June 30, 2006

Ruth Triplett Icenhour

Mrs. Ruth Triplett Icenhour, 80, of 119 Wonderland Trail, Blowing Rock, died Monday, June 26, 2006, at her home.

She was born Jan. 27, 1926, in Wilkes County, a daughter of the late Perry and Agnes Moore Triplett.

Mrs. Icenhour and her husband were owners of Antlers Restaurant and owner of Ruth’s Clothing Store in Blowing Rock.

Survivors include three daughters, Diana Berry and husband, Lee, of Dover, Dela.; Brenda Kay Salmen and best friend, David Lee, of Charlotte; and Dee Dee Tolleson and husband, Willie, of Blowing Rock; and two sons, Terry McDonald and wife, Janice, and Keith McDonald and wife, Gaye, of Blowing Rock. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Hillis Icenhour; one son, John Wesley “Corkey” McDonald; her father and mother, Perry and Agnes Moore Triplett; three sisters; and two brothers.

A private Celebration of Life will be conducted at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Blowing Rock Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 823, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605; or B.R.A.C.C. in care of Virginia Jones, P.O. Box 1672, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.

Hampton Funeral Services is in charge of the arrangements.

Samuel Craft Presnell

Mr. Samuel Craft Presnell, 80, of Campbell Road, Mountain City, Tenn., died Wednesday morning, June 28, 2006, at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.

He was born in Avery County, June 6, 1926, a son of the late Elijah and Lovie Ward Presnell.

Mr. Presnell was a farmer and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Presnell; two daughters, Shirley Richardson and husband, David, of Vilas, and Kathy Dayton of Fleetwood; two sons, Alvin Presnell and wife, Rebecca, of Butler, Tenn., and Elijah Presnell and wife, Linda, of Vilas; one step-daughter, Darlene Osborne and husband, Sonny, of Mountain City; two step-sons, Jerry Roark and wife, Shelia, and Boyd Roark Jr. and wife, Carol, of Mountain City; one sister, Stella Stines of Banner Elk; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife and the mother of his children, Delphia Marie Presnell; one son, Benny Dean Presnell; one son-in-law, Samuel Dayton; two sisters, Jettie Presnell and Virgie Hicks; and three brothers, Lloyd, Carson and Gilbert Presnell.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Beech Valley Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Bill Warren. The body will lie in state at the church from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times, friends may call at the  residence of a granddaughter, Teresa and Jason Pardue, Copperhead Road in Vilas.

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

Larry Lee Trivette

Mr. Larry Lee Trivette, 62, of Lexington, N.C., died Tuesday, June 27, 2006, after a long battle of sickness.

He was born Sept. 30, 1943, to Conley and Ruth Trivette in Watauga County.

Mr. Trivette preached in the prison and jails for over 25 years. He attended Lighthouse Baptist Church in Lexington, N.C.

Survivors include his wife, Barbara Trivette; children, Steven Brooks, Christy Sink, Lavonda Bame, and Tommy and Tim Trivette; brothers and sisters, Sharon Green, Harold Trivette, Willie Trivette; and grandchildren, Ashley Brooks, Amber Brooks, Caleb Sink, Matthew Nichols, Jonathan Nichols, Rachel Nichols, Rebecca Nichols and Aaron Nichols.

He was preceded in death by his father, Conley Trivette.

Memorials may be mailed to: P.O. Box 211, Lexington, N.C. 27292.

June 28, 2006

Ronda Lee ‘Ron’ Presnell

Mr. Ronda Lee “Ron” Presnell, 66, of Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Monday morning, June 26, 2006 at Watauga Medical Center. 

He was born in Watauga County, April 20, 1940, a son of the late Paul and Okie Heaton Presnell. 

Mr. Presnell was of the Baptist faith and was a retired truck driver. 

Surviving are three sisters, his twin, Wanda Jahlkowski of Vero Beach, Fla.; Maybell Cook of Sugar Grove, Pearl Tester of Lexington, and Mary Ruth Church of Boone; three brothers, Cecil Presnell and wife, Francis, of Sugar Grove, Len Presnell and wife, Lena Mae, of Lexington and Jimmy Clay Presnell and wife, Donna, of Sugar Grove; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Kevin Presnell; four brothers-in-law, Paul Jahlkowski, Don Cook, Jack Church and Charlie Tester; and two nephews, Galen Morris Henson and T. J. Hedrick.

Private graveside services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Old St. John’s Cemetery in Valle Crucis. Officiating will be Minister Lance Hostetter. 

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Galen Henson Memorial Scholarship Fund, in care of Foscoe Christian Church, 8334 N.C. Hwy 105 South, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. 

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

John Thomas ‘J.T.’ Wassum Jr.

Mr. John Thomas “J. T.” Wassum, Jr., age 79, of Fairway Lane, Wilkesboro died Monday, June 26, 2006 at his home.

