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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Oct. 25, 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.


Donald L. “Don” Payne (Feb. 11, 1946 – Oct. 23, 2016)

Donald L. “Don” Payne, age 70, 357 Farthing Hayes Road, Boone, passed away Sunday, October 23,2016, at his home.

Payne
Payne

Don was born February 11, 1946 in Watauga County, a son of Claude D. Payne, Jr. and the late Thelma Jones Payne. He was a member and past master of Snow Lodge #363. Don was a member and past patron of the Eastern Star, Hope Chapter #1. He was a member of the Appalachian Shrine Club.

In addition to his father, Don is survived by his wife, Barbara June Payne; one sister, Dorothy F. Dulaney of Boone; one brother, Curtis Payne of Boone; his children, Wesley Hawkins and Ashley Payne Cook and their spouses, Jamie Hawkins and Daniel Cook; his grandchildren, Abi Hawkins, Aiden Hawkins, and Stella Dean Cook, all of Boone; seven nieces, Melissa Granger, Jennifer Holder, Sarah Cox, Madison Butler, Marlowe Holder, Faith Cox, and Harper Holder, and two nephews, Matthew Payne and Blaine Butler. He is also survived by two aunts, one uncle and a number special cousins, including Cathy Lowther of Craig, Colorado.

Funeral services for Donald L. “Don” Payne will be conducted Friday afternoon, October 28, 2016, at 2:00 o’clock, at Rutherwood Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock Officiating will be Reverend Sherrill Wellborn and Pastor Gordon Noble. Masonic graveside rites and burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

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

Flowers or memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners – Oasis Temple, 604 Doug Mayes Place, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28262, or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Avenue NW, Lenoir, North Carolina, 28645.

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

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


Fowler F. Cooper, II (Nov. 2, 1940 – Oct. 20, 2016)

Fowler Faine Cooper II, age 75, passed away Thursday, Oct. 20, 2016, at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC.

He died peacefully with his son by his side into the glorious presence of his Savior.

Fowler was born November 2, 1940, in Jackson, TN, to parents Fowler and Rebecca Cooper. He moved to Memphis, TN, at age eight. After high school graduation, he attended and graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South, served in the Air Force Reserves, and received his MBA from the Wharton School of Business of the University of PA.

Cooper
Cooper

His business career took him to work for R.J. Reynolds in Winston-Salem, NC, followed by a move to Memphis, TN, where he worked in the cotton brokerage industry at Federal Compress & Warehouse Company before starting his own real estate business in Jackson, MS.

After 18 years in real estate, Fowler moved to Boone, NC, and in 1996 he received a Masters of Arts degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Appalachian State University. He worked as a licensed marriage and family therapist in Boone, was a member of the Boone Rotary Club, was on the board of directors for several ministries in the High Country, and was an active member and deacon of Alliance Bible Fellowship until the time of his death.

He had a special connection with Freedom Farm Ministries, a rehabilitation and discipleship program in the High Country for men in addiction, generously offering his counseling services free of charge to these men in their recovery journey, and accompanying his pastor Scott Andrews every Wednesday evening for the past four years as they joined the men in worship and fellowship.

While this list of accomplishments chronicles Fowler’s life, he would insist that none of these things had meaning apart from the grace of God, shown through His Son Jesus Christ. Every aspect of Fowler’s work, ministry and leisure pursuits was governed by his love for God and for people. He was a humble man who worked hard, prayed diligently, and loved deeply.

Fowler is survived by two children, son Fowler F. Cooper, III and his wife Katy Rose Cooper, and daughter Rebecca Jane Cooper.

A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate the life of Fowler Cooper at 3:00 pm on Sunday, October 23, 2016 at Alliance Bible Fellowship, 1035 Hwy 105 Bypass, Boone, NC, 28607. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 2:00 until 3:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Pastor Scott Andrews. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 3:00pm at the church prior to the service, and a reception will follow the graveside service at Alliance Bible Fellowship.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alliance Bible Fellowship, 1035 NC Highway 105 Bypass, Boone, NC, 28607.

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

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


Rose Guthrie (April 29, 1947 – Oct. 19, 2016)

Guthrie
Guthrie

Our dear friend Rose Elizabeth Bursey Guthrie born April 29, 1947 was promoted to glory in her home in Boone NC, Wednesday October 19, 2016.

Rose is a native of Muskegon Michigan and moved to the Highlands in the 90s. She is preceded in death by her dear husband William G. Guthrie III, parents Elvis and Effie Bursey. She is survived by brother Charles R. Bursey, niece Laura Bursey Elnitski, nephew Brent Bursey, and her Grace Highlands Presbyterian Church family. Rose spent her life in the service of others. She was active in Grace Highlands Presbyterian Church, Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild, NC Native Plant Society, ASU Womens Club, Blue Ridge Garden Club, Daytrippers, and a local book club. Roses life exemplified spending time with others. Its all about the fellowship-Rose Guthrie.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Mountain Laurel Quilt Guild, in care Susan Sweet, 762 Oak Ridge Drive, Boone, NC 28607

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

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Guthrie family.


Lois Greene Norris (April 1, 1927 – Oct. 19, 2016)

Lois Greene Norris, age 89, of Pine Branch Road, Boone, passed away Wednesday evening, October 19, 2016, at her home.

