June 10, 2005

Vera Snow Barnett

Miss Vera Snow Barnett, age 83, of Carolina Care Center in Cherryville, a former resident of Boone, died Thursday morning, June 9, 2005, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Shelby.

She was born Jan. 28, 1922, in the Rutherwood community of Watauga County, to the late I.T. and Della Hendrix Barnett.

Miss Barnett was a graduate of Appalachian High School and a retired cook from the ASU Student Union. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Boone.

Survivors include two brothers, Delos Barnett and wife, Margaret, of Lenoir, and Ted Barnett of Lincolnton; one sister, Mrs. Royster Andrews of Tallahassee, Fla.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Morris Barnett.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens, with Dr. Wayne Brown and George Miles officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First Baptist Church of Boone, 375 West King St., Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Charles ‘Charlie’ Vernon Faircloth

Charles “Charlie” Vernon Faircloth of Blowing Rock, formerly of Hope Mills, died on June 4, 2005 at Hospice of Catawba Valley.

He is survived by his companion, Annie Shore of Blowing Rock; his mother, Mary Faircloth of Hope Mills; two sisters, Ann Fisher of Orlando, Fla., and Mary Atkins of Fayetteville; and a brother, David Faircloth  Jr. of Mebane.

Charlie was preceded in death by his father, David Faircloth Sr.

A memorial will be held at noon on Saturday, June 11, at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, located at Main and Chestnut streets in Blowing Rock.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton N.C. 28658.

Lucille Auton Fulbright

Mrs. Lucille Auton Fulbright, age 68, of 4764 Horseshoe Bend Road, Hudson, a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Thursday morning, June 9, 2005, at Frye Regional Medical Center.

She was born June 21, 1936, in the Aho community to the late Oscar and Annie Celeste Greene Auton.

Mrs. Fulbright was a homemaker and a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, William A. Fulbright of the home; one son, Jeff Fulbright, and wife, Pat, of Vale; one sister, Mrs. Margie Moretz of Millers Creek; one brother, Oscar J. Auton Jr. of Hillsville, Va.; one granddaughter, Kim Hood, and husband, Scotty; and one great-grandson, Hunter Hood. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by three brothers, James Auton, William Auton and Clyde Auton, and a sister, Ruth Mae Auton.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Hudson, with the Rev. Buddy Smith officiating. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir.

The family will receive friends this evening (Friday) from 6 until 8 at Pendry’s Funeral Home in Lenoir.

Pendry’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Eleanor ‘Grace’ Howard

Eleanor “Grace” Howard, 73 of New Bern died Sunday, June 5, 2005 at her home.

Grace was a past clerk of U.S. Federal Court, postmaster of Pink Hill, N.C., and a U.S. commissioner.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ebbie Howard Sr.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 7, at Cotten Chapel in New Bern with the Rev. Karen Snyder officiating.

Burial was on Wednesday morning, June 8, at Oak Ridge Memorial Park in Pink Hill, N.C., with the Rev. Paul Dean officiating.

She is survived by one son, Ebbie Howard Jr. of New Bern; one daughter, Joni Salzano and her husband, Michael, of Boone; two grandsons, Andrew and Matthew; and four sisters, Cleo Whaley, Armillis Whaley, Gloria Wiggs and Martha Rae Summerlin, all of Pink Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern NC, 549 Moye Blvd. Greenville, N.C. 27834-9902.

Arrangements were by Cotten Funeral Home & Crematory in New Bern.

George Monroe ‘Joe’ Johnson

Mr. George Monroe “Joe” Johnson, age 52, of Alpine Drive, Wilkesboro, died Wednesday, June 8, 2005, at his home.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, June 11, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, with Dr. N. Nelson Granade Jr. officiating.

Mr. Johnson was born Jan. 12, 1954 in Iredell County to George Monroe and Jettie Groce Johnson Sr. He worked for R.H. Barringer and was a member of First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro. Mr. Johnson served in the United States Air force.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Glenn Johnson of the home; one daughter, Kathryn Johnson of the home; his mother, Jettie Groce Johnson of North Wilkesboro; two sisters, Kathy Jarvis of North Wilkesboro and Patricia Winkler of Hiddenite; and one brother, John Johnson of Raleigh.

The family will receive friends at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral home in North Wilkesboro tonight (Friday) beginning at 6.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, 1908 West Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.

