July 14, 2006

Margaret ‘Peggy’ Craig Dixson

Mrs. Margaret “Peggy” Craig Dixson, 85, of Longwood, Fla., and a seasonal resident of Blowing Rock, died Wednesday morning, July 12, 2006 at Blowing Rock Hospital. 

She was born March 23, 1921, in Chambersburg, Pa.,  a daughter of the late William and Ruth Small Craig. 

Mrs. Dixson was a member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock and the First Presbyterian Church in Maitland, Fla.  She was a graduate of Wooster College and the University of Texas. She worked as a ticket agent for Eastern Airlines. Mrs. Dixson was a member of Blowing Rock Country Club in Blowing Rock and Dubsdread Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. She was a very avid golfer and has shot under her age many times, most recently in May of 2006 when she recorded a 79.  She also enjoyed playing bridge at the Blowing Rock Country Club. 

Surviving are one step-daughter, Jane Sabo and husband, Ed, of Palm Coast, Fla.; two step-sons, Herman Dixson, Jr. and wife, Susie, of Longwood, Fla. and Tom Dixson and wife, Jill, of Blowing Rock; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three nieces and two nephews. 

She was preceded in death by her husband, Herman Dixson, Sr.; one daughter, Deborah Ann Dixson; her parents, William and Ruth Small Craig; and two sisters, Nancy Dunlap and Ann Weir. 

Services will be conducted Monday morning July 17, at 11 o’clock at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Charles Carter. Burial will be in Glen Haven Memorial Park in Winter Park, Fla., reunited with her beloved Debbie. Peace be with you.  The family will receive friends following the service at Mrs. Dixson’s residence. 

Memorials may be made to the Blowing Rock Hospital Extended Care Facility, Post Office Box 148, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.

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

Mary Jane Moretz

Mrs. Mary Jane Moretz, 69, of Mountain Vista Health Park, Denton, formerly of Linwood-Southmont Road, died Wednesday, July 12, 2006, at Lexington Memorial Hospital.

She was born August 17, 1936, in Watauga County, to the late Willet Moretz and Rebecca Main Moretz.

Mrs. Moretz was a former employee of Dixie Furniture and was a member of Stoner’s Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include her brothers, Howard Moretz, Earl Moretz and his wife, Marie, J.D. Moretz and his wife, Phyllis, and Paul Moretz and his wife, Vicky, all of Lexington; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Moretz.

Services were conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Piedmont Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Billy Pearson officiating. Interment followed in Forest Hill Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Stoner’s Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 183, Southmont, N.C. 27351.

Online condolences may be made to www.piedmontfuneralhome.com

Piedmont Funeral Home in Lexington, N.C., are in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Hodges Wallace

Mrs. Helen Hodges Wallace, 76, of Sumter, S.C., wife of Paul Brewer, died Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at the Tuomey Regional Medical Center.

She was born in Boone, N.C., a daughter of the late Ronda Hodges and the late Maude Brown Hodges.

Mrs. Wallace was a member of Alice Drive Baptist Church and the Ruth Sunday School class. She was a retired teacher’s aide with Sumter School District #17.

Survivors include her husband, Paul Brewer; a daughter, Lynn W. McNair of Greensboro, N.C.; a son, James M. Wallace of Aiken; a brother, B.J. Hodges and wife, Thelma, of Boone, N.C.; a grandson, Jesse Hyatt of Leesville, La.; nieces and nephews, Lora Goodwin and husband, John, of Thomasville, N.C., Tracie Hodges of Boone, N.C., Jason Hodges of Henderson, N.C., and Michael Hodges and wife, Ana, of Fayetteville, N.C.

She was preceded in death by a daughter, Tami Hyatt; and a brother, Fred Hodges.

Services were held Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Alice Drive Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Clay Smith officiating.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stonemark Lane, Columbia, S.C. 29210 or to Alice Drive Baptist Church Building Fund, 1305  Loring Mill Road, Sumter, S.C. 29150.

