July 7, 2006

Mrs. Beatrice Yarborough Brown

Mrs. Beatrice Yarborough Brown, 88, of Boone, N.C., died Sunday, July 2, 2006, at Magnolia Gardens in Spencer.

She was born Jan. 26, 1918 in Rowan County, a daughter of the late Keturah Swink and John Cleveland Yarborough.

Mrs. Brown was educated in the Salisbury City schools and graduated from Boyden High School. A homemaker most of her life, she had managed jewelry departments at Purcell’s and Guy’s in the 1940’s and 1950’s. She was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, and a former member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Salisbury.

Survivors include her daughters, Corinna B. Gardner and husband, Conrad, and Joan B. Miller and husband, Phillip, all of Salisbury; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Clement Brown, on August 10, 2001; a sister, Juanita Yarborough Eagle; a grandson, John Phillip Miller; and a great-grandson.

Graveside services were conducted Wednesday afternoon, July 5, at Rowan Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Timothy Smith, minister of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, officiating.

Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 115 E. King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607; or Magnolia Gardens Skilled Care Facility, 1404 S. Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, N.C. 28159.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Brown family.

Ruth T. Brown

Mrs. Ruth T. Brown died Sunday, July 2, 2006, at her residence in Fairfax, Va.

She was the beloved wife of the late Walter J. Brown; devoted mother of Wanda Purdy and husband, Richard; Jeannette Brown, and of the late Benjamin Brown; cherished daughter of Addie Trivette; dear sister of Juanita Hicks, Polly Mele, GeorgeTrivett, Doris Blankenship, Peggy Cunningham and of the late Mae Brown and Curtis Trivette; adoring grandmother of Melanie Keyes Frierson and her husband, Johnny; Jessica Rose Purdy, Casey Star Bradshaw and Dustin West Bradshaw; cherished great-grandmother of Devan Grace Frierson.

Services were conducted Thursday morning, July 6, at 11 a.m. at the Vale Methodist Church in Oakton, Va. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Vale Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be made at www.everylyfuneralhomes.com

Everly Funeral Home in Fairfax, Va., were in charge of the arrangements.

Raymond Carroll Hayes

Dr. Raymond Carroll Hayes, 78, of Blairmont Drive, Boone, died Sunday night, July 2, 2006.

He was born March 4, 1928 in Watauga County, the son of Leonard and Carrie Moody Hayes.

Dr. Hayes received his BS and MA degrees from Appalachian State University. He then taught English for eight years in North Carolina Public Schools in Caldwell, Surrey, and Watauga Counties. He was an Associate Professor of English for 28 years at Wingate University. Dr. Hayes earned his PhD from Indiana University in Pennsylvania in 1983. He was awarded the rank of Professor Emeritus status from Wingate University in 2001.

He retired in 1993 and returned to live in Boone where he served as 2nd Vice President of Boone Lions Club, and Adjutant and Treasurer of the America Legion. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Boone where he sang tenor in the Sanctuary and Senior Adult Choir. While living in Wingate he was an active member at Wingate Baptist Church and sang in the church choir for 28 years. He was also a longtime member of the Wingate Lions Club serving in many leadership positions, including President. Prior to moving to Wingate he helped found Mountain View Baptist Church on the 105 Extension, now known as Westview Baptist Church. As a hobby while teaching at Wingate University he renovated houses and converted them to rental properties. He was an avid gardener and since his retirement actively participated in the Mountaineer Garden Club. He was known for his gardening skills and was a regular at the Farmer's Market. However his greatest focus was his family.

Dr. Hayes was a United States Air Force Veteran and served in Okinawa as an air traffic controller.

Survivors include his wife, Lois Teague Hayes; three daughters,  Cherry Hayes Johnson and husband, J. R., of Boone, Amy Hayes Singleton of Simpsonville, S.C., and Martha Hayes Thomason and husband, Jason, of Apex; one son, Alan Hayes and wife, Lynn, of Valle Crucis; four sisters, Josephine Herman of Adrian, Michigan, Nina Banner of Sugar Grove, Carolyn Farthing and husband, Cecil, and Clara Baird, all of Boone; three brothers, Dwight Hayes and wife, Dixie Mae, Tom Hayes and wife, Grace, all of Vilas; and Dale Hayes and wife, Betty, of Boone; 13 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and his mother-in-law, Bina Storie Teague of Boone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers,  Eugene and Roger Hayes.

Services will be conducted Saturday morning, July 8, 2006, at 11:00 o'clock at First Baptist Church of Boone. The body will lie in state from 10 until 11:00 o'clock at the church. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Brown. Military graveside rites and burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-8 p.m., at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice or to Watauga County Hunger Coalition, 141 Health Center Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Randy Lee Hicks

Mr. Randy Lee Hicks, 52, of Mulatto Mountain Road, Fleetwood, died Friday, June 30, 2006, at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson.

