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Avery, Watauga Obituaries – July 21, 2015

Leroy C. Wood (Sept. 15, 1942
- July 19, 2015)

Wood
Wood

Mr. Leroy C. Wood, 72, of Jones Drive, Boone, passed away Sunday morning, July 19, 2015, at his residence. Mr. Wood was born Sept. 15, 1942 in Watauga County, a son of the late Harold Nelson and Mary Ford Wood. He was a retired stone mason and worked for Appalachian State University, and was a member of First Independent Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Mr. Wood is survived by his wife, Betty Jane Greer Wood of the home, two sons, Marc W. Wood and wife Gina, Chris L. Wood and wife Karen all of Boone, two step-sons, Tony L. Cox and wife Rhonda of Boone, Christopher C. Cox and wife Christy of Winston-Salem, and a step-daughter, Shelia Watson of Boone, two brothers, Ralph Wood and wife Gail of Hendersonville, and Mike Wood of Boone, and an aunt, Georgia Wood of Mocksville, thirteen grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Harold Nelson and Mary Ford Wood. 

A memorial service will be held Wednesday evening July 22, 2015 at 8:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.

The family will receive friends prior to the service at Hampton Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00. Officiating will be Reverend Gary Shew, and Mr. Tim Moretz.

Online condolences may be sent to the Wood Family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. 

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Johnnie Sheppard, Sr. (June 26, 1927
- July 18, 2015)

Mr. Johnnie Sheppard, 88, passed away on July 18, 2015 at Lenoir Memorial Hospital.

Sheppard
Sheppard

He was born on June 26, 1927 to the late John Ivey and Tirzah Smith Sheppard. After his logging career of 42 years, he founded Sheppard Equipment Company in Pink Hill in 1972. 

Mr. Sheppard served in the U. S. Army following WWII. He was a member of the US Constabulary in Germany from 1946-1947 and always had stories to share about this unique experience.

He was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner for 50 years. He was a former Pink Hill volunteer fireman and former member of the town council; a member of the American Legion and the VFW. He was a member of Beulaville Presbyterian Church. He was a donor to many organizations especially those that were military related. Johnnie loved the North Carolina mountains especially spending time in his mountain cabin on Friendly Mountain in Blowing Rock.

Johnnie is survived by his wife of sixty four years, Catherine Stokes Sheppard; daughter Rebekah Sheppard Stark and husband Joseph; son, Johnnie Donald Sheppard, and wife Danita; grandchildren, Mollie Rouse and husband Jody, Laura Sheppard, Taylor Sheppard, Alex Stark and Nick Stark; great-grandchildren, Eliza Kate Rouse, and Madelyn Stokes Rouse.

Internment will be held at 11:00 o’clock on Tuesday, July 21, 2015 at Oak Ridge Memorial Park in Pink Hill. A memorial service will be held at 2:00 o’clock at Beulaville Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, July 21 with visitation / reception following in the fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Crossnore School, P.O. Box 249, Crossnore, NC 28616, a home and school for homeless children, which was very dear to Johnnie’s heart.

Online condolences may be sent to www.pinkhillfuneralhome.com 

Announcement courtesy of Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service.

Clifford H. Glenn (Dec. 29, 1935 – July 18, 2015)

Clifford Howard Glenn, 79, of Big Branch Road, Sugar Grove, passed away Saturday morning, July 18, 2015 at Watauga Medical Center.

Glenn
Glenn

Born Dec. 29, 1935 in Watauga County, he was the son of Leonard Lucky and Clara Ward Glenn. Clifford was a member of Faith Baptist Mission Church, actively serving as Deacon, Superintendent and Sunday School Teacher.

Clifford was well known for his craftsmanship designing and building banjos and dulcimers. He and his dad were honored with documentaries featuring their instruments and mountain music. After his church and his family, Clifford loved collecting Indian relics and rocks. He enjoyed cutting and polishing stones to design and make jewelry.

Mr. Glenn is survived by his wife, Maybell Presnell Glenn; one daughter, Lisa Mae Glenn of Sugar Grove; and two aunts, Willis Cooper of Sugar Grove and Ruby Norris of Albemarle. A number of cousins also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services for Clifford Howard Glenn will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, July 21st at 2 oclock, at Faith Baptist Mission Church, officiated by Pastor Richard Trivette. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon, from 1 until 2 oclock, one hour prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow in the Presnell Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Glenn family at 631 Big Branch Road, Sugar Grove, NC 28679.

Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Glenn family.

Charlie M. Ruppard (April 22, 1938 – July 18, 2015)

Charlie M. Ruppard, age 77, of Banner Elk passed away on July 18, 2015 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

Ruppard
Ruppard

A native of Avery County, he was born April 22, 1938 a son of the late Mack and Kate Norwood Ruppard.

He was a member of White Rock Baptist Church and enjoyed farming.

Charlie retired from NCDOT after 31 years.

Charlie has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Faye Townsend Ruppard of the home; sons, Frankie Ruppard and wife Loretta of Banner Elk, Michael Ruppard and wife Shelia of Banner Elk; sisters, Betty Gwyn and husband Harry of Banner Elk, Patsy Shook and husband Errol of Boone; brother, Buster Ruppard of Piney Creek, NC; eight grandchildren and several great grandchildren.

Funeral services for Charlie M. Ruppard will be conducted on Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00pm in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant with Rev. Lynn Shook officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour. Family, friends and pallbearers will meet at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 22 at 11:00am to go in procession to White Rock Cemetery for interment services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: White Rock Baptist Church.

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 Ruppard family.

Lauren Ava Jaquays (Jan. 08, 2002
 – July 17, 2015)

Lauren Ava Jaquays, age 13, of Blowing Rock, passed away Friday evening, July 17, 2015.

Jaquays
Jaquays

Lauren was born January 8, 2002, a daughter Russell Frank “Rusty” Jaquays and Sherri Docteroff Jaquays. She was a student at Blowing Rock School. In her thirteen years, Lauren lived an extraordinary life. She demonstrated remarkable determination in facing the unique challeges in her life, and inspired so many by the strength of her brilliant mind and passionate spirit.

She was an avid drummer and a talented basketball player, and would practice her passions for hours on end. She was a devoted and loyal friend, admired by her teachers, and championed by her parents and loving family. Her life was a gift, and her legacy a mission her community will embrace as their own.

Lauren is survived by her parents, Rusty Jaquays and Sherri Docteroff Jaquays of Blowing Rock; her sister, Anna Jaquays and her companion, Joshua Floyd, both of Blowing Rock; her grandparents, Toby Pepper and husband Tony of Boca Raton, Florida and Linda Docteroff of Valle Crucis; her aunts, Jamie and Bonnie Schaefer of Boca Raton, Florida and Blowing Rock, and Leslie Jaquays and Laurie, both of Maine; her uncles, Brian Jaquays, Michael Docteroff, Patrick Docteroff and wife Elizabeth, and Norman Docteroff and wife Corina, all of Florida and her cousins, Dana Cabanas, Danielle LaMountain, Matthew Docteroff, Christopher Docteroff, Marisa Colon, Danielle Weishoff, and Nicole Weishoff.

Funeral services for Lauren Ava Jaquays were conducted Monday morning, July 20, 2015, at Temple of the High Country. Officiating were Rabbi Stephen Roberts and Rabbi Dan Levin. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

The family respectfully requests no visitors at their home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blowing Rock Elementary School, where Lauren was a much loved special needs student. Contributions will be made to Mrs. Winkler and Mr. Herman’s special needs Class, or to the Lauren Jaquays Memorial Fund, LGBTQ Youth Alliance, PO Box 1837, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Jaquays family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. 

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Helen Stamey (Oct. 6, 1942 – July 17, 2015)

Mary Helen Stamey, 72, of Newland passed away on July 17, 2015 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

Stamey
Stamey

She was born October 6, 1942 in Mitchell County a daughter of the late Clay and Rosa Barlow Shirley.

Mary was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Bakersville and had worked for Shadowline Industries as an Inspector.

Along with her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her: husband, Fonzer Stamey; brother, Bobby Shirley; sisters, Lois Church, Sylvia Ollis.

Mary has left to cherish her memory her: son, John Stamey and wife Crystal of Wilmington; sister, Clara Sparks, and husband, Lee, of Spruce Pine; brother, Michael Shirley and wife Jeanne of Newland; granddaughter, Shelby Carlyle of Wilmington; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mary Helen Stamey will be conducted on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at 3:00 pm at the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with Rev. Jackie Lee Silver officiating. Interment will follow in the Newland 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 Stamey family.

Irene K. Miller (July 26, 1923 – July 16, 2015)

*Together Again*

Irene Krider Miller, 91, of Todd, went home to be with her Heavenly Father on July l6, 2015 and to also be reunited with her husband of 65 years, Max Miller, for whom she has endlessly grieved since his death in March, 2013.

