Archived

Allen Bertrum Alverson
Mr. Allen Bertrum Alverson, 58, of Ivy Terrace Apts. in Boone, died Sunday, July 1st at Duke University Hospital in Durham, N.C.
He was born in Los Angeles, Calif., and grew up in Hialeah, Fla. Mr. Alverson worked as a long distance truck driver before becoming disabled and moving to Boone in 1984.
Mr. Alverson had been a member of Faithbridge United Methodist Church, for the past two years.
Survivors include a sister and brother-in-law, Jeanette and Stewart Brown, of Boone; sons, Allen Alverson of Miami, Fla., Hugh Alverson of Lafayette, Ga.; an aunt, Geraldine Alverson of Tampa, Fla.; and four grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Irene O. Alverson; and father, Hugh J. Alverson, of Boone, N.C.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 7, at Deerfield United Methodist Church in Boone, at 7:00 p.m.
The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Watauga Humane Society, or Faithbridge United Methodist Church.

Jimmy Houston Billings
Mr. Jimmy Houston Billings, 79, of Leesburg, Fla., died Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at Kindred Hospital Central, Tampa, Fla.
He was born in Huntington, West Virginia, but grew up in Watauga County and lived in Vilas, N.C. He was the son of the late Coy and Rena Billings of Vilas. Mr. Billings lived in Marathon, Fla. and moved to Holiday, Fla. in 1976 and then to Leesburg, Fla. in 1996.
Mr. Billings was a retired owner/operator of a residential room addition and screen enclosure company in Holiday, Fla. for over 20 years. He was a member of Southern Eagles Squadron Flying Model Airplane Club in Leesburg. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and of the Presbyterian faith.
Survivors include his daughters, Melissa B. Brewer of Hudson, Fla., and Tiffany B. Dickey of Huntersville, N.C.; his identical twin brother, Billy W. Billings of Bayonet PT, Fla.; and three grandchildren, Justin, Landon and Payton.
His memorial service was held in Hudson, Fla., on Thursday, June 28, 2007, followed on Friday, June 29, with a graveside service, also in Hudson, Fla.

Harrold P. Bowen
Mr. Harrold P. Bowen, 73, died July 1, 2007, in Winston-Salem, N.C., as the result of a stroke.
He was born Jan. 7, 1934, in Americus, Ga., the son of the late Fred and Willie Bowen.
Mr. Bowen graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1956 with a degree in Industrial Management. He was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
He founded Bowen Supply, Inc. in Americus in 1964, which became a national distributor of building components for the recreational vehicle and manufactured housing industries. He served on the Board and as President of the Georgia Manufactured Housing Association and earned the GMHA Hall of Fame award in 1978. Mr. Bowen also served on the Board of the National Manufactured Housing Institute, and received the MHI Chairman’s award in 1994. He retired from the industry in 1997, and was inducted into the Recreational Vehicle/Manufactured Housing Hall of Fame in 2002, recognized as an industry pioneer.
Mr. Bowman was a member of the World Presidents Organization and the Young Presidents Organization, along with a YPO Forum with 13 associates that met monthly for 31 years. He was also passionate about his investments in the stock market and in real estate. He traveled the world and was an avid and skilled yachtsman, extensively cruising the Bahamas and the eastern seaboard from the Florida Keys to the Chesapeake Bay. He was a member of many clubs including Cherokee Town and Country Club, Sea Island Club, Spring Island Club, Key Largo Anglers Club, and Ocean Reef Club. His major philanthropic efforts include Calvary Episcopal Church in Americus, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southwestern, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Highlands-Cashiers Hospital, Ocean Reef Medical Center, and the Ida Cason Callaway Foundation.
Survivors include his wife, Linda, of Sea Island, Ga.; his sons, Fred Bowen and wife, Kristin, of Atlanta, Ga. and H. Lee Bowen and wife, Jodi, of Alpharetta, Ga.; his stepsons, David Friedline and wife, Catherine, of Fairfield, Conn., and Jon Friedline and wife, Sonia, of Atlanta, Ga.; granddaughter, Kelley Bowen of Athens, Ga.; and grandsons, George and Gaston Friedline of Fairfield, Conn.
A memorial service will be held Monday, July 9, at 1:30 p.m. at the Calvary Episcopal Church, 408 S. Lee St., Americus, GA 31709. Because it is a Celebration of Harrold’s life, the family requests everyone dress casually and in light colors.
In lieu of flowers, and because of Harrold’s love of dogs, the family has requested memorials be sent to the Sumter Humane Society, 702 Magnolia Street, Americus, GA 31709 or the Millan Foundation.
Friends and family are invited to post memories and thoughts about Mr. Bowen at www.caringbridge.org/visit/harroldbowen. Links for directions to the church and donations to the Humane Society and Millan Foundation may also be found there.

