May 27, 2005

Dexter Burton Ward

Mr. Dexter Burton Ward, 62, of 1750 Phillips Branch Road, Vilas, died Tuesday evening, May 24, 2005, at home.

He was born Sept. 28, 1932, in Boone, Watauga County, to Floy Ann Glenn Ward and the late Leonard Beacher Ward.

Mr. Ward attended Cove Creek High School and was a retired meat cutter and butcher from the former A&P Food Store in Boone. He was a member of Willow Valley Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Tonya Brown and husband, Michael, and Shawn Dollar and husband, Wade, all of Boone; two sons, Sonny Ward and wife, Jackie, and Mitchell Ward and wife, Angie, all of Vilas; his mother, Mrs. Floy Ward of the home; one sister, Maize Walsh and husband, Drake, of Millers Creek; seven grandchildren, Chasity Matheson and husband, Tom, Ashley Wallace and husband, James, Jo-El Dollar and Kendall Dollar and MaKayla, Savannah and Autumn Ward; three great-grandchildren, Lilly and Wyatt Wallace and Kasey Matheson; his wife, Jeanette Winebarger Ward of Vilas; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Rev. Cannon Ward and Darrell Ward.

Services were conducted this morning (Friday) at 11 o’clock at Willow Valley Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Ray Greene. Burial will be in the Willow Valley Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Cove Creek Fire Department First Responders, P.O. Box 251, Sugar Grove, N.C. 28679.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Frances Morrow Welborn

Mrs. Frances Morrow Welborn, 61, of Charlie Hicks Road, Banner Elk, died Tuesday evening, May 24, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born July 3, 1943 in Gaston County, a daughter of Paul and Louise Lingerfelt Morrow.

Mrs. Welborn was a hospital medical secretary.

Survivors include her husband, William Mack Welborn; and two brothers, Robert Wilson of Kansas and Rev. Bill Wilson of Bessemer City.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Faye Strickland.

Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Wayne Brown.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Welborn family.

May 25, 2005

William Brannan “Bill” Bailey

Mr. William Brannan “Bill” Bailey, 69, of Daisy Hill Road, Sugar Grove, died Saturday morning, May 21, 2005 at his home.

He was born May 16, 1936 in Gretna, Virginia, a son of Sherrill O. and Louisa Ledbetter Bailey.

Mr. Bailey was currently a member of the Boone United Methodist Church. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.S. degree in English and furthered his education at Appalachian State University where he earned his Masters in Reading and Language Exceptionalities. He was a retired English teacher from the Broward County School System in Florida. He was active in many memorable performances by the Carolina Playmakers, the Cross and the Flame Drama Team, and the Blue Ridge Community Theater. He also was a cast member in the Horn in the West’s 40th anniversary.

Survivors include his sister-in-law, Marilyn M. Bailey of Creston; one nephew, William Bailey and wife, Elaine, of Absecon, New Jersey; three nieces, Becky Lemons and husband, Mike, of Siler City, Cheryll B. Haynie of Miami, Fla. and Diane B. Gollott of Warrensville; a number of great-nieces and nephews; his step-daughter, Katherine Whitney Hicks and husband, Franklin Keith, of Sugar Grove; three granddaughters, Beth Ann, Sara Kae and Tina May Whitney, all of Sugar Grove; two step-grandchildren, Ronnie K. Hicks and April Natusch, both of Boone; and a number of step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo Ann Knecht Bailey; two brothers, John Massey Bailey and Sherrill O. Bailey, Jr.; and one nephew, John M. Bailey.

Memorial services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock at the Boone United Methodist Church, officiated by Dr. George Naff. The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon following services, at the church.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to the Boone United Methodist Church Scholarship Fund, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Bailey family.

Roy Franklin Beem, Jr.

Mr. Roy Franklin Beem, Jr., 83, of Staunton, Va., died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at his home.

He was born May 31, 1921 in Bluefield, West Virginia, to the late Roy F. Beem, Sr. and Mary Anderson Beem.

Prior to retirement,  Mr. Beem was an insurance agent consultant. He and his wife had previously lived in St. Augustine, Fla. and Boone, N.C., where he had been an active member in the Catholic Church, Meals on Wheels, Knights of Columbus, Boy Scouts, and the Kiwanis Club. Mr. Beem honorably served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1944.

Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews, Mr. and Mrs. Hank Barr, Betty Barr, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Barr, Mr. and Mrs. James Hurt, Jr., Roy L. Hurt, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hurt, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Hurt, Mr. and Mrs. John Catalano, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Catalano and Mary Catalano. Also a number of great-nieces and great-nephews survive.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margaret M. Seybold Beem; and two sisters, Mary J. Beem Barr and Patricia L. Beem Hurt.

A funeral mass will be held Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., at Saint Francis Catholic Church, conducted by the Rev. John A. Abe. The family will receive friends a half hour before the service at the church.

A graveside service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m., at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens in Boone, N.C.

Hamrick Funeral Home in Staunton, Va., are in charge of the arrangements.

Dorothy Harmon Campbell

Mrs. Dorothy Harmon Campbell, 92, of Robin Lane, Boone, died Sunday afternoon, May 22, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born April 3, 1913 in Watauga County, a daughter of Charles Alexander and Eliza Mina Guy Harmon.

Mrs. Campbell joined Zionhill Baptist Church Feb. 14, 1932.

Survivors include her grandson, Raymond L. Harmon, Jr. and wife, Francis, of Valdese, N.C.; her granddaughter, Dawn Harmon Pearson of Morganton; one great-grandson, Kyle Raymond Harmon; seven nieces, Barbara Bentley, Jo Ann, Irene, Viola and Betty Harmon, Opal Combs and Mary Catherine Tester; and nine nephews, Clifford, Chester, Roy, Gary, Charles, Bobby, Clyde and Dale Harmon and James Ward.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Reese Campbell; four brothers, Dayton, Roscoe, Jeff and James Harmon; and three sisters, Eliza Moody, and Mae and Hazel Harmon.

Services will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock at the Zionhill Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. James D. Hagaman and the Rev. Quincy Norris. The body will lie in state at the church from 10-11 a.m. Burial will follow in the Harmon Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Watauga County Project on Aging, 304 West King St., Boone, N.C. 28607.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7-8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Campbell family.

Rose Marie Eldreth Cook

Mrs. Rose Marie Eldreth Cook, 66, of 1762 Silverstone Road, Zionville, died Friday, May 20, 2005, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

She was born Jan. 4, 1939, in Boone, Watauga County, to the late Worth and Ollie Marie Ham Eldreth.

Mrs. Cook was an employee of IRC, Inc. for the past 39 years as an inspector. She was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include her husband, Lester Dean Cook; one daughter, Lisa Pleasant and husband, Lonnie, of Butler, Tenn.; three sons, Bill Eldreth and wife, Rita, of Taylorsville, Jeff Cook and wife, Lisa, of Zionville and Ricky Cook of the home; two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Isaacs and Mrs. Shirley Hamby, both of Boone; two brothers, Junior Eldreth and wife, Pauline, of Boone and Bobby Eldreth and wife, Elaine, of Lenoir; her mother-in-law, Mrs. Edith McGuire Cook of Zionville; and two special friends, Phyllis Moretz and Marie Jones, both of Boone. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy Calhoun and James Eldreth; and her father-in-law, Dean Cook.

Services were conducted Monday afternoon, May 23, at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Derick Wilson and Pastor Andy McFarland. Burial followed in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Joe Warren, 146 Warren Lane, Zionville, N.C. 28698.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Robert L. Mast

Mr. Robert L. Mast of Monterey, Calif., died May 18, 2005, with his entire family at his side, from heart failure, at Stanford Medical Center.

He was born June 11, 1928, in Watauga County, to Bud and Bonnie Mast. 

Upon graduation from Cove Creek High School, Mr. Mast served in the Merchant Marines prior to attending Lees-McRae College in North Carolina where he received an Associate Arts Degree from 1948.

He enlisted in the Army June 2, 1948, and attended Officers Candidate School, Class 15 in Fort Riley, Kansas. Upon completing OCS, he was stationed at various places around the world including tours in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.  He retired from a distinguished career in the Corps of Engineers on December 31, 1969, after 22 years of service to his country at the rank of Major.

