Archived

Lewis Milton “Buddy” Austin, Jr.
Mr. Lewis Milton “Buddy” Austin, Jr., 64, of Blenheim, S.C., died Monday, March 19, 2007.
He was born Jan. 31, 1943, in Kannapolis, N.C., a son of the late Lewis Milton Austin, Sr. and Louise Parks Austin.
Mr. Austin was a graduate of Carlisle Military School in Bamberg, S.C. He was a 1969 graduate of Pembroke State University with his undergraduate degree. Pembroke had just been named a university and as an Austin, was the first graduate of Pembroke University. No one was more proud of him, than his mother. During his college “venture” she said he had lots of fun and made many friends.
When Mr. Austin arrived in Marlboro County, he had many career venues. He is still remembered today, by many friends, as the bouncer of the Coachman and Four. His love for people and sports made education an obvious, permanent career choice. While teaching, coaching and working on his graduate degree, he met the girl of his dreams, Julie Ann Jackson. They were married on August 9, 1975. Their first child, Lewis Milton, III (Bud), was born on Dec. 14, 1976. Mr. Austin graduated from Winthrop University with a Master’s Degree in Education, 1979, just days before their daughter, Jean Louise Austin Cochran was born.
He retired from the S.C. Department of Education in June 1999, after 30 years of service to the people of Marlboro County. During those years, he served as a classroom teacher, administrator, athletic director and coach at Blenheim High School. For many years, prior to his retirement, he was the Marlboro County Bus Shop Supervisor.
Mr. Austin was a big man with a big heart. He loved his family, friends and community. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Bennettsville. He served the town of Blenheim as a Town Councilman for 18 years and was a member of the Riverdale Goodwill Club. He was also a member of the S.C. Retired State Employees Association and the Masonic Lodge. His days of retirement were enjoyed by both he, his family, and friends. He always had a joke or story to tell. Some of the many highlights of his retirement include supervising the lawn business, spending time in Boone, buying his first new vehicle, learning how to use a CD player, walking his daughter down the aisle, being his son’s best man and experiencing the joy of his granddaughter for two wonderful years. He was a giving and caring person. He exhibited his generosity by the assistance he gave to many students over the years. His final act of generosity was the establishment of The Lewis M. and Louise Parks Austin Endowed Scholarship at UNC at Pembroke, in memory of his parents. The family would like to continue this effort in Mr. Austin’s memory.
Survivors include his wife, Julie Ann Jackson Austin; a son, Bud Austin and wife, Julie Hicks Austin, of Blenheim, S.C.; a daughter, Jean A. Cochran and husband, Nick, of Lexington, S.C.; his granddaughter, Anna Beth Cochran of Lexington, S.C.; his sisters, Ruth A. Lane and husband, John, and Doris A. Thompson and husband, Rush, both of Orlando, Fla.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church with burial in McCall Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Lewis M. and Louise P. Austin Endowed Memorial Scholarship, Attention: Teresa Oxendine, Office of Donor Relations, One University Drive, PO Box 1510, Pembroke, NC 28372-15120.
Whitner-Evans Funeral Home in Bennettsville, S.C. are in charge of the arrangements.

Virginia Leola Nichols Pope
Mrs. Virginia Leola Nichols Pope, 75, of Rocky Road, Lenoir, died Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at her home.
She was born August 1, 1931 in Watauga County, a daughter of Charlie Johnson Nichols and Lillie Viola Greene Nichols.
Survivors include two sons, Jerry Wayne Benge, Sr. and wife, Clara, of Lenoir and Roger Dale Benge and wife, Darlene, of Baton; four step-sons, Robert Steve Pope and wife, Janice; William Pope, Eric Pope and wife, Barbara, all of Hickory; and Michael Pope of Catawba; one daughter, Geneva Sue Greene and husband, Mike, of Lenoir; one step-daughter, Christy Toliver and husband, Tim, of Granite Falls; and five brothers, Carl, Raylee, Earl, Cleamith and Merle Nichols, all of Lenoir. Thirteen grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren also survive.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Glenn Pope; a sister, Mary Corum; two brothers, C. J. and Charles Nichols; and a grandson, Scott Benge.
Services will be conducted Friday morning at 11 o’clock at the Pendry’s Funeral Home Chapel in Lenoir, officiated by the Rev. Dewey Bristol and the Rev. Wallace Smith. Graveside services and committal will follow Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock in the Greene Family Cemetery in the Stony Fork community of Deep Gap.
The family suggests memorials to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Pendry’s Funeral Home in Lenoir is serving the Pope family.

