December 9, 2005

Betty Sue Oliver Cook Caudle

Mrs. Betty Sue Oliver Cook Caudle, 72, of Rose Place, Lenoir, died Nov. 30, 2005, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

She was born June 22, 1933, in Johnson County, Tenn., to the late Edward Mason Oliver and Orpha Holt Oliver.

Mrs. Caudle was a retired secretary from Caldwell County Schools, having worked at the former East Harper and Rhodhiss elementary schools and Gamewell Middle and Lower Creek elementary schools.

Survivors include her husband, Herman Caudle; two sons, Tony Cook and wife, Patricia Church, of Hudson, and Joe Cook and wife, Lori, of Glendale, Ariz.; two daughters, Debbie Cook Nickels and husband, Kevin, of Houston, Tex. and Ms. Leah Cook Bryant of Newton; one brother, Jimmy Oliver and wife, Janella, of Kingsport, Tenn.; and one sister, Carolyn Hooks and husband, David, of Elizabethton, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Beth and T.J. Bryant, both of Newton; two step-grandchildren, Ashley and Bradly Hickman, both of Granite Falls; and special friends, Lula and Harold Soots of Granite Falls.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, George Burl Cook.

Funeral services were private.

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

Arrangements by Greer-McElveen Funeral Home in Lenoir.

John Thomas Edwards

Mr. John Thomas Edwards, 51, of Tucson, Ariz., passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at his home. 

He was a 1973 graduate of Watauga High School in Boone, N.C.  After serving in the United States Air Force for six years, John attended Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Ala. before receiving his Bachelor and Masters degrees from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.  He spent his career as a social worker at the Southern Arizona Veterans Affairs Health Care System in Tucson.

Survivors include his brother, Jim Edwards of Heflin, Ala.; his sisters, Anna Logan of Jacksonville, Ala. and Carol Hecker of Houston, Tex.; his nephews, Bill Lovrich of Whiteburg, Ala., Marty Lovrich of Montgomery, Ala., Chris Hecker and Jeff Hecker, both of Houston, Tex., and Blake Edwards of Heflin, Ala.; a grand-nephew, Camden Lovrich of Montgomery, Ala.; and grand-nieces, Cate and Allie Lovrich of Montgomery, Ala., and Sydney and Abby Hecker of Houston, Tex.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to your favorite charity in John’s name.

Louise V. Hartness

Mrs. Louise Vila Hartness, 79, of Rocky Mount, passed away on Dec 7, 2005. 

She was the daughter of the late Herbert F. and Mildred B. Vila, born in Sanford, N.C.  She attended Sanford High School and Meredith College.  An avid reader and a crossword puzzle and horse lover, she was a member of Englewood United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her brother, William H. Vila and wife, Judy, of Sanford; her four children, Patsy Caroline Hartness Newton and husband, Jack, of Boone and Hampstead, John D. Hartness Jr. and wife, Brenda Buchanan, of Atlanta, T. Scott Hartness, and wife, Deborah, of Rocky Mount, and Richard V. Hartness of Greensboro; three granddaughters, Amy Noelle Everhart and husband, Timothy, of Blowing Rock, Samantha Joelle Newton of Boone, and Joanna Morgan Hartness of Greensboro; one great-grandson, Timothy John Everhart of Blowing Rock; one step-granddaughter, Laura Newton Klontz  and husband, Freddie, of Boone; and one step-great-grandson, William Jack O’Connor of Boone. 

She was predeceased by her sister, Josephine V. Beal of Sanford and her step-grandson, William Shelby Newton of Boone.

A memorial service will be held at Englewood United Methodist Church, Circle Drive in Rocky Mount at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 9th, followed by a reception at the church. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the church or to the Surry Arts Council,  Junior Appalachian Music Program, P.O. Box 141, Mt. Airy, N.C. 27030-0141.

John Clinton Hamilton

Mr. John Clinton Hamilton, 75, of North Wilkesboro, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

He was born May 30, 1929, in Ashe County, to the late Linnie and Mamie Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton was of the Baptist faith and loved gospel music. His hobbies were hunting, fishing and playing checkers.