He was born May 24, 1954, in Watauga County, a son of James Delbert “Dean” and Rita Harmon Hicks.

Mr. Hicks was a member of the Zion Hill Baptist Church. Before becoming disabled, he was a carpenter and painter.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Cole Hicks; five daughters, Stephanie Price of Tennessee; Jessie Hicks of the home; Beverly Elliott and husband, Jimmy, of Fleetwood; Jackie Jones and husband, Greg, of Warrensville; and Heather Billings of Lansing; three sons, Jason and Chris Hicks, both of Colorado Springs, Colo. and Allen Billings and wife, April, of Lansing; two brothers, Johnny Hicks and wife, Judy, of Vilas and Tim Hicks and wife, Sherry, of Banner Elk; and two sisters, Shirley LaGow and Sandy Ward and husband, Lonnie, all of Banner Elk. Fourteen grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Bill Hicks; his nephew, Joel Hicks; and a brother-in-law, Ed LaGow.

Services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Harris and the Rev. Vernon Eller. Burial followed in the Harmon Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hicks family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, to help offset expenses.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Hicks family.

Joyce M. Liddell

Joyce M. Liddell, 69 years old, died June 25, 2006. She was formerly of Newfane and was currently residing in Boone, N.C.

Beloved mother of Kenna J. Liddell of Middletown, Ohio and Kim (Dave) Fiegl of Lockport, N.Y. Also survived by one grandson, Nicholas Condren of Lockport, N.Y.; three brothers, Howard (Judy) Myers of Wilson, N.Y., Judson Myers of Wilson, N.Y. and Fred (Leona) Myers of Wilson, N.Y.; dear friend, Sid Parish of Boone, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, July 15, 2006, at First Baptist Church in Newfane. The family will greet guests at 10:15 a.m. and the service will begin at 11 a.m.

(Editor’s Note: The previous obituary on Joyce M. Liddell contained some errors.)

Joe Alston London

Mr. Joe Alston London, 74, of 1307 N. Lafayette Street, Shelby, N.C., died July 4, 2006 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.

A native of Cleveland County, he was a retired truck driver and worked in the Esther Mill office. He was in the U.S. Army and served in Germany during the Korean Conflict. He was a member of Clover Hill United Methodist Church and was a member of the D.A.V.

Survivors include his former wife, Marilyn Logsdon of Shelby; a son, Joe London, Jr. and wife, Mitzi, of Boone; two daughters, Donna Tessener and husband, Marvin, and Penny London, all of Shelby; one brother, Jimmy London and wife, Brenda, of Lattimore; five sisters, Martha Newton of Petersburg, Va., Annie Ruth Bridges of Polkville, Nellie Crowder and husband, Warren, of Lattimore, Mary Farmer of Shelby, and Rosetta Walker and husband, Raymond, of Casar; six grandchildren, Shaun Stroup of Shelby, Nicholas London of Boone, Josh Tessener of Shelby, Kathryn London of Boone, Johnathon Byers of Shelby, and Grandon Luckado of Shelby; two great-grandchildren, Adam Lane Stroup and Cayden McKenzie Stroup, both of Shelby.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett A. London and Lillie Hoyle London.

Services were conducted Friday morning at 11 a.m. at Cleveland Funeral Services Chapel, with the Rev. Mark Chaney officiating. Burial followed in the Clover Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, N.C. 28152.

On-line condolences may be made at www.clevelandfuneralservice.com

Cleveland Funeral Service in Shelby, N.C. are in charge of the arrangements.

Gaye Pitts McDonald

Mrs. Gaye Pitts McDonald, “known as Mama Gaye”, 55, of 113 Trillium Lane, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Oct. 25, 1950, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Arl and Gladys Woodie Pitts.

Mrs. McDonald was co-owner of the Blowing Rock B.P. Station and a member of First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Survivors include her husband, Keith McDonald; two daughters, Kim McDonald and husband, Todd Hartley, and Wendy Estes and husband, Chris, all of Blowing Rock; four sisters, Darlene Ruppert and husband, Randy, and Paula Bolick and husband, Dennis, all of Blowing Rock; Vickie Moree and husband, Geoffrey, of Garden City, S.C. and Sharon Osborne and husband, Gene, of Boone; two brothers, Ronnie Pitts and wife, Birdie, of Boone and Kenny Pitts of Blowing Rock. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 4 o’clock at the First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock. The body will lie in state from 2-4 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Ronda Gailes and the Rev. Marshall Edwards. Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 2-4 p.m. at the church, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Blowing Rock Fire Department and Rescue Squad, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605 or to the American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28210.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Olga Roney

Mrs. Olga Roney, 85, of Englewood, Fla., and a seasonal resident of Zionville, died Monday morning, July 3, 2006 at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born in New York City, Dec. 19, 1920, the younger daughter of Ukrainian immigrant parents, William and Mary Zuk, and grew up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. She first came to the Schoharie Valley as a summer vacationer on a farm in West Fulton. During her visits she met James Lyman Roney. They married June 4, 1944.

