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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 22, 2013

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 22, 2013

J.B. South, D. Oct. 21, 2013

South
South

J.B. South, Sr., age 66, of East Ridge Drive, Boone, peacefully returned to be with God, Monday morning, October 21, 2013, at his home.

J.B. was born June 10, 1947 in Watauga County, the son of Lovill and Eulla Potter South. He received his BS degree from Appalachian State University in 1969. J.B. was a Real Estate Broker and Developer. He was also a public school teacher and coach in addition to being a co-owner of South’s Clothiers for 30 years. J.B. was a loving husband, father, and grandfather who enjoyed traveling, biking, and camping.

J.B. is survived by his wife of 44 years, Lou Ella South of Boone; one son, John Barton South, Jr. and wife Kirstin of Raleigh; one daughter, Shannon South and husband Pete Sansbury of Asheville; one granddaughter, Aleah Seay of Asheville; two grandsons, Finely and Carson South, both of Raleigh; one sister-in-law, Loretta Elliot of Winston-Salem; two aunts, Jean McCoy and husband Reverend Herbert McCoy of Todd, and Trudy Orr of Knoxville, Tennessee, and one uncle, Walt Potter of Florida.

Funeral services for J.B. South, Sr. will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, October 23, 2013, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:30 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Herbert McCoy. Entombment will be in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 12:30 until 1:30, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, North Carolina, 28607, or to a charity of the donors choice.

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

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

Randal Becker, D. Oct. 21, 2013

Dr. Randal L. Becker, son of Lois and the late Melvin Becker of Pekin, Illinois, died on Monday, October 21, 2013, at his mountain home in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

Randal BeckerHe is survived by his mother, Lois; his wife of nine years, Margaret Taylor Derrick-Becker; a brother, Donald and his wife Linda; a daughter, Margaret Becker Arnett of Decatur, Georgia; a son, David and his wife Staci of Cedar Falls, Iowa; three grandchildren, Christian, Anna, and Carson Becker, and a stepson, James Reed Derrick of Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Randal was a 1962 graduate of PCHS in Pekin. He completed bachelor and master’s degrees at Illinois State University and an Educational Doctorate at Loyola of Chicago. He dedicated his life to education handicapped children, first as a teacher, and then as a university professor for eighteen years. He was named Faculty of the Year at two universities, Outstanding Special Educator from the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), and as authority in Who’s Who in Special Education. He served as Illinois State President for the CEC Chapter for Specific Learning Disabilities; Vice President of the Iowa CEC; Vice President and President of the South Carolina Teacher Education Division; and member of the Higher Education Advisory Committee advising Illinois and South Carolina State Boards of Education. Randal was also a consultant to the writing committee during the preparation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. He was a frequent keynote speaker or presenter at state and national conferences, and published various papers.

Any memorials you wish to make could be made to Randal’s favorite charities (Special Olympics or the Humane Society) or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to the Becker family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service, in Boone, North Carolina, is in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Louise Tester, D. Oct. 16, 2013

Helen Louise Gainous Tester, age 89, of Vilas, passed away Wednesday, October l6th, 2013 at Watauga Medical Center. 

Tester
Tester

Louise was a devoted military wife who faithfully cared for four children while her husband was frequently assigned overseas. She was a loving, generous lady who always put other people first. 

 She loved her God, country, family, travel, cooking delicious recipes, gardening, making rugs, and singing gospel hymns. She and her husband Louis shared their final years together in Largo, FL and their summer home on Bethel Road in Sugar Grove, NC.

 Although she struggled in the final years of her life with the cruel symptoms of dementia, she always maintained her dignity and love for others. Louise will always be sorely missed by all who knew and loved her. Mrs. Tester is survived by her children, Lana Tester of Vilas and Carol Owens and husband, David, of Friendswood, TX, and Albert Tester and wife Susan of Ringgold, Ga., and Larry Tester of Walhalla, SC; four grandchildren, Kelly White, Robin Dixon, Caitlin Goins and Louis Robert Tester; five great-grandchildren, Allison Nagle, Tyler and Tanner Goins, Lainey and Alexis Dixon, and baby girl Goins; and four sisters, Ouida Dow of Panama City, Fl., Christelle Mills of Nashville, TN, Annelle Champion of Waynesboro, Tn., and Billie Scott of Bloomington, Ill. 

 She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Albert Tester, two sisters, Kathryn Connell and Carolyn Gainous, and her parents, Henry and Launa Morrison Gainous. 

 Funeral services for Louise G. Tester will be private. 

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

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