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Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Aug. 13, 2013

Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Aug. 13, 2013

Jim Thompson, D. Aug. 12, 2013

Dr. Jim Thompson, age 67, of Linville Falls died unexpectedly early on the morning of Monday, August 12, 2013 at his home. 

He was born on November 19, 1945 to the late Sam and Sybil Ayers Thompson and was a 1964 graduate of Crossnore High School. Dr. Thompson served four years in the U.S. Air Force before attending Lynchburg College and the Medical College of Virginia Dental School. He and his wife, Doris Franklin Thompson returned to Avery County where Dr. Thompson established a dental practice in 1977. 

‘Doc’ , as he is affectionately known, is survived by his wife of forty-seven years; Doris ‘Dodie’ F. Thompson; his sons; Jamey Thompson and wife, Beth; John Thompson and fiancée’, Elizabeth Trivett; and Neil Thompson and wife, Candi; his grandchildren; Beth, Abby, Anna, Neil Tyler, Candi, Allie; his brothers; Marmon Thompson; Matthew Thompson and wife, Carlene; Johnny Thompson and wife, Vickie; and Wallace Thompson and wife, Rosalyn; nieces and nephews; Quince, Wright, Todd, Jennifer, Johnathon, and Melanie. 

Aside from his successful professional career, Dr. Thompson spent many years involved in numerous civic and church activities and philanthropic endeavors. From his early days working with Avery County Little League to recent years coordinating the Linville Falls Scholarship Fund, N. C. Community Foundation, Linville Falls Community Church Building Fund, and Jonas Ridge Fire Department, his positive effects on the area are widespread and long lasting.

The memorial service honoring the life of Dr. Jim Thompson will be conducted on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 2:00 pm at the Linville Falls Community Church with Rev’s. Denny Hartman and John Duvall officiating. Interment will follow in the Pisgah Cemetery military graveside rites. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine. 

In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to; Linville Falls Community Church Building Fund. 

Words of comfort may be noted at www.webbfh.com by selecting Dr. Thompson’s name and then clicking on his name and then signing his guestbook. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine, NC is assisting the Thompson family. 

Clifford Craven, D. Aug. 7, 2013

William Clifford Craven, 94, passed quietly in the evening of August 7, 2013 at Levine and Dickson Hospice House Southminster in Charlotte NC. “Cliff” was born in White County Georgia, March 3, 1919, the eldest son of Genie Warwick and James Robert Craven. 

He was very happily married to Wilsa Ray Craven for 70 years. He served in the US Navy as a pharmacist mate in WW II. He worked in his family’s businesses in Newland and Boone, NC for many years before moving to Kingsport, TN, where he owned a home improvement business until his retirement. He was a man who was greatly loved by family and friends, with a strong love and commitment to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilsa Ray Craven, his brother, Robert Hoyt Craven, of Blacksburg, VA and his sister, Hannah Elizabeth Craven, of Lakeland, FL. He is survived by four brothers: John Watson Craven, of Montreat, NC, Earl Mark Craven, of Blacksburg, VA, Charles Eugene Craven, of Rock Hill, SC, and Talmon Philmore Craven, of Lakeland, FL. 

A graveside service will be held at the Newland Cemetery on Saturday, August 10th at 11:00a.m. with The Rev. Gene Craven will officiate. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge. 

The family would like to thank Levine and Dickson Hospice House Southminster for their kind, honorable, and professional care of Cliff. 

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net. 

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Craven family.  


For more local obituaries in Watauga and Avery, click to www.hcpress.com/obituaries.


Listings of Funeral Homes in Avery County:

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland
296 Ash Street
P.O. Box 215
Newland, NC 28657
828-733-2121
www.rsfh.net