January 5, 2007

Maurice Lee Aubrey

Mrs. Maurice Lee Aubrey, 92, of Blowing Rock, formerly of Shreveport, La. and Tampa, Fla., died Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She was born June 1, 1914 in Webster Parish, La., a daughter of the late Henry Z. Lee and Ola Whitaker Lee.

Mrs. Aubrey was a retired insurance agent for Kilpatrick Life in Shreveport, La. She was a member of Ingleside Baptist Church.

Survivors include three daughters, Mrs. Bette Parker and husband, Ralph, of Laurenburg, N.C., Mrs. Debra Eger and husband, Joseph, of Tampa, Fla., and Mrs. Sherry Conlan and husband, Lowell, of Blowing Rock; one granddaughter, Mrs. Paige Marsh of Raleigh; three grandsons, Brian Conlan of Banner Elk, Joseph Eger, III, and Byron Eger, both of Tampa; and one great-granddaughter, Amelia Anne Marsh of Raleigh.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Byron Dudley Aubrey; one sister, Dorothy Atkins; and four brothers, Palmer, Jennings, Glen and Cloyce Lee.

Graveside services and burial for Mrs. Maurice Lee Aubrey will be conducted Saturday morning, Jan. 6, 2007, at 11:00 o’clock, at Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport, La. Officiating will be Mr. T.C. Pennell, Sr.

The family will receive friends Saturday morning, from 9:30 until 10:30, at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, in Shreveport.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Grandfather Home for Children, PO Box 98, Banner Elk, N.C. 28604.

Hampton Funeral Service and Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Shreveport are in charge of the arrangements.

Buford Calhoun

Mr. Buford Calhoun, 79, of 157 Lynhill Lane, Boone, died Tuesday evening, Jan. 2, 2007, at Life Care of Banner Elk.

He was born May 12, 1927 in Clinchfield, Va., a son of the late Bradley and Cordie Sluder Calhoun.

Mr. Calhoun was of the Baptist faith, and attended Advent Christian Church in Boone. He was a high school teacher and football coach at Stone Mountain High School in Stone Mountain, Ga. He was also a retired branch manager for Field Enterprise in Omaha, Nebraska, and a self-employed truck driver. Mr. Calhoun was also employed by Tweetsie Railroad, Appalachian Ski Mountain, and the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.

Survivors include his wife, Benita Birdwell “Bee” Calhoun; two sons, Bradley A. Calhoun and wife, Leigh, of Clayton, N.C., and Barry L. Calhoun of Anchorage, Alaska; two sisters, Buretta Ratliff of Greenville, S.C., and Linda Higgins and husband Dan of McCormick, S.C. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, including Denise Johnson and husband, Dane, of Fleetwood.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Rocky Blake Calhoun; and one brother, Stewart Calhoun.

Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Jan. 6, 2007, 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. Gordon Noble.

The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1-2 p.m., at the chapel, prior to the service.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, PO Box 1950, Clarksburg, Md. 20871.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Neaty Gertrude Bolick Moretz

Mrs. Neaty Gertrude Bolick Moretz, 96, of Howard’s Creek Road, Boone, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 2, 2007, in Ferguson. 

She was born in Caldwell County Dec. 4, 1910, a daughter of the late Andrew James and Candice Susan Hollar Bolick. 

Mrs. Moretz was a homemaker and a member of Saint Mark’s Lutheran Church in Lenoir. 

Surviving are two daughters, Reba Marley and husband, Stanley, of Ferguson, and Nellie Moretz of High Point; three grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband,  Martin Luther Moretz, Jr.; one sister, Dorothy Trexler; and three brothers, Walter, James and Hardy Bolick. 

Services will be conducted Wednesday evening at 7 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel.  Officiating will be the Rev. Gary Gragg.  The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-7 p.m., prior to the service, at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. 

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Watauga County Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Graveside services and burial will be conducted Thursday morning at 11 o’clock at the Skyland Cemetery. 

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

Dennis Zeb Ruppert

Mr. Dennis Zeb Ruppert, 68, of 6232 US Highway 221 South, Blowing Rock, died Tuesday morning, Jan. 2, 2007, at his residence.

He was born March 30, 1938 in Watauga County, a son of the late Toy and Gypsy Townsend Ruppert.

Mr. Ruppert was a Mason with Snow Lodge #363 and a member of First Independent Baptist Church in Blowing Rock. Mr. Ruppert was a retired magistrate for Watauga County, serving for 25 years.

