November 10 , 2006

Laura Lee Fulton

Laura Lee Fulton passed away Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006.

She was born March 19, 1951 in New York City, N.Y. to Sally H Cochran of Charlottesville, Va. and Oliver H. Fulton of Gibson Island, Md.

She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Wells College in Aurora, N.Y.,   Phi Beta Kappa, majoring in English Literature with a minor in French, spending a year in the Sorbonne in Paris.

She spent her life dedicated to a spiritual path enjoying the last eight years on Heavenly Mountain near Boone, N.C. She was a lifelong teacher of the Transcendental Meditation Program.

She is survived by her mother, Sally H. Cochran; her father Oliver H. Fulton and his wife, Julie; siblings, Bill Fulton, Deborah Barr and husband, Ack, John Fulton and wife, Carol; step-sisters and brother, Jennifer Lewis and husband Dan, Laurie High and husband, Dave, Larry Jones and wife, Anne; plus 13 nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. at St. Christopher-by-the-Sea on Gibson Island, Md.

In lieu of flowers please donate to the Gerson Institute at Gerson.org.

Ella Isaacs Greer

Mrs. Ella Isaacs Greer, age 98, of 2777 Highway 421 North, Boone, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2006, at Glenbridge Health Care.

She was born March 9, 1908 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late William Smith and Myrtle Reece Isaacs.

Mrs. Greer was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Mildred Greene of Boone, and Barbara Overby of Hickory; one son, Bill Greer and wife, Betsey, of Jamestown; five grandchildren, Debbie Miller and husband, Tom, Bill Greene and wife, Chris, all of Boone; Linda Jones and husband, Tim, of Hickory; Jana Greer of High Point, and Jennifer Brewer and husband, Donald, of Jamestown; three great-grandchildren, Chad Greene of Boone, Dennette Isaacs of Hickory, and Kayla Brewer of Jamestown; and one sister, Madge Campbell of Zionville.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Jefferson Greer; three sisters, Mae Beach, Wilma Greer, and Madeline Watson; four brothers, Raymond, Arnie, Dennis, and Lloyd Isaacs; one granddaughter, Lisa Kerley Isaacs; and a son-in-law, William Lee Greene.

A private graveside service for Mrs. Ella Isaacs Greer will be conducted at a later date.

The family will be at the home of Mildred Greene, 334 George Wilson Road, Boone.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Renee Beach, 351 Burl Lawrence Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Ala Kilby Young McGuire

Mrs. Ala Kilby Young McGuire of Winston-Salem, and formerly of Boone, died Tuesday evening, November 7, 2006 at Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem.

One of 13 children, Mrs. McGuire was born May 3, 1904 in Grayson County, Virginia to Elder Troy Kilby and Cosby Spencer.

Widowed by the death of her first husband, Carver William Young, in 1924, Mrs. McGuire attended first a secretarial school and later a school of cosmetology in Charlotte, N.C. in order to support herself and her infant daughter, Tharon.

Mrs. McGuire came to Boone and opened a beauty shop on King Street which she operated for more than 50 years. In 1931 she married Roger Wright “Pat” McGuire who died in l966. They were the parents of Patsy, Roger, Phil and Ala Sue.

After more than 50 years as a businesswoman in Boone and a member of the N.C. State Board of Cosmetology during the tenure of Governor Dan Moore, Mrs. McGuire retired in 1984. In 1990 she moved to Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem.

For her entire life until and including her final day on earth, Mrs. McGuire embraced life and always looked for and found the best in people and events. Her life has been an inspiration and she has been a role model to her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Patricia Aldridge and husband, John, of Madison, Ga., Roger Kilby McGuire and wife, Carol, of Granite Falls, Phillip Carroll McGuire and wife, De’an, of Boone and Ala Sue Wyke of Wilkesboro. 

Fifteen grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren join in mourning the death of their beloved Memi.

Her oldest daughter, Tharon Young Sapp preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by two sons-in-law, the Rev. B. D. Sapp and D. Keith Wyke.

Services will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, 2006, at First Baptist Church of Boone. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service, at First Baptist Church, Boone, N.C.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial contributions may be made to the North Carolina Baptist Home for Children, PO Box 338 Thomasville, N.C.  27361; to Habitat for Humanity, PO Box 33 DTS, Boone, N.C.  28607 or to The Rainbow Center for Children & Families, 507 Courthouse Drive, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the McGuire Family.

