Archived: June 2, 2006

Ralph G. ‘Bud’ Coffey

Mr. Ralph G. “Bud” Coffey, 78, of Fresno, Ohio, a former resident of Caldwell County, died Sept. 4, 2005, in Ohio.

He was born in Caldwell County to the late Charlie and Julia Knight Coffey.

Mr. Coffey was a veteran of World War II with the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his children, Robert Coffey and Sharon Wilson of Lenoir, Clarice Cannon, Ralph Hartson of Banner Elk, and Dean Coffey of Newland, Lori Pennington, JoAnn Roup, Patricia Coffey and Eddie Coffey, all of Ohio; two sisters, Martha Stapleton and Effie Coffey, both of Lenoir.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and one sister.

Military graveside services will be conducted Saturday, June 3, 2006, at 2 p.m. at White Springs Cemetery.

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

Beatrice Hutto Cole

Mrs. Beatrice Hutto Cole, 82, of Dutch Creek Road, died Tuesday, May 30, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

A native of Reevesville, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Alonzo Harry and Corine McAlhany Hutto; and the wife of Clyde Thomas Cole.

Mrs. Cole was retired from Sears Distribution Center as office manager in the auditing department and a member of Valle Crucis United Methodist Church where she was active in the Bible study group.

Survivors include her husband, Clyde Thomas Cole; a son, Robert E. “Bob” Cole and wife, Ann, of Welcome; two granddaughters, Cammey Cole of Raleigh, and Katrina Cole Romblad and husband, Jason, of Lexington; one sister, Mildred Steedly of Branchville, S.C.; a brother, Adolph Hutto and wife, Louise, of Reevesville, S.C.; a sister-in-law, Barbara Hutto of Newberry, S.C.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Lillie Fralix, Hilda George and Betty Hutto, and her infant sister; and three brothers, Ellis, Harry and Woodrow Hutto.

Services were conducted Friday morning at 11 a.m. at Valle Crucis United Methodist Church with the Rev. Allen Marsh and the Rev. Charles L. Rowland officiating. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Valle Crucis Community Park, P.O. Box 851 Valle Crucis, N.C. 28604.

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

Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of the arrangements.

Alma Shook Norwood

Mrs. Alma Shook Norwood, 91, of Harlen Lane, Banner Elk, died Monday afternoon, May 29, 2006 at her home.

She was born May 31, 1914 in Watauga County, a daughter of Charlie and Minnie Ruppard Shook. 

Mrs. Norwood was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of Banner Elk and was a homemaker.

She is survived by two sons, Dale Norwood and wife, Sue, and Willie Norwood and wife, Rachel, all of Banner Elk; one daughter, Carolyn Porch and husband, Cecil, of Foscoe; one sister, Beulah Norwood of Banner Elk; her daughter-in-law, Barbara Norwood of Banner Elk; five granddaughters, Kathy Reece and husband, Billy, Brenda Eller and husband, Mike, Judy Presnell and husband, Tim, Donna Cuyler and husband, Frank, and Audrey “Missy” Johnson and husband, Mark; four grandsons, Donnie Norwood, Jimmy Norwood and wife, Barbara, Bobby Lynn Norwood and Ricky Norwood and wife, Bonnie; 13 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; three step-grandchildren; and eight step great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Harlen Tate Norwood, Sr.; a son, Bobby Norwood; a great-grandson, Melvin Scott Johnson; one sister, Emma Shook; and two brothers, Bert and Chester Shook.

Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the White Rock Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Tim Greene and the Rev. Brent Price.  The family received friends Thursday afternoon from 1 until 2 o’clock, one hour prior to services, at White Rock Baptist Church.  Burial followed in the White Rock Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to the Norwood family.

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

Gregory Paul Smith

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

He is survived locally by his parents, Paul and Marie Smith; one sister, Jennifer Krause; and a brother, Ben Smith.

A memorial service will be conducted at Boone United Methodist Church at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, June 4, 2006. Dr. George Naff will conduct the service.

May 31, 2006

Mary Louise Coffey Black

Mrs. Mary Louise Coffey Black, 97, widow of William Calvin Black, formerly of Birch Gardens, Staunton, Va., died Wednesday morning, May 24, 2006, in the Veterans Memorial Hospital, Bedford.

