May 6, 2005

Rev. Kelly  Maurice Cooper

Rev. Kelly Maurice Cooper of Raleigh, N.C., died Tuesday, May 3, 2005, at Rex Hospital.

He was born in High Point, N.C., Sept. 30, 1930, and grew up in Seagrove, the fifth child of Laura and Pearl B. Cooper.

Rev. Cooper was educated at Westmore Schools in Moore County, and  graduated from Wingate College, Appalachian Teachers College, and Southeastern Theological Seminary. He was ordained in 1952 to the Southern Baptist Ministry at Union Grove Baptist Church.

He was a faithful servant of the Lord, living out his faith daily in goodness and kindness. His call to ministry was lived out even before his ordination at Union Grove Baptist Church as he and his wife, Helen, carried music and the Word into churches across North Carolina.

Following his ordination, he and his wife served Willowdale, Poplar Grove and First Baptist Church in and around Boone. From there they served Woodland Baptist Church and taught school in Wake Forest as he was finishing his theological training at Southeastern. Perkinsville Baptist Church in Boone, was the Cooper’s next place of service.

In 1967, Rev. Cooper was called to ministry at the North Carolina Baptist State Convention office now located in Cary, N.C., and served as Department Director of Church Ministries and Training. He retired in 1995 and returned to the local pastorate serving as Interim Pastor in seven Baptist churches across North Carolina. He was a much loved and admired pastor in all of his places of service.

He devoted his life to serve through pastoring and through the development of training courses for discipleship, church secretaries and senior adults. His legacy includes the implementation of a Children’s Bible Drill and Youth Speaker’s Tournament that equipped young people to live in the Word of God, the Bible.

Even to the very end of his life, there was evidence of Rev. Cooper’s ministry of care giving. Living the Samaritan’s Touch and compiling a caregiver resource called “Let the Bible Speak,” he and his wife gave care to family, parishioners, and all with whom they came into contact. In his last days at Rex Hospital, his visitors heard a word of encouragement and hope and received a tender blessing. Besides his legacy in the church, he leaves a legacy of family blessing that extends across this state. This is a man who lived with grace all God called him to be and ran with perseverance, the race that was set before him. He truly finished the course in faith.

Survivors include his wife of 54 years, Helen Monk Cooper; their children, Steve and Jeanette Cooper of Raleigh; Judy and Bob Jurinko of Bluffton, S.C.; and Pam and Tim Hartsell of Moyock; their grandchildren, Laura Jenson Cooper of Raleigh, Jason Cooper Hartsell and James David Hartsell of Moyock; and a brother, Jimmy Cooper and his wife, Gladys, of Ramseur.

A private service for the family will be held Friday at Montlawn Funeral Home with entombment in the Chapel of Memories Mausoleum. A Celebration of Life and Resurrection will be held Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at Aversboro Road Baptist Church, 1600 Aversboro Road, Garner, N.C. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials will be received for the Kelly Maurice and Helen Monk Cooper Scholarship Fund at Wingate University, Campus Box 3071, Wingate, N.C. 28174.

The family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Raleigh Hematology and Oncology, Duke Adult Bone Marrow Transplant Clinic, Rex Hospital Five East, and Hospice of Wake County for their loving care.

Montlawn Funeral Home, 2911 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh, N.C., are in charge of the arrangements.

Donald F. Ketchum

Mr. Donald F. Ketchum of Fleetwood, N.C., passed away on May 1, 2005, at Ashe Memorial Hospital, following a short illness.

He was born in Rochester, New York, where he graduated from Irondequoit High School and later earned his degrees from the University of Rochester.

Mr. Ketchum retired after 44 years with Kodak where he was Department Head of The Analytical Chemistry Micro Laboratory. Of his many citations, he was most proud of his recognition for development of Kodak’s Blood Spectroanalytic capabilities.

The Ketchums moved to Fleetwood in 1991. Both are active members of the Laurel Springs Baptist Church.

Survivors include his loving wife, Lenore; daughters Penelope, Pamela, Patricia and Jill; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his only son, Daryl.

A Celebration of Life Service will be conducted at the Laurel Springs Baptist Church in Deep Gap on May 8, at 11:00 a.m.

