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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Aug. 1, 2012

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Aug. 1, 2012

Peggy Norma Jean Langdon

‘Peggy’ Norma Jean Langdon, D. July 28, 2012
Mrs. “Peggy” Norma Jean Langdon, age 82, of 1231 Fairway Drive, Boone, died Saturday, July 28, 2012, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.

Mrs. Langdon was born January 15, 1930 in Portsmouth, Ohio, a daughter of the late Jesse Council Robbins and Lois Brewer Robbins. She was a retired hostess for Hound Ears Club and Holiday Inn of Boone.

Mrs. Langdon is survived by one daughter, Theresa Mosteller and husband Bobby of Vilas; two sons, Bobby Langdon and wife Terri of Boone, and Donny Langdon and wife Ay of Palm Beach, Florida; eight grandchildren, Jason Langdon, Brandon Langdon and wife Alison, Chris Mosteller and wife Bethany Reynolds Mosteller, Alicia Reynolds, Olivia Langdon, Tara Langdon, Robert Langdon, and Kim Underwood; a number of great-grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Chuck Eason; three nephews, Jeff Eason, Greg Eason, and Ricky Ruckart; a special friend, Mac Barnard, and her special friends at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Graham Langdon; one daughter, Regina Ann Langdon; two sons, Jesse Council Langdon and Charlie Ray Langdon, and two sisters, Pauline Ruckart and Anne Eason.

Graveside services for Mrs. “Peggy” Norma Jean Langdon will be conducted Monday afternoon, July 30, 2012, at 2:00 o’clock, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. Reverend Toby Oliver will officiate.

The family will receive friends, following the service, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family respectfully requests no food.

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

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

Jean Lorraine Rogy Strickland, D. July 27, 2012
Mrs. Jean Lorraine Rogy Strickland, age 90, of Park View Circle, Blowing Rock, passed away Friday July 27, 2012 at Watauga Medical Center. Born September 24, 1921 in Peoria Illinois, she was the only daughter of the late Lial Henry and Ethel Jane Shamo Rogy. Educated in West Palm Beach, she was a graduate of Palm Beach High School. Jean obtained a Bachelor of Music from Stetson University in 1943 and was a member of Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity, and Phi Beta. She married William C. Strickland August 25, 1943.

Mrs. Strickland was the secretary for First Baptist Church in Gainesville, Florida for 2 ½ years, while her husband was the assistant pastor. During William’s education at Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, they served Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church near Frankfort, KY as pastor and pianist. She was also a faculty secretary and receptionist at the seminary, later working at the law office of Dulin, Helms, Stites and Wood as a law secretary. She followed Dr. Strickland to Southeastern Theological Seminary in Wake Forest where he taught New Testament for fifteen years. While in Wake Forest, she was the founder and first President of the Women’s Club. She sang in numerous church choirs.

The Stricklands came to Appalachian State Teachers College in 1966. Mrs. Strickland was active in the Boone community, playing piano for the Blue Ridge Community Theatre and the Boone Junior Women’s Club Sunshine Shows. She was a member of the Boone Worthwhile Women’s Club and the Mountaineer Garden Club where she served one term as President. She worked on the ASUcampus with a group of faculty wives assisting with registration before the advent of computers.

She is survived by one daughter; Claudia Strickland of the home, one son; Jeff Strickland and wife Kerstin of Germany, two granddaughters; Lea Mallace and husband Andrew of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Anna Strickland of Germany, one great grandson; Alexander Mallace of Oklahoma, and a number of cousins.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the family at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Strickland family.

William Mast

William Mast, Jr., D. July 26, 2012
William Ronald Mast, Jr., age 23, of Hwy 421 South, Boone, passed away Thursday morning,

July 26, 2012. Born August 16, 1988 in Watauga County, he was a son of Angela Gail Wall and William Ronald Mast, Sr. William served as a Deputy with the Watauga County Sheriff’s Department and as a member of Snow Lodge #363 AF & AM. He was a 2006 graduate of Watauga High School and a 2009 graduate of Caldwell Community College’s Basic Law Enforcement Training. William acquired several additional certifications in drug interdiction. He had a true passion for law enforcement. In his spare time, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing golf, jeep traveling, and riding and working with horses. He was also in the process of earning his pilots license. Paige was his very best friend and the love of his life. William was a wonderful and devoted husband, proud father-to-be, son, brother, son-in-law, grandson, great grandson, brother-in-law, and nephew. He was a member of Bibleway Baptist Church. William loved the Lord with all of his heart.