Miller
Miller

Irene was a loving Mother, Grandmother, and Great-Grandmother. Her family was her life and she loved spending time with them. Irene was born July 26, 1923 in Ashe County to Dick and Ada Wilcox Krider. She was a member of South Fork Baptist Church, and retired from Shadowline after more than 30 years of service.

Left to survived are two children, Charlotte Norris and husband, Denny, of Boone and Mackey Miller of Asheville; two granddaughters, Christy Norris and husband, Wendell Fox, of Boone and Charity Austin and husband, Brandon, of Vilas; grandson, Derrick Norris of Spartanburg, SC; three great-grandchildren, Dakota and Daniel Norris of Boone and Maddison Austin of Vilas; step-great-grandchildren, Brittany and Shannon Fox, both of Boone; sisters, Betty Hayes of Boone and Joan Weaver of West Jefferson; and her brother, Jasper Krider of Washington. Several nieces, nephews, cousins, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law also survive. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant daughter; parents; sister, Nell Eller; and four brothers, Jack, Charles, James and Tom Krider.

To honor Irenes request, graveside services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, Irene requested that memorials be made toward college funds for her great-grandchildren, Dakota and Daniel Norris and Maddison Austin, in care of Denny Norris, 190 Norris Trail, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Miller family.

Mr. Samuel G. Wotherspoon (Sept. 12, 1924 – July 15, 2015)

Major Samuel Godfrey Wotherspoon, U. S. Army, Retired, age 90, died at his home in Boone, NC, Wednesday evening, July 15, 2015. Born Sept. 12, 1924 in Whitaker, Penn., he was a son of the late David L. Wotherspoon and Abigail Duncan Wotherspoon.

BigWotherspoon1Entering the military as a Private, Sam retired from the U. S. Army as a Major having served during World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He was the recipient of the Silver Star, for gallantry in action; the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, for meritorious achievement in ground operations against the enemy; the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster, and the Combat Infantry Badge with Star. Participating in many military educational courses, he was also a graduate of the U. S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS. Not only did Sam have a varied career path in the military, but also, as a civilian. For example, he taught classes at the U. S. Army Transportation Center, Fort Eustis, VA; owned and operated a hardware store, and retired from the City of Newport News as an Architectural Engineer.

Memberships include Snow Lodge #363, AF&AM, the Scottish Rite, and the Appalachian Shrine Club. He was a member of the Appalachian WWII Roundtable and a Charter Member of the National Sojourners, High Country Chapter #553. He also was a member of Boone United Methodist Church.

Sam was preceded in death by his brothers George, Clark, and Robert Wotherspoon, and, his sister, Ivy Wotherspoon Vespini.

Sam is survived by his wife of 52 years, Beverley J. Wotherspoon, one daughter, L. Nan Uzelac and her husband Douglas, one grandson, Hayden Godfrey Uzelac, all of the home, and one brother, David D. Wotherspoon and his wife, Gay, of Pennsylvania, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Samuel G. Wotherspoon is scheduled for 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 25, 2015, at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Joe Barber of Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church officiating. Military Honors will be accorded – along with Masonic Rites conducted by Snow Lodge #363 AF&AM. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 12:00 noon until 1:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605.

Online condolences may be shared with the Wotherspoon family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Wotherspoon family.

Ernest J. Lattanzi (Feb.19, 1928 – July 15, 2015)

Ernest John Lattanzi, 87, of Land Harbor passed away on July 15, 2015 at Cannon Memorial Hospital.

He was born Feb. 19, 1928 in Brooklyn, NY the son of the late James John and Frances Rinando Lattanzi.

Ernest was a member of the US Army where he served in Korea and had worked in construction.

He was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church and enjoyed photography.

Along with his parents, Ernest was preceded in death by his wife Delores Anna Bolling Lattanzi.

Ernest has left to cherish his memory his: daughter, Christine Brown of Goldsboro; sons, Ernest John Lattanzi, Jr. of Boynton Beach, Fl., James John Lattanzi, II of Atlanta, GA.; grand sons, Stephen J. Brown and Matthew J. Brown both of Goldsboro.

The family will receive friends on Friday, July 17th from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Funeral Mass for Ernest John Lattanzi will be conducted on Saturday, July 18th at 1:00 p.m. at St. Bernadette Catholic Church with Father Christopher Gober officiating. Interment will follow in the Montezuma Cemetery.

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