June 3, 2005

Ruby Grant Bennett

Ruby Grant Bennett, 83, of Rocky Mount, N.C., died May 30, 2005, at Nash General Hospital.

She was born June 25, 1922 in Hertford to the late Rev. Thomas McMillan Grant and Mrs. Marie Hooker Grant. Mrs. Bennett lived as a child in several eastern North Carolina towns including Lumberton, Wilson, New Bern, Kinston and Greenville before moving to Rocky Mount in the late 1940s.

Mrs. Bennett attended Mrs. Koonce’s School in Wilson, Greensboro College and East Carolina University, where she graduated in 1942 with a degree in primary education. After receiving her baccalaureate degree, she studied drama at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

As a young woman, Mrs. Bennett worked in radio. For many years she managed Peddler’s Village in Rocky Mount, creating floral arrangements; flowers of both silks and fresh stems remained a love she carried throughout her life.

Mrs. Bennett was a longtime member of First Methodist Church in Rocky Mount before joining Christ Episcopal Church, also in Rocky Mount. Hundreds of "young people" spent their Sunday mornings in her Sunday School classroom through the 1960s and 1970s. She is a 50-year member of the Macajah Pettaway Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, and served as regent in the mid-1950s.

She was also a member of the Alter Guild at Christ Church and the Life and Letters Book Club, and a past member of the Great Books Club.

She is survived by her husband of 55 years, William Doub Bennett; two sons, the Rev. William Doub Bennett, Jr. and wife Jessica, of Raleigh and Thomas McMillan Grant Bennett of Zionville; a sister, Malene Grant Irons of Greenville; nieces, Jody Bennett Totten and husband, Jamie, of Hendersonville, Tenn. and Pricilla Bennett Rolls and husband, John, of Wake Forest; nephews, John Robert Bennett, III and wife, Joyce, of Wake Forest, Dr. Thomas Grant Irons and wife, Carol, of Greenville, Benjamin C. Irons and wife, Susan, of Greenville, Dr. Fred C. Irons and wife, Susan, of Chapel Hill; cousins, Ruth Hooker Matthews and husband, Buck, of Morehead City and Albert Hooker of Melbourne Beach, Fla. She is also survived by longtime friend and companion, Mary McMillan, and many great nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Dr. Isabel Costen Grant, formerly of Raleigh.

A Liturgy for Burial and Holy Eucharist will be celebrated June 3, 2005 at the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, 231 North Church Street, Rocky Mount. A committal will follow the liturgy at Pineview Cemetery in  Rocky Mount.

The family received visitors Thursday, June 2 from 5:30 to 6:30 at the home of the Rev. William and Jessica Bennett, 317 Calvin Road in Raleigh. Family and friends will also be received Friday following the service at the home of Brid. Gen. and Mrs. Andrew J. Gatsis, 1712 Lafayette Circle, Rocky Mount.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Church of the Good Shepherd, 231 North Church Street, Rocky Mount, N.C.

Lucy Almira Cowles

Miss Lucy Almira Cowles of Concord, N.C., died Saturday, May 28, 2005, at Universal HealthCare in Concord.

She was born in Watauga County, to the late William Andrew Cowles and Josephine Wilson Cowles.

Miss Cowles received her MA in Education from Appalachian State University. She was an elementary school teacher in WIlkes and Caldwell Counties. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Boone. Miss Cowles moved to Concord in 2001 to be near family.

Survivors include two nieces, Joyce Overcash and husband, Hoyt, of Concord and Donna Hainley and husband, Bruce, of Isle of Palms, S.C.; one nephew, George Cowles and wife, Kathy, of Mint Hill, N.C.; three great-nieces, Kelley Overcash, Amy Tease and husband, Buzz, and Betsy Hainley; and two great-nephews, Kevin Cowles and Bruce Hainley, Jr.

She was preceded in death by one sister and four brothers.

A private graveside service will be held at Mount Lawn Cemetery in Boone, N.C.

Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Suite #999, Charlotte, N.C. 28215-3220.

Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis, N.C., are in charge of the arrangements.

