Archived

Tim Burr
Mr. Tim Burr, 48, of 205 Berry Road, Banner Elk, died Thursday, June 7, 2007.
Mr. Burr was born Nov. 21, 1958 in Indianapolis, Ind., a son of Richard Burr and Mary Jean Blanchard.
Mr. Burr was a self-employed roofing contractor.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Burr is survived by his wife, Kim Langness Burr; one daughter, Lauren Burr, both of the home; three sons, Tyler Burr of Beech Mountain, Austin Burr, and Erik Burr, both of the home, and one brother Bruce Burr, both of Phoenix, Ariz.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday morning, June 22, 2007, at 11:00 o'clock, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk. Officiating will be the Rev. George Wright.
A reception will follow the memorial service.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Ronald A. “Tex” Craven, Jr.
Mr. Ronald A. “Tex” Craven, Jr., of Mt. Juliet, Tenn., born May 12, 1922, died June 18, 2007.
He grew up in High Point, N.C. He was a veteran of World War II, serving in the 3rd Marine Division on Guam and Iwo Jima. He is a graduate of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., where he earned his Masters of Arts degree (Education) while lettering in Basketball and Baseball. After graduation he played baseball professionally for the Class D Albemarle Rockets. After his brief stint in baseball, he began his career as a Sales Representative in the furniture industry which became his lifelong profession. Although he represented many lines throughout the years, he was and will remain a salesman for Fairfield Chair Company of Lenoir, N.C., celebrating his 51st year with the company in May of this year. He considered all the people at Fairfield as family. Three of his sons joined him in the business, each working for Fairfield in Sales.
Mr. Craven loved his church and in recent years served his parish of Saint Stephen Catholic Community in Old Hickory, Tenn., prior to that, Saint Patrick’s in Nashville and Holy Rosary in Donelson. He was a loving husband and father, a teacher, a coach, a salesman, a fisherman, a gardener and a fan of baseball. His compassion and his love was felt by all that he touched along his life’s journey.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Fitzgerald Craven; his nine children, John, Mike, Susan, Donna, Joe, Cathy, Beth, Mark and Jim; 21 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Sally Craven, and father, Ronald A Craven, Sr., of High Point, N.C.; and granddaughter, Melissa Johnson.
A Funeral Mass was held at St Stephen’s at 10:30 a.m., on Thursday, June 21. Pallbearers were grandsons and son-in-laws. Honorary pallbearers were fellow Fairfield reps.
The family requests that contributions be made to Saint Stephen Catholic Community Church, 14544 Lebanon Rd., Old Hickory, TN 37138.

Selma Critcher Hollar
Mrs. Selma Critcher Hollar, 84, of 924 Old Highway 421 South, Boone, died Tuesday evening, June 19, 2007, at her home.
She was born Oct. 9, 1922 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Fred and Lillie Hartley Critcher.
Mrs. Hollar was a homemaker and a life long member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Betty Greene and husband, Dale, of Boone, and Judy Eller and husband, Harold, of Deep Gap; one son, Bob Hollar and wife, Janette, of Hickory; three sisters, Joanne Wellborn and husband, Jack, of Deep Gap, Faye Castor and husband, David, of Cary and Boone, and Margaret Cook and husband, Roger, of Boone; six brothers, Bill Critcher, Carl Critcher and wife, Ethel, Tommy Critcher and wife, Robbie, all of Boone, Dwight Critcher and wife, Jenny, Sammy Critcher and wife, Gloria, all of Deep Gap, and Ray Critcher and wife, Joan, of Charlotte and Boone; one sister-in-law, Toni Critcher of Elizabeth City; one brother-in-law, Fred Hollar of Kernersville; a cousin and best friend, Azalee Stockard of Boone; and two special caregivers, Ann Jarvis and Dare Jones. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; two step-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lige C. Hollar; one step-grandson, Ethan Hester; one sister, Mary Cook; two brothers, Don and Jerry Critcher; one sister-in-law, Velma Critcher; and one brother-in-law, Ledford Cook.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon, June 21, 2007, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Officiating were Pastor Allan Blume and the Rev. Bud Russell. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

