April 14, 2006

A.C. ‘Jim’ Kirby

Mr. A.C. "Jim" Kirby, 72, of 340 Kirby Branch Road, Zionville, died Tuesday, April 11, 2006, at Watauga  Medical  Center in Boone.

He was born August 11, 1933 in  Watauga  County, a son of the late Arthur Clayton and Ida Isaacs Kirby.

Mr. Kirby was a retired farmer and a member of Westside  Baptist  Church.

Survivors include one sister, Esta K. Oakes of Zionville; one nephew, Rev. Buddy Oakes and wife, Beverly, of Zionville; five nieces, Belinda Wooten of Hanes City, Fla., Gloria Bouser of Florida, Betty Ann Suttlemyre of Miami, Fla., Jane DePasqual of Cleveland, Ohio, and Janice Pardue of Boone. A number of great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Marshall Kirby; three sisters, Blanche Kirby Suttlemyre, Mary Cannon, and Hazel Ruth Kirby; and one great-niece, Sheila Ann Oakes.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon,  April 13, 2006, at  Westside  Baptist  Church. Officiating were the Rev. David Ward and the Rev. Harold Danner. Burial followed in the  Mabel  United Methodist  Church  Cemetery.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Gregory Paul Smith

Mr. Gregory Paul Smith, 49, of Hudson, N.C., passed away April 12, 2006. 

Survivors include his wife, Susan Smith, and daughter, Grace Marie Smith, of Hudson, N.C.; and sons, Nathan and Jeffrey Smith of California; parents, Paul and Marie Smith; sister, Jennifer Smith Krause; and brother Ben Smith, all of Boone, N.C.; and nephews Andy Krause, Matt Krause and Chris Krause.

Services will be held at New Life Baptist Church in Lenoir, N.C. on Saturday, April 15, 2006 at 2:00 pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Grace Smith Trust Fund, c/o New Life Baptist Church, 2111 Walt Arney Road, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Robert Edward Steele

Mr. Robert Edward Steele of Sparta, N.C., died April 10, 2006, following heart complications.

He was born in Conneaut, Ohio, Feb. 2, 1922. He attended school there, being involved in athletics program, and being selected to attend All Boys State. Mr. Steele served his country during World War II in Europe in the 101st Airborne in the U.S. Army.

He resided in Conneaut until 1955, when he moved his wife and four children to St. Petersburg, Fla. He worked in the building supply business as the town began its boom in growth. He then took a position with Peter Fuller in Naples, Fla., at Fuller Industries, where he eventually was promoted to manager. He then became partners in his own lumber and building supply business, established in Industrial Park in 1970.

While residing in Naples he was president of the quarterback club, and an active member of the schools Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization, giving young people an opportunity to meet famous athletes of the day and hear their testimonies. He also did a term as President of the city’s Optimist Club. He was voted Father of the Year in 1967.

Mr. Steele and his wife retired to Sparta, N.C. in 1976. His loving wife passed away in February 1986 from complications of Lupus. He resided for a short while in Panama City, Fla., before returning to North Carolina, in the Wilkes area, where he resided at his death.

Survivors include his sons, Eric Steele, Stephen Steele and his wife, Linda; and his daughter, Rebecca McMillian and her husband, Daniel; nine grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; six nephews, Robert, Thomas, and Philip Bishop, Mike and Kevin Conway and Harry Steele.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Conway Steele; his eldest son, Cpl. Robert Hugh Steele; three brothers, Thomas, Otto and Leo Steele; and two sisters, Evelyn Baker and Charlotte Bishop;   a nephew, Robert Steele; and many friends and relatives.

Memorial services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. in Sparta Cemetery.

The family requests donations may be made to the Lupus Foundation, Hospice, or Disabled American Veteran’s Association, or each one’s personal favorite charity.

Mr. Steele requested his love to be expressed to all he has known, and that he will anxiously await the reunion of all.

