January 20, 2006

Shirley Trivette Gentry Flowers

Mrs. Shirley Trivette Gentry Flowers of Conover, N.C., died Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2006, at her residence.

She was born June 22, 1938, in Watauga County, to the late Albert and Bertha Mae Trivette.

Mrs. Flowers was a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and caregiver to her community and friends for more than 40 years. She was a member of New Harvest Baptist Church.

Survivors include four sons, Terry Henson of Newport Richey, Fla., Charles “Joe” Henson of Golden, Colo., Keith Henson of Hickory, N.C., and Tim Gentry of Graham, N.C.; three daughters, Karen Miller of White, Ga., Kathy Aubrey of Graham, N.C., and Tammy Gentry of Hickory, N.C.; one brother, Houston “Joe” Trivette of Boone, N.C.; one sister, Wilma Storey of Elk Park, N.C.; 15 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one brother, Hurst Trivette.

Graveside services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery in Watauga County, officiated by the Rev. Jim Cooper. A memorial service will be held Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Freedom Assembly in Hickory, N.C., with the Rev. Jim Cooper and the Rev. Jerry Hill officiating.

Memorial donations may be made to New Harvest Baptist Church, P.O. Box 10342, Hickory, N.C. 28603.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the Flowers family.

Edward Grimes Jr.

Mr. Edward Grimes, Jr., 64, of Chapel Hill, N.C., died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2006 in Williamsburg, Va.

He was born March 30, 1941 in Boone,  a son of the late Edward Grimes, Sr. and Magnolia Whittington Grimes.

Mr. Grimes was a retired transport driver with the University of North Carolina Hospital and a member of Deliverance Church of Christ.

Survivors include his daughter, Melissa Grimes Sales and husband ,Walter, Jr., of Roaring River; three sisters, Mary McQueen and husband, Jack, and Annie Allison, both of Boone; Margaret Grimes of Winston-Salem; four brothers, William Grimes, Joe Grimes and wife, Carolyn, and Arthur Grimes, all of Boone; and Connie Grimes and wife, Eveleen, of Atlanta; two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Services will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 20, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with the Elder Thurman McNeil officiating. Burial will follow in Clarissa Hill Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 12 until 1, Friday,  prior to the service at Hampton Funeral Service.

Online condolences may be sent to the Grimes Family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of arrangements.

Joel R. Hamilton

Joel R. Hamilton of Boone, N.C., formerly of Exeter, Calif., died Dec. 28, 2005.

Joel’s life cannot fully be known through his outer achievements, so much as through the quality of his inner being. It was the quality of the inner silence in which he lived more than anything else that made Joel the unique individual that he was.

Joel was born in Marin County, Calif., on June 28, June 1954, to Robert Lee Hamilton and Judith Elizabeth Sill Hamilton.  After graduation from Exeter Union High School in 1972, Joel taught environmental education for several summers at SCIcon in the Tulare County foothills. He also worked for many years on high country trail crews and in park and recreation management in the Sequoia/Kings National Park in the Sierra Mountains that he loved so well. He celebrated his love of life in his music and his joyful clog dancing.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Spanish literature from Humboldt State University in 1980, Joel worked most of his life for non-profit organizations in roles of service, helping people better their lives. He always looked for ways to help people and make them feel good about themselves. For example, he worked for a housing advocacy group in Central California, teaching low-income families the skills needed to buy and keep a home and he taught Mexican youth to speak English at a business school in Querétero, Mexico.

In 1982, Joel began working full-time for the Transcendental Meditation movement and he remained committed to that career throughout his life. He had discovered that the treasury of silence deep within can be shared, and he became a teacher of Transcendental Meditation in 1985.  He loved teaching others to transcend the outer phenomenal world, go within, and know the light of God within themselves. He was a seeker of the highest Self, and experienced that more and more in his daily life through his practice of TM.  He was a skillful teacher who knew that the inner nature of life is bliss. His nature was to give and to share this knowledge with everyone.

