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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Aug. 5, 2014

Elsie Baker Carroll (September 26, 1921 – August 2, 2014)

Carroll
Carroll

Elsie Baker Carroll, 92, of 206 Carroll Drive, Boone, widow of Sheriff Ward G. Carroll, passed away peacefully with her family by her side at Watauga Medical Center, Saturday afternoon, August 2, 2014.

Mrs. Carroll was born September 26, 1921 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Harrison Baker and Mary Kathryn Phillips Baker. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mrs. Carroll was retired seamstress, store clerk and cook, and enjoyed gardening and her flowers. She was a member of Rutherwood Baptist Church.

Mrs. Carroll is survived by a son Johnny Baker Carroll and wife Shelby of Boone, a daughter Kathy Ann Carroll and husband Mickey Schweitzer of Boone, two grandsons, Michael Wayne Carroll and wife Sabrina of Johnson City, Tennessee, and Ryan Nickolas Schweitzer of Boone, and two great-granddaughters, Reiley Carroll and Trysten Carroll of Johnson City, Tennessee. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sheriff Ward G. Carroll, a granddaughter, Vickie Lynn Carroll, a daughter-in-law, Carolyn Bumgarner Carroll, six brothers, Odell Baker, Paul Baker, Clarence Baker, Doughton Robert Baker, Letcher Baker, and Albert Baker, and four sisters, Edna Baker Jones, Lucy Baker Carroll, Lu-Ellen Baker, and Virgie Baker Moretz.

Funeral services for Elsie Baker Carroll will be conducted Tuesday morning, August 5, 2014 at 11:00 o’clock at Rutherwood Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 o’clock until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Doctor Gary Lawrence. Entombment will follow in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Tuesday morning from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rutherwood Baptist Church, 142 Don Hayes Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607. The family respectfully requests no food.

The Carroll family wishes to express a special thank you to Doctor Gary Lawrence and wife Janet. Special thanks is extended to the Bayada caregivers and staff, and also to all medical facilities, Doctors, and other staff members that provided care for Mrs. Carroll.

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

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

Fred M. Trammell (Sept. 17, 1931 – Aug. 1, 2014)

Fred McAlister Trammell, 82, of Linville Land Harbor, North Carolina, died Friday, August 1, 2014.

He was born in Greenville, S.C., son of the late Fred Miles Trammell and Hazel McAlister Trammell. He graduated from Greenville High School, attended Clemson College then transferred to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta to major in Humanics. Fred devoted most of his career to Boy Scout of America as Executive Director in numerous states on the East Coast as well as Hidelburg Germany, where he served as Field Director to 22 Countries.

From 2000 to 2010, Fred and his wife spent the winter in Orlando, Florida and the summer in Linville Land Harbor. Since 2012 they have been full time residents of North Carolina.

Fred is survived by his wife of 63 years, Doris; son Kermit and his wife Kim and their daughter Heather of Linville Land Harbor, N.C.; Chris and his wife Lisa of Clarmont, FL.; and sister Glenna Williams of Greenville, S.C. and Linville Land Harbor, N.C.

A Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later date.

Charles P. Serafim (June 27, 1966 – July 29, 2014)

Charles Paul “Chuck” Serafim, 48 of Banner Elk, passed away Tuesday, July 29, 2014. Chuck was born in Frankfurt, West Germany on June 27, 1966. He graduated from Douglas Southall Freeman High School in Richmond, Va. and received his B.S. degree in Business from Wingate University in Monroe, N.C. He was the owner of High Country Hearth and Chimney. He enjoyed watching his two sons play soccer.

He is survived by his wife, Cameron, and his two sons, Faris and Finley. His mother, May Serafim of Richmond, Va. A brother, Chris Serafim, and wife Christy of Richmond, Va. A sister, Kim Megenity and her husband Adam of Richmond,Va. His brother-in-law Knox Clark and his wife Sarah of New Orleans. His sisters-in-law, Courtney Wainscott and her husband Grant of Atlanta, and Donna Clark of Sarasota, FL. Nieces and nephews, Summer, Talon, London, Jagger, Madison, Braeden, Knoxy, Milly, Reedy, Amelia and Chase.

Chuck has many very special relatives in Richmond, Virginia and a dear cousin Deb Cargo from California.

A “Celebration of Life Service” will be held Sunday, August 3, 2014 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the home of Nancy and Allen Clark, 170 Old Turnpike Rd., Banner Elk, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Chuck Serafim Fund, c/o Highlands Union Bank, P.O. Box 2169 Banner Elk, N.C. 28604 and/or the Chuck Serafim Fund, c/o Robert L Blevins, Wells Fargo Advisors, 1606 Eulid Ave., Bristol, Va. 24201.

Gary Richard Miller (July 8, 1952 – July 31, 2014) 

Miller
Miller

Mr. Gary Richard Miller, 62, of 260 Elk Knob Drive, Boone, passed away peacefully Thursday, July 31, 2014 at Watauga Medical Center surrounded by his loving family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

Mr. Miller operated Meat Camp Trading Post from 1991 until 1996 and he loved and treasured his association of all the citizens of Meat Camp and surrounding communities.

He was a man of many interest and talents, which was evident in the landscaping and beautiful rock work at his home. He loved gardening, and was always eager to share his bountiful harvest with his family and friends. He enjoyed long walks in the woods of elk knob, where he could identify every tree, plant and flower. He treasured his garden of native yellow lady slippers, and eagerly awaited their blooms each spring. He loved music and was a self taught fiddle player. He consider his version of “What a Friend We Have In Jesus” his masterpiece. He loved to cook for his family and considered his homemade coconut pie his specialty. He was a friend to all and was always ready to help anyone in need. He will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him.

Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Juanita Miller of the home, one son, Greg Miller and significant other, Gina Howell, of Boone, his mother, Margaret Miller of Boone, two brothers, Roy Miller, Ray Miller and wife Deloris, four sisters, Edith Miller, Christine Cole, Jane Holaday, and husband Richard, Jeanette Huff and husband Gerald, all of Boone, six sister-in-laws, Eleen Hodges, of Morganton, Evelyn Hicks, Doris Greer and husband Johnny, Barbara Ashley and husband Buddy, and Marilyn Watson and husband Scotty, all of Boone, June Weaver and husband Joel of Jefferson, two brother-in-laws, Grayson Trivette and wife Phyllis of Boone, and L.C. Trivette, of Hickory. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ward Miller, one sister, Wanda Miller, one sister-in-law, Judy Miller and two brother-in-laws, Blaine Miller and Clyde Cole.

Funeral services for Mr. Gary Richard Miller will be conducted Saturday, August, 2, 2014, at 7:00 P.M. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Reverend Delmar James will officiate. The body will lie in state from 4:30 till 6:30 at the funeral home.

The family will receive friends from 4:30 til 6:30 at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.

Entombment will be held Sunday, August 3rd, at 9:30 A.M. in Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family request no flowers, but food will be gratefully appreciated.

Memorials may be made to, Profitt’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Jeanette Huff, 279 Henry Winebarger Road, Boone, North Carolina 28607 or to the Watauga County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 3394, Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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

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

Odis H. Wellborn (March 1, 1937 – July 30, 2014) 

Wel
Wellborn

Mr. Odis H. Wellborn, 77, of 689 Hayes Wellborn Road, died Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at home.

Odis was born March 1, 1937 in Watauga County, a son of the late Ed and Edna Miller Wellborn. He retired from the United States Air Force, after 20 years of service, and became a food service supervisor at Appalachian State University. Odis attended Stony Fork Baptist Church.

Odis is survived by his wife, Patricia P. Wellborn of the home; one son, Remi Wellborn of Fort Stockton, Texas; one daughter, Gina Russell and husband Don of Locust, North Carolina; two grandsons, Sherman Greer and fiancée Allison of Locust, and Richard Greer and wife Christi of Lincolnton; three great-grandsons, Asher Greer and Andon Greer, both of Lincolnton, and Colt Greer of Locust, and two brothers, Bill Wellborn and wife Bobbie of North Wilkesboro, and Dean Wellborn and wife Linda of Millers Creek.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister.

Funeral services for Mr. Odis H. Wellborn will be conducted Sunday afternoon, August 3, 2014, at 3:00 o’clock, at Stony Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 3:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Homer Greene and Reverend Sherrill Wellborn. Military and Masonic graveside rites will follow in Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 until 3:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607, or to Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 Rock Point Drive, Tampa, Florida, 33607.

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

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

Joey Spicola (July 31, 1982 – July 29, 2014) 

Spicola
Spicola

Joey Spicola, 31, of 258 Wallace Road, Banner Elk, passed away Tuesday morning, July 29, 2014.

Joey was born July 31, 1982 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, a son of Gail Keller Spicola and the late Joseph Ernest Spicola.

Joey is survived by his wife, Amy Campbell; two daughters, Josephine Gable Spicola, and Ashton Rose Campbell, all of the home; his mother, Gail Keller Spicola of the Foscoe Community; his brother, Jason Spicola and wife Stephanie of Palm Harbor, Florida; a nephew, Ethan Spicola of Palm Harbor; a niece, Shaele Campbell of Banner Elk; his paternal grandmother, Josephine Spicola of Florida, and several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorial services for Joey Spicola will be conducted Saturday afternoon, August 2, 2014 at 2:00 o’clock, at Matney Liberty Church. Officiating will be Pastor Dan Burks and Pastor John Bollinger.

The family will receive friends following the service in the Matney Liberty Church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Matney Liberty Church, Post Office Box 1671, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604.

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

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

Mary Hodges Arnette (November 15, 1938 – July 28, 2014) 

Hodges
Arnette

Mary Hodges Arnette, 75, of Arnette Hollow Rd., Vilas, passed away Monday afternoon, July 28th 2014, at the Davant Rehab & Extended Care. Born November 15, 1938 in Watauga Co., she was a daughter of Bynum and Exie Tolbert Hodges. Mary loved her church family at Mt. Lebanon Church. She adored her family, enjoyed planting and tending her annual flower gardens, and her favorite pastime was mailing special occasion cards to everyone she knew.

Mrs. Arnette is survived by four sons, Billy Arnette and wife, Gina, of Boone, Vernon Arnette and wife, Debbie, Danny Arnette and wife, Jane, and Bynum Arnette and wife, Dianne, all of Vilas; her daughter, Kathy Simmons and husband, Allen, of Vilas; two grandchildren, Spencer Arnette and friend, Jessie Henderson,and Vanessa Hensley and husband, Andy, three great-grandchildren, Grant, Isaac and Elijah Hensley; two step-granddaughter, Alisha Byrd and husband, Shane, and Cassie Gladney and husband, Curtis; five step-great granddaughters, Kendall Williamson, Hallie, and Lexie Byrd, and Alayna and Averie Gladney; step-great-grandson, Nathan Byrd; two brothers, Oscar Hodges and wife, Wava, of Vilas, and Jay Hodges of Baltimore, MD; two sisters, Peggy Austin and husband, Bill, of Boone, and Beulah Bentley of Hickory; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James William Arnette; and half-sister, Clara Hayes.

Funeral services will be conducted Friday, August 1, at 2 PM at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.

Burial will follow in the Arnette Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes.

Memorials may be made to Bynum Arnette for the family cemetery maintenance fund, 308 Arnette Hollow Rd., Vilas, NC 28692, or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Arnette family.