July 21, 2006

David Anthony Croce

Mr. David Anthony Croce, 51, of 538 Stadium Drive, Boone, died Sunday, July 16, 2006.

He was born Feb. 2, 1955 in Brockton, Massachusetts, a son of Joan Chandler Croce and the late Tony Croce.

Mr. Croce was a cook at the Appalachian State University Cafeteria.

Survivors include his wife, Donna Croce; his mother, Joan Chandler Croce of Tampa, Fla.; one son, Eric Croce of Boone; one step-son, Aurhur Clark and wife, Stephanie, of Crossnore; two step-daughters, Misty Dawn Coffey and husband, Jerry, of Banner Elk, and Diane Whittington Fay and husband, Robert, of Newland; one sister, Toni Heliman and husband, Michael, of Concord; and one brother, Mike Croce. Four grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

A memorial service was conducted Thursday afternoon, July 20, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Steve Turbyfill officiating.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

July 19, 2006

L.B. “Dick” Connor

Mr. L.B. “Dick” Connor, 87, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Rd., Boone, N.C., formerly of Shelby, N.C., died July 11, 2006.

Mr. Connor was a World War II veteran, and was retired from Williams Oil Company in Shelby, N.C. He was a member of Hellcats 12th Armored Division Alumni Association, Veterans of Foreign War, Deacon and Usher at First Baptist Church of Shelby; and current member of First Baptist Church of Boone.

Survivors include a son, Rick Connor of Shelby, N.C.;  two daughters, Suzie Connor Long and husband, Noyes Capehart, of Boone, N.C., and Beth Connor Baity and husband, Mike, of Kings Mountain; two sisters, Minnie Lynn and Corrine McCoy of Shelby, N.C.; grandchildren, Tony Anthony and wife, Kimberly, of Boone; Keely Sisco and husband, Phillip, of Banner Elk; Garrett Connor of Charlotte; Stuart Brock of Cleveland, Tenn., Daniel Brock of Kings Mountain, and eight step-grandchildren;  one great-grandchild, Connor Anthony, and seven step-great-grandchildren; and many loving nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Inez Putnam Connor; his parents, William Luther and Allie Ballenger Connor; and a sister, Winnie Bell Connor.

Services were conducted Friday afternoon, July 14, at 1 p.m. at Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Billy Cooper and the Rev. Wayne Brown officiating. Burial followed in Sunset Cemetery with Military Honors.

Memorials may be made to Towel Ministry, Church of the Holy Cross, P.O. Box 645, Valle Crucis, N.C. 28691.

Online condolences may be made at www.cecilmburtonfuneralhome.com

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home in Shelby, N.C., is serving the Connor family.

Gretchen I. Liddle

Mrs. Gretchen I. Liddle, 93, of Banner Elk, N.C., died July 14, 2006.

She was a resident of Vero Beach from 1969 to October of 2002. She was married Nov. 28, 1934 to William H. Liddle in Oil City, Pa. He preceded her in death June 24, 1975.

Also a son, James Liddle, preceded her death on February 10, 1978.

Mrs. Liddle was born April 6, 1913 in Oil City Pa. She lived in Sewickley, Pa. until 1969 when she moved to Vero Beach, Florida. In 2002 she relocated to Banner Elk, N.C., where her son and his wife Linda live.

Mrs. Liddle was a member of The Christ Methodist Church by the Sea in Vero Beach. She was a former member of the Wanango Country Club in Oil City, Pa., Shannopin Country Club, Pittsburgh Athletic Club, both in Pittsburgh,  Pa., The Sewickley Heights Golf Club in Sewickley, Pa., John's Island Club, Riomar Bay Yacht Club and the Vero Beach Yacht Club, all in Vero Beach, Fla.

Surviving is one son, David Liddle and his wife, Linda, of Banner Elk, N.C.; Jan Metcalf, daughter-in-law of Zelienople, Pa., five grandchildren, Kimberly Liddle of Atlanta, Ga., Kelly Liddle of Jensen Beach, Fla., Jeffrey Liddle of Estes Park, Colo., Ramie Liddle of Presque Isle, Michigan, Sandy Neville of Lexington Park, Maryland; and five great-grandchildren, Max and Ben Liddle, Leah Rachel and Caley Neville.

A funeral service was held Wednesday morning at 10 a.m., at Strunk Funeral Home, with the Rev. Dawn R. Lawton, Pastor, Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church, Vero Beach officiating. Mrs. Liddle was laid to rest next to her husband at the Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach, Fla.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Watauga  Humane Society, P.O. Box 1835, Boone, N.C.  28607, in memory of Mrs. Liddle.

Strunk Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

July 17, 2006

Joseph Edward Dockswell

Mr. Joseph Edward Dockswell, 17, of Boynton Beach, Fla., died Thursday, July 13, 2006, in Columbus, Ga.

He was born May 24, 1989 in West Palm Beach, Fla., son of Maurice Dockswell and Bethany A. Morgan.

Mr. Dockswell was a creative individual, artist and musician. He was a loyal friend to his close knit circle of friends and family. The music he created with his life will be a melody that is always a pleasant sound in our memories. We will always miss you, but we will always have a special place in our hearts for you.