Survivors include two sons, Edward E. Maxwell and wife, Elizabeth, of Boone and Gregory C. Hamilton and wife, Christine, of Oahu, Hawaii; three daughters, Ms. Clydia Hamilton of Roaring River, Debbie Little and husband, Tim, of North Wilkesboro, and Doretha Brown and husband, Michael, of Wilkesboro; 12 grandchildren, Edward Maxwell and Melissa Ann Finger, both of Boone; Casandra Hamilton, Chetara and Brennon Hampton, all of Roaring River; Terrell and Justin Little, both of North Wilkesboro; Rebecca and Alisha Brown, both of Wilkesboro; Christopher, Recelle and Erica Hamilton, all of Oahu, Hawaii; one sister, Mrs. Myrtle Garrett of West Jefferson; and three brothers, Joe Hamilton of West Jefferson, Garfield Hamilton of Jefferson and Carl Hamilton of North Wilkesboro. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted this afternoon (Friday) at 2 p.m. at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel in Jefferson, officiated by the Rev. Curtsi Wolfe. Burial followed in the Cox Grove Cemetery.

Arrangements by Ashelawn Memorial Chapel in Jefferson.

Charles Goodrich Snow, Sr.

Mr. Charles Goodrich Snow, Sr., 79, of Banner Elk, died Monday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2005, at the Charles A. Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville. 

He was born April 15, 1926, in Atlanta, Ga.,  a son of the late Charles Goodrich and Henrietta Hairston Snow. 

Mr. Snow grew up in Chapel Hill, N.C., and attended Christ Episcopal School in the 11th and 12th grades.  He enlisted in the Navy in 1944 where he served on the bridge of a troop transport ship for three years in the Pacific Ocean.  He attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology in 1951. 

Mr. Snow married Ann Howell on September 3, 1954 in Dallas, Texas.  He worked for Travelers Insurance Company as a regional manager, and retired in 1982 after 31 years with the company.  After retirement, Charles and Ann moved to Banner Elk, N.C.  While living in Banner Elk, he served on the Town Planning Commission and was a member of the Kiwanis Club. 

Surviving are his wife, Ann Howell Snow; one son, Charles G. Snow, Jr.; and grandchildren, Caroline P. Snow, Holly M. Snow, and Andrew K. Snow, all of Charlotte. 

Memorial services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 11, at 3 o’clock at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in Hillsborough.  The family will receive friends in the parish hall following the service.  The church is located at 210 St. Mary’s Road, Hillsborough, N.C. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, Development Office, Post Office Box 309, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27516, in memory of Charles G. Snow; donors should designate the unrestricted fund. 

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Snow family.

December 7, 2005

Dr. William B. Horn
Dr. William B. Horn, 59, of Boone, N.C., passed away at his home early Saturday morning, Dec. 3, 2005.
Dr. Bill, the eldest of four, was born Feb. 25, 1946 to Commander and Mrs. R. W. Horn.
He spent much of his youth in Chapel Hill, attended Chapel Hill High, and became an Eagle Scout. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina, where he also received his medical degree in 1972. His medical residency was completed at the University of Kentucky in 1975. He has been a practicing pediatrician in Boone for 30 years at Northwest Children and Adolescents Clinic and Watauga Medical Center.
Dr. Bill was a dedicated and hardworking physician, father, husband, and active member of the community. He often made home visits to sick patients at all hours of the night. Though not often an outspoken man, he was an adamant and passionate advocate for the well-being of children. He studied the carcinogenic effects of Christmas tree pesticides on children. He worked tirelessly for three years on the development of a recreation center, primarily to create activities for the youth of Watauga County. Due to his work, he was named honorary board member of the Western Youth Network. He participated in many other local organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Hunger Coalition, Child Protection Team, and Infection Control at Watauga Medical Center.
He was an active and long-time member of Boone United Methodist Church. Those who knew him, describe him as compassionate, patient, spiritual, self-sacrificing, a quiet lion, and an angel on earth. He loved music, woodworking, playing sports, and travel. He loved life, and knew how to encourage this love in others.
Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Mary Horn; daughter, Julia; sons Gregory and Peter; mother Carolyn Horn; brothers Jim and Spence Horn; and sister, Jan Adams.
A celebration of life at Boone United Methodist Church will be held in Dr. Bill's honor, Sunday, December 18 at 3:00 p.m. The gathering will be informal and open to any who wish to attend, including children. This will be a time for those who wish to bring potluck, musical instruments, pictures, and memories to share. Following will be Christmas caroling.
To further keep his spirit alive and well in the community, the Bill Horn Memorial Scholarship is being created, which will be awarded to a Watauga High School student each year. To contribute, make donations to Watauga County Community Foundation and send to Jim Deal, P. O. Box 311, Boone, N.C. 28607. Also, donations may be made to the Western Youth Network, 155 WYN Way, Boone, N.C. 28607, for the Bill Horn Memorial. This support will continue his passionate efforts to develop a recreation center for the county.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Horn family.

Mary Nell Watson Miller

Mrs. Mary Nell Watson Miller, 72, of 140 Barry Oak Road, Statesville, died Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville.

