May 10, 2006

Avian Hall DeWire

Ms. Avian Hall DeWire, 37, of 1050 21st St. Dr., Hickory, N.C.,  died Saturday, April 29, 2006 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital, Lenoir, N.C., from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.

She was born June 4, 1968 in Grand Island, NE, the daughter of Leota Clemens Reith of Salisbury and the late Earl Henry Hall. 

Ms. DeWire was educated in the Camden, N.Y. Schools and graduated from Camden High School.  She graduated from the State University of New York at Fredonia, Fredonia, N.Y. and received her Masters degree in audiology from Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pa.

Her clinical credentials include Fellow of American Academy of Audiology (FAAA) and Certificate of Clinical Competence in Audiology (CCCA) through American Speech- Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).

She started her professional career as clinical audiologist in 1993.  She served the hearing health care needs of hundreds of patients, which included work in Pennsylvania and North Carolina.  Most recently, she served as clinical audiologist at the office for Blue Ridge Ear, Nose & Throat of Boone, N.C., where she served the North Carolina High Country for more than four years.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her step-father, Gerald Reith of Salisbury;  brother, Michael E. Hall of Salisbury; paternal grandmother, Margaret Hall of Baldwinsville, N.Y., and an aunt and uncle, Roxanne and Brian Richardson of Memphis, N.Y.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, May 13, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, Salisbury, N.C. with the Rev. James C. King officiating.

Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn.  38105-1905; or the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, S.C. 29604.

Summersett Funeral Home in Salisbury, N.C., is serving the DeWire family.

Spencer D. Greene

Mr. Spencer D. Greene, 76, of  817 Poplar Grove Road South, Boone, died Sunday, May 7, 2006, at Watauga  Medical  Center.

He was born Dec. 29, 1929 in  Watauga  County, a son of the late Carlie John and Vonnie Harmon Greene.

Mr. Greene was a retired carpenter who built many of the condominiums at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock. He served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, and was a member of  Willow  Valley Baptist  Church.

Survivors include his wife, Kate Vannoy Greene; one son, Doug Greene and wife, Renae, of Apex; one granddaughter, Katelyn Greene of Apex; one sister, Marie G. Hodges of Boone; and one nephew, Curtis Hodges and wife, Janice, of Boone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Eldon Hodges; one nephew, Carl Edward Hodges; and one niece, Karla Eggers.

Services will be conducted Thursday afternoon, May 11, 2006, at  2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be The Rev. Gordon Noble. Burial will follow in Mount  Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, from 7-8:30, at the funeral home.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Advent Christian Church Building Fund, c/o Joyce Sherrill, 375 Shady Bark Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Kenneth Ray ‘Kenny’ Turner

Mr. Kenneth Ray “Kenny” Turner, 32, of Mystery Trail Lane, Lenoir, died Sunday, May 7, 2006. 

He was born Nov. 26, 1973 in Caldwell County,  a son of Michael Turner and Audrey Wilson. 

Mr. Turner was of the Baptist faith, and was employed with Wesley Hall, Inc. Furniture. 

Surviving are his wife, Susan Richards Turner; two daughters, Amanda Dawn Turner and Ashley Brooke Turner, all of Granite Falls; his mother, Audrey Wilson of Conover; his father and step-mother, Michael and Anna Lynn Hodges Turner of Boone; one brother, Daniel Lee Turner of Granite Falls; two sisters, Mary Ellen Turner of Conover and Julianna Love Turner of Boone; his maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Christine Wilson of Lenoir; and his paternal grandparents Ray and Evelyn Turner of Lenoir.

A private memorial service will be held at a later date.  The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 until 8:30 at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Turner family.

May 8, 2006

Ralph M. Bath
Mr. Ralph M. Bath, 73, formerly of 214 Keeth Dr., Banner Elk, N.C., died Thursday, May 5, 2006 at Roan Highlands Nursing Center, Roan Mountain after a battle with cancer. 
A native of Pottstown, Pa., he was a son of the late Ralph M. Bath, Sr. and the late Sara Rosenberry Bath.
Mr. Bath spent his early life in Pughtown, Pa. He was a commercial artist who became well known doing college logos all along the eastern seaboard.
He is survived by his wife, Donna Bath, Banner Elk, N.C.; daughter, Judi Shirk of Pennsylvania; and sister, Shirley Rozelle of New Jersey.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-son, Peet Danials.
A memorial service will be conducted at Hickory Ridge Homestead, Boone, N.C. at a later date. 
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to Hickory Ridge Homestead, P. O. Box 295, Boone, N.C.  28607.
Arrangements made by Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton.