Survivors include his parents, Maurice Dockswell of Boynton Beach, Fla. and Bethany A. Morgan of Sugar Grove, N.C.; a sister, Erin Morgan of Sugar Grove, N.C.; maternal grandparents, Billie and Bayne Morgan of Mountain City, Tenn.; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial service will be held Monday evening at 7 p.m., in the Trinity Center of Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church, 345 Military Trail, West Palm Beach, Fla., and a mass will be held at 8 p.m. in the church.

Please celebrate his life with us and sign the on-line guest registry at www.mem.com.

Striffler-Hamby Mortuary in Columbus, Ga., were in charge of the arrangements.

Ethel 'Cleo' Johnson Carroll

Mrs. Ethel "Cleo" Johnson Carroll, 85, of 514 Daniel Boone Drive Extension, Boone, died Saturday, July 15, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born June 12, 1921 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Thomas Harrison Johnson and Ida Melinda Ragan Johnson.

Mrs. Carroll was a homemaker and a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.

Mrs. Carroll is survived by two sons, Johnny Eston Carroll and wife, Jerel Dean Johnson Carroll, of Morganton, and Jerry Wayne Carroll and wife, Sybil Van Dyke Carroll, of Boone; two daughters, Joanne Carroll Lewis and husband, James Lewis, and Linda Carroll Leibow and husband, Saul Leibow, of Wilsonville, Oregon; four grandsons, James Michael Lewis and wife, Mary Jane Williams Lewis, of Fallston, North Carolina, David Wayne Lewis of Cherryville, Robert John Thomas of Boone, and Richard "Ricky" Dean Carroll and fiance', Bobbie Chapman, of Morganton; two granddaughters, Amy Jo Carroll and fiance, Rex Ferguson of Statesville, and Joan Carroll Ward and husband, Galen Ward, of Lewisville; one great-grandson, James "Jamie" Michael Lewis, Jr. and fiance, Julie Day; one great-granddaughter, Emily Marie Lewis; and one great-great-grandson, Jacob "Jake" Michael Lewis, all of Fallston, N.C. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Eston Carroll; one granddaughter, Susan Yvonne Carroll; one brother, Claude William Johnson; one sister-in-law, Mary Hayes Johnson; and one niece, Wanda Johnson Tarleton.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, July 18, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Kenny Newberry. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Watauga County Project on Aging, 1081 Old US Highway 421, Sugar Grove, North Carolina, 28698.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Bobbye Jean Kitchens Dunlap

Bobbye Jean Kitchens Dunlap died on July 2, 2006, at Asheville Mission Hospital in North Carolina after a long and protracted illness.

She was a member of Jackson Central High School’s class of 1962 and graduated from Hinds Community College in Jackson, Mississippi, and Appalachian State University before earning a Ph. D. in Marketing from Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La.

She was an inspired educator holding teaching positions at Appalachian State University and Western Carolina University where she was a tenured professor until her retirement in 2004.

A memorial service will be held for Dr. Dunlap on the Western Carolina University campus at a later date, probably in early September. For more information, contact Janie Prentice at 828-227-3316.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made for a scholarship in memory of Professor B. J. Dunlap to the Western Carolina Foundation Department, 401 HFR Building, Western Carolina University, Cullowee, N.C. 28732.

Pauline Eastridge

Mrs. Pauline Eastridge, 80, of Trade, Tenn., died Wednesday, July 12, 2006 at Johnson City Medical Center.

She was born on July 6, 1926 in Watauga County, N.C., to the late Don and Floy South Hockaday.

Mrs. Eastridge was a employee of IRC where she worked for 40 years. She loved gardening, being with her family and especially loved Jesus and was a member of Zionville Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Dean Eastridge and wife, Linda, of Mountain City and James Eastridge of Trade; four sisters, Lucille Powell of Hickory, N.C., Donnie Monger and husband, Clarence, of Nottingham, Pa., Sue Campbell and husband, Ken, and Faye Walker and husband, Dean, all of Mountain City; three grandchildren, Tammy Blevins and husband, Bobby, of Mountain City, Dawn Bellamy and Dana Church, both of Lenoir, N.C.; five great-grandchildren, Justin Blevins of Mountain City, Courtney, Morgan, Madison, and Kathy, all of Lenoir, N.C.; several nieces and nephews; and many friends.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Eastridge;  a brother, Edsel Denney; and her step-father, William Earl Denney.

Services were conducted Friday evening, July 14, at 8 p.m. at Mountain City Funeral Home with Pastor Frank Stanley officiating. The committal service and interment followed Saturday morning at 11 a.m. at Zionville Baptist Church Cemetery.

Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com.

Mountain City Funeral Home in Mountain City, Tenn., were in charge of the arrangements.

Jeannette Worley Harrison

Mrs. Jeannette Worley Harrison, 59, of 320 Brawley Road, Cleveland, N.C., died Thursday, July 13, 2006.

She was born March 5, 1947 in Ashe County, to the late S.I. an Leona Howell Worley.

