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Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 27, 2012

Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 27, 2012

Harry “Star” Guinn, D. Dec. 20, 2012
Harry “Star” Guinn , age 80, of Elk Park passed away on December 20, 2012 at James H. Quillan VAMC Mountain Home in Johnson City, TN.

A native of Avery County, he was born November 11, 1932 a son of the late Gurney and Nola Daniels Guinn.

He was a member of the United States Army where he was a MP.

Harry was a member of Pleasant Valley Baptist Church.

He was an avid fly fisherman and fly tier and enjoyed visiting with friends.

Along with his parents, Harry was preceded in death by a nephew, David Cable.

Harry has left to cherish his memory his: sister, Betty Cable and husband William of Elk Park; nephews, Mike Cable and wife Mary of Elk Park, Kenny Cable and wife Kim of Elk Park; nieces, Debbie Lowder and husband Jack of Elk Park, Debbie Mayberry Cable of Elk Park.

Funeral services for Harry “Star” Guinn will be conducted on Sunday, December 23, 2012 at 3:00 pm in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Reed Calahan officiating. Interment will follow in the Elk Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services.

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 Guinn family.

Bernice McCoury Woods, D. Dec. 20, 2012
Bernice McCoury Woods, age 86, of Newland passed away on December 20,2012 at Johnson City Medical Center.

She was born September 24, 1926 the daughter of Mackie Hughy McCoury and Maude McKinney McCoury of Powder Mill Creek Road, NC. She was a member of McCoury Rock Freewill Baptist Church.

Bernice was proceeded in death by her parents, Mackie and Maude McCoury, four brothers, Zellian McCoury, Lonnie McCoury, Frank McCoury and Carson McCoury and one sister, Jennie McCoury.

She is survived by her loving husband, Hansel Woods of Newland, one dear sister Winnie M. Jones of Newland, two dear brothers, Johnny McCoury of Canton, Ohio and Henry G. and wife Pearl McCoury of Portsmouth, VA, and one step daughter, Debbie Monreal of Colorado, grandson Jonathan Monreal of Ohio.

Services for Bernice McCoury Woods will be Wednesday, December 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Interment will follow in the McCoury’s Rock Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00 p.m. until the service hour.

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 Woods family.

Earl LaBarbera
Earl LaBarbera

Earl LaBarbera, D. Dec. 18, 2012
Earl LaBarbera, age 88, of Newland passed away on December 18, 2012 at Sherrill’s Ford Hospice House.

He was born September 7, 1924 in Johnson City TN, a son of the late Joseph and Faye Banner LaBarbera.

Earl was a member of both the United States Army and United States Navy.

He was a graduate of John A. Gupton Mortuary College and served as Coronor for Avery County in the 1950’s. He worked for Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home as Funeral Director and Embalmer for many years and then as a Salesman at House-Hasson Hardware Co. in Knoxville, TN.

Earl was a member and Past Master of the Linville Lodge #489 and was a member of the Avery County Shrine Clue, Oasis Shrine Temple in Charlotte and held a 32nd degree with the Scottish Rite of Charlotte.

He was a very active member of the Newland Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder and on the building and grounds committee.

Earl enjoyed cooking, hunting, fishing, and most of all, smoking his pipe.

Along with his parents, Earl was preceded in death by his: wife, Georgia Stout LaBarbera and his eight siblings.

A dedicated father who committed his life to his family whom he loved dearly, Earl has left to cherish his memory his: daughter, Deborah A. LaBarbera of Harrisburg, NC; son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Earl and Beth LaBarbera of Conover, NC; granddaughters, Whitney Masterson and husband Jon of Zebulon, NC, Erin Marie LaBarbera of Raleigh; great grandson, Logan James Masterson.

Funeral services for James Earl LaBarbera will be conducted on Saturday, December 22, 2012 at 2:00 pm at the Newland Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dennis Quakenboss officiating. Interment will follow in the Newland Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Anthony Pollygus, Robert Vance, Dudley Greene, Junior Sluder, Joe Banner, Debbie LaBarbera, Joseph LaBarbera. Honorary Pallberears will be: Paul Crinkley, Jim Banner, Mack Isaacs, Sam Cartner, Ralph Baird. The family will receive friends on Friday, December 21, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Sherrills Ford Hospice House at 7473 Sherrills Ford Rd. Sherrills Ford NC, 28673 or to the Shriners Hospital C/O Avery County Shrine Club 864 Little Plumtree Creek Rd. Newland, NC 28657 (please note In Memory of Earl LaBarbera).

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 LaBarbera family.

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