November 11, 2005

Mrs. Myra H. Combs

Mrs. Myra H. Combs, 85, of Elizabethton, Tenn., died Tuesday morning, Nov. 8, 2005, in the Johnson City Medical Center.

A native of Watauga County, N.C., she was the daughter of the late Thomas and Grace Tester Arnett.

Mrs. Combs was a member of Beck Mountain Baptist Church. She was also a member of the Tuesday Night Bible Study Class. She was a homemaker and had lived in Carter County since 1946.

Survivors include four daughters, Loyce Elliott and husband, Haynes; Brenda Stewart and husband, Jay; Linda Hardin and husband, Lynn; and Janice Carver and husband, Eddie, all of Elizabethton, Tenn.; two sons, Roger Combs and wife, Doris; and Ron Combs and wife, Ann, of Elizabethton, Tenn.; four sisters, Kate Johnson, Carolyn Jones and Mildred Bunton of Boone, N.C., and Irene Nichols of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; one brother, Homer Arnett of Boone, N.C.; 14 grandchildren; and 29 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert S. Combs in 1987; three sisters; and a grandson, Tony Montgomery.

Services were conducted Thursday evening at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Ronnie Campbell and the Rev. Richard Estep officiating. Graveside services and interment were conducted Friday morning at 11 a.m. in the Happy Valley Memorial Park.

The family would like to express a special thanks to the Tuesday Night Bible Study Group and her caregiver, Francis Nave.

Condolences may be emailed to the Combs family at mfc@chartertn.net

Memorial Funeral Chapel  is in charge of the arrangements.

George Cecil Fowler

Mr. George Cecil Fowler, 56, of 2821 Howard’s Creek Road, Boone, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 8, 2005, at home.

He was born Jan. 26, 1949, in Jackson County, Ky., to Aeirlene Ross Fowler and the late Louis Cecil Fowler.

Mr. Fowler was an automobile mechanic and was of the Protestant faith.

Survivors include one son, George E. Fowler of Pensacola, Fla.; his mother, Mrs. Aeirlene Fowler and one sister, Sue Fowler and friend, David Dampman, all of Boone. He is also survived by a number of aunts and uncles and three nephews.

Services were conducted this morning (Friday) at 11 a.m. at Living Water Christian Fellowship, officiated by Pastor Darrell Roberts. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

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

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Pairlee Watson Greene

Mrs. Pairlee Watson Greene, 74, of  Redcliff Way,  Lenoir, N.C., died Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2005, at her residence.

She was born March 19, 1931 in  Watauga  County to the late Theodore R. Watson and Jenny Hartley Watson. 

Mrs. Greene was employed as a clerk at Yokefellow in Lenoir, and was a member of Miller Hill Baptist Church.

She is survived by two sons, Steve Greene of Granite Falls, N.C., and Scott Greene and wife, Amy, of Hickory, N.C.; two daughters, Patricia Abernathy and husband, Roger, of Lenoir, N.C., and Barbara “Bobbie” Smith and Husband, Wayne, of   Lenoir, N.C.; two brothers, Gene Watson, of Hudson, N.C., and Grant “Bud” Watson, of Deep Gap, N.C.; one sister, Melvelene Bennett of Banner Elk; 14 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Ronald Cole Greene.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Miller Hill  Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Walsh, the Rev. Carl Hamm, and the Rev. Paul Puett officiating.  The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. prior to service. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care at 902 Kirkwood St. Lenoir,  N.C. 28645.

Condolences may be placed online at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendrys Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Boyd Owen Hodges

Mr. Boyd Owen Hodges, 87, of Alexandria, Va., and a former resident of Watauga County, died Saturday, Nov. 5, 2005, in Alexandria.

Survivors include three sons, Gary O. Hodges, Michael K. Hodges, and Thad Holloway, all of Virginia; three granddaughters; one great-granddaughter; and one brother, I. G. Hodges of Mountain City, Tenn.

