October 14, 2005

Lester Ray Moore

Mr. Lester Ray Moore, 91, of Lansing, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, at Margate Health and Rehab Center in Jefferson.

He was born Oct. 20, 1913, in Ashe County, to the late Hillard and Ettie Perry Moore. He retired from Sprague Electric after 21 years of service and was an antiques collector, specializing in antique clocks. Mr. Moore was a member of New Home Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Minnie Miller Moore, of the home; one daughter, Patsy Dolinger and husband, Harold, of Lansing; two stepdaughters, Clara Jones and husband, Boyd, of Jefferson, and Pat Grubb and husband, Michael, of Boone; and one sister, Mrs. Hattie Blevins of Konarock, Va.

He is also survived by two grandsons, three great-grandchildren, two step- grandsons, one step-great-grandchild and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Young Moore, and an infant daughter, Sarah Lynn Moore.

Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Tommy Dollar and minister Danny Miller. Burial followed in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens in Jefferson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ashe County, P.O. Box 421, Jefferson, N.C. 28640, or to Ashe Services for the Aging, P.O. Box 9, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.

Arrangements by Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson.

Fred “Doc” Parsons

Mr. Fred Lee “Doc” Parsons, 85, of 3050 Highway 194, North, Boone, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 12, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

He was born Sept. 6, 1920, in Fleetwood, Ashe County, to the late Albert Martin and Rebecca McGuire Parsons.

Mr. Parsons was a retired transit instrument operator and surveyor from Vannort Engineering Company in Charlotte.

He was a member of Masonic Snow Lodge No. 363 and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his wife, Iris Williams Parsons, of the home; three sons, Ancil Parsons and wife, Teresa, of Todd, Scott Parsons and wife, Maggie, of Banner Elk, and John Parsons of Boone; three grandsons, Gregg Parsons and

wife, Vickie, of Zionville, Jamie Parsons and wife, Kelly, of Boone, and Joseph Parsons of Todd; one granddaughter, Jessy Parsons, of Banner Elk; and one sister, Mrs. Ennis Wyatt, of West Jefferson.

He is also survived by three great-grandsons and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sons, Richard Alan “Ricky” Parsons and Gary Lee Parsons; three brothers, Willard Parsons, Worth Parsons and Earl Parsons; and a sister, Mrs. Pearl Holman.

Graveside services, with Masonic rites, were conducted this morning (Friday) at 11 at Blue Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery in Ashe County, officiated by the Rev. Tim Coffey.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Johnny Dean Richards

Mr. Johnny Dean Richards, 63, of Mustard Field Road, Boone, died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 11, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

Born in Avery County Oct. 28, 1941, he was a son of the late G.L. and Bessie Lawrence Richards. Johnny was a member of Meat Camp Baptist Church, and was retired from Appalachian State University where he worked as a cook.

Surviving are his wife, Smitty Storie Richards; four sons, Alan Richards and wife, Lynn, of Reidsville, Wakeley Richards of Boone, John Richards of Asheboro, and Toby Richards and wife, Janis, of Largo, Fla.; six grandchildren, Charlie Richards of the home, Savannah and Jordan Richards of Reidsville, and Marique, Cameron and Jacob Richards of Largo, Fla.; three sisters, Ruby Jones and husband, Chester, of Boone,  Suma Jones of Boone, and Bernice Grice and husband, James, of Concord; three brothers, Russell Richards and wife, Bunnie, of Boone, Stanford Richards of Lynchburg, Va., and Kenneth Richards of Fleetwood; one sister-in-law, Mary Richards of Boone; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Gladys Cheek, and one brother, R.L. Richards.

Memorial services will be conducted Friday at 1 p.m. at Meat Camp Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. David Clippard and the Rev. Gordon Noble.

The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggest memorials to the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center, P.O. Box 2570, Boone, N.C. 28607.

The family will host a gathering of friends at the Meat Camp Baptist Church fellowship hall immediately following the memorial service.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Richards family.

October 12, 2005

Wilma W. Fair

Wilma Williams Fair, 81, of Mountain View Street Drexel, died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, at Burke County Hospice and Palliative Care following a period of declining health.

Mrs. Fair was born on Nov. 28, 1923 in Watauga County to the late Raleigh Robert Williams and Roxie Watson Williams.

