October 21, 2005

Blanche Oakes Brown

Mrs. Blanche Oakes Brown, 90, of Creekway Drive, Lenoir, died Monday, Oct. 17, 2005 at College Pines Nursing Home.

She was born March 19, 1915 in Johnson County, Tenn., to the late Robey Ison and Minnie Potter Oakes.

Mrs. Brown was a homemaker and a member of East Flat Baptist Church in Lenoir.

Survivors include two sons, Vilas Harold Brown of Lincolnton and Elbert Dennis Brown of Hudson; four daughters, Carolyn Howell and husband, Wade, and Margaret McCall and husband, Robert, all of Lenoir;  Ms. Mary Frances Brown of Kannapolis and Edith Cope and husband, Vernon, of Mt. Holly; two sisters, Mrs. Myrtle Miller and Mrs. Gladys Shull, both of Boone; 30 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; and 23 great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vilas McIver Brown; a daughter, Mrs. Lynda Gilbert; a brother, Bynum Oakes; two sisters, Ruby Louise Oakes and Mrs. Eula Oakes Blackburn; four grandchildren; and her step-mother, Mrs. Macie Colvard Oakes.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. at East Flat Baptist Church conducted by Dr. Claude B. Suddreth, the Rev. Benny Greene and the Rev. Vernon Cope. Burial followed in the East Flat Church Cemetery.

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

James Leonard Caccioppo

Mr. James Leonard Caccioppo, age 61, of Franklin died at home on October 13, 2005. 

He was a native of New York and moved to North Carolina from Florida in 1989. 

Mr. Caccioppo was the son of the late Leonard M. Caccioppo and Ann Caccioppo. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Constance; one son, Edward J. Caccioppo of San Diego, Calif.; one daughter, Arlene C. Warner of Sunrise, Fla.; and his sister Diane Carol Malec of Hollywood, Fla.  He is also survived by four grandchildren, Giovanni Caccioppo, Jenna Warner, Catalina Caccioppo and Carlo Caccioppo.  Also surviving are two nephews Bob and Adam Malec. 

Mr. Caccioppo was cremated and internment will be next to his mother at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Tamarac, Fla. at an undermined date.

Howard Dancey

Mr. Howard Dancey, 87, of 200 Dancey Lane, Vilas, died Tuesday night, Oct. 18, 2005, at home.

He was born Sept. 18, 1918, in the Silverstone community of Watauga County, to the late Arris and Dora Owens Dancey.

Mr. Dancey was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and a retired carpenter. He was the former owner of Dancey’s Shoe Store and a member of Brushy Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Ivalee Greene Dancey; one sister, Ola Fox and husband, Elmer, of Vilas; and three sisters-in-law, Mrs. Dora P. Dancy of Wilkesboro; Mrs. Madge G. Dancy of Vilas and Mrs. Mabel Miller of Mountain City, Tenn.; two brothers-in-law, Clay Verne Greene and wife, Martha Jean, and Ted Greene and wife, Betty, all of Vilas. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted this afternoon (Friday) at 2 p.m. at Brushy Fork Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Bud Russell and Pastor Andy McFarland. Burial followed in the Adams Cemetery in Vilas.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Adams Cemetery Fund, in care of Clay Verne Greene, 312 Ward Greene Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Grant L. Norris

Mr. Grant Leander Norris, 92, of 565 Kirby Branch Road, Zionville, died Tuesday night, Oct. 18, 2005, at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.

He was born July 25, 1913 in the Fairview community of Watauga County, to the late Everett Crawford Norris  and Harriett Clawson Norris.