June 20, 2007

Pearl Alice Hicks
Mrs. Pearl Alice Hicks, 78, of 3614 Shawnee Road, Banner Elk, died Sunday, June 17, 2007, at her residence.
Mrs. Hicks was born May 7, 1929 in White County, Ark., a daughter of the late Samuel and Susie Ann Ward Hicks. She was a retired inspector for the Lexington Furniture Company.
Mrs. Hicks was a member of Presnell’s Chapel Primitive Baptist Church in Banner Elk, and also a member of Greer’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Linwood, N.C.
Mrs. Hicks is survived by one daughter, Joyce Dickens and husband, Bobby, of Banner Elk; three sons, Sammy Hicks and wife, Becky, of Linwood, N.C., Jack Hicks and wife, Carla, of Cleveland, N.C., and Jesse Hicks and wife, Regina, of High Point; and one brother, John Hicks, and wife, Porshe, of Asheboro. She is also survived by 12 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and a number nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Nathan Hicks; two daughters, Susie Tencelski and Elizabeth Phillips; two sons, Gerald Hicks and Frankie Hicks; and several brothers and sisters.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, June 20, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Presnell's Chapel Primative Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. John Jackson. Burial will follow in the Hick's Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 at Hampton Funeral Service.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Margaret Anne Popplewell McGuire
Mrs. Margaret Anne Popplewell McGuire, of Bairds Creek Road, Vilas, a former resident of Burley, Idaho, died Sunday afternoon, June 17, 2007, at Johnson City Medical Center, in Johnson City, Tenn.
Mrs. McGuire was born Dec. 6, 1927 in Eurka Springs, Ark., a daughter of the late Gholson and Mary Darrow Popplewell. She was the retired owner and operator of the McGuire Store, and a member of Liberty United Methodist Church in Banner Elk, N.C.
Mrs. McGuire is survived by one son, Richard McGuire and wife, Judy; three daughters, Barbara McGuire Campbell and Peggy McKinney and husband, Ray, all of Banner Elk, and Robin Townsend and husband, Fred, of Valle Crucis; one stepson, Leon McGuire of Jerome, Idaho; one sister, Amanda Frayer of Burley, Idaho; and a special friend, Sarah Mast of Valle Curcis.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard McGuire; two sons, Gary and Floyd Mcguire; and three brothers, Frank, Claude and Luther Popplewell.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, June 20, 2007, at 5 p.m. at the home of her son, Richard McGuire, at the Old McGuire Homeplace, off Pigeon Roost Road, 190 McGuire Mountain Road, Banner Elk. Entombment will follow in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.
The family received friends Tuesday evening at the home of Richard McGuire, 190 McGuire Mountain Road, Banner Elk.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Sebastian “John” Sancliementi
Mr. Sebastian “John” Sancliementi, 81, of 220 Wade Lookabill Drive, Boone, died Monday afternoon, June 18, 2007, at the Watauga Medical Center.
Mr. Sancliementi was born April 9, 1926, in New York. He retired from the U.S. Navy.
Mr. Sancliementi is survived by his wife, Judy Daphne Sancliementi, of the home; three sons, Bill Sancliementi and wife, Melinda, and granddaughter, Zoe Sancliementi, all of San Diego, Calif., Tony Sancliementi and John Sancliementi, both of Key West, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Debra Klein and husband, Mike, and Emma Dishman, all of Boone; two stepsons, Emory Wallace and wife, Becky, of Boone, Bill Wallace and wife, Melinda, of Mountain City, Tenn.; two step-great-granddaughters, Megan Cox and Mikayla Klein, both of Boone; six step-great-grandsons, Phillip Klein and Justin Dishman, both of Boone, and John Wallace, Adam Wallace, Christian Wallace and Emory Wallace, all of Mountain City, Tenn.
A memorial service will be conducted Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Bethany Lutheran Church. Officiating will be Pastor Tom Hehenberger. Military burial will be at sea.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2 until 3 p.m. at the church, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to High Country Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