Grandview Memorial Funeral Home of Sparta, N.C. is serving the Steele family.

Howard  ‘L.H.’ Reece

Mr. Howard “L.H.” Reece, 64, of Hopewell Road, Morganton, N.C., died Sunday, April 9, 2006, at Grace Heights, following a brief illness.

He was born Jan. 2, 1942, in Watauga County, N.C., a son of the late Howard Lee Reece and Goldie Mae Bryant Reece.

Mr. Reece was a member of the First Assembly of God in Morganton. He worked at many furniture factories and was the owner/operator of the H & S Discount Furniture in Drexel, N.C.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Shirley Drum Reece; a son, Richard Reece of Valdese, N.C.; daughters, Sherry Greer and husband, Jaime Rodriguez, of Morganton, and Donna Hudson and husband, Kenneth, of Casar, N.C.; sisters, Rosalee Woodring of Boone, N.C., Trula Walker and Dottie Reece, both of Morganton, and Francine Bright of Seneca, S.C.; brothers, Steve Reece of Mountain City, Tenn., Ted Reece of Boone, Mike Reece of Morganton, and Avery Reece of Drexel; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Terry Reece; and a brother, Spencer Reece.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the First Assembly of God in Morganton with the Rev. J.D. Mallory, the Rev. Brian Rainbow, and the Rev. Lee Russell officiating. Burial followed at Abundant Life Tabernacle Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Assembly of God, P.O. Box 1458, Morganton, N.C. 28680, or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, N.C. 28690.

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

Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, N.C., were in charge of the arrangements.

Violet McGuire Young

Mrs. Violet McGuire Young, 87, of the Burrville Community, Tenn., died April 11, 2006, at the Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge, Tenn.

She was formerly of the Matney community in North Carolina. She devoted her life to her family and church.

Survivors include her sons, Owen Townsend and wife, Pauline Townsend Young, of Banner Elk; Morris Young and wife, Patricia Summers Young, of Joyner, Tenn.; and Thomas Young and wife, Lila Smith Young, of Gadsden, Ala.; daughters, Rebecca Worthley and husband, Edward, of the Burrville Community, Tenn.,  Sharon Cox and husband, Harry, of Elizabethton, Tenn., and Virginia Ooten and husband, Porter, of Harriman, Tenn.; a number of grandchildren; two sisters, Annie Teaster of Banner Elk, N.C., and Julia Mae Oliver of Elizabethton, Tenn.; two brothers, Lee McGuire of Wilson, N.C. and Kesler McGuire of Kingsport, Tenn.; many nieces, nephews and cousins; three brothers-in-law, Claude Young and Paul Young of Hemit, Calif., and Ronald Young of Roan Mountain, Tenn.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Roscoe D. Young; her mother, Lou Wright McGuire; her father, William R. McGuire; sisters, Zodie Phillips and Della Baird; and brothers, Elmer, Hoyle, Frank, George, Charles “Doc”, Virgil “Byrd”, and Howard McGuire.

Services will be held Friday evening at 8 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., prior to services, at the funeral home. Graveside services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Methodist Church Cemetery in Minneapolis, N.C.

Schubert Funeral Home in Wartburg, Tenn. and Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland, are in charge of the arrangements.

April 12, 2006

Dustin Jesse Conn

Dustin Jesse Conn of Palm Bay, Fla., passed away March 29, 2006.

Family members include his father and step-mother, Kenny and Ann Conn of Palm Bay, Fla.; his mother, Vicki Cole Courtney of Gulf Port, Fla.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Josh Conn and wife, Anna Marie, and Nicholas Conn of Bradeton, Fla. Grandparents are Steve Cole  (deceased) and Rachel Adams Combs of Boone; Robert and Jean Conn (deceased); and also several uncles, aunts and cousins.

Ruth Joyce Walker

Miss Ruth Joyce Walker, 70, of Knollwood Drive, Boone, died Monday evening, April 10, 2006 at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born December 22, 1935 in Highland, Indiana,  a daughter of Fred Raymond and Ruth Tomlonson Walker. 