 
Opal Norris Christian
Mrs. Opal Norris Christian of Bristol, Tenn., passed away Friday, May 5, 2006, at Wellmont Hospice House.
She was a native of Watauga County, and was a long time resident of Bristol. She was a daughter of the late Jack and Mag Hardy Norris and the widow of W.K. Christian with whom she worked for many years at Christian Metal Works.
In her retirement, Mrs. Christian enjoyed time spent with her neighbors, hours spent playing golf with friends, and above all, the cherished time spent with her two grandchildren. She was a member of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church where she worked for many years with young children.
Survivors include one son, Vaughn Christian and wife, Beverly, of Boone; her grandson, Derek Christian of Miami, Fla.; her granddaughter, Autumn Christian Simmons and husband, Brent, of Boone; two sisters, Leo Hartley of Bristol, Va., and Mavis Callaway of Atlanta, Ga.; and several nieces and nephews.
Services were conducted Monday morning, May 8, 2006, at 11 a.m. in the Akard Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Bob Jones officiating. Burial followed in Glenwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers were Derek Christian, Brent Simmons, Aaron Callaway, Fred Allen Hartley, Mike Tucker and Jack Shafer. Honorary pallbearers were the men and women of Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, her dear neighbors and her golfing friends.
Memorial contributions may be made to Wellmont Hospice House, 280 Steele’s Rd., Bristol, Tenn. 37620 or Euclid Avenue Baptist Church, 900 Euclid Ave., Bristol, Va. 24201.
E-mail condolences may be sent to the Christian family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com.
Akard Funeral Home in Bristol, Tenn., is serving the Christian family.

Dora B. Wallace Church
Mrs. Dora B. Wallace Church, 95, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Saturday evening, May 6, 2006 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.
She was born in Custer City, Oklahoma, a daughter of the late James Adams and Minnie Baird Wallace.
Mrs. Church was raised in the Matney community and was a homemaker.
Surviving include one daughter, Audrey Wallace Hartley and husband, Neil, of Boone; one son, Arnold James Church and wife, Mary, of Alexandria; one daughter-in-law, Ethel Church of Augusta, Ga.; one loving sister, Odleen Perry of Banner Elk; two sisters-in-law, Lucille Wallace of Boone, and Mary Wallace of Sugar Grove; and one brother-in-law, Ben Hicks of Banner Elk; 11 grandchildren, Roxanne Bell and husband, Ken, of Kingsport, Tenn., Doug Church and wife, Roxann, of Salinas, Kansas; Dottie Smoot of Atlanta, Ga., Dora Lynn Church of Augusta, Ga., Richard Church and wife, Mariann, of Augusta, Ga., Judy De la Garza and husband, Vincent, of Morgantown, West Virginia; Arnold Church, Jr. and wife, Patty, of Atlanta, Ga., Cathy Blewitt and husband, Ted, of Alexandria, Va., Susan Lightner and husband, Larry, of Gaithersburg, Md., Dennis Neil Hartley, Jr. and Susie, of Boone, and Talmadge Hartley and wife, Kara, of Parker, Colo.; 21 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lt. Colonel Henry Harrison Church; one son, Richard Leonard Church; four sisters, Naomi Shoemaker, Sallie Gilliam, Mamie Watson, and Marie Hicks; and six brothers, Ephrim, Marvin, Custer, Homer, Arlo, and Roy Wallace.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Allen Marsh. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Watauga County Project on Aging Home Delivered Meals, 132 Poplar Grove Connector Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon prior to the service from 1-2 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times friends may call at the home of Neil and Audrey Hartley, 185 Keystone Drive, Boone.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Church family.