Memorial services will be conducted Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Derick Wilson officiating. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-7 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Hodges family.

Charles Martin Leith

Mr. Charles Martin Leith, 82, of Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community in Winston-Salem, N.C., died Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2005, at Forsyth Medical Center after a two-week illness of pneumonia.

He was born Feb. 12, 1923, in Allegany County, Md., to the late George Herbert and Leafy Penner Leith.

Mr. Leith graduated from Fort Hill High School in Cumberland, Md. He joined the U.S. Army serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II from 1941 to 1945 in the European Theater. After serving his country he received his BA and MA degrees from Appalachian State Teachers College. Mr. Leith was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church where he was a longtime member of the Clay Chandler Bible Class. He was a teacher, coach and assistant principal with the WS/Forsyth County School system from 1951 to 1984.

Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Mary Lois Howell Leith; a daughter, Mary Charles L. Sage and husband, George, of Winston-Salem; one son, Martin Howell Leith of Winston-Salem, N.C.; two grandsons, Geoffrey Charles Sage of Winston-Salem and Michael Leith Sage, a student at ASU; two nephews and several great-nieces and great-nephews, all of Cumberland, Md.

He was preceded in death by one brother and one sister.

A graveside service was conducted Friday morning, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Adams Cemetery in Vilas, N.C., officiated by the Rev. Jack Yarbrough.

A memorial service will be held Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Arbor Acres United Methodist Retirement Community, with the Rev. Jack Yarbrough officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at Arbor Acres.

Memorials may be made to Crisis Control Ministry, 200 E. 10th St., Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101.

Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home are in charge of the arrangements.

November 9, 2005

Karen Bernier Cline

Mrs.Karen Bernier Cline, R.N., 52, of 43D Brookwood Drive, Rocky Hill, Conn., died Friday morning, Nov. 4, 2005, at Hartford Hospital following an extended illness.

She was born April 30, 1953 in New Britain, Conn., daughter of Roger and Frances Roux Bernier of Niantic, Conn. The family moved to New London, Conn., in 1959.

Mrs. Cline graduated from St. Mary School and St. Bernard High School in New London in 1971 and the University of Connecticut School of Nursing in 1975. She also attended Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. She was commissioned in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps as an Ensign aboard the Charles W. Morgan Whaling Ship in Mystic, Conn. in the bicentennial year of 1976 and the 60th Anniversary of the Nurse Corp. serving from 1976-1979.

She married Samuel T. Cline May 5, 1979 in St. Mary Church, New London, Conn. They took up residence in Boone, N.C. working at Watauga Medical Center in Boone. Her husband passed away March 15, 1994. She returned to Connecticut in 1998 working in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, retiring for medical reasons in 2003.

Mrs. Cline was a member of John Coleman Prince Post #9 American Legion Auxiliary, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Besides her parents, she is survived by three brothers, Daniel Bernier of Newington, Conn., Jerry Bernier and wife, Valerie, of Niantic, Conn., and John Bernier and wife, Lisa, of Salem, Conn.; and two nephews, Adam Cline and Matthieu Bernier;  and one niece, Olivia Bernier; and survived locally by a brother-in-law, Dr. David Cline and wife, Ann, of Boone.

Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens with the Rev. Mark Chaney officiating.

The family received friends Monday evening from 4-8 p.m. at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Avenue, Niantic, Conn.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Stone Hammermeister

Mrs. Helen Faye Stone Hammermeister, 86, of Boone, died Sunday, Nov. 6, 2005, at Life Care Center in Banner Elk.

She was born April 11, 1919, in McDowell County, to the late William and Sallie Miller Stone.

After graduating from Glenwood High School, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she met her late husband, Carl Henry Hammermeister, and managed a specialty dress shop for tall women. She retired to Clearwater, Fla. and moved to Boone in 1993.