Marie B. Holder

Ms. Marie B. Holder, 73, of 1515 Holly Circle, Wilkesboro, died Thursday morning, June 2, 2005, at home.

She was born Dec. 21, 1931, in Hackleburg, Ala., to the late Kim and Odell Boyette Bickerstaff.

Ms. Holder was a homemaker and a member of Wilkesboro United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Pamela Jo Holder of Davidson; two sisters, Lavata Case and husband, Norman, and Faye Polhemus and husband, Pete, all of Adrian, Mich.; and one brother, Frank Bickerstaff and wife, Ruth, of Sparta. She is also survived by five sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Ray Holder.

A memorial service will be conducted Tuesday, June 7, at 4 p.m. at Wilkesboro United Methodist Church, with Dr. Chris Fitzgerald, Bracky Bickerstaff and Barry Bickerstaff officiating.

The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon from 3-4 p.m., at the church, prior to the service, and again following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1903, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Doris Wilcox Lyons

Mrs. Doris Wilcox Lyons, 92, of 302 East Kemp Road, Greensboro, a resident of Boone from 1931 until 1997, wife of the late Earl J. Lyons, died Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at home.

She was born April 29, 1913, in Ashe County, to the late Robert and Mary Mollie Davis Wilcox.

Mrs. Lyons was a homemaker and a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone.

Survivors include one son, William R. “Bill” Lyons and wife, Martha, of Dunwoody, Ga.; and one daughter, Jeanette L. Jessee, of Greensboro; three grandchildren, Chris Henson and wife, Kim, of Winston-Salem, Eric Lyons of Atlanta, Ga. and Laura Blomquist and husband, John, of Cumming, Ga.; four great-grandchildren, Sydney and Kristen Henson, both of Winston-Salem and Emily and Sarah Blomquist, both of Cumming, Ga.; and one brother, Rhonal Wilcox of Lansing. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two children, Jimmy and Janice Lyons and seven brothers and sisters.

A private graveside service will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens, with John Blomquist officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. 27405.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jeremy Glen Sieracki

Mr. Jeremy Glen Sieracki, 34, of West King Street, Boone, died Saturday, May 28, 2005 at his home.

He was born Nov. 25, 1970 in Rota, Spain, a son of Glenna Chambers Sieracki and the late Ronald A. Sieracki.

Mr. Sieracki was a self-employed computer programmer.

Survivors include his mother, Glenna Chambers Sieracki of Paonia, Colo.; two sisters, Melaine Corts and husband, Marty, and Leanne Bays and her husband, John, all of Boone; five nieces, Brittny Dayton, Katherine Corts, Samantha Sieracki, Rebeckah Woodring and Geena Woodring; and one nephew, Mick Anderson.

A gathering of friends and family will be held Tuesday, June 7, at Daniel Boone Park beginning at 5 p.m. He will be missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Sieracki family.

Rayborn Taylor

Mr. Rayborn Taylor, 64, of 6263 Waterfalls Road, Lenoir, died Wednesday, June 1, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 12, 1941, in Boone, Watauga County, to the late Carl and Mabel Gragg Taylor.

Mr. Taylor was a graduate of Appalachian High School and a retired machinist from Cellu Products in Lenoir. He was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include two sons, Travis Taylor and wife, Nicole, of Raleigh and Jonathan Taylor of Lenoir; four brothers, Alton Taylor and wife, Shirley; Sammy Taylor and wife, Jean, and Carlos “Skip” Taylor and wife, Phyllis, all of Boone and Charlie Taylor and wife, B.J., of Valle Crucis; four sisters, Thelma “Tim” Hodges and husband, B.J.; Ms. Mary Culler and Debbie Parker and husband, Ronnie, all of Boone; and Margaret Lipe and husband, Wayne, of Salisbury. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service was conducted Today (Friday) at 3 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Daniel Featherstone.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Samuel Jason Wilson

Samuel Jason Wilson, age seven months, of Ashburn, Va., passed away at home on May 25, 2005.

