The following are recent obituary notices from Austin and Barnes and Hampton funeral homes in Boone and Reins-Sturdivant in Newland
Rena Mae (Miller) Goodman
November 9, 1939 ~ February 23, 2026
Rena Mae Miller Goodman, Age 86, of Vilas, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on February 23, surrounded by loved ones. Born on November 9, 1939, to Monroe Cottrell Miller and Estella Mae White Miller, Rena lived a life defined by extraordinary strength, compassion, and a deep devotion to her family and friends.
Upon graduation from Cove Creek High School, Class of 1958, Rena worked in retail and hospitality. She ultimately retired from Appalachian State University, where she served as a hospitality manager for the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center. Outside of work, she found joy in vegetable and flower gardening, and cooking and entertaining family and friends. But most of all she loved being a wife, mom, and nana.
Rena is survived by her husband of 65 years, Jackie Goodman, daughter Pam Goodman Houser (David), son Mark Goodman (Kelly); grandchildren Megan Goodman, Dylan Goodman (Anna), and Darren Goodman; great grandchildren Riley and Emmy, who will forever cherish her warmth, humor, and unwavering support. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Eva Nell Miller, Esther Miller, Willie Miller, Judy Greer Tisdale (Abner), and brother-in- law Melville T. Greer, Jr. (Joyce), and numerous nieces and nephews.
Rena was preceded in death by her parents and 8 siblings, Georgia Miller Hayes (Ernest), Howard Miller, Wilma Miller Greene (Fred), Jack Miller (Ruth), Bill Miller, Lewis (Lou) Miller, Virginia Miller Yates (Conley), Kermit Miller, and sister-in-law Rebekah Melba Goodman Badger.
Family requests no food. Flowers are welcome (Rena loved flowers) or make a tribute donation in her honor to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America to help fund research for treatment and a cure. (https://alzfdn.org/donate)
The Celebration of Life will be conducted in the Chapel at Austin and Barnes Funeral Home Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. The family will receive friends and family from 10:00-11:00 a.m. Saturday. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens, Boone.
Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Goodman family.
Stephen “Steve” Dane Triplett
September 9, 1943 ~ February 24, 2026
Stephen Dane ‘Steve’ Triplett, age 82, of Silverstone Road, Zionville, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026. Born September 9, 1943 in Watauga County, he was a son of Clemon and Pearl Triplett. Steve was a member of Westside Baptist Church. He retired from the residential construction business. As a youngster, Steve enjoyed pitching horseshoes and loved playing baseball, playing on the team the ‘Indians’ of the Tweetsie Baseball League. He loved to be outdoors fishing and hunting. Steve also enjoyed buying and selling antiques, but his greatest joy was helping anyone in need, always being available to lend a helping hand. His greatest accomplishment in life was being a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Steve is survived by his wife, Ardna Graybeal Triplett; sister-in-law, Lois Triplett, brother- in-law, Albert McLean, special nephew, Jerry Smith of Raleigh; numerous nieces & nephews; and his constant companion, his dog, Maxwell.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Jonathan Michael Triplett; grandson, Michael Dane Triplett; and his brothers and sisters, Gene, George, Tom and Terry Triplett, Luther Smith, Doris Yates, Shirley Watson, Jane McLean and Callie Coffey.
Funeral services for Steve Triplett will be conducted Sunday afternoon, March 1, 2026 at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Sam Lawson and Pastor David Ward. The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 1 until 2 o’clock, prior to services. Burial will follow in the Rhymer Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests no food or flowers and suggests memorials be made to
Westside Baptist Church, PO Box 142, Sugar Grove, NC 28679.
Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Triplett family.
William “Bill” Edward Horner
July 7, 1948 ~ February 25, 2026
Bill Horner died on February 25th in Boone, NC.
He was preceded in death by his father Frederick Horner in 1969 and his mother Jean Smith Horner in 2009. He is survived by his brother Peter Horner and his wife Lisa Friedmann of Germantown, MD, and his sister Judith Winecoff and her husband Timothy Winecoff of Zionville, NC. He is also survived by his niece Leaflin Winecoff and the nephews – Vaughn Winecoff and Micah Winecoff.
Bill was both on July 7th, 1948 but spent his early childhood in Springdale, CT and his teen years in Utica, NY where he was an outstanding athlete (especially in football, wrestling, track, and baseball). He attended Mohawk Valley Community College and served in the U.S. Army as a medic. After service he moved to Charlotte, NC to be closer to family. He was a long-time resident of Charlotte and employee of Old Dominion. While in Charlotte, Bill was an avid backgammon and chess player and a member of several clubs. In December of 2021 Bill suffered a stroke from which he never fully recovered. He spent his final years in the Boone area near his sister and brother-in-law.