Judy Ann Walker Capps
Mrs. Judy Ann Walker Capps, 62, beloved wife, mother and grandmother, entered into peaceful eternal rest with our Lord on Sunday, July 1, 2007 at her residence in Kingsport, Tenn.
She was born to the late Joseph (Grant) and Beryl Walker in Ashe County, N.C.
Mrs. Capps was retired from Sprint and enjoyed spending time with her wonderful grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband of 42 years, Elmer Capps; and a son, Joseph C. (Joey) Capps, of the home; three special grandsons, Dakota Capps, of Greeneville, S.C., Trevor George and Joseph C. (Joe Joe) Capps, II, both of the home; and one precious granddaughter, Brianna Capps, of Mountain City, Tenn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; and an infant brother, Ronnie Walker.
Funeral services were held on Friday, July 6, 2007 in the Forest Hills Mausoleum, Abingdon, Va.
Pallbearers were Jimmy Capps, Jimmy (Jimbo) Capps Jr., Kevin Capps, Rick Buckles, Duff Brent, and Jerry Akers.
Honorary pallbearers were Gerald Watkins and Bud Huntington.
The family would like to say a special thanks to the nurses and staff of Hospice of Kingsport, Tenn. and also to the many friends and co-workers at Sprint.
Online condolences may be registered at www.Weaverfuneralhome.net.
Weaver Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Robert Hollars
U.S. Veteran Mr. Robert Hollars, 75, of 708 Love Hollow Road, Vilas, died Thursday evening, June 28, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born in Washington County, Va., a son of the late James Monroe and Pearl Greene Hollars.
Mr. Hollars was a graduate of Cove Creek High School and served four years in the United States Navy. He attended Diesel Auto School in St. Louis, Missouri and was employed in Houma, La., then later as service manager for Ryder Truck Rental in Charlotte. Eventually, he returned to Boone and operated Hollars Auto Repair. He was a member of Brushy Fork Baptist Church and enjoyed sharing his flowers and plants with others. Robert’s barnyard turkey, “Gaither”, was a star in the movie, “Where the Lilies Bloom”, filmed here in 1974.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Ritland Hollars; two daughters, Jane Hollars Smith and husband, Michael, of Elk Park, and Robin Hollars Cust and husband, Jim, of Stonington, Maine; one granddaughter, Michelle Smith of Raleigh; two grandsons, Jeffrey Beach and wife, Christie, of Atlanta, Ga., and Ian Cust of Stonington, Maine; and one great-grandson, James William Beach of Atlanta, Ga. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Hollars.
A memorial service will be conducted Sunday afternoon, July 8, 2007, at 3:00 o’clock, at Brushy Fork Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Andy McFarland, the Rev. Earnie Richards, and the Rev. Gordon Noble.
The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:30, in the Brushy Fork Baptist Church Fellowship Hall, prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Osa Reid Norris
Mrs. Osa Reid Norris, age 82, of Big Hill Road, Todd and Glenbridge Health Care of Boone, died Wednesday morning, July 4, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Dec. 20, 1924 in Watauga County, a daughter of Clint and Virginia Cordie McGuire Reid.
Mrs. Norris was a member of South Fork Baptist Church in Todd. She served as the Board of Election Registrar for Bald Mountain Township and was well known for the cakes, pies and cookies she baked and sold at the Todd General Store and the Ham Shop.
Survivors include her husband, Leslie Norris of Glenbridge Health Care in Boone; one daughter, Jeanne Norris and husband, Ted, of Deep Gap; two sons, Tommy Norris and wife, Debbie, of Winston-Salem and Donnie Norris and wife, Lynda, of Todd; seven granddaughters, Sondra Southard of Kernersville, Crystal Shelton of Statesville, Jennifer Simons of Todd, Melissa Morris of Cripple Creek, Va., Stephanie Smith of Asheboro and Christy Hollar of Boone; three grandsons, Mark Norris of Valdese, Jason Norris and John Hollar, both of Todd; 18 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Joseph Warner Reid and wife, Loretta, of Charlotte.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Elsie Norris; one brother, Paul Reid; and two infant brothers.
Srvices will be conducted Friday morning at 11 o’clock at South Fork Baptist Church in Todd, officiated by the Rev. Glenn Murphy, the Rev. Herbert McCoy, the Rev. Mark Norris and the Rev. Eric Proffit. The body will lie in state at the church from 10 until 11 o’clock. Burial will follow in the Howell Cemetery. Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Howell Cemetery Fund, in care of Ruby Trivette, 10550 NC Hwy 194 South, Todd, N.C. 28684.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Norris family.