James Donald Stakias
Mr. James Donald Stakias, 81, of 409 Piney Mountain Drive, Asheville, died Saturday, June 16, 2007, at the Laurels of Summit Ridge.
A native of Mt. Clemens, Mich., he lived most of his life in Buncombe County. He was of the Methodist faith and was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Merchant Marines.
Mr. Stakias was the son of the late Alexander and Bonnie Davis Stakias and was also preceded in death by a sister, Barbara McClain.
Survivors include his wife, Martha Pless Stakias; son, Dr. Jim Stakias and wife, Mary, of Kingsport, Tenn.; daughter, Sandy Spencer and husband, Jim, of Concord; Gabriela Neri Avila of Puebla, Mexico, who was like a daughter to him; grandchildren, Elizabeth Sites and husband, Brett, Meredith Reel and husband, Steve, Sara King and husband, Daniel, Jennifer Stakias and James Richard Spencer, Jr.; sisters, Margaret Drollinger of California, and Mary Spaanbroek of Asheville; brothers, George Stakias of California, William Stakias of Hendersonville and Nicholas Stakias of Greensboro.
A memorial service was held Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at Anders-Rice Funeral Home with the Rev. Skip Watwood officiating.
To sign Mr. Stakias’ guestbook on-line please go to “funeral schedule” at www.andersrice.com
Anders-Rice Funeral Home in Asheville, are in charge of the arrangements.

June 18, 2007
Roby Lenoir Brown
Mr. Roby Lenoir Brown, 81, of NC Hwy 194 North, Boone, died Friday morning, June 15, 2007 at home.
He was born July 6, 1925 in Avery County, a son of the late W. O. and Allie Jones Brown.
Mr. Brown was retired from the NCDOT and was a member of Howard’s Creek Baptist Church. He was an Army Veteran of World War II, and a member of Disabled American Veterans Post 130.
Surviving are his wife, Helen Ragan Brown; one son, Randy Brown and wife, Lisa, of Boone; two daughters, Sandy Jones and husband, Roland, of Boone, and Debbie Greer and husband, Tony, of Mountain City, Tenn.; six grandchildren, Erik Greer and wife, Rachel, of Mobile, Ala., Derek and Brittany Brown of Boone, Tammy McClannon and husband, Terry, of Boone, Amy Shook and husband, Mark, of Hickory, and Jennifer Kemp and husband, Joe, of Ashe County; and four great-grandchildren, Jeffrey Shook, Kiersten and Jonathan McClannon, and Bryce Kemp; five sisters, Pearl Norris, Faye Greene, Gerry Wilcox and Thelma Greene, all of Boone; Gladys Payne of Morganton; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Steve and Wilson Brown; and one sister, Frost Norris.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, June 17, 2007, at 3 o’clock at Howard’s Creek Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Mark Chaney and the Rev. Joe London. Burial followed in the Sands Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Sands Cemetery Fund, in care of Debbie Greer, 318 Gate Hollow Road, Mountain City, Tenn. 37683 or to Disabled American Veterans Post 130, 134 Bear Trail, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Brown family.

Linda White Cumbie
Mrs. Linda White Cumbie, 66, of Asheville, died Wednesday, June 13, 2007 at her residence.
A native of Rowan County, N.C., she was a daughter of Mary Walker White of Salisbury, N.C. and of the late Roland White.
Mrs. Cumbie was the office manager of The Cumbie and Trull School of Real Estate.
In addition to her mother, Mrs. Cumbie is survived by her husband of 41 years, Roger Cumbie; two daughters, Lori Moon and her husband, Joe, of China Grove, N.C. and Lisa Brady and her husband, Charlie, of Boone, N.C.; one son, Jason Cumbie of Burnsville, N.C.; four grandchildren, Warrant Officer Jay Moon, Julie Moon and Lillie and Laura Brady; one sister, Judy Spry and her husband, Darrell. of Salisbury, N.C.; and one brother, Jeff White of Charleston, S.C.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a son, Rocky Watts; and a great-grandson, Chandler Moon.
The family received friends from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
Burial will be private.
The family graciously requests that memorial donations be made to Fight Spinal Muscular Atrophy (FSMA) at www.curesma.org or PO Box 196, Libertyville, IL 60048 or 1-800-886-1762.
A memorial register is available at "Obituaries" www.grocefuneralhome.com.
Groce Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Richard Grimes
Mr. Richard Grimes, 78, of Laura Lane, Lenoir, passed away Thursday, June 14, 2007 at Britthaven Nursing Home in Wilkesboro.
He was born Feb. 6, 1929 in Watauga County to the late E.B. McQueen and Mollie Grimes McQueen.
Mr. Grimes was a veteran of the United States Army, was retired from First Union Bank and also worked for Rooster Bush, and was a member of Bushtown Mennonite Brethren Church where he was Treasurer from 1980 to 2003.
Survivors include his wife, Shirley Hendrix Grimes; a son, Russell White of Boone; a daughter, Helen McCroklin of Lenoir; a sister, Juanita Mackey of Banner Elk; and a number of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Jack McQueen; and a sister, Bertha Horton.
Services will be Monday, June 18, 2007 at Bushtown Mennonite Brethren Church at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Terry Hunt officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Deacons of Bushtown Mennonite Brethren Church.
Condolences may be placed online at www.pendrysfh.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory, Lenoir, N.C. is assisting the family with arrangements.

