Archived

Will Byrd
Mr. Will Byrd, 95, of 232 North Fork Road, Zionville, former resident of the Dutch Creek community, died Sunday morning, May 20, 2007.
Mr. Byrd was born Aug. 1, 1911 in Watauga County, a son of the late Benjamin and Rhoda Townsend Byrd. Mr. Byrd owned and operated a sawmill. He was a member of the Valle Crucis Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Mr. Byrd and his wife, Emma, were former house parents at Grandfather Home for Children in Banner Elk.
Mr. Byrd is survived by one daughter, Rosedna Thomas and husband, Ronnie, of Zionville; four sons, Bill Byrd and wife, Lathania, of Roan Mountain, Tenn., Bennett Byrd and wife, Mary, and Baxter Byrd and wife, Janet, all of Zionville, and Bennie Byrd and wife, Sharon, of Morganton; a daughter-in-law, Bobbie Byrd of Banner Elk; three sisters, Daisy Gragg of Newland, Lillie Allison of Burlington and Flo Willard and hsuband, Bob, of Glennside, Pa.; two brothers, Clyde Byrd and wife, Mary, of Todd, and Howard Byrd and wife, Blanche, of Banner Elk; and a sister-in-law, Berneice Byrd of Banner Elk.
He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, and a number of nieces an nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Emma Eggers Byrd, one son, Bobby “Andy” Byrd, his father and mother, Benjamin and Rhoda Townsend Byrd, one sister, Rosa Grant, and two brothers, Doc and Claude Byrd.
Services were conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Chuck Morefield. Burial followed in the Byrd Family Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Byrd Family Cemetery Fund, in care of Rosedna Thomas, 1159 North Fork Road, Zionville, N.C. 28698.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Debra Rackowski Christopher
Debra Rackowski Christopher, 51, of Boone, died Monday, May 21, 2007.
She is preceded in death by her beloved grandparents, Margaret and Robert Vollriede, and her dog, Muffin.
She is survived by her parents, Anthony T. and Susan Rackowski; one brother, Joey Rackowski of Abingdon, Va.; two sisters, Marcia Lee Francis of Florida and Margie Rackowski of Wilmington; three nephews, Thomas Richardson, Michael Richardson and Jonathan Rackowski; and an aunt, Maria Cipriano and husband, Vinnie. She is also survived by a life friend, Wendell Johnston of Boone.
A funeral Mass was conducted Thursday evening at Christ the King Catholic Church in Abingdon, Va. Officiating was Father Paul Maier.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Washington County Animal Shelter, 27252 Porter Lane, Abingdon, Va. 24211.
Those wishing to send memories or messages of sympathy online may do so by visiting www.farrisfuneralservice.com
The Main Street Chapel of Farris Funeral Service, 427 East Main St., Abingdon, Va., was in charge of arrangements

Wanda Boyer Trusler
Mrs. Wanda Boyer Trusler, 76, of 262 Volna Osborne Lane, Trade, Tenn., died Saturday, May 19, 2007.
Mrs. Trusler was a native of Dayton, Ohio, and a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Ralph Barth Trusler, and her mother, Nellie Muriel Johnson Boyer.
Mrs. Trusler is survived by three daughters, Terrye Kennedy and husband, Paul, of Pleasantville, Ohio, Tamela Guay and husband, Christopher, of Lancaster, Ohio, and Holly Tobon and husband, Eduardo, of Trade, Tenn.; two sons, Ralf Barth "Trace" Trusler III and wife, Janet, of Valkaria, Fla., and Michael Raymond Trusler and wife, Rhonda, of Saudi Arabia; her father, Raymond W. Boyer of Springfield, Ohio; a sister, Evelyn Lang, and husband, Terry, of Springfield, Ohio; and a brother, Eugene Boyer of Franklin, Ohio.
She is also survived by nine grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, four nieces and three nephews.
A private celebration of life will be held by the family at a later date.
Hampton Funeral service is in charge of the arrangements.

