Obituaries

  Updated April 26, 2007

Raymond Kenneth “Ray” Carlton\

Mr. Raymond Kenneth “Ray” Carlton, 56, Sugar Grove, died April 12, 2007 at Anna Maria Island, Fla.
He was born August 4, 1950 in Pinellas County, Fla., the son of Margaret Horst Carlton and the late Jerome Carlton.
Mr. Carlton was raised in St. Petersburg, Fla. and was a 1973 graduate of Appalachian State University. For nearly 30 years the ASU graduate kept his finger on the pulse of popular music as a major record executive, promoter and road manager. He began his career as a road manager and worked his way up to Vice President, most recently serving as Vice President of Pop Promotion for RCA records. Along the way Ray worked for Warner Brothers affiliated label Giant Records and Elektra-Asylum Records. He retired from the music industry in 2002 and returned to Boone. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church. In 2006 he and his wife Sharon organized High Country Cotillion, a social education program, to prepare Watauga students in life skills.
Survivors include his wife of 31 years, Sharon Anderson Carlton; one son, Sam Carlton, both of Sugar Grove; his mother, Margie Carlton; one sister, Marlene Root, both of Tampa, Fla.; and several nieces and nephews.
A celebration of the life will be conducted Saturday, May 5, 2007 at 4 o’clock at the First Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be Dr. Ron Bowie. A meal for family and friends will follow in the fellowship hall of the First Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Ray Carlton Memorial High Country Cotillion Scholarship Fund for Deserving Children, in care of Bank of America, 1800 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Sam B. Carlton Trust (College Fund) in care of Smith Barney, 100 North Tampa Street, Suite 3000, Tampa, Fla. 33602 or to the First Presbyterian Church, 663 Howard Street Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Carlton family.

Paul Armfield Coffey

Mr. Paul Armfield Coffey, 72, of Cobble Creek Lane, Boone, died Friday, April 20, 2007 in Boone.
He was born Dec. 30, 1934 in Boone, a son of Paul Arch and Margaret Linney Coffey.
Mr. Coffey was publisher of the Watauga Democrat, The Blowing Rocket and the Avery Journal. He served as President of the North Carolina Press Association, the North Carolina Community Newspaper Association, the North Carolina Foundation Board, Appalachian Festival Advisory Board, the American Red Cross and other community organizations.
Armfield is survived by his brother, Frank Coffey and wife, Joyce, of Pinehurst and Boone; one nephew, Paul Coffey; and a cousin, Romulus Linney, both of New York, N.Y.; and his sister-in-law, Jane Rivers of Memphis, Tenn.
His wife, Rachel Rivers-Coffey; an infant son, Robert Campbell Coffey; and his parents, preceded him in death.
A memorial service was conducted Thursday morning, April 26th at 11 o’clock at the Boone City Cemetery, officiated by the Rev. A.J. Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Coffey family.

Roy William Cox

Mr. Roy William Cox, 89, of Grace Ridge, Morganton, N.C., died Monday, April 23, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness.
He was born June 25, 1917 in Kansas City, KS and was the son of the late William Eli Cox and Minnie Lambe Cox.
Mr. Cox served as Chief Petty Officer with the U.S. Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He retired after 32 years of service with National Airlines as an avionics expert, and was an avid ham radio operator.
Survivors include his wife, Beatrice Foss Cox, of the home.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Iris Cox; and by his sister, Eva Mason.
A memorial service was held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2007, at Grace Episcopal Church in Morganton with Father Bruce Walker officiating. The family received friends in the church parish hall following the service. Interment of the ashes will be held at 11:30 a.m., Friday, April 27, 2007, at the Rodger and Catherine Larson Memorial Garden at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Boone, N.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Ridge Scholarship Fund, 500 Lenoir Rd., Morganton, N.C. 28655.
Online condolences may be made at wwwsossomanfuneralservice.com.
Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, N.C., were in charge of arrangements.