Prior to leaving New York, she graduated from Washington Irving High School at the age of 16, and worked at Macy’s. During World War II, she worked in Schenectady, N.Y. at General Electric. While living in Ravena, New York, she was a homemaker and a part time legal secretary.  She was active in the Eastern Star, and community events. She enjoyed skating, swimming, cooking, singing and entertaining friends in her home.

In Walton, New York, she was a member of the Congregational Christian Church. She was a Past President of the Delaware Valley Hospital Auxiliary and worked in real estate sales.

In retirement, Olga lived in Crystal Lake, N.Y. and Englewood, Fla., and for the past three years in Englewood, Fla. and Zionville, N.C.

Surviving are her husband of 62 years, James Lyman Roney; two daughters, Sue Buel and husband, Ken, of Sugar Grove, and Lori Roney of Boca Raton, Fla.; and one grandson, Jason Buel of Boone. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, William and Mary Zuk; and one sister, Pauline Franck.

Memorial services will be conducted Thursday morning, July 20, at 11 o’clock at the Middleburgh Cemetery in Middleburgh, New York. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, Va. 23058-5216.

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

Ira Levi Watson

Mr. Ira Levi Watson, 91, of 1812 Wildcat Road, Deep Gap, died Tuesday evening, July 4, 2006, at his residence.

He was born Jan. 22, 1915 in Watauga County, a son of the late Joseph Allen and Sarah Walker Watson.

Mr. Watson was a retired timber cutter and sawmill operator, and a member of Mount Paran Baptist Church.

Survivors include five daughters, Barbara Jean Stewart and husband, Bill, of Deep Gap, Ruth Widener and husband, Clarence, of Lenoir, Janice Miller and husband, Stanley, of Deep Gap, Linda Sue Watson of the home, and Joyce Scarberry and husband, Larry, of Granite Falls; five sons, Ira Wayne Watson and wife, Nellie, and Claude Allen Watson and wife, Betty, all of Lenoir; David Len Watson of West Jefferson, Marty Robert Watson and wife, Christine, of Deep Gap, and Roy Dale Watson and wife, Faye, of Fleetwood; three sisters, Sylvia Eller and husband, Kermit, of Lenoir, Beulah Greene of Fleetwood, and Evalee Spears and husband, Plato, of Purlear. Twenty grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Fern Watson; two grandchildren, Henry Lee Miller and Buddy Auton, Jr.; one great-grandson; one great-granddaughter, Carrie Rae Woods; three sisters, Eula Hooper, Julie Watson, and Goldie Holman; and five brothers, Nolan, Clarence, Dallas, Norman, and Leslie Watson.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, July 8, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Mount Paran Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. David Testerman and the Rev. Andy Watson. Burial will follow in the Mount Paran Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6-9 p.m., at Mount Paran Baptist Church. At other times, friends may call at the home of a daughter, Barbara and Bill Stewart, 683 Wildcat Road, Deep Gap.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of Barbara Stewart, 683 Wildcat Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618 to help with expenses.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

July 3-5, 2006

Mrs. Delores Ann Canter

Mrs.Delores Ann Canter, 52, of Oak Grove Apartments, Boone, died Saturday, July 1, 2006, at her home.

Survivors include her husband, Jeff Canter; two daughters, Kelly Jo Brown of Lenoir, and Marisha Campbell Massengill and husband, John, of Zionville; two sons, Harold Dean Beach and wife, Shannon, and William Taft Brown and wife,  Beth, all of Boone; three sisters, Sarita Sue Beach, and Deborah Beach Jones, both of Danville, Va., and Beverly Grace Beach of Vermont. Five grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Stewart and Helen Perry Beach; one sister, Brenda Beach; and one brother, Harold Dean Beach.

Services were conducted Tuesday afternoon, July 4, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Rich Mountain Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Stephen Reese and the Rev. James Hagaman. Burial followed in the Skyland Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Canter Family, P.O. Box 2576, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Roger Goldston Hayes

Mr. Roger Goldston Hayes, 90, of Boone and the Davant Extended Care Facility, died Wednesday evening, June 28, 2006, at the Blowing Rock Hospital.

He was born May 29, 1916 in Watauga County, a son of Leonard and Carrie Moody Hayes. 

Mr. Hayes retired as an electrician from the Newport News Ship Building and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Va.  He was a member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. Mr. Hayes enjoyed sports and was an avid reader.