Lucy B. Deitz
Mrs. Lucy Virginia Brown Deitz, 87, of 6th St Dr. NW, Hickory, died peacefully early Saturday Morning, May 6, 2006 at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
She was born June 3, 1918 in Boone, N.C., the daughter of the late Mastin Clyde and Ola Rhoda Blackburn Brown.
Mrs. Deitz was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, and the Women’s Bible class in Hickory.
Survivors include one son, David Deitz and his wife, Kathleen, of Hickory; and six grandchildren; and two great grandchildren, Melissa Ann Woods, and husband, Jeffrey; David Karl and wife, Lori, and their son Kian; Robert Vernon and his wife, Jennifer, and their son Brennan; Vanessa Kay, John Richard, Ola Elizabeth; and one sister, Edna Mae Michael, all of Tennessee; and one niece, Ava Shaver of Bel Air, Maryland.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon C. Deitz; and a sister, Faye Brown Hodges.
Services were conducted Sunday evening, May 7, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. at Hickory Funeral Home with the Rev. George M. Freeman officiating. Burial was held Monday morning at 10 a.m. at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Women’s Bible Class, First United Methodist Church, 311 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601, or to the Activities Department of Conover Nursing and Rehab Center, P.O. Box 1718, Conover, N.C. 28613.
Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Stanford Bernard Douglas
Mr. Stanford Douglas, 71, of West Jefferson, died Tuesday evening, May 2, 2006, at the Watauga Medical Center, in Boone. He had been suffering from CHF for many years.
He was born in Camden, Tenn., the son of the late Fred Douglas and Inez Cole Douglas. He was lovingly raised by his step mother, the late Mary Elizabeth Douglas.
Mr. Douglas attended the West Jefferson Nazarene Church. He had been employed in the coatings industry, finishing his industrious career at Highland International, in Boone, N.C. Mr. Douglas had been a member of the Foscoe Lions Club and was a member of the Pythian in Mississippi.
Surviving are his wife, Edith Christine Sargent Douglas; two daughters, Karen Lynn Douglas of Fort Mill S.C., Pamela Colleen Douglas of Boone; three sons, Stanford Dewayne Douglas of Irvington Ala., Randolph D. Douglas of Fleetwood, Timothy Anthony Douglas of Boone; one sister, Betty Jane Douglas Gochanour of Camden, Tenn.; six grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren.
Services were conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 6, at the Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson with the Rev. Kenneth Cole officiating, with music by the Rev. Kenneth and Clarisse Howell.
Boone Family Funeral Home in West Jefferson was in charge of the arrangements.

James Howard Hartley
Mr. James Howard Hartley, 92, of Coshocton, Ohio, died Friday morning, April 28, 2006, at Coshocton Health and Rehabilitation Center, after a short illness.
He was born Feb. 17, 1914, in Boone, N.C., to the late Douglas Estes and Lunda Wooten Hartley.
On August 25, 1934, he married Annie Faye Hodges, who preceded him in death in 2004 after 69 years of marriage. They moved from Boone, N.C. in 1935 to Coshocton County. Mr. Hartley retired from the Hunt-Crawford Division of St. Regis Paper Company and was a charter member of the Coshocton Baptist Church on Denman Avenue.
Survivors include four children, Carolyn Jeanette Waters of Coshocton, Ohio; Mary Jo Tedrick of West Lafayette, Ohio; James Estes Hartley and wife, Doris, of Plainfield, and David Grant Hartley and wife, Cindy, of West Chazy, N.Y.; 12 grandchildren, Janice Porcher and husband, Greg; Theresa Norman and husband, Rod, both of West Lafayette; Debbie Wolfe and husband, Jim; Shelly Tompkins and husband, Steve; Alan Bailey and wife, Tina, all of Coshocton; Norman Bailey and wife, Debbie, of Delaware; Ron Tedrick and wife, April, of West Lafayette; Jackquese Kimball and husband, Miles, of Fresno; Mike Tedrick and wife, April; Matt Hartley and wife, Mary Ellen, both of Coshocton. He is also survived by 23 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Anna Lee Shumaker of Coshocton; sister-in-laws, Wilma Hartley of Bristol, Tenn., Leo Hartley of Bristol, Va., Betty Jo Casey and Pearldine Shaeffer and husband, Orlan, of Coshocton, Ohio; two brother-in-laws, J. Ray Hodges and wife, Almena, of New Albany, Ohio, and Wayne Oakleif of Mesa, Ariz.; many nieces and nephews; and many friends, especially those from McDonalds and Bob Evans.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers; three sister-in-laws; and two grandchildren, Janet and Diane Hartley.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, May 1, 2006, at 1:30 p.m. at Given-Dawson Funeral Home, with the Rev. Paul Schwab and Pastor James Lee officiating. Interment will be at Coshocton County Memory Gardens.
Contributions may be made to the Coshocton Baptist Church, 1631 Denman, Coshocton, Ohio 43812 or Hospice of Coshocton County, P.O. Box 1284, Coshocton, Ohio 43812.
Given-Dawson Funeral Home in Coshocton, Ohio, are in charge of the arrangements.

