1000 x 90

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 13, 2012

Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 13, 2012

Belle Williams

Belle Williams, D. Nov. 12, 2012
Belle Ford Williams, age 92, of Hickory, a native and former resident of Stuart Williams Road, Boone, died Monday morning, November 12, 2012, at her home.

Mrs. Williams was born November 13, 1919 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Squire Ford and Nancy Elizabeth Moore Ford. She was a homemaker and a member of Bethelview United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Williams is survived by one daughter, Hilda Battern of Granite Falls; two sons, John Ford Williams of Boone, and Stanley Curtis Williams and wife Brenda of Charlotte; three granddaughters, Wendy Williams of Boone, Robyn Walker and husband Chris of Charlotte, and Megan Parsons and husband Josh of Little River, South Carolina; four grandsons, Chris Battern and wife Rebecca of Boone, Michael Williams, and wife Chrissy of Concord, Jonathan Williams, and John Williams, both of High Point; two great-granddaughters, Isabella and Olivia Battern, both of Boone, and two great-grandsons, Taylor Aldred and Ryan Walker, both of Charlotte. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Stuart Colfax Williams; one son, Roy Williams; seven sisters, and seven brothers.

Funeral services for Belle Ford Williams will be conducted Thursday afternoon, November 15, 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 Reverend Gary Lawrence. Burial will follow in Fairview Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday 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 Catawba Valley Hospice, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, North Carolina, 28658.

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

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

Wilma Harmon

Wilma Ward Harmon, D. Nov. 12, 2012
Wilma Gladys Ward Harmon of Boyd Harmon Road, Vilas, passed into the arms of her loving Savior Monday, November 12, 2012.

A native of Watauga County, Wilma Gladys was born November 15, 1928 to Marshall Daniel and Edna Georgia Farthing Ward. She was a charter member of Green Valley Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school for many years.

Mrs. Harmon was an avid gardener and reader, and a highly gifted seamstress, but her greatest joys were her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Gail Eller and husband Cecil, and Deborah Ann Norris, and one son, Michael Dean Norris, all of Vilas; three granddaughters, Crystal Stewart Porter and husband, Brad, of Zionville, Leslie Eggers Wilson and husband, Bruce, of Vilas, and Candace Stewart Yu and husband, James, of Raleigh; two grandsons, Kevin Dale Stewart and wife, Felicia, of Lenoir, and Justin Graylan Eggers of Vilas; seven great-grandchildren, Dakota and Noah Stewart, Brandon, Ben and Brianna Porter, Megan Thomas, and Max Yu; three sisters, Ella Fae Storie of Banner Elk, Ida Mae Williams and husband, Kenneth, of Charlotte, and Marsha Allie Norris and husband, Henry of Banner Elk and Kinston. She is also survived by a special nephew, Kenneth Cornett, and several additional nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert David Harmon, sister, Peggy Jean Tester, and brother-in-law, William Howard Tester.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, November 15, 2012, at 2 PM at Green Valley Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Eric Cornett and Mr. Kevin Stewart. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o’clock. Burial will follow in the Green Valley Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 until 8 PM at Austin & Barnes. At other times, friends may call at the home of Cecil and Gail Eller, 522 Boyd Harmon Rd. in Vilas.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Richard Greene, D. Nov. 11, 2012
Mr. Richard Dee Greene, age 88, of Blowing Rock passed away Sunday morning November 11, 2012 at Blowing Rock Extended Care. Born June 14, 1924 in Blowing Rock, he was a son of the late John F. and Nora Price Greene.

Dee was a WWII Veteran and fought with Patton’s 5th Army in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the European Combat Medal. Dee retried from the Blowing Rock Country Club and was a member of the Blowing Rock Fire Department for 25 years.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years; Mary Ford Greene, two daughters; Rebecca Greene Davis and Barbara Greene Harman and husband Dave all of Blowing Rock, one sister Martha Dolly Ann Forbes of Lumberton, four grandchildren; Meredith Harman Hall and husband Marc and daughter Summer of Charleston, SC, Elizabeth Harman and daughter Madison Harman of Boone, Jonathan Ward and wife Stephanie and sons Stryker and Eero of Boone, and Shannon Ward Myers and husband Tim and children Brayden and Elizabeth of Virginia Beach, VA, and a number of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; John F. and Nora Price Greene and nine brothers and sisters.

A Celebration of Life service for Dee Greene will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Rhonda Gales. Graveside services and burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon prior to the service from 1 until 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Medi-Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657. Online condolences may be shared with the Greene family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Jerry Glenn

Jerry Glenn, D. Nov. 11, 2012
Jerry Lane Glenn, 65, of Clark Swift Road, Vilas, passed away Sunday, November 11, 2012. Born February 4, 1947 in Watauga County, he was a son of Ralph and Alice Harmon Glenn.

