Archived

Doris Chester Avery
Mrs. Doris Chester Avery, 60, of Wilmington, N.C., died Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Care Center.
She was born in Morganton, N.C., May 29, 1947, daughter of Herman John Chester and Betty Ledbetter Chester of Morganton, N.C.
Mrs. Avery did volunteer work as a church organist, Guardian Ad Litem, Parenting Place, and for five years served on the Board of Stonesthrow Homeowner Association. She was a member of the Certified Interior Decorators International Inc., the Red Hat Society, AARP, and was a certified reading instructor.
Surviving in addition to her parents is her son, Christopher Todd Wellman of Phoenix, Ariz.; and a brother, Joe Chester of Valdese, N.C.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday, June 28, 2007, at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, 4108 South College Road, Wilmington, N.C.
A celebration of Mrs. Avery’s life will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, following the visitation hour. Speakers will be Lynn Hollister, Florina Fineman, Marilyn Gore, and Janis Carroll.
In Morganton, N.C., the family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, June 29, 2007 at Kirksey Funeral Home, 406 Lenoir Road, Morganton, N.C. (phone: 828-437-2111.)
A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2007, at Kirksey Funeral Home with interment to follow in Forest Hills Cemetery. Speakers in Morganton will be Verdie Burns, Glenice Thomas, and Artie Logan.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Good Shepherd Center, 811 Martin Street, Wilmington, N.C. 28401, or Salvation Army, 820 North 2nd Street, Wilmington, N.C. 28401.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andrewsmortuary.com
Andrews Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements.

Blanche Davis Greene
Mrs. Blanche Davis Greene, 86, of Chestnut Grove Road, Boone, died Tuesday evening, June 26, 2007.
She was born in Watauga County, June 5, 1921, a daughter of the late Walter and Emma Bryan Davis.
Mrs. Greene was a homemaker and a member of Meat Camp Baptist Church.
Surviving are one daughter, Virginia Chapman and husband, Rev. Everette Chapman, of Lake Lure; two sons, Elson Greene and wife, Becky, and Keith Greene and wife, Teresa, all of Boone; five grandchildren, Ann Janesko of Lenexa, Kansas, Lee Kilpatrick of Olney, Ill., John Greene and Shawn Greene of Boone, and Tyler Greene of Mars Hill; 13 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Beulah Proffitt, Shirley A. Critcher and Linda Kapral; five brothers, Hoyle Davis, Arlie Davis, Johnnie Davis, James Davis and Paul Davis.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband; Noah Claude Greene; two brothers, Robert and Carroll Davis; and an infant.
Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Meat Camp Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. David Clippard and the Rev. Everette Chapman. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to High County Health Care Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the National Kidney Foundation of North Carolina, 5950 Fairview Road, Suite 550, Charlotte, N.C. 28210. The family has respectfully requested no food.
The family received friends Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home; at other times friends may call at the home of Elson and Becky Greene, 1317 Chestnut Grove Road, Boone.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Greene family.

Robert Eugene “Bob” Hicks
Mr. Robert Eugene “Bob” Hicks, 81, of NC Hwy 194 South, Vilas, died Wednesday morning, June 27, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born June 2, 1926, a son of the late Tom and Lillie Arnette Hicks.
Mr. Hicks was retired from the NCDOT, where he was a foreman.
Surviving are his wife, Rena Bradshaw Hicks; one son, Tommy Hicks and wife of Butler, Tenn.; one sister, Helen Norris of Boone; one brother, Cecil Hicks of Salisbury; a special niece and nephew, Gary and Libby Hicks of Vilas; two nieces, Linda and Gail Hicks of Vilas; and special friends, George Simmons, Becky Shoemake and A. B. and Glenda Hodges.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Ella Mae Yates and Hazel Hicks; and four brothers, Dale, Jack, Sam and Paul Hicks.
Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 1 until 2 o’clock. Burial will follow in the Old St. John’s Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 7 until 9 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hicks family.

