February 24, 2006

John Raymond ‘J.R.’ Brendell, Jr.

Mr. John Raymond “J.R.” Brendell, Jr., 78, of Watauga Drive, Boone, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 21, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born in Boone, a son of the late John Raymond and Mabel Tilley Brendell.

Mr. Brendell held a BA from Appalachian State Teachers College and a Master’s from Peabody College, Nashville, Tenn. He was a life long educator, having served as a teacher and principal in Davidson, Moore, Rowan and Yadkin Counties. He also served as a consultant to state school systems. Mr. Brendell was a former resident of Southern Pines and Aberdeen, and was a former member and Sunday School Teacher at Page Memorial United Methodist Church. He was a member of Boone United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Lynn Cullifer and husband, Bill, of Seven Lakes; one son, Johnny Brendell of Wilmington; three granddaughters, Marcie Miller and husband, Tracy, of Pinehurst; Lauren Tierney and Brittany Cullifer of Seven Lakes; one sister, Betty Kupiszewski of Leavenworth, Kansas; and two brothers, Bobby Brendell of Carthage and Jimmy Brendell and wife, Carol, of Sherrills Ford.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jonnie Ruth Brendell; one sister, Sally Champion; and one brother, Harry Ray Brendell.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Boone United Methodist Church, officiated by Dr. George Naff.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Seven Lakes Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to ASU-Reich College of Education, P.O. Box 32038, Boone, N.C. 28608-2038 or to Alzheimer’s Association – Western N.C. Chapter, 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, N.C. 28801.

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

Thomas Edward Drumright

Mr. Thomas Edward Drumright, 64, of 316 Harris Street, Madison, Tenn., died Monday morning, Feb. 20, 2006, at Tenn. Christian Medical Center.

He was born Jan. 22, 1942, in Davidson County, Tenn., son of the late Raymond and Bennie Catherine Darrell Drumright.

Mr. Drumright was a truck driver and school bus driver for Chieftain Contract Carriers and was a member of Judson Baptist Church in Nashville, Tenn.

Survivors include his wife, Karen Anderson McMillan Drumright; his former wife, Barbara A. Drumright of Omstead, Ky.; two sons, Chris Drumright of Omstead, Ky. and Thomas Edward Drumright, Jr. of Tennessee; two brothers, Joe Drumright of Nashville, Tenn. and Tim Drumright of Jacksonville, Fla; his mother-in-law, Kate Burkett of Zionville; two sisters-in-law, Nancy H. Zawodniak of Toms River, N.J. and Jamie K. Presnell of Boone. He is also survived by two grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Carl Johnson. Burial will follow in the Burkett/Lewis Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

February 22, 2006

Tracy Bentley

Mr. Tracy Bentley, 80, of 363 John Ward Road, Sugar Grove, died Monday morning, Feb. 20, 2006, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

He was born May 3, 1925 in Watauga County, a son of the late Jeff and Ada Robinson Bentley.

Mr. Bentley was a retired farmer and served in the United States Army during World War II. Mr. Bentley was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Sharon Cook and husband, Bruce, of Boone; one granddaughter, Melissa Soto and husband, Dan; one great-grandson, Jesse Presnell; and one daughter-in-law, Barbara Bentley, all of Sugar Grove; one brother, Lloyd Bentley and wife, Cleo, of Charlotte; three sisters-in-law, Faye Bentley of High Point, Bessie Bentley and Ruby Bentley, both of Banner Elk; a number of nephews and nieces, including a special niece, Jane Ann Bentley of Charlotte.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Beulah Love Bentley; one son, Gary Bentley; two sisters, Bessie Bentley and Docia James; and four brothers, Fred, Claude, Edward, and Maston Bentley.

Services were conducted Wednesday afternoon, Feb. 22,  at Zion Hill Baptist Church.  Officiating were the Rev. James Hagaman, the Rev.  Delmar James, and the Rev. Quincy Norris. Military graveside rites and burial followed in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Royce Hugh Holtsclaw

Mr. Royce Hugh Holtsclaw, 62, of Pritchard Rd., Newland, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006 at his residence. 

He was the son of the late William and Lillian Pritchard Holtsclaw.

Mr. Holtsclaw worked as a newspaper carrier with his wife Lucille. 

