March 24, 2006

Carson ‘Kit’ R. Colvard

Mr. Carson “Kit” R. Colvard, 78, of Boomer, died at his residence. 

A native of Watauga County, he was a son of the late Robert Esley and Ella Rose Colvard and the husband of the late Lois Elizabeth Colvard.

Mr. Colvard was a retired self-employed logger and was a member of Kings Creek Baptist Church where he accepted the Lord as his Savior in 1999 and followed in the believer’s baptism.

Survivors include a son, Robert Carson Colvard of Lenoir; four daughters and sons-in-law, Brenda Winebarger and husband, Ralph, Carolyn Kirby and husband, John, and Deborah Decker and husband, Ronnie, all of Lenoir, and Elizabeth Tolbert and husband,  Anthony, of Seymour Johnson Air Base in Goldsboro; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren and three step-grandchildren.

Services will be held Friday, March 24, at 2 p.m. at Kings Creek Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Randy Goode.  The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., prior to the service, at the church.  Interment will follow in Little Rock Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Kidney Foundation of North Carolina, 5950 Fairview Road, Suite 708, Charlotte, N.C.  28210.

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

Otha Titus ‘O.T.’ Howard

Mr. Otha Titus “O.T.” Howard, 78, of Taylorsville, died Tuesday, March 21, 2006, at the Veteran’s Hospital, in Taylorsville, N.C.

He was born Sept. 9, 1927, to the late Duke Thelton and Clara Ellis Howard in Wake County, N.C.

Mr. Howard was a veteran of World War II, having served in the Navy, in the European Theater. He was a member of East Taylorsville Baptist Church and was well known for his love for gospel and bluegrass music. Mr. Howard had managed several bluegrass and gospel groups and had produced a number of projects during his career as a musician and entertainer.

Survivors include two sons, Allen Howard of Rappahannock Academy, Va. and the Rev. Mike Howard of Boone, N.C.; two daughters, Annette Willis of Madison, Va. and Beth Howard of Statesville; a special Christian friend, Bera Stevenson of Hiddenite, N.C.; one brother, Bobby Howard of Fuquay Varina, N.C.; two sisters, Roseline Fowler of Raleigh, N.C. and Ann Jordan of Durham; three half-brothers, Darrell Howard of Raleigh, Johnny Howard of North Carolina, and Paul Duke Howard of Raleigh; five half-sisters, Betty Arnold of Statford, Va., Jackie Howard of Garner, Jo Ann Johnson of Garner, Shirley Weaver of Raleigh, and Carolyn Wrenn of Apex. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Irene Haire Howard; and two brothers, Waymon and James Howard.

Services were conducted Friday morning, March 24, at 11 a.m. in the Alexander Funeral Service chapel, with the Rev. Mike Howard, the Rev. Jamie Steele and the Rev. Gary Jennings officiating. Burial followed in the Taylorsville City Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Chapter 84 D.A.V., VA Christmas Fund, 582 Carrigan Rd., Taylorsville, N.C. 28681.

Condolences may be made to the Howard family at alexfuneralsvc@bellsouth.net.

Alexander Funeral Service in Taylorsville, N.C., are in charge of the arrangements.

Annie Lou Tester Main

Mrs. Annie Lou Tester Main, 89, of Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, and a former resident of Sugar Grove, died Monday afternoon, March 20, 2006, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.

She was born Nov. 1, 1916 in Watauga County, a daughter of Art and Betty Glenn Tester.

Mrs. Main was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. She was a homemaker.

Survivors include four daughters, Emogene Miller and husband, Baxter, of Boone, Betty Townsend and husband, Larry, of Valle Crucis, Earlene Williams and husband, Frank, of Zionville, and Margaret Cable and husband, Sanford, of Sugar Grove; one son, Hal Main and wife, Billie, of Vilas; one brother, Ralph Tester of Lexington; 13 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is her extended family, the staff at Glenbridge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Main; one daughter, Dorothy Ann Main; her parents, Art and Betty Glenn Tester; five brothers, Ben, Ron, Claude, Clay and Glenn Tester; and one sister, Dorothy Wyatt.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, with the Rev. Carl Wilson officiating. Burial followed in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Open Bible Hour Ministry, in care of Rev. Jerry Honeycutt, P.O. Box 100, Roan Mountain, Tenn. 37687.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Main family.

