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Avery, Watauga Obituaries – June 2, 2015

Richard Watson (July 20, 1966 – June 1, 2015)

Richard Watson at the MusicFest 'n Sugar Grove - Photo by Lonnie Webster
Richard Watson at the MusicFest ‘n Sugar Grove – Photo by Lonnie Webster

Richard Eddy Watson, 48, of Holly Hills, Boone, passed away Monday, June 1, 2015 at his residence.

Richard was born July 20, 1966 in Watauga County, the son of Geneva Sarah Greene Watson Hennessee and the late Eddy Merle Watson. He was an accomplished musician, performing often with his grandfather, the legendary Doc Watson.

Richard is survived by his wife, Annette Greene Watson of the home; one daughter Candis Watson Webb and husband Jesse of Newland; one grandson Tantem Webb of Newland; his mother Geneva Hennessee and step-father David Hennessee of Deep Gap; one sister, Karen Watson Norris and companion Troy Boyer of Fleetwood; aunt Nancy Watson of Deep Gap; aunt and uncle Charles and Betty Church of Gastonia; one brother-in-law, Chris Greene of Boone; and his mother-in-law, Pat Greene of Boone. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his grandparents, Odis and Sarah Greene and Doc and Rosa Lee Watson, and a brother-in-law, Michael Norris.

Funeral arrangements for Richard Eddy Norris are incomplete at this time.

Online condolences may be sent to the Watson family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Ruby B. Byers (March 27, 1922 – June 1, 2015) 

Mrs. Ruby Bodenhamer Byers, 93, of Calvin Byers Road, Boone, passed away Monday, June 1, 2015 at her home. Born March 27, 1922 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late William and Elizabeth Coffey Bodenhamer. Ruby was a homemaker, and had also worked at Shadowline for a number of years.

She is survived by one daughter, Mary Williams of Boone, two granddaughters; Lisa Smith and Michelle Smith both of Charlotte, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Byers, a son-in-law, Johnny Williams, two sisters and four brothers.

Graveside services and burial for Mrs. Ruby Bodenhamer Byers will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 oclock at the Meat Camp Baptist Church Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. T. J. Jackson. The family will greet friends following the service.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Meat Camp Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Barry Greene, 527 Jack Hayes Road, Boone, NC 28607 or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

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

Captain Tom C. Hay (Aug. 1, 1940 – May 31, 2015) 

Captain Tom C. Hay, 74, of 2766 Land Harbor Parkway, Newland, passed away Sunday evening, May 31, 2015, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Hay
Hay

Tom was born August 1, 1940 in Atlanta, Georgia, son of the late Bascom Clayton Hay, Jr. and Anita Crawford Hay. He was a graduate of Georgia State University. Tom was a Captain in the United States Air Force, serving in the Vietnam War as a navigator on B-52 Bombers. He was also a member and convener of Clan Hay Scottish Society.

Tom is survived by his wife, Vivien Culbertson Hay of the home; one daughter, Bliss Hay Sellers and husband Keith of Chesapeake, Virginia; one granddaughter, Rachel; two grandsons, Tom and Nick; two step-daughters, Theresa Anders of Pfafftown, North Carolina, and Amy Culbertson Bennett and husband Tim of Fleetwood; three step-grandsons, Justin, Jordon, and Cody, and one aunt, Anita Reeves of Atlanta, Georgia.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one granddaughter, Andrea Deller.

Graveside services with military honors, provided by American Legion Post 130, for Tom C. Hay will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, June 3, 2015, at 4:00 o’clock, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. Officiating will be Reverend John Bollinger. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday morning, June 6, 2015, at 10:00 o’clock, at Church Of The Savior, Highway 194 North, Newland, North Carolina.

The family will receive friends following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas, 66675.

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

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

Thomas Cole (April 2, 1993 – May 30, 2015) 

Cole
Cole

Thomas Cole, age 22, of 421 River Road-1, the Mill Ridge Community, Banner Elk, passed away May 30, 2015.

Thomas is survived by his mother, Ren Gardner Cole of the home; his father, Lonnie J. Cole and wife Debra A. Cole of Comer, Georgia; one sister, Rachel Natalie Hamby and husband Matthew of Elk Park, and his girlfriend, Patricia Daniell Mayes of Boone. He is also survived by nine aunts, seven uncles, and a number of cousins.