Mr. Mast was awarded the United Nations Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w\10 Year device, National Defense Service Medal W\GLC, Vietnam Campaign Medal w\60 Device, Vietnam Service Medal, Bronze Star Service Medal W\GLC, Korean Service Medal, Meritorious unit Citation, Overseas Bars (4), Army Commendation, Medal from the Vietnamese Government [Minister of Labor], and the Purple Heart.

Upon retirement from the Army, he moved his family back to Marina and returned to College at San Jose State University where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration - Real Estate in 1974. He worked for Verga and Tri City Real Estate before opening his own office, Mast Realty, in 1975. His business continues today through his sons, Charles and Steve Mast, and associates Christel Allford, Son Smith, and Joanne Giammanco who were also considered as family to him. During his 35 years of service to the City of Marina and entire peninsula, he served on numerous committees with the Monterey County Board of Realtors, but his greatest joy came from helping his clients realize the American Dream.

Mr. Mast was a very active member of the Marina United Methodist Church and was instrumental in the building of their Church building. He was a Charter Member of the Marina Rotary Club, a past president, and a double Paul Harris Fellow serving since 1979. He was a member and past president of the Marina Chamber of Commerce since 1975 and together with his wife Kitty, were actively involved in Marina’s incorporation

He loved to tinker and build things in his wood shop, go antiquing, and enjoyed to shop for his grandkids who were his pride and joy. He was their biggest fan attending all their games and events. Although he lived in California, his heart and home were always back in North Carolina where he grew up and returned each year to attend family and school reunions.

Survivors include his five children, Michael, Charles, Steven, Mark, and Robin; his six grandchildren, Jared, Brett, Lauren, Jeffrey, Kelly, and Amanda Mast; his brother, Dr. William H. Mast; and sisters, Ruby Dietrich and Janieve Williams; his aunts, Thursa Del Nero and Pearl Mast. Other family members are Tammy and Konnie Mast,  Lisa Byron, many nieces and nephews; and also his puppies, Gizmo and Michelle.

His loving parents, and recently, his beloved wife of 53 years, Kitty, on March 5, 2005, preceded him in death.

Visitation will be held at the Mission Mortuary in Monterey on Wednesday, May 25th from 5 to 8 p.m. A memorial service will be held at the Marina United Methodist Church at 281Beach Road on Thursday, May 26 at 1:00 p.m. followed by graveside services with full Military Honors at the Monterey City Cemetery.

Mr. Mast had requested that any donations be made to the Hospice of the Central Coast in memory of his wife Kitty.

Marcella Christine Mathews

 Ms. Marcella Christine Mathews of Claremore, Oklahoma, died in Claremore, Okla.

The daughter of Marvin and Lenora Tanner Mathews, she was born August 21, 1944 in Claremore, Oklahoma. 

Ms. Mathews attended Foyil schools and was a member of the graduating class of 1962. After graduation, she moved to Boone, N.C. She lived there until moving back to Foyil to help take care of her mother. Her hobbies included bowling, reading, and painting. Ms. Mathews was a cook for Jiffy Mart in Catoosa and always made time to chat with her customers.

Survivors include her daughters, Trina Williams and husband, Clarence,  of Deep Gap, N.C., Evelyn Brown and husband, Kenneth “Tiny” Brown, of Deep Gap, N.C.; sons, Andrea Rawls of Tulsa, and David Williams; 17 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; step-daughters, Terry, Sherry, and Shelly, all of Foyil; and best friend Joy Prettyman.

She is preceded in death by her parents.

Services will be held Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore. Pastor Michael Clark will officiate. 

Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service in Claremore, Oklahoma, are in charge of the arrangements.

Carol Pitts Rainey

Mrs. Carol Pitts Rainey, 63, of Tallahassee, Fla., and a native of Watauga County, died Monday, May 23, 2005, at her home.

Mrs. Rainey moved to the Tallahassee area in 1970 from Lake Worth, Fla.