Roy Ward Phillips

Mr. Roy Ward Phillips, age 79, of Rockwell, N.C., formerly of Kannapolis, N.C., died Wednesday, June 8, following a short illness at the Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Mr. Phillips had been employed by Cannon Mills, Fieldcrest and later Pillowtex, retiring after 63 years of service. He had the distinction of being the longest continuously employed person at the company, for which he received an award.

He attended God’s Church of Faith in Kannapolis.

Mr. Phillips was born Oct. 3, 1925 in Ashe County to the late Claude and Nora Gentry Phillips.

He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Diane Hunter and husband, Bobby, of Granite Quarry; one son, Dale Phillips of Rockwell, N.C.; one sister, Miss Iva Phillips of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Annette Moore of Lincolnton and Lisa England of Lexington; and two great-grandchildren, Tristan England of Lexington and Ashyln Moore of Lincolnton.

A graveside service will be conducted Saturday, June 11, at 11 a.m. at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove, N.C. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Jeff Upright. Interment will be at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove.

The family will receive friends tonight (Friday) from 7 to 8:30 at Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis.

Whitley’s Funeral Home is serving the Phillips family.

Gladys Shelton Roark

Mrs. Gladys Shelton Roark, age 86, of Twin Meadow Drive, Hudson, and a former resident of Zionville, died Tuesday morning, June 7, 2005, at Gateway Nursing Center in Lenoir.

Born in Watauga County Sept. 14, 1918, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Harrison and Mary Dancy Shelton.

Mrs. Roark was a member of Elk Knob Baptist Church.

Surviving are one daughter, Mary Nix of Hudson; one brother, Vern Shelton of Sugar Grove; four grandchildren, Keith Phillips, Penny  Hamby and Ronnie and Michael Roark; and seven grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arlis Ray Roark; one daughter, Lou Roark McCrary; one son, R.H. Roark; and three sisters and one brother.

Funeral services were conducted today (Friday) at 2 p.m. at the Elk Knob Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. J.B. Shelton and the Rev. Derick Wilson. Burial followed in the Potter Main Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to Hospice of Caldwell County, 902 NW Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

The family received friends Thursday evening at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home served the Roark family.

June 8, 2005

Christine Harrison Critcher

Mrs. Mary Christine Harrison Critcher, age 90, of 361 Harrison Road, Boone, wife of the late Willie Mack “Will” Critcher, died Monday morning, June 6, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born April 15, 1915, in the Bamboo community of Watauga County to the late Newton Leonard and Mary Eliza Harrison Harrison.

Mrs. Critcher was a homemaker and a longtime member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Mack Truman Critcher and Weldon J. Critcher and wife, Margaret, and two daughters, Wanda Scott and husband, Robert, and Laura Higgins and husband, Bobby, all of Boone; one stepson, Bruce Cook of Boone; and one stepdaughter, JoAnn Alessandrini of Salisbury.

She is also survived by 14 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and a number of step-grandchildren, step-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two brothers, Douglas Leonard Harrison and Roland Harrison; two sisters, Clara Pauline Harrison and Ruth Harrison; and a stepdaughter, Lavon Critcher Caudill.

Funeral services were conducted this afternoon (Wednesday) at 2 p.m. at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, officiated  by the Rev. Allan Blume, the Rev. Bud Russell and the Rev. Shannon Critcher. Burial followed in Mount Vernon Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Lance L. Reese

Lance L. Reese, 66, of Ringgold, Ga., passed away on Saturday, June 4, 2005, in a Ringgold area hospital.

A native of Watauga County, he moved to Catoosa County, Ga., in 1966. He was a member of Ridgedale Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, taught Sunday school classes and was a volunteer with the Extended Ministries.

Mr. Reese was a veteran of the U.S. Army and retired from Provident Life Insurance after 29 years of service.

In 1994 he started his own business, Reese Enterprises. He was an ambassador of the Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce and the chairman of the Habitat for Humanity of Catoosa County.

Mr. Reese conceived the idea and was very instrumental in developing the Catoosa County Citizens’ and Veterans’ Memorial.

His parents Asa J. Reese Sr. and Kate Swift Reese and brother Asa L. Reese Jr. preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara A. Reese; daughter and son-in-law, Shanda Lashel Reese Morton and Richard Brian Morton; brothers Norman L. Reese, Richard S. Reese, Clint M. Reese and Glenn “Andy” Reese; sisters Kathleen E. Reese, Gladys M. Shoun, Betty J. Shoun and Dorcas D. Hodges; and several nieces and nephews.