Jerry was a member of Willow Valley Baptist Church. He retired after 46 years as a carpenter and worked part time for the Watauga County Sanitation Department. Jerry loved his family and doted on his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a history buff, enjoyed reading, and especially loved to walk his mountains.

Jerry is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janet Eldreth Glenn; daughter, Debbie Mast and husband, Bill, of Zionville; two granddaughters, Jessica Wagner and husband, Justin, of Vilas, and Ashley Farthing of Zionville; two great grandchildren, Rylea and Jackson Smith, both of Vilas; step-grandson, Brandon Mast, and step-great-grandson, Hunter Mast and his mother, Paige, all of Deep Gap; brother, Jimmy Glenn of Vilas; and sister, Wanda Ward and husband, Richard, of Elk Park. A number of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Alice Harmon Glenn; and step-grandson, William R. Mast, Jr.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, November 15, 2012,at 2 PM, at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Chapel, officiated by Rev. Ray Greene. Burial will follow in the Willow Valley Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 until 8 PM at Austin & Barnes.

Memorials may be made to High Country Health Care Systems/HOSPICE, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, NC 28607, or to the Willow Valley Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Brandon Greer, 436 Clark Swift Road, Vilas, NC 28692.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

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

Lauri Bischofs Himmelman

Laura ‘Lauri’ Bischofs Himmelman, D. Nov. 8, 2012
Laura “Lauri” Bischofs Himmelman, age 57, of 496 McGuire Road, Elk Park, died Thursday morning, November 8, 2012, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Mrs. Himmelman is survived by her husband, Rob Himmelman of the home; two daughters, Rose Anne Himmelman and Leah Marie Himmelman, both of Boone; her mother, Henriette Bischofs of St. Petersburg, Florida; three sisters, Susie Nolen of Waco, Texas, Gina Whitson and husband Dave of Denver, Colorado, and Nancy Bischofs of Eugene, Oregon, and one brother, Paul Bischofs of Florida.

She was preceded in death by her father, Hans Bischofs.

Funeral arrangements for Laura “Lauri” Bischofs Himmelman are incomplete at this time.

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

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

Raymond Buckner

Raymond T. Buckner, D. Nov. 8, 2012
Raymond Tyrus “Ray” Buckner Jr. of Lincolnton, N.C., died Nov. 7, 2012, in Boone, N.C., at age 81, after a period of declining health.

He was a wonderful son, brother, husband, father, and friend. He loved his family, the mountains, photography, sports and travel.

A native of Dallas, N.C., he grew up in Belmont, N.C., and graduated from Belmont High School. He lettered in football and basketball. He attended Mars Hill Junior College before serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps in Orleans, France. Ray studied civil engineering at N.C. State College, graduating in 1958. He was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity and played junior varsity basketball.

He met his future wife, Peggy Graham, at a high school football game in Lenoir, N.C., and they were married in June 1960. They settled in Charlotte, N.C., and raised three sons, Ty, John and Will.

After beginning his career with C.D. Spangler Construction, he worked for 18 years with Duke Power Company in survey and real estate development and later in design and civil engineering. In 1977, Ray and his family moved to Lincolnton where he owned and operated Buckner & Associates, a land surveying and engineering firm. Ray was a licensed professional engineer. He surveyed Lincoln and surrounding counties with accuracy and integrity for over 30 years and was active in the N.C. Society of Surveyors.
Raised in the Baptist tradition, he was a member of Avondale Presbyterian Church in Charlotte and First Presbyterian Church in Lincolnton. He was a deacon, elder and Sunday School teacher.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Peggy of Lincolnton; son Ty Buckner of Greensboro; son John Buckner, wife Jeannie and children Emily, Charlotte and Graham of Davidson, son Will Buckner, wife Patty and children Danielle, Mary and Elizabeth of Boone; mother-in-law Ann Graham of Boone; sister Phyllis Holderby and husband John of Reidsville; sister Nancy Hyde and husband Don of Belmont; brother Joe Buckner and wife Jane of Belmont; four nephews and a niece.

A celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at First Presbyterian Church in Lincolnton. A visitation will follow in the church fellowship hall. The family will be at home at 703 N. Laurel St. at other times. Interment will occur in the columbarium at Avondale Presbyterian Church at a later date.

Memorials should be directed to First Presbyterian Church, 114 West Main Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092 or the Alzheimer’s Association Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Warlick Funeral Home are serving the Buckner family.

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