Survivors include three nephews, Rick Stone and wife, Ann, and Chuck Stone and fiance, Margie Brown, all of Boone, and Michael Stone and wife, Pat, of Austin, Texas; and a sister-in-law, Mrs. Lila Stone of Boone.

In addition to her husband and father and mother, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Jesse Stone, Lester Stone and Robert Stone; and four sisters, Bert, Eva, Fern and Jean.

Graveside services were conducted this afternoon (Wednesday) at 3 p.m. at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens, officiated by the Rev. Marianne Romanat.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Avery County, P.O. Box 1357, Newland, N.C. 28657, or because of her love of animals, to the Watauga Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Jean Alice Taylor

Mrs. Jean Alice Taylor, 96, of Silverstone Road, Zionville, died Saturday night, Nov. 5, 2005, at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation. 

She was born in Ashe County, Oct. 26, 1909, a daughter of the late Carl and Rosalie Phillips Wilcox. 

Mrs. Taylor was a homemaker.

Surviving are two daughters, Lena Woodring of Todd, Anna Mae Cornell and husband, Doc, of Vilas; four sons, James Taylor and Robert Earl Taylor and wife, Dottie, of Lenoir, J. B. “Jerry” Taylor and wife, Bernice, of Boone, and C. L. Taylor and wife, Jane, of Lenoir; one sister, Minnie Moretz of Hickory; three brothers, Herman Wilcox and Conley Wilcox both of Boone, and Earl Wilcox of Granite Falls; 22 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great- grandchildren. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Franklin Taylor; one daughter, Emma Jean Wilson; one son, Thomas Taylor; two sisters, Mary Winkler and Annie Eller; three brothers, Arden, Stewart, and Lester Wilcox; and three infant sisters. 

Graveside services and burial were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. Officiating was the Rev. Bill Warren.  Memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607. 

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Taylor family.

November 7, 2005

Mrs. Maude Greene Boone

Mrs. Maude Belle Greene Boone, 87, of Shaire Center in Lenoir, died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

She was born Feb. 28, 1918, in Boonford, Yancey County, to the late Washington and Mary Ann McPeters Greene.

Mrs. Boone was a retired merchant, having owned and operated Boone Grocery in Boonford. She was a member of Young’s Chapel Baptist Church in Burnsville.

Survivors include one son, Alton Boone; and three granddaughters, Nora Coffey, Natalie Boone and Maggie Boone, all of Hudson; three grandsons, Scott Richards of Raleigh, Jeff Richards and Josh Boone, both of Hudson; and two sons-in-law, Carl Richards of Hudson and Kenneth Byrd of Hope Mills. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Alton Boone; three daughters, Nora Christine Byrd, Anna Jane Richards and Shirley Boone; four brothers and five sisters.

Graveside services were conducted Friday morning at 11 o’clock at the Gus Young Cemetery in Burnsville, officiated by the Rev. Kenny Newberry.

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

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Karen Bernier Cline

Mrs. Karen Bernier Cline, R.N., 52, of 43D Brookwood Drive, Rocky Hill, Conn., died Friday morning, Nov. 4, 2005, at Hartford Hospital following an extended illness.

She was born April 30, 1953 in New Britain, Conn., daughter of Roger and Frances Roux Bernier of Niantic, Conn. The family moved to New London, Conn., in 1959.

Mrs. Cline graduated from St. Mary School and St. Bernard High School in New London in 1971 and the University of Connecticut School of Nursing in 1975. She also attended Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. She was commissioned in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps as an Ensign aboard the Charles W. Morgan Whaling Ship in Mystic, Conn. in the bicentennial year of 1976 and the 60th Anniversary of the Nurse Corp. serving from 1976-1979.

She married Samuel T. Cline May 5, 1979 in St. Mary Church, New London, Conn. They took up residence in Boone, N.C. working at Watauga Medical Center in Boone. Her husband passed away March 15, 1994. She returned to Connecticut in 1998 working in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, retiring for medical reasons in 2003.

