December 22, 2006

William David Ball Sr.

Mr. William David Ball, Sr., 61, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 20, 2006, at University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, Miss., following a stroke on Monday.

A graduate of Robert E. Lee High School in Houston, Texas, and the University of Mississippi, he held a masters and doctorate from Mississippi State University. Mr. Ball was recently retired from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., where he had been director of the Career Development Center since 1982. Prior to taking the post at Appalachian State University, he held a similar responsibility with Jacksonville (Alabama) State University.

Dr. Ball began his career in education as a teacher in the Tupelo Public School District. He was a past president and held various leadership positions with the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, a national constituent group focused on recognizing post-secondary education gains. He also owned real estate in Starkville and Ball Equipment and  Rentals, an industrial and agricultural equipment rental company associated with Starkville Tractor and Equipment Co.

A member of the Boone First United Methodist Church, he was a supporter of the Watauga Humane Society and their cat rescue program.

Survivors include his son, William David Ball, II and daughter-in-law, Kameron Conner Ball; granddaughter, Conner Beth Ball; and grandson, William David Ball, III, all of Jackson, Miss.; a brother, Tom Ball and sister-in-law, Nancy Cook Ball, of Starkville, Miss.; a niece, Betsy Moon Ball of Starkville; and nephew, Charles Perry Ball, III, of Orlando, Fla.; aunts, uncles, numerous cousins, and longtime friend, Dr. Kathryn Copley of Boone, N.C.

Graveside services were conducted Friday afternoon at 2 p.m., Dec. 22, 2006, in Magnolia Cemetery in Batesville, Miss.

Memorials may be made to the Watauga Humane Society, P.O. Box 1835, Boone, N.C. 28607 or the University of Mississippi Loyalty Foundation or the Mississippi State University Foundation.

You may go online and sign the guest register at www.welchfuneralhomes.com

Welch Funeral Home of Starkville is in charge of the arrangements.

Ned Russell Greer

Mr. Ned Russell Greer, 67, of McAlpine Adult Care, Glen Alpine, N.C., died Tuesday morning, Dec. 19, 2006, at Grace Hospital in Morganton.

He was born Feb. 1, 1939, in Watauga County, a son of Ruth Presnell Greer and the late Fred Raymond Greer.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by three sisters, Juanita Helen Teems and husband, Ray, of Columbia, S.C., Louise Kincaid and husband, Ben, of Lenoir, and Patricia Sup Lapinski and husband, Jim, of Burke, Va.; one brother, Ted Greer and wife, Genoise, of Lenoir; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Private memorial services will be held at a later date at McAlpine Adult Care in Glen Alpine, N.C.

The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to McAlpine Adult Care, Activities Fund, P.O. Box 727, Glen Alpine, N.C. 28628.

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

Amy Drew Hart

Mrs. Amy Drew Hart, 51, of Bald Mountain Road, West Jefferson, died Friday evening, Dec. 15, 2006 at Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta. 

She was born August 6, 1955 in Richmond, Va., a daughter of the late H. D. and Diane Berryman. 

Mrs. Hart was a restaurant manager and a member of Elk Shoals United Methodist Camp. 

Survivors include her husband David Hart; one daughter, Wende McKee and her fiancé, Derrick Eller, and one grandson, Irie Hall, all of Crumpler; and two brothers, Tim Berryman and wife, Louise, of Houston, Texas and Dickie Berryman and wife, Lynn, of West Palm Beach, Fla. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

Memorial services were conducted Wednesday evening, Dec. 27th at 7 o’clock at Elk Shoals United Methodist Camp, officiated by the Rev. Pete Parish, and the Rev. Jack Pugh.

Memorials may be made to Elk Shoals United Methodist Camp, 349 Methodist Camp Road, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.

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

Kenneth William Norris

Mr. Kenneth William Norris, 81, of Panoramic Lane, Boone, died Wednesday morning, Dec. 20, 2006 at Watauga Medical Center.

He was born Oct. 28, 1925 in Watauga County, a son of Hoy and Lizzie Williams Norris. 

Mr. Norris was a member of Rutherwood Baptist Church and attended Meat Camp Baptist Church.  He retired from the cafeteria maintenance department at Appalachian State University.  Mr. Norris was a charter member of the Watauga County Rescue Squad and a former member of the Meat Camp Fire Department.