He is survived by his wife, Paige Greer Mast and his unborn son, William Hunter Mast, of the home; his mother, Angie Wall of Boone; his father, Bill Mast and wife, Debbie and one brother, Brandon Mast, all of Zionville; his maternal grandmother, Willa Wall of Randleman; his maternal grandfather, James Wall of Boone; his paternal grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Hal Mast of Zionville; his paternal great grandmother; Margaret Mast of Vilas, two step-sisters, Jessie Wagoner of Vilas, and Ashley Farthing of Zionville, and his mother and father in law, Sharon and Jerry Greer of Boone. A number of aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.

Funeral services for William Ronald Mast, Jr. will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The North Carolina Highway Patrol Caisson Unit will provide transportation to the church. Officiating will be

Rev. Michael Greene and Rev. Derek Wilson. Masonic Graveside Rites and burial with Law Enforcement Honors will follow at the Mast Family Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the William Hunter Mast Scholarship Fund, in care of Highlands Union Bank, 1013 NC Hwy 105, Boone, NC 28607.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 o’clock until 9 o’clock at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the Mast family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Mast family.

Mitchell Trivette

Mitchell Trivette, D. July 26, 2012
Mitchell Allen Trivette, age 33, of 2130 Hardin Road, Boone, died Thursday, July 26, 2012.

Mr. Trivette was born January 26, 1979 in Watauga County, a son of Junior and Rebecca Ann Winebarger Trivette. He was a self-employed carpenter, and a member of Hardin Road Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Trivette is survived by his wife, Crystal Presnell Trivette, of the home, a daughter, Alysha Trivette, a son, Clay Trivette, both of the home, a sister, Regina Houck and husband Ashley, of Boone, his maternal grandmother, Ruth Winebarger, of Boone, his paternal grandmother, Viola Trivette, of Creston, his father and mother-in-law, Dwight and Rita Presnell of Banner Elk, a brother-in-law, Brian Presnell of Banner Elk, two aunts, Betty Winebarger and Shirley Trivette, both of Creston, seven uncles, Conley Winebarger and wife Carolyn of Winston Salem, Jack Trivette and wife Brenda of Lenoir, Ervil Trivette and wife Mildred, of Creston, Roy Trivette and wife Ann, of Creston, Clyde Trivette, of Creston, Gary Trivette and wife Junie, of Creston, and Kenneth Trivette and wife Brenda, of Creston.

He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Fred Winebarger, and his paternal grandfather, Russell Trivette.

Funeral services for Mitchell Allen Trivette will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, August 1, 2012, at 5:00 o’clock,at Pilot Mountain Baptist Church. Reverend Charlie McCoy and Reverand Keith Woodie will officiate. Interment will follow in Pilot Mountain Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will recieve friends Wednesday afternoon, from 3:30 until 5:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

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

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

Boyd Moretz

Boyd Smith Moretz, D. July 20, 2012
Boyd Smith Moretz, age 50, of Deep Gap, passed away Friday, July 20, 2012, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Born March 31, 1962 in Watauga County, he was a son of the late Henry Odell and Beulah Winebarger Moretz. Mr. Moretz enjoyed all kinds of out-door activities. He worked as a logger and wood cutter. Boyd was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church.

He is survived by the love of his life, Jennifer Lynn Holman, and her children, Randy Taylor, Rose and Troy Miller, all of the home; three sisters, Viola Greene of Boone, Eva Jordan of Greensboro, and Edith Widener of Winston-Salem; and two brothers, Forrest and Kyle Moretz, both of Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Janel Moretz; and one brother, Nelson Moretz.

Services for Boyd Smith Moretz will be private.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, Watauga County Unit, PO Box 1903, Boone, NC 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Moretz family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

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

Reginald Bryan Chastain, Jr.

Reginald Bryan Chastain, Jr., D. July 19, 2012.
Reginald Bryan Chastain, Jr., United States Foreign Service Officer of 27 years, passed away on Thursday, July 19, 2012 in Jefferson, NC.

The oldest of three children, Bryan Chastain, born in Miami, Florida on October 28, 1936, was preceded in death by his parents, Reginald Bryan Chastain, Sr. and Judge Dixie Herlong Chastain. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joann Platt Chastain and daughters, Deborah L. Chastain of Tucson, AZ and Jodie Chastain Copeland of Crumpler, NC. He is also survived by granddaughters, Hannah L. Copeland, Fleetwood, NC and Eleanor L. Copeland, Crumpler, NC.

Mr. Chastain was educated at Miami Senior High School, Florida State University, Stetson University College of Law and earned a teaching certification at Appalachian State Teacher’s College.

