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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Jan. 8, 2015

Toni H. Ward (April 15, 1975 – Jan. 7, 2015) 

Ward
Ward

On Jan. 7 2015, Toni Hamby Ward went to meet her Lord and Savior. She left this world after fighting a courageous battle with leukemia, during which she shared with others her love and faith in Jesus Christ.

Toni was born April 15, 1975, in Watauga County, a daughter of Betty Huffman and the late Wiley Hamby. She was a special education teacher at Watauga High School and loved her kids greatly. Many students and co­-workers lives were touched by Toni as well as hers by them.

In addition to her mother Toni is loved and will be missed by her husband Steve Ward, her children Caleb, Trey and Chelsea Hamby. Also by uncles, aunts, cousins and many close friends.

Toni was preceded in death by her father Wiley Hamby, her paternal grandparents Jay and Ella Mae Hamby; her maternal grandparents Bob and Earlene Woodring.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences maybe shared with the Ward family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ward family.

Mary June Miller M. Risk (Aug. 11, 1925 – Jan. 7, 2015) 

Risk
Risk

Mary Miller Risk, 89, of Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation, and formerly of Todd, passed away Wednesday evening, Jan. 7, 2015. Born Aug. 11, 1925 in Ashe County, she was a daughter of J. L. and Laura Leona Tatum Miller. Mary was a long time member of South Fork Baptist Church in Todd.

Mrs. Risk is survived by her children, David Risk and wife Darlene, of Boone, Linda Miller and husband, Keith, of Statesville, and Kevin Risk of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Jeff Risk and wife, Angela, Jonathan Risk and wife, Jenny, Kim LeFever and husband, Bryan, Jeremy Miller and wife, Michelle, and Jason Miller and wife, Lisa; fourteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Lucille Wagner of Lake Wales, Fla.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie W. Risk; her parents; and seven brothers and sisters.

Funeral services for Mary Miller Risk will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Jan. 10, 2015, at 2 o’clock, at South Fork Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. David Cooper, Rev. Homer Murdock, Rev. Jeff Risk and Rev. Keith Miller. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow in the Howell Cemetery.

At other times, friends may call at the home of David and Darlene Risk, 1046 Deerfield Road, Boone.

The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to the Howell Cemetery Fund, in care of Larry Trivette, 10550 Highway 194 North, Todd, NC 28684; or to South Fork Baptist Church, 157 South Fork Church Road, Todd, NC 28684.

The family wishes to extend their gratitude the caring staff at Glenbridge where Mary spent the past five years.

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

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

Russell T. Norris (May 30, 1920 – Jan. 6, 2015) 

Mr. Russell T. Norris, 94, of Boone, passed away Tuesday morning, Jan. 6, 2015 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.

Born May 30, 1920 in Watauga County he was a son of the late Troy T. and Martha Jane “Mattie” Seatz Norris.

Norris
Norris

Mr. Norris was retired from the N.C. Department of Transportation where he worked as a mechanic. He was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, having served in WWII. Russell enjoyed hunting, fishing horseback riding, raising dahlias and feeding the hummingbirds.

Mr. Norris is survived by his wife of 76 years, Viola Proffitt Norris; and four sons, Kenneth, Larry and Rex Norris and wife Susan, all of Boone, and Jerry Norris and wife Cleta of Edgewood, Maryland, seven grandchildren, Tim Bledsoe and wife Shelia of Boone, Eddie Norris and wife Barbara of Sumter, S.C., Randy Norris of Cornelius, Larry Norris and wife Fatima of Florence, S.C., Carolyn Norris of Mexico City, Mexico, Andrea Norris and husband Chris Eddy of Bel-Aire, Md., Laura Norris of Edgewood, Maryland, eight great grandchildren, one great great grandchild, a grandson in law, Jody Barnes, and a son in law, Jack Bledsoe and wife Byrdette, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by two daughters, Carolyn Norris Bledsoe, and an infant, one granddaughter, Rene’ Bledsoe Barnes, one brother, Bernard Norris and one sister, Juanita Norris King.