He was the loving husband and father of his wife, Margaret Hayes Norris; one daughter, Virginia ‘Ginger’ Norris Jones and husband, Kenneth, of West Jefferson; three sons, Kenneth Douglas Norris and wife, Glady, of Boone, Phillip Edward Norris and wife, Deborah, of Lenoir and Patrick Hayes Norris and wife, Bonnie, of Boone; and ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one brother, Burl Norris and wife, Glenda, of Boone; two sisters-in-law, Ruby Carson and husband, Don, and Phyllis Farthing, all of Boone; two brothers-in-law, Farthing Hayes and wife, Mar,y and S. B. Brown, all of Boone.  A number of nieces and nephews also survive.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Clyde Norris; two sisters, Eula Vines and Sally Brown; one sister-in-law, Helen Cobb; and two brothers-in-law, Ed Hayes and James Vines.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Meat Camp Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. David Clippard.  The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o’clock.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Meat Camp Baptist Church Building Fund, 236 Meat Camp Baptist Church Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the March of Dimes Foundation, 1220 Commerce Street, Suite G, Conover, N.C. 286l3.

The family received friends Thursday evening from 7 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes.

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

William ‘Bill’ Summit

Mr. William “Bill” Summit, 77, of Lexington, a native and former resident of Boone, died Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, at his home.

He was born Sept. 9, 1929 in Boone, N.C., to William Hoke Summit and Elsie Grace Brown Summit.

Mr. Summit retired from McLean Trucking with 32 years service and was of the Baptist faith. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Lee Hayes Summit; two sons, Wilby Frank Summit of Louisiana and Kenneth Douglas Summit of Lexington; and four daughters, Cynthia Ingalls and husband, Rick, Penny OnaMarie Brittain and husband, Jonathan, all of Lexington; one brother, Robert Lee Summit of Ohio; four sisters, Ollie Ramage, Martha Owens, Sherry Grimm, all of Ohio, and Jackie John of Florida. He is also survived by 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren; two aunts, Peggy Trivette and Ruth Brown of Boone; a brother-in-law, Ken Hayes and wife, Beulah, of Boone; a number of cousins of Boone; and his loving dogs, Bridgette and Callie.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, William Hoke and Elsie Grace Brown Summit; and a sister, Jalamae Maxwell.

Services will be conducted Friday morning at 11 a.m. at Davidson Funeral Home Chapel.

The body will lie in state from 10-11 a.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Bobby Parker.

Burial will follow in the Jont-Brown Cemetery in Boone.

Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net

Davidson Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

December 20, 2006

Thomas Russell Townsend

Thomas Russell Townsend 76, of Brevard passed away on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2006, in an Asheville hospital.

He was a son of Dorothy Bentley Townsend of Valle Crucis and the late Forrest Townsend.

Surviving in addition to his mother are his wife, Mary Townsend, of Brevard; two sons, Brian Townsend and Tony Murr, both of Brevard; one daughter, Patsy Holder of Lake Toxaway; one stepson, Frankie Norgan of Etowah; one stepdaughter. Kathy Gudobba of Florida; two sisters, Leville Perkins of Purlear, N.C., and Harriet Storey of Valdese; and several grandchildren.

 A memorial graveside service was held at Pisgah Gardens  Sunday, Nov. 26, 2006 at 2 p.m.  The Rev Tommy Owen officiated.

Moody-Connolly Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

December 18, 2006

Jimmie Reginal 'Reggie' Dennis Jr.

Mr. Jimmie Reginal  “Reggie” Dennis, Jr., age 47, of Watauga River Road, Sugar Grove, N.C., died Saturday evening, Dec. 16, 2006 at his home.

He was born March 6, 1959 in Durham, N.C. 

Mr. Dennis was affiliated with the Westminster Presbyterian Church and New Life Fellowship in Boone. He  was formerly employed as a lineman for both Union Electric in Oakboro and the city of Albemarle and was a master mechanic with Resort Services at Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Survivors include his wife, Pamela Allie Hendrickson Dennis; two daughters, Elaina Dennis of the home, and Tonya Dennis of Oakboro, N.C.; one son, Trevin Dennis of the home; his parents, Jimmie Reginal and Martha Pendergraph Dennis of Oakboro; two step-sons, Ryan Denton of Rock Hill, S.C. and Brandon Denton of Charleston, S.C.; one brother, Dray Dennis and wife, Vicki;  and one sister, Rhonda Mayberry, all of Oakboro.

The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 o’clock at their home, 2077 Watauga River Road in Sugar Grove.

Memorial services will be conducted Thursday evening at 7 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Robert Wolf and Elder Robert Collins. 

The family suggests memorial donations to the Leukemia Society of America, North Carolina Chapter, 5624 Executive Center Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28212.

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

Georgia DeVita

Mrs. Georgia DeVita, 73, of Charlotte, N.C., passed away Saturday, Dec. 16, 2006 peaceably at home surrounded by her family.