Myrtle Palmer Moody

Mrs. Myrtle Palmer Moody, 92, of Johnson City, Tenn., wife of the late George H. Moody, died Wednesday, May 4, 2005, at Johnson City Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 7, 1913, in Butler, Carter County, Tenn., to the late Richard and Della Younce Palmer.

Mrs. Moody was retired from the Veterans Administration Medical Center and a former employee of Aunt B’s restaurant. For the past 20 years, she served as a volunteer in the “coffee” ministry at Johnson City Medical Center. She was a member of Pinecrest Baptist Church in Johnson City.

Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Hicks and Phyllis Blackburn and husband, Basil, and one granddaughter, Sherry McNabb, all of Johnson City; three grandsons, David Hicks of Bluff City, Tenn. and Brian and Chad Blackburn, both of Johnson City; six great-grandchildren, Kayla and Matthew Hicks, Clay and Chase McNabb, Brianna and Allison Blackburn; three sisters, Mary Alice Hanna of Johnson City, Chloe Swift and Margie Lee Williams, both of Kingsport; and a number of nieces and nephews. She is survived locally by an aunt, Mrs. Sarah Palmer of Boone.

Services will be conducted tonight (Friday) at 8 p.m. at Morris-Baker Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. John Perkins officiating.

Graveside services will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Monte Vista Memorial Park in Johnson City.

The family will receive friends this evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pinecrest Baptist Church Building Fund, 2129 Old Lewis Road, Johnson City, Tenn. 37601.

Arrangements by Morris-Baker Funeral Home in Johnson City, Tenn.

May 4, 2005

David Carlton Blackburn

Mr. David Carlton Blackburn, 65, of North Main Street, Mocksville, N.C., died May 1, 2005, at Davie County Hospital.

He was born in Watauga County on Aug. 7, 1939, the son of the late Earl S. and Susan Swift Blackburn.

Mr. Blackburn was employed by South Eastern Freight as a truck driver and was a member of Blaise Baptist Church.

Survivors include three brothers, Eugene Blackburn and wife, Sharon, of Port Charlotte, Fla., Bill Blackburn and wife, Peggy, of Raleigh, N.C. and Roy Blackburn and wife, Margaret, of Boone; three sisters, Lois Blackburn of Boone, Betty Hutchens and husband, Richard, of Mount Airy, and Mary Pendill and husband, John, of Manteo, N.C.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a sister, Peggy Craven in 2004.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date.

Memorials may be made to Blaise Baptist Church Sunday School Class, c/o Gene Whitaker, 234 Blaise Church Road, Mocksville, N.C. 27028.

Davie Funeral Service is serving the Blackburn family.

Lyla Barnett Foster

Mrs. Lyla Barnett Foster, 82, of Todd, N.C., and formerly of Ransom Street in Blowing Rock, died Sunday afternoon, May 1, 2005, at Ashe Memorial Hospital.

She was born in Wayne County, Mississippi, a daughter of the late James and Elizabeth Cochran Barnett.

Mrs. Foster was a member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church and was a homemaker.

Survivors include three daughters, Billie Weymouth Foster of Vilas, Cissie Dotson and husband, Denver, of Kernersville, and Julia Foster of Deep Gap; four grandchildren, Stephanie Lee and husband, John, of Colfax, N.C., Christopher “Kit” Dotson and wife, Jo Dee, of Johnson City, Tenn., Kimberly Moody of Deep Gap, and Sherri Moody of Raleigh; seven great-grandchildren, Aaron Riley, Ian Riley, Kamryn Lee, Taylor Dotson, Abby Dotson, Vanessa Hamilton and Caleb Wise.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Hugh Foster; and two sisters, Lillian Henderson and Ethel Lanier.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 1 o’clock at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, officiated by Christopher “Kit” Dotson.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Foster family.

Pauline Wilcox Hodges

Mrs. Pauline Wilcox Hodges, 83, of Chestnut Drive, Boone, died Tuesday morning, May 3, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center.

A native of Watauga County, she was born Oct. 28, 1921 to F. Lloyd and Chanie Grace Watson Wilcox.