Joel was known there for his untiring resourcefulness, dedication, and reliability in his many activities in the TM movement.  His activities included four years as operations manager for a 350-room course facility in Puerto Rico, director at the TM Center in San Juan, Puerto Rico, TM  teacher and assistant manager at Centers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Washington, DC and in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

In 1989, he graduated from Maharishi International University with an MA in journalism, and he worked for the TM movement as writer, copy editor, and project manager in the publications division. He then joined Maharishi’s Purusha program in Livingston Manor, NY in 1989, a program dedicated to gaining full Self-realization and creating a more peaceful world.

In early 1996, Joel joined the staff at The Spiritual Center of America in Boone, N.C. where he helped build the Spiritual Center as construction bookkeeper and office manager.

Above and beyond his professional accomplishment, Joel’s real achievement was the quality of his personal life. He maintained remarkable equanimity, balance, and orderliness in his life. He was known for his evenness and simplicity under the most fluid, dynamic, and diverse circumstances. Joel impressed everyone he knew with the purity of his inner life. He never gave in to despair, rancor, or frustration, but took every step of his life with friendliness and enthusiasm.

Joel loved singing and was an accomplished musician.  He enjoyed playing the mandolin, guitar, fiddle, and the accordion and he thrilled many audiences with his excellent gifts of music. Joel was a wonderful human being and will be loved and remembered always for the refinement, great dignity, and harmony that he showed in all his relationships. His life was dedicated to simple beauty and to truth. He uplifted his friends and all who knew him and he made the world a better place. We who were privileged to know Joel will hold his memory in our hearts throughout our lives. We will always appreciate the gift of his life and his inspiration.

A memorial celebration for Joel will be held this Sunday, Jan. 22, at the home of Ann Wolfe. All friends are invited.  Please call Katherine at 265-1733 for direction and to RSVP.

Jon Rex Ohl

Mr. Jon Rex Ohl, 66, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died Friday, Jan. 13, 2006, at Northside Hospital and Heart Institute, St. Petersburg, Fla.

He was born in Toledo, Ohio, and moved to St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1968. 

Mr. Ohl lived in Linville Land Harbor, N.C., from 1989 until 2001.  He worked in the insurance industry for approximately 20 years and then pursued a career as a Class A teaching golf professional, previously at Sugar Mountain Golf Club in North Carolina, and most recently at AIRCO Golf Course, Clearwater, Fla. He was a member of the PGA, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Naval Reserve and was an Army veteran. 

Survivors include his wife, Susan; three daughters, Deborah Ohl, Julia LaCava and Christine Prendergast; and a son, Timothy Hart, all of St. Petersburg; a sister, Barbara Muenzer of Naples, Fla.; two brothers, Bill Ohl Jacksonville, Fla., and Michael Ohl, of Lynchburg, Va.; and six granddaughters, Jennifer, Kimberly, Kigan, Karigan, Lindsey and Kapri. 

Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery, St. Petersburg, Fla., were in charge of the arrangements.

Ellis Howard Roark

Mr. Ellis Howard Roark, 62, of Snowdrift Lane, Boone, died Monday evening, Jan. 16, 2006 at the Watauga Medical Center. 

He was born June 6, 1943 in Ashe County, a son of Ray and Norma Roark. 

Mr. Roark was a member of Three Top Baptist Church in Ashe County and was retired from the 1451 Transportation Unit of the North Carolina National Guard Armory. He was the shipping manager for Carroll Leather, Inc. and was an avid golfer.

Survivors include his wife, Carol Price Roark; two daughters, Melissa Miller and husband, Paul, of Apex and Amy Roark of Winston-Salem; one son, Ritchie Roark of Johnson City, Tenn.;  two sisters, Shirley Eldreth and husband, Rev. Bluford Eldreth,  of Jefferson  and Janice DeBord and husband, Roger, of Grassy Creek; three brothers, Marlin Roark and wife, Betty, of Bulls Gap, Tenn., Boyce Roark and wife, Etheleen, of Rocky Mount and Ivan Roark and wife, Vickie, of Glendale Springs; two grandsons, Trevor Ellis Miller and Braxton Miller; and his mother-in-law, Verna Price of Jefferson.  A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at p.m., at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Military graveside honors and burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

Memorial donations may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, 1501 North West 9th Ave., Miami, Florida  33136.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Roark family.