Funeral services for Mr. Russell T. Norris will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Jim Wells. Graveside services and burial will follow in the Hopewell Community Church Cemetery, with military honors provided by American Legion Post 130. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

The family respectfully requests no food or flowers, and suggests memorials to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, NC 28607 or to the Hopewell Community Cemetery Fund, in care of Betty Davis, 4061 NC Hwy 194 North, Boone, NC 28607.

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

Kathryn S. Isaacs (Jan. 15, 1918 – Jan. 6, 2015)

Kathryn Sherwood Isaacs, 96, of Wytheville, Va. passed away Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015.

She was born Jan. 15, 1918 in Watauga County, NC, daughter of the late James and Nannie Farthing Sherwood and was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Raleigh Isaacs; three sisters and three brothers.

Kathryn was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and a Wythe County school teacher for over 30 years. She was a member of the Wytheville Baptist Church.

Kathryn is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Walter K. and Carla B. Isaacs of San Antonio, Tex.; four grandchildren, Megan, Whitney, Kelsey and Lydia Isaacs; Sister, Carolyn Mccaslin of Huntersville; two brothers, Larry Sherwood of Oklahoma City, Ok. and Bill Sherwood of Watauga County.

Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 11, 2015, at the Wytheville Baptist Church with interim Pastor Robert Blankenship officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3 p.m. until service time at the church.

A second funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 at Bethel Baptist Church in Vilas with John Bunn officiating. Interment will follow in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wytheville Baptist Church.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.highlandfuneralservice. com Barnett Funeral Home, Wytheville, Va., is serving the Isaacs family.

Viola Gentry Miller (Sept. 15, 1926 – Jan. 5, 2015) 

Viola Gentry Miller, 88, of Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living, Boone, formerly of Pine Branch Road, Boone, passed away peacefully Monday morning, Jan. 5, 2015, at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone.

Miller
Miller

Mrs. Miller was born Sept. 15, 1926, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Robert L. Gentry and Grace Norris Gentry. She retired after 30 years of employment, as secretary, at Parkway Elementary School. Mrs. Miller was a member of Bethelview United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Miller is survived by one daughter, Wanda Dages Winebarger and husband Gerald of Boone; one sister, Alma Ragan and husband Bill of Boone; two brothers, Fred Gentry and wife June of Riggins, Idaho, and Roby Gentry and wife Jackie of Free Union, Virginia; a sister-in-law, Emma Gentry of Boone. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clark Miller; her son-in-law, Don Dages; one sister, Evelyn Branhan, and three brothers, Ray Gentry, J.R. “Junior” Gentry, and infant, Carroll Norris Gentry.

Funeral services for Viola Gentry Miller will be conducted Thursday afternoon, Jan. 8, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service. Officiating will be Reverend Edwin McKinney and Pastor Elaine Hall. Entombment will follow in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the staff and caregivers at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living and Medi Home Hospice for their loving and compassionate care.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 136 Furman Road, Suite 2, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

The family has respectfully requested no food.

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

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

Lon H. Warren (Oct. 17, 1925 – Jan. 5, 2015) 

Lon H. Warren, 89, of 733 Warren Hollow Road, the Mabel Community in Zionville, passed away Monday afternoon, Jan. 5, 2015, at Select Specialties Hospital in Bristol, Tennessee, from complication with pneumonia.

Mr. Warren was born Oct. 17, 1925 in Watauga County, a son of the late David and Cora Roark Warren. He was a member and Deacon at Union Baptist Church in the Mabel Community. He was a World War II R.A.CE veteran with Company D 334, MG Section 84th Infantry Division, known as the “Rail Splitters”. Mr. Warren was a survivor of the “Battle of the Bulge.

Mr. Warren is survived by his wife of 65 years, Reta Faye Roark Warren; one son, Gary Warren and wife Mary Jo Williams Warren; two grandsons, Martin Warren and wife Molly Wilson, and Jason Warren, and one great-grandson, Wyatt Warren. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Warren, Blaine Warren, and Selmer Warren, and one sister, Rosa Lee Warren Winebarger.