Mrs. Hodges was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. She retired from Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation after more than 30 years as a member service representative.

Survivors include her devoted daughter, Carol Greer and husband, Ray, of Boone; and two granddaughters, Kim Greer of Kernersville and Crissi Greer of Boone.

She was preceded in death by her loving husband and best friend of 57 years, Bill Hodges; her parents; and one brother, Ravon Wilcox.

Services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Kenneth Craig. The family will receive friends Thursday from 11:30-1 p.m., prior to services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 27985, Raleigh, N.C. 27611.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Hodges family.

Eula Combs Norris

Mrs. Eula Combs Norris, 92, of Glade Spring, Va., a native and former resident of Watauga County, wife of the late Dennis Norris, died Thursday, April 28, 2005, at Grace Healthcare Center.

She was born Dec. 19, 1912, in the Beaver Dam community, the first child of the late Robert Lee and Bertie Storie Combs.

Mrs. Norris was a homemaker and a member of Friendship Baptist Church in Glade Spring, where she remained committed to international mission efforts. She enjoyed quilting at the Senior Citizens Center in Damascus.

Survivors include two sons, Burl Norris and wife, Eileen, of Bristol, Tenn. and Bill Norris and wife, Wilma, of Chesterfield, Va.; six daughters, Betty Campbell and husband, Jack, of Chilhowie, Va., Irma Reedy and husband, Charles, of Manassas, Va., Mary Haga and husband, Telsie, of Bedord, Va., Carolyn Rouse and husband, Bob, of Gainesville, Ga., Dr. Martha Moore and husband, Dr. William Moore, of Rural Retreat, Va., and Beverly Eason and husband, Mark, of Abingdon, Va.; three sisters, Jean McGuire of Sugar Grove, Jo Isaacs of Boone and Kathleen Moore of Vilas; and one brother, Norman Combs of Pineville. She is also survived by 18 grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren, two foster daughters and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Karen Eileen Norris; two sisters, Ila Weaver and Velma Johnson; and four brothers, Carlton Combs, Rufus Combs, Robert Combs and Rex Combs.

Services were conducted Saturday, April 30, at 3 p.m. at Friendship Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. David Sizemore and the Rev. Dr. Steven Pollard. Burial followed in the Mount Olivet Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Southwest Virginia, 600 Ridgeway Road, Wytheville, Va. 24382; the Friendship Mission Fund, 35411 Loves Mill Road, Glade Spring, Va. 24340; or Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Farris Funeral Service in Abingdon, Va., was in charge of the arrangements.

Albert Monroe Wagner

Mr. Albert Monroe Wagner, 84, of Charlotte, died April 24, 2005, at Charlotte Health Care.

He was born Feb. 23, 1921 in Watauga County, son of the late Oscar Neal and Susan Effie Wellborn Wagner.

Mr. Wagner attended Thrift Baptist Church and had worked in sales, retiring from Stone’s Southern School Supply in 1991. Following that he was employed by NAPA before retiring. He liked to travel and enjoyed camping, hunting and fishing in his younger days. He spent many happy hours of time in his workshop creating a variety of projects.

Survivors include a son, Stephen M. Wagner and wife, Nelda, of Mooresville, N.C.; a grandson, Anthony A. Wagner and wife, Carolyn, of Josephine, Ala.;  and a granddaughter, Stefanie W. Kipp and husband, Eric, of Cornielus, N.C.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Doris Greene Wagner; a son, Jerry Wayne Wagner; and a brother, Otto N. Wagner.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon April 26, at 3 p.m. at Forest Lawn West Mausoleum Chapel with the Rev. Gene Lathan officiating. Entombment followed the service.

The family would like to thank all of Mr. Wagner’s many friends at Thrift Baptist Church for all their kindness and support.

Memorials may be made to Thrift Baptist Church, 8415 Moores Chapel Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28214.

McEwen Charlotte Chapel were in charge of the arrangements.

Jerry Donald Winebarger

Mr. Jerry Donald Winebarger, 58, of 321 Berry Branch Road, Mountain City, Tenn., a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Sunday, May 1, 2005, at home.

He was born Nov. 15, 1946, in Boone, to Mattie Tester Winebarger and the late Russell Earl Winebarger, Sr.

