July 8, 2005

Ollie Rebecca Hodges Baird

Mrs. Ollie Rebecca Hodges Baird, 91, of Laurel Fork Road, Vilas, died Wednesday morning, July 6, 2005, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Cling and Dona Townsend Hodges.

Mrs. Baird was a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, where she taught Sunday School and sang in the choir. She was retired from Cove Creek Elementary School where she worked in the cafeteria and drove a school bus for 14 years.

Survivors include four daughters, Jean Duncan and husband, Jay, of Hickory, Shirlee Lee and husband, George, of Hannibal, Missouri, Marlene Mast and husband, Max, of Concord, and Marie Anderson and husband, Gary, of Vilas; five sons, R.C. Baird and wife, Jackie, of Hastings, MN, Wayne Baird and wife, Barbara, of Conover, James Baird of Lenoir, Larry Baird and wife, Janet, and Roger Baird and wife, Karen, all of Boone; one sister, Blanche Kohnle of Granite Falls; two sisters-in-law, Floy Baird of Boone and Phoebe Baird Smith of Drexel; 19 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and a number of step-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Baird; an infant daughter; one son, Tommy Baird; one daughter-in-law, Terry Baird; four sisters, Nina Cannon, Gladys Love, Alma Yoder, Elsie Coffey; and three brothers, Ira, Bynum and Boone Hodges.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Wynn Greer, the Rev. Carl Wilson and the Rev. Tull Oaks. The body will lie in state at the church from 2-3 p.m. Burial will follow in the Danner Cemetery.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Danner Cemetery Fund, in care of David Hodges, 1075 Laurel Fork Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the  Baird family.

Elzabeth Ford Greene

Mrs. Sena Elizabeth Gragg Greene, 90, of Lenoir, died Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at Shaire Center in Lenoir.

She was born Oct. 24, 1914, in Watauga County, to the late Dr. Roby Ford and Carrie Ray Ford.

Mrs. Greene was a homemaker and a faithful and dedicated member of Central Baptist Church in Lenoir for 55 years.

Survivors include one son, Ford Gragg of Lenoir; three daughters, Mrs. Pearl Hayes of Clearwater Beach, Fla., Geneva Spears and husband, Jerry, and Nomie Jean Roberts and husband, Boyce, all of Lenoir; one sister, Mrs. Chanie Witherspoon of Akron, Ohio; and three step-children, Wayne Greene of Marion, Bobbie Beach and Joan Sharpe, both of Boone. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Euirl Gragg; her second husband, Russell Greene; a son, Earl Gragg; a daughter, Frances Lambert; two sisters, Cassie Hawk and Jean Barrier; and three brothers, Albert Ford, Dana Ford and Mack Ford.

Services were conducted this afternoon (Friday) at 2 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel in Lenoir, officiated by the Rev. John Jernigan. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or Central Baptist Church, 311 Connelly Springs Road, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Jackson O. Hall II

Mr. Jackson O. Hall II, of Cape Coral, Fla., died Wednesday, June 8, 2005, in Cape Coral. He suffered a major internal hemorrhage and passed away quickly.

He was born Jan. 29, 1960 in Ithaca, N.Y.

As a young man of God, he reached out and touched lives. His commitment to the well-being of others was his fundamental value toward the human condition. He was felt, not experienced.

Mr. Hall graduated from the Asheville School in North Carolina in 1978. He received his BA in Philosophy Studies from the University of Kentucky in 1987. His major career work was in the field of food and beverage, working with Radisson Hotels in Lexington, Tallahassee and Atlanta, and also with the Doral Ocean Beach Resort in Miami. He was working in the fields of computer science and space technology at the time of his death.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Patricia; and his children, Rebecca Lauren Hall, Jackson O. Hall III (Trey), and Peyton James Hall; his parents, Jackson and Kathleen Hall; sisters, Alison and Megan; and cousins. Above all he loved his wife and children.

Memorial services were conducted Sunday, June 12, at 2 p.m. at the Faith Presbyterian Church, 4544 Coronado Pkwy.

Memorial fund donations may be sent to Jackson O. Hall, 20881 Wildcat Run Drive, Unit 206, Estero, FL 33928, with checks made out to Jackson O. Hall or C. Kathleen Hall. The gifts will be used for the children’s preschool care and education and help with the family’s expenses.

The world is a better place due to his presence, may God rest the soul of this exceptional man.

The Metz Chapel of Harvey-Engelhardt-Metz Funeral Homes and Crematory of Cape Coral, Fla., were in charge of arrangements.

Jeannine Bearss Rush

Mrs. Jeannine Bearss Rush, 76, of Linville, N.C., a native and former resident of New York City, wife of the late Fred L. Rush, Sr., died Wednesday, July 6, 2005, at her residence.

She was born June 1, 1929, to the late Arthur Gordon and Verna Bispham Bearss.

She graduated from Southern Seminary College in Buena Vista, Va., with a degree in English and Drama. As a young girl, she was enrolled as a special student at Juillard School in New York City where she studied piano in preparation for concertizing.

Mrs. Rush was the chairperson of the Stiver Foundation which benefitted diverse charities. She was also a volunteer counselor at the Sagamore Children’s Hospital in New York, specializing in the care of autism and at the Crisis Intervention Center of Delray Beach, Fla.

Survivors include three daughters, Melissa Statton Rush of Hendersonville, N.C., Jenna-Leigh Harrison and her partner, Susan Crockett, of Asheville, N.C. and Meredith Lynne Rush-Bell and her husband, Richard, of South Orange, N.J.; and one son, Fred L. Rush, Jr. and wife, Leslie, of South Bend, Ind. Also surviving are three granddaughters, Melissa Harrison of Asheville, Samantha Bell and Grace Bell, both of South Orange; three grandsons, Nicholas Rush and Matthew Rush, both of South Bend and John Bell of South Orange.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Samuel Revits.

