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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 30, 2014

Robert A. “Bob” Poe (Oct. 23, 1929 – Dec. 29, 2014) 

Robert A. “Bob” Poe, 85, of Poplar Grove Road in Boone passed away Monday, Dec. 29, 2014, at Watauga Medical Center.

Funeral arrangements for Poe are incomplete at this time.

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

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

Ollie Belle Perry Greer (June 14, 1935 – Dec. 27, 2014) 

Greer
Greer

Ollie Belle Perry Greer, 79, of Zionville passed away Dec. 27, 2014.

Her husband of almost 60 years, Don Greer, and an infant daughter, Dreama Kaye, preceded Mrs. Greer in death. She is survived by her daughter, Darlene Deal and son-in-law, Victor, of Zionville. Ollie Belle was the daughter of the late Harley and Lola Perry and was preceded in death by one brother, Alfred ‘Bud’ Perry; and one sister, Maxine Cornett.

She is also survived by three sisters, Mabel Jean Ruby of Sykesville, Md., Josephine Miller and husband, Lloyd, of Boone, and Barbara Perry-Sheldon and husband, Ken, of Zionville; one brother, Morris Perry and wife, Esther, of Zionville; and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Mrs. Greer graduated from Cove Creek High School and worked at Shadowline and on the family farm. Although challenged by severe rheumatoid arthritis, she lovingly cared for her family and was active in her church, Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday evening, Dec.30, at 6:30 p.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Pastor Herbert and Pastor Allan Perry.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 until 6:30 p.m., prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family respectfully request no food or flowers, and suggests memorials to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Hand in Hand Fund, a project supported by Mrs. Greer, who made and sold hundreds of ribbon crosses to raise funds for the building project. Donations may be sent to Ann Thomas, 1514 Silverstone Rd., Zionville, NC 28698.

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

Ronald L. Buzzard, Sr. (Feb. 21, 1952 – Dec. 27, 2014) 

Buzzard
Buzzard

Ronald Lee Buzzard, Sr., 62, of Poplar Creek Estates Dr., Todd, passed away Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, at his residence. Born Feb. 21, 1952 in Lancaster, Pa., he was a son Of Clyde and Annie Louise Weller Buzzard. Ronald loved his family, and enjoyed listening to classic country music and all outdoor activities, especially fishing. He would be seen most days doing yard work around the house and caring for his vehicles with his constant companions, his dogs, Dakota and Rascal.

Mr. Buzzard is survived by his wife, Linda Weibley Buzzard; son, Ronald Buzzard, Jr. and wife, Diane, of Todd; and his sister, Myrtle Houck of New Holland, Pa. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and three step-grandsons.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Lynn Buzzard. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2015, at 2 p.m. at the Meat Camp Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Michael Townsend.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family to assist with expenses. Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Buzzard family.

Grace K. Hutchins (Dec. 14, 1914 – Dec. 27, 2014) 

Hutchins
Hutchins

Grace Kilkelly Hutchins was joyfully welcomed into heavens glory at 100 years old on Dec. 27, 2014.

She was born Dec. 14, 1914, to Jesse and Etha Coltrane from Zebulon, N.C. She settled in Greensboro, N.C. with her husband Thomas Kilkelly where they raised their two children.

She was predeceased by her husband Thomas Kilkelly and a daughter Sharon Kilkelly Rogers.

She is survived by her loving husband William Hutchins of the Life Care Center of Banner Elk, son and daughter-in-law, Gary and Joanie Kilkelly of Boone, and son-in-law Terrance Rogers of Chapel Hill, N.C., as well as numerous loving grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was first and foremost a dedicated and loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a rescuer and lover of many homeless dogs and cats. She was an outstanding musician trained at Julliard in voice and piano. Wasting little time, she learned how to tap dance the same year she received her amateur radio license at the age of 83! Those who knew her well called her Amazing Grace.

A private celebration of her life will be held in Greensboro, N.C. where she will be laid to rest in the Forest Lawn Cemetery.

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

Jane Greer (Aug. 17, 1938 – Dec. 25, 2014) 

Greer
Greer

Jane Brown Greer, 76, of Boone, peacefully joined our Lord, surrounded by family on Christmas Day, 2014. Jane was born Aug. 17, 1938 in Charlotte to the late L. W. ‘Buck’ and Hannah Brown. She was a beloved wife, mother, sister and grandmother. Jane was married to the love of her life, Morris H. Greer for 54 years. She was a blessing and an inspiration to all who knew her. Mrs. Greer was a long time member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.