She was a member of the Forest Heights Baptist Church, Civic Chorale, Antique Automobile Association, and WMU. She lived a full life dedicated to God and her family. Her love was known to everyone she met and her strength and presence felt by all. She will be remembered lovingly for her enjoyment of life and the beauty of her voice that she shared for all to the glory of her Lord.

Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Danny Eugene Rainey, Sr.; two daughters, Laura Carol Rainey Whitaker and Nancy Helen Rainey, both of Tallahassee, Fla.; a son, Danny Eugene “Bo” Rainey, Jr. of Tallahassee, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Caitlin and Kristin Whitaker, Jon Brandon Spiedel, Alexis Rainey and Mariah Arroyo, all of Tallahassee, Fla.; one brother, Brent Pitts of Granite Falls, N.C.; a sister, Diane Lambert and husband, Bill, of Boone, N.C.; as well as extended family.

She was preceded in death by her father, Allen Pitts and her mother, Helen Dotson, and three brothers, James and Richard Pitts and David Dotson.

A memorial service will be conducted Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at Forest Heights Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Fla.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. at Forest Heights Baptist Church.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at the Pitts Family Cemetery in Boone.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Fla. are are serving the Rainey family.

Robert Paul Robinson

Mr. Robert Paul Robinson of Glendale, Arizona, died Sunday, May 15, 2005, at his home.

He was born Jan. 27, 1924, in Beaver Dam to the late Clyde and Mae Robinson.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Jean Robinson; a son, Bill Robinson and wife, Jennie; a grandson, Adam Robinson; three granddaughters, Heather and Jennica Robinson and Paula Beaucraft; two great-grandsons; and a great-granddaughter; one brother, Joe C. Robinson of Phoenix, Ariz.; three sisters, Dulus Thomas of Deep Gap, Joy Todd of Greensboro and Ann Scott of Glendale, Ariz.; and a host of friends and cousins in Watauga County.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Mae Robinson; a son, Robbie Robinson; a sister, Dare Gibson; and an infant brother, James Emsley Robinson.

He was laid to rest in Arizona on May 19th.

Memorials may be made to Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery Fund in care of David Scott, 3476 Mt. Dale Rd., Vilas, N.C. 28692.

May 23, 2005

Rose Marie Eldreth Cook

Mrs. Rose Marie Eldreth Cook, 66, of 1762 Silverstone Road, Zionville, died Friday, May 20, 2005, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

She was born Jan. 4, 1939, in Boone, Watauga County, to the late Worth and Ollie Marie Ham Eldreth.

Mrs. Cook retired from IRC, Inc. after 39 years of service as an inspector. She was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Silverstone.

Survivors include her husband, Lester Dean Cook; one daughter, Lisa Pleasant and husband, Lonnie, of Butler, Tenn.; three sons, Bill Eldreth and wife, Rita, of Zionville, Jeff Cook and wife, Lisa, of Zionville and Ricky Cook of the home; two sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Isaacs and Mrs. Shirley Hamby, both of Boone; two brothers, Junior Eldreth and wife, Pauline, of Boone and Bobby Eldreth and wife, Elaine, of Lenoir; her mother-in-law, Mrs. Edith Cook of Zionville; and two special friends, Phyllis Moretz and Marie Jones, both of Boone. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Leroy Calhoun and James Eldreth; and her father-in-law, Dean Cook.

Services were conducted this afternoon (Monday) at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Derick Wilson and Pastor Andy McFarland. Burial followed in Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Joe Warren, 146 Warren Lane, Zionville, N.C. 28698.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Alice Weathers Finan

Mrs. Mary Alice Weathers Finan, 84, of Raleigh, N.C., died Thursday, May 19, 2005, at Morningside Assisted Living Center.

Survivors include one son, Tim Finan and his wife, Dianne Creech Finan, of Goldsboro, N.C.; two daughters, Mary Pauline “Polly” Finan Laubinger of Raleigh and Jeanne Finan and her husband, Tom Eshelman, of Valle Crucis. She is also survived by five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ivan McGruder Weathers and Carrie Foy Rhodes Weathers of Wendell, N.C.; and her husband, John Joseph “Jack” Finan.

Services were conducted Monday at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Raleigh.

Memorials may be made to the Valle Crucis Conference Center, P.O. Box 654, Valle Crucis, N.C. 28691.

