The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland
Sylvia Jean Presnell Canter
May 1, 1941 ~ March 18, 2026
Sylvia Jean (Presnell) Canter, 84, of Boone, North Carolina, went home to Heaven on March 18, 2026 surrounded by her family.
Jean was born in Bristol, Virginia to Ruby and Spencer Presnell and raised in a Christian home where her love for gospel music began. She went on to become a respected gospel singer and songwriter, touching many lives through her songs. She believed that if she could bless even one person with her song, it was the greatest accolade she could receive – a reflection of her humble spirit and deep faith. She was a lifelong member of West View Baptist Church where she loved singing in the choir.
She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ruby and Spencer Presnell, brothers Albert Presnell and Chris Presnell, and her dear son Mark Steven Canter.
Jean is survived by one sister, Rita Jones (Gary) her brother Danny Presnell both of Boone and her loving children Kimberly Hall of Boone and Lori Brainard (David) of Phoenix, Arizona. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Jessica Salyers (Josh) of Elk Grove, California, Joshua Munday of San Francisco, California, Leah of Tucson, Arizona, and Caleb Brainard (Michelle) of Phoenix, Arizona as well as her great grandchildren whom she called her babies, Jackson and Ellie Salyers of Elk Grove, California, several nieces and nephews, and dear friends.
Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026 at West View Baptist Church in Boone, NC from 2:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m., followed by a Celebration of Life Service at 3:00 p.m.. Burial will follow in the West View Baptist Church Cemetery. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital online, by mail or by phone: https://www.stjude.org/donate, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, 800-805-5856
Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Canter family.
Kenneth William Church, Sr.
November 17, 1938 ~ March 19, 2026
Kenneth William Church Sr. of Watauga County, passed away on March 19, 2026, at the age of 87. Born to Charlie and Edith Church, Kenneth had a lifelong passion for working with equipment, a love that led him to a career as a truck driver and heavy equipment operator. Kenneth was also an avid car racing enthusiast, and his love for the sport brought him much joy over the years.
Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Dean Church.
He is survived by his daughter, Carol Cruse (Eddie); sons, Kenny Church and Robert Church Regina); his sister, Linda Trexler; grandchildren, Angela Church, Lea Church, Steven Church; and two great grandchildren
.
There will be no services held at this time. Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Church family.
Annie Ruth Goad
October 8, 1933 ~ March 20, 2026
Annie Ruth McDaniel Goad, 92, passed away Friday, March 20 at Deerfield Ridge Assisted Living in Boone.
Born on October 8, 1933 in Lunenburg County, Virginia to Rora Smith McDaniel and Pearl Barker McDaniel, she spent the majority of her adult life in Greensboro, NC moving to Deerfield Ridge in September, 2022. Known for her spunk and sense of humor, she will be dearly missed by all of those who loved her.
Annie was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Tillman Goad, Jr. Sisters Dorothy Hodges, Noreen Pritchett and infant sister Edna McDaniel. Brothers Howard, Harry, Herman, Hubert and Harding McDaniel. Infant great-grandaugter Madison Ayers.
She is survived by her daughter Cheryl Martin (Wallace) of Boone. Grandchildren Candace Ayers (Adam) of Zionville and James Martin (Lisa) of Kingsport, TN. Great Grandchildren Bailey Ayers (Alayna), Makenzie Martin, Savannah Martin, Shayna Watt, Cayden Watt and Keyton Watt. Great-great grandchildren Charleigh Carlista Ayers and Dawson Watt. She is also survived by several special nieces and nephews.
The family of Annie would like to express our deepest gratitude to the staff of Deerfield Ridge, Medi-Home Health and Hospice, and all her friends at Deerfield Ridge for their loving care and friendship to our mother and grandmother over the last few years. To the friends of our community who loved her, we appreciate your kindness and love shown to her. The love, laughs, friendship and compassion so freely given to Annie will forever be remembered.
No services are scheduled at this time.
Online condolences may be made at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Goad family.
Janeeta Gean Smith
June 21, 1933 ~ March 21, 2026
Janeeta Gean Smith went to be with her Lord and Savior on March 21, 2026. She was born on June 21, 1933 to parents John & Lillie Smith. Janeeta was raised in Watauga County but spent most of her life in Lenoir, NC.