Harold Lenoir “Tex” Smith
Mr. Harold Lenoir “Tex” Smith, 76, of Dallas Street, Lenoir, died Thursday, June 14, 2007 at his home.
He was born July 29, 1930 in Caldwell County to the late Robert Marvin and Mamie LeFevre Smith.
Mr. Smith was a retired engineer from Southern Bell Telephone Company after 35 years of service. He was a member of Hudson United Methodist Church, served with the men’s club and president of the Prime-Timers. He was also a former member of the Lenoir Lions Club and former Bunny Maynard Football coach.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Jeanette Kincaid Smith; two sons, Harold “Bud” Smith II and wife, Mary, of North Wilkesboro and Richard “Rich” Marvin Smith and life partner, Susan Cobb Carson, of Winston-Salem; two daughters, Ms. Deidra J. “Dee Dee” Smith of Boone and Mrs. Lynne Lenore Fogleman and husband, Robert, of Wilmington; two step-sons, Douglas Alan Winkler and wife, Paula, of Kings Creek and Joseph David “J.D.” Winkler and wife, Lorrie, of Greensboro; three step-daughters, Mrs. Kathi Denise Brown and husband, Bruce, of McLeansville, N.C., Mrs. Karen Patrice Gilbert and husband, Clarence, Jr., of Lenoir and Ms. Marcie Winkler of Sawmills; one brother, William M. “Bill” Smith of Manning, S.C.; a sister, Mrs. Betty Jean Grigg of Winston-Salem; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Helen Porter Smith of Burgaw, N.C.; 14 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanelda Kincaid Smith; two brothers, Robert Smith and Rev. Jack Smith; and two sisters, Juanita Johnson and Helen Hutson.
Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, June 17, 2007 at Hudson United Methodist Church conducted by Dr. Tim Brittian. Interment followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery.
Serving as pallbearers were Jackie Gilbert, Jim Franklin, Todd White, Wesley Pavlier, Mike Tedder and Alan Watson.
Honorary pallbearers were members of the Hudson United Methodist Men’s Club.
Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or Hudson United Methodist Church, 383 Main St., Hudson, N.C. 28638.
Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.
Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Ruth Harmon Trivette
Mrs. Ruth Harmon Trivette, 59, of Rominger Road, Banner Elk, died Sunday morning, June 17, 2007, at home.
She was born March 12, 1948, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Danville and Bina Cornett Harmon.
Mrs. Trivette was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church and a retired inspector for a bronze manufacturer.
Surviving are her husband, Paul Trivette; one daughter, Trish Rominger Horton and husband, Kelly, of Banner Elk; one son, Jimmy Dean Rominger of Zionville; one granddaughter, Olivia Horton; two grandsons, Ben and Kyle Horton, all of Banner Elk; two sisters, Helen Warren and husband, Roy, and Betty Presnell and husband, Alvin, all of Sugar Grove; and three brothers, Billy Harmon and wife, Shelby, Tommy Harmon and wife, Linda, and Eddie Harmon and wife, Judy, all of Sugar Grove.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Larry Rominger; and two half-brothers, Carson Cornett and Jimmy Watson.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Piney Grove Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. David Testerman, and the Rev. Ray Greene. Burial will follow in the Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service Tuesday from noon until 2 o’clock at Piney Grove Baptist Church.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to High Country Health Care System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Trivette family.