He is the beloved son of Jason and Maria Wilson; grandson of Vincent and Jean Betette and Kenneth and Joyce Shook Wilson, formerly of Watauga County.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Veronica’s Catholic Church in Herndon, Va., on Saturday, May 28. Interment was in Chestnut Grove Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association.

June 1, 2005

David Carlton Blackburn

A memorial service for David Carlton Blackburn will be held on Saturday, June 4, at 6:30 p.m. at Blaise Baptist Church with the Rev. Glenn Sellers and the Rev. Ken Furches officiating.

Inurnment will be in the Winkler Cemetery in Boone, N.C. at 3 p.m. on Sunday, June 5.

Davie Funeral Service in Mocksville, N.C., is handling the arrangements for the Blackburn family.

John N. Collins

Mr. John N. Collins, 77, of Fuquay-Varina, died May 29, 2005.

He was born Dec. 20, 1927, in Iredell County, to the late John Arch and Grace Troutman Collins.

Mr. Collins retired from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, North State University, as an Extension Professor of Sociology and Anthropology. Having served for 30 years as a member of the Cooperative Extension Service, His career included both county and state level positions. He served as an agricultural agent in Lincoln County and rural development agent in Watauga County. At the university, he served as Specialist and Specialist-in-Charge in Community and Area Development and Program Leader in Community Resource Development.

After retirement, he served as Coordinator of Public Schools and Community Beautification programs with Keep North Carolina Beautiful, Inc. He earned BS and Masters degrees from N.C. State University and was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served in Japan. He served on the Fuquay-Varina Town Council from 1985 through 1989.

Survivors include his wife, Joyce T. Collins; a daughter, Laurie E. Collins of Fuquay-Varina; sons, John N. Collins, Jr. and wife, Lisa, of Winston-Salem, Joseph A. Collins of Portland, Oregon, Jamey D. Collins of Boulder, Colo.; grandchildren, Caitlin M. Collins and Maggie Mae Collins, both of Portland, Oregon; step-sons, Joseph C. Miller II and wife, Deborah, and David T. Miller and wife, Shawn, all of Boone; step-grandchildren, Krystal Matlock, Meghann Miller, Ashley Miller, Emma Miller and Haden Miller; and a sister, Helen C. Hager and husband, Robert, of Salisbury.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Collins was preceded in death by his first wife, Grace Averette Collins; brothers, Ernest T. Collins and Clyde L. Collins; sisters, Nellie Blanche Lackey and Hazel C. Cozart.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 4, at 2 p.m. at the Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church, 1100 Judd Parkway SE.

The family will receive friends immediately following the memorial service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John N. Collins Memorial Fund, c/o Fuquay-Varina United Methodist Church, 1100 Judd Parkway, SE, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 27526.

Thomas Funeral Home in Fuquay-Varina are in charge of the arrangements.

Aina Swan Cutler

Mrs. Aina Swan Cutler, 91, of Appalachian Brian Estates, died Sunday afternoon, May 29, 2005, at home.

She was born March 19, 1914 in Gardner, Mass., to John and Edla Swan Juotsen.

As a volunteer in the public school system, Mrs. Cutler was instrumental in establishing libraries in several Boston area elementary schools. She was active in the Finnish-American community and for many years collaborated as a lyricist with Finnish musicians, providing original lyrics as well as translations of Finnish works. In 1995 she was awarded the Order of the White Rose by the government of Finland in recognition of her work on behalf of Finnish music.

Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Martha Cutler and Douglas Blackford of Todd; her grandson, Henry Blackford of Boone; her granddaughter, Lucy Blackford of Todd; a brother, Arthur Swan of Worcester, Mass., and numerous nephews and nieces.

Mrs. Cutler was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Henry Harrington Cutler; her daughter, Lucy Jane Cutler; and six siblings.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

The family will receive friends at Appalachian Brian Estates, Thursday afternoon, June 9, at 4 p.m. with a brief memorial service to follow at 5 p.m.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Cutler family.

Sarah Ann Wellborn Graybeal

Mrs. Sarah Ann Wellborn Graybeal, 89, of Brownwood Road, Deep Gap, died Monday evening, May 30, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born June 19, 1915 in Watauga County, a daughter of Robert A. and Clemmie Watson Wellborn.