Mr. Winebarger was a floor maintenance assistant in the Building Services department at Appalachian State University. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Christian Church in Mountain City.

Survivors include his wife, Linda Reece Winebarger; one son, J.D. Winebarger, and his mother, Mrs. Mattie Winebarger, all of Mountain City; two sisters, Mary Lee Tester and husband, Larry, of Sugar Grove and Jeanette Ward of Vilas; one brother, Russell Earl Winebarger, Jr. and wife, Brenda, of Vilas; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted Tuesday evening at 8 p.m. at Henson Funeral Home Chapel with Mr. Jim Hutchinson, Mr. Maurice Widener, the Rev. Ray Greene officiating. Committal  services and entombment were  held this morning (Wednesday) at 10 a.m. at the Sunset Memorial Park Mausoleum in Mountain City.

Memorial contributions may be made to Medical Center Hospice, 101 MedTech Parkway, Johnson City, Tenn. 37604.

Henson Funeral Home in Mountain City was in charge of arrangments.

May 2, 2005

Marvin David Dotson Sr.

Mr. Marvin David Dotson, Sr., 76, of Poplar Grove Road South, Boone, died Friday evening, April 29, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

He was born Oct. 6, 1928 in Watauga County, a son of Conor Rom and Doris Greene Dotson.

Mr. Dotson attended Poplar Grove Baptist Church. He served as a deputy for the Watauga County Sheriffs Department and as a dog trainer for the Watauga and Caldwell County Prison Departments. He drove a delivery truck for Colvard Oil Company. Mr. Dotson was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include one daughter, Diane Lambert and husband, Bill, of Boone; his step-daughter, Carol Rainey and husband, Dan, of Tallahassee, Fla.; one step-son, Brent Pitts of Granite Falls; two grandchildren, Shawn Lambert and Angelia Dotson, both of Boone; four great-grandchildren, Kayla Lambert, Kelsie, Kodie and Kenzie  Dotson; one brother, Dale Dotson of Zionville; four sisters, Marie Watson and husband, Glenn, of Boone, Dorothy Bruce and husband, J.C. of Winston-Salem and Myrtle Whitman and Peggy Norris and husband, Joe, all of Pfafftown; and a number of step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Pitts Dotson; one son, David Dotson, Jr.; two step-sons, Jim and Richard Pitts; three brothers, Kenneth, Floyd and Billy Dotson; and one sister, Margaret Demster.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Thursday morning at 11 o’clock at the Pitts Family Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. Herbert McCoy.

The family respectfully requests no food and suggests memorials to the Poplar Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, in care of Ann Welch, 214 Old Clayton Greene Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Dotson family.

Roy Edward Furr

Mr. Roy Edward Furr, 74, of 157 River Way, Boone, a former resident of Deep Gap, died Friday, April 29, 2005, in Deep Gap.

He was born Nov. 8, 1930, in Birdville, Pitt County, to the late Zebulon Vance and Claudia Malpass Furr.

Mr. Furr graduated from New Hanover High School in Wilmington in 1949, after which he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged as a Technical Sgt. in 1952. He earned a B.S. degree in Education from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1958 and taught in the North Carolina school system until 1971. Mr. Furr joined Ashler Masonic Lodge in Deep Gap in 1964 and served as Past Master and secretary. He was a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies and Oasis Shrine Temple and an honorary member of Snow Lodge 363 in Boone.

Mr. Furr owned and operated the former Overlook Motel & Gift Shop in Deep Gap from 1953 until 1992 and Furr’s Gifts from 1967 until the present. He was of the Protestant faith.

Survivors include one son, Roy Edward Furr, Jr. and wife, Penny, of Atlanta, Ga.; and one daughter, Joanne Furr of Banner Elk; five sisters-in-law, Lillian Marie Furr of Asheville, Lenna McLean of Hamlet, Anne Tarbox and Roseland McEwen, both of Laurel, Maryland and Beth Etheridge of Aiken, S.C.; one brother-in-law, Jim McEwen of Hamlet. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kathryn McEwen Furr; a brother, Colon Vance Furr; and a sister-in-law, Barbara Proctor.

