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Watauga, Avery Obituaries – Oct. 31, 2017

Joseph L. “Joe” Warren (Oct. 2, 1929 – Oct. 30, 2017)

Joseph L. “Joe” Warren, 88, of Warren Lane, Zionville, passed away Monday morning, October 30, 2017, at his home.

Joe was born Oct. 2, 1929 in Watauga County. He was the retired owner and operator of Warren Plumbing. Joe was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, where he served as Superintendent and a Sunday School Teacher. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War.

Joe is survived by his wife, Ruth Moody Warren of the home; one son, Jimmy Warren and wife Carolyn of Zionville; one daughter, Sharon Tull and husband John of Parrish, Florida; two granddaughters, Jamie Little and husband Christopher of Crumpler, North Carolina, and Danelle Shook and husband Nathan of Vilas; two grandsons, Joel Cook and wife Julie of Mountain City, Tennessee, and Jason Cook and wife Ayla of Zionville; six sisters, Opal Hampton, Johnsie Stevens, Julie Icard, Merle Adams, Jodie Cornett, and Grace Ward; two brothers, Blaine and Clint Cornett; one sister-in-law, Elaine Evington and husband Tommy of Hickory, and one brother-in-law, George Moody of Hickory. He is also survived by 7 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Karen Warren; one brother, Len Cornett, and one brother-in-law, Glenn Moody.

Funeral services for Joseph L. “Joe” Warren will be conducted Thursday afternoon, November 2, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Tim Pierce. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the entire staff of Medi Home Hospice, especially Stephanie Jones.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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


Myrtle Levesque (Jan. 29, 1929 – Oct. 30, 2017)

Myrtle G Levesque, 88, of Banner Elk, North Carolina passed away on Monday, October 30, 2017 at the Life Care Center of Banner Elk, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Medi Home Hospice PO Box 1357 Newland, NC 28657 

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Levesque family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

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


Patsylou Hughes (June 18, 1937 – Oct. 30, 2017)

Patsylou Hughes, 80, of Newland, North Carolina, the Roaring Creek Community, slipped into the waiting arms of her Savior on Monday, October 30, 2017 at her residence.

She was born on June 18, 1937 in Avery County, North Carolina, a daughter of the late Howard Herman Hughes and the late Jody McKinney Hughes.

Patsylou was a member of the Peoples Church on Roaring Creek and enjoyed gospel music and her cats.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her, Son, Bryan Max Hughes of Roaring Creek, NC, Brother, Wayne Hughes of Roaring Creek, NC.

Services for Patsylou Hughes will be held on Wednesday, November 1, 2017 at 2:00 pm from the Grandfather Chapel with Pastor Daniel Nance and Pastor Chris Nance officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm until the service hour Wednesday at the funeral home.

Interment will be in the Hughes Cemetery on Jerry’s Creek. .

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Hughes family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net

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


Ruth Crompton Gragg (Sept. 17, 1933 – Oct. 29, 2017)

Ruth Crompton Gragg, 84, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, Oct. 29, 2017 at Johnson City Medical Center.

She was born on Sept. 17, 1933 in Manchester, England. A daughter of the late Arthur Crompton and the late May Allen Crompton.

Ruth worked as a nurse for many years. She loved her family and enjoyed taking care of them and her friends. She loved sitting with the elderly, volunteering her time through the Senior Center. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Husbands, Walter Gerber and Ashburn Gragg; Two Stepsons, Gary Gerber, Eugene Gragg; Stepdaughter, Pearline Gragg; Brother, John Crompton.

Ruth leaves behind to cherish her memory her: Son, Joseph (Tirzah) Gerber of Andover, MN, Stepsons; Bob Gerber, Tom Gerber, Jim Gerber, John Gerber, Dennis Gragg, John Gragg, Stepdaughters: Becky Sherva , Bette Kittelson, Gloria Bakken, Nancy Gragg, Naomi Anderson, Susan Hanninen. Grandchildren: Daniel Gerber, Aduko Gerber, along with a host of Step-Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren and her very best friend, Nyra Stinson.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus in Linville with Pastor Steve Turbyfill officiating. Interment will follow in the Pineola Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evenign at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Church of Jesus in Linville. P.O. Box 643, Newland, NC 28657
The family would like to extend a Special Thank You to her Church Family and the Avery County Senior Center.
Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Gragg family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net.

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


Terry Lee Coffey (Nov. 3, 1947 – Oct. 28, 2017)

Mr. Terry Lee Coffey, age 69, of Marion, a former resident of Blowing Rock passed away, Saturday, October 28, 2017 in Asheville.