May 23, 2007
Norman Scott Danner
Norman Scott Danner, 41, of Zionville, died Sunday afternoon, May 20, 2007, at the Johnson City Medical Center in Johnson City, Tenn.
He was born Aug. 31, 1965 in Watauga County. Mr. Danner was a nurse assistant at Mount Care Facility in Boone and was a member of the Blue Ridge Community Christian Church in Blowing Rock.
His survived by his wife, Debora Osborne Danner of Zionville; one daughter, Amanda Elizabeth Danner of Zionville; one stepson, David Vanover Jr. and wife, Jessica, of Bakersville; his mother and stepfather, Laura Danner Waddill and the Rev. Thomas Waddill of Angier; two sisters, Deneen Wells and husband, Frank, of Statesville, and Brenda Kreitter and husband, Robert, of Huntersville: four nieces, Bethany Kreitter of Huntersville, Madeleine and Laura Grace Wells, both of Statesville, and Jessica Osborne of Vilas; two nephews, Elijah Wells of Statesville and Caleb Kreitter of Huntersville; his father and mother-in-law, Roy and Rose Osborne of Zionville; and a brother-in-law, Joe Osborne, and wife, Esther, of Collettsville.
He is also survived by two stepbrothers, two stepsisters, four step-nephews and three step-nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father, Billy Dean Danner.
Services will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Doug Danner and the Rev. Glenn Lutrell.
The family will receive friends Wednesday morning from 10 until 11, one hour prior to the services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Danner Cemetery.
At other times, the family will be at the home of Roy and Rose Osborne, 579 Slabtown Road, Zionville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Danner Cemetery fund, in care of David Hodges, 1075 Laurel Fork Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692, or to the Norman Scott Danner Fund at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Danner family.

May 21, 2007
Ruth Douglas Baker
Ruth Douglas Baker passed away in her sleep at Baptist Convalescent Center in Newport, Tenn., on Sunday, May 13, 2007.
She was 93 years old and was born Oct. 21, 1913 in McDowell County, N.C., to Jetter D. Williams and Julia Chase Williams.
She is survived by a son, Edwin D. Carpenter of Parrottsville, and a daughter, Elizabeth B. Elmore, and a grandson, Corwin Elmore, both of Greenville, S.C., and a grandson, Preston Elmore, who is serving with the U.S. Navy at Norfolk, Va.
She graduated from U.T. Knoville on June 6, 1938 from the College of Agriculture, the third woman to graduate in agriculture.
While attending U.T., she met Joe Edwin Carpenter, the son of Joe J. Carpenter and Bernice Carpenter of Parrottsville. They were married Sept. 23, 1939 in Clinton, Tenn.
They moved ot Sneedville, Tenn., where Joe Edwin worked as assistant county agent until he was called to active duty in early 1942 with the start of World War II.
A son, Edwin Douglas, was born to Ruth and Joe Edwin at Fort Bragg, N.C. Joe Edwin Carpenter was a first lieutenant in the 101st, the Airborne Division, and fought in the Normandy Invasion, Operation Marketgarden in Holland and the Battle of the Bulge, Seige of Bastogne. He was killed Jan. 13, 1945 in the battle to push the Germans back from Bastogne. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.
Ruth married Richard H. Baker in the late 1940s, and they had Elizabeth Ann on March 11, 1950. They were later divorced.
Mrs. Baker worked for the N.C. Agricultural Extension Services as an assistant county agent and later as a home agent.
After attending Appalachian State University, she worked for the Watauga County DHS in Boone in the latter 1950s and early 1960s.
She moved to Cocke County about 1966 and worked for DHS until she retired as a protective service worker in the latter 1970s. She loved people and she loved helping them.
She was an outdoors person, who loved the mountains and nature. She enjoyed hiking and bird watching. In addition, she was very interested in history.
She had been a member of University Women.
When her mother-in-law, Mrs. Joe Carpenter, was alive, she belonged to Forest Hill Baptist Church; however, when she lived in North Carolina, she had belonged to the Methodist church.
The family will receive friends on Monday, May 21, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Costner-Maloy Chapel at Costner-Maloy Funeral Home in Newport, Tenn., with a brief service to celebrate her life at 8 p.m. Upon her request, she has been cremated.

Dr. Dorothy Joleen Wessel Bock
Dr. Dorothy Joleen Wessel Bock, born Sept. 30, 1925, in Bennington, Kan., passed away May 17, 2007 at the Watauga Medical Center in Boone.
She graduated from the University of Denver and received her doctorate of library sciences from the University of Southern California.
She was published frequently in library journals and for several years was on the faculty of library sciences at Appalachian State .
She conducted a national project for the American Association of Junior Colleges and moved to Guam where she was appointed vice-president of the university.
Dr. Bock was a world traveler and a frequent lecturer for the senior scholars program at Appalachian State University.
Memorials may be made in the name of the Appalachian State University Foundation Inc., in Dr. Bock’s name, to the Institute for Senior Scholars Fund, in care of Ann Kelly; or to the BSH Alumni Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 38, Bennington, KS 67422.
Dr. Bock is survived by her daughter, Jeannine Green; two grandsons, Kirk Matthew Green and Scott Cameron Green of Desert Hot Springs, Calif.; and her sister, Jacquetta Sue Quinn of Bennington, Kan.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Bock family.