She was born August 14, 1908, in Boone, N.C., a daughter of the late Edgar S. and Annie Parks Coffey.

Mrs. Black was a graduate of Appalachian State University. She moved to Staunton after graduating from college to teach at Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind. She retired from the school after giving many years of service to children attending the school. She was much loved by students and faculty.

Family members include a son and daughter-in-law, Robert C. and Connie Black of Moneta; three grandchildren, Robert Douglas Black and his wife, Holly, of Oak Ridge, N.C., Neil Edward Black and his wife, Glenda, of Martinsville, and Jeffrey Michael Black and his wife, Melinda, of Rocky Mount; and three great-grandchildren, Peyton Black, Alexander Black, and Sawyer Black.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by a brother and three sisters.

A funeral service was conducted May 26, at 2 p.m. in the Henry Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. David D. Reed officiating. Burial followed in Thornrose Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.henryfuneralhome.net.

Henry Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Virginia Triplett Parsons

Mrs. Virginia Triplett Parsons, 81, of Cranberry Springs Road, Fleetwood, died Monday morning, May 29, 2006, at Blowing Rock Extended Care.

She was born Jan. 30, 1925, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Philmore and Vertie Johnson Triplett.

Mrs. Parsons was a member of Liberty Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Clarence E. Parsons; a daughter, Joyce Parsons Griffin of Fleetwood; a son, Johnny L. Parsons of Fleetwood; three granddaughters, Rita, Laura, and Renee Griffin, all of Fleetwood; three sisters, Hallie Trivette and husband, Melvin, of Deep Gap, Ellen Miller and husband, Earl, of Lenoir, and Irene Storie and husband, Lester, of Harrisburg. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Philmore and Vertie Johnson Triplett; four sisters, Myrtle Cox, Dessie Trivette, Betty Winebarger and Jewel Clark; three brothers, Fred, Frank, and Graham Triplett.

Services will be conducted Wednesday, May 31, at 2 p.m. at Liberty Grove Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. John Elledge and the Rev. Jimmy Williams. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow in the Liberty Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Liberty Grove Baptist Church Building Fund in care of Jody Brown, 318 Buck Mountain Road, West Jefferson, N.C. 28615.

Online condolences may be made to www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Melinda Winebarger Rhymer

Mrs. Melinda Winebarger Rhymer, 34, of Rhymer Branch Road, Deep Gap, died Saturday, May 27, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Feb. 22, 1972, in Watauga County, a daughter of Junior and Clara Walton Winebarger.

Mrs. Rhymer was a member of Mount Ephriam Baptist Church. She was with the Habilitation Specialist for New River R.H.A. in Deep Gap.

Survivors include her husband, Keith Rhymer; a son, Tristan Rhymer of the home; a step-daughter, Brandy Rhymer of Lenoir; a step-son, Anthony Rhymer of the North Carolina National Guard in Iraq; a step-grandson, Travis Craig of Lenoir; her father and mother, Junior and Clara Walton Winebarger of Boone; a sister, Lisa Winebarger of Louisville, Ky.; a brother, Nick Winebarger of Boone; a grandmother, Francis Walton of Jefferson; and two nieces and two nephews. She is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.

Services were conducted Tuesday afternoon, May 30, at 4 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Johnny Phillips, Jr. and the Rev. J.D. Walton officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Melinda Rhymer Family, in care of Keith Rhymer, 220 Rhymer Branch Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

Online condolences may be made at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Robbie Williams

A “Celebration of Life”  for Robbie Williams will be held Friday,  June 2,  at 6 p.m. at the Mill Ridge clubhouse.

“ Join us for a cookout and fellowship. Come and share your favorite story and pictures,” said a spokesperson for the gathering.

For more information, call 963-4900.

May 29, 2006

Walter Keith Bartoo

Mr. Walter Keith Bartoo, age 63, of Stone Mountain Road, Vilas, died Friday morning, May 26, 2006 at home. 

He was born in Somerville, New Jersey,  a son of the late Vance Sterling and Dorothy Steller Bartoo. 

Mr. Bartoo was a veteran of the Vietnam War, having served in the Air Force. 

