memory her: niece, Nichole Christian of Banner Elk, NC.; nephews, Michael Christian of Madison, WI and Dakota Christian of Elizabethton, TN; one great niece and her brother, Alan Christian of TN.
Graveside services for Janet Lee Christian will be conducted on Friday, October 7, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. in the Lowe Cemetery with Rev. Reed Callahan officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Special Olympics of Avery County or to the Humane Society of Avery County.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.
Edward C. Seils, Jr. (Sept. 7, 1924 – Oct. 04, 2016)
Edward C. Seils, Jr., age 92, of Boone, passed away Tuesday morning, October 4, 2016, at his residence.
Mr. Seils is survived by five children, Laurel, Eileen, Don, Douglas, and David, and four grandchildren.
A private memorial service for Edward C. Seils, Jr. will be conducted at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to the Seils family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Paul F. Baird (Dec. 8, 1924 – Oct. 4, 2016)
Paul Frederick Baird, age 91, of Gloucester, Virginia, and formerly of Watauga County, passed away Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
He was the son of the late John F. and Anna Yates Baird. He retired from Lockwood Brothers in Hampton, Virginia as a crane operator and after his retirement he worked at Busch Gardens Williamsburg as a security guard. He was a Navy veteran of WWII.
He is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth B. Oliver and son, John F. Baird. Four grandchildren, 1 greatgrandchild, and several siblings also survive.
A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, October19, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. in the Baird Cemetery, Valle Crucis.
Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Andrews Funeral Home and Crematory, Gloucester, Virginia and Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Baird family.
Mr. Garry Moretz (March 31, 1948 – Oct. 4, 2016)
Garry George Moretz, 68, of Petersburg, VA, died Tuesday, October 4, 2016.
Born in Boone, Garry was the son of the late Jonathan George and Bessie Gragg Brown Moretz. Garry was a member of the first graduating class of Watauga High School. He attended college at Appalachian State for two years before volunteering for the draft. He completed his college education at Appalachian State University assigned to the ROTC program. Afterwards, he completed Officer Training School. After a 20-year army career, during which he spent time at Fort Hood, TX, as an ROTC instructor at Carson-Newman College, in Germany, and at Fort Lee, VA. Gary retired as a Major 04. He worked until about five years ago for a computer software company until he completely retired to their farm where he could devote full time to helping his wife keep and train horses.
He is survived by his wife, Bobbie, of the home; daughter, Marcy Fountain. and husband, Bryan, of Taylorsville, GA; son, Dwayne Moretz, of Petersburg, VA; grandchildren, Damian Moretz and Jonathan Moretz and their mother, Jennifer, of Carson VA; brother, Jerry C. Moretz, and wife, Nancy, of Boone; their children, Tina Harris and her family of Bear Creek, NC, and Bradley Moretz and his family of Boone; uncles, H. C. Moretz, and wife, Phyllis, and John W. Moretz, and wife, Barbara, and aunt, Betty Moretz, all of Boone; and numerous cousins.
A memorial service, officiated by the Rev. John Bollinger, will be held at Bethany Lutheran Church on Thursday, October 13, at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends from 10-11:00 a.m., prior to the service. Burial, with military honors, will be at Mount Pleasant Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests no food or flowers. Memorials may be made to Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, 1030 Big Hill Road, Boone, NC 28607,or to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 90, PO Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607.
Announcement is courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory.
Reba Combs Propst (May 20, 1928 – Oct. 3, 2016)
Reba Combs Propst, 88, of Charlotte, a native and former resident of Watauga County, passed away Monday evening, October 3, 2016, at Piedmont Fayette Hospital in Fayetteville, Georgia.
Mrs. Propst was born May 20, 1928 in Watauga County, the daughter of the late John P. Combs and Etta Eller Combs. She was a retired owner/operator of Jon-Re Woodcarving.
Mrs. Propst is survived by two daughters, Sandra Girtman and husband Charles of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Becky Townsend and husband Neil of Houston, Texas; two sons, Larry Propst of Fayetteville, Georgia, and John M. Propst and wife Mary of Charlotte; three granddaughters, Lisa Ehrie and husband Travis of Franklin, Tennessee, Courtney Allen and husband Cody of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Amanda Propst of Charlotte; five grandsons, Charles Girtman and wife Kelly of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Jonathan Propst of Peach Tree City, Georgia, William Townsend, and Thomas Townsend and wife Jessica, all of Houston, Texas, and Michael Propst of Charlotte, and one brother, Jack Combs and wife Mary Jo of Mayo, South Carolina. She is also survived by seven great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Wilburn Propst; one son, Mark Allen Propst; six brothers, Dwight, Blaine, Marvin, Worth, Bryant, and Fred Combs, and three sisters, Ruth Blanton, Pauline Dotson, and Betty Norman.
Funeral services for Reba Combs Propst will be conducted Friday morning, October 7, 2016, at 11:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Pastor Gordon Noble. Burial will follow in Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday morning, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be sent to the Propst family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
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