Raymond Ragan
Mr. Raymond Ragan, 81, of 607 Daniel Boone Drive, Boone, died Wednesday, March 21, 2007, at his home.
He was born June 5, 1925 in Watauga County, a son of the late D.B. and Carrie Proffit Ragan.
Mr. Ragan was a retired mason’s assistant and a member of Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one sister, Opal Gragg of Boone. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Ted, Billy, Fred, and Ralph Ragan; and three sisters, Mildred Ragan, Mary Ann Ragan and Ola Ragan.
Services will be conducted Saturday morning, March 24, 2007, at 11:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Delmar James and the Rev. Mark Chaney. Burial will follow in the Meat Camp Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday morning, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service, prior to the service.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Lois “Burr” Thompson
Mrs. Lois “Burr” Thompson, 72, of Blowing Rock, died March 14, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born March 14, 1935 in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Carl Adams Thompson, Sr. and Lena Mae Keyes Thompson.
Mrs. Thompson was a graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and a member of the Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock.
Survivors include her husband, Wesley A. Thompson, Jr.; two daughters, Kelly Byler and husband, Tim, of Kingsport, Tenn.; and Stacey Dimino and husband, Tony, of Charlotte; one sister, Pat Beason of Asheville; one brother, Carl Thompson, Jr. of Winston-Salem; and grandchildren, Benjamin and Marc Byler, Gabrielle, Anthony and Allison Dimino.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock on March 24th at 11:00 a.m. A reception for family and friends will be held at the Rumple House following the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that a donation be made to the American Cancer Society of North Carolina, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Catawba Funeral Home of Hickory and Austin & Barnes Funeral Home of Boone are serving the Thompson family.

Marcelle Gibson Williford
Mrs. Marcelle Gibson Williford passed away on Monday, afternoon, March 19.
She was born in Folkston, Ga., to Elvie and Emma Gibson on Sept. 23, 1924, one of seven children.
Mrs. Williford was married for 50 years to Boyce Williford whom she met in Charleston, S.C., during World War II. The Willifords lived in Rock Hill, S.C., where they were active members of Neely’s Creek ARP Church.
After working for Carlisle C. Moore, CPA for years, she successfully owned and operated Marcelle’s Flower and Gift Shop until her retirement. She spent her last years in Boone, N.C., with her only child, Kathy W. Newton, and family. Brookside ARP Church became her new church home until her advancing Alzheimer’s disease necessitated a move to a nursing care facility.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Carl Newton of Boone; two grandchildren, Ben Newton of Greenville, N.C., and Josh and wife, Diana Newton of Chicago, Ill.; as well as three sisters, Irene Kimball and husband, Gip, of Charlotte, N.C., Merle Gantt and husband, Jim, of Folkston, Ga., and Edna Pechin of Jacksonville, Fla.; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Mrs. Williford’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, March 24 at 2:00 p.m. at Neely’s Creek ARP Church in Rock Hill, S.C. with visitation there at 1:00 p.m. and burial in the church cemetery.
Hampton Funeral Service and Bass-Cauthen Funeral Home in Rock Hill, S.C. are in charge of the arrangements.

Charles Joseph Olivieri
Mr. Charles Joseph Olivieri, 77, of Boone, died peacefully Wednesday, March 21, 2007.
He was born in Cagnes Sur Mer, France, on Dec. 8, 1929, to the late Victor Louis Olivieri and Suzanne Rinkle Olivieri.
Mr. Olivieri served in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1950. In 1975, he married Maria Manuela Cristino of Jaen, Spain, and moved to Palma De Mallorca, Spain where he hand-crafted reeds for clarinets and saxophones for his family-owned business, Olivieri Reeds. The Olivieri’s moved to Tucson, Ariz. In 1991 and to Boone in 2001 to be closer to their daughter.
Survivors include his wife of 32 years, Maria Manuela Olivieri and their children Victor Mateo Olivieri of Louisville, Ky. And Joanna Mari Olivieri of Boone.
Services will be held in Boone on Saturday, March 24, 2007, at 3 p.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to OASIS, Inc., P.O. Box 1591, Boone, N.C. 28607; or to your local United Way.
The family wishes to thank the Watauga Medical Center staff, including the doctors, social workers and especially the IMCU and 3 West nurses for their kindness and special care.
Hampton Funeral Service and St. Elizabeth Catholic Church is in charge of the arrangements.