Doris B. Graybeal McNeill

Doris B. Graybeal McNeill of Vilas, N.C., passed away March 17, 2006, at Winston-Salem Rehabilitation, following a long term illness.

She was the daughter of Dewitt and Zell Turner Graybeal, of Ashe County, N.C.

She was a high school graduate of Lang Syne High School. She made her home in Vilas, where she owned and operated a furniture business, McNeill’s Discount Furniture for 22 years and also dabbled in the Arts.

Survivors include her daughter and best friend, Lynn-Apocalynn-McNeill and her husband, Makato Konno of New York; four sisters, Louise Ammen of Fort Morgan, Colo. and her two daughters, Jill and Janeen; Joan McGuire and husband, Craig, and son, Andrew, of Belleville, Mich.; Lena Mae Waddell and husband, Bobby, of Lansing, N.C.; Jeanette Rose and husband, Kenny, and their three children, Robert, Mark and Trisha of West Jefferson.

Doris will be flown to New York, where her daughter, Lynn, will scatter her ashes in the waters of South Hamptons. Doris loved the world and it’s many wonders.

Cards and flowers may be sent to Lynn McNeill, 3 Clinton St., Apt. #2, New York City, New York 10002.

Joseph Matthew Flynn Taylor

Joseph Matthew Flynn Taylor, infant son of Dennie L. Flynn and Kristy Taylor, died Wednesday, March 22, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

In addition to his parents, Joseph is survived by his maternal grandparents, Bill and Stella Taylor of Boone; his paternal grandparents, Clyde and Beverly Flynn of Marion; his maternal great-grandparents, Lacey and Louise Howell of West Jefferson and Della Taylor of Boone, and a paternal great-grandmother, Lillian Ensley of Boone.

A memorial service will be conducted Monday evening, March 27, at 7:00 o'clock, at Foscoe Christian Church. Officiating will be Pastor Lance Hostetter.

The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 6-7 p.m., prior to the service, at the church.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

James Joseph Wolf

Noted storyteller Jim Wolf died at age 75 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation Center on Tuesday, March 21, 2006. 

He was born in New York City on March 18, 1931

Jim was predeceased by his father, Joseph Wolf, and his mother, Margaret Ames Wolf.  Jim is survived by a large and diverse family of friends, internationally, nation-wide, and from the High Country.

Jim came to these mountains frequently while working as an educator and social worker in New York and in Illinois.  He loved to participate in story-telling events, and became close friends with the late Ray Hick and his nephew, Orville Hicks, both world-renowned storytellers.  Their life examples convinced Jim to make his home here in Watauga County in the 1980’s, where he dedicated himself to serving his community through volunteering for the local Red Cross Chapter, the Kiwanis Club of Boone, and the Watauga County Public Library.  Jim became quite a storyteller in his own right, and dedicated himself to storytelling programs at the library as well as with youth affected by disaster. He made a specialty of using humor and adventure in telling both traditional Appalachian Mountain tales as well as fascinating stories of his own youth in New York.

Jim radiated a very special love of the human condition, and used his stories to lighten the spirits of special populations, senior citizens, and at-risk children without any regard for his own compensation.  His need was neither recognition nor money, but rather the smiles of those in his audiences.  Jim’s amazing spirit and consistent sense of humor continued in evidence throughout the past year’s serious decline in his health and his very courageous struggle with the complications of cancer.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be shared at Saint Luke’s Episcopal Church in Boone at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 25.  His ashes will be scattered at a ceremony to be announced at a later date. 

In lieu of flowers, friends ask that donations be made to the Watauga County Library for the Jim Wolf Memorial Story Corner, care of Evelyn Johnson.

March 20, 2006

Memorial service to honor four firefighters

A service to honor the lives of Kevin T. Bell, Michael J. Shope, Archi McFadyen and Nathan “Griff” Lyerly, members of the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department, who lost their lives in a boating accident off the North Carolina coast on March 16, will be held Wednesday, March 22, at 3 p.m. at the Hayes Auditorium on the Lees-McRae College campus in Banner Elk.

A time to gather for the family and friends will follow in the King-Shivell Center.