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Raleigh, were in charge of the arrangements.

Betty Jo McClure Sims Graham

Mrs. Betty Jo McClure Sims Graham, 65, of Houston, Texas, and formerly of Jefferson, died Wednesday evening, May 18, 2005, in Corpus Christi.

She was born Jan. 5, 1940 in Marion, Va. to Harley and Stella Southerland McClure.

Mrs. Graham was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include two daughters, Bonnie Lutton and husband, Craig, of Rock Port, Texas and Tammie Sims of Huntsville, Texas; one son, Timothy Sims of Point Blank, Texas; two sisters, Linda Carol Tester and her husband, Rev. Zane Tester, of Vilas and Karen Elizabeth Church and her husband, Hayden, of Millers Creek; and three grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Several nieces and nephews also survive including Kelly Tester Proffit and husband, Eric, and their daughter, Sara Grace Proffit, all of Todd.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harley and Stella Sutherland McClure; one son, Donnie Luke Sims; and her first husband, Luke Sims; her second husband, Ivy B. Graham; and a sister, Lou Ann McNeil.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. at the Brookside Funeral Home Chapel in Houston, Texas. Entombment followed at the Brookside Memorial Park.

Brookside Funeral Home and Memorial Park in Houston, Texas is serving the Graham family.

Luther Ernest Hicks

Mr. Luther Ernest Hicks, 90, of 277 Harmon Road, Banner Elk, died Saturday, May 21, 2005, at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.

He was born May 28, 1914, in Banner Elk, Avery County, to the late John Manuel and Martha Ellen Eggers Hicks.

Mr. Hicks was a retired farmer and a member of Cool Springs Baptist Church in Matney.

Survivors include one daughter, Ora Bost and husband, William, of Hickory; two sons, Joseph Ray Hicks and wife, Wavel, of Telford, Tenn. and Henry Hicks of Banner Elk; two granddaughters, Sherry Slocum and husband, Gary, of Johnson City, Tenn. and Kathy Frye of Greensboro; three grandsons, Ricky Ray Hicks and wife, Audrey, of Mountain City, Tenn., Tony Frye and wife, Gayle, of Catawba, and Lenny Hicks of Banner Elk. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Epsie Harmon Hicks; a granddaughter, Melinda Hicks; three sisters and two brothers.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be a grandson, Tony Frye. Burial will follow in the Hicks Family Cemetery in Matney.

The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Betty Ruth Hodges McFarland

Ms. Betty Ruth Hodges McFarland, 67, of 29 Brighton Place, Greensboro, N.C., died Friday, May 20, 2005, at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital, after an illness.

She was a Watauga County native, and the daughter of the late Benjamin Franklin and Marilla Mae Love Hodges of Boone.

Ms. McFarland was associate professor emerita of English at Appalachian State University, where she served on the faculty for 35 years. She earned master of arts and bachelor of science degrees in English from Appalachian in 1963 and 1959, respectively. She completed additional course work at the universities of North Carolina at Greensboro and New Hampshire, as well as Indiana University.

Ms. McFarland was the first graduate assistant in Appalachian’s English Department to assume teaching duties. She was named instructor in 1962 before completing her master’s degree. She became associate professor in 1982 and retired in 1997. She was co-director of the Appalachian Writing Project, a regional site serving public school teachers, from 1983 to 1995. She was director of the English Writing Center for 15 years. She was recognized for excellent teaching with honors including the Appalachian Trustees’ Award for Outstanding Teacher in 1979-80.

Ms. McFarland’s enthusiastic and uncompromising dedication to the art of teaching composition made thousands of students at Appalachian and in North Carolina’s public schools much better writers of English prose.

She developed instructional materials to help middle school teachers across the state teach writing. She was a consultant with school systems and conducted workshops for teachers on teaching writing and the statewide writing assessment. A writing and proofreading resource she created to help marginal composition students was purchased by schools in eight states and a consulting firm to adopt for use in a third-world country.

In Greensboro, she was a member of Starmount Presbyterian Church, where she was a Stephen Minister. She belonged to the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, a professional society of women educators, and was vice president-elect of its Beta Delta Chapter.