Mary Thornton Gurney

Ms. Mary Thornton Gurney, 90, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Saturday, April 21, 2007, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.
She was born April 26, 1916 in Holmes County, Mississippi, a daughter of the late Bonnell and Florence Curtis Thornton.
Ms. Gurney was a retired elementary school teacher and served with the U.S. Marines during World War II. She was a member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church.
She is survived by one daughter, Maria Gurney Deighton and husband, Tom, of Hudson; two sons, Michael Gurney of Miami, Fla., and Peter Gurney and wife, Joan, of Vine Grove, Ky.; seven grandchildren, Patricia, Michelle, Alex, Kevin, Kenny, William, and Rosalyn; and one great-grandchild, Hailey.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Alberto Gurney; and one sister, Jo Thornton Kilpatrick.
A private memorial service will be conducted at a later date.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Julia Ella Ford Harrison

Mrs. Julia Ford Harrison, 93, of Richland Road, Lenoir, died Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born May 6, 1913 in Watauga County to the late Filmore Garfield and Martha Blanche Coffey Ford.
Mrs. Harrison was a homemaker and a member of Unity Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sons, Eric Anthony Harrison of Lenoir and Shuford Edward Harrison of Wilkesboro; three daughters, Ms. Adairn Elaine Harrison of Hickory, Mrs. Joe (Evelyn Annette) Snyder of Hudson and Mrs. Gwyn (A. Elizabeth) Icenhour of Lenoir; a brother, Marion Glenn Ford of Boone; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Belle Hampton of Whitnel and Mrs. Sadie Blanche Church of Fleetwood; ten grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie C. Harrison; a daughter, Aleda Eva Burress; seven brothers, Ralph, Frank, Stewart, Blaine, Ingle, Hooker, and Farthing Ford; a sister, Pansy Jackson; and a grandchild, Curtis Snyder.
Services were conducted Wednesday morning, April 25, at 11 a.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Paul Dula and the Rev. Gary Waters. Interment followed at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 6777 Richland Rd., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; The Eva Harrison Burress Scholarship Fund, c/o Appalachian State University Foundation, P.O. Box 32014, Boone, N.C. 28608-2014; Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; and Alzheimers Association, 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, N.C. 28801-2644.
Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.
Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.

Louise Goins Miller

Mrs. Louise Goins Miller, 84, of Fleetwood, passed away Monday, April 23, 2007 at Ashe Memorial Hospital.
She was born June 28, 1922 in Ashe County to the late Kate Goins Dewitt.
Mrs. Miller was the widow of Lillard Miller. She was a homemaker.
Survivors include six sons, Morris Miller and wife, Shelia, Elbert Miller, Clayton Miller, Richard Miller and Ronnie Miller and wife, Lisa, all of Fleetwood; and Roger Miller of Lenoir; five daughters, Wanda Shammas and husband, Michael, of Virginia Beach, Va.; Glenda Miller of Alphretta, Ga.; Jeannette Conrad and husband, John, of Winston Salem; Wilma Turner and husband, Johnny, of Lenoir; and Marie Grimms of Boone; three step-daughters, Mae Miller and Lois Miller, both of White Plains, N.Y.; and Beatrice Kelsey of Fleetwood; one brother, Edward Goins of Dayton, Ohio; and one sister, Almedie Perkins of Sugar Grove, Va. Also surviving are 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Ralph, Everett and June Dewitt.
Graveside services were held at 12:00 p.m. Thursday, April 26, 2007 at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Fleetwood by the Rev. Randall Greene.
You may email condolences to the family through our website www.ashelawn.com.
Ashelawn Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Becky Ann Sanders Watson

Mrs. Becky Ann Sanders Watson, 59, of Hollywood Ridge Road, Lenoir, passed away Monday, April 23, 2007 at her residence.
She was born Oct. 22, 1947 in Wilkes County to the late Jesse Sanders and Beatrice T. Sanders.
Mrs. Watson was retired from Thomasville Furniture and of Baptist faith.
Survivors include her husband, Dockie “Spencer” Watson, Sr.; a son, Dockie S. Watson, Jr. and his wife, Karen, of Lenoir; three daughters, Theresa W. Claybrook and her husband, Mark, of Deep Gap, Mary Ann Watson of Lenoir, and Melinda W. Bentley of Lenoir; four sisters, Nancy Crump of Boone, Nettie Chester, Peggy Bryant and Cathy Pope, all of Lenoir. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Lorray Bentley, Sarah Bentley, Russel Chester, Nicole Chester, Allison Watson and Ethan Watson; and expecting her first great-grandchild in June.
Services were held Thursday, April 26th at 11:00 a.m. in Pendry’s Chapel with the Rev. Jim Whisnant and the Rev. Jerry Lingerfelt officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Serving as pallbearers were Ricky Dula, Dwayne Barrett, Chris Whisnant, Frankie Crump, Darren Phillips and Jerry Sanders. Honorary pallbearers were Ray Triplett and Russel Chester.
Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be sent to: www.pendrysfh.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Watson family.