Elaine Leek Hensley
Mrs. Elaine Leek Hensley, 62, of 205 Ivy Terrace Drive, Boone, died Tuesday morning, May 2, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.
 She was born March 9, 1944 in Queens County, New York, a daughter of the late Benjamin and Cornelia Thompson Leek.
Mrs. Hensley was a retired Nurses Aid and a member of Friendship United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Lorry A. Hoover and husband, Donald, of Boone, and Dawn Morse and husband, Brian, of Ellijay, Ga.; one son, Carl Timmann of Salem, Oregon; two sisters, Annmarie Brigham and husband, Ben, of Hillsbourgh, Oregon, and Veronica Smith of McMinnville, Oregon; two granddaughters, Marisa Hoover of Boone, and Elizabeth Morse of Ellijay, Georgia; and two grandsons, Donald Hoover, Jr. of Boone, and Jay Morse of Ellijay, Ga.
Memorial services for Mrs. Elaine Leek Hensley were conducted Saturday evening, May 6, 2006, at Friendship United Methodist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Mike Howard.
Hampton Funeral Service was charge of the arrangements.

Clemmie Riddle Main
Mrs. Clemmie Riddle Main, 96, of 418 Chestnut Drive, Blowing Rock, died Thursday, May 4, 2006, at Blowing Rock Extended Health Care.
She was born August 9, 1909 in Ashe County, a daughter of the late Floyd and Emma Rash Riddle.
Mrs. Main was a homemaker and a member of Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Geneva Proffitt and husband, Baxter, of Mount Airy; one son, Ronda Main and wife, Jane, of Granite Falls; and one sister, Danford Jones of Warrensville. Seven grandchildren, twelve great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie James Main; one grandson, David Baxter Proffitt; and one sister, Cora Lewis.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, May 7, 2006, at Proffit's Grove Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Delmar James. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
Hampton Funeral Service was charge of the arrangements.

Wilborn Jessie ‘Papa’ Rominger
Mr. Wilborn Jessie “Papa” Rominger, 9l, of Highway 321 North, Sugar Grove, died Friday morning, May 5, 2006 at the Watauga Medical Center.
He was born April 1, 1915 in Watauga County, a son of Marion and Annie Presnell Rominger.
Mr. Rominger was a member of Willow Valley Baptist Church and served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons for 34 years. He retired from Appalachian State University as a foreman of the carpentry shop.
Survivors include his wife of 70 years, Mattie Shull Rominger; two daughters, Shirley Guy and husband, Frank, of Sugar Grove and Shelby Dishman and husband, Doby, of Newport, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Michael Wheeler and wife, Amy, of Chesapeake, Va. and Kathy Smart and husband, Bruce, of Connelly Springs; four great-grandchildren, Richie Smith and wife, Kara; Lucas, Josh and Sam Wheeler; and three great-great-grandchildren, Logan, Mason and Holden Smith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Harold Dean Rominger; one grandson, Stephen Dale Wheeler; three sisters, Ester Rominger, Elizabeth Trivette and Sarah ‘Babe’ Watson; and one brother, Leonard Rominger.
Services were conducted Sunday morning at 11 o’clock at the Willow Valley Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Ray Greene and Deacon Tommy Greer. Burial followed in the Piney Grove Cemetery in the Rominger community.
Memorials may be made to the Piney Grove Cemetery Fund, in care of Alfred Rominger, 5367 Rominger Road, Banner Elk, N.C. 28604.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Rominger family.

Vesta Phillips Woodring
Mrs. Vesta Phillips Woodring, 90, of 316 Ransey Woodring Road, Todd, died Wednesday, May 5, 2006, at Glenbridge Healthcare Center.
She was born April 22, 1916 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Blaine and Dorothy Coffey Phillips.
Mrs. Woodring was a homemaker and a member of Hopewell United Methodist Church.
Survivors include five daughters, Edith Tester of Boone, Shirley Hayes of Taylorsville, Paris Jenkins of Lenoir, Jewell Greene and husband, Granville, of Fleetwood, and daughter and caregiver, Geneva Woodring of the home; two sons, Howard Woodring and wife, Tempie, of Boone, and Clay Woodring and wife, Betty, of Todd; two sisters, Gladys Bowers of Hastings, Fla., and Stella Trivette and husband, Harvey, of Boone. Twenty-two grandchildren, four step-grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, twenty step-great-grandchildren, eleven 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, Walter Ransey Woodring; two infant daughters, Mary Alice and Kathy Lee; one infant son, Walter Franklin; one granddaughter, Linda Carpenter; one step-grandson, Charles Hayes; three brothers and three sisters.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, May 6, 2006, at Hopewell United Methodist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Mike Howard and the Rev. Vance Triplett. Burial followed in the Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 222 South Church Street, Suite 336M, Charlotte, N.C. 28202.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.