October 20 , 2006

Sandra ‘Sandy’ Amos

Sandra “Sandy” Amos, 72, of 314 Old Turnpike Road, Banner Elk, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2006, at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.

She was born Dec. 21, 1933, in Pulaski, Va., a daughter of the late O’Neal and Lucille Umberger Amos.

Miss Amos was a Medical Technician and a member of Liberty United Methodist Church.

Survivors include a special friend, Doris Bliss of Banner Elk; and a god son, Jason Isaacs of Denver, Colo.

A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Avery County, 351 West Mitchell Street, Newland, N.C. 28657.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Richard Dwayne Cook

Mr. Richard Dwayne Cook went to be with his Lord and Savior on Sept. 9, 2006.

He was born August 14, 1984.

Mr. Cook was an avid sports fan and particularly fond of the UNC Tarheels.

Survivors include his parents, John D. Cook of Mebane, N.C. and Ester C. Cook of Seguin, Texas; a brother, Christopher Cook of Seguin, Texas; his maternal grandparents, Epimenio and Eva Chavez of Seguin, Texas; his paternal grandparents, Houston and Louise Cook of Mebane, N.C. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins in both North Carolina and Texas.

His paternal great-grandparents were the late George and Ruth Cook and the late Conley and Jennie Norris, of Watauga County, N.C.

Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Seguin, Texas.

Robert H. ‘Bob’ Dunteman

Mr. Robert H. ‘”Bob” Dunteman, 80, of Friendship Church Road, Boone, the Aho community, died Sunday morning, Oct. 15, 2006, at his home.

He was born March 17, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio, a son of Herman Henry and Elsa Bruestle Dunteman. 

Mr. Dunteman was a member of Laurel Fork Baptist Church.  He retired as Vice President of Marketing from Moore Precision Tools in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Deier  Dunteman; and two brothers, Paul Henry Dunteman and his wife, Virginia, of Phoenix, Arizona and Howard John Dunteman of Cincinnati, Ohio. Five nephews and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Laurel Fork Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Daniel Featherstone and the Rev. Dean Coffey. The family will receive friends Friday afternoon from 1 until 2 o’clock, one hour prior to services, at the church. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. 

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Dunteman family.

Rev. Dr. William Bean Kennedy

The Rev. Dr. William Bean Kennedy, born Oct. 18, 1926 in Spartanburg, died at home in Black Mountain, N.C. on Oct. 12, 2006. 

He served in the U.S. Navy, 1945-1946. He earned a BA at Wofford College 1947, MA at Duke University 1948, BD at Union Theological Seminary/PSCE in Richmond 1954, and was awarded the Walter W. Moore graduate study fellowship. He was ordained to the ministry of the Presbyterian Church (PCUS) in 1954, earned a PhD at Yale University 1957 and received honorary degrees from Wofford College in 1970 and from the Jewish Theological Seminary in 1995.

Dr. Kennedy was professor of Christian Education at Union Theological Seminary/PSCE in Richmond 1957-65.  He served as Secretary of Education of the Presbyterian Church (PCUS) 1965-1969. He was the first director of the Office of Education of the World Council of Churches in Geneva, Switzerland from 1969-75.  He was director of the Atlanta Association of International Education 1976-79 then professor at Union Theological Seminary-NYC 1979-94. After retiring, he served as alderman and then mayor of Black Mountain 1997-2006.

He was a leader in the ecumenical movement, in theological education, in the church and in politics. His international experience gave him perspective on national and local issues. As mayor, he tried to listen to all voices and encourage dialogue. As a teacher, Dr. Kennedy engaged his students in thinking for themselves and being open to new ideas. He was a wise counselor to family, students, and friends. His keen intellect, sense of humor, and gentle disposition were assets as he engaged in education and politics for a better society. He was a lifelong Democrat with a passion for making the world a better place. 

Survivors include his wife, Frances Harris Kennedy; children, Katharine Kennedy-Shaffer of Mechanicsburg, Pa., Billy Kennedy and wife, Rebecca Saunders, of Boone, Jane Kennedy of Ames, Iowa, and Emily Wilkins of Durham; and 10 grandchildren including Jessica and Willis Kennedy of Boone and Amber Kennedy of Santa Monica, Ca. He is also survived by his brother, J. Whitner Kennedy; and two nephews, Joe Crosswell and wife, Martha, of Boone, and Mac Crosswell and wife, Madeline Jones, of Boone and Asheville. 

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, in the Black Mountain Presbyterian Church.

Memorial donations may be sent to Black Mountain Center for the Arts, 225 W. State St., Black Mountain, N.C. 28711 or Union Theological Seminary-NYC, 3041 Broadway, New York, N.Y. 10027-5792. Contact: rocksprings@skybest.com.