He was born June 15, 1927 in Marion, Virginia to Thomas and Lula Blevins Wassum.

Mr. Wassum started his 45 year career in insurance with Southland Life in Virginia. His move to North Carolina was to work with Northwestern Security Life in the early 1970’s. At the time of his retirement, he owned his own business, Wassum Insurance and Associates.

Mr. Wassum served in the United States Army during World War II and during the Korean Conflict, where he received the Bronze Star Medal-V for Valor. He was a member of the Marion, Virginia Veterans of Foreign Wars and the North Wilkesboro Masonic Lodge.

He was a member, Sunday school teacher and a member of the Helping Hands at Baptist Home Baptist Church. He was a proud grandfather of three granddaughters and one grandson.

Survivors include his wife, Nila Lorraine Kilby Wassum of the home; two daughters, Belinda W. Smithey and husband, Chuck, of Wilkesboro, Beverly W. Holton and husband, Rob, of Boone; one sister, Nellie Mae Wilson of Marion, Va.; one brother, James Maitland Wassum of Wytheville, Va.; three granddaughters and one grandson, Lori Holton, Kelly Holton, Hannah Smithey and Zachary Smithey.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Amethyst W. Bourne and Virginia W. Troutman; and one brother, Willis Hunter Wassum.

Services will be held Wednesday at 11:00 a.m., June 28, 2006, at Baptist Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Darrell Tate and the Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating. Burial with military rites by Post #1142 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be at Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, 1907 West Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659 or to Baptist Home Baptist Church Building Fund, 2367 Sparta Road, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.

Baptist Home Baptist Church Berean Sunday School Class will serve as honorary pallbearers.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

June 26, 2006

Clara Ward Glenn

Mrs. Clara Ward Glenn, 92, of Big Branch Road, Sugar Grove, died Friday morning, June 23, 2006 at Watauga Medical Center. 

She was born Jan. 20, 1914, in Watauga County, a daughter of Roby Monroe and Callie Woodring Ward. 

Mrs. Glenn was a member of Zionhill Baptist Church and was a homemaker.

Survivors include one son, Clifford Howard Glenn and his wife, Maybelle, of Sugar Grove; one granddaughter, Lisa Mae Glenn of Sugar Grove; one brother, Blaine Ward and wife, Martha, of Sugar Grove; and four sisters-in-law, Carlene Cooper and husband, Ed, and Lena Glenn, all of Sugar Grove; Rosa Glenn of Boone; and Ruby Norris of Greensboro. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Alice Ward Harmon; and five brothers, Dewey, Ronald, Marshall, Howard and Clinard Ward.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard Lucky Glenn.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. James Hagaman, the Rev. Richard Trivette and the Rev. Donnie Tester. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 1 until 2 o’clock.  Burial will follow in the Ward Cemetery.

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

Omer Raleigh Johnson

Mr. Omer Raleigh Johnson, 66, of Ennice, N.C., died Sunday morning, June 25, 2006, at the Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta.

He was the son of the late Eugene and Maude Eggers Johnson.

Survivors include his wife, Audrey Hash Johnson; three sons, Lloyd Johnson and wife, Candace, of Ennice; Jeff Johnson and wife, Loretta, of Ennice; and Dr. Chuck Johnson of Carrboro, N.C.; three grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; four sisters, Juanita Combs, Brenda Cochran and Ella Billings, all of Sparta; Patsy Daniel of Eden; a brother, Michael Johnson of Ennice; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Tony; brothers, Arvil, Bill, Lowell, Walter and Lloyd Johnson; and a sister, Betty Hawkins.

Services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 a.m., June 27, at the Grandview Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the Edmonds Community Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7-9 p.m. at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Edmonds Community Cemetery Fund, c/o Allen Carico, 202 Golf View Lane, Ennice, N.C. 28623.

Grandview Memorial Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Joyce Marie Myers Liddell

Ms. Joyce Marie Myers Liddell, 69, of Presnell School Road, Banner Elk, died Sunday morning, June 25, 2006 at her home.

She was born Dec. 15, 1936 in Meshoppen, Pa., a daughter of Judson and Ruth Cunningham Myers. 

Before retirement, Ms. Liddell was a bar tender at the Navy Marine Club in Lockport, New York.

Survivors include her loving companion of 21 years, Sidney Clayton Parish; two daughters, Kenna Liddell of Middletown, Ohio and Kim Fiegl of Lockport, New York; one grandson, Nicholas Condren of Lockport, New York; three brothers, Judson and Howard Myers, both of Wilson, New York and Fred Myers of Newfane, New York; three step-daughters, Tina Gernatt of Fredonia, New York, Patricia Parker and Cynthia Babisz, both of Jamestown, New York; and one step-son, Robert Parish of Kannapolis, NC.