Mrs. Harrison was a member of Gethsemane Baptist Church, Mooresville and was a framer with Custom Photography and Framing.

Survivors include her husband, Spencer Coolidge Harrison; one son, Don Alan Brown and wife, Tanya, of Catawba; one daughter, Donnette B. Harris and husband, Robbie, of Cleveland; three grandchildren, Jacob Harris, Tiffany Brown, and Austin Brown; three sisters, Catherine “Kitty” Richards of Phoenix, Ariz., Martha Norris of Boone, N.C.; and Betty Southern of Dublin, Va.; one brother, T.A. “Buster” Worley and wife, Goldia, of Pulaski, Va.; her mother-in-law, Blanche Harrison; and her ex-husband, Don Brown, both of Boone.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Doris Worley; and two brothers, Stanley and James Worley.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of Troutman Funeral Home, with the Rev. Fred Carlton officiating. Burial followed in Iredell Memorial Park.

Memorials may be made to Gethesemane Baptist Church, Shinnville Road, Mooresville, N.C.; or Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28677.

Troutman Funeral Home is serving the Harrison family.

Gretchen I. Liddle

Mrs. Gretchen I. Liddle, 93, of Banner Elk, N.C., died July 14, 2006.

She was a resident of Vero Beach from 1969 to October of 2002. She was married Nov. 28, 1934 to William H. Liddle in Oil City, Pa. He preceded her in death June 24, 1975 also a son James Liddle preceded her death on February 10, 1978.

Mrs. Liddle was born April 6, 1913 in Oil City Pa. She lived in Sewickley, Pa. until 1969 when she moved to Vero Beach, Florida. In 2002 she relocated to Banner Elk, N.C., where her son and his wife Linda live.

Mrs. Liddle was a member of The Christ Methodist Church by the Sea in Vero Beach. She was a former member of the Wanango Country Club in Oil City, Pa., Shannopin Country Club, Pittsburgh Athletic Club, both in Pittsburgh,  Pa., The Sewickley Heights Golf Club in Sewickley, Pa., John's Island Club, Riomar Bay Yacht Club and the Vero Beach Yacht Club, all in Vero Beach, Fla.

Surviving is one son, David Liddle and his wife, Linda, of Banner Elk, N.C.; Jan Metcalf, daughter-in-law of Zehnople, Pa., five grandchildren, Kimberly Liddle of Atlanta, Ga., Kelly Liddle of Jensen Beach, Fla., Jeffrey Liddle of Estes Park, Colo., Ramie Liddle of Presque Isle, Michigan, Sandy Neville of Lexington Park, Maryland; and five great-grandchildren, Max and Ben Liddle, Leah Rachel and Caley Neville.

A visitation will be from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2006 at the Strunk Funeral Home, Vero Beach, Fla. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m., Wednesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Dawn R. Lawton, Pastor, Christ by the Sea United Methodist Church, Vero Beach officiating. Mrs. Liddle will be laid to rest next to her husband at the Crestlawn Cemetery in Vero Beach, Fla.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Watsuga Humane Society, P.O. Box 1835, Boone, N.C.  28607, in memory of Mrs. Liddle.

Strunk Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Ethel McKinney Ollis

Mrs. Ethel McKinney Ollis died Saturday, July 15, 2006.

She was the daughter of the late Rev. Edward McKinney and Mildie Hopson McKinney. 

Mrs. Ollis was born March 19, 1919 at Shell Creek, Tennessee, but had lived most of her life in Avery County.  She was employed at Glen Raven Mills for a number of years but her main occupation and devotion in life was a homemaker to her loving family. She was married to the late Arnold Charles Ollis of Cranberry, where they had made their home.

Mrs. Ollis was of the Baptist Faith and a member of the Open Door Baptist Church of Elk Park.

She is survived by her children, Glenda Cornett, and her husband, Finley, of Crossnore; A.C. Ollis of the home; A.D. Ollis, and his wife, Lina, of Cranberry; grandchildren, Gerald Cornett of Spruce Pine, Chris Cornett of Crossnore, Todd Ollis of Boone, Amanda Jones of Elk Park, and Adam Ollis of Frank, N.C.  Mrs. Ollis had 13 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.  Surviving also are Mrs. Ollis' sisters, Mary Thomas of Florida, Blanche Rhodes of Tennessee, and Faye Floyd of Tennessee and Martha Cook of Cranberry.

Mrs. Ollis was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and three brothers, Ballard, Bill, and T.J. McKinney; also a daughter-in-law, Sandra Thomas Ollis; and a granddaughter, Toya Ollis Kinney.

Services will be conducted Monday evening at  8:00 p.m. from the Grandfather Chapel of the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with the Rev. Reed Callahan and the Rev. Buzz Beers officiating.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 until the service hour Monday evening at the funeral home.

Interment and graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning in the Belview Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be: Adam Ollis, Will Brabham, Gerald Cornett, Todd Ollis, Jamie Jones and Eugene McCloud.

Condolences may be sent at www.reinssturdivantfuneralhome.com

Memorials may be made to the Open Door Baptist Church Building Fund, Open Door Baptist Church, Elk Park, N.C.  28622.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Ollis family.