Sanford William Miller

Mr. Sanford William Miller, 84, of Albemarle, N.C., died Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006, at Stanly Regional Medical Center.

He was born Oct. 11, 1922 in Watauga County.

Mr. Miller was a Navy veteran, and served in World War II. He was employed with B.F. Goodrich for 38 years in Akron, Ohio, as a Lab Technician. He was Vice President of United Rubber Workers in Akron, Ohio for ten years.

Survivors include his wife, Callie Eunice Palmer Miller; two sons, Jerry Miller of Stanfield, N.C. and Sanford William Miller, Jr. of Akron, Ohio; a sister, Martha Taylor of Akron, Ohio; grandchildren, Mike Miller, Marie Starnes, Phillip Crisco and Chrystal Gathins, Jordan Miller, Kellie Schott, Katie Miller and Kenneth Thompson; and eight great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Maggie Miller.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel, with the Rev. Reese English officiating. Burial will follow in Stanly Gardens of Memory in Albemarle, N.C. The family will receive friends from 12:30-2 p.m. at Hartsell Funeral Home, prior to the service.

The family meeting place will be the home at 2212 Fairfield Court, Albemarle, N.C.

Memorials may be made to the organization of the donor’s choice.

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

October 18 , 2006

Jerry Powell Miller

Mr. Jerry Powell Miller, 71, of Connelly Springs Road, Lenoir, died Monday, Oct. 16, 2006, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

He was born August 28, 1935 in Caldwell County to the late Earl Patton and Edna Powell Miller.

Mr. Miller graduated from Lenoir High School in 1953. He was a 1957 graduate of North Carolina State University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering with an Aeronautical Option. He was a member of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Mr. Miller was a United States Air Force veteran. During his service, he served in Saudi Arabia, Thailand and various locations in the United States. After leaving the Air Force, he returned to Lenoir to raise his family. He worked in the material handling industry for Buss Automation, Irvington Moore and Automated Lumber Handling. In retirement, he enjoyed his grandchildren, reading and watching T.V.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Judy O’Laughlin Miller; one son, Shawn Miller and wife, Blaire, of Hickory; three daughters, Mrs. Margaret Pierce and husband, Will, of Vilas, Mrs. Maureen Woodard and husband, Jake, of Morganton, and Mrs. Maria Schulte and husband, Jason, of Jacksonville, Fla.; three brothers, Eric Miller and Brent Miller, both of Lenoir, and Robert “Bob” Miller of Drexel; nine grandchildren, Katie Woodard, Christine Pierce, Chelsea Miller, Evalyn Pierce, Ruby Dawn Woodard, Danielle Pierce, Faith Miller, John Miller and Elijah Miller; and numerous aunts and uncles.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Charles J. Miller.

A memorial service will be held Friday, Oct. 20, at 3:30 p.m. at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel in Black Mountain.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greenwood Inn, Respite Care Center, 932 Old US 70 Hwy., Black Mountain, N.C. 28711 or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Shelton Lee Reece

Mr. Shelton Lee Reece, 56, of Seminole, Fla., died Sunday, Oct. 8, 2006, at his home, under the care of the Hospice of the Florida Sea Coast.

He was born in Elizabethton, Tenn., a son of Lucille Greene Reece of Elizabethton, Tenn., and the late Glenn Reece.

Mr. Reece moved from Johnson City, Tenn. to Seminole, Fla., in 1990. He was employed by Saint Petersburg College and was of the Baptist Faith. He served our country in the United States Army during the Viet Nam conflict. He was a member of the American Legion, a 33rd degree Mason, a member of Watauga Lodge #622 F&AM, and the Scottish Rite, Valley of Jonesborough.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Phyllis J. Reece of Seminole, Fla.; one daughter, Sharon Tipton and husband, Keith, of Jonesborough, Tenn.; one son, Donald Emmert and wife, Marie, of Springs, Tenn.; one sister, Earline Lowe and husband, Fred, of Orlando, Fla.; two brothers, Robert Reece and Lynn Reece and wife, Margaret, all of Elizabethton, Tenn.; four grandchildren, Terrence Emmert, Tasha Emmert, Heather Range, and Crystal Range; four uncles, Jack Greene and Richard Greene, both of Elizabethton, Tenn., Ron Greene of New Bern, and J.C. Greene of Vilas; four aunts, Jean Hayes and husband, Howell, of Boone, Lillian McCrary and husband, Rufus, of Sugar Grove, Kate Hagaman of Hickory, and Beatrice Reece of Trade, Tenn. Five nephews, three nieces, a number of cousins, and many friends also survive.

He was preceded in death by his father, Glenn Reece; one infant brother, Keith Reece; six uncles, Ralph Reece, Dee Reece, Fred Reece, Dwight Greene, Glenn Greene, and Tommy Greene; one aunt, Geneva Eller; his paternal grandparents, Charlie and Molly Shoun Reece; and his maternal grandparents, Rev. Dave Greene and Mary Isaacs Greene.