In 1967, he began his career as a Foreign Service Officer working for the United States Agency for International Development in Vietnam, first in Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen Province then in Dalat, Tuyen Duc Province. He completed his tour of duty in Vietnam in Nha Trang, Khan Hoa Province working for the United States Department of State as Administrative Officer, Office of Plans and Evaluation. During this time he worked under the command of John Paul Vann, known as the “Lawrence of Arabia of Vietnam.” Under Vann, the first American civilian to command US regular troops in combat, Mr. Chastain was responsible for “out-processing” military personnel working with the II Corps Combat Tactic Zone.

During one particularly memorable mission, Mr. Chastain volunteered to fly in the right seat of an A-37 VN attack bomber to provide photographic proof of the presence of enemy armor in South Vietnam, where none had been seen before. Mr. Chastain’s photographic evidence vindicated Vann’s claim of such a presence for which he had received much ridicule. While all of the still photographs taken by Mr. Chastain would be the property of the government, he realized the magnitude of the adventure he was embarking upon so he took along his parents 1947, 8mm Kodak movie camera. When he later reviewed the movie footage, he realized that what he thought were scratches on the viewfinder were actually gunfire tracers aimed at the plane in which he was flying!

After the Battle of Kontum, John Paul Vann died in a helicopter crash flying from Pleiku to Kontum; Mr. Chastain was dispatched to the crash site and the storage yard location of the wreckage. He stated that there was no evidence of enemy action and that the crash was caused by bad weather.

Mr. Chastain also conducted the reconnaissance of areas of heavy combat to recover the human remains of American soldiers and document the last known locations of soldiers reported missing in action.

After Vietnam, he continued his career as either Administrative Officer or General Service Officer for the United States Department of State in Zaire, Niger, Botswana, Bangladesh, Kenya and, finally, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China. While in Chengdu he was instrumental in the construction and completion of the U.S. Consulate Compound. He was recently remembered by a former employee as, “…Our good leader, instructor, colleague and friend.”

Everywhere Mr. Chastain worked his natural ability to quickly pick up on the local languages and dialects coupled with his sincere interest in the lives of the local people meant he was known as a man who was well-liked by locals and someone with whom they became comfortable.

While Mr. Chastain was never in the military, his dedication to his work (often volunteering for very hazardous duty in active war zones) should be appreciated and acknowledged. Throughout his life he was deeply affected by his experiences in Vietnam. As with all those who served in Vietnam, Mr. Chastain’s service to this country will never receive the appreciation it deserves.

Throughout his career, Mr. Chastain remained a devoted husband and father. Often his assigned posts would separate him from his wife and children. Regardless of where he was stationed, he worked to secure nearby safe housing and education for his family. As a result, his wife and children had first-hand experiences of war zones and opportunities to learn from many fascinating cultures.

In 1994, Mr. Chastain and his wife retired to their home in Blowing Rock, NC. He was a doting grandfather, supportive father, and remained always, the loving husband of his wife, Joann. He enjoyed trout fishing, deer hunting, bird-watching and wildlife photography. Having traveled much of the world together, he and his wife spent the last 10 years annually embarking on long camping trips and extensive cross-county exploration of the United States. He was a published wildlife photographer and respected genealogist.

The family service will be private. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory will be in charge of the arrangements. The family extends its appreciation to Andy Feimster, Billy Lawrence and Bradley Moretz. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the New River Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, 6067 NC Highway 16 N, Crumpler, NC 28617.

Maybell Presnell Cook, D. July 18, 2012
Maybell Presnell Cook, age 91, of 1923 Watauga River Road, Sugar Grove, died Wednesday morning, July 18, 2012, at her home.

Mrs. Cook was born October 30, 1920 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Paul and Okie Heaton Presnell. She was a homemaker and a member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Cook is survived by two brothers, Len Presnell and wife Lena Mae of Lexington, and Jimmy C. Presnell and wife Donna of Sugar Grove, and three sisters, Pearl Tester of Blowing Rock, Mary Ruth Church of the Foscoe Community, and Wanda Jalhowski of Vero Beach, Florida. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Don Clay Cook, and three brothers, Dayton, Ron, and Cecil Presnell.

Funeral services for Maybell Presnell Cook will be conducted Saturday morning, July 21, 2012, at 11:00 o’clock, at St. John’s Episcopal Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Father Allan McCaslin and Reverend Richard Trivette. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday morning, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John’s Cemetery Fund, in care of Church of the Holy Cross, PO Box 645, Valle Crucis, North Carolina, 28691.

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

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

Listings of Funeral Homes in Watauga County:

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory
194 Queen Street
Boone, NC 28607
828-264-8888
www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Hampton Funeral Service
683 Blowing Rock Road
Boone, NC 28607
828-264-7100
www.hamptonfuneralnc.com