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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 30, 2013

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 30, 2013

Ed Vosburgh, D. Dec. 30, 2013

Ed Vosburgh
Ed Vosburgh

Ed B. Vosburgh, Jr., age 87, of Laurel Park Road, Blowing Rock, passed away Monday morning, December 30, 2013, at his home.

Funeral arrangements for Ed B. Vosburgh, Jr. are incomplete at this time.

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

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

Jimmy Clark, D. Dec. 28, 2013

Jimmy Clark
Jimmy Clark

Mr. James Edgar “Jimmy” Clark, age 88, of Pace Clark Road, Boone, formally of Fayetteville, North Carolina, passed away Saturday evening, December 28, 2013, at his home.

Jimmy was born September 4, 1925 in Cumberland County, a son of the late Edgar Neil Clark and Fannie Green Clark.

Jimmy retired from Sears where he worked for 41 years. He was a founding member of the Seventy First Ruritan Club and the Cumberland Family Campers. He was a faithful member of Deerfield United Methodist Church and also the Boone Lions Club.

Mr. Clark is survived by his wife of 60 years, Louise Helms Clark of the home; two sons, James Walter Clark and wife Karla of Taylorsville, and Edward Neil Clark and wife Eva of Newland; one grandson, Sgt. Jeremy Robert Clark of Johnson City, Tennessee; two granddaughters, Susan Clark Painter of Waynesville, and Kella Lee Clark of Newland, and one sister, Elsie Clark Shimanek of Autryville, North Carolina.

Funeral services for Mr. James Edgar “Jimmy” Clark will be conducted Monday afternoon, December 30, 2013, at 3:00 o’clock, at Deerfield United Methodist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 2:00 until 3:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Jim McKinney. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, at 12:00 o’clock, at Campground United Methodist Church, 4625 Campground Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina, 28314.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon, from 4:00 until 5:00 o’clock,at the church, following the funeral service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Deerfield United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1184 Deerfield Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to the Boone Lions Club, PO Box 561, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Barbara Jackson, D. Dec. 28, 2013

Barbara Bryan Jackson
Barbara Bryan Jackson

Barbara Bryan Jackson, age 71, of Bryan Hollow Road, Boone, passed away Saturday evening, December 28, 2013, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Barbara was born July 24, 1942 Watauga County, a daughter of the late John Herman Bryan and Goldie Belle Miller Bryan. She was a retired bank teller and a member of Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church.

Barbara is survived by one daughter, Shannon J. Taylor and husband Bobby of the home; three granddaughters, Crystal Lynn Jackson of Boone, Bailee Taylor and Bridgett Taylor both of the home; one grandson, Gregory Scott Jackson of Boone; one great-grandson, Dyson Danner of Boone; three sisters, Betty Norris and husband Edwin of Boone, Peggy Stroup and husband Richard of Shelby, and Lillie Roark and husband Dale of Boone, and seven brothers, Junior Miller and wife Frances of Elkin, John Harold Bryan and wife Nancy of Charlotte, Joe Bryan and wife Ruby of Boone, Terry Bryan and wife Peggy of Hamptonville, Jim Bryan and wife Dorothy of Boone, Corbit Bryan and wife Melinda of Boone, and Curtis Bryan and wife Theresa of Boone. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Gregory Charles Jackson, and one granddaughter, Shariette Len Taylor.

Funeral services for Barbara Bryan Jackson will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, December 31, 2013, at 2:00 o’clock, at Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 12:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Delmar James and Reverend Richard Stroup. Burial will follow in the Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

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

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Janette Huff, 279 Henry Winebarger Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Melinda Bumgarner Byers, D. Dec. 27, 2013

Melinda Byers
Melinda Byers

Melinda Bumgarner Byers, age 59, of Tweetsie Trail, Banner Elk, the Foscoe community, passed away Friday, December 27, 2013. Born August 6, 1954 in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of Pansy Fox Aldridge and the late Clifford Bumgarner.

Melinda was a member of Grace Baptist Church in the Foscoe community. She was previously employed at Shadowline and TRW, and most recently owned and operated Buff and Shine Cleaning Service. 

Her love was her family and her greatest passion was her grandchildren.