Jane is survived by her husband, Morris Greer; her children, Kim McConnell and husband, Steve, of Charlotte, and Michael Greer and wife, Marcia, of Columbia, S.C.; five grandchildren, Noelle, Michelle, Zachary, Spencer and Marciann; sisters, Jean Wagner Eudy of Midland, Margaret Ann Piela and husband, John, of Connecticut; brother, Joe Brown, of Charlotte; and fourteen nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2014, at
2 p.m., at Oak Grove Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Michael Gragg and Rev. Burl Greer. Graveside services will follow at Danner Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening, Dec. 27, from 5:30 until
7 p.m. at Austin & Barnes. Donations may be made to the Danner Cemetery Fund, c/o David Hodges, 1075 Laurel Fork Rd., Vilas, NC 28692, or to Samaritans Purse at samaritanspurse.org.

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

Pearl Farthing (Dec. 4, 1905 – Dec. 25, 2014) 

Pearl Graybeal Farthing, 109, passed away on Dec. 25, 2014 at Christian Care Center in Johnson City, Tenn.

Farthing
Farthing

She was born Dec. 4, 1905 in Watauga County and attended school in Washington College, Tenn. She graduated from Science Hill High School and Appalachian School of Nursing both in Johnson City, Tenn.

In 1934, she married Albert C. Farthing and they resided in Boone. They were married 61 years until his death in 1995. Pearl was a part-time nurse for a physician in Boone and worked as a clerk in the Watauga County Courthouse. She spent several years as a sales clerk at Newton’s Department Store and Caudill’s Department Store, both in Boone.

Her hobbies included quilting, tatting, crocheting, and knitting. She created many beautiful pieces of handwork, still enjoyed by family. Throughout her years, her greatest joy came from time spent with her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Her love of children extended to the dear little ones in her care for over forty years at the First Baptist Church in Boone, NC. At the time of her death, she was the oldest living member of the church.

Pearl was preceded in death by her husband, Albert C. Farthing, Sr., her daughter, Barbara Ragan, Barbara’s husband, Frank Ragan, and her grandson, Bradford Allen Farthing. Also preceding her were siblings Mamie Graybeal Shull, Lucy Graybeal Lovell, Grace Graybeal Rauhof, Ruby Graybeal Norris, Austin Graybeal, Fred Graybeal, Roger Graybeal, and Frank Graybeal, and her parents, William Baxter Graybeal and Maggie Austin Graybeal

She is survived by two sons, Albert C. Farthing, Jr and Wife, Ann, of West Jefferson, NC and William B. Farthing and wife, Libby, of Johnson City, Tenn.. She also is survived by eight grandchildren, William Ralph Winkler, III and wife, Rhonda, of Boone, Melinda Cook, and husband, Sonny, of Huntersville, Deborah Cole, and husband, Tyler, of Asheboro, Daniel Winkler, and wife Karen, of Blowing Rock, Pamela Ann Farthing of West Jefferson, NC, Jeannie Gambill, and husband, Todd, of Kokomo, Ind., Julie Griffin, and husband, Greg, of Lincolnton, Ga., and Catherine Aldridge, and husband, Shawn, of Deep Gap. Numerous great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren also hold her memories dear.

Funeral services for Mrs. Pearl Graybeal Farthing will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. George Miles. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends prior to the service from noon until 2 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to organizations and charities that work to benefit children. Online condolences may be shared with the Farthing family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Farthing family.

Doris Neal Critcher (Nov. 23, 1924 – Dec. 25, 2014) 

Critcher
Critcher

Doris Neal Critcher, 90, of Cordele, Ga., passed away Thursday, Dec. 25, 2014, at Crisp Regional Nursing and Rehabilitation in Cordele.

Mrs. Critcher was born Nov. 23, 1924 in Wilcox County, the daughter of the late Hardy and Eula Cole Gordon. She was a homemaker.

Mrs. Critcher is survived by her nieces and nephews, Lynn Pitts of Coredele, Ga., John and Lula Maddox of Oceanside, Cal., Terry and Rick Everest of Tallahassee, Fla., Ray and Jean Gordon of Ft. Myers, Fla., Robert and Renee Gordon of Miami, Fla., Debby and Dale Jennings of Live Oak, Fla., Randal Beach of Cape Coral, Fla., and Tammy Jo and Bruce Shelley and Linda and Phil Bosworth, all of Cooper City, Fla.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Jim Critcher; her children, Rusty Critcher and Sandy Critcher, and her siblings, Ray Reeves, Ruby Maddox, Loraine Pitts, Vance Gordon, and Bettijo Beach.