Funeral services for Lon H. Warren will be conducted Friday afternoon, Jan. 9, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Union Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Vernon Eller, Reverend Derick Wilson, and Reverend Bill Warren. Military graveside rites and burial, provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow in Union Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday afternoon, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the church, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the residence, 733 Warren Hollow Road, Zionville, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Union Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Roxanna Miller, 6797 Old US Highway 421, Zionville, North Carolina, 28698.

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

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

Gary Steward “Billy” Presnell (July 10, 1953 – Jan. 5, 2015) 

Gary Stewart “Billy” Presnell, 61, of Laurel Creek Road, Sugar Grove, passed away Monday, Jan. 5, 2015, at his home.

Billy is survived by one brother, Thomas Presnell and wife Anita of Sugar Grove, and two sisters, Debra Thomas of Granite Falls, and Myra Sue Willis of Hickory. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, William Presnell and Beulah Hicks Presnell, and one brother and six sisters.

Memorial services for Gary Stewart “Billy” Presnell will be conducted at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Presnell Cemetery Fund, in care of Della Presnell.

Online condolences may be sent to the Presnell family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Fernando A. Scheifley (April 29, 1927 – Jan. 4, 2015)

Scheifley
Scheifley

Fernando August Fred Scheifley, 87, of Boone, and a resident of Watauga County for the past thirty years, passed away Sunday evening, Jan. 4, 2015 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.

Born April 29, 1927 in Nash County, Ohio, he was a son of Ottomer August and Griselda Magdaline Stamm Scheifley. Mr. Scheifley was a veteran of the US Army, serving in Germany during WWII. Before retiring to Boone, he was employed for NASA in Sandusky, Ohio.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Scheifley was preceded in death by his wife, Harriett. Mr. Fred is survived by his friends and caregivers, Jane and Bobby Hodges, and their family; and the angels that cared for him on the 300 hall at Glenbridge.

Memorial services for Fernando August Scheifley will be private. Memorials in memory of Mr. Scheifley may be made to the Christmas Fund for Residences at Glenbridge Health & Rehab, 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, NC 28607.

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

Bonnie R. Wright (June 15, 1929 – Jan. 4, 2015) 

Ms. Bonnie Ruth Wright, 85, of Mountain City, Tenn., passed away Sunday at the Mountain City Care Center.

She is survived by five sisters, Lillian Dugger and Molly Greenwell both of Mountain City, Tenn., Minnie Cook of Chicago, Illinois, Sue R. Hayes and husband Johnny of Boone, Phyllis Dugger and husband Ronnie of Ohio, two brothers, Rev. Lee Reece and wife Patricia of Vilas and Lester Reece and wife Janet of Zionville, one sister in law, Terry Reece of Chicago, Ill., many nieces and nephews and a special friend Betty.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold G. Wright, three sisters, Mary Bowman, Daisy Laing, and Pearl Dugger and two brothers, Stanley Reece and Johnny Ted Reece.

Funeral services for Ms. Bonnie Ruth Wright will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Hux-Lipford Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Lee Reece and Rev. Joe Crisp. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 to 2 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Union Baptist Church Cemetery.

Hux-Lipford Funeral Home in Mountain City is serving the Wright family. Announcement courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory.

Stella Lawson Combs (Jan. 24, 1923 – Jan. 3, 2015)

Combs
Combs

Stella Lawson Combs, 91, of Mountain City, Tenn., passed away Saturday evening, Jan. 3, 2015, at Mountain City Care Center.

Mrs. Combs was born Jan. 24, 1923 in Williamson, West Virginia, a daughter of the late Westel and Bertha Sartin Cesco. She was a retired sales clerk for Sears-Robuck & Company.