Dorothy Elizabeth Norris Smathers

Mrs. Dorothy Elizabeth Norris Smathers, 92, of Lexington, N.C., died Monday night, Jan. 16, 2006, at her home, after being in declining health for two years.

She was born in Watauga County, May 1, 1913 to William Wilson and Annie Mae Pennal.

Mrs. Smathers was retired from Appalachian College and a member of Union Fork Baptist Church in Boone, N.C.

Survivors include two sons, Joseph William Smathers of Wilkesboro and Robert Alan Smathers and wife, Gail, of Ellenboro, N.C.; one daughter, Dorothy Carol Smathers Parsons of Lexington, N.C.; 18 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and a special friend, Carolyn Loomis of Lexington.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Arthur Smathers who died in 1984; two daughters, Rene Hollars and Ann Smathers Sims; and two grandsons, Timothy Lynn Stamey and Troy Lee Hollars.

Services were conducted Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at Davidson Funeral Home Lexington Chapel, with the Rev. Clyde Akers officiating. Graveside services and burial followed at 2:30 p.m. at Red Bank Cemetery in Waynesville, N.C.

Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net

Davidson Funeral Home in Lexington, N.C. were in charge of the arrangements.

Ira T. Walker

Mr. Ira T. Walker, 64, of Kings Mountain, N.C., died Jan. 17, 2006, at Cooper Green Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.

He was born in Richmond, Va., the son of the late Ira Norman Walker and Katherine Isabelle Uzzle Walker.

Mr. Walker was employed with Hollar & Greene Produce Co., in Boone, N.C. for 23 years. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather.

Survivors include his wife, Ruby Hale Walker; two sons, Jeffery T. Walker and wife, Nicole, of Cherryville, N.C. and Ira Wayne Walker of Greensboro, N.C.; two daughters, Dana W. Austin and husband, Darrell, of Kings Mountain, N.C. and Lisa W. Lane and husband, Brian Scott, of Lawndale, N.C.; three brothers, Van Codell Walker, Paul Winston Walker and Gene Ronald Walker, all of Richmond, Va.; four sisters, Norma Kathleen Winter of Jacksonville, Fla.; Donna Snead, Karen Kittrell, and Jenifer Walker, all of Richmond, Va.; seven grandchildren, Jessica Walker, Amber Walker, J.T. Walker II, Brian Scott Lane II, Brandon Walker Lane, Ben Austin, and Will Austin.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Harold Wray Walker.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Ollie Harris Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Lee Thomas officiating.

The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:30 p.m., prior to the service, at Harris Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 2391, Shelby, N.C. 28151.

January 16, 2006

Catherine Warren Gilbert

Mrs. Catherine Warren Gilbert, 65, of Wyke Road, Granite Falls, N.C., died Saturday, Jan. 15, 2006 at her residence.

  She was born Nov. 2, 1940, in Watauga County to the late Raymond F. Warren and Nora Thomas Warren.

Mrs. Gilbert was a Charter Member of Sunrise Baptist Church where she attended growing up.  She worked as a clipper at Stevens Hosiery Mill.

  Survivors include her husband of 33 years, Thomas Gilbert; four brothers, Rev. Edd Warren and wife, Joyce, of Granite Falls, Rev. Bill Warren and wife, Libby, of Boone, N.C., Jack Warren and wife, Maxine, of Hudson, and Steve Warren and wife, Mary, of Lenoir; three sisters, Juanita Wilson of Boone, N.C., Elsie Winebarger of Zionville, N.C., and Karen Mask of Hudson; two sisters-in-law, Lucy Warren of Hudson, and Iris Ann Decker of Granite Falls; one brother-in-law, Joe Coffey of Boone, N.C.; a special nephew, Mr. Kelly Warren, his wife, Jill, and their son. Austin McCall of Lenoir.

  She was preceded in death by both parents, two brothers; Hal and Dale Warren; a sister, Gaye Coffey; two brothers-in-law, Lewis Wilson and Berlin Winebarger.

