AAA Carolinas honored five hotels and two restaurants at the North and South Carolina AAA Five Diamond awards dinner at The Fearrington House Inn and Restaurant on Sunday, Jan. 5. The Five Diamond rating is the top designation awarded each year by AAA to an elite group of qualified hotels and restaurants after an anonymous overnight visit or dining experience by full-time specially trained inspectors.
Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 4, 2012 Charlie Rash, D. Dec. 4, 2012 Charlie William Rash, age 69, of Warrensville, passed away Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at Ashe Memorial Hospital. A memorial service will be held on Friday, December 7, 2012 at 2:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. J.C. Darnell and Rev. Jimmy Galgano officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2:00pm, prior to the memorial service. Mr. Rash was born in Ashe County on June 13, 1943 to the late Blake Milliard and Francis Jones Rash. He was a Farmer. He is survived by a son, Eric Wayne Rash and wife, Danielle, of Warrensville; a daughter, Cynthia Woodie of West Jefferson; a sister, Opal Rash Page of North Wilkesboro; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews also survive. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: the family, c/o Boone Family Funeral Home, PO Box 786, West Jefferson, NC 28694. Rollin Victor Schwirtz, D. Dec. 4, 2012 Mr. Rollin Victor Schwirtz age 89, of Jefferson, NC died Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at his home. Mr. Schwirtz was born on November 20, 1923 in Wabasha County, MN to Edward and Bertha Wilde Schwirtz. Mr. …
Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Dec. 4, 2012 Clara Rupard, D. Nov. 30, 2012 Mrs. Clara Rupard, 78, of Banner Elk, died on Friday, November 30, 2012 at the Johnson City Medical Center. She was a daughter of the late Sam Turbyfill and Myrtle Hicks Turbyfill. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Turbyfill. She was a member of White Rock Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School. Clara enjoyed Gardening, Sewing and Cooking. She loved all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.. Mrs. Rupard retired from John Cook Subaru where she worked as a Detailer. Clara is survived by her loving husband of 27 years, Andrew Rupard, Daughters – Vickie Turbyfill of Elk Park, NC, Cindy Bare, and her companion, Eddie Ingram, of Linville Falls, NC; Son – Skipper Blair, and his wife, Melissa, of Banner Elk, NC; eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm Monday at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home The funeral service will be held at 8:00 pm Monday, December 3, 2012, at the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, with Rev. Lynn Shook officiating. Family, friends, and pallbearers will gather …
Dec. 4, 2012. Recent obituaries in Watauga County compiled on Dec. 4, 2012.
COMPILED BY JESSE WOOD
Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 30, 2012 Vivian Johnson Stamey, D. Nov. 28, 2012 Vivian Johnson Stamey, age 83, of Newland passed away on November 28, 2012 at Roan Highlands Nursing Center. A native of Avery County, she was born April 1, 1929 a daughter of the late Ettle and Rose Biggs Johnson. She was a member of the Avery Revival Center where she was a great help and helped to build the church. She was kind to everyone and was a part of the Friday Lunch Bunch of the Avery County Senior Center. Along with her parents, Vivian was preceded in death by her: husband, Paul Stamey; sisters, Lucille Oakes, Edith Smith, Anna Lee Dean. Florence Vance; brothers, Albert Johnson, Jim Johnson, Jack Taylor; son-in-law, Tony Holden. Vivian has left to cherish her memory her: son, Benny L. Johnson and wife Sherry of Hampton, TN; daughters, Rosetta Russell and husband Steve of Greenville, TN, Sherri Holden of Roan Mountain; sister, Toots Hall of Newland; brother, Joe Johnson of Newland; sisters-in-law, Nell Aldridge of Crossnore, Bonnie Johnson of Newland; 11 grandchildren; 18 great grand children; 1 great-great grandchild. Funeral services for Vivian Johnson Stamey will be conducted on Friday, …
Nov. 30, 2012. Recent obituaries in Watauga County compiled on Nov. 30, 2012
COMPILED BY JESSE WOOD
Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 13, 2012 Ann Bennett Willis, D. Nov. 10, 2012 Ann Bennett Willis, age 88, died peacefully on November 10, 2012 at her home in Grandfather Mountain in Linville, North Carolina, after an extended illness. Ann was born November 27, 1923 in Winston-Salem, NC, the daughter of Paul Archer and Vera Early Bennett. As a graduate of Hollins College, Ann received her degree in Greek and Latin studies. Upon graduation, she wrote the society column for the Winston-Salem Centinel called “ABSees”. On April 19, 1947, she married the love of her life, James Perry Willis. In addition to raising four children, Ann was involved in many community charities. She was an active member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Winston-Salem. After retiring, Ann and Jim continued their interest in supporting their communities, and most importantly, their churches. As a follower of Christ, Ann began a women’s bible study in her home forty years ago, which continues to meet today. She and Jim also started The Chapel in the Woods, presently known as The Chapel by the Lake at Grandfather. Preceded in death by her husband, James Perry Willis and her sister, Mary Archer Bennett. Ann …
Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Nov. 7, 2012 Viola G. Bingham, D. Oct. 30, 2012. Viola Gertrude Bingham, of Sparta and a former resident of Boone passed away Tuesday morning at Forsyth Medical Center. She is survived by four daughters; Linda McGrady and husband Stanley of Sparta, Luisa Wilson and husband J. Timothy Wilson of Mooresville, Anita Lorenzo Elliott and husband David of Charleston, WV, and Tina Lorenzo-Moore and husband D. Keith Moore of Spartanburg, SC, seven grandchildren; David William McGrady and wife Stacy, Matthew Paul Elliott, Catherine Ashley McGrady, Sarah Anne Elliott, Mary Luisa Elliott, Rachel Marie Moore and Adam Joseph Moore, one sister; Bonnie Cashion of High Point, and one brother; Ira J. Bingham, Jr., and wife Virginia of Boone. She was preceded in death by her parents; Ira Jeptha Bingham and Gertrude Puckett Bingham. Graveside services and burial for Viola Gertrude Bingham will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the Rutherwood Baptist Church Cemetery. Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be expressed to the Bingham family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bingham family. Aleck Gene Tomczyk, …
Oct. 31, 2012. Due to the cold and snowy weather, some Halloween events have been cancelled or postponed, however, many events are still happening tonight on Halloween.
BY JESSE WOOD
Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 30, 2012 Terry Chamberlain, D. Oct. 27, 2012 Theresa “Terry” Marie Savard Chamberlain, born March 7, 1926 in Lowell, Massachusetts, entered the gates of heaven into the presence of her Savior and King on Saturday October 27, 2012. She is survived by her two daughters, Marguerite “Peggy” Lou Chamberlain Hoefl and Susan Marie Chamberlain Shipe, their spouses, Bob and Lowell (NC), seven grandchildren: Paula (& Bobby) Huscroft (Texas), Debra Hoefl (Florida), Chrissie (& Rodney) Lee (Charlotte), Bobby (& Teresa) Hoefl (Charlotte), Marni (& Tom) Nicholas (Statesville), Mark (& Maria) Leach (Florida) and Michael Leach (Florida). Ten great grandchildren: Krista Thies, Ashley Stanger, Cara Hoefl, Alexis Lee, Hannah Leach, Talor Lee, Christopher Valle, Joey Hoefl, Simon Nicholas, and Lea Hoefl; and, three great-great grandchildren: Malaya, Kaileen and Keeara Leaper; three sisters Mary (NJ), Marge (Ohio), Celia (Idaho). Bob, her brother, deceased and Esther his wife (NJ). And an innumerable number of nieces and nephews located all over the United States. Ms. Chamberlain worked in hospital administration most of her career years and moved to Boone NC in 1991 and to West Jefferson in 1993. Terry was a faithful member of First Assembly of God in …
Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 26, 2012 Josephine Johnson, D. Oct. 24, 2012 Mrs. Josephine Johnson age 90, of West Jefferson, died on Wednesday, October 24, 2012 at Ashe Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Johnson was born on September 16, 1922 in Lilly, FL to Charles and Donnie Albrittan Newberry. Mrs. Johnson was preceded in death by parents, husband, Lester Edward Johnson, grandson, Neal Taylor and two sisters. Mrs. Johnson attended the Ashe County Worship Center and she always had a green thumb when it came to gardening. She currently was working as a senior companion though the Appalachian Senior Program. Graveside services will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Ashelawn Memorial Gardens by Pastor Chuck Call. Mrs. Johnson is survived by: Son, Gene Taylor and wife Jane of Charlotte, two grandchildren, Mark Taylor and Leigh Taylor Manns, also surviving are 7 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews. You may send and view condolences to the family at www.ashelawn.com. Ashelawn Memorial Chapel & Gardens was entrusted with Mrs. Johnson’s arrangements. Doris Miller Lambert, D. Oct. 23, 2012 Mrs. Doris Miller Lambert, age 82, of West Jefferson passed away Tuesday afternoon, October 23, 2012 at Carolina Medical Center …
Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 26, 2012 Vernon E. Morris, D. Oct. 24, 2012 Vernon E. Morris, age 95, affectionately known as “Vern”, “Pap”, “Pop” and “Wildman”, of Linville passed away on October 24, 2012 at Cannon Memorial Hospital. Vernon was born September 2, 1917 in Somserset, PA the son of the late Cornie and Rosie Rock Morris. He was a member of Linville Evangelical Methodist Church and enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, telling stories, going to and volunteering at the Avery County Senior Center. Along with his parents, Vernon was preceded in death by his: wife Pauline Morris; sons, Gary Wayne Morris and Kevin Allen Morris; daughter, Kay Morris. Vernon has left to cherish his memory his: daughter, Dena Morris of Newland; grandson, Tracy Morris and wife Lindsay of Newland, Micah Rankhorn and wife Arrington of Sugar Mtn. NC, Chris Rankhorn and wife Heidi of Roan Mtn., TN; great grandchildren, Jada Coffey, Dylan Rankhorn, Haley Rankhorn, Jonathan Rankhorn, Trevor Rankhorn. There will be a service celebrating Vern on Saturday, November 3rd from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the residence of his daughter Dena at 160 Watauga St. Newland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Avery …
Oct. 26, 2012. Recent obituaries in Watauga County compiled on Oct. 26, 2012
COMPILED BY JESSE WOOD
Oct. 22, 2012. The Civitas Institute has analyzed the voting numbers from the first day of One-Stop Voting and from the overall early voting process so far. According to the State Board of Elections data, 150,872 people turned out to vote on the first day of One-Stop Voting.
