Archived

Grace Harris Gates
Mrs. Grace Harris Gates, 87, of 315 Westbrook Drive, Boone, died Wednesday morning, May 30, 2007, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.
She was born Sept. 30, 1919, a daughter of the late James and Grace Murphy Harris.
Survivors include her husband, Willis C. Gates; four daughters, Margaret Bragg and husband, James, of Houston, Texas, Madeline Slowik and husband, John, of Rochester, N.Y., Cathy Gates of Concord, Mass., and Rebecca Coon and husband, Richard, of Gaithersburg, Md. She is also survived by six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, James Edward and Grace Murphy Harris; and one sister, Margaret Stanfield.
Private memorial services will be conducted at a later date.
The family has respectfully requested no flowers.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

W. Doris Tester
Ms. W. Doris Tester, 74, of Southern Pines, N.C., died Friday, May 18, 2007.
She was born Feb. 6, 1933, in Sugar Grove, N.C., to the late Walter Ray and Ida Ward Tester.
Ms. Tester graduated from Bethel High School and attended Appalachian State Teachers College.
She moved to Detroit, Mich., and worked at Coffey Cadillac for more than 30 years.
She moved to Southern Pines in 1983, and retired as office manager of Moore County Arts Council after 12 years of service.
Survivors include a sister, Mary Rosalie Lozano of Aberdeen; two sisters-in-laws; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Nannie Grace Dishman; and a brother-in-law, Ivan Dishman; two brothers, Clyde Tester and Paul Tester; and a special brother-in-law, James Lozano.
Services were held at 3 p.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home in Boone. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Animal Advocates of Moore Co., P.O. Box 3399, Pinehurst, N.C. 28374 or Sandhill Interfaith Hospitality Network, P.O. Box 1173, Aberdeen, N.C. 28313.
Boles Funeral Home of Southern Pines is in charge of arrangements.

May 30, 2007
Mrs. Lena Armstrong
Mrs. Lena Armstrong, 95, of Monroe, formerly of Shulls Mills, N.C., passed away Sunday, May 27, 2007, in Carolinas Medical Center-Union.

She was born on Oct. 31, 1911, in Beech Mountain in Watauga County, N.C., a daughter of the late Lee Monroe Presnell and Kizzie Presnell.
Mrs. Armstrong was a cook for a rest home.
Survivors include four daughters, Mabel Gragg of Lenoir, Virginia Austin of Albemarle, Martha Smith of Albemarle, Carrie Hayes and husband, Bill, of Monroe; 11 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husbands, Raymond Vance Presnell and Patrick Armstrong.
A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 9, 2007, at Davis Funeral Chapel, officiated by Elder Larry Austin.
The family will receive friends immediately following the Memorial Service at Davis Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Memorial and Honor Program; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105.
An on-line guestbook is available at www.davisfuneralservice.com <http://www.davisfuneralservice.com>.
Davis Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Monroe is serving the family of Mrs. Armstrong.

Grady Thomas Hicks
Mr. Grady Thomas Hicks, 88, departing a life lived with boundless curiosity and a wide-open heart, formerly of Mount Airy, N.C., and Accokeek, Md., passed away Thursday, May 24th in Aurora, Colo., surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Sept. 9, 1918 in Flat Rock, N.C., to the late Benton and Mamie Sutphin Hicks.
Mr. Hicks received degrees from Wake Forest College (BS) and the University of Kansas (MS, Physics). After service in the Pacific during World War II, Mr. Hicks worked at the Naval Research Lab in Washington, D. C. and is the discoverer of The Hicks Effect.
A loving father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and friend, he leaves behind to cherish his memory: two daughters and a son-in-law, Brenda and Alec Nesbitt of Larkspur, Colo. and Mary Hicks of Castle Rock, Colo.; five grandchildren, Jasper Hicks Kaplan, Grady, Ben and Ian Nesbitt, and Annie Nesbitt Lohri, as well as two great-grandchildren. He is survived as well by several sisters-in-law, Joanne White Schlaginhaufen, Dorothy White Durham, Hilda White Scarborough, and Judy Whitaker White; two brothers-in-law, Herman White of Murrell’s Inlet, S.C., and John Cox of Greensboro, N.C.; and a large and loving extended family.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Hicks was preceded in death by two brothers, Warren and Russell Hicks; and two sisters, Edith Cox and Adeline Watson.
Services were held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 29th at Salem Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Roland Jones officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Salem Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, or to one’s charity of choice.
Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com
Moody-Davis Funeral Service Inc., in Dobson, N.C., were in charge of the arrangements.