She was born Jan. 25, 1933, in Ashe County, to the late Noah and Eva Church Watson.

Mrs. Miller was a graduate of Fleetwood High School and a retired switchboard operator from Iredell Memorial Hospital. She was a member of Oakdale Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Arlon Miller; two sons, Christopher Miller of Denver and Robin Miller and wife, Thea, of Statesville; one grandson, Noah Arlon Miller of Statesville; three brothers, Herbert Watson and Eugene Watson, both of Fleetwood and Hobert Watson and wife, Jewel, of Vilas; two sisters, Mrs. Ella Mae Cheek and Hazel Cheek and husband, Edmund, all of Lenoir. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Mrs. Bessie Blackburn, Mrs. Ola Wellborn and Mrs. Virginia Woodie; and three brothers, Lee Watson, Vandell Watson and Grady Watson.

Services were conducted this morning (Wednesday) at 11 a.m. at Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel in Statesville, officiated by the Rev. Wayne Bennett. Burial followed in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens in Jefferson.

Arrangements by Nicholson Funeral Home.

December 5 , 2005

Dr. Bill Horn

Dr. Bill Horn, a longtime Boone pediatrician and county leader, died early Saturday morning after a long battle with cancer.  See Wednesday’s Watauga Democrat or this Web site for more information.

William Lee Greene

Mr. William Lee Greene, 77, of George Wilson Road, Boone, died Saturday afternoon, Dec.  3, 2005 at the Watauga Medical Center. 

He was born Nov. l9, 1928 in Watauga County, a son of Charles Newton and Rose Eva Isaacs Greene. 

Mr. Greene served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict as a Sergeant. He was a graduate of Cove Creek High School and Appalachian State Teachers College, now ASU.  Mr. Greene coached basketball at Cove Creek High School and taught elementary education in both Watauga and Iredell Counties.

Survivors include his wife, Mildred Greer Greene; one daughter, Debbie Miller and husband, Tom, of Boone; one son, Bill Greene and wife, Chris, of Boone; one grandson, Chad Greene of Boone; one sister, Ruby Hodges of Sugar Grove; and his mother-in-law, Ella Greer of Boone.  A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Myrtle Johnson; one brother, Gray Greene; and an infant brother.

Graveside services and burial will be private.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 7:30 at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. 

The family respectfully requests no food or flowers.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice or to the William Lee Greene family at 334 George Wilson Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Greene family.

Lena B. Perry

Mrs. Lena B. Perry, 83, of  139 Hampton Dr.,  Boone, N.C., died  Saturday, Dec.  3, 2005 at her residence.

A native of  Avery  County, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Ida Banner Braswell.  

Mrs. Perry was of the Baptist faith and a member of the  Valley  Haven Baptist  Church. She was known throughout the Banner Elk Area for her hamburgers she made when she and her husband ran the Maple Tea Room. She loved her family and friends, and spent her weekends visiting the sick and shut-ins. Mrs. Perry retired from Smithey’s in Boone and enjoyed crocheting and being with her family, especially her great-grandchildren.  She will always be remembered as a lovely person who thought of others.

 Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Stanton Perry; a son, Larry Perry of Boone; grandchildren, Brian Perry, and his wife, Betty, of Asheville, Lekota Perry of West Jefferson; and great grandchildren, Reilly and Kayla Perry.

Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, from the Grandfather Chapel of the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with the Rev. Donnie Ford officiating.  Interment will follow in the  Montezuma  Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent at www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

Memorials may be made to the American Lung Association. 

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Perry family.

Kathleen Foster Pitts

Ms. Kathleen Foster Pitts, 82, of Blowing Rock, died Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital Extended Care.

She was born June 22, 1923, in Blowing Rock, Watauga County, to the late Randall James Foster and Selma Robbins Foster.

Ms. Pitts was a graduate of Blowing Rock High School and a retired motel manager. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Survivors include one daughter, Patricia “Pat” Greene of Marion; one brother, James “Sonny” Foster, and one sister, Mrs. Selma Lee Bolick, both of Cape Carteret; one grandson, Michael Greene of Wilkes County; and one granddaughter, Wyndy Hickman of Boone.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Kaye Hickman.

Graveside services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, officiated by Dr. Scott Courtney.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1903, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Arrangements by Hampton Funeral Service.

Leumas Blalock Trexler

Mr. Leumas Blalock Trexler, 63, of Windy Drive, Boone, died Saturday morning, Dec. 3, 2005 at home. 

He was born in Watauga County, Feb. 13, 1942, the son of the late Clarence E. Trexler and Helen Edmisten Trexler. 