Services were held Tuesday evening at Ridgedale Baptist Church with Dr. William E. Owens Sr. officiating.

Graveside services were held at 3:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at the Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery in Watauga County.

Memorial contributions can be made to Ridgedale Baptist Church, Habitat for Humanity of Catoosa County, or the Catoosa County Citizens’ and Veterans’ Memorial.

Arrangements were by the South Crest Chapel of Lane Funeral Home and Crematory.

June 6, 2005

Giuseppe Castellani

Mr. Giuseppe Castellani, age 88, of 2340 The Overlook Road, Banner Elk, died Friday, June 3, 2005, at home.

He was born April 15, 1917, in Graz, Austria, to the late Alberto and Veleria Brandl Castellani. Mr. Castellani was an Alpine Combat instructor for the Italian Army during World War II, and a former runner in the senior marathons in the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was a retired swimming pool operation manager.

Survivors include his wife, Angelina Tagliaferri Castellani, of the home; two daughters, Mrs. Luciana Jacobs of Banner Elk and Veleria Gasperi and husband, Enrico, of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; two granddaughters, Angela Stanley and husband, Pat, of Dallas, Tex., and Martha Lewis and husband, Robert, of Raleigh; one grandson, Luca Gasperi and wife, Christina, of St. Croix and three great-grandsons, Ian and Robert Stanley, both of Dallas, Tex., and Alexander Lewis of Raleigh. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and many friends in Italy and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of Watauga County, 136, Furman Rd., Boone, N.C., 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Aretta Cook Critcher

Mrs. Aretta Cook Critcher, age 73, of 315 Will Cook Rd., Boone, died Saturday morning, June 4, 2005, a Watauga Medical Center.

 She was born August 26, 1931, in Boone, Watauga County, to the late Dayton H. and Texie Hayes Cook. Mrs. Critcher was a graduate of Appalachian High School and a homemaker. She was a member of Faith Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Lawford Critcher, of the home; four daughters, Deborah Page and husband, Gerald; Miriam Byrd and husband, John, and Martha Dotson and husband, Chris, all of Hickory, and Monica Dotson and husband Kevin, of Fleetwood; four sisters, Mrs. Faye Fox of Johnson City, Tenn.; Mrs. Mary Hill and Esther Williams and husband, Dana, all of Boone, and Anne Duckworth and husband, Wayne, of Spruce Pine; two brothers, Dayton Hoyt Cook and wife, Donna, of Connelly Springs and William Dennis Cook and wife Jackie, of Boone. She is also survived by11 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were conducted this afternoon (Monday) at 2 p.m. at Faith Baptist Church, officiated by pastor Sonny Younce and Rev. Burl Greer. Burial followed in Mount Lawn memorial Park & Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Critcher family, 315 Will Cook Rd., Boone, NC, 28607, for distribution to missionary work in Mexico and Peru.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Frances Nelson Johnson

Mrs. Frances Nelson Johnson, age 84, of Boone, a former resident of Asheville, wife of the late Walter Alexander Johnson, died Thursday, June 2, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.

She was born May 15, 1921, in Buncombe County, to the late Clarence and Bertha C. Nelson. Mrs. Johnson earned an A.A.S. degree in Data Processing and a B.A. degree in Psychology from UNC-Asheville and a master’s degree in Higher Education from Appalachian State Teachers College. She started her career as an engineer with the radio station WWNC in Asheville when radio was in its heyday. She was one of two female radio engineers in the nation. In recognition of her status, she was named to “Who’s Who” of American Women. Mrs. Johnson retired from Asheville-Buncombe Technical College after 27 years of service as registrar. She was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Asheville.

Survivors include one daughter, Sandee Johnson Lawless and her husband, Dr. Michael R. Lawless, of Winston-Salem, and one son, Walter A. Johnson, Jr., and his wife, Anne Hudson Johnson, of Lexington, Kentucky; one grandson, Walter A. “Trey” Johnson, III, of Lexington, Kentucky, and five granddaughters, Heather Collopy and husband, Sean, of Elm Grove, Wisconsin; Stephanie Setzer and husband, Clay, of Winston-Salem; Melanie York and husband, Matt, of Raleigh; Bronwyn Hyde and Courtney Hyde, both of Cumberland Gap, Tennessee; one great-grandson, Thomas Rhodes Setzer of Winston-Salem, and two great-granddaughters, Mary Poyner York of Raleigh and Anna Colbert Setzer of Winston-Salem.