Graveside services will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, N.C. with Father Carleton B. Cunningham officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Avery County Hospice, 351 West Mitchell Street, Newland, N.C. 28657.

Online condolences may be made at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Major Sloan Tuttle

Mr. Major  Sloan Tuttle, 62, of South Broad Street, Winston-Salem, N.C., died Thursday morning, July 7, 2005, at the Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

He was born Dec. 1, 1942, in Forsyth County, a son of Hubert E. and Rachel Sloan Tuttle.

Mr. Tuttle enjoyed his work at the Department of Transportation and his many trips to the beach. He was loved by all his neighbors and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Barbara Ann Ragan Tuttle; his mother, Rachel Sloan Tuttle of Winston-Salem; one sister, Pam Gillespie and husband, Ken, of New Bern; a nephew, Chris Gillespie; and several cousins, aunts and uncles, and his mother-in-law, Jewel Perry Ragan of Boone.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Services will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at the Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel, officiated by Ken Gillespie and John Wall. Graveside services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens in Boone.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Winston-Salem.

Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home in Winston-Salem is serving the Tuttle family.

July 4-6, 2005

James Wilson "Jay" Beach

Mr. James Wilson “Jay” Beach, 86, of Wintergreen Lane, Boone, died Sunday morning, July 3, 2005 at the Watauga Medical Center.

He was born July 15, 1918 in Nora, Va., a son of Tom and Pearl Beach.

Mr. Beach was a member of the First Baptist Church of Boone. He was the manager of the Appalachian Theater in Boone from 1948 to 1974. Mr. Beach served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Grace Simpson Beach; and one brother, Tom Beach of Rockingham. Two nieces and one nephew also survive.

Services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Wayne Brown and George Miles. The family received friends Tuesday afternoon from 12:30-2 p.m., prior to the services, at Austin & Barnes. Entombment followed at the Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 434 Fayetteville Street Mall, 2 Hanover Square, Suite 1600, Raleigh, N.C. 27601.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Beach family.

Gertrude Miller Kepler

Mrs. Gertrude Miller Kepler, 89, of Hound Ears Club, Blowing Rock, died Tuesday, June 28, 2005, at home.

She was born July 28, 1915, in Bucyrus, Ohio, to the late Judge James W. Miller and Edith Tapling Miller. Her father was Probate and Juvenile Judge of Crawford County, Ohio. Gertrude was deputy in his court until he was named Director of Liquor Control of Ohio.

Mrs. Kepler graduated from Bucyrus High School in 1933 and attended Ohio State University, majoring in Fine Arts. She married Robert H. Kepler in 1938. He retired from Ohio State Universty after 28 years as golf coach to be the golf pro at Hound Ears Club. She assisted him most of the time in the pro shop. After retirement, she lived at Hound Ears with her dog and cat and was Hound Ears’ unofficial artist-in-residence. Her hands were always busy as she made clay busts of people, quilts and carving wooden doors with bas-relief panels of leaves. She carved out hound dog key chains by the thousand. She joyfully gave them away and they were joyfully received. Many people will remember receiving their key chain.

Survivors include one nephew, James R. “Jim” Holder, of Brandon, Fla.; one niece, Ann Holder Waite, of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and special friends, Ann Lipzon of Hound Ears and Sylvia Aldridge of Foscoe.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Mrs. Elizabeth M. Holder.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that 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.

Bonnie Jean Greene Taylor

Mrs. Bonnie Jean Greene Taylor, 72, of Blowing Rock Blvd., Lenoir, died Friday, July 1, 2005, at her residence.

She was born July 1, 1933, in Watauga County, to the late Willard and Vilas Trivette Greene.

Mrs. Taylor retired from Bernhardt Furniture and was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, James Hoover Taylor; three sons, James Earl Taylor and wife, Janice; David Michael Taylor and wife, Kathy, and Carl Myers; and one daughter, Willa Eaton and husband, Bill, all of Lenoir; ten grandchildren, Cynthia Hall, Melissa Bolick, Austin Eaton, James Earl Taylor, Jr., Ricky Parsons, Lynn Teeters, Billy Parsons, Michael Joey Taylor, Josh Taylor and Robert Netherton; one brother, Clarence Greene of Lenoir; and one sister, Linda Isenhour of Mount Pleasant. She is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by a son, Larry Wayne Taylor; and three brothers, Carl Greene, Clyde Greene and Jetter Greene.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Rick Hayes. Burial followed in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home in Lenoir was in charge of the arrangements.

Susie Louise Walser Underwood

Mrs. Susie Louise Walser Underwood, 89, of Vilas, formerly of Blowing Rock, wife of the late Cline Underwood, died Thursday morning, June 30, 2005, at her residence.

She was born July 22, 1915, in Blowing Rock, Watauga County, to the late Charles Robert and Dovie Earp Walser.

Mrs. Underwood was a retired clerk from the Blowing Rock Variety Store and a member of First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Survivors include one son, Carl Underwood and wife, Michelle, of Vilas; one granddaughter, Paula Wilcox and husband, Tom; and one grandson, Robbie Underwood, all of Blowing Rock; one great-grandson, Dustin Wilcox of Wilmington; two great-granddaughters, Lilly and Laney Widener, both of Boone; and one step-granddaughter, Madison Winebarger of Vilas. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Mrs. Lois Greene and Mrs. Grace Greene; and two brothers, John Walser and Paul Walser.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Laurel Fork Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Daniel Featherstone. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Laurel Fork Baptist Church Building Fund, in care of Leigh Ann Perry, 1759 Aho Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.