May 28, 2007
Elsie Greene Champion
Mrs. Elsie Greene Champion, 81, of Vilas, and a former resident of Gaffney, S.C., died Friday morning, May 25, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Sept. 9, 1925 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Asa and Nettie Adams Greene.
Mrs. Champion was retired from Hamrick’s and was a member of Rutherwood Baptist Church.
Surviving are one daughter, Carolyn Coffman and husband, Bill, of Vilas; one son, Paul Champion of Gaffney, S.C.; three grandchildren, Travis Connelly of Alexandria, La., Jason Connelly and wife, Sharon, of San Angelo, Texas, and David Champion of Gaffney, S.C.; two great-grandchildren, Elise and Liam Connelly of San Angelo, Texas; and two nephews, Johnny Hayes and wife, Sue, of Vilas, Bill Elmore and wife, Pat, of Gaffney, S.C.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Roy Eugene Champion; and two sisters, Blanche Hayes and Sarah Elmore.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Rutherwood Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Lawrence officiating.
Graveside services and burial was conducted Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Oakland Cemetery in Gaffney, S.C., officiated by the Rev. Gary Lawrence.
Memorials may be made to the Rutherwood Baptist Church Building Fund, 142 Don Hayes Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Champion family.

Benjamin Lee Greene
Dr. Benjamin Lee Greene, 62, of Marion, passed away Thursday, May 24, 2007, at Memorial Mission Hospital.
He was born in Watauga County on June 27, 1944 and was a son of the late Robert Lee and Nettie Sharpe Greene.
Dr. Greene was owner and operator of McDowell Vet Clinic. He was a graduate of N.C. State and University of Georgia, Athens.
Survivors include two sons, Andrew Greene and wife, Amber, of Nebo and Kenneth Greene of Nebo; one sister, Caroline G. Robbins of Hickory; two brothers, Peter S. Greene of Greensboro and Robert F. (Pug) Greene of Blowing Rock; two grandchildren, Sarah Greene and Sydney Greene and a special companion Susan Leffe.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, May 29, at 11 a.m. in Westmoreland Chapel with the Rev. Scott Hagaman and the Rev. Robert Greene officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Animal Aid, 1086 Hwy. 70 West, Marion, N.C. 28752. An online register is available at www.westmorelandfuneralhome.com.
Westmoreland Funeral Home and Crematory in Marion, is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph Edward “Bud” Rabley
Mr. Joseph Edward “Bud” Rabley, 85, of Valle Crucis, died Wednesday morning, May 23, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born June 9, 1921 in Bartlesville, Okla., a son of Charles August and Lilly Keller Rabley.
An active member of Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Valle Crucis, he served on the vestry. After graduation from Chelsea High School in 1939, He served in the U.S. Navy as a navigational instructor during World War II. In 1949 he graduated from Duke University with degrees in Political Science and Economics. Mr. Rabley retired in 1984 from the Bank of Lancaster in South Carolina after 45 years of service.
Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Ruth Gracey Rabley; two sons, Chris Rabley and wife, Shea, of Irmo, S.C. and Jono Rabley of Chapin, S.C.; one daughter, Jessa Rabley Tsutsumi and husband, Shigeru, of West Linn, Ore.; his sister, Pauline Anderson of Rock Hill, S.C.; five grandchildren, Shannon, Andrew, Patrick, Kengo and Keita; two great-grandchildren, Zaley and Payton; four nephews, Dr. Dirk Anderson and wife, Jeanette, Roy Anderson and wife, Claudia, Paul Hawkins and wife, Kathy, and Mickey Rabley; and one niece, Susan Frieboes and husband, Jon.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Christopher Jordan Rabley; one sister, Velma Hawkins; and one brother, George Dale Rabley.
Memorial services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, June 3, at 2 o’clock at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Valle Crucis, officiated by the Rev. John Zellner and the Rev. Muriel Moore. A reception celebrating his life will follow the services in Skiles Hall. Burial will be private.
The family would like to thank the staff at Watauga Medical Center for their kind, compassionate care during Mr. Rabley’s illness, as well as Dr. Peter Haibach and staff for their loving care and understanding over the years. A very special thanks to our family and friends for their prayers, love and support during his declining health.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Holy Cross Episcopal Church, to Holy Cross Episcopal Church Columbarium Fund, to the Towel Ministries, or to the Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 645, Valle Crucis, N.C. 28691.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Rabley family.