Mrs. Combs is survived by one sister, Madonna Kennedy; and one sister-in-law, Lilly Ruth Cesco. She is also survived and beloved by a number of nieces and nephews, including Randy and Penny Cesco, Talmadge “Rocky” Cesco, Bruce Cesco, Brian Cesco, Frankie Smith, Djuana Anderson, Sharen Greene, Karen Childress, Shelia Plymale, Linda Nelson, Eugene Sesco, Dennis Sesco, Mae Lynne Cesco, Christine Cesco, Rickey Cesco, and Kevin Cesco.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, John Lawson; her second husband, Paul Robert Combs, and four brothers, Talmadge Cesco, Pat Cesco, Earl Sesco, and Willis Cesco.

Funeral services for Stella Lawson Combs will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Jan. 10, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Eric Cornett. Burial will follow in the Guy-Combs Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Guy-Combs Cemetery Association, Inc., in care of Reba Farthing, 231 Smith Henson Road, Sugar Grove, North Carolina, 28679.

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

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

Ned G. “Toby” Isaacs (May 9, 1938 – Jan. 2, 2015)

Ned G. “Toby” Isaacs, 76, of Isaacs Branch Road, Sugar Grove, passed away Friday evening, Jan. 2, 2015, at Watauga Medical Center.

Toby was born May 9, 1938 in Watauga County, a son of the late Thomas Bert Isaacs and Zona Johnson Isaacs. He was a retired farmer and farm owner.

Ned is survived by his son, Kenny Gene Isaacs and his wife Betsy of Sugar Grove, North Carolina, a Granddaughter, Heather Holland & husband Scott of Norcross, Georgia, a sister, Gladys Potts of Sugar Grove, North Carolina. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Maggie Guy Isaacs, four sisters, Louise Hamm, Marlyn Corbin, Wilma Wright, and Margie Trivette, and two brothers, John Ed Isaacs, and Herbert Dudley Isaacs.

Memorial Services for Ned G. “Toby” Isaacs will be held Tuesday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2015 at 1 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bruce Miller officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from noon to 1 a.m. at Hampton Funeral Service.

Online condolences may be sent to the Isaacs family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Marie G. Hampton (July 27, 1929 – Jan. 2, 2015) 

Mrs. Marie Gambill Hampton, 85, of Forest Hills Drive, Boone, passed away Friday morning, Jan. 2, 2015 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Born July 27, 1929 in Traphill, she was a daughter of the late Marcus and Nina Rose Gambill. Marie was a dedicated member of the First Baptist Church, and was active in the food ministry and Sunday School. She taught at Blowing Rock Elementary School for a number of years. Marie also taught crafts, needlepoint and was a hairdresser.

She is survived by her husband, Dale M. Hampton, one son, Ronald Hampton and wife Bethany of Boone, two grandsons, Garrett Hampton and Robby Kennedy and wife Cursty, one granddaughter, Mariah Harris and husband Adam, six great grandchildren, Rieghly, Donvin, Bianna, Tierra, Jason and Levi, one brother, Charlie Gambill and wife Lucille of Thurman, and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by two daughters, Melissa Hampton and Nina Lynn Hampton and several brothers and sisters.

Funeral services for Mr. Marie Gambill Hampton will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Brown and Rev. Roy Dobyns. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends Tuesday prior to the service from noon until 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 375 West King Street, Boone, NC 28607.

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

Dr. Mary U. Connell (Nov. 30, 1942 – Dec. 31, 2014) 

Connell
Connelld

Dr. Mary Ursula Connell, 72, of Boone, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014 of natural causes.

Born Nov. 30, 1942, in Huntington, W.V., Mary was the only child of the late Gilbert (Gill) and Ursula Connell.

Raised in the Huntington area, Mary completed both her AB (1964) and MS (1966) at Marshall University before receiving her Ph.D. at Kent State University in 1974 and joining the Biology Department at Appalachian State University.

Mary was one of the first female members of the biology department with a research profile, her early research focused on the aquatic ecology of algae, with her discoveries eventually leading to explorations of the molecular mechanisms controlling light sensitivity in aquatic algae.

Mary was a highly respected educator who taught and inspired many undergraduate and Master’s students to understand the scientific process with thought and experimentation.