James C. Robson III
Mr. James C. Robson III, 59, former president and CEO of Altiva Corporation, died at Watauga Medical Center on June 25th, 2007, following a long and courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Berkeley, Calif., to Lala Smithwick and Major James C. Robson.
Mr. Robson graduated from Jacksonville High School, Jacksonville, N.C. He earned his B.S.B.A degree from Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C. and was a member of the A.S.U. varsity soccer team. After establishing himself in the business world, he later enrolled in Pepperdine University, Malibu, Calif., where he received his MBA degree.
He held various executive management positions beginning with Becton Dickinson Co. and later moved his career into the Orthopedic/Spinal products industry, most notable as President of Medtronic Midas Rex, Executive VP/Office of CEO at AcroMed, and held Vice President Positions at both Simmer and Smith & Nephew. As CEO of Acromed, an early innovator in the Spinal Implant field, he was admired by Surgeons and colleagues alike for his vision and contributions in the growth of what is now a $5 billion dollar spinal implant industry.
Mr. Robson also found time to return to his alma mater, Appalachian State, this time as an Adjunct Professor in the Walker College of Business, prior to becoming the CEO of Altiva Corporation based in Charlotte, N.C. He taught his students real world applications to various business principles as few other professors could.
Survivors include his wife, the former Marsha Hardee; daughter, Yanna Robson Higgins and her husband, John Higgins, of Cincinnati, Ohio; his sons, Ian of Charleston, S.C. and Alec Robson of the home; and his beloved granddaughter, Sidney Higgins. He is further survived by his mother, Lala Smithwick Johnson of McLean, Va.; and brothers, William of Centreville, Va. and Geoffrey Robson of McLean, Va.
The family requests that memorials be made to one of the following: ASU Foundation, Inc., designated for the James C. Robson III Endowed Scholarship Fund for Business Education and Soccer (828-262-3192), ASU Box 32007, Boone, N.C. 28608; or Watauga County Hospice (828-265-3296) Boone, N.C.
Memorial services were held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, at the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Valle Crucis, N.C. Father John Zellner and Father Pat Finn of John’s Island, S.C. officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Robson family.

Christopher Bruce Smith
Mr. Christopher Bruce Smith, 26, of Pineola, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 23, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A native of Avery County, he was the son of Bruce Smith of Pineola and Diane Ward Gouge of Unicoi, Tenn.
Mr. Smith was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Foscoe and attended Crossnore Baptist Church. He enjoyed being with his friends, skiing, going to the lake, four wheeling and hunting.
Along with his parents, he is survived by his step-mother, Gail Smith, of Pineola; step-father Scott Gouge of Unicoi, Tenn.; brother, Timothy Smith of Raleigh; step-brother Jimmy McCracken of Newland; maternal grandmother, Ada Ward, of Banner Elk; paternal grandmother, Mary Lynn Smith,of Pineola; four nieces and nephews, Ethan Smith, Emira McCracken, Asia McCracken and Issabell McCracken.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 26th at 2:00 p.m. at the Crossnore Baptist Church with the Revs. Lander Heffner, Richard Trivette and Larry Belas officiating with interment services following at the Cannon Cemetery.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.

Vivian C. Wilson
Mrs. Vivian C. Wilson, 86, of Seminole, Fla., died Sunday, June 24, 2007, at her residence.
She was born in Boone, N.C.
Mrs. Wilson moved to Seminole, Fla., in 1962 from Thomasville, Ga. She was Protestant, and was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary American Legion #273, Madeira Beach. She was an avid reader. She was employed with Canteen Corp., Bay Pines, as a head cashier.
Survivors include a daughter, Leigh Wilson Short of Seminole, Fla.; a sister, Kathleen Small of Mt. Holly, N.C.; and a granddaughter, Victoria Leigh Acred of Gaston, Ind.
E. James Reese Funeral Home, P.A. in Seminole, Fla., is in charge of arrangements.

