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Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled May 15, 2012

Hoyle B. Coffey

Hoyle B. Coffey, D. May 12, 2012
Hoyle B. Coffey, age 70, of 1018 Payne Branch Road, Blowing Rock, died Saturday evening, May 12, 2012, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center in Wilkesboro.

Mr. Coffey was born June 16, 1941 in Watauga County, a son of the late Justin and Frances Triplett Coffey. He attended Blowing Rock High School, then served in the United States Army for two years. He returned to live in Blowing Rock where he worked at Blowing Rock Ski Lodge and ABC Store, before starting a stone supply business. He most recently worked at the Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock.

Hoyle was a devoted husband, father and brother. His quick wit and sense of humor made a lasting impression on his many friends.

Mr. Coffey is survived by his wife, Nancy Coffey of the home; one daughter, Kim Coffey and husband Peter Jones of Trade, Tennessee; one son, Brian Coffey and wife Ginger of Houston, Texas; one granddaughter, Leah Coffey of Houston; one brother, Perry Coffey and wife Candace of Blowing Rock, and one niece, Lana Coffey of Lodi, New Jersey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one niece, Kelly Coffey.

Funeral services for Hoyle B. Coffey will be conducted Tuesday morning, May 15, 2012, at 11:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 10:00 until 11:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Reverend Burl Greer. Burial will follow in Laurel Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.

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

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.

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

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

Barbara Upchurch

Barbara Upchurch, May 12, 2012
Barbara Upchurch, age 62, of 2271 Deerfield Road, Boone, died Saturday morning, May 12, 2012, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Mrs. Upchurch was born September 18, 1949 in Newport, Tennessee, a daughter of James Gilland and the late Erika Dietl Gilland. She was a cashier at Dan’l Boone Inn in Boone for over 31 years.

In addition to her father, Mrs. Upchurch is survived by her husband, Peter Hess of the home; her step-mother, Dorcas Gilland of Haw River, North Carolina, and two sisters, Margaret Scarlet and husband Clay, and Mary Tyre and husband Ivan, all of Mebane, North Carolina. She is also survived by one niece and four nephews.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Erika Gilland.

A memorial service for Barbara Upchurch will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, May 15, 2012, at 2:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Reverend Gordon Noble.

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

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

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

Mack Brown

Mr. Mack D. Brown, Sr., D. May 12, 2012
Mr. Mack Donald Brown, Sr., age 84, of Florence Lane, Deep Gap, passed away Saturday morning, May 12, 2012 at Watauga Medical Center. Born November 15, 1927 in Watauga County he was a son of the late Murrary Daniel and Florence Vannoy Brown. He was a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Mack owned and operated Mack Brown Inc. and had been in the automobile business since 1949. Mack was a Mason and a member of Ashlar Lodge and a Shriner.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years; Willa Jean Norris Brown, three sons; Jerry Brown and wife Laura of Boone, Johnny Brown and wife Vickie of Ferguson, and Kent Brown and wife Angie of Boone, eight grandchildren; Thomas Brown, Mackie Lee Tucker and husband David, Leanna Brown all of Boone, Kristie Brown of Lewisville, Daniel Brown of Ferguson, Josh Brown and wife Melissa, Jason Brown all of Boone, and Bonnie Schumacher and husband Erik of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and four great grandchildren. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son; Mack Donald Brown, Jr., and one brother; Bill Brown.

Funeral services for Mr. Mack Donald Brown, Sr. will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Brent Bolick, Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Rev. Homer Greene. Entombment will follow at the Mount Lawn Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Tuesday prior to the service from 11 o’clock until 1 o’clock at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 7504 US Hwy 421 South, Deep Gap, North Carolina 28618. Online condolences may be sent to Brown family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Samuel Houston McKinney

Mr. Samuel H. McKinney, Jr., D. May 12, 2012
Mr. Samuel Houston McKinney, Jr., age 67, of Forest Grove Road, Vilas passed away Friday evening at Wake Forest University Medical Center. Born January 18, 1945 in Greenville, SC he was a son of the late Samuel Houston and Marjorie Cobb McKinney. Sam was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, and was retired from the US Navy as a Senior Chief Petty Officer.

He is survived by his wife; Virginia McCoury McKinney, three daughters; Catherine Gold and husband Wayne of Summerfield, NC, Karen Ann McKinney of Arlington, VA, and Megan C. McKinney of Monroe, Washington, one son; Samuel H. McKinney, III and wife Nicole, of Thomasville, NC, seven grandchildren; Adrienne McKinney, April McKinney, Michael McKinney, Gabriel McKinney, Rebecca Gold, Elizabeth Gold, Sarah McKinney two step sons; Michael B. Austin and wife Charlene of Jefferson and Griffith Doug Austin and wife Lynn of Vilas, five step grandchildren; T. J. Austin and wife Kylie, Brandon Austin and wife Charity, heather Fields and husband Michael, Sarah Austin, Edward B. Austin, one sister; Marcia Stewart and husband Jerry of Boiling Springs, SC. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother; Michael J. McKinney, a step brother; Scott Wigington and a step son; Donald K. Austin.

