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Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 13, 2012

Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 13, 2012

Ann Bennett Willis, D. Nov. 10, 2012
Ann Bennett Willis, age 88, died peacefully on November 10, 2012 at her home in Grandfather Mountain in Linville, North Carolina, after an extended illness. Ann was born November 27, 1923 in Winston-Salem, NC, the daughter of Paul Archer and Vera Early Bennett.

As a graduate of Hollins College, Ann received her degree in Greek and Latin studies. Upon graduation, she wrote the society column for the Winston-Salem Centinel called “ABSees”. On April 19, 1947, she married the love of her life, James Perry Willis. In addition to raising four children, Ann was involved in many community charities. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem.

After retiring, Ann and Jim continued their interest in supporting their communities, and most importantly, their churches. As a follower of Christ, Ann began a women’s bible study in her home forty years ago, which continues to meet today. She and Jim also started The Chapel in the Woods, presently known as The Chapel by the Lake at Grandfather.

Preceded in death by her husband, James Perry Willis and her sister, Mary Archer Bennett. Ann is survived by her children Ronnie Willis, Pink Willis, Mary Archer and Tom Vann, Jim and Happy Willis, as well as eight grandchildren; Brooks Tellekamp, Clay Turner, Elizabeth Turner, Ann Sheppard Turner, Kevin Parker, Sarah Elizabeth Vann, Bennett Willis, and Jimmy Willis.

There will be a memorial service at Arbor Dale Presbyterian Church in Banner Elk, NC on Tuesday, November 13 at 1:00 pm. The family wishes to thank the many who loved and cared for her during her illness.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be sent in her name to Medi Home Hospice, 351 West Mitchell Street, Newland, NC 28657 or Young Life of the High Country, P.O. Box 209, Boone, NC 28607.

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 Willis family.

Terrell Deaton

Terrell Deaton, D. Nov. 10, 2012
Terrell Deaton, age 63, of Newland passed away on November 10, 2012 at James H. Quillen VAMC in Johnson City, TN.

A native of Avery County, he was born February 7, 1949 a son of the late Nellis Ray and Patria Stout Deaton.

He was a member of the United States Army.

Along with his parents, Terrell was preceded in death by his brothers, Dwight, Harold and Leslie Kent Deaton.

Terrell has left to cherish his memory his: daughter, Lesley Deaton of Crossnore; granddaughter, Jesse Pyatte also of Crossnore; brother, Hayden Deaton and wife Lois of Charlotte, NC; former wife, Anita Lowenberg of Fleetwood, NC; sisters-in-law, Sabra Deaton of Trim Branch, Revonda Deaton of Morganton, NC, Claudia Deaton Cook also of Morganton, NC.

A special thank you to: his nephews, Travis Deaton and Bob Lynn Deaton, Medi Home Hospice of Avery County and Community Living Center of Johnson City VAMC for all of their special care and attention.

Funeral services for Terrell Rodney Deaton will be conducted on Friday, November 16, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Fellowship Presbyterian Church in Crossnore with Rev. Lonnie Barnes officiating. Military Graveside Rites will follow in the Burleson Cemetery.

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 Deaton family.

Cliff Aldridge

Cliff Aldridge, D. Nov. 9, 2012
Cliff Aldridge, age 81, of Crossnore passed away on November 9, 2012 at his residence.

A native of Tampa, Florida, he was born April 18, 1931 a son of the late Obeth Tip and Lenora Driggers Aldridge.

He Was a graduate of Appalachian State University and retired from the Toe River Health District in 1993, where he had served as Director. Cliff was instrumental in the formation of the Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department, where he had served as Assistant Chief and Secretary. He enjoyed hunting and fishing, and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Linville Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite, Asheville Body.

Cliff was a United States Navy Veteran, having served his country during the Korean Conflict.

Along with his parents, Cliff was preceded in death by his: brothers, Elmer Aldridge and Cullie Aldridge.

Cliff has left to cherish his memory his: loving wife, Janet Ollis Aldridge of the home; daughters, Nita Wiseman, and her husband, Rickey, of Ingalls, NC, Beth Heintzelman, and her husband, Scott, of Newland, NC; sons, Kippy Aldridge, and his wife, Amanda, of Lake Wales, FL, Bouger Aldridge, and his wife, Heidi, of Crossnore, NC; eight grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Cliff Aldridge will be conducted on Sunday, November 11, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. from the Crossnore First Baptist Church with the Rev. Lander Heafner officiating. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until the service hour at the church on Sunday.

Family, friends, and pallbearers will gather at the Crossnore Baptist Church Cemetery on Monday morning at 10:50 am for graveside services. Military honors will be provided by the Pat Ray Post of the VFW.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Medi Home Hospice or the Crossnore Volunteer Fire Department.

Bobby Lynn Parnell Newman

Bobby Lynn Parnell Newman, D. Nov. 9, 2012
Bobby Lynn Parnell Newman, an Air Force wife and mother, a school teacher, and a Christian, “slipped the surly bonds of earth” for the final time on November 9, 2012 from her home outside Banner Elk, NC.

Seventy-three years old, she was born and raised in Lumberton, NC, the oldest child of Robert and Etura Parnell. A high school beauty queen, she graduated from Lumberton High in 1958 and from the Woman’s College of the University of North Carolina (now UNC-Greensboro) in 1962.

She taught high school in High Point until marrying E.C. Newman in December, 1963. She was a great school teacher and later taught in Texas, Florida, California, and Colorado. In the military life she shared with her family, she moved frequently and lived in Nevada, Hawaii, South Carolina, Colorado, and multiple locations in Florida, Texas, California, and North Carolina.

She set up house-keeping in over a dozen places, and made every one of them felt like home to her family. She taught at several of her children’s schools and kept close tabs on her two children, Angela and Edwin. When they were toddlers, E.C. served for 18 months in Korea and Vietnam, and Lynn handled everything. To E.C., she was the strongest and most selfless person in the world, his best buddy, his greatest hero, his all-time MVP, and terrific wife of nearly 49 years.

She was a creative quilter. She loved animals and raised Arabian horses in California and Florida. She loved worshiping God with the Comfort Makers and the community of Banner Elk Presbyterian.

Her greatest joys and most precious memories came from the family God gave her: her loving parents, Robert and Etura; nurturing grandparents; super siblings, Bob and Emily; her many wonderful aunts, uncles, and cousins; her husband, E.C.; her children, who served as evidence that she helped “improve the breed”; her remarkable grandchildren, Thomas, Bobby, Bennett, Max, and Shelby; plus many great in-laws, friends, and acquaintances.

For the final 14 years and 5 months of her life, she fought breast cancer without a whimper or a whine, with a smile on her face, and was an inspiration to patients, nurses, doctors, and everyone who knew of her condition. She had the most positive attitude imaginable.

For her, the glass was never half-empty or half-full, but over-flowing. She believed her time in this world was like a mere nanosecond in God’s whole scheme of things, but she felt blessed, added much, and enjoyed her part of the great adventure.

And thanks be to Jesus, the Great Adventure will continue, and continue, and continue.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorials be made to the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, Missions Committee, PO Box 158, Banner Elk, NC, or to any charity of choice.

The memorial service for Lynn will be conducted at noon on November 14 in the Banner Elk Presbyterian Church, followed by visitation and a reception in the fellowship hall.

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 Newman 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