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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 4, 2014

Henry T. Hicks (July 1, 1927 – Nov. 2, 2014) 

Hicks
Hicks

Henry Talbert Hicks, 87, of Laurel Creek Road in Banner Elk passed away Sunday morning, Nov. 2, 2014, at home.

Born July 1, 1927, in Watauga County, he was a son of the late William W. and Phronia Presnell Hicks. Hicks attended Presnell’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church and was a retired sawyer and heavy equipment operator. He was a wonderful daddy, papaw and friend. Henry loved being outside and enjoying God’s beautiful creations.

He is survived by three daughters, Lula Lawrence and husband Tom of Sugar Grove, Caroline Blackburn and husband Mike of Boone, and Lois Hicks and husband Larry of Bluff City, Tenn., one daughter-in-law, Margie Jackson of Lake Lure, 10 grandchildren; Monique, Scott (Teresa), Tammy (Johnny), Jackie (Gus), Aaron (Leslie), Daniel (Jennifer), Isaac (Suzanne), Sam, Marinda (Grady) and Jared (Crystal), 12 great grandchildren; Josh, Ashley, Paola, Maria, Maggie, Grant, Gracie, Gabby, Parker, Kara, Charlotte, and Ava, three sisters, Grace Ward and husband Aris of Roan Mountain, Tenn., Ida Lael of Hays, and Betty Jo Lael and husband Sonny of Spotsylvania, Va., and special friends and neighbors, Sandra Coffman, Eric and Carol Harmon and Suzanne Murphy.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Louvenia Hicks, one son, Perry Hicks, a great grandson, Kenneth Oliver Blackburn, three brothers, Art, Melvin and Scenter Hicks, and one sister, Gladys Ward.

Funeral services for Hicks will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Presnell’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church. Officiating will be Elder John Jackson and Rev. Daniel Lawrence. Burial will follow in the Hicks Family Cemetery on Andy Hicks Road in Banner Elk.

The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon prior to the service from 1 to p.m. at Presnell’s Chapel Primitive 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.

Myrtle Jean Shumate Bledsoe (June 11, 1928 – Nov. 1, 2014) 

Bledsoe
Bledsoe

Myrtle Jean Shumate Bledsoe, 86, of Todd, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014 at her residence.

Bledsoe was born June 11, 1928, a daughter of the late Manley Shumate and Laurie Mullis Shumate. She was a homemaker, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Bledsoe is survived by four daughters Carol Thompson of Booneville, Brenda Wagner of Mocksville, Helen Cobb and Eva Davis, both of Todd; two sons, Eddie Bledsoe and wife Marlene of Yadkinville, and Curtis Bledsoe and wife Paula of California; 13 grandchildren and 23 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, Claude Richard Bledsoe; two sisters, Bertha Baker and Clara Sawyer; one brother, Garland Shumate; three grandchildren, Timothy Bledsoe, Kenneth L. Bledsoe and Michelle Barker; and a special nephew, Robin Bledsoe.

Funeral services for Bledsoe will be conducted Thursday afternoon, Nov. 6, 2014, 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 Reverend David Cooper and Reverend Ed Hall. Burial will following in the Woodford Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 1 to 2 p.m., prior to the service, at Hampton Funeral Service.

The family expresses thanks to Mrs. Bledsoe’s caregivers, Karen Arnold and a niece, Suzy Hines.

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

Marie Combs Henson (Jan. 20, 1930 – Nov. 1, 2014) 

Marie Combs Henson, 84, of Deerfield Road, Boone, and formerly of the Beaver Dam Community, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014.

Born Jan. 20, 1930, in Watauga County, she was a daughter of Charles Newton and Viola Eller Combs. Marie was a member of Boone Baptist Church. She loved her family, her community and her church. Marie was an active farmer at the family farm in Beaver Dam since 1952, until her health began to decline. During the later years, she had time to love and enjoy her family, especially her great-grandchildren.

Henson is survived by her daughter, Wanda Taylor and husband, Joe, of Boone; two grandchildren, JoAnna Wayt and husband, Charles, of Lansing, and John Taylor and wife, Kimberly, of Foscoe; two great-grandchildren, Chloe Wayt of Lansing and Aaron Taylor of Foscoe; sisters, Roberta Blair and husband, Rev. A B Blair, of Benson, Ariz., Nora Combs of Canyon, Tex., Louise Barrett of Boone, and Barbara McGuire and husband, Wesley, of Zionville; brothers, Lewis Combs and wife, Lena, and Steve Combs and wife, Linda, all of Vilas; and sister-in-law, Jeannie Henson of Zionville. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, George Thurman Wilson; second husband, John Dana Henson; sons, infant George Wilson, Ron Henson and Harold Henson; sisters, Infant Patsy Lou Combs, Blanch Ivy and Sarah Patrick; brother, Tommy Combs; and a special friend, Howard Henson.