Survivors include one daughter, Gwyndolyn Barfoot and husband, Mike, of Blowing Rock; two sons, Dennis Ruppert, Jr. of Dallas, Texas, and Edsel Ruppert of the home; one grandson, Brooks Ruppert, and one granddaughter, Britney Ruppert, both of Clemmons; four sisters, Mrs. Lala Lunceford of Granite Falls, Mrs. Lena McLean of Foscoe, Mrs. Betty Pitts of Blowing Rock, and Mrs. Kate Robbins and husband, Hardin, of Mebane; and one brother, Frank Ruppert of Banner Elk. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Elizabeth Johnson Ruppert; one brother, Jack Ruppert; and one sister, Irene Taylor.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon, Jan. 5, 2007, at 2:00 o’clock, at First Independant Baptist Church in Blowing Rock. The body will lie in state from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Gary Shew, the Rev. Vance Triplett, and the Rev. Gordon Noble. Masonic graveside rites and burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery.

The family received friends Thursday evening, from 7-9 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

January 3, 2007

Brittany Elizabeth Coppedge

Miss Brittany Elizabeth Coppedge, 19, died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006.

She was a student at Lees-McRae College in Banner Elk, N.C., and a 2005 graduate of Southeast Raleigh High School.

Miss Coppedge was an accomplished gymnist in the Junior Olympic Program. She traveled with her “Mema” to Jamaica on three mission trips.

Survivors include her parents, Jeff and Tammy Coppedge; a brother, Matthew Coppedge; a sister, Taylor Coppedge; paternal grandparents, Dalton and Clara Coppedge; maternal grandfather, Ronnie Upchurch; maternal great-grandmother, Mozelle Upchurch; and numerous family and friends. She is also survived by the love of her life, Joe Harmon.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Mary Upchurch; and maternal great-grandfather, Milton Upchurch.

Services were conducted Sunday, Dec. 31, 2006, at 1 p.m. at Bryan-Lee Funeral Chapel in Garner. Burial followed at the Boone Family Cemetery in Franklin County.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com.

Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner, N.C. is serving the Coopedge family.

Annie Hilma Critcher

Miss Annie Hilma Critcher, 90, of 143-1 Cindy Lane, Boone, died Thursday morning, Dec. 28, 2006, at her residence, after a long illness.

She was born Sept. 24, 1916. After receiving her business degree in Charlotte, she worked there for 45 years. Miss Critcher was a very active member of Saint John's Baptist Church of Charlotte. She retired to Boone in 1985, becoming active in Mount Vernon Baptist Church.

Miss Critcher is survived by 22 nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by one sister, Lucille Critcher Hampton; three brothers, Fred, Carnie, and Stanley Critcher; and eight nieces and nephews.

Services were conducted Saturday morning, Dec. 30, 2006, at 11:00 o'clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. David Critcher, the Rev. Bud Russell, and the Rev. David Castor. Burial followed in the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, or to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering, both in care of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Eva Bingham Diener

Mrs. Eva Bingham Diener, 85, of Whispering Pines Road, Boone, died Saturday evening, Dec.30, 2006, at Glenbridge Health Care.

She was born Nov. 18, 1921 in Watauga County, a daughter of David Lewis and Clara Elizabeth Looper Bingham

After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree from Appalachian State Teachers College she was employed as the band teacher at Wilkes High School and held the distinction of being the first female director in North Carolina. She was a resident of Winston-Salem for approximately 40 years where she was the band director and chorus teacher at Griffith High School in Forsyth County. She also played the clarinet in the Winston-Salem Symphony for 20 years.

Mrs. Diener was of the Methodist faith.

Survivors include her husband, Thomas William Diener; one sister, Helen Elizabeth Stanwood of Chico, Calif.; two nieces, Sylvia Hicks and husband, Everett, of Boone, and Libbie Finch and husband, Bruce, of Chico, Calif.; and two nephews, Jimmy Stanwood of Chico, Calif. and Jimmy Bingham of Atlanta, Ga. A number of great-nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, David L. and Clara Elizabeth Looper Bingham; two brothers, Stacy Lewis Bingham and Paul David Bingham; and three sisters, Clara Bingham, Mary Ella Bingham and Maybell Bingham.