On-line condolences may be sent to www.sumterfunerals.com.

Elmore Hill McCreight Funeral Home and Crematory, 221 Broad Street, Sumter, S.C., is in charge of the arrangements.

July 12, 2006

Vance Eric Lowery

Mr. Vance Eric Lowery, 51, of Catawba, N.C., died Thursday, June 29, 2006, at Oregon Inlet, N.C.

Mr. Lowery was employed by Catawba Valley Medical Center as a nurse anesthetist and was a member of Elk River Fishing Club, Alton Hunting Club, Trout Unlimited, and Old Timers Caving Club.

Survivors include his wife, Luci Mae O. Lowery; sons, Daniel Craig O. Lowery and Jackson Walker Lowery, both of Hickory, N.C.; father, Ken Lowery of Alton, Va.; mother, Dorothy G. Moorefield of Halifax, Va.; grandmother, Carrie Gwyer of Halifax; two sisters, Amy Sweatt of Charles City, Va. and Patricia Puryear and husband, Kelly, of South Boston, Va.; two brothers, Monty Lowery and wife, Lisa, and Timothy Lowery, all of Alton; step-brothers, Mike and Tommy Moorefield of Halifax; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services were held at First Baptist Church with the Revs. Dennis Ball and Dr. Tim Cannon officiating. Interment followed in Oakhurst Cemetery, Clarksville, Va.

Online condolences may be sent to brooksfh@earthlink.net.

Arrangements are by Brooks Funeral Home, Inc., 115 Main Street, South Boston, Va.

July 10, 2006

Harold L. Deiters Sr.

Mr. Harold L. Deiters, Sr., 83, of 395 Jenwill Drive, Deep Gap, died Friday morning, July 7, 2006, at his home.

He was born July 1, 1923, in Hackensack, New York, a son of the late Frederick and Marion Pitt Deiters.

Mr. Deiters worked at Food Lion in Boone for 15 years.

Survivors include five sons, Harold Deiters, Jr. and wife Debbie of the home, Frederick Deiters and wife Linda of Suffolk County, Long Island, New York, Wayne Deiters and wife Diana of Central Islip, New York, Glenn Deiters of Boone, and Kevin Deiters of the home. Thirty two grandchildren, 42 great-grandchildren, and two nieces also survive.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Eunice Kinsey Deiters; his father and mother, Frederick and Marion Pitt Deiters; one great--grandson, Jordan Montgomery; and one step-grandson, Nathan Piazza.

The family received friends Saturday evening, July 8, from 6-8 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service.

Burial will take place in Oakwood Cemetery, in Bay Shore, New York.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Watauga County Special Olympics, 231 Complex Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

John S. Greene

Mr. John S. Greene, 71, of 1315 Rainbow Trail, Boone, died Sunday morning, July 9, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 14, 1935, in Watauga County, a son of the late Wallace and Ruby Day Greene.

Mr. Greene was of the Baptist faith and was owner of John Greene Trucking Company for 35 years.

Survivors include his wife, Patsy Watson Greene; two daughters, Janice Hodges and husband, Curtis, and Sarah Critcher and fiancee, Lance Critcher, all of Boone; three sons, Johnny Greene and wife, Peggy, of Boone; David Greene and wife, Joy, of Elk Park, and Michael Greene and wife, Jamie, of Deep Gap; three granddaughters, Malinda Richardson and husband, Willie, of Warrensville; Brandi Greene of Elk Park; Madison Greene of Deep Gap; seven grandsons, Wayne Greene, Kyle Greene, Shane Greene, C.J. Hodges and Dwaine Hodges, all of Boone; Lane Greene and Logan Greene, of Deep Gap; one great-grandson, Luke Richardson of Warrensville; one sister, Velma G. Trivette of Mentor, Ohio; three brothers, James Greene and  wife, Pat, of Cleveland, Ohio; Jerry Greene and special friend, Marge Shelton of Cleveland, Ohio; and J.W. Greene and wife, Cora, of Hickory; two sisters-in-law, Maxine Greene of Lenoir and Kathy Greene Blevins of Lansing; and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two infant children, one son, Jerry Lynn Greene, one daughter, Patice Carlene Greene; his father and mother, Wallace and Ruby Day Greene; three brothers, Ray, Ernest and Billy Greene; two sisters, Emma Jean Greene and Virginia Greene Holtzclaw; one brother-in-law, Paul Holtzclaw; and one sister-in-law, Carolyn Greene.

Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Stony Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Vernon Eller, the Rev. Gordon Rawls and the Rev. Gordon Noble. Burial will follow in the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6-9 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-1942.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

James Wesley Elliott

Mr. James Wesley Elliott, 79, a Charlotte native, long-time resident of Cornelius, and more recently of Boone, was born on August 26, 1926, went on to be with the Lord, on July 5, 2006, in Duke University Hospital, Durham, N.C.

Mr. Elliott graduated from Harding High School in 1944 and from Presbyterian Junior College in Maxton, N.C. He served in the Merchant Marines in World War II and then returned to Charlotte where he worked for Southern Bearings and retired after 26 years with Dragon Chemical Corporation based in Roanoke, Va.

He loved sports, gardening, and singing Handel’s Messiah with the Charlotte Music Club, an event he participated in most years since 1948, and spending time with his family.

Mr. Elliott was active in his church, Faith Presbyterian Church, PCA, in Charlotte, N.C., and Lakeshore Presbyterian Church, PCA, in Denver, N.C., serving as an elder for many years and has been a member of the Board of Directors of Hebron Colony Ministries, Inc., a residential Christian ministry for alcoholics and drug addicts in Boone, N.C., since 1951. Since his retirement, Mr. Elliott spent his time volunteering at Hebron as the Director of Foundation and Grant Giving and served intermittently as the President of the Hebron Board of Directors.

Survivors include his loving wife of 33 years, Ruth Den Herder Elliott; daughters, Lynn Elliott of Loganville, Ga., Susan Underwood and husband, Frank, of Waveland, MS; Jane Perez and husband, John, of Greensboro, N.C., Laura Newell and husband, Rob, of Charlotte, N.C.; his grandchildren, Hank Dunn, Lauren Dunn, Ashley Underwood, Megan Underwood, James Elliott Perez, Joshua Perez, Jonathan Perez, Jordan Perez; and a host of other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Edgar M. Elliott, and Annie Parks Elliott; his first wife, Imogene Potts Elliott; and his sister, Sarah Ann Elliott Jones.

Services were conducted Saturday, July 8, at 11 a.m., at McEwen Funeral Home in Charlotte, N.C., followed by a graveside service at Forest Lawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be held July 15, 2006, at 2 p.m., in the Hebron Colony Chapel, 356 Old Turnpike Road, Boone, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to Hebron Colony Ministries, Inc., 356 Old Turnpike Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

McEwen Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Margaret H. Gentry

Mrs. Margaret Sue Howell Gentry, 76, of Newton, N.C., died Saturday, July 8, 2006, at Frye Regional Medical Center.

She was born March 12, 1930 in Hudson, N.C., the daughter of the late Millard Howell Sr and Bonnie Magnolia Fox Howell.

She is survived by her sons, Billy B. Gentry of Yorktown, Va., and Jerry L. Gentry of the home; three daughters, Patsy Crump of Grover , Shirley Jones of Ashland , Va., and Joyce Hall of Catawba ; two brothers, John Howell of Ashland, Va. and Glenn Howell of Ruther Glenn, Va.; a sister, Ruth Howell of Ruther Glenn, Va.; nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

 In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her  husband, Barstow G. Gentry; a brother, Millard Howell, Jr.; and two sisters, Virginia Grogan and Blanche Miller.