Funeral services for Thomas Cole will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, June 2, 2015, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Brother Scott Jensen. Burial will follow in the Foscoe Community Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas Cole Family to assist with funeral expenses, in care of Ren Cole, 421 River Road-1, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604.

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

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

Thomas M. Barry (Nov. 27, 1930 – May 29, 2015) 

Capt. Thomas M. Barry, USN (Ret) of Sugar Grove/Valle Crucis, Watauga County, died peacefully on Friday, May 29th.

Barry
Barry

Barry was born to Edwin McGehee Barry and Agnes Goodwin Barry in Water Valley, Mississippi, and grew up in Benoit, Mississippi. In 1953, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy and was commissioned an Ensign. He served as a naval officer for 26 years. After retirement from the Navy in 1979, he taught mathematics at Appalachian State University.

He is survived by his sister, Sarah Barry of Chicago, Illinois; his wife, Anna Stout Barry; four sons: Peter (Elizabeth) of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Frank (Catherine) of Vilas; John (Molly) of Sugar Grove; Michael (Rebecca) of Sugar Grove; and by 28 grandchildren, and one great-grandson.

A Christian (Anglican) service of witness to the Resurrection and a Celebration of the Life of CAPT Barry is planned for Thursday, June 4, at 4 p.m., at Alliance Bible Fellowship, 105 Bypass, Boone. In lieu of flowers,the family suggests a memorial to Christ the King Anglican Church, Boone, or to a Christian Mission or charity of ones choice.

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

Cecil Douglas Clawson (March 29, 1936 – May 28, 2015) 

Clawson
Clawson

Cecil Douglas Clawson, 79, of 4944 Highway 194, Boone, passed away Thursday evening, May 28, 2015, at his home.

Mr. Clawson was born March 29, 1936 in Watauga County, son of the late Wade and Emily Miller Clawson. He was a retired Dairy and Christmas Tree Farmer, and a member of Meat Camp Baptist Church.

Mr. Clawson was known in the Boone area as the “Peach Man” having sold produce, in the area, for many years.

Mr. Clawson is survived by his wife, Kathy Neatherly Clawson of the home; three daughters, Cindy Ray and husband James of Edgefield, South Carolina, Sandy Platts and husband Tom of Ridge Spring, South Carolina, and Melissa Padgett of Lansing; three sons, Steve Clawson and wife Shay of Hickory, Joey Clawson and wife Renee of Boone, and Mark Hagaman of Zionville, and one sister, Lois Bryant and husband Bobby of Winston-Salem. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, and one nephew.

Funeral services for Cecil Douglas Clawson will be conducted Monday afternoon, June 1, 2015, at 2:00 o’clock, at Meat Camp Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 12:30 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Mike Townsend and Reverend David Clippard. Burial will follow in the Meat Camp Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Medi Home Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 102, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Bill Carl Andrews (April 30, 1933 – May 28, 2015)

Andrews
Andrews

Bill Carl Andrews, 82, of Pineola went home to be with his Lord on May 28, 2015 at Burke County Hospice and Palliative Care.

A native of Avery County, he was born on April 30, 1933 a son of the late Grady and Polly Andrews.

He was a longtime faithful member of Pineola Baptist Church.

Along with his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his sister, Alberta Clark.

Bill has left to cherish his memory his: wife, Dorothy Stewart Andrews of the home; five children, Carol Maxwell of Newland, Rita Bolick and husband Mike of Drexel, Tom Andrews and wife Patsy of Morganton, Ken Andrews and wife Carol of Greer, SC., Sharon Ball and husband Jim of Morganton; two brothers, George Andrews and wife Melba of Newland, Ronald Andrews of Lenoir; four sisters, Betty Fraley of Asheville, Margaret English of Linville, Wanda Howell of Pineola, Miriam Greene of Lenoir; four grandchildren, Tanya Leiniger, Jenifer Fowler, Jimbo Ball, Jared Ball and wife Erin; seven great grandchildren, Dustin, Leiniger, Stevey Leiniger Zackery Fowler, Christian Fowler, Morgan Fowler, Alexis Ball, Cooper Ball; a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Bill Carl Andrews will be conducted on Sunday, May 31, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Pineola Baptist Church with Rev. Rufus Biddex and Ken Baker officiating. Interment will follow in the Pineola Presbyterian Church Cemetery . The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the services at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Burke County Hospice and Palliative Care at 1721 Enon Rd. Valdese, NC 28690.