Mrs. Graybeal was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith. She worked as a cafeteria supervisor at both Deep Gap and Parkway Elementary Schools. She also was an assistant postmaster and assistant mail carrier at both the Deep Gap and Fleetwood Post Offices.

Survivors include four daughters, Faye Hicks and Donna Huffstetler and her husband, Gary, all of Lenoir; Betty Upchurch of Boone and Joyce Baker and husband, Arvil, of Fleetwood; three sons, Wayne Graybeal and wife, Linda, of Boone, R.D. Graybeal and his wife, Martha, and Gary Graybeal, all of Deep Gap; 18 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Daisy Walker of Boone and Mildred Michael of Atlanta, Ga.; and four brothers, Alan, Charles and Junior Wellborn, all of Boone, and Bill Wellborn of Deep Gap.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy L. Graybeal; and three brothers, Paul, James and Arthur Wellborn.

Services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Brent Bolick. Burial will follow in the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, 174 Brown Farm Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Wellborn family.

Dorothy “Dottie” Mast Harrigan

Mrs. Dorothy “Dottie” Mast Harrigan, 79, of Georges Gap Road, Sugar Grove, died Tuesday morning, May 31, 2005 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.

She was born in Watauga County, August 17, 1925, a daughter of the late Vardry and Dora Shell Mast.

Mrs. Harrigan was a member of Cove Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Michael Harrigan and wife, Linda, of Sugar Grove; one granddaughter, Tami Henson and husband, Dwaine; two great-grandchildren, Holly and Ethan Henson, all of Sugar Grove; three brothers, Leo Mast and wife, Anne, of Sugar Grove, Ben Mast and wife, Ingrid, of Washington, D.C., and John A. Mast of Sugar Grove; one sister-in-law, Mary Joines of Banner Elk; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Harold Mast.

Services will be conducted Thursday evening at 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. James D. Hagaman and the Rev. Tony Duck. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home prior to the service.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, 241 Eagle Drive, Vilas, N.C. 28692 or to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Friday morning at 11 o’clock at Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Harrigan family.

Doris Marie Main Key

Mrs. Doris Marie Main Key, 67, of 1173 Highland Hall Road, Boone, wife of the late John Key, died Monday evening, May 30, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born April 26, 1938, in Johnson County, Tenn., to the late Linville and Sarah Potter Main.

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

Survivors include three daughters, Carol Brock and husband, Harold, of Archdale, Peggy Main and husband, Lewis, and Henrietta Overby and husband, Clifford, all of Trinity; two brothers, Roy Main and wife, Mary Lee, and Daniel Main and wife, Lula, all of Boone. She is also survived by 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Main and Arlie Main; and two infant children.

A memorial service was conducted this morning (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Burl Greer and the Rev. Bill Warren.

Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Jeremy Glen Sieracki

Mr. Jeremy Glen Sieracki, 34, of West King Street, Boone, died Saturday, May 28, 2005 at his home.

He was born Nov. 25, 1970 in Rota, Spain, a son of Glenna Chambers Sieracki and the late Ronald A. Sieracki.

Mr. Sieracki was a self-employed computer programmer.

Survivors include his mother, Glenna Chambers Sieracki of Paonia, Colo.; two sisters, Melaine Corts and husband, Marty, and Leanne Bays and her husband, John, all of Boone; five nieces, Brittny Dayton, Katherine Corts, Samantha Sieracki, Rebeckah Woodring and Geena Woodring; and one nephew, Mick Anderson.

Services will be private. He will be missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Sieracki family.

May 30, 2005

Henry W. Creech

Mr. Henry W. Creech, 91, of Valle Crucis, N.C., formerly of Johnson City, Tenn., died Saturday, May 28, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.

He was a native of Laurel County, Ky., and was a resident of Johnson City for more than 60 years. He was a son of the late John D. and Mary Ellen Benge Creech.