Survivors include one son, Roger Donald Hayes and wife, Verna, of Zuni, Va.; two daughters, Mary Sommer of Warrenton, Va. and Jeanette Watson of Akron, Ohio; five grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; four sisters, Carolyn Farthing and husband, Cecil, and Clara Baird, all of Boone; Nina Banner of Sugar Grove; and Josephine Herman of Adrian, Mich.; and four brothers, Dwight Hayes and wife, Dixie Mae, and Tom Hayes and wife, Grace, all of Vilas; and Dale Hayes and wife, Betty, and Raymond Hayes and wife Lois, all of Boone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by is wife, Juanita Culler Hayes; one brother, Eugene Hayes; and a grandson, Michael Sommer.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 3:30 at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, officiated by the  Rev. Wynn Greer.  Burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, in care of Millard Trivette, 110 Anderson Avenue, Vilas, N.C. 28692.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Hayes family.

Randy Lee Hicks

Randy Lee Hicks, age 52, of Mulatto Road, Fleetwood, died Friday, June 30, 2006 at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson.  Born May 24, 1954 in Watauga County, he was a son of James Delbert 'Dean' and Ortha Estep Hicks.  Mr. Hicks was a member of the Zion Hill Baptist Church.  Before becoming disabled, he was a carpenter and painter.

Mr. Hicks is survived by; his wife, Judy Cole Hicks; five daughters, Stephanie Price of Tennessee, Jessie Hicks of the home, Beverly Elliott and husband Jimmy of Fleetwood, Jackie Jones and husband Greg of Warrensville and Heather Billings of Lansing; three sons, Jason and Chris Hicks, both of Colorado Springs, Colorado  and Allen Billings and wife April of Lansing; two brothers, Johnny Hicks and wife Judy of Vilas and Tim Hicks and wife Sherry of Banner elk; and two sisters, Shirley LaGow and Sandy Ward and husband Lonnie, all of Banner Elk.  Fourteen grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Bill Hicks, his nephew Joel Hicks and a brother-in-law, Ed LaGow.

Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Jerry Harris and Rev. Vernon Eller.  Burial will follow in the Harmon Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial donations may be made to the Hicks family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to help offset expenses.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Hicks family.

Brent Hodges

Mr. Brent Hodges, 51, of 238 Hickory Lane, Boone, died Saturday evening, July 1, 2006, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Survivors include his wife Judy Hodges; three sons, Michael Greene and wife, Candy, of Spring Hill, Fla., Andrew Hodges, and Thomas Clint Hodges, both of the home; and two sisters, Jean Reece, and Patricia Denney, both of Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Dewey and Ruby Wilcox Hodges; and one infant son.

Memorial services were conducted Tuesday morning, July 4, 2006, at 11:00 o'clock, at Oak Grove Baptist Church. Officiating was Dr. Earl Davis.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International, Boone Camp, PO Box 3602, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Burl B. Miller

Mr. Burl B. Miller, 77, of 245 Roby Eggers Road, Zionville, died Saturday morning, July 1, 2006, at his residence.

Mr. Miller is survived by his wife, Wilma Potter Miller; one son, Larry Miller and wife, Jane; two daughters, Janet Reece and husband, Lester, and Diane Harmon and husband, Jimmy, all of Zionville; one brother, Bobby Miller and wife, Emogene, of Zionville; three granddaughters, Beverly Harmon, Lesley Trivette and husband, Joseph, all of Zionville, and Emily Presnell and husband, Bobby, of Sugar Grove; three grandsons, Bronson Miller and wife, Erin, of Mountain City, Tenn., Matthew Harmon and wife, Tiffiany, and Derek Miller, all of Zionville; and four great-grandchildren, Kayla Harmon, Isabella Miller, Emily Miller, and Isaiah Watson.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother,William and Blanche Wilson Miller; two brothers, Howard and Jack Miller; and two sisters, infant Ruby Miller and Doris Baumgardner.

Services were conducted Monday morning, July 3, 2006, at 11:00 o'clock, at Zionville Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Carl Johnson. Emtombment followed in the Zionville Baptist Church Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the American Cancer Society, 2200 Lake Boulevard, Atlanta, Ga. 30319.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Thelma Winebarger

Miss Thelma Winebarger, 75, of Glenbridge Health Care Center, Boone, died Friday, June 30, 2006.

She was born Oct. 2, 1926 in Thornton, Ky., a daughter of the late Artur Clay and Lydia Moretz Winebarger.

Miss Winebarger was a retired secretary for the Guilford County School System.

Survivors include one sister, Beulah Moretz of Clemmons, and a number of nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Arthur Clay and Lydia Moretz Winebarger, and one sister, Arlene Brown.

Services were conducted Monday afternoon, July 3, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Gary Watson. Burial followed in the Norris-Tabernacle Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 958, Greensboro, N.C. 27402.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.