Terry was born November 3, 1947 in Watauga County, a son of the late Murray Harris Coffey and Ruby Evelyn Dula Coffey. He was a retired Radio Announcer and Sportscaster for WATA Radio in Boone.
Terry loved his broadcasting career. He was the voice of the Mountaineers and the voice of the Pioneers for many years. He loved to play a good round of golf, or a bad one. And the Duke Blue Devils could not ask for a better fan. He was a kind soul, he loved animals, never met a stranger and always had a good story or joke to tell. Terry served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. He will be dearly missed.

Terry is survived by his wife, Catherine Huffman of the home; one daughter, Kimberly Coffey of Blowing Rock; one step-son, Andrew Huffman; one step-daughter, Catherine Amanda Huffman of Asheville; one sister, Imogene Poteat of Davidson, and two nephews, Michael Poteat of Charlotte, and Paul Poteat of Texas.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Vern Coffey.

Memorial services for Terry Lee Coffey will be conducted Friday afternoon, November 3, 2017, at 2:00 o’clock, at Boone Advent Christian Church. Officiating will be Pastor Gordon Noble.

The family will receive friends Friday afternoon following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675-8517.

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

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


Ms. Janet K. Flahart-Owens (Jan. 13, 1948 – Oct. 27, 2017) 

Ms. Janet K. Flahart-Owens, 69, a former resident of the Foscoe community passed away Friday, Oct. 27 at Sycamore Shoals Hospital. Born Jan. 13, 1948 in Ashe County she was a daughter of the late Worth Mullis and Pauline Bare. Janet was a retired preschool director. 

She is survived by her children, E. Dale Flahart and wife Dee of Houston, Texas, Karen Flahart on Nashville, NC, Kimberly Flahart of Huntsville, Texas, Mark Flahart and wife Kimberly of Mountain City, and Hope Presnell and husband Marty of Fleetwood, thirteen grandchildren and six great grandchildren, a special family friend, Sarah Finch of Nashville, one sister, Kathie Tilley and husband Ernest of Roundlake, Illinois and their children, David and Amy, several half siblings and several special cousins. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Owens.

Funeral services for Janet Flahart will be conducted Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at 2 PM at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Burl Greer, Pastor Steven Spencer and Brother Ernest Tilley. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon prior to the service from 1 until 2 PM. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared with the Flahart family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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


Diana Greene Hartley (Aug. 28, 1944 – Oct. 25, 2017)

Diana Greene Hartley, 73, of Birch Drive Extension, Blowing Rock, passed away Wednesday evening, October 25, 2017, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.

She was born Aug. 28, 1944 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Charles and Inez Moody Greene. Diana loved her children and grandchildren tremendously and enjoyed cooking for them. She made the world’s best biscuits and didn’t mind bragging about them! She was a voracious reader and devoured many a book from the Blowing Rock Library. Diana also enjoyed jigsaw puzzles and often spent cold, wintry days completing her 1.000 piece puzzles. Another love of hers was feeding and watching various birds at her feeders, along with all the other wildlife they attracted. She enjoyed putting corn out for “her deer” and enjoyed watching them as well. Diana was a kind, gentle, hardworking lady. Her lifelong presence in Blowing Rock will be greatly missed by many. 

Diana is survived by two sons, Scott Hartley of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and Logan Hartley of Seattle, Washington; one daughter, Paula Hartley Vesey and husband Mark of Carey, North Carolina; four grandsons, Merlin Hartley of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Brett Matheson of Raleigh, Dylan Matheson of Cary, and Richard Hartley of Greenville, North Carolina; four sisters, Violet Perry and husband Jerry of Boone, Linda Haralson of Columbia, South Carolina, Marie Ponn of Luray, Virginia, and Christine Quatrone of Fayetteville, North Carolina, and one brother, Sid Greene and wife Irene of Blowing Rock. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Vaughn Hartley, Jr.; two brothers, Bill and Eddie Greene, and two sisters, Judy Dotson and an infant sister, Vivian Greene.

The family will receive friends, Saturday afternoon, October 28, 2017, from 2:00 until 4:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Blowing Rock Library, 1022 Main Street, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, 28605, or to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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


Waites Allen Jones (April 7, 1940 – Oct. 24, 2017)

Waits Allen Jones, 77 of Morganton, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017 at his residence.
He was born on April 7, 1940 in Avery County, North Carolina, a son of Ed Jones and Georgia Calhoun Jones
Waites was a member of Emanuel Baptist Church. He enjoyed fishing and camping and spending time with his family. 

