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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled April 4, 2013

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled April 4, 2013

Bernie Lentz Greene, D. April 3, 2013

Bernie Lentz Greene, age 85, of 150 Three Way Drive, Blowing Rock, passed away Wednesday afternoon, April 3, 2013, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She is survived by, one sister, Dorothy Lentz, of Blowing Rock, one nephew, Terry Lentz and wife Teresa, of Blowing Rock, one niece, Gail Ford and husband Mark, of Deep Gap, three great nieces, Erin Elizabeth Patterson and husband John, of Deep Gap, Tara Ann Lentz, of Nashville, Tennesse, Tracy Lentz, of Deep Gap, and one great-great niece, Lauren Patterson, of Deep Gap.

She was preceded in death by her husband, J.W. Greene, her father and mother, Thomas and Alice Frye Lentz, and one brother, Perry Lentz.

Funeral services for Bernie Lentz Greene will be conducted Friday, April 5, 2013, at 2:00 P.M. at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church. The body will lie in state from 1 til 2.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2, one hour prior to the service at the church.

Interment will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

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

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

Eric Fortner, D. March 31, 2013

Eric Fortner
Eric Fortner

Eric David Fortner, 29, of Boone, passed away Sunday, March 31st, 2013.

Eric is the son of Debbie and Bob Rasmussen of Boone, and Rick and Lovie Fortner of Bryson City, NC. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Venis and Edna Watkins, and Dorothy Rasmussen. In addition to his parents, he is survived by Charles Rasmussen, step-brother; and Kelsea Woodard, step-sister; grandparents, Joyce and Dave Wiggins, and John Fortner, Jr., all of Bryson City, Robert Rasmussen, Sr. of Omaha, Nebraska; and his beloved pet, protector, and best , friend ‘Tyson’.

A celebration of Eric’s life will be held Tuesday afternoon, April 2, 2013, at 2 o’clock, at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by a special friend of the family for many years, Cynthia Viola. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 1 until 2 o’clock one hour prior to services at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Following the celebration of Eric’s life, a gathering of family and friends will take place on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box l835, Boone, NC 28607, or to a charity of your choice.

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

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

Charles ‘Bud’ Greene, D. March 30, 2013

Charles Bud Greene
Charles Bud Greene

Charles M. “Bud” Greene, age 69, of Hamptonville, NC and a former resident of Watauga County passed away Saturday evening, March 30, 2013 at Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton. Born July 25, 1943 in Watauga County he was a son of the late Dayton Lawson and Lula Campbell Greene. He attended Cove Creek High School.

Those who knew him growing up have wonderful memories and were possibly a part of his childhood mischief, because if you were with him you know that he was full of the “mischief”. People are still telling Bud Greene stories, because even being older did not change his mischievous ways.

His life took a wonderful turn when he went to Charlotte and met the love of his life Betty Sue “Cookie” Greene; little did he know that she was a local girl! Soon after came his first born Theresa and then his namesake Charlie.

Bud loved fast boats, cars and horses growing up which led to his career with Junior Johnson and Roger Penske Racing. He had a long career in racing and retired in 2010.

His family grew even more with his beloved grandchildren; Christian, Collin and Lawson. He never knew he would have such a weakness because he was a sucker for his grandkids! They could climb on him; dress him up really whatever they wanted to do because he loved them so dearly.

Everyone who knew him knew his real love was his family and friends and he was blessed with many. After he retired he spent the majority of his time at the lake where he and his son Charlie and other couples built a campground so they could enjoy being at the lake with family and friends. He couldn’t wait for the summer so he could get to the lake and spend the weekends with his family where we have wonderful memories on the pontoon boat and sitting on the deck laughing at one another.

 We know that Dad, “Grandaddy Bud” was welcomed in Heaven with open arms and this is not our goodbyes but we look forward to seeing you again in Heaven.

He is survived by his wife; Cookie Greene, on son; Charlie Greene and wife Tracy of Sugar Grove, one daughter; Teresa Thomas and husband Kevin of Zionville, three grandchildren; Christian and Collin Thomas and Lawson Greene, and four sisters; Nannie Greene and Louise Baird of Vilas, Mary Johnson of Boone and Floy Ehlers of Cincinnati, Ohio, and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two brothers; Paul and Burl Greene.  

Funeral services for Mr. Bud Greene will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Union Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Delmar James. Burial will follow in the Union Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Union Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Roxanna Gilliam, 6797 Old US 421, Zionville, 28698.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times friends may call at the residence of Kevin and Theresa Thomas, 265 Ella’s Way, in Zionville.

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

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

Patricia Tugwell Burkhart, D. March 30, 2013

Patricia Burkhart
Patricia Burkhart

Patricia (Trish) Clark Tugwell Burkhart of Todd/Boone, NC died at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital on March 30, 2013 surrounded by family and friends. She was the daughter of Mary Ann M. Tugwell of Greenville, NC and of the late Clarence Bennett Tugwell. She was preceded by death by grandparents James H. and Marguerite Murphy of Brooksville, FL and Lewis Tadlock Watkins of Greenville, NC.