She married her high school sweetheart, Al, shortly before he went into the Navy in 1952. In the early 1970s they came to North Carolina and started spending their weekends with their four daughters and friends at Lake Norman. She and her husband settled in Charlotte in 1974. They spent 54 beautiful years together. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend. She will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her husband, Al;  daughters, Diane O'Hare and husband, John, of Charlotte, Donna Miles and husband, David and their two daughters Camille and Leah of Roanoke, Va., Debbie DeVita of Boone, N.C., and Darlene DeVita of Boston, MA; and her brother Charles "Chuck" Lehmann of Delray Beach, Fla. She is also survived by extended family and friends who dearly loved her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Ann Lehmann; and grandson Ryan Michael O'Hare.

A service to celebrate her life will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, at Harry and Bryant Company, 500 Providence Rd. Charlotte, N.C. Family will receive friends on Monday evening between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. at Harry and Bryant Company. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Will Terry of Davidson, N.C.

Her family would like to thank Heidi Thomas of Hospice and Palliative Care of Charlotte for the comfort given to Georgia. They would also like to thank Dr. Alan R. Thalinger, M.D., his nurse Corinne and staff for their special care during her illness.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 East Seventh St., Charlotte, N.C. 28207.  http://www.hospiceatcharlotte.org.

Harry and Bryant Company in Charlotte, N.C. is serving the DeVita family.

Fred E. Eggers

Mr. Fred E. Eggers, age 82, of 700 Poplar Hill Drive, Boone, died Thursday night, Dec. 14, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center. 

He was born Dec. 5, 1924, in Valle Crucis, Watauga County, to the late Walter Eugene and Tempie Shook Eggers. 

Mr. Eggers was a 1944 graduate of Cove Creek High School, and retired from Hound Ears Resort after 30 years in property services.  He was a U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, having served in Italy, France, England and Germany, and was awarded a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal and Infantryman Badge. He was a life member of the Disabled American Veterans, and Boone Optimist Club, and attended Greenway Baptist Church. 

Survivors include his wife, Flavel Moretz Eggers; one son, Scott Eggers and wife, Teresa; one grandson, Jacob Eggers; one granddaughter, Sarah Lynn Eggers, all of Boone; three sisters, Etta Davis and husband, Hildreth, and Mary Eggers and husband, Hoover, all of Valle Crucis, and Betty Hughes and husband, S. D., of Roan Mountain, Tennessee; one sister-in-law, Bonnie Taylor Eggers of Lexington; two brothers-in-law, Ben Caraway of Newland and Cecil Tester of Lexington.  He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers,  Buster, Claude, Jack and infant Joe Dale Eggers; three sisters, Charlotte Cole, Alice Tester and Snow Caraway. 

Services were  conducted Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Greenway Baptist Church with Dr. David Luster, the Rev. Harold Bennett, and the Rev. Melvin Hodges officiating. Burial with Military honors followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. 

Memorials may be made to the Greenway Baptist Church Pee Wee Basketball Bible Fund, 880 Greenway Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Watauga Education Foundation, 208 Howard Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.

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

Janice Swainston Forbes

Mrs. Janice Swainston Forbes, 87, of Highland Farms Retirement Community, Black Mountain, N.C., died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at the John F. Keever, Jr. Solace Center in Asheville, N.C.

She was born on Oct. 17, 1919 in Nampa, Idaho, to the late William James Swainston and Edna Stoddard Swainston.

Mrs. Forbes was a stay-at-home mother and homemaker. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Lenoir, N.C.

Survivors include her husband, Dr. M.M. Forbes; sons, Richard Forbes and wife, Genie, of Blowing Rock, N.C., Jerry Forbes and wife, Loretta, of Cleveland, S.C., Jim Forbes and wife, Kathy, of Shelby, and Mike Forbes and wife, Kathy, of Simpsonville, S.C.; grandchildren, Brett, Lauren, McKinnon, Baker, Erin, Jessica, Nicki, Lauren, and Brooke; great-grandchildren, Tanner and Kenzi; and a sister, Barbara S. McGowan of Boise, Idaho.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Swainston.

A memorial service was conducted Saturday morning, Dec. 23, 2006,  at 11 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church of Lenoir.

Memorials may be made to Mountain Area Hospice Foundation, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, N.C. 28813, or First United Methodist Church, 309 Church Street SW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Asheville Area Alternative Funeral & Cremation Services is assisting the family.

Larry Andrew Gatchel

Mr. Larry Andrew Gatchel, 66, of 120 Chestnut Mountain Road, Deep Gap, died Tuesday, Dec. 12, 2006, at Catawba Valley Medical Center, following an illness of three months.

He was born April 29, 1940 in Jefferson County, Ohio, to Helen M. Morse Gatchel of Dillionvale, Ohio, and the late Joseph E. Gatchel, Jr.