June 27, 2007
Joyce Taylor Bagot
Mrs. Joyce Taylor Bagot, 70, of Rembrandt Drive, Boone, died Sunday evening, June 24, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Feb. 9, 1937 in Russell County, Va., a daughter of Kyle and Elizabeth Wysor Taylor.
Mrs. Bagot was a member of the Boone United Methodist Church. After retiring with 30 years service as a senior research analyst with the Bureau of National Affairs in Washington D.C., she moved to Boone. She served as the administrative assistant for Dr. John Thomas at Appalachian State University before she and her husband opened Boone Patio and Fireplace in Boone.
Survivors include her husband, Clifford William Bagot; two brothers, Joe Taylor and wife, Nellie, of Kingsport, Tenn. and Jerry Taylor and wife, June, of Portland, Tenn. A number of nieces, nephews and cousins also survive, including a special cousin, Sue.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Julia Onks.
Memorial services will be conducted Thursday morning at 10:30 at Boone United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. A. J. Thomas and Dr. George Naff. The family will receive friends immediately following services at the church. Graveside services and burial will be Thursday afternoon at 4 o’clock at Fairview Cemetery in Jonesborough, Tenn.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Watauga County Unit of the American Cancer Society, Post Office Box 1903, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bagot family.

Rev. William M. Brown
Rev. William M. Brown, 70, of 1964 Bamboo Road, Boone, died Friday afternoon, June 22, 2007, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
He was born April 30, 1937 in Watauga County, a son of the late Rev. William and Gladys Hampton Brown.
Rev. Brown graduated from Appalachian High School and attended Appalachian State University. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in History and Social Studies from East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. He then attended and graduated from Fruitland Bible Institute in Hendersonville, and became an ordained minister at Mount Vernon Baptist Church in 1977. Rev. Brown was a former pastor at Valley Haven Baptist Church in Banner Elk, and was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
Survivors include one aunt, Ivadene Hampton of Boone. He is also survived by several cousins.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, June 27, 2007, at 3:00 o’clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 2:00 until 3:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Pastor Allan Blume, the Rev. Bud Russell, and the Rev. Kanoot Midkiff. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 2:00 until 3:00 o’clock, at the church, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the North Carolina Baptist Children’s Home, PO Box 338, Thomasville, N.C. 27361-0338, or to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Pastor Tony Cirigliano
Pastor Tony Cirigliano, 56, of Seven Oaks Rd., Boone, N.C., died unexpectedly Monday, June 25, 2007, at his home.
He was born on May 26, 1951 in New York, N.Y. and was a son of Theresa Starnella Cirigliano and the late Joseph Anthony Cirigliano.
Affectionately known as “Pastor Tony”, he touched many lives and brought many souls to Jesus which was his proudest life accomplishment. Pastor Cirigliano graduated from Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, TN. in 1985. He was a pastor in the Greater New York Conference until 1992 when he moved to the Carolina Conference. In 2005 he began an independent ministry for gospel outreach in Boone.
Surviving in addition to his mother, are his wife of 37 years, Mary Ann Nosek Cirigliano; children, Anthony John Cirigliano and his wife, Suzette, of Wilson, N.C., Natalie Marie Cirigliano of Altamonte Springs, Fla., and Paul Michael Cirigliano of the home; grandsons, Brandon Michael Cirigliano and Noah Alexander Cirigliano of Wilson; brothers, Thomas, Joseph, Francis, Domenick, and Vincent Cirigliano; and a sister, Rosalie Wandle.
The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2007, at the Morganton Seventh Day Adventist Church with Pastor Joseph Cirigliano, Jr., Pastor Tim Sheridan and Pastor Charles Hindman officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home and from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. Saturday at the Morganton Seventh Day Adventist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to ADRA International, 12501 Old Columbia Pike, Silver Springs, MD 20904.
Online condolences may be made at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.
Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, N.C. is in charge of arrangements.

