Archived

Lewis Henry Bentley
Mr. Lewis Henry Bentley, 79, of Hickory, N.C., died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
He was born June 21, 1928, in Watauga County, the son of the late Roby D. and Ollie Mae Bentley.
Survivors include his wife, Addie Louise Hollar Bentley; three daughters, Barbara Carroll and husband, Pete, of Hickory, Anne Teague and husband, Lex, of Granite Falls, and Sue Scott and husband, Gerald, of Icard; three sisters, Maggie Hicks of Bethlehem, Katie Shore of Boone, and Brenda Cornett of Vilas; four brothers, Rob Bentley, Bill Bentley and Sam Bentley, all of Vilas, and Ned Bentley of Boone; and two grandsons, Matthew and Cody Carroll, both of Hickory.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Roby D. and Ollie Mae Bentley; three sisters, Pauline Bentley Townsend, Mary Ann Bentley, and Earline Lail; and one brother, Reed Bentley.
A Celebration of Life service was conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Catawba Memorial Park. Burial followed at Catawba Memorial Park. The family received friends prior to the service from 1-1:45 p.m. at Catawba Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.
Catawba Funeral Home is serving the Bentley family.

Al DeVita
Mr. Al DeVita, 77, of Charlotte, N.C., passed away Sept. 4, 2007 peacefully at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living.
He married his high school sweetheart, Georgia, in 1952. He served in the Navy during the Korean War before finding a career as regional manager with Gardner Denver Cooper Industries. Mr. DeVita worked with Gardner Denver for 35 years; he retired at the age of 60 in 1989. In the early 1970’s they came to North Carolina and started spending their weekends with their four daughters and friends at Lake Norman. Al and Georgia settled in Charlotte in 1974. They spent 54 beautiful years together. Mr. DeVita was a supportive husband and father. He’ll be greatly missed.
Survivors include daughters, Diane O’Hare and husband, John, of Charlotte; Donna Miles and husband, David, and their two daughters, Camille and Leah, of Roanoke, Va.; Debbie DeVita of Boone, N.C.; Darlene DeVita of Boston, MA. He is also survived by extended family and friends who dearly loved him.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Camille and Albert DeVita; his wife, Georgia DeVita; a sister, Marie Afflixio; and a grandson, Ryan Michael O’Hare.
The family would like to thank the gracious and loving staff at Brighton Gardens, Hospice Care of Charlotte and friends for the comfort and love given to Al. And a very special thank you, to family friend Lil Ballard.
A service to celebrate his life was held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 6, at Harry and Bryant Company, 500 Providence Rd., in Charlotte, N.C.
Donations may be made to the Hospice at Charlotte, 1420 East Seventh St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204. www.hospiceatcharlotte.org.
Harry and Bryant Company are in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Florence Britt McCarthy
Mrs. Mary Florence Britt McCarthy died Tuesday, August 28, 2007, at Carolinas Medical Center.
She has been a part time resident of Watauga County since 1970. The Watauga Medical Center has been providing dialysis treatment for Mrs. McCarthy for the past year and a half. The family of Mrs. McCarthy would like to thank the medical community of Watauga County for the excellent care she has received in the high country.
All are invited to a memorial service to be held at the Daniel Boone Native Gardens on Saturday, September 8th at 10 a.m.

September 5, 2007

September 3, 2007

Lewis H. Bentley
Mr. Lewis Henry Bentley, 79, of Hickory, passed away on Sept. 1, 2007 at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
He was born June 21, 1928 in Watauga County, he was the son of the late Roby D. and Ollie Mae Bentley.
The Celebration of Life Service will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2007 at 2 p.m. at Catawba Memorial Park.
Burial will follow in Catawba Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. at the funeral home.
On-line condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.
Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations are providing professional services to the Lewis Bentley Family.



Pearl Brewer Cooke
Mrs. Pearl Brewer Cooke, 83, of Blowing Rock, N.C., died Sunday afternoon at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born Oct. 28, 1923, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Dave and Carrie Wyatt Brewer.
Mrs. Cooke was a member of Cool Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Lowell R. Cooke; two daughters, Wanda C. Bolick of Blowing Rock and Janice “Jan” Cashion and husband, Bob, of Statesville; and one son, Jerry W. Cooke and wife, Karen, of Lincolnton; one grandson, Jeff Bolick of Blowing Rock; and four granddaughters, Kristi DeMonbreun and husband, Steve, of Monroe; Melanie Moore and husband, Tom, of Blowing Rock; Melinda Childress and husband, John, of Clemmons and Carson Cooke of Lincolnton; and two step-granddaughters, Cortney Rankin of Lincolnton and Ashley Collins of Raleigh. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Dave and Carrie Wyatt Brewer; and one brother, Walter Brewer.
A graveside service will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. Officiating will be the Rev. Burl Greer.
The family will receive friends Tuesday morning at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens after the service.
Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Edith Moretz “Kinky” Cornell
Mrs. Edith Moretz “Kinky” Cornell, 98, of Lenoir, and formerly of the Rich Mountain Community, died Thursday evening, August 30, 2007 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
She was born Feb. 28, 1909 in Watauga County, a daughter of Martin Luther and Nancy Walls Moretz.
Mrs. Cornell was a member of Rich Mountain Baptist Church. She was a homemaker, farmer and domestic housekeeper.
Survivors include her son, Louis Cornell and his wife, Cornelia; and one grandson, David Cornell, all of Lenoir.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, M. H. Cornell; six sisters, Lillian Tate, Zella Moretz, Ruby Beach, Ennice Gragg, Pauline Neilson and Ella Moretz ; five brothers, Wade, Forace, Glenn, Eston and Martin Moretz.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Sept. 2, 2007 at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home chapel, officiated by the Rev. Carter Moretz. Burial was at the Meat Camp Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Rich Mountain Baptist Church, in care of Charlotte Miller, 1233 Howard’s Creek Road, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Meat Camp Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Barry Greene, 527 Jack Hayes Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Cornell family.