Services were conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Gary Wilson. The family received friends Tuesday afternoon from 1-2 p.m., prior to services, at the funeral home. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.

The family suggests memorials to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Syuite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.

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

Johnsie R. Estes

Mrs. Johnsie R. Estes, 94, of Winston-Salem, died peacefully at Forsyth  Medical Center, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006 after a brief illness.

She was an active resident at Salemtowne Retirement Community.

Mrs. Estes was blessed with a long and rich life. She began her journey on a cold Christmas Eve in a cabin in the mountains of North  Carolina and to her last day spoke of her love for her family and friends. Living in both Winston-Salem and Boone, N.C. for many years, she was active in her church and community as long as her health allowed.

She was a 1934 graduate of Glade Valley High School. She was a dedicated member of Covenant Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem for over 50 years. She was a bright and shining example of love to everyone who knew her. She will be remembered as a woman of great character and faith with a generous heart and an infectious giggle. 

Survivors include her husband of 64 years, Lank I. Estes; a sister, Josie R. Abernethy; and brother-in-law, Henry B. Abernethy of Durham, N.C.; a sister and brother-in-law, Mabel and Bob Lee of Boone, N.C.; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A 10:30 a.m. service was conducted Saturday morning, December 30, 2006, at Covenant Presbyterian Church. Graveside rites followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park in Boone, N.C. at 2 p.m

Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek is assisting the Estes family.

Tommy Jackson Glenn

Mr. Tommy Jackson Glenn, 73, of Smith Street, Vilas, died Friday  afternoon, Dec. 29, 2006 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. 

He was born Dec. 24, 1933 in Watauga County, a son of Andrew and Sigal Ward Glenn. 

Mr. Glenn attended Shelter Rock.  He was a retired carpenter and was a bus driver for Applecart.  

Survivors include his wife, Dora Greene Glenn; one daughter, Brenda Smith and husband, Roger, of Trade, Tenn.; two sons, Bobby Gene Glenn of Kingsport, Tenn. and Barry Andrew  Glenn; five granddaughters, Suzanne Tolley of Elizabethton, Tenn,, Jennifer Rivera of Zionville, Alissa and Ashley Glenn, both of Shelby, and Heather Glenn of Kingsport, Tenn.; one grandson, B. J. Glenn of Lexington; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joy Presnell and husband, Harmon, of Vilas.

He was preceded in death by a son, Billy Glenn; his parents, Andrew and Sigal Ward Glenn; two brothers, Dudley and Burl Glenn; and two sisters, Edna Main and Florence Moody.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Carl Wilson. Burial followed in the Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.

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

Virgie Mae Bullis Greene

Mrs. Virgie Mae Bullis Greene, age 76, of 1362 Flowers Branch Road, Deep Gap, died Thursday evening, Dec. 28, 2006, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.

She was born Nov. 11, 1930 in Wilkes County, a daughter of the late Wiley and Hattie South Bullis.

Mrs. Greene was a homemaker and a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Fred M. "Freddy" Greene, and one daughter, Marie Greene, both of Boone; three step-sons, George Greene of Lenoir, Benny Greene of Ferguson, and Rufus Greene of West Jefferson.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Henry Greene; four step-sons, Coy, Garfield, Vonley, and Obie Greene; two step-daughters, Belvie White and Collene Minton, three brothers, Clifford, Raymond, and Terry Bullis, and one sister, Geneva Adams.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 31, 2006, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were the Rev. Burl Greer,  the Rev.  Sherrill Wellborn, and the Rev. Vernon Eller. Burial followed in the Mountain View Cemetery.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Lois Jean February Harmon

Mrs. Lois Jean February Harmon, 65, of  Dark Ridge Road, Beech Mountain community, died, Dec. 29, 2006 at the Watauga Medical Center.

She was a native of Avery County and a daughter of the late Robert Jefferson and Ona Jane Lee February. 

Mrs. Harmon was a member of Beech Mountain Missionary Baptist Church, Inc and was a CNA trained at Baptist  Hospital.

She was an accomplished artist, antique collector and loved quilting.  Mrs. Harmon was a lady of high moral character.

She is survived by her husband, Samuel Lester Harmon  Sr.; a daughter, Angela Shoaf and husband, Randal; a son, Sam Harmon, Jr., and wife, Sherry; grandchildren, Tyler Mains, Sarah Shoaf,  Brae Lee Harmon; sisters, Patsy Vance and husband, Doug, Rosalie Vance and husband, Hayden,  Ruth Benfield and husband, Hue, Wanda Cannon and husband, Walt; a brother, Roger February and wife, Verble.  