She was a registered nurse and started her career working for Dr. Hadley Wilson. From there she moved to Lenoir and worked at different hospitals and a nursing home. She loved caring for the elderly.
Janeeta loved the outdoors and caring for the many pets she had.
After many health problems Janeeta was moved to Glenbridge Health and Rehab where she made many friends. She was like a grandma to many. She was very independent and did a lot for herself. She became friends with many patients and workers.
Many thanks to the workers at Glenbridge for their care and being friends with Janeeta and Amorem Hospice for all their compassion and care they gave to her.
Janeeta was preceded in death by her parents, John & Lillier Smith; sisters, Mildred Tester and Peggy Adams; and her brothers Homer Smith, Ray Smith, Wintford Smith, Ed Smith, and Johnnie Smith.
She is survived by her sister, Wanda Hughes and many nieces and nephews whom she loved.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday March 24, 2026 from 10:30 AM until 11:00 AM at Clarks Creek Baptist Church with the Funeral Service Starting at 11:00 AM with David Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Clark’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Smith family.
Joshua Thomas “Josh” Herman
January 5, 1977 – March 14, 2026
Joshua Thomas Herman, age 49, of Banner Elk passed away at home on March 14, 2026. He was born Jan 5, 1977.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Jessica Anne Hicks, father, Thomas Martin Herman, and grandfather, John Benjamin Hicks, and grandparents Kenneth and Reba Herman.
He is survived by his daughter Lily Herman “Nil”, his siblings Jennifer Anne Dress (Josh), Heidi Cathleen Rankhorn (Chris), Brandon Herman (Jenny), Josie Jennings (Zach), Matthew Williams (Heather). His nieces and nephews, “Uncle” Haley Rankhorn, Johnathan Rankhorn (Dacey), Trevor Rankhorn, Olivia Jennings, Scarlett Jennings, and Mason Jennings. Stepfather Greg Williams (Alice), Grandmother Marie Leach Hicks, Step grandparents Curtis Williams (Johnnie) and Portia Hicks, and several uncles, aunts, cousins and close friends. He was like a brother to all that knew him. Josh never met a stranger and he is truly missed.
There will be a “Celebration of Life” scheduled Monday, March 23 at the Valle Crucis Apple Barn from 5pm to 9pm. All are welcome.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service in charge of the arrangements.
Chasity Hope Mast Morrison
October 16, 1975 – March 20, 2026
Chasity Hope Mast Morrison age 50 of Deep Gap passed away Friday March 20, 2026, in Valdese.
She was born on October 16, 1975, in Boone, a daughter of Manley and Phylis Matheson Mast.
Chasity was a very loving & compassionate person who went out of her way to help anyone. A loving mother, wife and grandmother, she was family oriented. She was a best friend to all who knew her. A beautiful soul who will be greatly missed.
In addition to her father and mother she is survived by one son Manley Dylan Morrison and wife Bridgett, one stepdaughter Ashley Shae Morrison, one sister Christina Dawn Mast, two granddaughters Hattie and Presley Morrison, one niece, Ashley Brooke Mast and one great-niece Hayley Jayden Mast.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 25, 2026 from 1:00 until 2:00 at Hampton Funeral Service in Boone. A service of remembrance will follow at 2:00.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hampton Funeral Service to help with expenses.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service in charge of the arrangements.
Thomas Stephen Gizinski
January 17, 1952 – March 19, 2026
Thomas Stephen Gizinski died on March 19th after a sudden illness. He brought so much light and love into our lives and he will be deeply missed. Tom was born on January 17th,1952 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Tom hated the first grade. He was famous for hiding in a field every day instead of attending class. As the other children started home at the end of the day, he joined them as if he were a model student. This early truancy would surprise the many students who learned from him and loved him during his career teaching fifth and sixth grade math and science at Nations Ford and Elizabeth Lane Elementary Schools in Charlotte/Mecklenburg for over 25 years.