After a funeral service in Florida, funeral services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Oct. 15, 2006, at Tetrick Funeral Home in Johnson City. Officiating were Rev. Dale Cunningham, Mr. Steve Trinkel, and the Rev. Joseph Hensley. Masonic graveside rites and burial were conducted in Washington County Memory Garden, by Watauga Lodge #662 F&AM.

Tetrick Funeral Home in Johnson City were in charge of the arrangements.

October 16 , 2006

Dr. William Reed Bradley

Mr. William Reed Bradley, age 87, of Charlotte and a seasonal resident of Blowing Rock, died Friday afternoon, October 13, 2006 at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born in Philadelphia, Pa., a son of the late William Arthur and Elizabeth Reed Bradley. 

Mr. Bradley was employed by Catalytic Engineering for 31 years. During that time he worked at the Nevada Test site and later at Cape Kennedy with the Apollo Space program.

Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Kirkland Bradley; one daughter, Joyce Bradley Gorman and husband, Jim, of Charlotte; one brother, Richard Bradley and wife, Florence, of Philadelphia, Pa.; one sister, Betty Boardman and husband, Jack, of Barefoot Bay, Fla.; and two step-children.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred S. Bradley.

At Mr. Bradley’s request, services will be private.

His family expresses sincere thanks to Dr. Robert Snyder, Dr. Joseph Helak, and the entire staff at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.

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

Joyce Johnson Fletcher

Mrs. Joyce Johnson Fletcher, 46, of 115 Snow Ridge Road, Banner Elk,died Friday, Oct. 13, 2006, at her home. She was a native of Canton Ohio.

She was born Nov. 1, 1959 in Canton, Ohio. She was a finance advisor, a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church where she was also a member of the Berean Sunday School Class and the Facilitor Divorce Care Ministry.

Survivors include her husband, Eddie Fletcher; a daughter, Monica Goins of Banner Elk, N.C.; a son, Chad Goins and wife, Gabriella, of Aiken, S.C.; her parents, Ray and Margaret Johnson of Newland, N.C.; a sister, Delores Phillips and husband, Bob, of Winston-Salem, N.C.; a brother, Johnny Johnson and wife, Jackie, of Newland, N.C.; a niece, Holly Taylor and husband, Stephen, of Wilmington, N.C.; and a nephew, Andy Johnson and wife, Allison, of Boone.

Services will be held 11:00 a.m. Monday at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The body will lie in state from 10:00 until 11:00. Officiating will be the Rev. Allan Blume, the Rev. Bud Russell and Dr. Dan Meyer. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Divorce Care Ministry, c/o Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Luner Church Ford

Mrs. Luner Church Ford, 93, of Boone, died Friday, Oct. 13, 2006, at Glenbridge Health Care.

She was born October 17, 1912 in Watauga County. She was a homemaker and the wife of the late Lawrence Otto Ford.

Survivors include two sons, Pete Ford and wife, Faye, of Boone, Chester Ford and wife, Doris, of Boone; one sister, Mrs. Vergie Terry and husband, Olen, of Hickory, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grand children; five great-great-grandchildren; and also a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Garfield and Elizabeth Storie Church, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Theodore and Bunger Church; three sisters, Grace Weaver, Dovie Trivette and Nora Church; two great-great-grandchildren, Misty Trivette and Rebecca Triplett.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Delmar James and the Rev. Dean Coffey. Burial will follow in Lawrence Ford Cemetery.

Hampton Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Raymond Eugene Gross

Mr. Raymond Eugene Gross, age 83, of U.S. Highway 421 South, Deep Gap, died Thursday evening, October 12, 2006 at his home.

He was born August 2, 1923 in York, Pa., a son of  Raymond and Lillian Zartman Gross. 

Mr. Gross was a retired statistician from the Department of Defense in Newark, New Jersey.  He was a veteran of the U. S. Army, served during WWII and was a member of the American Legion Post in Pompton Plains, New Jersey.

Survivors include his wife, Gail J. Gross; three daughters, Carol Gross of Talketna, Alaska, Rosemary Lightner of Fullerton, California and Cheryl Plaza of Fleetwood; four grandchildren, Danielle, Evan, Amanda and Benjamin; five step-grandchildren, Billy, Susan, Zack, Nick and Luke; and one step-great grandson, Danny.

Graveside services and burial for Raymond Eugene Gross will be conducted at a later date at Restland Memorial Park in East Hanover, New Jersey.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial donations to High Country Health Care Hospice, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

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

Faye C. Sadler

Mrs. Edith Faye Caddell Sadler, 74, died Thursday, Oct. 5, 2006, at her home at The Heritage Farm, near Whispering Pines.