Marcella Grimes Whittington

Mrs. Marcella Grimes Whittington, 65, of Church Street, Boone, died Tuesday morning, Nov. 7, 2006 at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was born May 17, 1941 in Watauga County, a daughter of James Clint and Annie Talbott Grimes. 

Mrs. Whittington was a member of the Mennonite Brethren Church and was a housekeeper.

She is survived by her daughter, Michile Whittington Bass and husband, Shawn; and two grandsons, Quinton and Zachary Bass, all of Greensboro.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Lee Whittington.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Mennonite Brethren Church, officiated by the Rev. Morris Hatton, the Rev. Eric Lipford and the Rev. Reggie Hunt. The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 1 until 2 o’clock, one hour prior to services, at the church.  Burial will follow at Clarissa Hill Cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Watauga County Unit of the American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 1903, Boone, N.C.

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

November 8 , 2006

Robert J. Broadbridge

Mr. Robert J. Broadbridge, 83, of Dearborn, Mich., died Nov. 5, 2006.

He was a proud World War II veteran, and served in the U.S. Army with the Ordnance Ballistics Team in Italy.

Survivors include his wife, Frances Broadbridge; children, James Broadbridge and wife, Marilyn; Susan Kervin and husband, Paul; Nancy Lopetrone and husband, Tony; Mary Ann; Jane Yount and husband, Mark; and Linda Boff and husband, Mark; grandchildren, Edward, Elizabeth, Erik, Emily, Lauren and Alyssa; and great-grandchild, Steven; and a brother, Richard Broadbridge.

Visitation will be held at McFarland Foss Funeral Home, 5401 Schaefer Rd., Dearborn, Mich., Wednesday, Nov. 8.

Funeral Mass will be held Thursday, Nov. 9, at Henry Ford Village Chapel, Dearborn, Michigan. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery in Southfield, Michigan.

McFarland Foss Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Lois Margaret Church

Mrs. Lois Margaret Church, 74, of Newland, died Monday, Nov. 6, 2006, in the Roan Highlands Nursing Center.

She was the daughter of the late Clay and Rosa Barlow Shirley.

Mrs. Church was a member of the First Baptist Church of Newland and worked for Shadowline in Boone.

Survivors include a brother, Mike Shirley and wife, Jeanne, of Newland; two sisters, Mary Helen Stamey of Newland and Clara Sparks and husband, Lee, of Spruce Pine. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Church; and twins Sherman and Sharon Church; a sister, Sylvia Ollis; and a brother, Bob Shirley.

Services will be conducted Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., Nov. 8, in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Harper and the Rev. John Stamey officiating. Interment will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Newland Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Condolences may be made by visiting www.rsfh.net or by fax at (828) 733-2401.

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

Anna Belle Miller Ray

Mrs. Anna Belle Miller Ray, 86, of Hickory, died Sunday, Nov. 5, 2006.  It was appropriate because she was at her church surrounded by those who loved her.

She was born May 27, 1920, the daughter of the late Joe & Clemmie Gentry Miller.

A loving wife and mother, she devoted her life to raising her daughter, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active in her church and a homemaker, she lived her life fully and with vigor.

Survivors include grandchildren, Dayle Bentley Helms and husband, M. Scott, Charles W. Bentley, Jr. and Leslie Eugene Bentley and wife, Lisa; son-in-law, Charles W. Bentley, Sr.; great-grandchildren, Amber, Brandon and Leslie Bentley; brothers, Baxter Miller, Worth Miller and Gene Miller; and sister, Verlee Penley.

In addition to her parents, her husband, Eugene D. Ray; daughter, Carolyn Ray Bentley; brothers, Glenn Miller, Howard Miller, Edna Miller, Ralph Miller and Hubert Miller, preceded her in death.

The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006 at 3 p.m. at Mt. View Baptist Church with the Rev. Todd Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park.

The family received friends on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2006 at Catawba Funerals & Cremations from 6-8 p.m.

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society or Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley.

Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations are providing professional services to the Ray Family.

Terry Michael Triplett

Mr. Terry Michael Triplett, 55, of Roy E. Brown Road, Vilas, died Sunday morning, Nov. 5, 2006, at home.

He was born Jan. 3, 1951 in Watauga County, a son of the late Clemon and Pearl Triplett.

Mr. Triplett was employed as a maintenance worker with the Watauga County School system, and was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. He was an active softball player in the community for years, known as number four on his teams. He was an avid hunter and outdoorsman.