Mr. Trexler was a salesman with Toyota of Boone, and a former insurance agent with both Nationwide and Farm Bureau Insurance.  He was a member of Foscoe Christian Church. 

Surviving include his wife, Linda Church Trexler; one daughter, Lori Combs and husband, Todd; one son, Jeff Trexler and wife, Candice; two grandchildren, Sarah and Owen Combs; his mother, Helen Edmisten Trexler; one brother, Ed Trexler and wife, Judy; and one niece, Paula Trexler, all of Boone.

Memorial services will be conducted Monday evening at 8 o’clock at the Foscoe Christian Church.  Officiating will be Minister Lance Hostetter and the Rev. Earl Wilcox.  The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock at the church prior to the service. 

The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to the Foscoe Christian Church, 8835 Hwy. 105 South, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the American Diabetes Association, 222 South Church Street, Suite 336M, Charlotte, N.C. 28202.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Trexler family.

Eula Norris Vines

Mrs. Eula Norris Vines, 78, of George Wilson Road, Boone, died Friday, morning Dec. 2, 2005, at Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital. 

She was born in Watauga County, Oct. 28, 1927, a daughter of the late Hoy and Lizzie Williams Norris. 

Mrs. Vines was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church where she served as Sunday School Secretary.  She was an avid gardener, and was retired from Hodges Oil Company where she worked as a secretary and bookkeeper.

Surviving include two daughters, Beth Ball and husband, Don, of Boone, and Karen Helms and husband, Phil, of Concord; two sons, Randy Vines and wife, Pat, and Eric Vines, all of Boone; five grandchildren, Stacie and Jamie Vines, Karamie and Jeremy Ball, and Ashleigh Helms; two brothers, Kenneth Norris and wife, Margaret, and Burl Norris and wife, Glenda, all of Boone; and a special friend, Gloria Thompson of Boone. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Wiley Vines; and one sister, Sally Brown.

 Services  will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Oak Grove Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Kenneth Craig and the Rev. Max Furr. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o’clock. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. 

Memorials may be made to the Lewis Hal Anderson, Jr. Scholarship Fund, in care of Oak Grove Baptist Church, 306 Oak Grove Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Vines family.

Agnes Baldwin Whitener

Mrs. Agnes Marie Baldwin Whitener, 75, of Springfield, Va., died Monday, Nov. 28, 2005, at Fairfax Hospital in Fairfax, Va.

She was born Nov. 28, 1930 in Matoaka, West Virginia.

Mrs. Whitener received her BA in Instrumental Music and English with honors and MA in Education from Appalachian State University in 1952. She was teaching assistant to the late Dr. Nicholas Erneston, former Dean of the School of Music. She married Carr “Jack” C. Whitener (Lt. Col. USAF), a native of Boone, at the Boone United Methodist Church in 1952. She lived in Biloxi, Miss., Honolulu, Hawaii, Sacramento, Calif., Yokota Air Base (near Tokyo), Japan, Syracuse, N.Y., Albuquerque, New Mexico and Springfield, Va. She taught intermediate school English and high school band in Albuquerque and English at Yokota Air Base.

In 1970 she became an orchestra teacher for the Fairfax County Public Schools. Her orchestras won top honors in Fairfax County. At Robert E. Lee High School in Springfield, Va. the orchestra grew from two students to over a 50 member symphonic orchestra. Among her other schools were Francis Scott Key Intermediate, Poe Middle School, Homes Middle School and Springfield Estates Elementary. She was the first director to hold annual orchestra concerts for hundreds of area preschool and kindergarten children which she called “Lollipops.” She retired in 1989.

Mrs. Whitener served on the board of the National School Orchestra Association and was a violist in the Fairfax Symphony. Member of the Springfield United Methodist Church for 35 years, she enjoyed singing in the church choir. She was a Girl Scout and Brownie leader at Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico and assistant scout leader in Springfield.

Survivors include her devoted husband of 53 years, Carr Whitener (Lt. Col. USAF Ret.); two daughters, Jill Laurie Campbell and husband, Edward, of Glendale, Ariz. and Robin Diane Whitener Wilkins and husband, Ken, of Atlanta, Ga.; a sister, Juanita Baldwin Chambers, and a brother, Jon Karl Baldwin, both of Beckley, West Virginia; five grandchildren, Christopher Earl Campbell, Tiffany Marie Campbell, both of Glendale, Ariz.; Katherine Diane Wilkins, Daniel John Whitener Wilkins, and David Carr Choate Wilkins, all of Atlanta, Ga.

A memorial service will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 17 at Springfield United Methodist Church in Springfield, Va. A burial service will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Monday, Dec. 19, at 2 p.m.

Fairfax Funeral Home are in charge of the arrangements.