Graveside services and burial for Doris Neal Critcher will be conducted Tuesday morning, Dec. 30, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

The family will receive friends Friday evening, December 26, 2014, from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m., at Rainey Family Funeral Services in Cordele, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice.

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

Rainey Family Funeral Services, in Cordele, Georgia, and Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service are in charge of the arrangements.

Doretha Long Greene (Oct. 14, 1922 – Dec. 23, 2014)

Doretha Long Greene, 92, of Chestnut Grove Rd., Boone, passed away Tuesday morning, Dec. 23, 2014, at Hill View Family Care in Todd.

Greene
Greene

Mrs. Greene was born Oct. 14, 1922 in Horry County, S.C., a daughter of the late Vander Long and Viola Cook Long. She was a retired landscaper, and had also worked as a clerk at FCX. She was an active member of the Meat Camp Baptist Church for over sixty years. She was a choir member and Sunday School Teacher, and was known for decorating the sanctuary with beautiful flowers from her garden.

Mrs. Greene is survived by three daughters, Sylvia Sue Greene, Marie Greene Ward and husband Steve, all of Boone, and Gloria Jean Dickens and husband Ron of Knoxville, Tenn.; two sons, John Floyd Greene, Jr., and wife Jane, and Robert L. Greene and wife Evelyn, all of Boone; one sister, Jean White of Boone; five granddaughters, Debbie Fletcher, Kelly Greene and Melinda Greene, all of Boone, Anna Marie Greene Diggs of Willamsburg, Virginia, and Katie Greene Shoaf of Haymarket, Virginia; three grandsons, Joe Royall of Orlando, Florida, John Floyd “Johnny” Greene, III and Burl Greene, both of Boone; and 12 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two nieces, Judy Gragg of Boone and Dianne Daughn of Chula Vista, California and one nephew, Buddy Adisey and wife Norma of Boone.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Floyd Greene, Sr.; an infant granddaughter, Jennifer Greene; two sisters, Alma Schmitt and Mae Tabor; one nephew, Alex Greene; and one son-in-law, J.B. Greene.

Funeral services for Doretha Long Greene will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Meat Camp Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Burl Greene, Reverend Herbert McCoy and Reverend Mike Townsend. Burial will follow in the Meat Camp Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service, at Meat Camp Baptist Church.

At other times, friends may call at the residence, 160 Chestnut Grove Rd. in Boone.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Meat Camp Baptist Church Lottie Moon Offering or Fellowship Hall Fund, 256 Meat Camp Baptist Church Rd., Boone, North Carolina 28607.

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

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

Della Pennell Lawrence (Feb. 22, 1936 – Dec. 23, 2014)

Della Cordelia Pennell Lawrence, 78, of 1505 Englewood St., Lenoir, a native and former resident of Watauga County, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2014, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Lawrence
Lawrence

Mrs. Lawrence was born Feb. 22, 1936 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Edward Pennell and Emma Sanders Pennell. She was a homemaker and a member of Central Baptist Church in Whitnel.

Della is survived by five sons, Steven Lawrence and wife Teresa of Hickory, Michael Lawrence of Lenoir, Danny Lawrence of Granite Falls, James D. Lawrence, Jr. and Jeffery Lawrence both of Lenoir; one daughter, Sandra L. “Sandy” Prestwood and husband Max, Jr. of Lenoir; one sister, Margie Isaacs of Boone; ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Don Lawrence, Sr., and three brothers, Archie, Ernest and Dean Pennell.

Funeral services for Della Pennell Lawrence will be conducted Friday afternoon, Dec. 26, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Daniel Buchanan. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday afternoon, from 12:00 until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service, at Hampton Funeral Home.

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

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

Robert L. Watson (Aug. 15, 1947 – Dec. 22, 2014) 

Watson
Watson

Robert Lee Watson, 67, of Sherwood Road, Vilas, passed away Monday evening, Dec. 22, 2014 at Bristol Regional Medical Center. Born Aug. 15, 1947 in Watauga County, he was a son of Raymond and Ophelia Parsons Watson.

Before his disability, Robert owned and operated Four Seasons Winterizing and Plumbing Service. He was an active member and Deacon of Cove Creek Baptist Church. Roberts love was his family, his church, and sharing a good laugh.

Mr. Watson is survived by his wife, Sarah Sherwood Watson; daughter, Posha Roberta Oldham and husband, Bruce, of Townsend, Montana; son, Robert Watson, Jr. and wife, Patricia, of Trade, Tenn.; ten grandchildren and two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Louise Greene and husband, Wilson, of Zionville, Donna Kohn and husband, David, of Texas, and Betty Grubb and husband, Sammy, of Bluff City, Tenn.; and his brother, Edward Watson of Boone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dennis Watson; and a sister, Edith Isaacs. Funeral services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 28, 2014, at 3 o’clock at Cove Creek Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Shelby Stephens and Pastor Allen Kent.