June 25, 2007
Mary V. Whittington Beshears
Mrs. Mary V. Whittington Beshears, 84, of US Hwy 421, Deep Gap, widow of William Frank Beshears, died Friday, June 22, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born in Wilkes County, Feb. 8, 1923, to Leonard and Ophelia Walsh Whittington.
Mrs. Beshears was a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church. She was the former assistant mail clerk at the Deep Gap Post Office.
Survivors include one daughter, Wanda Beshears ,of the home; two sons, Randall Beshears of the home; and William Ray Beshears and wife, Evelyn, of Warrensville; one sister, Dolly McNeil and husband, Allie, of Boone; one brother, Clyde Wayne Parsons and friend, Reba Woodall, of North Wilkesboro; one grandchild, Renee Hamby and husband, Doug; two great-grandchildren, Josh Hamby and Candice Ward and husband, Chris; and
one great-great-grandchild, Molly Ward.
Services will be held Monday, June 25, at 2:00 p.m., at Stony Fork Baptist Church in Deep Gap with the Rev. Vernon Eller and the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30. Burial will be in Yellow Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Yellow Hill Baptist Church, 5160 Summit Road, Purlear, N.C. 28665; Stony Fork Baptist Church, c/o Betty Triplett, 414 Stony Fork Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618; or to Lions Club, c/o John Dinkins, 132 Appalachian Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Martha Bristle
Mrs. Martha Bristle, 73, of Lenoir, a former resident of Boone, died Thursday morning, June 21, 2007, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir.
She was born July 23, 1933 in St. Clair County, Mich., a daughter of the late Delbert and Elsie Pickett Anger.
Mrs. Bristle was a homemaker and a member of Central Assembly of God in Boone, where her husband, Rev. Charles Bristle, Sr. was former pastor.
Survivors include her husband, Rev. Charles E. Bristle, Sr.; four daughters, Barbara Ann Rose and husband, Robert, of O'Brien, Fla., Janet Louise Becker and husband, Thom, of St. Helen, Mich., Elaine Marie Hunter of Greensboro, and Ruth Bristle Henson and husband, Larry, of Jefferson; four sons, Rev. Charles E. "Chuck" Bristle, Jr. and wife, Lynda, of Lenoir, James R. Bristle and wife, Lisa, of Newport, N.C., Paul A. Bristle and wife, Karen, of Davison, Mich., and Michael L. Bristle and wife, Debi, of Elk Grove, Calif.; two sisters, Margaret Reume of Illinois, and Phyllis Hill and husband, Jim, of Port Huron, Mich.. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters and four brothers.
Services will be conducted Monday morning, June 25, 2007, at 11:00 o'clock, at Central Assembly of God in Boone. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Chuck Bristle, Jr. Burial will follow in the White Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Virginia Carpenter Church
Mrs. Virginia Carpenter Church, 102, of Burlington, a former resident of Boone, died Tuesday evening, June 19, 2007.
She was born Sept. 27, 1904 in Durham County, a daughter of the late Willis Thomas and Effie Dean Gooch Carpenter.
Mrs. Church graduated from Duke University and taught school in Gibsonville and in Boone for a number of years. She retired from the Watauga County school system in 1964. Mrs. Church and her husband of more than sixty years were members of Hopewell United Methodist Church in Boone.
Survivors include two sisters, Madge Carpenter Carmichael of Burlington, and Polly Carpenter McLaughlin of Wilmington. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Conley W. Church; four sisters, Lily Mae Huss, Elsie Barden, Myrtle Barnwell, and Cleo Simmons; and two brothers, Steven and Lester Carpenter.
Services were conducted Saturday morning, June 23, 2007, at 11:00 o'clock, at Hopewell United Methodist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Edwin McKinney and the Rev. Cindy Shelton. Burial followed in the Hopewell United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Olin Ray Crocker Jr.
Mr. Olin Ray Crocker Jr., known simply as “Ray” to his adoring family and friends, died unexpectedly at age 53 on June 14, 2007 after a 4-week illness at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Linkou, Taiwan while traveling there on business.
He was born on Dec. 16, 1953 in Lincolnton, N.C., the son of the late Olin Ray Crocker, Sr. and Geraldine Rogers Crocker.
Mr. Crocker was a 1972 graduate of Cherryville High School. He earned his A.A.Sc. of Architecture & Design at Catawba Valley Technical Institute; his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at UNC-Charlotte; his Master’s of Business Administration at Appalachian State University and his Certification in the General Managers Program at Harvard Business School.
Most of Mr. Crocker’s professional career has been as a senior executive with 25 years of experience in corporate, financial and operations management. The last 15-plus years were spent in executive positions within the furniture manufacturing and chemical coating industries. He also spent considerable time during his career traveling and doing business in China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Ireland, England, Germany, Australia and Latin America. Since January of 2006, he has been employed as Chief Financial Officer of Furniture Values International headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. Prior to that, he served for 3 years as President of Fraenkel International in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. While clearly a man of the world, all of his life he has considered North Carolina his true home.
Teaching at the college level has always been a passion of Mr. Crocker’s and he taught business courses from time to time at Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.; Guilford Technical Community College in Greensboro, N.C. and Salisbury State University in Salisbury, Md.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 22 years, Wendy Halliday Crocker, and their three children, Jaclyn Emma Crocker, 18; Rachael Diane Crocker, 16; and Logan Alexander Crocker, 13, all residing in Phoenix, Ariz. Other surviving family members are two sisters, Marilyn Crocker Dellinger and her husband, Joel Dellinger, of Cherryville, N.C. and Karen Crocker Killam and her husband, Robert Killam, of Atlanta, Ga. He is also survived by one aunt, Marge Lineberger of Crouse, N.C.; and two nieces, Carla Freeman Poplin and Pamela Freeman Ruth and their families, among many loving cousins and other family members mostly located in North Carolina and the surrounding area.
He was pre-deceased by his infant son, Alexander Ray Crocker; and his sister, Patricia Crocker Freeman.
Mr. Crocker’s family will host a visitation from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29, 2007 at Carpenter’s Funeral Home, 1100 E. Main Street, Cherryville, N.C. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, June 30, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 310 W. Church Street, Cherryville, N.C. with the burial and reception following at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 1203 St. Mark’s Church Road, Cherryville, N.C.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark’s Lutheran Church.
Carpenters Funeral Home in Cherryville, N.C. are in charge of the arrangements.