Surviving are three daughters, Lorianne Bare and husband, Steve, of Jefferson, Lisa Ann Bartoo of Vilas, and Adel Bartoo of Alachua, Florida; three sons, Ronnie Horton of Gatlinburg, Tennessee, Adam Bartoo of Vilas, and Kelly Horton and wife, Trish, of Banner Elk; nine grandchildren, Eden, Autumn, Ashley, Olivia, Isaiah, Ben, April, Kyle and Ryan; one sister, April Bartoo of Alpharetta, Georgia; one brother, Bob Bartoo of Allentown, Pennsylvania. 

Services for Mr. Walter Keith Bartoo will be private.

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

Elijah Webster Bentley

Mr. Elijah Webster Bentley, 95, of Central Continuing Care, Mount Airy, a native and former resident of Boone, died Wednesday evening, May 24, 2006, at Central Continuing Care.

He was born April 5, 1911 in Watauga County, a son of the late Noah and Rosie Morris Bentley.

Mr. Bentley was a retired manager of Skyview Drive-In Theater.

Survivors include one son, Gary K. Bentley and wife, Jo Anne, of Winston-Salem; three grandsons, Robert G. Bentley and wife, Patty, of Winston-Salem, Michael S. Bentley and wife, Sandy, of Saint Petersburg, Fla., and David Bentley of Clairmont; one step-granddaughter, Frankie Yarboro of Winston-Salem; two sisters, Lib Stevens of Columbus, Ohio, and Mae Distefano of Boone; three great-grandchildren; two step-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mabel Killian Bentley; one sister, Wilma Bentley Luthens; and two brothers, Elbert and Henry Bentley.

A graveside service was conducted Saturday afternoon, May 27, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens, with the Rev. Kenny Newberry officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, N.C. 28210.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Jack J. Roark

Mr. Jack J. Roark, 65, of 103 Rominger Street, Boone, died Wednesday evening, May 24, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born May 10, 1941 in Watauga County, a son of the late Russell and Jeanette Johnson Roark.

Mr. Roark was a retired mechanic for Custom Muffler and Tire, and a member and deacon of Boone Advent Christian Church. He served as Chief of the Boone Fire department for 10 years, while serving the department for a total of 29 years.

Survivors include his wife, Becky Russell Roark; one daughter, Kathy Brown and husband, Randy, of Zionville; one son, Steve Roark and wife, Stephanie, of Hermitage, Tenn.; one granddaughter, Brook Matheson of Zionville; one grandson, Russell Brown of Zionville; two sisters, Marie Cole and husband, Tommy, of Hudson, and Linda Harmon and husband, Tommy, of Sugar Grove; two brothers, Russell “R.D.” Roark of Belleville, Ill., and Dale Roark and wife, Lillie, of Boone; his mother-in-law, Mrs. Louise Russell of Boone; and a brother-in-law, Rev. Bud Russell and wife, Betty, of Vilas. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Services were conducted Saturday morning, May 27, at Boone Advent Christian Church, with the Rev. Gordon Noble and the Rev. Bud Russell officiating. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Seby Jodes Regional Cancer Center, in care of Watauga Medical Center, P.O. Box 2600, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to Boone Advent Christian Church, in care of Joyce Sherrill, 375 Shady Bark Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

George W. Trapp Jr.

Mr. George W. Trapp, Jr., 70, of Blowing Rock Extended Care and a former resident of 370 Cherry Drive, Boone, died Friday night, May 26, 2006.

He was born August 1, 1935, in Mecklenburg County, a son of the late George S. and Clara Smith Trapp.

Mr. Trapp graduated from Citadel Military Academy in Charleston, S.C.

He was a Commercial Interior Designer for Wade Manufacturing.

He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.

Survivors include three daughters, Susan Greene and husband, Steven, of Boone; Ashley Currey of Nashville, Tenn., Jeanie Blanchard and husband, Robert, of Winthrup, Maine; two step-daughters, Tamara Saltzman and husband, Stephen, of London, England and Holley Chant of California; one sister, Judy Rust of Oakton, Va.; six grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, George, Sr., and Clara Smith Trapp.

Memorial services will be conducted at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blowing Rock Extended Care Center, 418 Chestnut Drive, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.