She was a retired seamstress with Premiere Hosiery Mills, and was a member of Drexel First Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by one brother, Ronda Williams, and two sisters, Alma Lambert and Mary Lee Hartsel.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Henry Fair of the home; and one daughter, Brenda Bjorklund of Morganton.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday Oct. 13, 2005, in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese. Officiating will be the Rev. Tito Madrazo. Interment will follow at Burke Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 10 to 11 a.m., one hour prior to the service at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Burke County Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Rd. Valdese, N.C. 28690.

Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese is serving the Fair family.

Mary Ellen Penn

Mary Ellen Penn, 54, of Winston-Salem, formerly of Boone, passed away Sunday, October 2, 2005 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

She was born in Forsyth County to William Shelton Penn, Jr., and Ellen Penn. After attending the N.C. School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, she graduated in 1969 from Forbush High School in East Bend. Mary Ellen was a graduate of East Carolina University in Greenville, where she joined Alpha Xi Delta Sorority. She attended Ringling School of Art in Sarasota, Fla. She was past president and life member of the Blue Ridge Garden Club, past president of the Boone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and portrait artist member of Art Mix. Surviving are her daughter, Mary Ellen “Elle” Jackson of the home; her mother, Ellen Martin Jent of East Bend; and a brother, Ed Shreiber of Clemmons.

Funeral services were conducted on Thursday, October 6, at East Bend Methodist Church in East Bend with the Rev. Janet Anderson, Dr. C. M. Worthy, Mrs. Janis Williams and Mr. Paul Chappell, Jr. officiating. Burial followed in East Bend Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to OASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information and Shelter), P.O. Box 1591, Boone NC 28607

October 10, 2005

Owen Coffey

Mr. Stanley Owen Coffey, 74, of 507 Edmisten Road, Blowing Rock, died Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 4, 2005, in Blowing Rock, as a result of injuries from a fall at a construction site.

He was born April 26, 1931, in Blowing Rock, Watauga County, to the late William Leon and Marion Norris Coffey.

Mr. Coffey was a graduate of Blowing Rock High School and a self-employed building contractor for the past 41 years. He established a reputation as one of the best in the region and his work is evident in many landmark homes and businesses. Mr. Coffey was a life time member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church where he served as a Deacon and Elder.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Moody Coffey; one daughter, Jennifer Combs and husband, Mike, and two sons, Douglas Coffey and Stanley Coffey, all of Blowing Rock; four granddaughters, Diana Wilcox and husband, Mike, and Shannon Hampton and husband, James, all of Blowing Rock; Karla Coffey of Mountain City, Tenn. and Stana Coffey of Fleetwood; four grandsons, Eric Bolick and wife, Lorie, of Boone; Ivan Coffey and wife, Kelly, of Deep Gap; Aaron Bolick and Matthew Coffey, both of Blowing Rock; two step-granddaughters, Shannon Marsh and husband, J.T., of Fleetwood and Kayla Combs of Deep Gap; one step-grandson, Jamie Combs of Deep Gap; four sisters, Mrs. Irene Woods of Lenoir; Jewell Moody and husband, Max; Mrs. Helen Carroll and Marie Broyhill and husband, Ralph, all of Blowing Rock; three brothers, Homer Coffey and wife, Ersal, and Wade Coffey, all of Boone; and Wayne Coffey of Blowing Rock. He is also survived by eight great-grandchildren, four step-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Marian Alma Coffey; and a sister, Mrs. Thelma Deal.

Services were conducted Friday morning, Oct. 7, at 11 a.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Richard Holshouser. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Online condolences may be made to www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Janis Ray Tester Crepps

Mrs. Janis Ray Tester Crepps, 56, of 2317 Bare Creek Road, Jefferson, died Friday afternoon, Oct. 7, 2005, at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 25, 1949, in Watauga County, to the late Clay and Vertie Warren Tester. She was a graduate of Watauga High School and received an associate degree from Wilkes Community College.

Mrs. Crepps was a former employee of Jefferson Apparel and a mail room clerk at Samaritan’s Purse. She was a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Dale Crepps; one son, James Caudill and wife, Audrey, of Lansing; one daughter, Tonya Denny and husband, Lee, of Creston; five brothers, Herman Tester and wife, Myrtle, Bill Tester and wife, Audrey, and Lowell “Babe” Tester and wife, Beulah, all of Lenoir, Harold Tester of Wisconsin and Bob Tester and wife, Janice, of Deep Gap; three sisters, Glenda Sue Woodring and husband, Larry, of Boone, Dorothy Hicks of Sugar Grove and Judy Tester of Lenoir; four grandchildren, Brandi and Jamie Caudill, Chad and Chuck Denny; four step-grandchildren, Jacob and Austin Pearson and Anthony Brown and Alicia Johnson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Dale Tester  and Ricky Tester.