Miss Walker was of the Presbyterian faith.  She was a retired child care nanny.

Survivors include one sister, Lois Olson and husband, Tom, of Boone; one brother, Richard Walker and wife, Margaret, of Madison, Wisconsin; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Robert.

Memorial services for Ruth Joyce Walker will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Walker family.

Glenn M. Watson

Mr. Glenn M. Watson, 79, of 230 Laurel Drive, Boone, died Monday morning, April 10, 2006, at his residence.

He was born July 27, 1926 in Wilkes County, a son of the late George Marshall and Lester Naomi Miller Watson.

Mr. Watson was a retired plumber for Winkler Heating and Plumbing and a member of Poplar Grove Baptist Church. He served in World War II with the United States Army.

Survivors include his wife, Marie Dotson Watson, and one daughter, Janice Watson Brumit and husband, Joe, of Asheville. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Bynum Watson; and two sisters, Alma Ashley and Faye Deal.

Services were conducted Wednesday morning, April 12, 2006, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were the Rev.    Herbert McCoy and the Rev. David Ricker. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 222 South Church Street, Charlotte, N.C. 28202.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Harvey Odel Wheeler

Mr. Harvey Odel Wheeler, 78, died April 8, 2006, in Simpsonville, S.C.

Survivors include his wife, Estel Watson Wheeler; five sons and one daughter. He is survived locally by one brother, Quentin Wheeler; and a number f cousins.

Burial is in Simpsonville, S.C

April 10, 2006

Steven Lynn Andrews

Mr. Steven Lynn Andrews, 42, died April 6, 2006 in Fort Pierce, Florida.

He was born October 19, 1963 in Boone, N.C., to Bill and Mary Andrews. He moved to Florida in 1974.

Mr. Andrews attended local schools and was employed by St. Lucie County in Mosquito Control for 23 years. He loved the outdoors, especially being in the woods, on his airboat, hunting, fishing and camping. He enjoyed working with plants and growing orchids.

Survivors include his mother, Carolyn Andrews; sisters, Libby and her husband, Eddie  Saltzman, and Linda and her husband, Jim Elizer;  nephews, Josh Elizer and Drew  and his wife, Karen Barbare, and daughter Hannah; niece, Kelly and her husband, John Blair, and their sons Kyle and Aaren, all live locally. He is also survived by many loving friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Bill Andrews in 2004; and his mother, Mary Andrews in 1974.

Services will be held at St. Andrews Episcopal Church on Monday, April 10, at 2:00 p.m., followed by burial at Hillcrest  Memorial Gardens. Those unable to attend may sign the guest book at www.haisleyfuneralhome.com 

Haisley Funeral Home in Fort Pierce, Fla., are in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Luther Fielden

Mr. Robert Luther Fielden, 87, of Elk Park, known to all who loved him as "Robert", "Bob", "Pa", "Papaw", "Dad", "Chap", or "Granddad", went home to his Heavenly Father, April 7, 2006, at home, surrounded by his loving wife and four children.

He was a native of Tennessee and served his Lord as a missionary pilot in Brazil. Later he was a commercial pilot, employed by Carolina Caribbean, and a private pilot for Brown Brother's Construction Company. In his retirement he served as minister, Chaplain, counselor, and teacher for Avery/Mitchell Correctional Facility and Avery County Jail, serving those most in need of his unconditional love and caring. He was a long time faithful member of First Baptist Church Newland.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Anne; one son, Gary Fielden of Kingsport, Tenn.; three daughters, Anita Stroupe of Boone, Kate Ellen Woody, and Robbye Anne Fielden, both of Charlotte; eight grandchildren, Laura of Chapel Hill, Natalie of Maryville, Tennessee, Taylor of Knoxville, Tennessee, David of Charlotte, Kristin of Chapel Hill, Courtney, Katie, and his newest of four weeks, Annalyn Joy, all of Charlotte; and one great-grandchild, Christian.