Survivors include two step-daughters, Rhonda Burleson of Newland and Reba Harmon of Burnsville; a brother, William Alan Holtsclaw and wife, Beth, of Charlotte; two sisters, Nancy Greene and husband, Burton, of Oakhill and Norma Stewart and husband, David, of Crossnore.   He is also survived by a granddaughter, Naomi McClellan of Spruce Pine; two grandsons, Jerry Burleson of Frank and William Gale of  Burnsville; and three great-grandchildren, Samuel, Trey and Anthony.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Holtsclaw; and a brother, Warren Holtsclaw.

Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 22 in the  Taylor’s  Chapel  Church with Mr. Jim Greene officiating. 

Condolences may be made by visiting www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

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

Mary Alice Isaacs

Mrs. Mary Alice Isaacs, 88, of Isaacs Drive, Vilas, died Sunday evening, Feb. 19, 2006, at the Blowing Rock Hospital and Extended Care Facility.

She was born April 18, 1917 in Watauga County, a daughter of Virgil and Cora Hicks Harmon.

Mrs. Isaacs was a member of Westside Baptist Church and was a homemaker.

Survivors include her daughter, Faye Isaacs of Vilas; a half-brother, Ray Harmon of Sugar Grove; a half-sister, Redith Smith of Bristol, Tenn.; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; nine step-great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; 11 step great-great-grandchildren; and 10 step-great-great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jay Isaacs; an infant son, Jackie Isaacs; a daughter, Martha Isaacs; a half-sister, Edith Rector; and a half-brother, Henry Harmon.

Services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. David Ward. Burial followed in the Swift Cemetery.

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

Daisy Stansberry Jones

Mrs. Daisy Stansberry Jones, 91, of Kriskell Lane, Boone, died Sunday morning, Feb. 19, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Oct. 30, 1914, in Johnson County, Tenn., a daughter of the late Henry Lee and Cora Moody Stansberry.

Mrs. Jones was a homemaker and a member of Vilas Valley Baptist Church.

Survivors include four sons, Clifford Jones and wife, Wanda, of Boone, Russell Jones and wife, Blanche, of Bessemer City, Ralph “Red” Jones and wife, Vivian, of Lenoir, and Bobby Ray Jones of West Jefferson; two daughters, Sue Norwood and husband, Dale, of Banner Elk and Jean Mains and husband, Ronnie, of Southport, N.C.; two daughter-in-laws, Mabel Jones of Boone and Celia Jones of Foscoe. Thirty-eight grandchildren, 61 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Will Smith Jones; six children, Earlene Jones, Maxine Huffman, Frank Jones, Ruby Joyce, Edna Jones and Harold Jones; and by six step-children, Earl, Burl, Cecil, Junior, Lee and James Jones.

Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Vilas Valley Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Dan Church and the Rev. Harold Danner. Burial will follow in the Vanderpool Cemetery.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Vanderpool Cemetery, in care of Charlie Church, 1850 Vanderpool Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.

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

Louise Sophia Taylor Looper

Louise Sophia Taylor Looper, 82, of Banner Elk, formerly of Gaston County, died Feb. 19, 2006, after a brief illness.

She was the daughter of the late Luther and Mattie Ellie Rumfelt Taylor.

Louise was a member of First Baptist Church in Bessemer City. She was a devoted wife and mother and was retired from Reeves Brothers in Bessemer City.

Survivors include a son,Rick Looper and wife, Dev, of Banner Elk; a daughter, Patricia Looper Seigler and husband, Bill, of Gastonia; brothers, Ernest Taylor and wife, Pauline, Edward Taylor and wife, Ethel, all of Bessemer City, Carl Taylor of Gastonia; a sister, Geneva Buchanan and husband, Robert, of Conway, S.C.; grandchildren, Christy Crawford and husband, Scott; Erika Whitesides and husband, Pete, all of Gastonia, Elliott Looper of New Bern, Sara Sheffield of Denver, Colorado, Adam Sheffield and Maggie Sheffield of Banner Elk; great-grandchildren: Paige Crawford, Erin Crawford, and Whitney Whitesides all of Gastonia.

She was preceded in death by her husband of more than 60 years,  William Gilbert Looper; brothers, James, Paul and Henry Taylor; a sister, Lillie Mae Taylor.

Services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at Sisk-Butler Funeral Home Chapel in Bessemer City, officiated by the Rev. A.A. Bailey. Interment followed in Westview Gardens in Bessemer City.