Oct. 17, 2012. For years, the parking lot of the International Resistive Corporation (IRC) plant on Greenway Road was filled with more than one hundred cars of its employees. On Wednesday morning, the parking lot was nearly empty with seven cars.
BY JESSE WOOD
Photo by Jesse Wood
Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 9, 2012 Vivian Davenport McKinney, D. Oct. 5, 2012 Vivian Davenport McKinney, 86, of Newland, passed away on Friday, October 5, 2012. A native of Avery County, she was a daughter of the late Gordon and Essie Dellinger Davenport. Vivian was a graduate of the Crossnore High School and operated the Parkway Junction Store in Linville Falls for many years. She enjoyed her store and seeing her customers year after year, touching many lives as the neighborhood counselor. After she retired she was a volunteer for Resort Area Ministries RAMS Rack in Newland and the Parkway Visitor Center in Linville Falls. She enjoyed collecting, reading, and using cookbooks. Vivian was a member of the Pisgah Methodist Church and attended the First Baptist Church Newland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers, Herald and Archie Davenport. She leaves behind to cherish her memories, her son, Gerald McKinney, and his wife, Donetta, of Newland; grandchildren, Adam McKinney of Sanford, NC, Erin Kimmel, and her husband, Steve, of Chapel Hill, NC, Melanie Whitehead, and her husband, Jeff, of Newland, Brach Jarrett, and his wife, Jennie, of Roan Mountain, TN; great grandchildren, …
Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 9, 2012 Loretta Neal Taylor Neaves, D. Oct. 6, 2012 Mrs. Loretta Neal Taylor Neaves, age 73, of Crumpler, passed away Saturday morning, October 6, 2012 at Forsyth Medical Center. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 9, 2012 at 2:00pm at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Wayne Jones and Speaker Christopher Taylor officiating. Burial will follow in the Howell-Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:00-2:00-pm on Tuesday, two hours prior to the funeral service. Mrs. Neaves was born in Ashe County on Monday, March 27, 1939 to the late Wiley Everett and Ollie Mae Chatham Taylor. She worked at Pendry’s Mfg. Company. She was a member at New River Baptist Church. She was known for her good cooking and her wonderful hugs. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be missed by all. She is survived by, her husband, Scott Neaves; a son, Michael Neaves and wife, Tonya, of Sparta; a daughter, Christine Cruz, of Jefferson; two brothers, Dallas Taylor and Dean Taylor, both of Jefferson; three sisters, Jean Cockerham and Wylene Fitzgerald, both of Wilkesboro and Marie Setzler, of Ohio; three grandchildren, …
Oct. 9, 2012. Recent obituaries in Watauga County compiled on Oct. 9, 2012
COMPILED BY JESSE WOOD
Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled Oct. 2, 2012 Betty Darnell Severt, D. Sept. 29, 2012 Mrs. Betty Darnell Severt age 90, of Jefferson, NC passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the Margate Health & Rehab Center with her family by her side. Betty was born on May 20, 1922 in Wilkes County, NC to Lundy and Alice Ayers Darnell. She was proud to call Ashe County her home for her entire life. She loved being surrounded by family and friends, dancing and gardening. Mrs. Severt was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Johnny Bart Severt, several brothers and sisters. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at 11:00 am at the Badger Funeral Home Chapel by Rev. Tommy Dollar & Rev. Lonnie Pruitt. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, October 1, 2012 at Badger Funeral Home. Mrs. Severt is survived by: 2 sons: Gordon Craven of MD & Rex Severt and wife Patty of West Jefferson 3 daughters: Rosa Lee Lyalls and husband Eddie & Peggy Foster all of West Jefferson & Donna Huntley and husband Greg of Morganton …
Sept. 30, 2012. Just before 7 a.m. on a September morning in Boone, the sun has yet to rise over the mountains eastward. The early morning skyline is streaked orange and grey as it awaits the rising sun. The air has a stinging chill and is eerily still. In the Watauga Village Shopping Center, Walmart’s parking lot is already coming to life, with handfuls of shoppers scattered across the black top.