Updated April 25, 2007

Thomas Edward ‘Tommy’ Crysel
Mr. Thomas Edward “Tommy” Crysel, 82, of River Street, Wilkesboro, died Saturday, April 21, 2007 at his home.
He was born Sept. 7, 1924 in Wilkes County, to Ed and Jessie Lenderman Crysel.
Mr. Crysel was retired from Avery County as an audio/visual technician and was a member of Wilkesboro United Methodist Church. He was retired from Wilkesboro Fire Department. He served in the United States Army during World War II.
He is survived by one daughter, Kathy Crysel McDaniel of Wilkesboro; one sister, Lillie Crysel Clark of Dallas, Texas; and one niece, Patricia Houk Knowles of Wilkesboro.
His wife, Majorie Miller Crysel, preceded him in death.
Services will be held Tuesday 2:00 p.m., April 24, 2007 at Wilkesboro United Methodist Church with the Rev. David Calhoun officiating. Burial with Masonic Rites by Liberty Lodge #45 will be in Mountain Park Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Monday night from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Wilkesboro United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 197, Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.
On line condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

Robert David Korner, Esq.
Mr. Robert David Korner, Esq., of Miami, Fla., and a seasonal resident of Locust Lane in Boone, died Friday, April 13, 2007, in Florida..
He was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, and moved to Miami as a young boy.
Mr. Korner graduated from Edison High School and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Miami. He worked for many years as supervisor in the Building Department for the City of Miami and later attended the University of Miami Law School. He found ways as a real estate and eminent domain specialist to use those talents and gifts for numerous church and charitable organizations.
Mr. Korner was a faithful member of Coral Gables United Methodist Church for more than 50 years. His legacy is one of generosity, service, humor and a joyful spirit.
Survivors include his wife of four years, Jean Korner; his four daughters, Karen, Connie, Candy and Kitty; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his step-children.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Bain Korner.
Services were conducted in the Sanctuary at Coral Gables First United Methodist Church. Graveside services and burial were conducted Friday afternoon, April 20, 2007, at 4 o’clock at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Coral Gables, Fla.; to the Enterprise United Methodist Children’s Home; or to Leesburg United Methodist Retreat.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Korner family.

Ina Greer Miller
Mrs. Ina Greer Miller, 91, of Wake Forest, formerly of Middle River, Md., died Saturday, April 7, 2007, at the Wake Forest Care Center.
She was born July 21, 1915 in Ashe County, a daughter of the late Ivory and Emma Parlier Greer.
Mrs. Miller moved with her husband and family to the Baltimore, Md. area prior to World War II. After her retirement from Weyerhauser, she was a homemaker and lived in Middle River until her return to North Carolina in 2001.
She is survived by many loving family members, including six grandchildren, five great-granddaughters, two great-grandsons, and one great-great-granddaughter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ronda Miller; one daughter, Madge Miller Migol; and one son, Alvin Miller.
A memorial service was conducted Sunday afternoon, April 22, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Clint Kimbrough officiating. Burial followed in the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jack D. Phillips
Mr. Jack D. Phillips, 80, a World War II Veteran and Structural Steel Draftsman for Boeing, passed away Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Patty Phillips; daughters, Jana Duke and husband, Rodney, of Boone, N.C., Barbara Phillips of Wichita; a son, Jack David Phillips of Wichita; a sister, Franke Demoret; a brother, Lloyd Phillips; and two granddaughters, Caitlin and Sarah Anne Duke of Boone, N.C.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Lillie Hepler Phillips; and a sister, Glenna McKinney.
Services were conducted Friday afternoon, April 20, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. at Woodland United Methodist Church
Donations may be given to Woodland United Methodist Church, 1100 West 15th, Wichita, KS 67203 or Median Shrine Plane of Mercy.
Lakeview Funeral Home in Wichita, Kan., was in charge of arrangments.