Sisk-Butler Funeral Home in Bessemer City was in charge of the arrangements.

February 20, 2006

Mr. Jimmy Brown

Mr. Jimmy Brown, 45, of Mountain City, Tenn., passed away Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006 at his residence.

He was born in  Hockessin, Delaware on August 11, 1960 to the late Frank and Madge Potter Brown.

Mr. Brown was a lifetime member of  Johnson County Rescue Squad and a past member of Trade Fire Department. He was a member of  Shady Valley Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include his wife, Lisa Levy Brown; three sisters, Nancy Hughes and husband, Bill, of Mountain City, Pat Thomas and husband, David, of Zionville, and Sue Greer and husband, Tommy, of Creston; one brother, Bart Brown and wife, Vioda, of Rising Sun, Md.; his brother-in-law, Gregory Levy of Buffalo, N.Y.; several nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles and his best friend Jake.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Jean McMahan; and a brother, Jerry Brown.

The family will receive friends from 6-7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21, at Mountain City Funeral Home with the service to follow at 8 p.m. with Pastors Ted Lewis and Shannon Courtner officiating. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22nd at  Zionville Baptist Church Cemetery.

Those who wish, may send contributions to the Johnson County Rescue Squad,  203 Vandilla Street, Mountain City, Tenn. 37683.

Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com.

Mountain City Funeral Home is serving the Brown family.

Leola Mae Cornett

Leola Mae Cornett, 84, of 104 Horseshoe Drive, Boone, died Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006, in Burke County.

She was born Nov. 20, 1921 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Henry and Beulah Greene.

She was retired from Shadowline in Boone and of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include five sons, Clay Cornett of Boone, Bill Cornett of the home, Larry Cornett and wife, Barbara, of Glen Alpine, John Cornett and wife, Kay, of Newport, N.C. and David Cornett and wife, Diane, of Creston; four daughters, Maria Poarch and husband, Gerald, of Gastonia, Barbara Summerow and husband, David, of Conover, Francis Woodall of Kernersville and Dot Nichols and husband, Ralph, of Lenoir; four sisters, Alice Whitley of Corryton, Tennessee, Lois Maynard of Hudson, Artie Goolsby of Reidsville, and Mary Hayes of Boone; and one brother, Jim Greene of Liberty, N.C.. A number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Floyd Greene; and one son, Tony Cornett.

Services will be conducted Tuesday morning, Feb. 21,  at 11:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Jack Jones and the Rev. Darrell Miller. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Burke County, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, N.C. 28690.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Frank Europe Craig

Mr. Frank Europe Craig,  89, of Astor Cook Road, Blowing Rock, died Thursday morning, Feb. 16, 2006 at his home.

He was born Jan. 21, 1917 in Watauga County,  a son of William Columbus and Cora Elizabeth Estes Craig. 

Mr. Craig was a long time member, Deacon and Sunday school teacher at Sandy Flat Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.  He was a farmer and retired from Broyhill Furniture in Lenoir.

Survivors include three sons, Charles Craig and wife, Mamie, and Jerry Craig and wife, Phyllis, all of Boone; and Albert Craig and wife, Marcia, of Newton; four grandchildren, Wesley and Julie Craig, both of Newton and Sharon Van Dyke and husband, William, of Boone; and Tammy Glenn of Tabor City; two great-granddaughters, Ashlyn and Jasmine Van Dyke, both of Boone; two sisters, Ruby Tipton and Mary Ford, both of Blowing  Rock; and one  brother, Lank Craig of Blowing Rock.  A number of nieces and nephews also survive. 

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth Parker Craig; one sister, Lea Holder; and three brothers, Butler, Hazen and Bill Craig.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Max West, the Rev. Gary Shew and the Rev. George Berry.  Burial followed at the Woodlawn Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the Sandy Flat Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1113, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.

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

Lillian Gash

Miss Lillian Gash,  85, of 554 Ridge Lane, Wilkesboro, died Wednesday evening, Feb. 15, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born May 5, 1920 in Boston, Massachusetts, the daughter of the late Abraham and Dorothy Belson Gash. She was the oldest girl in a family of four.

In the midst of the Depression with her mother recently widowed, at the age of twelve, she became a resident of the Fernald School, a residential facility for mentally retarded children. With the support of a large extended family, Lillian spent weekends visiting her family, learning to help in the kitchen, and going out for ice cream, her favorite outing.