March 21, 2007
Pauline McPherson Curtis
Mrs. Pauline McPherson Curtis, 74, of Winston-Salem, passed away Sunday, March 18, 2007, at Forsyth Medical Center.
She was born Sept. 16, 1932, in Columbus County, N.C., to Grover and Emma Walton McPherson.
She grew up, along with her brother, Grover, on their family farm off the Carolina coast. Her childhood near the ocean sparked a lifelong love for summer days spent at the beach and good seafood.
For 20 years she worked for the Carolina Telephone Company in Whiteville, while raising her daughter, Kathy.
Mrs. Curtis later relocated to Hopewell, Va., and married Floyd Curtis. There she worked for the Hopewell Oil Company and was manager of the Synthetic Federal Credit Union, where she was honored for 21 years of service.
In Virginia, she was also an active member of the Women of the Moose organization.
In 2003 she moved back to the Carolinas to be closer to her family. After retirement, she enjoyed bridge games with friends and being part of the Hope Valley Garden Club.
Mrs. Curtis attended First Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Forerunners class and she also volunteered with the local chapter of Meals on Wheels.
Mrs. Curtis was preceded in the death by her parents, her husband, and her close friend, John “Slim” Thompson.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Kathy Gore Crutchfield, and husband, Brian of Boone; newlywed granddaughter, Kat Benson, and husband, Randy, of Chapel Hill; grandson, Evan Crutchfield of Dillon, CO; brother, Grover McPherson and wife, Betty, of Winston-Salem; niece, Laura McCaskey, and husband, John, of Cornelius; and nephew, David McPherson, and wife, Vanessa, of Charlotte; as well as the many kind neighbors and friends who cared for her in her time of need.
Memorial services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 21, at First Baptist Church of Winston-Salem.
The family will receive friends before the service between 10 and 10:45 a.m.
Memorials may be made to Senior Services Meals on Wheels, 2895 Shorefair Drive, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27105.
Salem Funeral & Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.
Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com.

Dovie Moore Hamby
Mrs. Dovie Moore Hamby, 92, of 304 Blairmont Drive, Boone, died Sunday morning, March 11, 2007, at the Watauga Medical Center.
Mrs. Hamby was born Oct. 30, 1914 in Surry County, a daughter of the late William Henry and Laura Wilmoth Moore. She was a retired elementary school teacher.
Mrs. Hamby is survived by one daughter, Sandra Hamby Prince of Tampa, Fla.; and one brother, Aubrey Moore and wife Elizabeth of Dobson. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney M. Hamby; and three sisters and six brothers.
A memorial service for Mrs. Dovie Moore Hamby will be conducted Saturday afternoon, March 24, at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Meredith O’Keene Ward
Ms. Meredith O’Keene Ward, 97, of 400 Crescent Lane, Tuscaloosa, Ala., died Sunday, March 18, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
Mrs. Ward was born Jan. 26, 1910 in Tuscaloosa, Ala., a daughter of the late Wilber Henry Ward Sr. and Belle Keene Ward.
Following a career in private business, she retired in the 1970s as chief pharmacist at the Tuscaloosa Veterans’ Hospital.
An avid pilot during her middle years, she was a member of the Civil Air Patrol while active in that pursuit and continued her participation in an array of other organizations up to the time of her death. These included Daughters of the American Colonists, DAR, the Estes Embroidery Circle, the Ninety-nines (an international group for women pilots), the Quest Club, and the Zonta Club.
Ms. Ward is survived by two nephews, Wilber H. Ward III and wife, Alma, of Boone, and Michael H. Ward and wife, Diane, of Milton, Fla., and one niece, Pamela Ward Lamar, and husband, Andy, of Auburn, Ala.
She is also survived by numerous grandnephews and grandnieces.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Wilber Henry Ward Jr., James K. Ward, MD, and Hartwell H. Ward, MD.
Graveside services and burial for Ms. Meredith O’Keene Ward will be conducted Thursday morning, March 22, at 11:30 at Tuscaloosa Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends Thursday morning from 10 until 11:30 at the cemetery, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Tuscaloosa Humane Society ,or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Tuscaloosa Memorial Chapel Funeral Home in Tuscaloosa, Ala., is in charge of the arrangements.