Norris
Norris

Lois was born April 1, 1927 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Thomas A. “Tom” Greene and Carrie Smithy Greene. She was a retired cashier for Boone Drug Company, in downtown Boone, where she was employed for 49 1/2 years. Lois was a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church.

Lois is survived by her son, David B. Norris and wife Davetta “Dee” Norris of Boone; one granddaughter, Kera Norris Rumfelt and husband Matt of West Jefferson; one grandson, Ryan Norris and wife Erin of Millers Creek; two great-granddaughters, Emerson Ann Rumfelt of West Jefferson, and Sarah Rose Norris of Millers Creek; two great-grandsons, Cole Rumfelt of West Jefferson and Deacon Norris of Millers Creek; three step-grandchildren, Kristi Prewitt and husband Joey of Spruce Pine, Jennifer Dove of Southport, North Carolina, and Marianne Austin of Ft. Meyers, Florida; special friends, David and Judy Eggers of Boone, and her childhood friends, Brooke Ford and Juanita Norris, both of Boone.

She is also survived by seven step great-grandchildren,and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bruce B. Norris; four brothers, Raymond, Vern, Jont, and Russell Greene; four sisters, Beulah Hodges, Mirtie McNeil, Lola Spann, and Dessie Norris, and one step great-granddaughter, Tiffany Ann Prewitt.

Funeral services for Lois Greene Norris will be conducted Saturday morning, October 22, 2016, at 11:00 o’clock, at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Travis Suits and Reverend Raymond Spann. Burial will follow in Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday morning, from 10:00 until 11:00, at the church, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the residence, 1041 Pine Branch Road, Boone.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Laurel Springs Baptist Church, 7504 US Highway 421 South, Deep Gap, North Carolina, 28618, Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 7504 US Highway 421 South, Deep Gap, North Carolina, 28618, or to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Jessie Frank Jackson (Sept. 1, 1936 – Oct. 18, 2016)


Mr. Jessie Franklin “Frank” Jackson, 80, of Boone, passed away October 18th at home. Born September 1, 1936, he was a son of the late Thomas Jefferson and Eudell Brown Jackson.

Frank was a wonderful husband and father who was very proud of his family. In his spare time, he loved to hunt, fish and spend time with the “breakfast gang” at Hardees.

Jackson
Jackson

He is survived by his wife, Joyce Caperton Jackson of the home; daughter Wanda Smith of Boone; two sons Darrell Jackson and wife Julie of Union Grove and David Jackson and wife Merlie of North Wilkesboro; eight grandchildren: Morgan Smith, Orin Smith, Amber Garcia and husband Jesu’s, Casey Jackson and wife Amanda of Zionville; Jessica Jackson of North Wilkesboro; Heather Jackson of Union Grove, Cody Jackson and fiance’ Paige Garrett of Taylorsville and Dusty Jackson of Union Grove; three great-grandchildren: Alex and Isabella Garcia, both of Carrollton, VA and Logan Jackson of Zionville; two brothers: T. J. Jackson and wife Betty and Charles Jackson and Diane Brown, all of Boone; and two sisters-in-law: Mozella Jackson of Boone and Judy Wojciechowski of Inman, SC; and by many, many special nieces and nephews and dear friend, Larry Austin.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Connie Gilbert and brother-in-law, Louis “Gib” Gilbert, brothers Lefler, Kermit and Edsel Jackson and by sisters-in-law Barbara Jackson and Canzaitha Jackson.

Services for “Frank” Jackson will be conducted Friday, October 21, 2016, at 11:00 AM at Austin and Barnes Funeral Chapel. The family will receive friends Thursday, October 20th from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Medi-Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

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

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


Renee L. Beach (May 27, 1951 – Oct. 18, 2016)

Renee Lawrence Beach, age 65, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, October 18, 2016.

She was a native of Watauga County and the daughter of the late Burl Lawrence. She was an expert quilter and enjoyed gardening. She always put others before herself.

She is survived by her husband, Larkin E. L.E. Beach, her daughter, Aprile Beach Love and husband Jimmy of Vilas, one son, Jeremy Beach and wife Emily of Vilas, her mother, Anna Lee Lawrence of Boone, two brothers, J.B. Lawrence and wife Lynn of Blowing Rock, and Dwayne Lawrence and wife Yvonne of Boone, three sisters, Donna Cole of Raleigh, Loretta Combs and husband Ernest of Zionville, and Annetta Brown and husband Mack of Mtn. City, TN. One sister-in-law Linda Tucker and husband Phil of Todd. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, October 21, 2016 at 2 p.m. in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday, October 20th in the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church from 6 to 8 p.m.

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

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


Barbara B. Chapous (April 21, 1941 – Oct. 18, 2016)

Chapous
Chapous

Barbara Bledsoe Chapous of Banner Elk passed away on October 18, 2016.

She was born on April 21st 1941 in Dalton, Ga. to John Earl Bledsoe and Nelle Pauline Bledsoe. She grew up in her small town surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was adored and protected by her two older brothers, Earl Bledsoe and John Paul Bledsoe. After college, she moved to Los Angeles, CA. where she met and married Charles Thomas Chapous. After their daughter Amanda was born, they moved back to Georgia to be near family. Barbara loved being near her grandchildren, Bryce Wallace, and Heath Wallace. She loved all animals and always worried about their well-being. She loved British mystery novels and good food cooked by her son-in-law, Chuck Wallace.

Services for Barbara will be private. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared Barbaras family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Chapous family