Nancy Qualls Rhymer
Ms. Nancy Qualls Rhymer, 70, of Pine Run Road, Boone, died Tuesday morning, April 10, 2007, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born June 24, 1936 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Ed. S. and Lona Dixon Qualls.
Ms. Rhymer was a retired food service employee from Appalachian State University and a member of First Baptist Church in Boone.
Survivors include two daughters, Rebecca Morris and husband, Jeffrey, of Elkridge, Md., and Amy Mele and husband, Don, of Boone; one granddaughter, Michelle Puett of Boone; two grandsons, Jeffrey Morris of Leonardtown, Md. and Ryan Puett of Boone; one sister, Martha Collier and husband, Bill, of Whispering Pines; and one brother, Dixon Qualls and wife, Landy, of Chapel Hill. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Spencer Qualls.
A private memorial service was held Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Davant Center at Blowing Rock Hospital, PO Box 148, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Faye Rector Story
Mrs. Faye Rector Story, 85, of 2936 Bean Road, the Gamewell community in Lenoir, died Thursday, April 19, 2007, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born Nov. 5, 1921 in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late C.J. and Henrietta Robinson Rector.
Mrs. Story was a homemaker and a member of Grandview Park Baptist Church in Lenoir.
Survivors include one son, Gene Story and wife, Jeanne, of Hendersonville; two daughters, Shirley Chandler and husband, Melvin, and Judy Phillips and husband, Whitey Potbury, all of Lenoir; two granddaughters, Sherry Gorman and husband, Todd, of Hickory, and Jeanne Jones of Granite Falls; two grandsons, Robert Phillips, III of Lenoir, and Timothy Jones of Black Mountain; two great-granddaughters, Alexus Phillips of Hudson, and Ciara Jones of Hendersonville; three great-grandsons, Chris Gorman of Hickory, Nicholos Marshall, and Austin Marshall, both of Granite Falls; one brother, Bill Rector of Wilmington; and one sister-in-law, Angeline S. Edmisten of Boone. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Olin "Shorty" Story; four sisters, Lucille Coffey, Mary Etta Arney, Martha Griffin, and JoAnn Lewis; three brothers, C.J. Rector, Jr., Eugene Rector, and Jack Rector.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, April 22, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Laurel Fork Baptist Church with Dr. Dan Featherstone and the Rev. Sam Craven officiating. Burial followed in Laurel Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may by made to Laurel Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Melba Watson, 1811 Aho Road, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Wanda Kaye Trivette
Mrs. Wanda Kaye Trivette, 51, of Burkwood Drive, Winston-Salem, died Thursday, April 19, 2007 at her home in Winston-Salem.
She was born Dec. 28, 1955 in Watauga County, a daughter of Irene Thomas Trivette and the late Leo Little Trivette.
Ms. Trivette was a member of Union Baptist Church and was employed as a data entry clerk.
Survivors include two daughters, Kristen Canter of Asheville and Jennifer Weede and husband, Jon, of Warner Robins, Ga.; two sons, Matthew and Ryan Essex, both of Davenport, Iowa; three grandchildren, Ashley Guy of Mountain City, Tenn., DeAndre’ Currence of Asheville and Jaiden Weede of Warner Robins, Ga.; her mother, Irene Thomas Trivette of Winston-Salem; two brothers, Dennis Trivette of Vilas and David Trivette of Tampa; Fla.; and one sister, Pamela Trivette Fitzgerald and husband, Shawn, of Winston-Salem.
Graveside services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Union Baptist Church Cemetery in Zionville, officiated by the Rev. Derick Wilson.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Union Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Roxanna Miller, 6797 Old US Highway 421, Zionville, N.C. 28698.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Trivette family.