John Frederick ‘Jack’ Sarno Jr.
Jack Sarno, 68, formerly of Blowing Rock, and most recently of Langston, Ala., died early Sunday morning, March 18, 2007, at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Ala., after a remarkable fight with prostate cancer.
Jack was born Jan. 30, 1939 in Johnstown, N.Y., the son of the late John Frederick and Jesse Biatek Sarno.
He was the retired owner and operator of Cliff Dwellers Motel and The Mountainaire Motel in Blowing Rock.
Prior to moving to Blowing Rock, Jack was the director of research and evaluation for the Niagara Falls public schools for 17 years. He also worked as a school psychologist for school systems in upstate New York.
H earned his master’s degree in school psychology from Syracuse University and his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Rochester.
Jack was a member of St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church in Scottsboro, Ala.
He is survived by his wife, Rosalie Sarno; two daughters, Amy Sarno of Beloit, Wis., and Danielle Trivette of Ontario, Canada; one son, Bradley Sarno of Langston, Ala.; three grandchildren, Thomas, Ethan and Eva Trivette, all of Ontario, Canada; and one sister, Julie Sarno Fort, of Port Orange, Fla. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Viewing was held at Scottsboro Funeral Home on Tuesday evening. The funeral Mass will be conducted Wednesday morning, March 21, at 10:30 at St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church. Officiating the service will be Father Vincent Chembakassery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2515 Memorial Parkway, SW#B, Huntsville, Ala. 35801, or St. Jude’s Roman Catholic Church, P.O. Box 971, Scottsboro, Ala. 35768.
Scottsboro Funeral Home in Scottsboro, Ala, is in charge of arrangements.

March 19, 2007
Paul Critcher
Mr. Paul Critcher, age 95, of 111 Paul Critcher Drive, Boone, died Thursday evening, March 15, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
Mr. Critcher was born May 15, 1911 in Watauga County, a son of the late Gaither and Josie McGuire Critcher. He was a retired carpenter and a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
Mr. Critcher is survived by one daughter, Nancy Critcher Frost of Boone; one granddaughter, Sonya McMillan of Alpharetta, Georgia; one grandson, Kenneth Frost of Boone, and one great-grandson, Christopher McMillan of Alpharetta. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Bowles Critcher; three sisters, Thelma Painter, Lena Cook, and Jessie Sheeler, and three brothers, Will, Hubert, and Glenn Critcher.
Funeral services for Mr. Paul Critcher were conducted Sunday afternoon, March 18, 2007, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were Reverend Allan Blume and Reverend Bud Russell. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Ernest James Coles
Mr. Ernest James Coles, 60, of Junaluska Road, Boone, and formerly of Caldwell County, died Thursday night, March 15, 2007 at home.
He was born Dec. 12, 1946, a son of the late Eugene and Effie Horton Coles.
Mr. Coles was a landscaper.
Surviving are his wife, Zula Christina Felder Coles of Morganton; one son, Alan Drake Felder of Hudson; one step-son, Malcolm Leroy Felder of Hudson; seven grandchildren, Drake Raheem Felder, Tyeesha Boston, Keyundra Boston, Jaymal Felder, Shirika Felder, Sierra Felder and Chelsea Felder, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Eugene Coles, Jr., and Charles Elbert Coles.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, March 18, 2007, at 3 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Morris Hatton. Burial followed in the Clarissa Hill Cemetery. The family received friends Sunday afternoon prior to the service from 2 until 3 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to High Country Health Care Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Coles family.