Services will be conducted Tuesday morning, July 11, at 11 a.m. in the chapel at Catawba Funerals & Cremations with the Rev. Kay Barstow Gentry and Bill Redmond officiating. Burial will follow in Catawba Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Tuesday morning from 10-11 a.m., prior to the service at Catawba Funerals & Cremations.

Catawba Funerals & Cremations in Hickory, are in charge of the arrangements.

Frances B. Glenn

Mrs. Frances B. Glenn, 88, of 919 Medical Park Drive, Mountain City, Tenn., passed away on Thursday, July 6, 2006, at the Watauga Medical Center.

A native of Lansing, N.C., she was born Jan. 30, 1918, to the late J. Oscar and Lockie Elliott Blevins.

Ms. Glenn was a retired teacher and a member of the First Baptist Church of Mountain City.

Surviving are three sons, Johnny Glenn and wife, Frances, of Tuscaloosa, Ala., Jerry Glenn and wife, Mary, of Littleton, Colo., and Barry Glenn and wife, Terry Godbey, of Maitland, Fla.; one sister, Estella Goss, of Lansing, N.C.; two sisters-in-law, Ruby Greene, of Winter Beach, Fla., and Juanita Shomaker and husband, Lee, of Banner Elk, N.C.; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Private funeral services will be held on Monday.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeast Tennessee Chapter, 207 North Boone Street, Suite 1500, Johnson City, Tenn. 37604.

Online condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.hux-lipford.com.

Arrangements for the Glenn family are in the care of the Hux-Lipford Funeral Home.

Jean Wilcox Hodges

Mrs. Jean Wilcox Hodges, 91, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Wednesday night, July 5, 2006 at Glenbridge Health & Rehab.  

She was born in Ashe County, a daughter of the late General Grant and Cornelia Alice McGuire Wilcox. 

Mrs. Hodges was a long time member of the First Baptist Church in Boone, and was retired from Carolina Business Machines.

Surviving are one son, Gary O. Hodges and wife, Elogene, of Newport News, Va.; two granddaughters; Wendy and Leigh Ann Hodges, both of Newport News, Va.; one step-son, Michael Hodges and wife, Koky “Coke e” of Bremobluff, Va.; and a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Bina Day, Hazel Cook, Ada Krider, and Maude Wilcox; and five brothers, Otho, Lloyd, Dempsey Lee, Herman and Charles Wilcox.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the First Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Wayne Brown. Burial followed in the Boone City Cemetery. 

Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 375 West King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.

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

Jimmie Lee Mauldin

Mr. Jimmie Lee Mauldin, 64, of New London, N.C., died Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at NorthEast Medical Center.

He was born Dec. 21, 1941, in Stanly County, N.C.

Mr. Mauldin was a veteran with the Army Reserves. He was employed with Jim Mauldin Hauling – Trucking/Hauling.  He attended Paul’s Crossing Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Nora Louise Hudson Mauldin; two daughters, Sonya Mauldin Blakeley of Boone, N.C. and Misty Mauldin Shepherd of Albemarle, N.C.; one son, Todd Mauldin of Georgia; three step-daughters, Joey Poplin and husband, Mickey, of New London, N.C., Wendy Eudy and husband, Alan, of New London, N.C., and Christy Helms and husband, Brian, of New London, N.C.; nine grandchildren, Shana Helms, Sydnee Helms, Chase Eudy, Cassie Eudy, Bobbie Poplin, Tyler Poplin, Garrett Blakeley, Dusty Shepherd, and Mandy Shepherd; two sisters, Brookshire Burris of Richfield, N.C. and Patricia Honeycutt of Albemarle, N.C.; and two brothers, Darrell Mauldin of Shallotte, N.C. and Roger Mauldin of Swansboro, N.C.