Services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 18,  at Sunrise Baptist Church with the Rev. Edd Warren, the Rev. Bill Warren and the Rev. David Woods officiating.  The body will lie in state from 1:30-2 p.m., prior to the service at Sunrise Baptist Church.  Burial will follow at Sunrise Baptist Church Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m, Tuesday, Jan. 17,  at Mackie-High Funeral Home, in Granite Falls.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice of Caldwell County, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645,                                                                                         

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the Gilbert family.

Stanley Godsey

Mr. Stanley Godsey, 77, of Pine Lane, Johnson City, Tenn., died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, at Northside Hospital in Johnson City, Tenn. 

He was the son of the late Ruth Tipton Godsey and Henry Thomas Godsey.

Mr. Godsey was a loving and caring father, grandfather, brother uncle and friend and he is deeply loved and missed.   

Survivors include two daughters, Ruth Elizabeth Godsey of Boone, and Mary Ann Godsey of Fayetteville; one son, Henry Jacob Godsey and wife, Katherine, of Boone, six grandchildren, William Godsey, Samuel Campbell, Nathaniel and Justin Lookabill, Brooke and C. J. Edwards; two sisters, Evelyn “Pud” Jackson and husband, James, of Johnson City, and Thelma Putnam of Johnson City; one brother, James Godsey of Johnson City; and a number of nieces and nephews.  He is also survived by an abundance of friends in both North Carolina and Tennessee. 

He was preceded in death by two sisters  and three brothers. 

At Mr. Godsey’s request, his body has been donated to the James H. Quillen School of Medicine in Johnson City, Tenn.  It was his wish that no memorial service be conducted. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or to the American Lung Association. 

Announcement courtesy of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory.

W. Frank Haigler Jr.

Mr. W. Frank Haigler, Jr., 79, of Charlotte, died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2006 at his residence.

He was born April 7, 1926 in Mecklenburg County, a son of the late William Frank Haigler, Sr. and Nancy Elizabeth Wilson.

Mr. Haigler served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Following the war, he earned an Associate Degree in Accounting from King's College. Mr. Haigler retired as Business Administrator of Myers Park Presbyterian Church. He was a member of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church and a very active member of its Jolly Good Timers. He enjoyed woodworking, especially refinishing furniture.

Survivors include his daughters, Julie Haigler Cubeta and her husband, Marc, of Raleigh and Laura Haigler Michael and her husband, Tim, of Charlotte.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Haigler was preceded in death by his wife, Mildred “Midge” Teague Haigler; and siblings, Charles Bruce Haigler, Ruth Haigler Belk, Edith Haigler Ross and James Boyce Haigler.

A Service to Celebrate the Life of W. Frank Haigler, Jr. was held Tuesday, Jan. 10, at 2 p.m. at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Dr. Charles C. Williamson, officiating. Military Rites followed at Sunset Memory Gardens.

The family received friends from 6-9 p.m. Monday at McEwen Funeral Service – Charlotte Chapel.

Memorials may be made to the Jolly Good Timers of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, 11501 Bain School Road, Mint Hill, N.C. 28227.

Arrangements by McEwen Funeral Service – Charlotte Chapel in  Charlotte, N.C.

Barbara Jean Jones Laws

Mrs. Barbara Jean Jones Laws, 58, of Dragway Road, Wilkesboro died Saturday, Jan. 14, 2006 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

She was born March 17, 1947 in Wilkes County to Thomas E. and Blanche H. Greene Jones.

Mrs. Laws was the owner of Barbara’s Day Care Center and was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Laws; one daughter, Hope Laws Elliott of Huntersville; one son, Rick Laws of Purlear; three sisters, Ruth Phillips of Millers Creek, Carolyn Tester of Boone, June Pope of Vilas; one brother, Burl Jones of Marion; two granddaughters Emily and Kate Elliott.

A brother, Lawrence Jones preceded her in death.