After spending many of her adult years in group homes in Boston, she moved to North Carolina when her niece, April, moved from Boston to Blowing Rock. Lillian made many friends in the mountains and soon became known for her watercolor paintings. The highlight of her artistic career was a show of her work at the Jones House in Boone. Her paintings have been displayed in many local galleries and are owned by collectors all over North Carolina. Her sister, Jean, spent summers in the mountains in order to be close to Lillian.

Lillian also loved to read, especially romance novels. She loved the staff and residents at her group home in Wilkesboro. Small in stature and always cheerful, curious, and full of energy, she made many friends during her time in the mountains.

Survivors include one sister, Dr. Jean Probinsky of Boone and Englewood, Fla.; two nieces, April Grossman of Chapel Hill, N.C. and Susan Gash of Germantown, Md.; two nephews, Brent Probinsky and wife, Susan, of Sarasota, Fla. and Mark Probinsky and wife, Norsia, of Miami, Fla.; three great-nieces, Katherine Grossman of Chapel Hill, Ariana Probinsky and Mia Probinsky, both of Sarasota; and two great-nephews, David Probinsky of the Dominican Republic and Phillip Gash of Germantown, Md. She is also survived by many friends and caregivers of the Lakewood Group Home, where she lived.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 21, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Sheldon Hanft. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center Art Class, 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Suite A, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

David Rolston Johnston, Jr.

Mr. David Rolston Johnston, Jr., 52, formerly of Charlotte, died Thursday, Feb. 16, 2006 in Blowing Rock, N.C. 

He was born on Dec. 26, 1953 in Charlotte to the late Mr. David R. Johnston, Sr. and Mrs. Alice Grier Johnston.

Survivors include his mother, Mrs. Alice Grier Johnston; sons, Paul Johnston and Robert Johnston; daughter, Erin Johnston; and sisters, Adelaide Skoglund of Florida and Alice McLear of Durham. 

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 2, 2006 at St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, 140 Chestnut Dr., Blowing Rock, N.C.  A private interment will be held at a later date.

Harry and Bryant Company of Charlotte is serving the Johnston family.

Roxanne Richards Soward

Mrs. Roxanne Richards Soward, 45, of Lynchburg, Va., died Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2006, at her residence.

She was born June 5, 1960 in Lynchburg, Va., the daughter of Stanford Richards of Lynchburg and the late Loretta Crouch Richards.

Mrs. Soward was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church and was employed at Liberty University for over 25 years.

Survivors include her husband of 23 years, Jim L. Soward; her father, Stanford Richards of Lynchburg, Va.; two children, Brittany Soward and Brock Soward, both of Lynchburg, Va.; three brothers, Dennis Richards of Richmond, Va., Mike Richards of Lynchburg, Va. and Eric Richards and wife, Lisa, of Lynchburg, Va.; two life-long special friends, Carole Gallier and Jeanne Burch.

A memorial service was conducted Friday morning, Feb. 17, at 11:30 a.m., at the Pate Chapel at Thomas Road Baptist Church, by Dr. Jerry Falwell.

Memorial contributions may be made to The American Cancer Society, Lynchburg Unit Office, 2316 Atherholt Road, Suite 108, Lynchburg, Va. 24501.

To send condolences to the family, please visit www.whittenfuneralhome.com. Whitten Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Timberlake Chapel, in Lynchburg, Va., is assisting the Soward family.

Sidney Freeland Weinbach

Mr. Sidney Freeland Weinbach, 77, of Boone, entered into eternal rest on Feb. 16, 2006, at his home.

He was the beloved husband of Faye Dickson Weinbach for 58 years. Mr. Weinbach was born March 7, 1928 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, the son of the late Herman and Lula Weinbach.

Mr. Weinbach was a professional baseball player in the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates organization from 1946 to 1952. He retired as a self-employed commercial artist in 1990 and became an award-winning landscape artist in retirement.

He was a member of the Watauga County Arts Council and Ashe County Arts Council.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by sons Robert and wife, Pamela, of Wilmington, N.C., Donald and wife, Maryann, of Hamden, Conn.; and a daughter, Susan Colinet and husband, Christopher, of Kennebunkport, Maine. He also leaves 13 grandchildren and numerous nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by a son, Richard.

Memorial services will be conducted at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Watauga, 136 Furman Road, Suite 2, Boone, N.C. 28607.

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