Memorial services will be scheduled at a later date.

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

Nicholas Lee Porter

Nicholas Lee Porter, infant son of Bobby and Melanie Bilodeau Porter, of Zionville, died Friday, June 23, 2006, at Forsyth Medical Center.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by one sister, Makayla Bilodeau; and twin brothers, Joseph and Ryan Bilodeau, all of the home; his maternal grandparents, Maxie and Jerry Jones of Vilas; his paternal grandparents, Randall and Bonnie Porter of Zionville; his maternal great-grandparents, William and Blanche Presnell of Zionville; his paternal great-grandmother, Betty Turner of Lexington, Ky.; his paternal great-great-grandmother, Bertha Carole of Fairton, N.J.; his paternal great-great-grandfather, Cletus Mabry of Mansfield, Ohio; one aunt, Emily Jones of Vilas; two uncles, Joshua Canter of Zionville and Brad Porter and wife, Crystal, of Mountain City, Tenn.

He was preceded in death by his material grandfather, Terry Canter.

Services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenny Newberry officiating. Burial will follow in Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Forsyth Medical Center, 3333 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27103.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Faye Carol Creech Troutman

Mrs. Faye Carol Creech Troutman, 75, of Bermuda Run, died Thursday, June 22, 2006 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home in Winston-Salem. 

She was born August 2, 1930 in Jacksonville, Fla. 

Mrs. Troutman was a graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Fla., and Florida State University. In the summer of 1944 she attended a summer camp in Boone, N.C., where she met her future husband. She was almost 14 and he had just turned 16. 

She was an active member of Augsburg Lutheran Church, where she cherished her many close friends. Mrs. Troutman was a retired teacher of the public schools in Virginia. A major portion of her career was spent teaching third grade in Blacksburg, Va. She dedicated her life to enriching the lives of children and she worked tirelessly helping them. She touched the life of every child she taught in a special way. A former student, Bruce Hammond, dedicated one of his books, “To Mrs. Faye Troutman, my unforgettable third grade teacher.”  She leaves to cherish her memory all the children and adults whose lives she so lovingly touched.

Survivors include her husband of 55 years, the Rev. Edwin N. Troutman; five children, Richard Troutman and wife, Karen, of Blacksburg, Va., Gretchen Troutman of Winston-Salem, Sarah Hartman and husband, Benny,  of Farmington, Ashlie Martin and husband, Frank, of Pfafftown, and Carol Troutman of Winston-Salem. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Lee and Emily Troutman, Abby and Elizabeth Hartman, Katherine, Christian, and Stuart Martin.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewey Richard Creech and Fannie Neal Potter Creech; and an infant sister, Violet Abbey Creech. 

Services were held at Augsburg Lutheran Church, 845 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, Saturday, June 24 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dr. Ronald Rinn and the Rev. Shirley Harrison officiating. Burial followed at the Troutman Family  Cemetery in Troutman at 4:30 p.m., led by the Rev. Tommy Beaver, Pastor of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Troutman. 

 Memorials may be made to Augsburg Lutheran Church, 845 West Fifth Street,  Winston-Salem, N.C.  27101, Holy Trinity  Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 308, Troutman, N.C. 28677, or Hospice. 

The family thanks all the nurses and others at Hospice for their loving care and attention to our loved one both at her home and the KBR Hospice Home.

Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Flowers Mast Ward

Mrs. Flowers Mast Ward, 84 of Jefferson died Saturday, June 24, 2006 at Blowing Rock Extended Care Center.

She was born on May 30, 1922 in Watauga County to the late T.L. “Doc” Mast and Effie Harbin Mast.

Mrs. Ward was a graduate of Cove Creek High School and received a bachelor’s of science degree in elementary education from Appalachian State Teacher’s College in 1943. Mrs. Ward was a retired public school teacher, having taught one year in Bladenboro, N.C., two years in Huntersville, N.C. and three years on Oklahoma. She attended Oklahoma A&M College where she received a lifetime teaching certificate in the state of Oklahoma. Mrs. Ward taught her last 24 years at West Jefferson Elementary School where she retired in 1978. She was voted “teacher of the year” and the school yearbook was also dedicated to her during her final years as teacher. She was a member of the First Baptist Church in West Jefferson.

Survivors include a daughter, Sandra Ward Harris of Snellville, Georgia; two grandchildren, Kristen Michelle Harris and Brian Daniel Harris also of Snellville; and one sister, Eude Mast Moody of Jefferson.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Gilbert Joseph Ward; and two sisters, Earlene Mast Moretz and Gladyce Mast Bingham.

Services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 at the First Baptist Church officiated by the Rev. Kennith Morris. Burial will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the West Jefferson First Baptist Church, PO Box 180, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.

You may send your condolences to the family at our website www.boonefuneralhome.com

Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson are in charge of the arrangements.