Ruth Isaacs Hackney
Mrs. Ruth Isaacs Hackney, 85, of 280 N. Rockingham St., Robbins, N.C., died Thursday, August 30, 2007, at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Southern Pines.
She was a native of Watauga County, N.C., and was a former school teacher with the Moore County Schools, and was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Cecil Hackney; a daughter, Sharon Bryson and husband, Keith, of Cary, N.C.; and a grandson, Matthew Bryson of Cary.
She was preceded in death by her son, Ronald Brent Hackney.
A memorial service will be conducted Monday, Sept. 3, 2007, at 3 p.m. at Tabernacle United Methodist Church, where she was a member, with the Rev. Al Trotter officiating. Visitation will follow in the Fellowship Hall at the church.
Memorials may be made to Gladney Fund for Adoption, 6300 John Ryan Dr., Ft. Worth, Texas 76132.
Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., in Robbins, N.C. is in charge of the arrangements.

Sammy Louise Renner
Mrs. Sammy Louise Renner, 66, of Thomasville, N.C., passed away Wednesday evening, August 29, 2007, at High Point Regional Hospital.
She was born in Thomasville, March 9, 1941, to Samuel Cletus and Alpha Thomas Reddick, and had made her home in the area since 1990 moving from Clinton, N.C.
Mrs. Renner was a retired registered nurse. As an active member of Unity United Methodist Church, she enjoyed volunteering with the Master’s Table and Recovery Meals Ministries of her church. She also enjoyed reading, but especially cherished her time with friends, family and her grandchildren.
Survivors include her mother, Alpha T. Reddick of Thomasville; a daughter, Deanne Renner Smith and husband, Chad, of Boone; a son, Joe Renner and wife, Teresa, of Lake Wylie, S.C.; a brother, Gurney Reddick and wife, Joy of Boonville, N.C.; and four grandchildren, Audrey, Abby, Palmer, and Carson.
She was preceded in death by her father; her brother, Tommy Reddick; and her husband, Dewayne Renner in March of 1994.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Sept. 2, 2007, at 3 p.m. at Unity Methodist Church in Thomasville with the Rev. Donnie Durham officiating. Burial followed in Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery.
The family respectfully requests that memorials be made to Unity United Methodist Church, 608 National Highway, Thomasville, N.C. 27360 in Mrs. Renner’s memory.
Online condolences may be made at www.jcgreenandsons.com.
J.C. Green & Sons Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth Hodges Williams
Mrs. Ruth Hodges Williams, 82, of Highway 421 North, Vilas, died Wednesday evening, August 29, 2007 at her home.
She was born August 20, 1925 in Watauga County, a daughter of Dallas and Winifred Combs Hodges.
Mrs. Williams was an accountant for the former Greene Buick dealership in Boone, Fred Davis Buick-Pontiac in Green Cove Springs, Fla., and was a former employee of the Watauga Democrat.
Survivors include her husband, Charles M. Williams; three sons, Leslie Marich of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Chris Williams and wife, Jamey, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Tim Williams and wife, Susan, of Valrico, Fla.; one brother, Robert Hodges and wife, Jean, of Vilas; two step-sons, Allen Williams and wife, Theresa, of Radnor, Ohio and Dale Williams of Little Rock, Ark.; and ten grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorial services were conducted Saturday afternoon, Sept. 1, 2007 at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Chris Williams, James Dugger and Elson Greene. Entombment services will be private.
The family suggests memorials to High Country Health Care Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Williams family.

Douglas Williamson
Mr. Douglas Williamson, 74, of Lakeview Drive, Newland, N.C., died Saturday, Sept. 1, 2007, at his home.
He was born August 10, 1933, in Richmond County, N.C.
Mr. Williamson was a U.S. Army Veteran having served in the 82nd Airborne in Fort Bragg during the Korean War. He was a Sales Consultant for the Columbia Beauty and Barber Company in Charlotte for 28 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Newland.
Survivors include his wife, Jeanie Sudderth Williamson; two daughters, Janet Williamson Ridenhour and husband, Jeff, of New London, and Adrian Williamson Singleton and husband, Ryan, of Waynesville; one step-son, Chris Smith and wife, Lisa, of Portland, Ore.; and one step-daughter, Scarlett Woody and husband, Randy, of Montezuma; two granddaughters, Haley Woody of Montezuma and Piper Singleton of Waynesville; three grandsons, Chase Cooper of Waynesville; Heath Woody of Montezuma and Kai Smith of Portland, Ore.; three nieces, Betsy Austin of Jonesboro, Tenn., Rachel Buchanan of Asheville and Suzanne Buchanan of Greensboro.
A memorial service will be conducted Monday evening at 8 o’clock at The First Baptist Church in Newland. Officiating will be Dr. Bill Jones.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the church, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Avery County, and Palliative Care, 351 W. Mitchell Street, Newland, N.C. 28657.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.