Mr. Gatchel was an electrical inspector and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Short Gatchel; a niece, Lori Burwell of Rayland, Ohio; a nephew, Richie Gatchel of Dillionville, Ohio; a great-niece, Baeleigh Burwell of Rayland, Ohio; and a great-nephew, Kolby Burwell of Dillionvale, Ohio.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Gatchel.

A graveside memorial service was conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m., Dec. 16, 2006, at Highland View Baptist Church Cemetery in Deep Gap by the Rev. Herburt Parunak.

Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Gatchel family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net.

Memorials may be given to Highland View Baptist Church, 344 Brook Lane, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.

Adams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

James Edward Grogan

Mr. James Edward Grogan, 79, of  Eastview St., Hudson, passed away Friday, Dec. 15, 2006 at his residence.

He was born Nov. 28, 1927 in  Ashe  County to the late Robert Lee Grogan and Mary Elizabeth McGlamery Grogan.

Mr. Grogan was a member of  Pilot Mountain Baptist Church in Todd, N.C. and was a retired supervisor with Kincaid Furniture Company.

Survivors include his wife, Worthette Lovelace Grogan of the home; two sons, James “Dan” Grogan of Hickory, N.C.; Edward Brian Grogan of the home; one daughter, Bonieta Grogan Piras of Hickory, N.C.; sisters, Myrtle Norris of Boone, N.C. and Ruby Brown of Dillon, Montana; and five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one daughter Linda Carol Grogan; three brothers, R.L. Grogan, Ernest Grogan, Olin Grogan; one sister, Agnes Younce; and step-mother Mae Worley Grogan.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Dec. 18, 2006, 2:00 p.m., at the First Baptist  Church in Granite Falls with Dr. Robert B. Evans Jr. officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18, 2006 at the First Baptist  Church prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060.

Condolences may be placed online at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of the arrangements.

Thelma Jones Payne

Mrs. Thelma Jones Payne, 76, of 2918 Old US Highway 421 South, Boone, died Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born Jan. 29, 1930 in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Ralph and Lelia Coffey Jones.

Mrs. Payne was a retired employee of the former IRC/TRW in Boone. Mrs. Payne was a member of Rutherwood Baptist Church and a member of the Eastern Star.

She is survived by her husband, Claude D. Payne; one daughter, Dorothy D. DuLaney and husband, Larry; two sons, Donald L. Payne and wife,  Barbara, and Curtis Payne and wife, Brenda, all of Boone; four granddaughters, Melissa Boarman and husband, Gary, of Mooresville, Jennifer Holder and husband, Adam, of Raleigh, Sarah Payne, and Ashley Ann Payne, both of Boone; two grandsons, Matthew Payne of Boone, and Wesley Hawkins and wife, Jamie, of Deep Gap; two great-granddaughters, Madison Butler of Mooresville, and Abigail Hawkins of Deep Gap; two great-grandsons, Blaine Butler of Mooresville, and Aiden Hawkins of Deep Gap; one sister, Jean Bishop and husband, Norvel, of Hudson; three brothers, Frank D. Jones and wife, Irene, of Potlatch, Idaho, Ralph W. Jones, Jr. and wife, Freda, and Paul Jones and wife, Pat, all of Patterson. Two uncles, one aunt, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ralph and Lelia Coffey Jones; one brother, Sylvester Jones, and one sister, Peggy Ann Jones.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 17, 2006, at 2:00 o'clock, at Rutherwood Baptist Church, with the Rev. Gary Lawrence and the Rev. Harold Bennett officiating. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Rutherwood Baptist Church Building Fund, 142 Don Hayes Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

J.D. Presnell

Mr. J.D. Presnell, 71, of 292 Della Wilson Road, Lexington, a native and former resident of the Beech Creek Community, died Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2006, at Thomasville Medical Center in Thomasville.

He was born March 17, 1935 in Watauga County, a son of the late George and Susie Guy Presnell.

Mr. Presnell was a retired employee of Dixie Furniture Company in Lexington.

Survivors include one daughter, Kathy P. Spencer and husband, Kelly, of Sophia, N.C.; two sons, Clinard Presnell and wife, Pam, of Linwood, N.C., and James Presnell of Lexington; one grandson, Chris Presnell of Lexington; four sisters, Elvira Presnell and husband, Keith, and Susie Cordell and husband, Willard, all of Banner Elk, Francis Hicks of Welcome, N.C., and Martha Blevins of Sparta; three brothers, Dwight Presnell and wife, Rita, and William Presnell and wife, Bessie, all of Banner Elk, and Emory Presnell and wife, Mary, of Boone. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Ira, Marshall, and Clint Presnell; and one sister, Ruby Mann.

Services were conducted Saturday morning, Dec. 16, 2006, at Piney Grove Community Church. Officiating wass the Rev. David Testerman. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.