Mrs. Cline was a member of John Coleman Prince Post #9 American Legion Auxiliary, and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Besides her parents, she is survived by three brothers, Daniel Bernier of Newington, Conn., Jerry Bernier and wife, Valerie, of Niantic, Conn., and John Bernier and wife, Lisa, of Salem, Conn.; and two nephews, Adam Cline and Matthieu Bernier;  and one niece, Olivia Bernier.

Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens with the Rev. Mark Chaney officiating.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 4-8 p.m. at Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Avenue, Niantic, Conn.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Shirley Ann Trivett Cook

Mrs. Shirley Ann Trivett Cook, 57, of 730 Slabtown Road, Zionville, died Friday morning, Nov. 4, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 6, 1948, in Johnson County, Tenn., to the late Dana and Wilma Trivett Walsh.

Mrs. Cook retired from the Housekeeping Department at Appalachian State University and was a member of Zionville Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Charles Cook; three daughters, Shelia Watson and husband, Dale, of Boone; Sandy Cook and Sherry Edmisten and husband, Kevin, all of Zionville; two sons, Buddy Cook and Barry Cook and wife, Melissa, all of Zionville; nine grandchildren, Charlie, Matt and Wayne Gentry and Gavin Charles Cook, all of Mountain City, Tenn.; Alexis Watson of Boone, Adam and Abby Ray, Zachary Cook and Tyler Edmisten, all of Zionville; and one brother, Jimmy Walsh of Creston.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Tiffany Dawn Cook.

Graveside services were conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at the Reece Cemetery in Zionville, officiated by the Rev. Derick Wilson.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Violet Carlton Hamby

Mrs. Violet Loretta Carlton Hamby, 67, of Stone Mtn. Road, Lenoir, a native and former resident of Watauga County, died at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir, Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005.

She was born in the Stony Fork community, Oct. 22, 1938, to the late Gaither Carlton and Lucy Robbins Carlton.

Ms. Hamby worked at Harper Furniture and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include three sons, Alan Hamby of Lenoir, Charles Hamby of Deep Gap and Kenny Hamby of Wilkesboro; a daughter, Vicky Hamby Sanders of Lenoir; a brother, Jay Carlton of Boomer; four sisters, Mrs. Rosalee Watson of Deep Gap, Mrs. Irene Lewis of Boone, Mrs. Pearlee Shipley of Lenoir and Mrs. Marlene Marley of Ferguson; thirteen grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Vaughn Carlton and Alonzo Robbins.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Pendry’s Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steve Butler and the Rev. Jim Whisnant officiating.   Burial followed in the Greene Family  Cemetery in Deep Gap.

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

Online condolences may be sent to www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendry’s Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements for the Hamby family.

Roy R. Priebe

Mr. Roy Raymond Priebe, 80, of 5411 Elk Creek Road, Deep Gap, the Triplett community, died Oct. 13, 2005, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born July 10, 1925, in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late Richard and Jennie Quayle Priebe.

Mr. Priebe was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and a retired electrician from Muncipal Light & Power Company in Cleveland. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Boone.

Survivors include his wife, Marylan Cutter Priebe; two daughters, Sandy Wilms and husband, Bruce, of Williamsburg, Va. and Sue Sacco and husband, Charles “Chuck”, of Houston, Texas; two sons, Jim Priebe and wife, Kathy, of Dorset, Ohio and Dan Priebe and wife, Pam, of Wilowick, Ohio; one brother, George Priebe and wife, Dawn, of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He is also survived by ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Nov. 12, at 1 p.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 132 Council Street in Boone, with Pastor Bob Wolf officiating. Burial will be in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family will receive friends at a reception in the church fellowship hall, following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stewart Simmons Volunteer Fire Department and our First Responders, in care of Doug Berry, 819 Jake’s Mtn. Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Edwin “Buddy” Shuford Jr.