She was preceded in death by four infant siblings.

Services were conducted at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007 at the Beech  Mountain Missionary  Baptist Church with Evangelist Richard Jones and Pastor Dennis Church officiating. Interment followed in the Beech  Mountain Cemetery

Pallbearers were Jim Benfield, Jerry Benfield, Jon Benfield, Ron Benfield, Mike Vance, Jeff Vance, Curt Vance, Robbie Vance and Keith Philyaw. 

Mrs. Harmon requested that memorials be made to the Beech Mountain  Missionary Baptist  Church Building  Fund.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.rsfh.net

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

Charles Edward Henley Jr.

Mr. Charles Edward Henley Jr. was born in Sunburst, N.C. on Sept. 28, 1920 to Charles and Anna Brooks Henley. He was the eldest son of six children.

Mr. Henley joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1945. He served under the Eighth Army Air Corps, 490th Bombardment Group and the 849th Bombardment Squadron (H) Mountain Home Air Force Base. He was assigned to Eye, England during WWII.

Mr. Henley married Ella May Lamm of Jerome, Idaho on September 28, 1946, whom he met while stationed at Mountain Home Air Force Base.  After the war Charles went to work as an Aerospace Engineer in the Civil Service, ultimately retiring from NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt Maryland in 1971. He then relocated to Jerome, Idaho in November of 1971 where he worked in Real Estate for Carl Butler Realty. After several years he ventured off to help start CanyonSide Realty.  While in the Magic Valley area he was a member of the Church of the Nazarene and also served with the Gideon International Organization.  In 1999 he and Ella May moved to Twin Falls, Idaho to be closer their son. 

He is survived by his wife, Ella May Henley (Lamm) of 60 years and six children, Katherine Henley, Kenneth, James, Lynnette Thatcher, Ruth Payne, and Charles III; 16 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by an older sister, Elizabeth Greene; and two brothers, James and Brooks.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland is serving the Henley family.

Randall ‘Randy’ Ward

Mr. Randall "Randy" Ward, age 74, of Blowing Rock Extended Care, Blowing Rock, died Friday, Dec. 29, 2006.

He was born Dec. 7, 1932 in Watauga County, a son of the late Effie Ward Cooter.

Mr. Ward was a graduate from Bethel High School in 1951. He then moved to Terre Haute, Ind. and received his bachelor’s degree from Indiana State University in 1958. He was a retired nursing assistant at Blowing Rock Hospital and a member of Central Assembly of God in Boone.

He is survived by a number of cousins and many friends.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Ula Cooter.

Services were conducted Monday afternoon, Jan. 1, 2007, at Central Assembly of God in Boone. Officiating were the Rev. Tim Newton and the Rev. Jim Bedsaul. Burial followed in Antioch Baptist Church Cemetery.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Gladys Wilson

Mrs. Gladys Wilson,  84, of Burnsville, the Pensacola Community, died Monday,  at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care. 

A native of Mitchell, Ga., she was a daughter of the late William and Ruby Johnson Walden. 

Mrs. Wilson was retired from Glen Raven Mills after 25 years of service and was a homemaker.

Surviving are two daughters, Ann McIntosh and husband, Scott, and Karen Carroll, all of Burnsville; two sons; Ralph A. Wilson and wife, Terri ,of Greenville, Tenn., and Pete Wilson and wife, Debbie, of Boone; nine grandchildren, Carol Crowder and husband, Junior, Aaron Wilson and wife,  Emily, Amanda Lyda and husband, Nathan, Andrew Wilson, Mitchell Carroll and wife, Lacy, Autumn Carroll, Julie McIntosh, Dillon McIntosh and Deanna Daughtery; six great-grandchildren; Anna Kathleen Wilson, Ruby Leona Wilson, Kristopher Crowder, Mary Crowder, Samantha Crowder, and Brianna McCurry. 

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Swain Wilson; a son-in -law, Tommy Carroll; one brother; and three sisters. 

Services were conducted Tuesday evening at 8 o’clock at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home in Burnsville. Officiating was the Rev. Ronnie Whitson.

Graveside services and burial were conducted Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock at the Emmitt Wilson Cemetery.

Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home in Burnsville is serving the Wilson family.