For more information, contact Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Newland, at (828) 733-2121.

Kevin Thomas Bell

Kevin Thomas Bell, 37, of Banner Elk, died Thursday, March 16, 2006 in a boating accident off the North Carolina coast.

A native of Sarasota, Fla., he was a son of the late Sue Drumright Bell.

Kevin had lived most of his life in Banner Elk and during his youth he was a very active member of Scout Troop 807, having earned the Eagle Rank in 1986. He was a graduate of Western Carolina University. He was very active with the Banner Elk Volunteer Fire Department, having been a member for over 15 years.  He most recently served as the Assistant Chief.  He was a Paramedic with Avery County E.M.S.

Survivors include his father, Melvin (Mickey) Bell of Banner Elk; sisters, Tammy Bell of Chattanooga, Tenn., Debra Adams, and her husband, Troy, of Demorest, Ga.; maternal grandmother, Grace Drumright of Banner Elk; godparents, John and Martha Wingate of Port Charlotte, Fla.; nieces, Grace and Hope Townsend; nephews, David Townsend and Jordan Adams.

Condolences to the Bell family may be sent by visiting

www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

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

Glady Northa Boring

Mrs. Glady Northa Boring, 73, of Athens, Tenn., died Thursday morning, March 16, 2006, at her residence.

A native of Boone, N.C., and resident of Athens, Tenn. for the past 38 years, she was a daughter of the late Marshall and Northa Hollars Harman.

Mrs. Boring was a member of North Etowah Baptist Church.

Survivors include a son, Lawrence Edward Boring and wife, Joyce, of Etowah, Tenn.; one daughter, Wanda Ellis and husband, Rich, of Maryville, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Stephanie Pecor, Brian Boring, Michael Boring and Robbie Ellis; and one sister, Frances Fraley of Boone, N.C.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Edward Boring; four sisters, Leola Hollars, Wilma Byrd, Ruth Brown and Johnsie Tugman; and two brothers, Claude Harman and Avery Harman.

Services were held Saturday afternoon, March 18, at 2 p.m., in the South Chapel of Bordwine Funeral Home in Etowah, Tenn. with Dr. Gerald Atkins officiating. Burial followed at McMinn Memory Gardens.

The guest registry may be signed at www.bordwinefuneralhome.com.

Bordwine Funeral Home in Etowah, Tenn. was in charge of the arrangements.

Alberta Isaacs Cook

Mrs. Alberta Isaacs Cook, 69, of 123 Cook Road, Zionville, died Wednesday evening, March 15, 2006, at her residence.

She was born June 12, 1936 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Albert Edward and Johnsie Lawrence Smith. 

Mrs. Cook was a retired quality control supervisor at Shadowline, Inc. in Boone, and a member of  Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Harley “Junior” Cook; one son, Gregroy Len Isaacs and wife, Pam, of Vilas; two granddaughters, Tenessia Isaacs of Boone, and Dacota Mains of Vilas; one step-daughter, Linda Hollar and husband, David; one step-son, Joseph P. Cook, all of Zionville; five step-grandsons, David Hollar, Jr., Will Holler, Allen Hollar, Jason Cook, and Joel Cook, all of Zionville; one brother, Stanford Smith and wife, Mary Frank, of Vilas, and one niece, Stana Smith of Vilas.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Lawrence Isaacs. 

Services were conducted Friday evening, March 17, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were Pastor Thomas Whray and the Rev. Herbert McCoy. Burial followed Saturday morning in the Adams Family Cemetery in Vilas.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Bobbie Greer Edmisten

Mrs. Bobbie Greer Edmisten, a resident of Harmony, N.C. since 1968, died Friday, March 17, 2006, at her home, following an extended illness.

She was born August 4, 1936, in Morewood, Okla., and was the daughter of the late Abner Alfonso Greer and Dorris Billings Greer.

Mrs. Edmisten was raised and educated in Watauga County, and received her Bachelors Degree in Education and Masters Degree in Guidance from Appalachian State University. On August 28, 1958, she was married to Edward E. Edmisten.