Addie Tester Trivette
Mrs. Addie Tester Trivette, 100, of 607 Georges Gap Road, Vilas, died Saturday afternoon, May 26, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 29, 1907, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late John Amos and Lillie Glenn Tester.
Mrs. Trivette retired from Simpson’s Florist and was a member of Cove Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Polly Mele of Boone, Doris Blankenship and husband, Marion, of West Jefferson, and Peggy Cunningham and husband, Les, of Oklawaha, Fla.; and one son, George Trivette and wife, Alice, of Piney Flats, Tenn.; two sisters, Delilah Harmon of Sugar Grove and Anna Lee Lawrence of Vilas. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Grady S. Trivette; four daughters, Mae Brown, Frankie Lee Trivette, Juanita Hicks and Ruth Brown; two sons, Charles Curtis and Jerry Trivette; three sisters, Rose Edna Wilson, Maggie Ward and Hazel Ward; and two brothers, Frances “John” Tester and Ed Tester; and her father and mother, John and Lillie Mae Glenn Tester.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Cove Creek Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Carl Wilson. Burial will follow in the Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.
 
Mary Wilhelmina ‘Mena’ VonCanon
Mrs. Mary Wilhelmina “Mena” VonCanon, 97, of Banner Elk, died on Wednesday May 23, 2007.
A native of Avery County, she was the daughter of the late Will and Mary Hughes.
Mrs. VonCanon was a member of the Banner Elk Methodist Church and Eastern Star. She was honored by the town of Banner Elk, being named the Grand Marshal in the town’s 4th of July parade in 2002.
She taught for the public school system for 40 years. She started her teaching career at Elk Park Elementary School and then moved to Banner Elk Elementary where she taught second grade until her retirement. She wrote the Banner Elk News for the Avery Journal under the penname John Harvey.
She is survived by her daughter-in-law, Brenda VonCanon; grandsons, Stephen D. VonCanon of Baltimore, Md., William D. (Billy) VonCanon, of Charlotte, N.C., and Joshua H. VonCanon of Banner Elk; great-grandchildren, Nicholas S. VonCanon of Baltimore, Md., Tyler A. VonCanon, of Baltimore, Md., Cameron R. VonCanon of Charlotte, N.C., and Emma G. VonCanon of Charlotte, N.C.; sister-in-laws, Louise Holshauser of Banner Elk and Ruth Cooper of Smithsfield, Va.; brother-in-law; Jake VonCanon of Texas and a host of nieces and nephews.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Douglas VonCanon, Sr.; her son, W.D VonCanon, Jr.; a brother, Dennis Hughes and her sister, Lucy Greene.
Funeral services were conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon, May 26, at the Grandfather Chapel with the Rev. Bill Blanton officiating. Interment followed in the Banner Elk Cemetery with her grandsons and great-grandsons serving as pallbearers.
Memorials may be made to the Banner Elk Methodist Church.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the VonCanon family.