He was preceded in death by his Father, Ed Jones; Mother, Georgia Calhoun; Grandson; Brad Jones, Brother; Edward Jones.

Waites leaves behind to cherish his memory his: Wife of 51 years, Lois Thompson Jones of Morganton, NC; Daughter; Karen (Roy) Coffey of Morganton, Sons; David Jones of Newland, Lee (Sherry) Jones of Linville NC., Sisters; Evelyn Huskins of Boone, NC. Myrna Banner of Morganton NC, Lynn Shomaker of Heaton, NC. Louise Calhoun of Morganton, NC. Brothers; Ford Jones of Newland, NC, Mack Jones of Morganton, NC and Bob Jones of Roan Mountain, TN. 

Seven Grandchildren and Five Great-Great Grandchildren.

Services for Waits Jones will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 beginning at 11:00 AM from the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Pastor Steve Turbyfill officiating. 

The family will receive friends from 6:00PM- 8:00PM on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Interment will be in the Thompson-Jones Cemetery, 405 Buckeye Lake Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Hospice of the Blue Ridge, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.

Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the Jones family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net
The care of Waites and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.


Rose K. Baker (Sept. 9, 1935 – Oct. 24, 2017)

Rose Kathleen Joyce Baker, 82, of Blowing Rock and Melbourne, Florida, passed away Tuesday, October 24, 2017. A native of Bromley London UK, she resided in England, Spain and the U.S.A.

She was a Registered Nurse, seamstress, volunteer at various hospitals and homes for challenged children, mother, housewife, jobsite foreman, Master Gardener, Yacht Club organizer (Commodore Melbourne Yacht Club 1996), and Queen Bee of the home.

She was a friend, confidant, and purveyor of well-intended advice whether you wanted it or not.

She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Bill Baker, one son Stevan, two daughters Caron and Larisa Ann, and 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

A short service will be conducted Saturday, October 28, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. in the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel.A Celebration of Life will be held later this year. Online condolences may be shared with the Baker family at our website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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


Elizabeth R. Schroeder (Feb. 10, 1929 – Oct. 24, 2017)

Elizabeth R. Schroeder, 88, of Appalachian Brian Estates, Boone, passed away Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 24, 2017, at Watauga Medical Center.

Elizabeth is survived by one son, George Schroeder and wife Deborah of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and three daughters, Mary Beth Schroeder of Bricktown, New Jersey, Susan Schroeder of San Diego, California, and Kathleen Schroeder of Boone. She is also survived by four grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George Schroeder; her father and mother, Joseph and Fannie Tyler Roth, and one brother, Joe Roth.

Memorial services for Elizabeth R. Schroeder will be conducted at a later date.

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

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


Sandra Young Hughes (March 20, 1949 – Oct. 24, 2017)

Sandra (Sandy) Young Hughes, age 68, of Newland and formerly of the Minneapolis Community, entered Heaven on Oct. 24, 2017.

Sandra was born March 20, 1949. She lived most of her life in Avery County. She had a deep passion for helping children and was a long-time teacher’s assistant at Newland Elementary School. Sandra made a lasting impact on many lives and was dearly loved by all who knew her. She will be fondly remembered for her genuineness, wide smile and her caring demeanor. 

Sandra is a daughter of Dudley Robert (D.R.) Young, Jr. and Beulah Watson Young. Sandra was preceded in death by her father.

Sandra is survived by her daughter, Christie Hughes of Newland; her mother, Beulah Watson Young of Minneapolis; a sister, Deanne Young Jones, and Deanne’s husband and Sandra’s brother-in-law, Larry Jones of Elk Park; a brother, Champ Robert Young of Minneapolis; nephew, Ben Jones, and Ben’s wife and Sandra’s niece, Catherine of Belgrade, Montana; niece Jodi Jones of Charleston, SC; great nieces Gracie Jones and Sophie Jones; and God-grandchildren Isabella and Alondra Macias.

Sandra is also survived by her special friends Linda Grindstaff, Ann Webb, Judy Sluder, Vauda Dearmin and Myra Brinkley.

A memorial service for Sandra Young Hughes will be held Saturday, October 28 at the Minneapolis Community cemetery at 1:00 p.m.

Reverend Bryan Griffith will officiate. In case of inclement weather, the service will be held in the Minneapolis Methodist Church, adjacent to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of the Blue Ridge or the Gideon’s.

Also, the family would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the staff at Heritage of Sugar Mountain for taking such wonderful care of Sandra the past few months and to Dr. Joseph Barker and his staff. 

The care of Sandra Young Hughes and her family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland. Words of Comfort and Memories my be shared with the Hughes Family by visiting our website www.rsfh.net.