August 1, 2007
Luther Wheeler
Mr. Luther Wheeler, 73, of 2643 NC Highway 194 North, Boone, died Monday, July 30, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Oct. 14, 1933 in Watauga County, a son of the late Arthur J. and Hattie Simmons Wheeler.
Mr. Wheeler was a retired bus driver for AppalCART, and served in the United States Army during the Korean and Viet-Nam wars. He was a member of the American Legion , V.F.W., and the National Guard. He was also a deacon and member of Three Forks Baptist Church in Boone.
Survivors include his wife, Eva Proffit Wheeler; one daughter, Denise Wheeler Brooks and husband, David, of Haw River, N.C.; two granddaughters, Lauren Victoria Brooks, and Allison Kathleen Brooks, both of Haw River; one sister, Betty Greer of Deep Gap; and two brothers, Claude Wheeler and wife, Cleo, and Jack Wheeler and wife, Susie, all of Boone. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Dorothy Miller, Georgia Wheeler, and Lucille Miller; and one brother, John Wheeler.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon, August 2, 2007, at Three Forks Baptist Church with the Rev. David Ricker, the Rev. Lynn Powers, and the Rev. Dwayne Tester officiating. Military graveside rites and burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideons International/Boone Camp, PO Box 3602, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

July 30, 2007

Homer R. Bumgarner
Mr. Homer R. Bumgarner, 73, of 725 Brooks Shell Road, Elk Park, died Friday, July 27, 2007, at his residence.
He was born July 6, 1934 in Avery County, a son of the late Ray and Lorena Warner Bumgarner.
Mr. Bumgarner was a retired general contractor, and served in the United States Army. He was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Banner Elk.
Survivors include two sons, Chris Bumgarner and wif,e Jane, of Elk Park, and David Bumgarner and wife, Mary, of Banner Elk; three granddaughters, Cassie Bumgarner of Elk Park, and Millie Bumgarner and Baker Bumgarner, both of Banner Elk; one grandson, Carter Bumgarner of Elk Park; and four sisters, Helen McRae and husband, Douglas, of Bristol, Tenn., Sue Crawford and husband, Albin, of Charlotte, Carolyn Harris of Granite Falls, and Lois Buck and husband, Harvey, of Roan Mountain, Tenn.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Storie Bumgarner; one brother, Jerry Bumgarner; and one sister, June Trivette.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, July 29, 2007, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church. Officiating was the the Rev. George Wright. Burial followed in the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Avery County, PO Box 1357, Newland, N.C. 28657.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Beau Bryson Hicks
Beau Bryson Hicks, infant son of Bobby Gilbert Hicks and Nina Rena Cloud Hicks of Banner Elk, N.C., was laid to rest in a private service Thursday, July 26, 2007.
Surviving are his parents, Bobby Gilbert Hicks and Nina Rena Cloud Hicks; two brothers, Bobby Dustin Hicks and Chad Austin Hicks; his maternal grandfather, Mickey Bagley of Bristol, Tenn.; his paternal grandmother, Wilma Hicks of Banner Elk; his paternal great-grandparents, Charlie and Minnie Alice Hicks of Banner Elk; four aunts, Rosa Hicks of Banner Elk, Peggy Hicks of Ashe County, Sonya Johnson of Bristol, Tenn., Selena Phillips and husband, Boyd, of Meat Camp,; Nora Bagley of Bristol, Tenn.; one uncle, Nickey Bagley of Bristol Tenn.; and one cousin, Jonathan Worley of Ashe County.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hicks family.