Survivors include his wife, Susie Hayes Triplett; one daughter, Nicole Triplett and one grandson, Jackson, both of Vilas; three sisters, Doris Yates of Boone, Shirley Watson and husband, Bill, and Jane McLean and husband, Albert, all of Lenoir; three brothers, George Triplett and wife, Lois, of Lenoir, Tom Triplett of Boone, and Steve Triplett and wife, Ardna, of Zionville; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Beulah and Ken Hayes; one sister-in-law, Becky Warren and husband, Barry; one brother-in-law, James Hayes, all of Vilas; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Callie Coffey; and two brothers, Gene Triplett and Luther Smith.

 Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Chuck Morefield and the Rev. Eric Proffitt. The body will lie in state in the chapel from 1-2 p.m. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to High Country Health Care Systems Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.

The family received friends Tuesday evening from 6-9 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

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

November 6 , 2006

Agnes Lenora Brown Goble

Mrs. Agnes Lenora Brown Goble, age 106, of  Locust Street, Valdese, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2006 at College Pines Nursing & Rehab. Center.

She was born April 20, 1900 in Watauga County to the late William Brown and Maryetta Spence Brown Gragg.

Mrs. Goble was a homemaker and very active in her community. She was a dedicated member of Piney Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Charles William Goble and wife, Anna, of Hickory; three grandchildren, Kenneth Harmon and wife, Evelyn, of Lenoir; Jimmy Goble and wife, Dare, of Granite Falls, Ms. Patricia Ann Goble of Hudson; 12 great-grandchildren; 20 great-great-grandchildren; and one great-great-great-granddaughter.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Willard Goble; a son, James Albert Goble; three sisters; and three brothers.

Funeral services were held Sunday, Nov.5, 2006 at 2:30 p.m. at Piney Grove Baptist Church conducted by the Rev. Jerry Reeves, the Rev. Gill Larue and Jim Goble. Interment followed at the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Piney Grove Baptist Church, 2331 Piney Grove Cr., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

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

Ella Isaacs Greer

Mrs. Ella Isaacs Greer, 98, of 2799 Highway 421 North, Boone, died Friday morning, Nov. 3, 2006, at Glenbridge Health Care.

She was born March 9, 1908, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late William Smith and Myrtle Reece Isaacs.

Mrs. Greer was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Survivors include two daughters, Mildred Greene of Boone and Barbara Overby of Hickory; one son, Bill Greer and wife, Betsy, of Jamestown; five grandchildren, Debbie Miller and husband, Tom, Bill Greene and wife, Chris, all of Boone; Linda Jones and husband, Tim, of Hickory; Jana Greer of High Point and Jennifer Brewer of Jamestown; three great-grandchildren, Chad Greene of Boone, Danette Isaacs of Hickory and Kayla Brewer of Jamestown; and one sister, Madge Campbell of Zionville.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Norman Jefferson Greer; three sisters, Mae Beach, Wilma Greer and Madeline Watson; four brothers, Raymond, Arnie, Dennis and Lloyd Isaacs; and one granddaughter, Lisa Kerley; and a son-in-law, William Lee Greene.

A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.

The family will be at the home of Mildred Greene, 334 George Wilson Road, Boone.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Renee Beach, 351 Burl Lawrence Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Martin ‘Johnny’ Johnson

Mr. Martin “Johnny” Johnson, 80, of 1320 Fairway Drive, Boone, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2006, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

He was born Sept. 6, 1926 in Anson County, a son of the late Martin Carl Johnson, Sr. and Annie Louise Teal Johnson.

After graduating from Morven High School in Morven, N.C., he went to work at Ivey’s Department Store men’s department, in Charlotte. He was a truck driver for five years for Johnsons Motor Lines, a heavy equipment operator, and a salesman for United Chemical Company. Mr. Johnson was later manager of Harris-Wagner Men’s Clothing Store in Boone. He was owner and real estate broker for Johnson Real Estate Company, and also owner of Johnson Construction Company. He was a Mason and Shriner for over 50 years, and a member of Snow Lodge #363 in Boone. He was a member of Deerfield United Methodist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Eva “Jerri” Johnson; one brother, William Thomas Johnson and wife, Judy, of Mint Hill; one aunt, Alice Dalton of San Francisco, Calif.; a niece, Julie Johnson of New York City; and a cousin, Florence Frazer and husband, Jay, of Atlanta, Ga.

Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Deerfield United Methodist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 12:00-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Jeff Sweeney, the Rev. Marion Swann and the Rev. James McKinney. Masonic rites will follow at Mount Lawn Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon from 12:00-2 p.m. at the church, prior to the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Deerfield United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1337, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Shriners Childrens Hospital, Greenville, S.C. 29609.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.