BY ETHAN WOODHOUSE
Ashe County Obituaries – Compiled Sept. 25, 2012 Deborah Anne Deneau McKittrick, D. Sept. 21, 2012 Mrs. Deborah Anne Deneau McKittrick, better known as “Debbie” age 46, of Lansing passed away Friday, September 21, 2012. The family will receive friends from 12:00-4:00pm on Friday, September 28, 2012 at the home place at 675 Ray Davis Road in Lansing. Mrs. McKittrick was born in Easton, Maryland on Monday, August 8, 1966 to the late Forrest and Lorraine Fluharty Deneau. She was an animal lover and enjoyed making crafts. Some of her crafts were shown in shops around town. She is survived by her husband, Herb McKittrick; two sons, Justin Elliott, of Lansing and Sean McKittrick, of Lansing; two brothers, Troy Deneau, of Delaware and Perry Deneau, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; a sister, Dawn Deneau, of Delaware; several nieces and nephews also survive. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to: Ashe Suicide Awareness and Prevention Task Force, PO Box 1023, West Jefferson, NC 28694. Pauline Clark, D. Sept. 21, 2012 Mrs. Pauline Clark age 88, of Independence, VA died on Friday, September 21, 2012 at the Grayson Nursing & Rehabilitation Center. Mrs. Clark was born on March 16, 1924 …
Sept. 25, 2012. Recent obituaries in Watauga County compiled on Sept. 25, 2012
COMPILED BY JESSE WOOD
Avery County Obituaries – Compiled Sept. 25, 2012 Marlyn Deaton Greene, D. Sept. 20, 2012 Marlyn Deaton Greene, 88, of Newland passed away on September 20, 2012 after declining health for several years. Daughter of the late Nellie Shirley and step-father Edgar Shirley, she was born August 22, 1924 in Avery County. She was the wife of the late Robert F. Greene, Jr. She was a graduate of Newland High School and until she became disabled she was a telephone operator in Newland for Southern Bell. In addition to her parents and husband, she was predeceased by two sisters, Wilma Knudsen and Kathleen Robbins. Left to cherish her memory are: a son, Michael Greene and wife Kaye of Newland; two grand-daughters, Meredith Bradshaw and husband Kevin, Amanda Lail and husband James, all of Taylorsville, NC; seven great-grandchildren, Michael Bradshaw of Hickory, NC, Kyle Bradshaw of Charlotte, NC, Beau, Aaron and Spencer Bradshaw, Kayla and Brandon Lail all of Taylorsville and one great-great grandchild, Kaden Bradshaw of Hickory, NC. Also surviving her are a brother, Lee Shirley of Newland; special sister-in-law Nancy Dolan of Montezuma and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Marlyn L. Greene will be conducted on Sunday, …
Sept. 18, 2012. Recent obituaries in Ashe County compiled on Sept. 18, 2012.
COMPILED BY JESSE WOOD
Watauga County Obituaries – Compiled Sept. 18, 2012 Billy Dean Hodges, D. September 18, 2012 Billy Dean Hodges, age 81, of Life Care Center of Banner Elk, died Tuesday morning, September 18, 2012, at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville. Funeral arrangements for Billy Dean Hodges are incomplete at this time. Online condolences may be sent to the Hodges family at www.hamptonfuneralnc.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements. Lillian Eleanor Imeson, D. September 16, 2012 Lillian Eleanor Imeson, age 81, of Clearwater, Florida and Blowing Rock, died Sunday, September 16, 2012, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone. Lillian was born June 24, 1931 in Rudyard, Michigan, a daughter of the late Matti and Ida Haapala Kujala. She was a retired owner and operator of the Blowing Rock Inn, and a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Clearwater, Florida. Lillian is survived by her husband, Loren G. Imeson of Clearwater and Blowing Rock; one son, Larry Imeson and fiance Janet Cone of Blowing Rock and Naples, Florida; one daughter, Loreen K. Hewitt and husband Timothy of Greensburg, Pennsylvania; four granddaughters, Brittany Hewitt, Amanda Moore and husband Nate of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Caitlin Hewitt of Los Angeles, California, and …
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