Services will be held Tuesday afternoon, at 2 p.m., at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church with the Rev. Rick Speas and the Rev. Ray Tester officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Monday night from 6:30 to 8:30.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to WMIT 106.9 FM, US 70 Highway, Black Mountain, N.C. 28711.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro are in charge of the arrangements.

Trilla Osborne Luther

Mrs. Trilla Osborne Luther, 92, 805 Parkway Blvd., Elizabethton, Tenn., died Friday, Jan. 13, 2006 at her residence, following an extended illness. 

A native of Johnson County, she lived in Elizabethton since 1948.  Mrs. Luther was a daughter of the late Edward and Lula Pearson Osborne.  She was a member of First Baptist Church, Elizabethton and former employee of Lakeshore Restaurant as well as a homemaker.  Mrs. Luther had been a member of the Elizabethton Women’s Club for 50 years and the Order of Eastern Star, Sycamore Chapter No. 163.

Survivors include four daughters and three sons-in-law, Betty and Ted Tipton, of Hampton, Carolyn Lynn of Nashville, Nancy and Dr. John L. Hathaway, II, of Johnson City, Mary and Tom Adams of Boone, N.C.; three sons and daughters-in-law, William “Bill” and Pat Luther of Knoxville, James “Jim” and Norma Luther of  Wilmington, N.C., Von Ray Luther, Jr., and Sally Heaton of  Elizabethton; 18 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren; one sister, Virginia Bridges of Elizabethton; and one sister-in-law, Georgia Osborne of Oak Ridge.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Von Ray Luther, Sr., October 3, 1993; two brothers, Gurney and Dana Osborne; and two sisters, Edna Thorne and Pearl Thomas.

Services were conducted at 4 p.m. Sunday, January 15 at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Brent Seals officiating. Interment followed in Happy Valley Memorial Park.

A special “thank you” is extended to Dr. Clarence Spannuth and his staff, and special friends and caregivers Dorothy Parlier, Sharon Livingston, Debbie Eyster, Joy Taylor and Penny Cable.

In lieu of flowers , donations may be made to First Baptist Church, 212 East F Street, Elizabethton, Tenn.  37643 or to Adventa Hospice, 684 Hwy. 91, Elizabethton, Tenn.  37643.

Condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.tetrickfuneralhome.com. 

Tetrick Funeral Home in Elizabethton, Tenn., is in charge of arrangements. 

Milton Wright Moretz

Mr. Milton Wright Moretz,  83, of 162 Triple E Drive, Boone, died Saturday morning, Jan. 14, 2006, at the Watauga Medical Center. 

He was born Jan. 22, 1922 in Boone, Watauga County, to the late Lloyd Milton Moretz and Etta Norris Moretz. 

Mr. Moretz was a graduate of Appalachian High School and a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, having served in the 12th Armored Division of the 119th Armored Engineer Battalion.  Following Military service, he earned a State Farmer’s degree in FFA and taught veteran farmer’s training at Appalachian State Teachers College for 10 years.  He then began working at Appalachian State University as a welder and maintenance mechanic and after two years, was promoted to physical plant maintenance supervisor.  He retired in 1984 after 27 years of service.

He was a member and deacon of Tabernacle Baptist Church, a charter member of the Watauga County Rescue Squad, a Farm Bureau board member for 12 years and served as soil conversation supervisor for 15 years.  He was a part-time farmer and designed the first farm irrigation system in Watauga County.

Mr. Moretz is survived by two sons, Benny W. Moretz, of Houston, Texas and Dana M. Moretz and wife, Linda, of Boone; one daughter, Regina M. Alford and husband, Doug, of Boone; three grandsons, Dr. Chad Moretz and wife, Apri, of Marion; Barry Moretz of Houston, Texas and Jeffrey Moretz of Vilas; one granddaughter, Emily Alford of Boone; one great-granddaughter, Indya Renee Moretz; and one great-grandson, Drake Moretz, both of Marion; one step-grandson, Doug Tester and wife, Amy, of Trade, Tenn.; one step-granddaughter, Callie Tester, of Boone; and one step-great-grandson, Riley Tester, of Trade, Tenn.; one brother, Carey Moretz and wife, Kathy, of Tifton, Georgia; and five sisters, Flavel Eggers and husband, Fred, and Treva Castle and husband, Lynn, all of Boone; Barbara Barnes and husband, Tom, of Huntersville; Canses Smith and husband, Fred, of Charlotte and Ms. Frieda Crotts of Granite Falls. 