A Celebration of Life service was conducted Sunday afternoon, April 9, 2006, at First Baptist Church in Newland. Officiating was Dr. Bill Jones.

Memorial contributions may be made to High Country Prison Ministries, in care of Terry Edwards, PO Box 161, Crossnore, N.C. 28616, Hospice of Avery County, PO Box 1357, Newland, N.C. 28657, or to First Baptist Church Newland, PO Box 485, Newland, N.C. 28657.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to friends and family for their love and prayers as well as gratitude to the Hospice team for easing his way home.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Harold Morris Henson

Mr. Harold Morris Henson, 85, of Boone, N.C., died Thursday, April 6, 2006, at Blowing Rock Extended Care after a courageous battle with lung cancer.

He was born April 7, 1920, in Amantha, Watauga County, to the late Charles Eli Henson and Hattie Harbin Henson.

Mr. Henson worked as a farmer and construction supervisor. He was a member of Henson Chapel Church for 75 years where he served as Sunday School Teacher for the Men’s Adult Class. He graduated from Cove Creek High School and attended Lees-McRae College. His love for basketball, farming, auction sales, his church and family were his joys in life. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 64 years, Willie Jean Gragg Henson; a son, Garry Morris Henson and wife, Joyce, of Boone; a daughter, Donna J. Hicks and husband, Glenn, of Boone, one brother, Ralph Harbin Henson and wife, Shirley, of Boone; four sister-in-laws, Thelma Henson and Francis Henson, both of Vilas, Mary Lea Gragg and Gladyse Gragg of Boone as well as several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his extended family at Blowing Rock Extended Care (Blowing Rock) and Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation, Boone.

He was preceded in death by two grandsons, Thomas “Tommy” Dale Johnson, Jr., in 1979 and Galen Morris Henson in 1997; six brothers, Russell, Clyde, Ford, Robert, and Allen, all of Vilas, and Vance Henson of Wilmington, N.C.; six sisters, Mabel Hollars, Edith Henson, Mary Lizzie and an infant sister, all from Vilas, Lucy Storie of Blowing Rock and Myrtle Penley of Hickory, N.C.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Henson Chapel United Methodist Church in Vilas, N.C., with the Rev. Jim McKinney, Minister Lance Hostetter, the Rev. Vance Triplett and the Rev. Wayne Brown officiating. Entombment followed in the Mausoleum of Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens, Boone, N.C. 

Donations may be made to Gragg Cemetery Fund in c/o Glenn Hicks, 1394 Poplar Grove Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to The Galen Henson Scholarship Fund in c/o Foscoe Christian Church, 8834 Highway 105 South, Boone, N.C.  28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Henson Family

John Albert Kettenhofen

Mr. John Albert Kettenhofen, husband of Pauline Hopper Kettenhofen, died April 5, 2006, at Carolinas Medical Center.

He was born April 12, 1931 to the late Louis and Agnes Kettenhofen of Niagara Falls, New York.  His full life was one to be celebrated and his is loved and respected by many friends and family.

After joining the Navy at 17, and later transferring to the Air Force, Mr. Kettenhoffen served our country in many areas including Japan, Korea and Thailand. He retired in 1969 and began working in the space program at the Kennedy Space Center. He was a member of the team that launched the Lunar Module Six in 1969, Apollo 11 in 1969 and the LM-7 “Lunar Lifeboat” that helped the astronauts of Apollo 13 return safely in 1970. After completing his degree in Hospitality Management, he managed hotels in several states and retired as director of the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center where he also taught classes in Hotel Management at Appalachian State University. This was his dream position and he loved passing along his passion for the industry to others.  John loved classic cars and was an active member of the Jaguar Lovers Club, communicating with fellow auto enthusiasts from all over the world.