Mr. Norris was a retired self-employed mechanic and heavy equipment operator and a member of Union Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen Fay Houck Norris of Life Care Center in Banner Elk; three daughters, Joyce Colvard of Clemmons, Geneva Stevens and husband, William, Cindy Eller and husband, Jim, all of Zionvile; three sons, Joe Norris and wife, Peggy, of Pfafftown, Jimmy Norris, Gary Norris and wife, Marsia, all of Zionville; two sisters, Beulah Storie and Ruby Hampton of Boone; two brothers, Grady Norris and wife, Fannie, and Tracy Norris and wife, Ruby, all of Boone. He is also survived by 14 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he preceded in death by three sisters, Mrs. Annie Watts, Mrs. Orpha Potter, and Mrs. Berdie Hampton; and three brothers, Russell Norris, Allie Norris and Reid Norris.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Bethelview United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Allen Marsh and the Rev. Harold Danner. Burial followed in the Norris-Tabernacle Church Cemetery in Boone.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Norris family, 565 Kirby Branch Road, Zionville, N.C. 28698.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

October 19, 2005

Susie Grose Buchanan

Mrs.Susie Buchanan, 90, died peacefully on Monday, October 17, 2005, at St. Barnabus Nursing home in Gibsonia, Pa.

She was born in Harmony, N.C., the sixth of seven children on January 27, 1915.

Mrs. Buchanan’s gift was her piano playing – her gift from God and her gift to others.  She played at church, with her family and many musical groups.  She continued to delight family and friends into her 90th year.

Susie was a Deacon, Treasurer and active member of First Baptist Church, Boone, N.C. for over 50 years.  She received her Teaching Certificate from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1932, her B.S. in 1938, and her M.A. in Library Science in 1953.  She was a teacher and librarian in Watauga County Schools for 30 years, and was a member of ADK teaching sorority.

Susie and Ralph started the first automatic laundry in Boone in 1949.  She was an active member of the Boone Rhododendron Garden Club and is a past president.

She was the beloved wife of the late Ralph Buchanan, mother of the late William R. Buchanan, and his wife, Rebekah, of Roanoke, Va., and John R. Buchanan and his wife, Gail, of Pittsburgh, Pa.  She was the grandmother of Susan Buchanan Dillon and husband, Mike, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.; Robert Buchanan of Goodview, Va.; and Jack Buchanan and his wife, Liz, of Pittsburgh, Pa.;  the great-grandmother of Kelly Buchanan, of Goodview, Va.; Lily, Tess, and Beck Buchanan of Pittsburgh, Pa. She is also survived by her sister, Lavonne Grose Smith of Winston-Salem, N.C.; sisters-in-law, Frances Grose of Harmony, N.C., and Fern Buchanan of Johnson City, Tenn.; and wonderful nieces and nephews and friends who are like sisters.

Friends will be received at 10 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 21,  at First Baptist Church, 375 West King St, Boone, N.C., followed by a service at 11 a.m. and interment at Mount Lawn Cemetery at noon.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to First Baptist Church, 375 West King St. Boone, N.C. 28607.

Arrangements are being made by Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Ann Marie Fela

Mrs. Ann Marie Fela, 79, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, N.C., with her children at her side.

She was a native Elizabeth, N.J. and was a former resident of North Plainfield, N.J., Madison, N.J. and Boone, N.C.

Ultimately, Mrs. Fela was an extraordinary person who exemplified Christ’s love and the true meaning of a mom. She was a Master Costume Designer as well as the owner and director of the North Plainfield Ballet Company. She also directed the Youth Group at Grace United Methodist Church in North Plainfield. She touched the lives of many children and adolescents as a loving foster parent throughout her life.

Survivors include her five children, Frank J. Fela and wife, Becky, of Medina, Ohio; Jeffery G. Fela and wife, Anita, of Cookeville, Tenn.; Pauline S. Bloyd and husband, Bradley, of Flemington, N.J.; Anna Marie Zheleznyakova of Greensboro, N.C.; and Dawn Eva Johnson and husband, David, of Greensboro, N.C.; five grandchildren, Amanda Fela Wasielewskei, Zachary Fela, Christopher Bloyd, Mark Bloyd, and Luke Johnson. Mrs. Fela also leaves behind her loving dog and furry child, Max.

Private services will be held at a later date.

Donations in memory of Mrs. Ann Fela can be made to North Shore Animal League America, 16 Lewyt Street, Port Washington, N.Y. 11050, www.nsalamerica.org

Hanes Lineberry N. Elm Chapel is assisting the Fela family.

Cluster Allen Fox

Mr. Cluster Allen Fox, 80, of Oxford, Pa., died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005 at the Jennersville Regional Hospital, West Grove, Pa.

He was the husband of the late Margaret V. Cornett Fox.

