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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 21, 2014

John Dennis Dodson, Jr. (Feb. 26, 1939 – Oct. 20, 2014) 

John Dennis Dodson, Jr., 75, of Seven Oaks Road in Boone, passed away Monday morning, Oct. 20, 2014, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Funeral arrangements for John Dennis Dodson, Jr. are incomplete at this time.

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

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

Floyd Ramsey (Oct. 26, 1932 – Oct. 19, 2014)

Ramsey
Ramsey

Floyd H. Ramsey, 81, of Chime Hill Lane, Banner Elk, passed away Sunday afternoon, Oct. 19, 2014, at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.

Mr. Ramsey was born Oct. 26, 1932, in Avery County, a son of the late Edgar E. Ramsey and Polly Smith Ramsey. He served with the US Army, 2nd Infantry, in the Korean War. Mr. Ramsey was chief of radiology at Cannon Memorial Hospital for more than 35 years. He was a Fraser fir Christmas tree farmer, charter member of Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department, past president of Banner Elk Kiwanis Club and served on Banner Elk Town Council for many years. Mr. Ramsey was an avid golfer at Mountain Glen Golf Course and a die-hard Tarheel fan. He was an alumnus of Lees-McRae College. Mr. Ramsey was a lifetime member of Arbor Dale Presbyterian Church. Like his father and grandfather before him, he was deeply committed to the welfare of the church, both its members and its building. He served as an elder and on many committees.

Mr. Ramsey is survived by his wife, Dorothy Evelyn Smith Ramsey of the home; one daughter, Diann Ramsey Godley and husband Al of Raleigh; one son, Floyd Scott Ramsey and wife Barbett; of Raleigh; five grandchildren, Laura Elizabeth Godley, Brittany Alexandra Godley, William Alphus Godley III, Evie Grace Ramsey and Ayla Blake Ramsey, all of Raleigh; one brother, Bob Ramsey and wife Helen of Banner Elk, and two sisters, Betty McKinney of Marion, and Helen Nantz and husband Dana “Roy” of Shelby. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Ramsey Younce, and one brother, Lloyd T. Ramsey.

Funeral services for Floyd H. Ramsey will be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 22, 2014, at Arbor Dale Presbyterian Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Thomas Gatewood and Pastor Timothy Ramsey. Military graveside rites and burial will follow in the Smith Cemetery.

A nursery for children will be provided at the church during the funeral service.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Julia Ramsey Scholarship Fund, in care of Arbor Dale Presbyterian Church, PO Box 235, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604.

Online condolences may be sent to the Ramsey family by clicking to www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

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

Paul Vaughn Berry (Feb. 7, 1931 – Oct. 16, 2014)

Paul Vaughn Berry, 83, of Blowing Rock, passed away Thursday afternoon, Oct. 16, 2014, at his home.

Berry
Berry

Paul Vaughn Berry was born in Nashville, Tenn. on Feb. 7, 1931. He spent his formative years at the Baptist Children’s Home in Thomasville, North Carolina. He was mentored and fostered by Guy Augustus Berry and Irene Agee Berry of Greensboro. After graduating from Greensboro Senior High School, he joined the US Navy, attended Mars Hill College and graduated from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J., receiving a Bachelor of Music Degree. He furthered his education at the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, Mass. In 1956, he attended The Academy of Music in Vienna, Austria, where he studied voice, opera, and dramatics. He performed in the Vienna Philharmonic and The Boston Symphony.

Upon returning to Greensboro, he joined Guy Berry in running Berry’s, Inc., the Mercedes and Studebaker Dealership. Active in the musical life of the city, he was a tenor soloist at the First Baptist Church and West Market Methodist Church.

In 1964, he and his family moved to Wilson, where he purchased the Chevrolet dealership. He owned and operated Paul Berry Chevrolet and Capital Toyota until his retirement in 2006. He was also active in real estate and land development.

He was a member of the First Methodist Church, where he sang in the choir. He served on the boards of Greensboro Automobile Association, The Lyric Theatre of Greensboro, The NC Automobile Association, The NC Auto Dealers Reinsurance Board, and the Chevrolet Motor Division Dealers Council. In addition, he served as state officer of the NC Automobile Association.