She was retired from the Iredell County School System where she was a teacher and guidance counselor, serving primarily in Harmony and Union Grove Elementary schools. A member of Harmony Baptist Church, she had served as Sunday School teacher, pianist, choir member and was a frequent soloist. Music was a great passion of hers and she also loved spending time at her vacation home at Kure Beach, N.C. She was an avid and vital member of a wide variety of organizations, where she generally held positions of leadership and was an officer in almost every organization to which she became committed. Those included the North Carolina State Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrators, Iredell County Department of Social Services Board, North Carolina Retired School Personnel, Iredell County Concert Association Board, Iredell County Young Children’s Partnership Board, North Carolina Democrat Women and American Association of University Women, on the local, state and regional levels.

Mrs. Edmisten’s core values led her to have an especially fervent concern for the advancement of education and equity for women and girls. She volunteered tirelessly to promote these and many other issues she believed were essential to improve the lives and opportunities of others. She helped to establish and support the AAUW Scholarship Fund which provides an annual scholarship to a local Iredell County High School Senior. In her honor, the family would like to ensure the continuation and enhancement of this scholarship program. Therefore, memorials may be sent to: Bobbie G. Edmisten Scholarship Fund, Attn: Mary Green, 301 Oakhurst Rd., Statesville, N.C. 28677.

Survivors include a son, Keith Lynn Edmisten and wife, Nancy, of Cary, N.C.; a daughter, Kelli Edmisten Thomas and husband, Ed, of Charlotte, N.C., a daughter-in-law, Audrey Siegel Edmisten of Cary, N.C.; grandchildren, Lucas Earl Edmisten, Henry Jacob Edmisten and Sydney Leigh Edmisten of Cary, N.C.; Katie Rae Thomas and Sara Elizabeth Thomas of Charlotte, N.C.; two brothers, Frank Greer and wife, Ann, of Lexington, N.C., Edmund Greer and wife, Pansy, of Lynchburg, Va.; and a sister, Corrine Greer of Hickory, N.C.

She was preceded her in death by her husband, Edward E. Edmisten on Nov. 12, 2002; and by a son, Edward Earl Edmisten, Jr. in 1997.

A service of music and memories to celebrate Mrs. Edmisten’s life, will be held at Harmony Baptist Church at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 25, under the direction of the Rev. Eddie Totherow.

Arrangements are by Nicholson Funeral Home in Statesville, N.C.

Grace W. Davis Hollars

Mrs. Grace W. Davis Hollars, 93, of 221 Junaluska Road, Boone, died Thursday, March 16, 2006.

She was born June 9, 1912 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Henry and Angeline Miller Woodring.

Mrs. Hollars was a retired salesperson for the Crest Department Store and a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one daughter, Eula Davis Johnson and husband, George, of Boone; two sons, Emery Earl Davis of Paris, Tenn. and Robert “Bob” Davis of Cleveland, Ohio; two sister-in-laws, Bina Woodring of Boone, and Vesta Woodring of Todd; two granddaughters, Lisa Davis of Cleveland, Ohio, and Carmie McAdams and husband, Tancil, of Paris, Tenn.; one grandson, Chad Johnson of Boone; two great-grandsons, Bryan and Brandon McAdams, both of Paris, Tenn. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Carl Davis; her second husband, Arl J. Hollars; six brothers; and one sister.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, March 18, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Mike Howard. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Debbie Wilson, 359 Ponderosa Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service were in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth Trexler Hollars

Mrs. Ruth Trexler Hollars, 88, of Blackberry Road, Lenoir, died Friday evening, March 17, 2006 at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born May 14, 1917 in Watauga County, a daughter of John Luther and Minnie Eldridge Trexler. 

Mrs. Hollars was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.  She retired with 40 years services to Broyhill Furniture in Lenoir as a quality control inspector.

Survivors include two daughters, Peggy Miller and husband, Kent, of Lenoir and Margaret Cochran of Cleveland, Tenn.; one brother, Earl Trexler and wife, Nancy, of Blowing Rock; three sisters, Margaret Holman of Lenoir, Elizabeth DuBose of Seale, Ala., and Lucille Young and husband, Chuck, of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.;   two grandsons, Gregg Cochran of Cleveland, Tenn. and Jeff Miller of Blowing Rock; four great-grandchildren, Michele Miller, Aaron and Nichole Messer and Shelly Tapley; and one great-great grandson, Atticus Tapley.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Hollars; one daughter, Mildred Ford; one granddaughter, Krystle Messer; one sister, Shelby Jean Trexler; and four brothers, Richard, Thomas, Charles and John Trexler.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 1 o’clock at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, officiated by the Rev. Robert Beard.  The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 12 noon until 1 o’clock, one hour prior to services, at the church.  Burial will follow in the Little John Methodist Church Cemetery in Gamewell. 