Dorothy 'Dot' Teague Koontz
Mrs. Dorothy “Dot” Teague Koontz, 93, a resident of Pine Ridge Road, Lexington, died Friday, July 27, 2007, at Sunbridge Care and Rehabilitation in Lexington.
She was born in Watauga County, August 17, 1913, to the late John and Mary Walser Teague.
Mrs. Koontz was a retired employee of Bullock Hosiery Mill and was a member of the Welcome Home Extension Club. At her church, she had served as president of the Women of the Church, as a Deacon and served as a Sunday school teacher, for the Women’s Bible Class. During the summer, she grew flowers to decorate the church.
Survivors include her daughter, Toni Leonard and husband, Thomas, of Lexington; two granddaughters, Melanie Beeson and husband, Joel, of Arcadia, and Marlin Bradberry and husband, Tim, of Fort Mill, S.C.; five great-grandchildren, Seth, Ryan, and Lauryn Beeson, Nikalas and Adam Bradberry; two special sisters, Justina Temple and husband, Charlie, of Lexington, and Beatrice Pankey and husband, Raymond, of Lexington; one brother, Allsion Teague and wife, Colleen, of Belmont, N.C.; two special nephews, Jerry Temple of Lexington, and Dan Hartness and wife, Mary, of Mt. Holly.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gray Koontz; two sisters, Edna Holler and Velma Cagle; and two brothers, Eubert Teague and Norman Teague.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, July 29, 2007, at 4 p.m. at Beulah United Church of Christ, where she was a member, with the Rev. E. Benn Fleming officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Beulah United Church of Christ, 2828 Arnold Road, Lexington, N.C. 27295.
Online condolences may be made at www.piedmontfuneralhome.com.
Piedmont Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Robin Kathy McLeod
Ms. Robin Kathy McLeod, 48, of 468 Hight Williams Road, Zionville, died Thursday, July 26, 2007, at her residence.
She was born Nov. 6, 1958 in Erwin, N.C., a daughter of Fern Griffiths McLeod and the late Frank McLeod.
Ms. McLeod was a pharmacy cashier at Boone Drug Company, employed by Appalachian Energy, and a member of Howards Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Melinda Greene and husband, Daniel, of Boone, and Jamie Trivette of Winston-Salem; one granddaughter, Makahyla Archie of Winston-Salem; five grandsons, Devon Trivette, Dustin Trivette, Frankie Greene, and Dalton Greene, all of Boone, and Jeremiah Archie of Winston-Salem; her mother, Fern McLeod of Zionville; two sisters, Sharon McLeod, and Melanie Eggers and husband, Ronald, all of Zionville; two brothers, Jimmy McLeod of Mockesville, and Jeff McLeod and wife, Sherree, of Warrensville. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, July 28, 2007, at Howards Creek Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Mark Chaney and the Rev. Joe London. Burial followed in Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Colleen Russell Tucker
Colleen Russell Tucker, 25, of Gastonia and Boone, died Tuesday, July 24, 2007 in Asheville, N.C.
She was a native of Tampa, Fla., and was the daughter of Caren Hobbs Tucker and the late Hugh Wayne Tucker.
Ms. Tucker was a member of Christ United Methodist Church. She graduated from Forestview High School, class of 2000, and was a member of the Choral Club. She attended Appalachian State University and had a love for animals and enjoyed life to its fullest.
Survivors include her mother, Caren Hobbs Tucker; a brother, Darren Tucker, of the home; aunts, Wanda Kenworthy and husband, Edwin, of Hickory, Connie Drews and husband, Al, of Fairview Park, Ohio; uncles, Charles Reid and wife, Pat, of Granite Falls, Myron "Sonny" Tucker of Granite Falls; and a number of cousins.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her grandparents, Clinton and Lucille Hobbs and Blanche and Myron Tucker, Sr.
Services were conducted Saturday morning at 11 a.m., July 28, 2007, at Founders Chapel, McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia. Officiating was Pastor Brian Cornell.
Memorials may be made to Watauga Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607; or Christ United Methodist Church, 3415 Union Road, Gastonia, N.C. 28056.
Condolences may be sent online at www.McLeanFuneral.com
McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia were in charge of the arrangements.

Marie J. Wilson
Marie J. Wilson died Wednesday, July 25, 2007.
She was born in Trade, Tenn., and was a long time resident of Lake Clarke Shores.
Marie’s enthusiasm for life, family, friends, dining out and shopping, made her the colorful woman she will be remembered and treasured for, by all who knew her. She believed in enjoying life to the fullest.
She had a strong faith in Jesus Christ. She was a member of Palm Beach Worship Center, where she was a joy and inspiration to all.
Survivors include her loving husband of 57 years, Butler Eugene Wilson; daughters, Brenda Schuler and husband, George; Rene’ Bingham and husband, Michael; and Chere’ Wilson; a brother, David Bumgardner and wife, Fifi; her grandchildren, Jessica McCabe and husband, Chris, Jenny Crouch and husband, Greg; and Paul and James Bingham; great-grandchildren, Brian, Erika, Solomon, Malachi and Cali Grace; nieces and nephews, David, Jr., Sophia, Tim and wife, Natalie; Samuel, Jonathan and Daniel; and her great-nieces and nephews, T.J., Tiara, Shekinah, Brooke, Brittney, and Travis.
Services were held Saturday afternoon, July 28, 2007, at 1:30 p.m. at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, with interment immediately following at Hillcrest Memorial Park, West Palm Beach.
Quattlebaum Funeral & Cremation Services in West Palm Beach, Fla., were in charge of the arrangements.