Trish was a native of Greenville, NC, graduating from J. H. Rose High School in 1981. After high school she graduated from Lees McRae (1984) and Appalachian State University (1986) with double majors in Education. Trish is survived by her sons, Joshua Bennett Burkhart of Raleigh, NC and Sergeant William Michael Burkhart Fort Lewis of Washington State, and their father Robert C. Burkhart of Lexington, KY. She is survived by brother William (Bill) Bennett Tugwell of Greenville, NC, one niece and nephew Clark Tugwell of Chapel Hill, NC and Will Tugwell of Greenville, NC, and one aunt Pat D. Hemphill and John of Melbourne, FL.

Trish attended Deerfield United Methodist Church and devoted her life to many ministries. She led a women’s bible study every week for women in the local jail, she volunteered at the Hospitality House (Homeless Shelter) in Boone, as well as traveled to Uganda, Africa and Hattie on mission trips. In addition, she ministered to Indian Reservations in Oklahoma each summer. Trish was a devoted teacher to many students over her 25 years as an educator in the Christian and Public school systems. She loved nature, whether in the mountains or at the coast, Trish found great pleasure in hiking, kayaking, gardening, swimming, boating and bicycling. Her most treasured role was that of a Christian, mother and teacher and embraced each of these roles with love, compassion, enthusiasm, laughter, dedication, integrity, selflessness and honor.

A celebration of Trish’s life will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, April 3, 2013, at 2:00 o’clock, at Alliance Bible Fellowship in Boone. Officiating will be Reverend Evelyn Lemons.

The family will receive friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospitality House of Boone, PO Box 309, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to Deerfield United Methodist Church, 1184 Deerfield Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

Harold Coffey, D. March 29, 2013

Harold Coffey
Harold Coffey

Harold R. Coffey, age 77, of 206 Pheasant Walkway, Vilas, passed away Friday morning, March 29, 2013 at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.

Mr. Coffey was born May 4, 1935 in Watauga County, a son of the late Mac Donald Coffey and Bertha Anderson Coffey. He was retired owner and operator of Hill Top Drive-In, and served in the United States Army as an Army Medic. Mr. Coffey was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Mr. Coffey is survived by his wife, Irene Carumba Coffey of the home; two daughters, Donna Coffey Presnell and husband J.C. of Sugar Grove, and Karen Coffey Wood and husband Chris of Boone; one son, Anthony James Coffey and wife Tatiana of New York, New York; two brothers, Clayton Coffey and wife Hilda of Taylorsville, and J.D. Coffey and wife Revonda of Lenoir; one sister, Reatha Coffey Campbell of Kannapolis; one granddaughter, Rebecca Nicole Vamvaketis of Boone, and five grandsons, Michael Craig Presnell and wife Lynn Cresson of Sugar Grove, Nikos Elias Vamvaketis, and Westen Harold Wood, Josh Wood, and Jason Wood, all of Boone, and one sister-in-law, Faye Coffey of Greensboro. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Dayton Coffey and infant Rodney Coffey; one brother-in-law, Jimmy Campbell, and one sister-in-law, Elvira Coffey.

Funeral services for Harold R. Coffey will be conducted Monday afternoon, April 1, 2013, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Zane Tester, Reverend Bill Warren, and Reverend Mike Townsend. Military graveside rites, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in the Danner Cemetery.

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

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

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

Ruth Ada Tornick, D. March 28, 2013

Ruth Ada Friedman Tornick, age 85, of Ashville, died Thursday, March 28, 2013.

Mrs. Tornick is survived by two sons, Josef Tornick and wife Annie, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Edward “Ed” Tornick and wife Denise, of Avon, Connecticut and one granddaughter, Katii Tornick of Avon, Connecticut.

Funeral services for Mrs. Ruth Ada Tornick will be conducted Monday morning, April 1, 2013, at 10:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state at the chapel, from 9:30 until 10:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Chuck Lieberman. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Monday morning, from 9:30 until 10:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.

The family respectfully request no flowers.

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

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

Reinalda Roa Gomez, D. March 28, 2013

Reinalda Roa Gomez
Reinalda Roa Gomez

Reinalda Roa Gomez, age 57, of Winter Drive, Boone, passed away Thursday, March 28, 2013, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Reinalda is survived by one daughter, Alma Miranda and husband Gerardo of Boone, and three sons, Julio Miranda and wife Yolanda of Mexico, Juan Miranda and wife Dina of Boone, and Josue David Miranda and wife Iris of Fort Meyers, Florida. She is also survived by seven grandchildren.

Memorial services for Reinalda Roa Gomez will be conducted Sunday afternoon, March 31, 2013, at 2:00 o’clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Officiating will be Judith Martinez.

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

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


Check out more obituaries in the High Country – Ashe, Avery and Watauga – at https://www.hcpress.com/obituaries.


Listings of Funeral Homes in Watauga County:

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory
194 Queen Street
Boone, NC 28607
828-264-8888
www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Hampton Funeral Service
683 Blowing Rock Road
Boone, NC 28607
828-264-7100
www.hamptonfuneralnc.com