Funeral services will be conducted Monday, Nov. 3, at 1 p.m. at Boone Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Kenny Newberry and Rev. A B Blair. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 12 to 1 p.m., one hour prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow in the Forest Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family suggests memorials to Forest Grove Cemetery Fund, in care of Charles Isaacs, 775 Forest Grove Rd., Vilas, NC 28692, or to the Boone Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 2058, Boone, NC 28607.

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

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

Opal E. Greene (July 28, 1920 – Oct. 29, 2014) 

Greene
Greene

Opal Eggers Greene, 94, of Springfield Road, Vilas, the Beaver Dam Community, passed away Wednesday morning, Oct. 29, 2014, at her home. Born July 28, 1920 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late James and Lela Cook Eggers. Mrs. Greene was a homemaker and a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church.

She is survived by four sons, Edwin Greene and wife, Blanda, of Vilas, Gale Greene of Zionville, Junior Greene and wife, Audrey, of Vilas, and Gerald Greene and wife, Karin, of Vilas, 9 grandchildren; Ritchie Greene and wife, Carol, Tammy Greene, Angela Brown and husband, Greg, Anita Greene and husband ,William, Keith Greene and wife, Kelly, Byron Greene and wife, Nikki, Wendell Greene and wife, Carla, Michael Greene and wife, Cheryl, and Sabina Norris and husband, Eric, 22 great grandchildren and 8 great-great grandchildren, one sister, Ruth Reese and husband C.B. and one sister-in-law, Margaret Eggers, all of Vilas.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Vaughn Greene, two brothers, Woodrow and Jake Eggers, and two sisters, Ina Wilson and Ona Eggers.

Funeral services for Greene will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Michael Greene and Rev. Ethan Greene. Burial will follow in the Beaver Dam Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Beaver Dam Cemetery Fund, in care of David Scott, 3476 Mountain Dale Rd., Vilas, NC 28692.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

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

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

Ira Monroe Trivette (Dec. 19, 1930 – Oct. 29, 2014) 

Trivette
Trivette

Ira Monroe Trivette, beloved husband of Blanche Trivette for over 60 years, made his final journey to go home to be with the Lord, on Wednesday evening, Oct. 29, 2014. He was 83 years old. Born in Watauga County on Dec. 19, 1930, Ira was the son of the late Clark and Gracie Trivette.

Ira was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. His incredible generosity, love, Christian spirit, and honor were felt by all who were blessed to know him. He was a member of the Zion Hill Baptist Church and a veteran of the U.S. Army who proudly served his country during the Korean War.

Ira is survived by his loving family including his wife Blanche; daughter Mitzi Price and husband Don, daughter Tammie Jones and husband Larry; granddaughter Jennifer Price-Selgrade (Greg), granddaughter Jane Shook (Richard), grandson Chris Price (Sara), granddaughter Jacki Price-Linnartz (Isaac), grandson Chad Estep (Stephanie), grandson Kevin Estep, step-granddaughter Christie Sellers (Aaron); great-grandchildren Jasmine, Devin and Sabrina Estep, Katherine and Harrison Shook, Michael Selgrade, Brady Sellers, Ryan and Alaina Price, sisters Vada Cornett and Georgia Lunceford and brother Ray Trivette (Mildred) and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Ira was preceded in death by his brother Fred Trivette.

The Trivette Family would like to extend a special thank you for the generosity of family and friends, especially Michael Trivette and Angela Hicks for their gift of time and care during Ira’s illness.

Please join the family to remember Ira on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 2, 2014 at Zion Hill Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor David Icenhour. The receiving of family and friend will begin at 12:30 p.m. and services will begin at 2 p.m. Graveside services with Military Honors provided by American Legion Post 130 and Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90, will follow at the Trivette Family Cemetery.

The family will be receiving guests as the home of Blanche Trivette at 291 Kellersville Rd. As an alternative to flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Trivette Family Cemetery, c/o Georgia Lunceford, 216 Clark Trivette Rd., Sugar Grove, NC 28679.

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

Lloyd William Lewis (Oct.30, 1939 – Oct. 29, 2014) 

Lewis
Lewis

Lloyd William Lewis, 74, of River Rd., Todd, passed away Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014. He was a native of Watauga County and the son of the late Grover and Mary Miller Lewis. He retired from Vermont American in Boone.

He is survived by his wife, Pat Teague Lewis, son, Stanley Lewis and wife Lisa of Lenoir; daughter, Lynn Lewis Rascoe of Newport; son, David Lewis and wife Sam of Lenoir; daughter, Carol Yates of Boone; son, Randy Yates and girlfriend Kelly of Boone. Step-children, Jean Wilson of Oregon, Joann Woosley of Washington, and Bonnie Thomas of Tennessee, three sisters, Emma Gentry of Boone, Effie Hampton of Boone, Cleo Craig and husband James of Blowing Rock, nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren also survive.

He was preceded in death by a step-son, James Yates, 3 brothers, Robert, Bynum and Bobby Lewis, and a sister, Verley.

Funeral services for Lloyd William Lewis will be conducted Monday, Nov. 3, 2014 at 2 p.m. in the Austin & Barnes Chapel. Burial will follow in the Old Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to Medi-Home Health & Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, N.C. 28607. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Lewis family.