Ms. Byers is survived by her daughter, Stephanie Renee Sluder and fiancé, Frank Cuyler; three granddaughters, Belinda Ward and husband, Caneido Deluna, Erica Ward, and Lexie Curry; and great-grandson, Anthony Ward, all of the Foscoe community; her mother, Pansy Fox Aldridge of the Foscoe community; and three brothers, Billy Joe Bumgarner and wife, Marie, of Vilas, Frank Bumgarner and wife, Mary Jo, of the Foscoe community, and Boyce Bumgarner and wife, Loretta, of Abington, Va.

A number of nieces and nephews also survive. 

In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by an infant son, Eric Dwayne Sluder. 

Funeral services for Melinda Bumgarner Byers will be conducted Monday afternoon, December 30, 2013, at 2 o’clock at Grace Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Jeff Fox and Rev. Burl Greer. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at the Church. 

Burial will follow in the Foscoe Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family, in care of Austin and Barnes Funeral Home. 

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

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

Brenda Hicks, D. Dec. 26, 2013

Brenda Hicks
Brenda Hicks

Mrs. Brenda Reece Hicks, age 70, of Flat Springs Road, Elk Park, passed away Thursday morning, December 26, 2013 at home. Born August 8, 1943 in Avery County she was a daughter of the late Edgar and Frances Younce Reece. Mrs. Hicks was retired from ASU where she worked as a cook. Brenda loved her church and was an active member of Beech Valley Baptist Church. She enjoyed gardening, growing flowers and taking her dog, Scooter on walks. 

She is survived by her husband; Samuel Jesse Hicks, one daughter, Jessica Hicks Trivett and husband Jeffrey and one son, Robert Lynn Hicks and wife Deanna all of Elk Park, two grandchildren; Kyle and Sonya Hicks of Elk Park, two brothers; Eddie Reece and wife Brenda of Elk Park and Ronnie Reece and wife Tammie of Butler, Tennessee, one sister, Linda Harmon of Elk Park, and one sister in law; Loma Burton of York, South Carolina. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by an infant brother; Edward Reece and a brother in law; Clinard Harmon. 

Funeral services for Mrs. Brenda Reece Hicks will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock at Beech Valley Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Chad Cole and Rev. Bill Warren. Burial will follow in the Beech Creek Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Beech Creek Cemetery, PO Box 148, Vilas, NC 28692. The family will receive friends Saturday prior to the service from 11 o’clock until 1 o’clock at Beech Valley Baptist Church. 

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

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

Ruby Bodenhamer Greene, D. Dec. 26, 2013

Ruby Bodenhamer Greene
Ruby Bodenhamer Greene

Ruby Bodenhamer Greene, age 81, of Highway 421 North, Boone, passed away Thursday, December 26, 2013, at her home. She was the daughter of the late Clyde Otis Bodenhamer and Ruth Greene Bodenhamer.

Mrs. Greene is survived by, one daughter, Charlene Greene-Garland, of Blairs, Virginia, one sister, Betty Jackson, of Hudson, North Carolina, one brother, Robert Lee Bodenhamer and wife Barbara, of Charlotte, North Carolina and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Grady Macdonald Greene, and a son-in-law, Robert Garland.

Funeral services for Ruby Bodenhamer Greene will be conducted Tuesday, December 31, 2013 at 2:00 P.M. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock at the chapel. Reverend Gary Lawrence will officiate.

Entombment will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to, The American Heart Association, 222 South Church Street, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28202.

The family has respectfully requested no food.

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

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

Allyn Morton, D. Dec. 26, 2013

Allyn Hamilton Morton, a resident of Abingdon, Virginia, passed away December 26, 2013.

Allyn was born May 15, 1925 to Zoe and Charles F. Morton and was raised in Richmond, VA. After service in the U.S. Navy, Allyn attended Virginia Tech and graduated as a Mechanical Engineer. During his senior year, Allyn met Barbara Galliher of Bristol, VA. and they were married in 1951. Allyn worked as an engineer for Johns-Manville Corporation for 35 years. His career with J.M. took the Morton family to assignments in Emporia, VA, Joliet, Ill., Alexandria, IN, and Woodstock, VA. After retiring from J.M., Allyn began his second career as Chief of Maintenance for the State of Virginia. Additionally, Allyn served with both V.E.M.A. and F.E.M.A. Upon his second retirement, Allyn & Barbara moved to Abingdon, VA. During his years in Abingdon, Allyn was an enthusiastic community volunteer and was most proud of his involvement with the Kiwanis Club of Abingdon, being named Kiwanian of the year in 2000. His love of historical preservation led Allyn to be instrumental in the effort to develop Fairview as a historical site for the the town as well as the restoration of the Abingdon Train Depot to house the Washington County Historical Association. Allyn also worked to ensure that the maintenance for St. Thomas Episcopal Church was managed and that handicapped accessibility was available for the parish.