She was rewarded for her dedication to the students by receiving the University of North Carolina Board of Governors’ excellence in teaching award in 1995. After more than 40 years of dedicated service to the Biology Department and the University, she retired in December of 2014.

Mary has no known surviving family members, but is survived by two of her former graduate students, both honored to act as her “adopted sons”: Adam D. Miller of Spokane WA, and Matt C. Estep of Boone NC. Also a beloved member of a much larger family, Mary will always be a part of the Butts family, the Zerucha/Karatan family, the Neufeld/Cartaya-Marin family, and the Williams/Moser family, all of Boone, NC and her family of past students and colleagues in the Department of Biology.

The “Connell Family” will receive friends for a celebration of Mary’s life at Hampton Funeral Home (Boone) on Friday, January 9, 2015 at 2pm.

Please send flowers to Hampton’s or make donations in Mary’s name to the Nature Conservancy, at www.nature.org

Online condolences may be sent to the “Connell Family” at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

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

Dirk Joseph Krause (Jan. 21, 1963 – Dec.30, 2014) 

Dirk Joseph Krause, 51, of Chase Hill Drive, Boone, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014 at his residence.

Krause
Krause

Dirk was born Jan. 21, 1963 in Omaha, Nebraska, a son of the late Aloysius Raymond Krause and Janet Thelma Hunter Krause. He was a General Contractor, and a member of Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church.

Dirk was a courageous, selfless, kindhearted man who understood the value of hard work but also enjoyed the thrill of adventure. From the first snowfall to fireworks on the fourth of July, he found joy in the simple things.

When once asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, he simply answered “a shepherd.” What he didn’t realize was that during the course of his life, he had already fulfilled that goal. Like a shepherd tending to his flock, he always sought to guide and mentor those around him. He embraced any opportunity to help those in need through a kind act, an encouraging word or a listening ear. But his greatest gift of all was his unconditional love – a love reflected through his children, his poetry and his extraordinary walk with God.

Dirk is survived by his wife, Sandy Krause of the home; two daughters, Jamie Bemmes and Jodi Krause; two sons, Chase Krause and Ben Lloyd; one granddaughter, Hannah Cook; one grandson, D.J. Cook; four sisters, Debbie Wilcox and husband Dan, Deanna Krause and husband Tim Wemple, Denice Medlin and husband Fred, and Dory Franklin and husband Col. Donald Franklin; and four brothers, Doug Krause, Danny Krause and wife Deb, David Krause, and Derek Krause and wife Jennifer. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Joseph Krause, a sister Dawne, and a niece Desiree.

A Funeral Mass for Dirk Joseph Krause will be held Saturday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2015 at 2 p.m. at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church. Officiating will be Father Dave Brzoska. Graveside services and burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2 p.m., at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospitality House of Boone, Post Office Box 309, Boone, North Carolina 28607, or to Watauga County Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 33DTS, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

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

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

Bob was born Oct. 23, 1929, in Durham, N.C., a son of the late Ivey Vann Poe and Lottie Victoria Dickerson Poe.

Poe
Poe

He coached football, taught math and physical education for many years at Watauga High School until he retired in 1987. Bob was a long-time member of Alliance Bible Fellowship and the Gideons International. Bob served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict as a radar operator on the U.S.S. Renshaw and the U.S.S. Stembel.

Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Frank Gragg Poe of the home; one daughter, Mari Lesniak and husband Mick of Fayetteville; one son, Brad Poe of High Point; three granddaughters, Stephanie Durham and husband Robert, and Brittney Poe, all of Hickory, and Lela Lesniak of Fayettville; one grandson, Christopher Poe of Hickory; one sister, Mary Elliott of Pittsboro, and a daughter-in-law, Denise Poe of Hickory. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Stephen Vann Poe, and a number of brothers and sisters.

Memorial services for Robert A. “Bob” Poe will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Jan. 3, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Scott Andrews. Military honors, provided by American Legion Post 130, will follow.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, following the memorial service, at Hampton Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alliance Bible Fellowship Building Fund, 1035 NC Highway 105 Bypass, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to Gideons International, Boone Camp, PO Box 3602, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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