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

Glenn L. Greer (March 4, 1943 – May 27, 2015) 

Greer
Greer

Glenn L. Greer, 72 of Astor Cook Road, Blowing Rock, passed away Wednesday afternoon, May 27, 2015, at Watauga Medical Center.

Mr. Greer was born March 4, 1943 in Baltimore, Maryland, a son of the late Raymond Greer and Ola Mae Wheeling Greer. He was a truck driver, and served in the National Guard.

Mr. Greer is survived by his wife, Linda Hodges Greer of the home; a daughter, Kristy Greer Burnette and husband Jason of Cedar Crest, New Mexico; a son-in-law, Jason Ricker of Banner Elk; two granddaughters, Sydney Ricker of Blowing Rock and Ella Burnette of Cedar Crest, New Mexico; one grandson, Tyler Burnette of Cedar Crest, New Mexico; and two brothers, Ray Greer and wife Jean, and Kenneth Greer and wife Martha, all of Lenoir.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Kim Greer Ricker, two brothers, Gary and Dennis Greer, and one sister, Ruth Hester.

No services for Glenn L. Greer are scheduled at this time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Army National Guard, 274 Hunting Hills Lane, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Mary E. Bruch (July 23, 1927 – May 27, 2015)

Mary Elsie Brannen Bruch, age 87, of Boone, passed away Wednesday, May 27, 2015.

Services for Mary are incomplete at this time. Online condolences may be shared with the Bruch family. Online condolences may be shared with the Bruch family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Charles W. Blank (March 15, 1931 – May 25, 2015) 

Blank
Blank

Charles Wayne Blank, 84, of West Jefferson, passed away Monday, May 25, 2015 at Ashe Assisted Living.

Originally a native of St. Louis, Mo., he moved to West Jefferson in 1997. A veteran of the US Air Force, Charles served during the Korean Conflict. He received his BA Degree from St. Louis University. Mr. Blank retired as a Regional Manager from Alexander and Alexander Inc., and Fidelity and Deposit Co. of Baltimore, Maryland. Charles also had many fond memories of his constant companion, his dog, Rudy.

Surviving are his children, Gary Blank and wife, Sally, of Lone Jack, MO, Terese Gamphor and husband, Danny, of Barnette, MO, Gregory Blank and wife, Kathryn, of Centerview, MO, and Curtis Blank and wife, Trish, of Independence, MO; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; and his close friend of many years, Heidi Apel of Wilmington. He was preceded in death by one son, Christopher Wayne Blank and his mother, Linda May Smith.

Services will be private.

Memorials may be made to the Ashe Services for Aging, 180 Chatty Rob Lane, West Jefferson, NC 28694.

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

Lisa M Stafford (Oct. 12, 1970 – May 25, 2015)

Stafford
Stafford

Lisa Marchant Stafford, 44, of Elk Park passed away on May 26, 2015 at Johnson City Medical Center.

A native of Raleigh County, West Virginia, she was born October 12, 1970 a daughter of the late Robert Marchant and Anna Boatwright Marchant Johnson.

She was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Along with her parents, Lisa was preceded in death by her: brother, Kevin Marchant.

Lisa has left to cherish her memory her: husband, Tony Stafford of the home; daughters, Amanda and Tanner Honeycutt of Newland, LilyAnna Stafford of the home; sisters, Michelle Marchant of Winston-Salem, Tressia Thernault of Florida; brothers, Eddie Marchant of West Virginia, Earl Marchant of Winston-Salem, Robert Marchant of Winston-Salem; granddaughters, Piper and Gracie Lee Honeycutt.

The family requests the honor of your presence at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Newland Riverwalk located behind Sandee’s and Flick Video to honor her life with memories and fellowship.

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 Stafford family.