Allyn is survived by his wife Barbara of Abingdon; children Allyn H. Morton, Jr. and wife Maria Liles Morton of Boone, daughter Anne Morton of Bristol, Virginia; granddaughters Georganna Morton and fiancée Logan Seamon of Blarisville, Georgia, Kayla Greene and husband Adam Greene of Boone. A memorial service for Allyn Morton will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 31, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Abingdon, VA.

The family will receive friends in the parish hall following the service. The family would appreciate memorial contributions to be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church.

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

Frost Funeral Home, in Abingdon, Virginia, is in charge of the arrangements.

Georgia Hayes Lewis, D. Dec. 24, 2013

Georgia Hayes Lewis
Georgia Hayes Lewis

Georgia Hayes Lewis, age 87, of Boone, passed away Tuesday, December 24, 2013, at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone.

Mrs. Hayes was born January 6, 1926 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Arthur Scott Hayes and Roxie Alice Hartley Hayes.

Mrs. Lewis is survived by one son, Ronnie Lewis and wife Kim of Boone; two daughters, Evelyn Williams and husband Jeff of Alabaster, Alabama, and Glenda Campbell and husband Dalton of Statesville; one grandson, William Lee Campbell of Statesville; one granddaughter, Grace Campbell of Statesville, and one sister-in-law, Geneva Hayes of Blowing Rock.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Lewis; an infant daugher, Deborah Lynn Lewis; two brothers, Kenneth and Famon Hayes, and one sister, Margie Hayes.

Funeral services for Georgia Hayes Lewis will be conducted Friday afternoon, December 27, 2013, at 2:00 o’clock, at Mount Ephriam Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Zane Tester and Reverend Gordon Noble. Burial will follow in Mount Paron Baptist Church Cemetery.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, North Carolina, 28657, or to the Alzheimers Association, 2300 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28215.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks to the staff of All Horizons, including special thanks to Rebecca “Peggy” Tester, Cassandra Kerly, and Liz Carpenter, and the staffs of Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living and Medi Home Hospice.

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

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

Stephen Van Poe, D. Dec. 23

Stephen Van Poe, age 56, of The Meadows, Boone, passed away Monday evening, December 23rd, 2013. Stephen was born August 27, 1957 in Watauga County.

A loving husband and father, he always enjoyed travel, boating, skiing and golfing with his family. He was very successful as a businessman and entrepreneur. Stephen owned and operated Stephens Auto Mart in Lenoir. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Hickory.

Surviving are his wife, Denise Miller Poe; his children, Stephanie Poe Durham and husband, Robert, of Hickory, Christopher Poe of Huntersville, and Brittney Poe of Boone; one step-grandson, Robert Alexander Durham, Jr., of Hickory; his parents, Robert and Mary Frank Gragg Poe of Boone; sister, Mari Poe Lesniak and husband, Miroslaw, of Fayetteville; brother, Robert Bradley Poe of High Point; niece, Lela Lesniak of Fayetteville; sisters-in-law, Diane Fletcher and husband, Bob, of Cary, Darlene Risk and husband, David, of Boone, and Dorene Branton, and husband, Marty, of Burnsville; and brother-in-law, Walter Miller and wife, Shirley, of Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. 

Funeral services will be conducted Friday afternoon, December 27, 2013, at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Phillip Reynolds. 

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Entombment will be private. 

Flowers are appreciated or memorial may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220. And, online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Poe family.  

Okelee Mast Taylor, D. Dec. 21

Okelee Mast Taylor
Okelee Mast Taylor

Okelee Taylor, age 81, of Statesville Road, Wilkesboro, passed away Saturday morning, December 21, 2013, at her home.

Mrs. Taylor was born December 19, 1932 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late John Ira Mast and Pearl Phillips Mast. She was a retired Licensed Practical Nurse.

Mrs. Taylor is survived by one son, Rodney Taylor of the home, and one daughter, Tammy Taylor of Wilkesboro. She is also survived by nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Talmadge Taylor, and one brother, Donald Mast.

Funeral services for Okelee Mast Taylor will be conducted Friday afternoon, December 27, 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 Richard Trivette. Burial will follow in the Mast Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family, in care of Rodney Taylor, 1850 Statesville Road, Wilkesboro, North Carolina, 28697.

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

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