A memorial service was held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel in Boone, officiated by Dr. Earl C. Davis.

Graveside services and burial were conducted Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pisgah View Memorial Park in Candler.

The family has suggested that memorial contributions be made to the Hospice Unit of the donor’s choice.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Raevon Norris

Mr. Raevon Norris, age 68, of 312 Norris Trail, Boone, died Sunday morning, June 5, 2005, at Ashe Living Center in Jefferson.

He was born March 31, 1937, in Boone, Watauga County, to the late Robert Leander and Nina Norris Norris. Mr. Norris was honorably discharged from the North Carolina National Guard in January, 1958, and from the U.S. Army in March, 1963. He was a former sawmill worker and a member of the Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Beatrice Dubois Norris, of the home; two sons, Richard Norris and wife, Darlene, of Taylorsville and Scott Norris and wife, Donya, of Boone; two brothers, Estle Norris and wife, Lena, and Coy Norris, all of Boone; and three sisters, Mrs. Maebelle Denny of Nashville, Tennessee; Mrs. Betsy Stanbery and Unadell Ward and husband, David, all of Boone. He is also survived by 8 grandsons, 2 granddaughters, 2 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Jessie Padgett and Berta Norris.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 3:00 at Tabernacle Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 2 until 3 p.m. Officiating will be Rev. Gary Watson. Burial will follow in the Norris-Tabernacle Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at the Norris residence.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Norris-Tabernacle Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Glenna S. Hollar, 3144 North Pine Run Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Kermit Nelson Storie

Mr. Kermit Nelson Storie, age 87, of Sampson Road, Boone, the Aho community, died Sunday afternoon, June 5, 2005 at the Watauga Medical Center.

Born in Watauga County March 12, 1918, he was a son of the late Colfax C. and Nell Hampton Storie.

Mr. Storie was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, and was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Force.

He was a stonemason and had previously worked as an assistant manager of Southern Seafood in Key West, Fla.

Surviving are his wife of 65 years, Beulah Norris Storie; one son, Nelson Storie and wife, Gail, of Blowing Rock; two daughters, Judy Wellborn and husband, Buck, of Boone, and Norma Cook and Rick Parsons of Boone; four grandchildren, Shelia Bledsoe and husband, Tim, of Boone, April Herron of Greenville, S.C., David Edmisten of Lenoir, and Douglas Edmisten of Atlanta, Ga.; one great-granddaughter, Elise Bledsoe of Boone; one sister, Agnes Miller of Boone; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services for Mr. Kermit Nelson Storie will be conducted Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church.

Officiating will be the Rev. Mike Howard. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. at Friendship United Methodist Church prior to the service.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Friendship United Methodist Church, in care of Donna Lyons, 313 Old Clayton Greene Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Storie family.

Rachel Carolyn Turner Watson

Mrs. Rachel Carolyn Turner Watson, age 59, of Fleetwood, died Saturday, June 4, 2005, at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson.

She was born Jan. 12, 1946, in Ashe County, to the late Bryant and Marie Graham Hunter.

Survivors include her husband, Herbert Dean Watson, of the home; one son, Richard Dean Watson, of West Jefferson and one daughter, Amy W. Yoder, of Newton; two brothers-in-law, Hobert Watson and wife, Jewell, of Vilas, and Eugene Watson and wife, Iris, of Fleetwood; three sisters-in-law, Ella Mae Cheek of Pennsylvania and Hazel Cheek and husband, Edmund, of Lenoir, and Mary Nell Miller and husband, Arlon, of Statesville. She is also survived by two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 at Trinity Baptist Church, with Rev. Nathan Caparolie and Rev. Dean Watson officiating. Burial will follow in the Gap Creek Cemetery.

The family will receive friends this evening (Monday) from 6 until 8, at Trinity Baptist Church in Deep Gap.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ashe County, P.O. Box 421, Jefferson NC, 28640 or Margate Health and Rehab Center Activity Fund, 540 Waugh St., Jefferson, NC, 28640.

Badger Funeral Home in West Jefferson is in charge of arrangements.