Mr. Fox was born in Watauga County, N.C., the son of the late James Monroe Fox and Lillie Wright Fox.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, and was a mechanic retiring in 1979.

Survivors include three sons, Jerry White and wife, Donna, of Taylorsville, N.C., Allen Fox and Teddy Fox, both of Oxford, Pa.; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; former daughter-in-law, Patricia Turner of Oxford; and  special caregivers, Eddie McFadden and Janine Baldwin, both of Oxford, Pa.

Services will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 12 at the Edward L. Collins Funeral Home, Inc., 86 Pine St., Oxford, Pa.

Interment will be in Union Hill Cemetery in Kennett Square, Pa.

Edward L. Collins Funeral Home in Oxford, Pa., are in charge of the arrangements.

Paula Daggett Hill

Mrs. Paula Daggett Hill, 75, of Hayesville, N.C., died Thursday, Oct. 13, 2005.

Survivors include her son, Courtney Hill of Savannah, Ga.; two daughters, Jennifer Threlkeld and husband, Keith, of Hayesville, N.C., and Alyson Dunlap and husband, Scott, of Statesville, N.C.; a brother, Duane Daggett and wife, Ruth, of Boone, N.C.; and two grandsons, Myles and Tyler Dunlap.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Henry King Hill III.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m.,   at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Statesville, N.C.

The family will receive friends at 3 p.m., Wednesday afternoon, prior to the service, at the church.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Paula Hill to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 465 Hartness Rd., Statesville N.C. 28677.

Townson Rose Funeral Home of Murphy, N.C. is in charge of arrangements.

Dewey “Bud” Mayes

Mr. Dewey “Bud” Mayes of C.C. Hayes Road, Purlear, N.C., a retired teacher at Wilkes Community College, who was chairman of  five different departments there during his tenue, died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at Carolina’s Medical Center in Charlotte.

He was born Dec. 28, 1936, in Salisbury, the son of Elizabeth Brown and H. Carl Mayes.

Mr. Mayes was married to Rebecca B. Mayes on June 4, 1988. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts degrees from Appalachian State University, and he had completed additional graduate studies at Appalachian State University.

He was hired as a social studies instructor during the early years of Wilkes Community College (WCC) and remained visible on campus for over 39 years. He was an instructor, founded the theater department and managed the Walker Center along with Bob Johnston and Betty Thompson. Mr. Mayes created the College Theatre and directed and produced 200 shows since 1966. In retirement, he led and coordinated WCC’s Distance Learning Initiative. He also acted in the “Horn In The West” outdoor drama in Boone in the 1960s and returned as director for the production from 1998-2001.

Mr. Mayes was selected as the recipient of the Wilkes Community College Excellence in Teaching Award in 1996. He was named as a “master teacher” by WCC. A WCC release said Mayes was the kind of teacher who impressed both his students and his colleagues with his scholarship, presentation style, course design and accessibility.

For 12 of his over 39 years at Wilkes Community College he had a combined faculty and administrative roles such as the Dean of the Humanities Division (1967-1968), chair of many department/divisions; the Humanities Department (1981-1984), the management team of the John A. Walker Center (1984-1988), the fine arts department (1984-1988), the college transfer division (1988-1992), and the sciences and technology division (chaired concurrently with college transfer, 1990-1991).

Mr. Mayes had been a presenter at the National Humanities Conference, chaired the N.C. Theater Conference High School Scholarship Audition, served on the board of the Carolina Dramatic Association (now the N.C. Theater Conference), and had been the vice president of the College and University Division of the N.C. Theater Conference.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca B. Mayes; one son, Sean Mayes and wife, Jenny, of Kings Mountain; one sister, Ann Mayes Ware of Concord; two grandchildren, Dylan Mayes and Colton Mayes, both of Kings Mountain; and one step-grandson, Jaron Paradise of Kings Mountain.

A memorial service will be held at the Wilkes Center on the WCC campus on Tuesday, Oct. 25, at 4 p.m., conducted by Dr. Gordon Burns.

Memorials may be made to the WCC Endowment Corporation, P.O. Box 120, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697.

Miller Funeral Service in North Wilkesboro, are in charge of the arrangements.

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.