Will Byrd
Mr. Will Byrd, 95, of 232 North Fork Road, Zionville, former resident of the Dutch Creek community, died Sunday morning, May 20, 2007.
Mr. Byrd was born Aug. 1, 1911 in Watauga County, a son of the late Benjamin and Rhoda Townsend Byrd. Mr. Byrd owned and operated a sawmill. He was a member of the Valle Crucis Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Mr. Byrd and his wife, Emma, were former house parents at Grandfather Home for Children in Banner Elk.
Mr. Byrd is survived by one daughter, Rosedna Thomas and husband, Ronnie, of Zionville; four sons, Bill Byrd and wife, Lathania, of Roan Mountain, Tenn., Bennett Byrd and wife, Mary, and Baxter Byrd and wife, Janet, all of Zionville, and Bennie Byrd and wife, Sharon, of Morganton; a daughter-in-law, Bobbie Byrd of Banner Elk; three sisters, Daisy Gragg of Newland, Lillie Allison of Burlington and Flo Willard and hsuband, Bob, of Glennside, Pa.; two brothers, Clyde Byrd and wife, Mary, of Todd, and Howard Byrd and wife, Blanche, of Banner Elk; and a sister-in-law, Berneice Byrd of Banner Elk.
He is also survived by 15 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, and a number of nieces an nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Emma Eggers Byrd, one son, Bobby “Andy” Byrd, his father and mother, Benjamin and Rhoda Townsend Byrd, one sister, Rosa Grant, and two brothers, Doc and Claude Byrd.
Services will be conducted Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Chuck Morefield. Burial will follow in the Byrd Family Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at the home of Rosedna and Ronnie Thomas or Bennett and Mary Byrd, North Fork Road, Zionville.
Flowers are appreicated or memorial contributions may be made to the Byrd Family Cemetery Fund, in care of Rosedna Thomas, 1159 North Fork Road, Zionville, N.C. 28698.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Harold Ray Efird
Harold Ray Efird, 88, passed away May 18, 2007 at Bel Aire Nursing Center.
Born Feb. 1, 1919 in Rowan County, N.C., he was the son of the late David Efird and Alma Gertrude Liverette Efird.
A graveside service will be held Tuesday, May 22, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Charlotte. Officiating clergy will Pastor Steve Pipho and Pastor Tim Smith.
Entombment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Charlotte.
Mr. Efird was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. He was a U.S. Army veteran, serving duty in England, Luxembourg, France and Germany with the 372nd Engineers.
He was owner and founder of Mecklenburg Plumbing Company until his retirement at age 65.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Evelyn G. Efird of the home; and sons and spouses Larry and Martha Efird of Huntersville and Tim and Phyllis Efird of Gastonia.
Surviving grandchildren and spouses are Brent and Tiffany Efird of Charlotte, Charles and Lorie Hamrick of Mt. Holly, Kimberly and Ronnie Wells of Clover, S.C., and great-grandchildren, Jared and Mason Hamrick and Anna Wells.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to a charity or church of the donor’s choice.
Greene Funeral Servcice-South Chapel in Gastonia is in charge of arrangements.

Infant Betsy Rose Marsh
Infant Betsy Rose Marsh, daughter of James and Shannon Greene Marsh of 252 Cobbs Creek Road, Boone, died Friday morning at her home.
Besty Rose Marsh was born May 2, 2007 in Mecklenburg County.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her maternal grandmother, Davonne Jackson, and husband, Tom, her maternal grandfather, Michael Combs, and wife, Jennifer, her maternal grandfather, Lynn Greene, and wife, Tracey, her paternal grandparents, Jim and Margaret Marsh, her maternal great-grandparents, David and Unadell Ward, her paternal great-grandmother, Lucille Greene, and her paternal great-grandparents, James and Alma Ruth Marsh, all of Boone.
She is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles and cousins.
Private graveside services and burial for infant Betsy Rose Marsh were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. Officiating was Dr. Wayne Brown.
Following the private graveside service, the family received friends at the First Baptist Church fellowship hall at 3 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to the March of Dimes, 1220-G Commerce St., Conover, N.C. 28613, or to the First Baptist Church Mission Fund for Christ, in honor of Betsy Rose Marsh, 375 West King St., Boone, N.C., 28607, or to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.