Funeral services for Mr. Samuel H. McKinney will be conducted Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the Bethel Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Charlie Martin. Burial with military honors provided by American Legion Post 130 will follow at Upper Forest Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11 o’clock until 1 o’clock at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Bethel Baptist Church, 123 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, NC 28692 or to the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1903, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the McKinney family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Rosella Kathleen Hampton Nolte

Rosella Kathleen “Kay” Hampton Nolte, D. May 10, 2012
Rosella Kathleen “Kay” Hampton Nolte, age 85, of 1701 Baldwin Drive, Millersville, Maryland, a native and former resident of Watauga County, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012, peacefully at home.

Mrs. Nolte was born December 22, 1926 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Gus and Edna Greer Hampton. She was a homemaker, artist, and attended nursing school, working with handicapped children. Being a seamstress, Kay was owner and operator of two sewing supply and fabric shops, also working with upholstery and draperies.

Mrs. Nolte is survived by her son-in-law, Karl Kaifes of the home; two sisters, Evalee Hampton Stone of Boiling Springs, South Carolina, and Bonnie Hampton Steelman and husband Harold of Deep Gap, and one brother, Dale Hampton and wife Marie of Boone. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Claude Nolte; one daughter, Linda Nolte Kaifes; her longtime companion, Joseph C. “Buddy” Anderson; two sisters, Reba Rourke and Margaret Jewell, and one brother, Kenneth Hampton.

Funeral services for Rosella Kathleen “Kay” Hampton Nolte will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, May 16, 2012, 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 Dr. Roy Dobyns, Jr.

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

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the John Hopkins Burn Center, The Fund for John Hopkins Medicine, 100 North Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201.

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

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

Robert A. Townsend

Robert A. Townsend, D. May 10, 2012
Robert A. ‘Bob’ Townsend walked through heavens gate on May 10, 2012. Bob was born April 17, 1922 in Valle Crucis to Enzer and Martha ‘Clemmie’ Townsend.

Mr. Townsend was a member and deacon of Willowdale Baptist Church. He served as a medic in the U.S. Army during WWII. Bob was a long time employee of M & R Furniture and Boone Construction Company, and for many years grew and sold Christmas trees on his farm in Vilas.

Mr. Townsend is survived by two daughters, Teresa Austin and Alta Hayes and her husband, Harold, all of Vilas; two brothers, Johnny Townsend and Billy Townsend and wife, Rachel, all of Banner Elk; and one sister, Beulah Gregory of Angier. He is also survived by one sister-in-law, Rosa Lee Townsend of Vilas, and many nieces and nephews.

Bob was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Virginia Stanbery Townsend, one son, Gale Townsend, one sister, Ada Schruffler, and seven brothers, Melvin, Fred, Mack, Vance, Ray, Floyd and Glenn Townsend.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday evening, May 12, 2012, at 6 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Chad Cole and Rev. Lonnie Barnes. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 4 until 6 o’clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes.

Military graveside honors, provided by the American Legion Post 130, will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family respectfully requests no food. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Medi Home Hospice, Post Office Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657 or to the American Lung Association, 3801 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 190, Raleigh, NC 27607.

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

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

Carl Howard Todd

Carl Howard Todd, D. May 4, 2012
Carl Howard Todd, age 69, of 1985 Aho Road, Boone, died Friday, May 4, 2012, at his home.

Howard was born January 29, 1943 in Watauga County, a son of the late Jack and Inez Hodges Todd. He was a retired funeral director and auto salesman, and a member of Laurel Fork Baptist Church. Howard served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War.

Howard is survived by one daughter, Mechelle Todd Fox of Boone; two granddaughters, Amanda Fox and Ashlyn Fox, both of Boone; one sister, Nancy “Sandy” Todd of Boone; one brother, J. Merle Todd and wife Pam of Boone; one aunt, Edith Welch of Boone; one niece, Jennifer Richardson and husband Kevin of Roanoke, Virginia, and one nephew, Jordan Todd and wife Jenelle of Charlotte.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Janette Storie Todd, and his father and mother-in-law, Carl M. Storie and Lucy Henson Storie.

Private funeral services for Carl Howard Todd were conducted Monday morning, May 7, 2012, at the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum Chapel. Officiating was Pastor Brent Bolick. Entombment followed in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Mission Fund, 7504 US Highway 421 South, Deep Gap, North Carolina, 28618.

Online condolences may be sent to the Todd 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