Donald Joseph Dages
Mr. Donald Joseph Dages, 62, of 1185 Pine Branch Road, Boone, died Wednesday morning, June 20, 2007, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
He was born Dec. 10, 1944 in Avery County, a son of the late Vincent Dages, Sr. and Nancy Gertrude Vance Dages.
Mr. Dages was a clerk at Wilco Convenience Store in Boone, and served with the United States Army during the Viet-Nam War and also with the Marines. He received Bachelor degrees in Industrial Arts and Political Science, with a minor in music. He was of the Christian faith.
Survivors include his wife, Wanda Miller Dages; two brothers, Lee V. Dages, Jr. of Statesville, and Lawrence Dages and wife, Linda, of Lithia, Fla.; three sisters, Judith Lynch of Statesville, Nancy Carswell and husband, Gary, of Rutherford College, and Maria Moore and husband, Jack, of Statesville, and his mother-in-law, Viola Miller of Boone. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Clark Miller.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, June 23, 2007, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were the Rev. Allen Marsh and the Rev. Edwin McKinney. Entombment followed in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Hayes School of Music Scholarship Fund, in care of Appalachian State University-Hayes School of Music, PO Box 32096, Boone, N.C. 28608.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Lynn Hodges
Mrs. Mary Lynn Hodges, 63, of Lenoir, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007 in Lenoir.
She was born Jan. 28, 1944 in Avery County, a daughter of the late Coy and Della Oakes Harmon, and the wife of Claude William Hodges.
Mrs. Hodges was a member of Green Mountain Baptist Church and had worked for the Eaton Corporation.
Surviving other than her husband, are two daughters, Jeanette Nichols and Debra Dula and husband, Mike, all of Lenoir; three brothers, Roy Harmon and wife, Georgie, of Vilas; Edgar Harmon and wife, Carolyn, of Zionville; Odell Harmon and wife, Pat, of Lynchburg, Va.; four sisters, Hazel Isaacs of Sugar Grove, Peggy Harmon of Boone, LouElla Dotson and husband, Bill, of Trade, Tenn.; Janice Hartley and husband, Danny, of Deep Gap; three grandchildren, Amber Dula, Megan Nichols, and Matt Nichols, all of Lenoir; three great-grandchildren, Kylan Nichols, Harley Laws and Nikeydan Hortorn, all of Lenoir; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert and Dean Harmon; and one sister, Jo Ann Triplett.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., June 23, 2007 at Green Mountain Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Keever and the Rev. Jerry Reeves officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery
Pallbearers were Mike Dula, Rickey Dula, Matthew Nichols, Brent Dula, Gary King, Brandon Dotson and Bill Dotson.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hodges Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com
Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is serving the Hodges Family.