He loved sports, playing basketball and baseball in his youth and cheering for the Tar Heels at every opportunity. Tom attended Brevard College and worked for a few years before deciding he wanted to teach. He worked his way through the University of North Carolina Charlotte, where he earned his teaching degree.
Shortly after beginning his teaching career, he spied another teacher at his school who was always early to arrive. On the day he decided to ask her out, she was late to school and he missed his chance. Undaunted, he wrote a note asking her to dinner, stapled it closed and sent one of his students to hand deliver the request. On November 22nd, 1986, the math teacher married the kindergarten teacher, Susan Lewis Howell.
After both Susan and Tom retired from teaching, they moved to a mountaintop in Vilas, North Carolina. Tom continued sharing his gift of teaching by volunteering at Crossnore Children’s Home, becoming so invaluable that he was hired to the position. They have been cherished members of Banner Elk Christian Fellowship, where they taught Sunday School for many years and where Tom served as an Elder.
Tom was the precious third son of Margaret and Edward Gizinski, and grew up in a lively home with three brothers and one sister. He is survived by his beloved wife, Susan, his sons Joe and Graham, his granddaughters Zoe, Eva and Gissel, his brother Richard (Clara), his brother Mike (Linda), his brother Don (Ruth) and his sister Susan (Jimmy) and many nieces and nephews.
Everyone who knew Tom was very familiar with his corny jokes. If you asked him the cause of his death, he would have told you “shortness of breath”, a quip he inherited from Susan’s father. He loved to make the people he loved laugh, and groan. He will continue to make us all smile, as we remember how much we loved him.
Join us in celebrating Tom’s life on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at 11am at Banner Elk Christian Fellowship, 140 Woods Lane, Banner Elk, reception to follow.
If you would like to remember Tom with a memorial gift, please consider a donation to Banner Elk Christian Fellowship or High Country Young Life
High Country Young Life:https://giving.younglife.org/s/?GiftType=Area&Name=highcountry&AppealCodeId=70141000000
Banner Elk Christian Fellowship: https://www.becf.org/give
Online condolences may be sent to the Gizinski family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Isaac Peter Henley
August 21, 1931 – March 16, 2026
Isaac Peter “Pete” Henley was born on August 21, 1931, in Linville, North Carolina, to the late Donald Henley Sr. and Agnes Forbes Henley. He passed away at the age of 94 on Monday, March 16, 2026, surrounded by family and loved ones.
Pete was a graduate of Newland High School in 1949 and went on to attend Lees-McRae College and Mars Hill College. He proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and later enjoyed a long career in sales with ConAgra Foods, before retiring. A man of strong faith, Pete was also a devoted member of West Asheville Baptist Church, where he faithfully served as a deacon. He lived in Asheville, North Carolina, for 60 years before moving back to Linville in 2019.
Pete is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary Helen Hughes Henley; three children, Terri Henley McKinney (Vic), Patti Henley Payne (Mike), and Mike Henley (Vanessa); and bonus daughter, Debbie Carter. He was a proud grandfather of Jordan Michael Payne (Amy), Jared Stuart Payne (Morgan), Jacob Isaac Payne, Erin Vanessa Herman, Mara Herman Watts (Adam), Haley Herman Greene (Richard), Sophia Hope Henley, and Sara Maria Henley. He is also survived by a host of great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, sisters, Mary Gaddy, Esther Henley, and Priscilla Meyers (Carl); and his brother, Dan Henley (Jan).
In addition to his parents, Pete was preceded in death by his brothers, David, Donald Jr., Rufus, Chris, and Nathan Henley; his sisters, Martha (Henley) Jackson and Dorcas (Henley) Bortolamedi; and his son-in-law, David Keith Herman.
Pete’s family and friends are eternally grateful for the extraordinary care provided by the Amorem Hospice nurses and staff and Pete’s personal caregiver, Lisa Gaddy.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 -2:00 pm on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at the First Baptist Church Newland. The funeral service will begin at 2:00 pm with Dr. Bill Jones officiating.
Graveside services will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorials should be made to Reach for Independence in honor of Erin Herman, Pete’s granddaughter, 11 Hooper’s Creek Fletcher, NC 28732
The care of Pete and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.
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