Funeral arrangements are by Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory in Boone, NC. Remembrances can be sent to their website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
James Robert (“Bobby”) Greer
July 5, 1967 ~ February 26, 2026
James Robert ‘Bobby’ Greer, age 58, of Seven Oaks Road, Boone, passed away Thursday morning, February 26, 2026 at Forsyth Medical Center. Born July 5, 1967 in Watauga County, he was the son of James Council and Ethel Faye Cornell Geer. Bobby dearly loved his Lord, his wife, Amy and his family. He courageously battled health issues for 8 years. An outstanding and detailed painter, Bobby owned and operated his company, Greer Painting or BGP as long as his health permitted. He and his wife Amy were knowledgeable antique dealers, selling some of their collection at the Antique Mall in West Jefferson. Bobby enjoyed fishing and faithfully followed the Red Skins Football team. He dearly loved spending time reading to and playing with his great niece, Josephine.
Bobby is survived by his son, Trey Greer and significant other, Kerri McCaffrey, of Todd, his sister, Vanessa Moss and husband, Randy, of Tobaccoville; niece, Lindsey Chilton and husband, Chad, of Pilot Mountain; nephew, Dustin Bentley and wife, Samantha, of Advance; great niece, Josephine Rhodes Bentley of Advance, great niece, Cambria Chilton and great nephew, Chad Chilton, Jr., both of Pilot Mountain; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Amy Cooper Greer.
Celebration of Life services for Bobby Greer will be conducted Thursday afternoon, March 5, at 12 noon at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Mike Townsend. The family will receive friends from 11 until 12 o’clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. A family graveside service will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society,
PO Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Greer family.
Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Young
October 8, 1940 – February 26, 2026
Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Young, age 85, of Boone, NC, passed away peacefully at home on February 26, 2026, after a six-month battle with pancreatic cancer. During his fight with his illness, Larry wanted to share these special hymns.
Only a sinner saved by Grace;
Only a sinner saved by Grace;
This is my story, to God be the Glory;
I’m only a sinner saved by Grace.
(Only a Sinner by James M Gray, 1905 – Hymnary.org)
Someday life’s journey will be o’er;
And I shall reach that distant shore;
I’ll sing while entering Heaven’s door,
Jesus led me all the way.
Jesus led me all the way;
Led me step by step each day;
I will tell the saints and angels as I lay my burden down,
Jesus led me all the way.
(Jesus Led Me All the Way by John W Peterson, 1954 – Hymnary.org)
Born in Pennsylvania on October 8, 1940, to Parker and Bonnie Young, Larry became a Christian at an early age. It was his life’s mission to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He attended Buffalo Bible Institute, Columbia Bible College, and Erskine Theological University Seminary. Larry always wanted to be a missionary evangelist. He and his family served as missionaries in Mexico. He also served as a short-term missionary in the Grand Cayman Islands. Pastoring churches in Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, Larry maintained valued friendships with multiple congregants throughout his life. Larry’s passion was to serve Christ through preaching, teaching, and evangelism. Never retiring, his last 30 years of life were spent in Boone, NC, as the pastor of Brookside Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.
Larry is preceded in death by parents, Parker and Bonnie Young, son Lawrence Young Jr, and daughter Heidi Rudloff.
Larry is survived by his wife, Joyce Moretz Young; daughters Robin Young Williams (Eddie) of Rock Hill, SC; Amy Dunn (Bo) of Charlotte, NC, Sarah Block (David) of Greensboro, NC; and son, Daniel Stout of Charlotte, NC, son in law Joe Rudloff of Bryson City, NC; brothers: Gilbert Young (Sydney), Tommy Young (Flo), and John Young, and a special sister in law Renee Hudgins, in addition to multiple nieces and nephews. He is also survived by grandchildren Erika Whitmore (Ryan), Alex Mejia (Kait), Alyssa Warner (Will), Braiden Johnson (Doug), Bronti Rudloff, Landon Rudloff, Parker Rudloff, Colette Block, and Henry Block; Great-grandchildren: Grey and Christian June, with another on the way.
As his last act of service, Larry chose to donate his body for continued teaching and education about pancreatic cancer at Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC. A memorial service will be held March 13, 2026, at 2pm at Bethelview Methodist Church, 193 Ridge Rd, Boone, NC 28607.
Donations in Larry’s memory can be sent to Bonclarken ARP Conference Center, 500 Pine Dr, Flat Rock, NC 28731.
Respectfully no food or flowers.
An additional memorial service will be held at Neely’s Creek ARP Church, Rock Hill, SC, which will be announced at a later date.
Online condolences may be sent to the Young family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Arrangements are being handled by Hampton Funeral Home.
John William Grindrod
January 19, 1934 – February 27, 2026
ohn William Grindrod age 92 of Vilas, passed away February 27, 2026, at his residence.
He was born on January 19, 1934. The sone of the late James and Lucy Grindrod.
He is survived by his wife Bernardine Grindrod, one daughter Lori Grindrod, two sons Brad Grindrod and Todd Grindrod, three sisters Lucille Szelengicwicz, Dottie Morgan and Anne Ellis one brother Charlie Grindrod and eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In addition to his father and mother he was preceded in death by three brothers, Joe, Jimmy and Bob Grindrod
A memorial service will be held at a later date.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Medi Home Hospice 400 Shadowline Drive Suite 108 Boone, North Carolina 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service in charge of the arrangements
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