Ray H. Smith Sr.
Mr. Ray H. Smith, Sr., 82, of 119 Florida Shores Blvd, Daytona Beach Shores, Fla., and Blowing Rock, died Monday, July 2, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.
He retired from Swift and Company after 24 years of service and was the owner and operator of Smith Cleaners in Haines City, Fla. He was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in World War II. He was a member of McLeod Memorial Presbyterian Church in Bartow, Florida.
Survivors include three daughters, Pat Coker and husband, Abner, of Bartow, Fla., Jan Reikofski and husband, Rick, of Valentine, NE, Linda Pohle and husband, Bob, of Daytona Beach Shores, Fla. and Blowing Rock, N.C.; a daughter-in-law, Teresa Smith of Andersonville, Tenn.; one sister, Alma Powell of Winter Haven, Fla.; five granddaughters, Katherine Whitten of Granbury, Tex., Patricia Christine Cabrera of Lakeland, Fla., Candice Greene of Bartow, Fla., Aleah Smith and Kaitlyn Smith, both of Andersonville, Tenn.; one grandson, Craig Reikofski, of Brainerd, MN; three great-granddaughters, Kathleen and Emalee Greene, both of Bartow, Fla., Sydney Cabrera of Lakeland, Fla.; three great-grandsons, Jacob Cabrera of Lakeland, Fla., Geoffrey and Ryan Whitten, both of Granbury, Tex. Survivors also include a number of nieces and nephews.
Mr. Smith was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Harris Smith; a son, Ray H. Smith, Jr.; two grandsons, Timmy Reikofski and Bryan Pohle; two sisters, Mary Cain and Myrl Johanas; his father and mother, Auver Henderson and Mildred Grace Smith.
Services were conducted Friday morning at 10:00 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was Dr. James Whitten. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Hampton Funeral service is in charge of the arrangements.

July 2, 2007
Robert Hollars
Mr. Robert Hollars, 75, of 708 Love Hollow Road, Vilas, died Thursday evening, June 28, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born August 12, 2007 in Washington County, Va., a son of the late James Monroe and Pearl Greene Hollars.
Mr. Hollars was a retired self-employed mechanic at Hollars Auto Repair, and served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. Mr. Hollars was a member of Brushy Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Rirland Hollars; two daughters, Jane Hollars Smith and husband, Michael, of Elk Park, and Robin Hollars Cust and husband, Jim, of Stonington, Maine; one granddaughter, Michelle Smith of Raleigh; two grandsons, Jeffrey Beach and wife, Christi, of Atlanta, Ga., and Ian Cust of Stonington, Maine; and one great-grandson, James William Beach of Atlanta, Ga. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Hollars.
A memorial service will be conducted at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.