The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1:30 until 3 p.m., prior to services, at the church. Military Graveside Honors provided by American Legion Post 130 and the Disabled American Veterans Post 90 will follow at Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Cove Creek Baptist Church Youth Program, PO Box 68, Sugar Grove, NC 28679. Online condolences may be shared with the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Watson family.

Rogers Vance Whitener (May 10, 1919 – Dec. 19, 2014) 

Rogers V. Whitener, Professor Emeritus of English at Appalachian State University, writer and scholar, actor, and notable patron and promoter of local folk and fine arts, died on Dec. 19, 2014 in Banner Elk.

Born 10 May 1919, in Dysartsville to the late Daniel and Minnie Price Whitener and reared in Rutherford County, Mr. Whitener grew up experiencing the bonds, joys, and education of rural folk groups. Memories of childhood singings, molasses making, weatherlore, superstitions, and legends gave his research and writing about North Carolina folklife, a special sense of things remembered, but also a sharp eye for the functions of traditional culture in the present.

Mr. Whitener received a B.S. in English and History from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1948 after an undergraduate career interrupted by three years of Army Air Force service during World War II. While an undergraduate, he worked assembling and typing the ballad manuscripts collected by W. Amos Doc Abrams. Those collections became important parts of the folksong volumes of The Frank C. Brown Collection of North Carolina Folklore and the Abrams Collection in the archives of the Eury Appalachian Collection at Appalachian State University. He was editor of the college newspaper, starred in Playcrafter productions, and served a season as Yosef, ASTCs Mountaineer mascot.

From 1948 to 1950, Mr. Whitener attended the University of Florida, where he received his M.A. in English and served on the editorial staff of Southern Folklore. After a decade of teaching at Florida Southern College, he joined the faculty of Appalachian State Teachers College in fall 1959 as an assistant professor in the Department of English. He retired from Appalachian State University as Professor Emeritus in 1989 after a 30-year career as teacher, writer, and administrator. He served for 20 years as the university’s Director of Cultural Affairs; in that position, he organized ambitious and innovative programs bringing artists, musicians, poets, plays, and musical performances to the campus. His leadership and hard work established important series that were forerunners of many of Appalachians present arts programs. He and his wife Janice were notable patrons of local artists and collectors of their artwork.

For over a decade, Rogers wrote Folkways and Folk Speech, a twice-weekly column sponsored by the Appalachian Consortium and syndicated in 30 newspapers in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. An important success of that column was his establishing a careful appreciation by the folk themselves of their customs, sayings, stories, superstitions and songs. Frequently, Rogers column served as a means by which letter writers, realizing through Rogers writing the value of local folk culture, were able to express their own study and appreciation of an aspect of those traditions to a wider audience by publication in Folkways and Folk Speech. These columns contributed to two editions of Thrice Told Tales, which Rogers wrote and which included illustrations by his good friend Joe Miller. Their book has continued to be a popular presentation of local folklife and drew much praise from reviewers.
For a number of years, Mr. Whitener performed in regional outdoor dramas, including The Lost Colony, where he acted with Andy Griffith; Horn in the West; and in the Tennessee play Chucky Jack. He also served as interviewer and narrator for a number of documentary programs produced at Appalachian, including a video orientation program tracing events in the history of the university. For a time, he was the voice of Appalachian in its public programming.

Mr. Whitener was a longtime member of the North Carolina Folklore Society and served in various leadership roles in that organization. In 1979, the Society awarded him its Brown-Hudson Folklore Award for his contributions to the appreciation and continuation of North Carolina folklore, and in 1981, the Society published as the North Carolina Folklore Journals spring-summer edition an anthology of his writings on local folklife. He was also instrumental in the discovery and national recognition of local folk artists through his friendship with the late Ralph Rinzler, director of the Smithsonian Institutions Summer Folklife Festival. Local folk artists he helped publicize included Willard and Ora Watson, Ray and Stanley Hicks, and Doc Watson.

Mr. Whitener was predeceased by his wife Janice Robertson Whitener. He is survived by two daughters, Lori Kim Buntin and Katy Miranda Lipkus, her spouse, Isaac Marcelo Lipkus, and their son, Noah and by nephew, Jerry Hollingsworth and his wife Sherry.

A memorial service for Rogers Vance Whitener will be held Jan. 4, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Rogers and Janice Whitener Scholarship in Creative Writing of the Appalachian State University Foundation.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Whitener family.