Always an independent and creative spirit, Ms. McFarland’s passions included her family, travel and seeking knowledge for its own sake. She was gracious and eager to help and nurture others.

Survivors include a daughter, Jill Cook and husband, John Glenn Cook III, of Lorton, Va.; son, Michael McFarland and wife, Jennifer, of Chapel Hill; her former husband of 44 years, Bob McFarland of Boone; granddaughters Katharine and Emma Cook, of Lorton, Va., and Elisabeth and Margaret McFarland, of Chapel Hill; grandson Benjamin Cook of Lorton, Va.; and step-grandson, Nicholas Cook of Greensboro; a brother, Glenn Hodges of Boone; nieces and nephews including Glenda Eggers and husband, John, of Vilas, James McGhee and wife, Katharyn of Fredericksburg, Va., Jerry McGhee and wife, Cindy, of Goldsboro, Rev. Gerald Hodges and wife, Susan, of Roxboro, Anna Lynn Turner and husband, Michael, of Boone; Carol Lea Liles and husband, Klee, of Boone; as well as grand-nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Kenneth Hodges and Eula Mae McGhee, both of Boone.

A memorial service will be held Monday, May 23, at Starmount Presbyterian Church in Greensboro, at 11 a.m., with Drs. Carl Utley and Rodney Werline presiding. A graveside service will follow in Boone at 4 p.m. at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum. Rev. Gerald Hodges will officiate. The family will receive friends informally at Mount Lawn after that service.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests contributions to the Betty Hodges McFarland English Scholarship Fund, Appalachian State University Foundation, ASU Box 32014, Boone, N.C. 28608-2014.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home of Boone is serving the McFarland family.

Wayne Price Meadows

Mr. Wayne Price Meadows, 76, of 2507 Sharpe Mill Road, Hiddenite, N.C., died Friday, May 20, 2005, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville.

He was born July 16, 1928, in Alexander County, to the late Arthur Lee and Ethel Cook Meadows.

Mr. Meadows was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict and received a Purple Heart. He was a retired farmer and carpenter and a member of the V.F.W. He was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his wife, Eila Seward Meadows; two sons, Bruce Meadows of Hiddenite and David Meadows of Blowing Rock; two daughters, Bonnie Hansen and Tina Benfield, both of Hiddenite; and one sister, Hilda Reese of Taylorsville. He is also survived by seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Lynn Meadows.

A memorial service, with military honors, will be conducted Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel in Stony Point, with the Rev. Lynn Hawkins and the Rev. Rural Fox officiating.

Friends may call at the Meadows residence at any time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 500 East Morehead Street, Suite 211, Charlotte, N.C. 28202.

Chapman Funeral Home in Stony Point is in charge of the arrangements.

Bill Lee Yates

Mr. Bill Lee Yates, 68, of Charlotte, N.C., died Thursday, May 19, 2005. He was born May 9, 1937, in Valle Crucis, N.C., son of the late Julius L. and Addie Mast Yates.

Mr. Yates attended East Baptist Church, and owned and operated B. and W. Auto Parts. He loved fishing with his grandchildren and traveling to his home in Valle Crucis.

Survivors include his wife of 45 1/2 years, Nita S. Yates; two daughters, LeAnna Yates Morgan and husband, Craig, of Iron Station, N.C. and Susan Yates Hollar and husband, Jon, of Charlotte, N.C.; grandchildren, Taylor and Tori Morgan, Zachary, Evan and Blake Hollar.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Wanda Patterson; and two brothers, Frank and Paul Yates.

Services will be conducted Monday morning at 11 a.m. at McEwen Charlotte Chapel with the Rev. Jon DeBell officiating. Interment will folliow in Sharon Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204 or Matney Cemetery Fund, Banner Elk, N.C. 28604.

The family wishes to thank all the friends who helped during Mr. Yates illness, also the nurses at CMC 4th floor Tower and a special thanks to Dr. Warden Woodard of Carolina Onocology and Hematology and Hospice at Charlotte for their loving care.

McEwen Funeral Service, Charlotte Chapel, are in charge of the arrangements.