In memory of Mrs. Hollars, the family suggests memorials to Peggy Miller, 9344 Blackberry Road, Lenoir, N.C. to support an ongoing family charitable project.

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

Grace Ford Kimberlin

Mrs. Grace Ford Kimberlin, 71, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, died Friday, March 17, 2006, at Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care.

She was born Jan. 26, 1935, in Watauga County, to the late David Frank and Oda greene Ford.

Mrs. Kimberlin was a homemaker, a member of Yadkin Baptist Church, and a volunteer at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

Survivors include two sons, Brian Robert McGee of Lenoir and Garry Dean Cornell of Morganton; a daughter, Donna Renee McGee of Charleston, S.C.; a brother, Lewis Steve Ford of Blowing Rock; and four grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Arthur Gwyn McGee; her second husband, Kenneth Paul Kimberlin; and a brother, Doyle Ford.

Services were conducted Monday morning, March 20, at 11 a.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert Livingston officiating. Interment followed in First Baptist Church of Whitnel Cemetery.

Pallbearers were Tim Clark, Todd Clark, Dale Clark, Tom Ford, Robbie Ford and Melvin Ford.

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

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

Doris Betty Graybill McNeill

Mrs. Doris Betty Graybill McNeill, 68, of Vilas, died Friday, March 17, 2006, at Winston-Salem Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

She was born Feb. 23, 1938, in Ashe County, to the late Dewitt and Zell Turner Graybill.

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek is serving the McNeill family.

Annalee Ellison Miller

Mrs. Annalee Ellison Miller, 79, of 4984 Helton Road, Granite Falls, a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Thursday morning, March 16, 2006, at her home.

She was born Jan. 5, 1927, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late William Thomas and Lois Nancy Trivette Ellison.

Mrs. Miller was a member of Lenoir Church of Christ.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Miller; three daughters, Tessie Miller of Lenoir, Ruby Ellison and husband, Victor, of Lubbock, Texas and Nancy Parker and husband, Randy, of Denver; two sons, Ivey Icenhour and wife, Linda, of Mt. Pleasant and David Icenhour and Shirley, of Rockwell; one step-son, J.C. Miller and wife, Louise, of Lenoir; and one sister, Mescal Yates of Lenoir. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Willie Icenhour; two sons, Mack Icenhour and Carl Icenhour; one step-son, Roger Miller; two sisters, Edna Bryan and Lizzie Ellison; and two brothers, Charlie Ellison and Rolf Ellison.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, with Minister John Mayo officiating. Burial followed in Potter/Main Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Caldwell County, 902 Kirkwood Street, N.W., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Bessie Curd Ward

Mrs. Bessie Curd Ward, 88, of Old US 421 South, Boone, the Rutherwood community, died Saturday morning, March 18, 2006 at Watauga Medical Center. Born in Catawba County July 26, 1917, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Mollie Brooks Curd.  Mrs. Ward was a homemaker.

Surviving are: four daughters; Myrtle Carpenter of Newland, Mamie Eller of Wilkesboro, Kathryn South and husband Bill of Zionville, and Maxine South of Boone, three sons; Floyd Ward and wife Caroline of Laurel Creek, John Ward of Hickory and Charlie Ward of Elk Park, one sister, Hessie Taylor of Ashland, Oregon, 46 grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren and a number of great great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Mollie Brooks Curd, her first husband, Amos Ward her second husband Ed Hollins, one daughter, Lillie Miller, one son, Arnold Ward, 5 grandchildren, Glenda Trivette, Robert South, Marie Eller, Terry South, and Sarah Ward 2 great grandchildren, C. J. Eller and Sheena Eller,  and one great great grandson, Aaron James Parsons.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Curd Ward will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel.  Burial will follow in the Adams Cemetery. 

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6 o’clock until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

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