Active in community affairs as well, he served on the Board of First United Methodist Church, The Chamber of Commerce, The Planning Board of Wilson, The board of directors of First Union National Bank, and was instrumental in the City of Wilson’s Paul Berry Hickory Grove Park.

Surviving is his sweetheart, Ann Marie Mazur-Clark of Blowing Rock; son, Mark Connelly Berry of New Bern; daughter, Vaughn Berry Daniel of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; son, Bryan Edmonds Berry (Lisa) of Wilson; grandchildren, Ryan Lawrence Berry, Adam Wright Berry, Mary Rome Vaughn Daniel, Miller Edmonds Berry and Helen Reynolds Berry; uncle, Henry Smith (Jean) of Lenoir; and Ms. Mazur-Clark’s sons, Michael Joseph and Mark Lee Mazur of Birmingham, Ala.

A memorial service for Paul Berry will be held Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 21, 2014, at 2 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilson. Officiating will be Reverend Tom Watkins.

The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club of Wilson, North Carolina, PO Box 96, Wilson, North Carolina, 27894.

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

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

Derek Cooke (April 20, 1972 – Oct. 14, 2014) 

Derek Cooke, 42, of Charlotte, a native and former resident of Boone, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014.

Cooke
Cooke

Derek was born April 20, 1972 in Watauga County, a son of Butch and Lynn Andrews Cooke. Derek was the very best father, husband, son and brother. His children were the most important thing in his life. He loved his family immensely. He was a master chef, abstract artist (painter), music lover, comedian at all times and unconditional giver and lover to all of his family and friends.

Derek is survived by his wife, Cameron Silver Cooke of the home; a son, Sam Cooke and a daughter, Savannah Cooke, both of the home; his father and mother, Butch and Lynn Andrews Cooke of Trade, Tenn., and Little River, S.C.; one brother, Andy Cooke, of Boone; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Steve and Stuart Silver of Boone; two brothers-in-law, Athen Silver and wife Hilary of Foscoe; and Steven Silver and wife Angela of Boone. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Funeral mass for Derek Cooke will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Oct. 18, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Saint Elizabeth Catholic Church. The body will lie state, at the church, from 1 to 2 p.m. Officiating will be Reverend Dave Brzoska. Burial will follow in the Reece Cemetery.

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

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Sam and Savannah Cooke Education Fund, in care of Cameron Cooke, 7226 Quail Ridge Drive, Charlotte, North Carolina 28226.

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

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

Teresa Kelly Bryant (Jan. 7, 1963 – Oct. 14, 2014) 

Teresa Kelly Bryant, 51, of John Alley Road, Lansing, went to be with the Lord Tuesday morning, Oct. 14, 2014.

Bryant
Bryant

Teresa Kelly was born Jan. 7, 1963 in Watauga County, a daughter of Terry and Alma Faye Teague Bryant. All that knew her called her ‘Kelly’ and were always enlightened in her presence. She was forever with a smile on her face and always liked to make people laugh.

Kelly is survived by her sister, Vickie Carroll of Boone; two sons, Dylan Proffitt and Daniel Greer, both of Boone; the love of her life, Steve Bennett of Lansing; nephew, Brian Smith of Boone; and a number of cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Terry and Alma Faye Bryant; sister, Paula Bryant; and brother-in-law, Buddy Carroll.

A gathering of close family and friends, officiated by Rev. Bryan Smith, will be private. The family will be at the home of her sister, Vickie Smith Carroll, 2964 Old 421 South, Boone.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Post Office Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058.

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

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

Nathan Daniel Peurifoy (May 4, 1988 – Oct. 13, 2014)

Peurifoy
Peurifoy

Mr. Nathan Daniel Peurifoy, 26, passed away in Canton on Monday, Oct. 13, 2014.

He is survived by his parents, Robert and Virginia Peurifoy of Boone and sister Rebekah Peurifoy of Anderson, S.C. and by many aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Celebration of the Life of Nathan Daniel Peurifoy will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2014, at FaithBridge United Methodist Church in Blowing Rock.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the Christian Training Center International, 234 Watchman Lane, Franklin, NC 28734.