Bertha Brown Dew
Mrs. Bertha Brown Dew, age 87, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, formerly of Conway, South Carolina, died Thursday, March 15, 2007, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.
Mrs. Dew was born April 29, 1919 in Horry County, South Carolina, a daughter of the late William Leonard and Mary Rabon Brown. She was a homemaker and a member of Mount Ariel Baptist Church in Conway, South Carolina.
Mrs. Dew is survived by two daughters, Evelyn B. Dew of Conway, South Carolina, and Carolyn D. Greer and husband Randy of Deep Gap; two granddaughters, Amanda C. Presnell and husband Chris of Banner Elk, and Jeanne-Nichole Coutros of San Antonio, Texas; two grandsons, Terry Chestnut and Stephen Thacker, both of Conway, South Carolina; two sisters, Ruby Richardson of Conway, South Carolina and Mary Coyt Jenkins of Charleston, South Carolina; one step-daughter, Frances Holmes of Charleston, South Carolina, and one step-son, William "Billy" Dew of Conway, South Carolina. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Troy Dew; one sister and four brothers.
Funeral services for Mrs. Bertha Brown Dew were conducted Sunday afternoon, March 18, 2007, at Mount Ariel Baptist Church, in Conway, South Carolina. Officiating were Reverend Larry Bell and Reverend Buster Benton. Burial followed in the Mount Herman Baptist Church Cemetery.
Hampton Funeral Service and Goldfinch Funeral Home in Conway, were in charge of the arrangements.

Loyd Clay Dishman
Loyd Clay Dishman, age 86, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, and formerly of the Timbered Ridge Community, died Saturday morning, March 17, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center. Born August 21, 1920 in Watauga County, he was a son of Willard and Janie Greene Dishman. Mr. Dishman was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corp, servicing B-17 Bombers on airfields of England during WWII. He was a member of the Timbered Ridge Baptist Church. Mr. Dishman retired from the ASU Physical Plant and was a farmer.
He is survived by; his wife of 63 ? years, Ruby Harmon Dishman of the Glenbridge Health Care in Boone; two daughters, Geraldine ‘Gerry’ Smith and husband David Syfert of Charlotte and Betty Dishman of Sylva; two sons, Von Dishman of Chattanooga, TN and Mike Dishman and wife Kristy of Raleigh; six grandchildren, Ronnie, Anita, Clay, Aaron and Benjamin Dishman and Tracy Pearson and one step-grandson, Evan Smith and five great-grandchildren; three sisters, Maude Ward and husband Lee of Granite Falls, Mabel Ward of Boone and Leta Mae Edmisten of Sugar Grove; and one brother, Buster Dishman and wife Minnie Dare of Vilas.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Bynum Dishman and one brother, Ivan Dishman.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Derick Wilson and Rev. Carl Wilson. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Burial will follow in the Greene Family Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Greene Family Cemetery Fund, in care of Eddie Matheson, 316 John Ward Road, Sugar Grove, NC 28679.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Dishman family.

Martha Pearl Main Miller
Mrs. Martha Pearl Main Miller, 71, of Fleetwood, died Thursday morning, March 15, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born in Watauga County on March 19, 1935 to the late Thomas Marvin Main and the late Biddie Houck Main.
Mrs. Miller was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Claude Burl Miller; six sons, Robert Miller and wife, Barbara, Ronnie Miller and wife, Kim, Lonnie Miller and wife, Jennie, Larry Miller and wife, Betty, Dennis Miller and Austin Miller, all of Fleetwood; four daughters, Edith Worley and husband, Brannon, of Todd, Linda Hopkins and husband, Kermit, of Fleetwood, Betty Moretz and husband, Carroll, of Boone, and Barbara Walton and husband, J.D., of West Jefferson; four brothers, Dean Main, Glen Main and Tom Main, all of Todd, and Billy Main, of West Jefferson; three sisters, Ethel Wood of King George, Va., Mary Pruitt of Charlotte and Margie Miller, of Crumpler; a special sister-in-law, Mary Belle Main of Boone; 17 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a son, David Lee; and a grandson, Claude Moretz.
Services were held on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Blackburn Tabernacle Church with the Rev. Bruce Miller and Dr. Dean Simpson officiating. Burial followed in the Miller Family Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent at our website www.boonefuneralhome.com.
Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of the arrangements.