Mr. Edwin “Buddy” Shuford Jr., 77, of Hickory, N.C., died Nov. 2, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

He was born Dec. 20, 1927, in Catawba County, to the late Elizabeth Perkins Holbrook Shuford and Edwin Harold Shuford Sr.

Mr. Shuford was a member of First Presbyterian Church and was a veteran of the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was an Eagle Scout and was an active volunteer at his church.

Survivors include a son, Edwin Shuford III and his wife, Beth, of Valle Crucis; a daughter, Chrissie Gulden and husband, Brian, of Shelby, N.C.; one grandson, Cole Gulden of Shelby, N.C.; and two granddaughters, Bailey Shuford of Valle Crucis and Emily Gulden of Shelby, N.C.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Christine Isenhower Shuford.

A memorial service was conducted Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Wallace Johnson officiating. The family received friends following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Memorials may be made to Catawba Science Center, 243 3rd Ave. N.E., Hickory, N.C. 28601.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the Shuford family.

Jean Alice Taylor

Mrs. Jean Alice Taylor, 96, of Silverstone Road, Zionville, died Saturday night, Nov. 5, 2005 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.

She was born in Ashe County, Oct. 26, 1909, a daughter of the late Carl and Rosalie Phillips Wilcox. 

Mrs. Taylor was a homemaker.

Surviving are two daughters, Lena Woodring of Todd, Anna Mae Cornell and husband, Doc, of Vilas; four sons, James Taylor and Robert Earl Taylor and wife, Dottie, of Lenoir, J. B. “Jerry” Taylor and wife, Bernice, of Boone, and C. L. Taylor and wife, Jane, of Lenoir; one sister, Minnie Moretz of Hickory; three brothers, Herman Wilcox and Conley Wilcox, both of Boone, and Earl Wilcox of Granite Falls; 22 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Franklin Taylor; one son, Thomas Taylor; two sisters, Mary Winkler and Annie Eller; three brothers, Arden, Stewart, and Lester Wilcox; and three infant sisters.

Graveside services and burial for Mrs. Jean Alice Taylor will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. Officiating will be the Rev. Bill Warren. 

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607. 

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Taylor family.

Marion Beth Tester

Marion Beth Tester, 80, died Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2005, at Franklin Woods Health Care Center.

Survivors include one granddaughter and numerous nieces and nephews; and long time friend, Butch Welch.

She was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Lee Tester; her parents, David William and Martha Lorance Tester; brothers, Buster Tester, Baxter Tester, Rev. Basil Tester and Bernard Tester; and sisters, Beulah Shook and Bernice Reynolds.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 5 p.m. at Jerry Spears Funeral Home & Crematory in Columbus, Ohio. Inurnment will be held at Obetz Cemetery at a later date.

Jerry Spears Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Lona Victoria Townsend

Mrs. Lona Victoria Townsend, 87, of Nellis Townsend Road, Boone, died Thursday morning, Nov. 3, 2005, at home.

She was born Oct. 10, 1918, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Bert and Lizzie Shook Townsend.

Mrs. Townsend was a retired cook, and was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Barbara Greene and husband, Arvil, of Supply, N.C., Mable Jones of Boone, and Shirley Icenhour and husband, David, of Rockwell, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Dean Greene, Edward Greene and wife, Renee; Sandra Winebarger, Roger Greene and wife, Cheryl; Terry Jones and wife, Teresa; Teresa Teague and husband, Billy; Tony Jones and wife, Linda; and Jeff and Susan Icenhour; 17 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; one brother, Roy Townsend of Lenoir; one sister-in-law, Lillie Townsend of Valle Crucis; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Nellis Townsend; two brothers, Monroe and Joe Townsend; four sisters, Lela Townsend Taylor, Essie Townsend, Hester Townsend, Marrie Reese; and a son-in-law, Frank Jones.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dan Church and the Rev. James D. Hagaman officiating. Entombment followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum.

The family received friends Saturday evening from 6:30-8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Townsend family.