He was preceded in death by his father, Liston Mauldin; his mother, Bernice Russell Mauldin; and a brother, Gerald Mauldin.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, July 8, at 2 p.m., at  Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Mark Little and the Rev. Eddie Hudson officiating. Burial followed in Faith Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in New London, N.C. Graveside military honors were conducted by Stanly County DAV, Chapter 12.

Hartsell Funeral Home in Albemarle, N.C., were in charge of the arrangements.

Delcie Welch Moretz

Mrs. Delcie Welch Moretz, 91, of 431 Park Road, Banner Elk, died Sunday morning, July 9, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Nov. 28, 1914, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Charles Edward and Margaret Rosanna Baird Welch.

Mrs. Moretz, and her husband, Claud W. Moretz,  was owner of the Watauga Motel in Boone and were co-owners of Foscoe Village Campground in Foscoe. She was a member of South Miami Lutheran Church in Miami, Fla.

Survivors include one son, John Wagner Moretz and wife, Kim, of Miami, Fla.; one brother, Arthur Welch of Vilas; and one sister-in-law, Ruth Smith Welch of Valle Crucis.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Claud W. Moretz; an infant daughter; two sisters, Elsie Townsend and Della Handy; four brothers, Clifford, Lester, Bynum and Fred Welch; and her father and mother, Charles Edward and Margaret Rosanna Baird Welch.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Larry Campbell. Burial will follow in Gap Creek Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7-8:30 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Gap Creek Cemetery Fund, in care of William G. Moretz, P.O. Box 575, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jack Potter Jr.

Mr. Jack Potter, Jr., 73, of 360 Nottingham Road, Elkton, Md., died Wednesday, July 5, 2006,

He was born June 19, 1933 in Tamarack, a son of the late Enoch and Caroline Potter.

Mr. Potter retired from Schult Mobile Home Corp., in Elkton, Md.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia H. Potter; two sons, John Jackson “Jack” Potter, III and wife, Holly, of Port Deposit, Md., and Richard Evans Potter of Elkton, Md. Three grandchildren also survive.

Services will be conducted Monday morning, July 10, at 11 a.m. at Hicks Home for Funerals in Elkton, Md. Burial will be Wednesday, July 12, at 11 a.m., in the Potter Family Cemetery in Tamarack, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John J.L. Potter Memorial Fund, in care of Hicks Home for Funerals, 103 West Stockton Street, Elkton, Md. 21921.

Hampton Funeral Service and Hicks Home for Funerals in Elkton, Md. are in charge of the arrangements.

Bertha B. Tester

Mrs. Bertha B. Tester, 88, of 699 Doe Branch Road, Zionville, died Saturday, July 8, 2006, at her residence.

She was born Feb. 10, 1918 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Frank and Rosie Thomas Bumgardner.

Mrs. Tester was a devoted wife and mother, and a member of Zionville Baptist Church. She also worked for Appalachian State University, in the housekeeping department, for 14 years.

Survivors include one daughter, Miss Mary Helen Tester of Zionville; three sisters, Geneva Wilson and husband, Butler, of Bristol, Tenn., Wilma Richardson and husband, Donald, of San Antonio, Texas, and Ruth Cornett of Zionville; one brother, Earl Bumgardner and wife, Earlene, of Trade, Tenn.; two bothers-in-law, Tom Profitt, and Raymond Warren, both of Mountain City, Tenn.; and two sisters-in-law, Nell Campbell of West Jefferson, and Vurble Winebarger of Mountain City, Tenn. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Curtis Tester; her father and mother, Frank and Rosie Thomas Bumgardner; five sisters, Pearl McCullough, Ella Carrier, Georgia Warren, Margie Wilson, and Madge Price; and one brother, Edd Bumgardner.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, July 11, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Zionville Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Rev. Carl Johnson. Burial will follow in the Old Pleasant Grove Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 7:00 until 8:30, at the funeral home. At other times, friends may call at the Tester residence.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.