Mr. Creech was a U.S. Army World War II veteran. He served with the Combat Engineers unit and fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

He began his business career in Johnson City with Honeycrust Bakery in the 1950s. He served as manager of the Walnut Street Dairy Queen for several years and then owned and operated the Henry’s Carryout Restaurants for a number of years. He was a member of Valle Crucis United Methodist Church and a former member of Boones Creek Christian Church.

Mr. Creech had been a mason since 1934 and was a member of Lodge #486 F & AM and the Jericho Shrine Temple.

Survivors include his second wife, Nina C. Taylor Creech of Valle Crucis; one sister, Florence Hensley and husband, Bob, of Cincinnati, Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lillian Billings Creech in 1998; two brothers, Jim Creek and Elmer Creech; and one sister, Edith C. Feltner.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the East Chapel of the Appalachian Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Avery Owenby and wife, the Rev. Linda Owenby, officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 1-2:30 p.m. in the East Parlor of the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to Valle Crucis United Methodist Church, c/o Joy Pritchett, 684 N.C. Hwy. 194, Vilas, N.C. 28692, or the charity of the donor’s choice.

Appalachian Funeral Home & Cremation Services, in Johnson City, Tenn., are serving the Creech family.

Lois Woody Forrester

Mrs. Lois Woody Forrester, 53, of 867 Caney Hollow Road, Newport, Tenn., a former resident of Boone, died Thursday, May 26, 2005, at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, Tenn.

She was born March 26, 1952, in Madison County, N.C., to Maggie Sweeten Woody and the late Jim Woody.

Mrs. Forrester was a former program assistant 5 in the Appalachian Cultural Museum at Appalachian State University.

Survivors include her husband of 32 years, Ronnie Forrester; a son, Rannell “Randy” James Forrester of Tampa, Fla.; her mother, Mrs. Maggie Woody of Newport, Tenn.; five brothers, Rev. Ross Woody of Morristown, Tenn., Jack Woody of Greeneville, Tenn., Bill Woody of Morristown, Tenn., Reed Woody of Lebanon, Tenn., and Charles Woody of Fall Church, Va.; three sisters, Shirley Gregory of Newport, Tenn., Mabel Flanagan of McLean, Va. and Vonda Blackwell of Newport, Tenn. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and a special friend, Doris Greer, of Boone.

She was preceded in death by her father, Jim Woody; a sister, Margaret Woody; and four brothers, James Woody, George Woody, Bobby Woody and Wayne Woody.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. at Manes Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Tom Moody and the Rev. Elliott Hayes officiating. Burial followed in Union Cemetery in Newport.

Memorials may be made to The Gideons International, Boone Camp, P.O. Box 3602, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Manes Funeral Home in Newport, Tenn., was in charge of the arrangements.

Ralph J. Gwaltney

Mr. Ralph J. Gwaltney, 89, of Banner Elk, died Saturday, May 28, 2005 in the Cannon Memorial Hospital. 

He was a son of the late Ed and Grace Shook Gwaltney.

Mr. Gwaltney worked as a dairy farmer and was in the insurance business.   He was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and a charter member of the Beech Mountain and Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Departments where he served as trainer and Chief.

He was instrumental in the formation of Mayland Community College and served as a trustee for many years.  He also served on the Board of Directors for Skyline Telephone for over 45 years and was a mason. 

Survivors include his wife, Maxine Hughes Gwaltney.

He was preceded in death by his son, Ralph Gwaltney Jr.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with the Rev. George Wright officiating.  Interment will follow in the Mt. Calvary Cemetery. 

There will be a gathering of family and friends to remember Ralph from 6-8 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Ralph Gwaltney Scholarship Fund c/o Mayland Community College, P.O. Box 547 Spruce Pine, N.C. 28777.

Condolences may be made by visiting www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Gwaltney family.

Helen “Peggy” Lewis

Miss Helen “Peggy” Lewis, 83, a former resident of Spartanburg, S.C., died Saturday, May 28, 2005, at Glenbridge Health Care.

Survivors include a cousin, Elizabeth King Derrick and husband, Dr. William A. Derrick, Jr., of Boone.

Graveside services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Spartanburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to Glenbridge Health Care, 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.