In addition to his father and mother, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Phillips Moretz; two sisters, Mrs. Auburn Hagaman and Mrs. Delma Hayes; and two brothers, Alton Moretz and J.B. Moretz.

Services were conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Tabernacle Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Gary Watson, the Rev. Gordon Noble and the Rev. Allan Blume.  Military graveside honors and burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. 

Memorials may be made to the Tabernacle Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Fund, in care of Judy Hampton, 3004 Pine Run Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Watauga County Rescue Squad, P. O. Box 3394, Boone, N.C. 28607. 

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Moretz family.

Ruth Bailey Seatz

Mrs. Ruth Bailey Seatz, 80, of 4822 Pecan Lane, Granite Falls, died Thursday, Jan. 12, 2006, at Valdese General Hospital.

She was born Feb. 15, 1925, in Mitchell County, a daughter of the late Nimpson Vance and Lillie Callahan Bailey.

Mrs. Seatz was a member of Union Grove Baptist Church. She graduated from Appalachian State University where she received her B.S. Master’s Degree and Principal’s Certificate. She taught elementary and middle school in Mitchell County for 38 years.

Survivors include her husband, Rev. Robert Eugene Seatz; one daughter, Ellen Norris and husband, Eddie, of Boone; two sons, Don Seatz of Bakersville and Jim Seatz and wife, Debbie, of Huntersville; one granddaughter, Brittany Norris of Boone; four grandsons, Christopher Seatz of Huntersville, Aaron Norris of Boone, Ateven Youngblood and wife, Carolina, of Cornelius, and Billy Ray Melton of Huntersville; two sisters, Rachel Million and husband, Ed, of Bakersville and Pauline Parker and husband, W.C., of Kings Mountain; two brothers, Stokes Bailey and wife, Marcella, of Bakersville and Fred Bailey and wife, Ruby, of Kingsport, Tenn.; and one brother-in-law, Leroy Goins of Chadbourn; two great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted Sunday evening at 7 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Sam Craven and the Rev. Homer Murdock officiating. Graveside services and burial were conducted Monday morning at 11 a.m. at Norris/Tabernacle Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Union Grove Baptist Church for the High Gate Baptist Mission in Jamaica, 1808 Union Grove Road, Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Lloyd Thomas Watson Sr.

Mr. Lloyd Thomas Watson, Sr.,  67, of Life Care Center, Banner Elk, formerly of the Bamboo community, died Thursday evening, Jan. 12, 2006, at Life Care Center.

He was born June 7, 1938, in Watauga County, the son of the late Millard and Sector Wheeler Watson.

Mr. Watson was a member of Faith Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Osborne Watson; one daughter, Linda Watson Winebarger and husband, Jeff, of Boone; two sons, Tommy Watson and wife, Lisa, of Boone and Junior Watson and wife, Toby, of Mountain City, Tenn.; two brothers, Hade Watson and wife, Louise, of Walkertown and Homer Watson of Durham; four grandsons, Thomas Watson and wife, Amy, of Mountain City, Tenn., Josh Watson and Jo-Jo Winebarger and wife, Victoria, all of Boone, and Zeek Watson of Mountain City; two granddaughters, Allysa Watson of Boone and Liza Watson of Mountain City; one great-grandson, Michael Watson of Mountain City and two great-granddaughters, Macy Watson of Mountain City and Brianna Winebarger of Boone.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Millard and Sector Wheeler Watson; one brother, Tracy Watson and one sister, Hazel Moore.

Services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11:00 o’clock,  at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 10-11 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Kenny Newberry and The Rev.  Jakie Byrd. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7-8 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home of Jeff and Linda Winebarger, 2197 Meat Camp Road, Boone, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Watson Family, 2197 Meat Camp Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.