He is survived by three daughters, Lynda Lyle and her husband, Jeff, of Zephyer Hills, Fla., Lori Scumaci and her husband, Vince, of Clairmont, Fla., and Loni Phipps and her husband, John, of Port St. John, Fla.; two grandchildren, Christopher Cutillo and Charlsye Lyle;  and by the mother of his daughters, Joyce Kettenhofen. His late brother, Louis Kettenhofen, was the father of his surviving nieces Janice and Shelley and his nephew, Mark.

In addition, he was much loved by his stepchildren, Connie Kibbler and  husband, Bryant, of Ravenna, Ky., Paul Hopper of Lexington, Ky. and Rebecca Hollon and husband, Noah, of Richmond, Ky. His step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren will also miss Grandpa John.

Services will be held Monday afternoon, April 10, at 2 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church of the Hill Country, with Father Joe Mulligan officiating. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery on April 26, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. among the many heroes he so respected and admired. Visitation will be at 1:00 p.m., prior to the funeral service, at the church.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the funeral arrangements.

Floyd W. Shook

Mr. Floyd W. Shook, 85, of Horse Bottom Rd., Banner Elk, died Thursday, April 6, 2006 at his residence.

A native of Watauga County, he was a son of the late James Ballum and Mattie Ruppard Shook. 

Mr. Shook was a member of the White Rock Baptist Church and had worked as a timberman. He enjoyed spending time with his family, picking the guitar and banjo, and enjoyed woodworking, especially carving. He enjoyed hunting and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Kathleen Shook; a daughter, Wilma Dean Arnett, and her husband, Billy Joe, of Marion; two sons, Gary Shook, and his wife, Maxine, of Banner Elk, and Larry Shook, and his wife, Martha, of Banner Elk; a sister, Blanche Townsend of Banner Elk; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by  two daughters, Norma Jean Shook and Theresa Lynn Shook; a great-grandson, Cody Lee Arnett; three sisters, Lillie Hodges, Myrtle Arnett, and Onie Townsend; and a brother, Vester Shook.

Services were conducted at Sunday afternoon, April 9, at 2 p.m. at White Rock Baptist Church with the Rev. John McCoury and the Rev. Gerald Ward officiating.  Interment followed in the White Rock Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Avery County, Mitchell St., Newland, N.C. 28657.

Condolences may be sent at www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

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

Link Trivette

Mr. Link Trivette, 90, of 225 Junaluska Road, Boone, died Thursday morning, April 6, 2006, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.

Survivors include two daughters, Linda Critcher and husband, Gary, and Kathy Trivette and husband, Eugene, both of Boone; six sons, Lloyd Trivette and wife, Evon, of Shady Valley, Tenn.; Billy D. Trivette of Boone; William D. Trivette of Macintosh, Fla.; Jerry W. Trivette and wife, Debbie, of Boone; Donald Trivette and wife, Ann, of Zionville; and  Bobby Trivette of West Jefferson; three granddaughters, Laurel Trivette of Boone; Brittney Trivette of Danville, Va.; and Whittney Trivette of Danville, Va.; 11 grandsons, Rusty Trivette and wife, Rebecca, of Vilas; Gary Church, Jr. of Boone; Paul Trivette of Boone; Lloyd Trivette, Jr. of Lenoir; Steve Trivette of Lenoir; Adam Trivette of Boone; Sam Trivette of Brainard, Minn.; Wayne Trivette of Boone; Michael Trivette of Boone; Josh Trivette of Nashville, Tenn.; and Nathaniel Trivette of West Jefferson; 16 great-grandchildren; one brother, Vance Trivette of Hudson; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by one son, Jimmy L. Trivette; one granddaughter, Misty Trivette; two brothers, York and Howard Trivette; two sisters, Nell Greene and Blanche Trivette; and his father and mother, Sam and Ida Greer Trivette.

Services were conducted Saturday morning, April 8, at 11 a.m. at Proffitts Grove Baptist Church with Pastor Randy Covalt officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

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

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.