Services were conducted this morning (Monday) at 11 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Homer F. Greene. Masonic graveside rites and burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, N.C. 27565.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Arlene Mast McKinney

Mrs. Arlene Mast McKinney, 74, of 4389 Daphne Lane, Murrells Inlet, S.C., a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Saturday, April 30, 2005, at Grand Strand Regional Medical Center in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

She was born Oct. 19, 1932, in Boone, to the late Edward Bingham Mast and Nancy Leola Hodges Mast.

Mrs. McKinney was a 1954 graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College and a retired librarian, after 40 years of service in the Concord City Schools, Cabarrus County Schools and Cabarrus Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She was a former member of First Baptist Church in Kannapolis where she served as a Sunday school teacher and church library volunteer. She was also active in various civic organizations.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Ray McKinney; one daughter, Nancy Henry and husband, Patrick; and two grandsons, Patrick Charles Henry and Kendall Benton Henry, all of Myrtle Beach; one brother, Joseph Mast of Vero Beach, Fla.; and two sisters, Alice Minton and husband, Roy, of Garner, and Jennie Fenner and husband, Roger, of Mountain City, Tenn.; and a brother-in-law, Allan Lauber of Mountain City. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Shirley Lauber.

Services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. Wayne Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family will receive friends Tuesday morning from 10-11 a.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach Community Church, 3013 Theatre Drive, Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29579.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Kate Sparks Osborne

Mrs. Kate Sparks Osborne, 92, of 117 Sorrento Park Drive, Blowing Rock, wife of the late Samuel Marvin Osborne, died Wednesday afternoon, April 27, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Sept. 20, 1912, in Tacoma, Wise County, Va., to the late John and Josephine Carter Sparks.

Mrs. Osborne was a homemaker, gentle mother and dedicated gardener.

Survivors include one daughter, Hope Borovik and her husband, Robert Wood, of Blowing Rock; two sons, Wylie Osborne and wife, Hannelore, of Titusville, Fla. and Larson Osborne and wife, Linda, of Black Mountain; one brother, George Sparks and wife, Cleo, of Great Mills, Md.; and a brother-in-law, Fred Gibson of Tacoma, Va. She is also survived by a number of beloved grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by two sons, Kyle Osborne and Carson Osborne; a daughter, Helen Osborne Montgomery; two brothers, Alfred Sparks and Bill Sparks; and three sisters, Amanda “Mandy” Riner, Lina Gibson and Lizzie Sparks.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon  at 4 p.m. at Brevard Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in Cocoa, Fla. Burial will follow in Brevard Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 3-4 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Mrs. Osborne was a lover of “living” things. In lieu of a floral arrangement, the family suggests you honor her by planting a tree, shrub or flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jessie Grace Norris Padgett

Mrs. Jessie Grace Norris Padgett, 87, of Ridge Road, Boone and Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation, died Saturday morning, April 30, 2005, at Glenbridge.

She was born Jan. 14, 1918 in Watauga County, a daughter of Robert Leander and Lucy Norris.

Mrs. Padgett was a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church. She was a former resident of Asheville where she owned and operated Biltmore Re-Weaving Service.

Survivors include one son, Robert Padgett of Asheville; one grandson, Bradley Babcock of Columbus, N.C.; one granddaughter, Valerie Bryant Holden and husband, Danny; and two great-grandsons, Elizah and Micah Holden, all of Asheville; and three brothers, Estel Norris and wife, Lena, Coy Norris and Raevon Norris and wife, Bea, all of Boone; and three sisters, Maebelle Denny of Nashville, Tenn., Betsy Stansberry and Unadel Ward and husband, David, all of Boone.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John; her step-mother, Nina Norris; one daughter, Ernestine Bryant; and one granddaughter, Vickie Bryant.

Memorial services will be conducted Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Bethel View United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Allen Marsh and the Rev. Gary Watson. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:30-7 p.m., prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family respectfully requests no food and suggests memorials to the Bethel View United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Larry Carroll, 200 Dale Coffey Road, Boone, to the Norris Tabernacle Cemetery Fund, in care of Glena Hollar, 3114 North Pine Run Road, Boone, or to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Padgett family.