Funeral services were conducted this afternoon (Monday) at 3 p.m. at Stony Fork Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Vernon Eller. Burial followed in Big Ridge Cemetery in Jefferson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Samaritan’s Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Arrangements by Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson.

Roy Luther Moretz

Mr. Roy Luther Moretz, 85, of Ravens Ridge Circle, Boone, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 5, 2005 at Watauga Medical Center. 

He was born in Watauga County, Jan. 6, 1920,  a son of the late Herbert Cleveland and Pearl Carpenter Moretz. 

Mr. Moretz was an Army Veteran having served in World War II, and a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. He was a retired School Bus Transportation Supervisor for Watauga County Schools, and was a retired member of the Watauga County Rescue Squad.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Setzer Moretz; one daughter, Brenda Goble and husband, Paul, of Lenoir; one step-daughter, Kweta Danner of the home; three step-sons, Deryl Danner and wife, Jo, of Washington, D.C., George Danner, III of New London, Connecticut, and Doug Danner and wife, Debbie, of Huntersville, N.C., one sister, Gladys Coffey of Boone; and three brothers, H. C. Moretz. Jr., Willis Moretz, and John Walter Moretz, all of Boone; eight step-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren also survive. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Clayton and George Moretz; and his first wife, Vera Carroll Moretz.

Services were conducted Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church with the Rev. Tom Hehenberger officiating.  Military graveside rites and burial followed in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Bethany Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund, in care of George Winebarger, 1767 Burkett Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Moretz family.

Mort “Buddy” H. Parks Jr.

Mort “Buddy” H. Parks Jr., 73, of Highway 181 North, Morganton, N.C., died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2005, at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health.

Born in Burke County, N.C., on March 6, 1932, he was a son of the late Mort H. parks Sr. and Pauline Alexander Parks.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Parks.

Mort served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict where he received a Purple Heart.

He was retired from the N.C. Department of Vocational Rehabilitation — Independent Living.

He was a 50-year member of Spruce Pine’s Vesper Masonic Lodge and was a Shriner and member of Oasis Temple. Mort was a member of Linville United Methodist Church.

He is survived by a son, retired U.S. Navy Commander Steve Parks and wife, Anne, of Fredricksburg, Va.; two daughters, Susan English and Luanne O’Neill, both of Marion, N.C.; a brother, Robert A. Parks, and wife, Linda, of Morganton; a sister, Annabell Hibbard of Morganton; longtime special friend, Theresa D. Dillingham of Morganton; eight grandchildren, Elizabeth English, Ashley English, Rachel English, Laura Parks, Mary Parks, Carol Anne Parks, Andrew O’Neill and Anne O’Neill; two nephews, Jeff Hibbard and Charles Hibbard; and two nieces, Jodi Parks and Christi Parks Lucus.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2005, at the Linville United Methodist Church with the Revs. Neal Brantley and Chester West officiating.

The family will receive friends at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton this evening (Monday) from 6 until 8.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Linville United Methodist Church, 3625 Fish Hatchery Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655, or to Concord United Methodist Church, 8066 Old Linville Road, Marion, N.C. 28752.

Patricia Irene Miller

    Ms. Patricia Irene Miller, 57, of 140 Fourth Street, Boone, died Sunday, Oct. 2, 2005, at home.
    She was born Dec. 7, 1947, in Boone, Watauga County, to Ruth Alice Greer Miller and the late Henry Ford Miller.
    Ms. Miller was a former waitress and was of the Baptist faith.
    Survivors include one son, William Cornforth of Boone; one daughter, Sharon Carlton of Elizabethton, Tenn.; one granddaughter, Caitlyn Cornforth of Hickory, N.C.; one grandson, William Tony Morgan of Elizabethton, Tenn.; one great-grandson, William Morgan of Mountain City, Tenn.; her mother and stepfather, Ruth and Clate Miller of Todd; two sisters, Cathy Kincaid and husband, Tony, of Todd and Ms. Jean Hardy of Boone; one brother, Clate Miller, Jr. and wife, Jean, of Boone. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
    In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a sister, Jewel Miller; and two brothers, Wayne Hamilton Wheeler and William Carl Miller.
    Services were conducted this morning (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. at Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Delmar James. Burial followed in Proffitt’s Grove Church Cemetery.
    Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.