Eula Mabel Bare Phillips
Mrs. Eula Mabel Bare Phillips, 92, of Fleetwood, died Thursday, June 21, 2007 at her daughter’s home.
She was born Sept. 13, 1914 in Ashe County, to the late Hiram and Murtie Ann Bare.
Survivors include three sons, Max Phillips and wife, Lillie, of Winston-Salem, N.C., Greg Phillips and wife, Dana, of Fleetwood, N.C. and David Phillips of Homestead, Fla.; one daughter, Pansy Jean Miller and husband, Clyde, of Deep Gap, N.C.; one brother, Burrell Bare and wife, Helen, of Jefferson, N.C.; nine grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Greely Vernon Phillips; one son, Gary Thomas Phillips; six brothers, Lawson, Glen, Paul, Walker, Wilson and Kilby Bare; three sisters, Ruth, Attie May and Brucie Faye Bare.
Services were held on Sunday, June 24, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at Badger Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Mark Harless officiating. Burial followed in the Olds Field Baptist Church Cemetery
Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.
Badger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

William Harlan Searles
Lieutenant Colonel William Harlan Searles (United States Air Force Retired), 96, of 43 Golf Ridge Lane, Newland, died Saturday morning, June 23, 2007, at his residence.
He was born August 25, 1910 in Fillmore County, Nebraska, a son of the late Le Clare and Lucy Sawyer Searles.
Lt. Col. Searles served in the United States Air Force during World War II, and served in the Air Force for 30 years. He was a graduate of Stetson University, and was a member of First Presbyterian Church, both in Deland, Fla.
Survivors include his wife, Edna Painter Searles; one son, Michael D. Searles of New York, New York; one daughter, Donna Searles Simmons and husband, James, of Shelby; and one brother, Delbert Searles of Bloomington, Ind.

He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted Wednesday, June 27, 2007, at 12:00 o'clock, at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel.

Military graveside rites and burial will follow in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery.
The family will receive friends following the graveside service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Eighth Air Force Historical Museum, 175 Bourne Avenue, Pooler, Ga. 31322.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Christopher Bruce Smith
Mr. Christopher Bruce Smith, 26, of Pineola, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, June 23, 2007 in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
A native of Avery County, he was the son of Bruce Smith of Pineola and Diane Ward Gouge of Unicoi, Tenn.
Mr. Smith was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Foscoe and attended Crossnore Baptist Church. He enjoyed being with his friends, skiing, going to the lake, four wheeling and hunting.
Along with his parents, he is survived by his step-mother, Gail Smith, of Pineola; step-father Scott Gouge of Unicoi, Tenn.; brother, Timothy Smith of Raleigh; step-brother Jimmy McCracken of Newland; maternal grandmother, Ada Smith, of Banner Elk; paternal grandmother, Mary Lynn Smith,of Pineola; four nieces and nephews, Ethan Smith, Emira McCracken, Asia McCracken and Issabell McCracken.
The Smith family will receive friends on Monday June 25, 2007 at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland from 6:00 p.m- 8:00 p.m.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 26th at 2:00 p.m. at the Crossnore Baptist Church with the Revs. Lander Heffner, Richard Trivette and Larry Belas officiating with interment services to follow at the Cannon Cemetary.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is serving the Smith family.