Dorothy Helen Manes (Feb. 6, 1918 – Oct. 13, 2014)

Dorothy Helen Manes, 96, of Winter Park, Fla., formerly of Boone, N.C., passed away on Oct. 13, 2014.

She was born to the late O.C. and Helen St. John in Petoskey, Mich. on Feb. 6, 1918, the second youngest of four children. She was preceded in her passing by her first husband, Clyde N. Armstrong, who died during WWII; her late husband, Harold L. Manes; daughter Mary Manes Marchetti; brothers Roger L. St. John and Warren St. John (Helen); and her sister Marion Moran (Jack).

She is survived by her daughter, Barbara J. Payne (Bill) of Boone, N.C.; grandchildren, William M. Payne of Winter Springs, Fla., Susan M. Puckett (Jason) of Winter Garden, Fla., and Lisa Randa (Burke) of Oviedo, Fla.; great-grandchildren, Taylor G. and Lane Randa of Oviedo, Fla.; as well as her sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014, at Baldwin Fairchild Apopka, 601 N. Park Ave., Apopka, FL 32712, followed by burial at Edgewood Greenwood Cemetery, Apopka, Fla.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Dorothy to VITAS Hospice.

Jean Bolick Clawson (July 13, 1915 – Oct. 12, 2014) 

Clawson
Clawson

Jean Bolick Clawson, 99, a long time resident of Blowing Rock, died Sunday, Oct. 12, 2014, at the Lady Lake Specialty Care Center in Lady Lake, Florida.

Jean was born on July 13, 1915 in Arkansas, and along with her sister Lillian, was orphaned at a young age by the death of her mother and her father’s illness. She was raised by various relatives and finished high school in Arkansas while living with her paternal grandmother. After her high school graduation, she moved to North Carolina to live with her Aunt and Uncle, Knute and Ada Clark to attend Wingate College (later Wingate University). Jean’s Uncle Knute was a Methodist Minister, thus giving her the opportunity to grow her faith into the strength that led her through many struggles in her life.

Jean held many jobs after moving to North Carolina. She worked as a teacher for adults learning to read and later moved to Statesville and took a position with the Statesville Theater Corporation, which brought her to Blowing Rock where she ran the Yonalossee Theater located on Main Street. Her next job was to work for the Post Office in Blowing Rock where she first met Grover Robbins and accepted a position working for the Robbins Corporation during the time of the establishment of Tweetsie Railroad, Hound Ears Club and Beech Mountain. After many years with the Robbins Corporation, she worked for eighteen years before retiring with the Watauga County Schools Administrative Office.

After her formal retirement, Jean worked for two shops in Blowing Rock – first, Over the Top, and second, Almost Rodeo Drive, until she finally fully retired in her early eighties. After retirement, Jean continued to enjoy weekly Bridge games and Bingo outings with her circle of friends, as well as Lottery scratch-offs, which were great fun for her. She never met a stranger and was a joy to all who knew her.

Jean lived these last two years with her son David and daughter-in-law, Valerie in The Villages, Fla.

Jean also was fully vested in her faith and in her church – Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock – where she had been an active member since the early 1940’s. She served as one of the first female deacons at Rumple, and was later elected as an elder. She also served as the Church Secretary for a time and served as the Church Treasurer for many years. She was very active in teaching Sunday School in her younger years, worked with the youth programs when her children were young, was a life-long member of women’s groups at Church, and received the Presbyterian Women’s Lifelong Membership Award in 1998.

Mrs. Clawson is survived by a son, David Bolick and wife Valerie of the Villages, Fla.; a daughter, Jane Bolick Rogers of Blowing Rock; a granddaughter, Dr. Sarah Scherger, M.D. and husband Luke of Dodge Center, Minn.; and a great-grandson, Noah Samuel Scherger.

She was preceded in death by her husband of twenty-five years, Arnold Bolick; her parents; and her sister, Lillian.

Memorial services for Jean Bolick Clawson will be conducted Saturday morning, Oct. 25, 2014, at 11 a.m., at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock. Officiating will be Reverend Lynn Stall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Music Program at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, Post Office Box 393, Blowing Rock, North Carolina, 28605, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

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

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