A native of Moore County, Mrs. Sadler was born Aug. 23, 1932. She was the daughter of the late Kenneth and Verdie Ritter Caddell. She grew up in Southern Pines, attending Notre Dame Academy and graduating from Southern Pines High School in 1950. She attended Elon College while also helping her mother with the operation of the school riding program.

Mrs. Sadler directed her own riding stable and summer camp at The Heritage Farm for many years before opening The Heritage Farm Campground with her husband in the late 1970s.

She was an accomplished horsewoman, author, illustrator and mother of seven. She especially enjoyed fox-hunting her horse "Who's the Boss" with her children and grandchildren.

A private service and burial was held in the Sadler Family Cemetery at The Heritage Farm.

Mrs. Sadler is survived by her daughter and caregiver, Amy S. Seitz of the home; her daughter, Abigail S. Sheets and her husband, Steve, of Linville; her sons, Lee H. Sadler of Whispering Pines, Jefferson C. Sadler and his wife, Denise, of The Heritage Farm, Jackson K. Sadler of The Heritage Farm and Lincoln C. Sadler of Hoffman; her 10 grandchildren, Zachary T. Riley and his wife, Jennifer, of Southern Pines, Molly C. Hopton and her husband, Jason, of Marathon, Fla., Tyson S. Seitz and Hampton B. Sheets, both of Boone, Chandler S. Sheets of Linville, Anna L. Sadler and Adam H. Sadler, both of Whispering Pines, and Justice W. Sadler, Jacquelyn K. Sadler and Houston S. Sadler, all of The Heritage Farm; her sister, Patricia C. Van Camp and her husband, Steve, of Southern Pines; and many nieces and nephewa.

She was preceded in death by her infant daughter, Roxanna L. Sadler, in 1957; and her husband of 49 years, Harold R. Sadler, in 2001.

The Sadler family requests that memorials in honor of Faye Caddell Sadler be made to the Walthour-Moss Foundation, P.O. Box 978, Southern Pines, N.C. 28388.

Armond  Richard Wagner

Mr. Armond Rchard Wagner, widower of Lillian Smith Wagner, of Charleston, S.C., died Oct. 12, 2006.

He was born Nov. 23, 1919, in Deep Gap, N.C., the son of George B. Wagner and Nancy Cheek Wagner.

Mr. Wagner was a retired machinist, Shop #31 with the Charleston Naval Shipyard. He attended Pierpont Baptist Church and Stoney Fork Baptist Church in Deep Gap, N.C. he was an Army Veteran of the Battle of the Bulge, a Mason and an avid hunter.

Survivors include two sons, Armond Richard “Bud” Wagner, Jr. of Charleston, S.C. and Marvin David Wagner and his wife, Ellen, of Charleston, S.C.; two sisters, Ovanell Corriher and husband, Paul, of Statesville, N.C., and Opal Foster of Wichita, Kansas; three brothers, Estes Wagner and wife, Thelma, of Elkin, N.C., Austin Wagner of Black Mountain, N.C. and “BB” Wagner and wife, Georgia, of Statesville, N.C.; two grandchildren, M. David Wagner, Jr. and Jefferey Richard Wagner; four great-grandchildren; a sister-in-law, Edna Mae Wagner; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Velma and Argil Wagner; and two brothers, Amon and Dayton Wagner.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral services in J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., West Ashley Chapel, Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 17, 2006 at 1 p.m. Interment will be in Live Oak Memorial Gardens.

Friends may call at Stuhr’s West Ashley Chapel Monday from 6-8 p.m.

J. Henry Stuhr Funeral Home in Charleston, S.C. are in charge of the arrangements.

Wallace Kenneth Wilcox

Mr. Wallace Kenneth Wilcox, 72, of College Street, Wilkesboro, N.C., died Thursday, Oct. 12, 2006, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

He was born in Watauga County, July 30, 1934, to George Franklin and Grace Octavia Greene Wilcox.

Mr. Wilcox was a member of Hillcrest Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Survivors include his wife, Reba Greer Wilcox; three daughters, Sandy Miller and husband, Fred, of Millers Creek; Kathy Combs and husband, Dwight, and Treeka Myers and husband, Tim, both of North Wilkesboro; one sister, Elsie Hodgson and husband, Bernard, of Meat Camp; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Richard Blevins and the Rev. Jerry Smith officiating. Burial followed in Scenic Memorial Gardens.

Memorials may be made to Respite Care, P.O. Box 2695, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659, Diabetes Foundation, c/o Mrs. Ruth Graham, 520 Winkler Mill Road, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697, or to the American Heart Association, P.O. Box 2361, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 27659.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro, N.C., was in charge of the arrangements.