Archived

Harry David Brigham
Mr. Harry David Brigham, 71, of Birch Tree Lane, Boone, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 22, 1936 in Toledo, Ohio, a son of Grace Reed Brigham and the late Richard Bevier Brigham.
Mr. Brigham was retired owner and operator of Printcraft Printing Company.
Survivors include his wife, "Blue" Carlton Brigham; one son, Steven Chase Brigham; three daughters, Amy L. Krontz, Laura Brigham Bice, and Kristen Bond Frye; his mother, Grace Reed Brigham; one sister, Jeanette Brigham Gruesen; and seven grandchildren, John Donald Krontz, Kaitlyn Judith Krontz, Elizabeth Ann Brigham, William Carlton Bice, Matthew Harrison Bice, Amelie Kristen Bice, and Trevor Courtland Frantzis.
A memorial service will be conducted Sunday afternoon, Sept. 23, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Smith and Vicar David Wegner.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Research Foundation, 1236 Ginger Crescent, Virginia Beach, Va. 23453.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Elizabeth Lee Snipes Epley
Ms. Elizabeth Lee Snipes Epley, 59, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Wednesday afternoon, August 29, 2007 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.
She was born Oct. 29, 1947, in Lancaster, S.C., a daughter of the late James E. “Pete” and Mary Dabney “Betsy” Snipes.
Ms. Epley was a legal secretary.
Surviving are one daughter, Holly Anne Epley of Raleigh; one son, Joshua Grant Epley and wife, Myra Farmer, of Boone; one sister, Rebecca S. Ponder of Asheville; and one brother, James “Rocky” Snipes of Tallahassee, Fla.
A Time of Remembrance will be conducted Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007 from 1:30 until 3 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, North Carolina Chapter, PO Box 240353, Charlotte, N.C. 28224-0353.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Epley family.

Louis Joseph Gutheil
Mr. Louis Joseph Gutheil of Oak Ridge, N.C., 79, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2007, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born May 22, 1928, in Binghamton, N.Y., a son of the late Louis N. and Florence Lindridge Gutheil.
Mr. Gutheil was the former owner and operator of Kitchen Kraft. He moved to Myrtle Beach, S.C. in 1983, where he was employed by Chicora Realty. In 1993, he and his wife, Suzann, relocated to Blowing Rock, N.C., where they owned the Hillwinds Inn before retiring to Oak Ridge.
Survivors include his wife, Suzann French Gutheil; his sister, Alberta Gower and husband, Ed, of Phoenix, Ariz.; children, Lou Gutheil and wife, Ana, of Webb City, MO; Dave Gutheil and wife, Mary, of Greensboro, N.C.; Judy Ferris and husband, Bob, of Fayetteville, Pa.; Cathy Jagger and husband, Todd Craigo, of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; and John French and wife, Paige, of Waynesboro, Va.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
Services were held Thursday afternoon, Sept. 20, 2007, at 2 p.m. at McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Interment will follow at Ocean Woods Memorial Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
An online guest book is available a www.msfh.net.
McMillan-Small Funeral Home in Myrtle Beach, S.C., is in charge of the arrangements.

Nona Marie Greene Lewis
Ms. Nona Marie Greene Lewis, 68, of Wilkesboro, died Tuesday evening, Sept. 18, 2007 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
She was born in Avery County, July 5, 1939, a daughter of the late James Edward and Helen Johnson Greene.
Ms. Lewis was of the Baptist faith and worked as a machine operator for TRW.
Surviving are one daughter, Betty Gail Lewis of Wilkesboro; one son, Tommy Lewis of Taylorsville; one sister, Ann Cook of Lake Wylie, S.C.; one brother, Ronvall Owens of Balsam Grove, N.C.; two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Loyd Lewis; and one brother, James Edward “Bud” Greene.
Services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Catherine Owens. Burial will follow in the Danner Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8 o’clock.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Lewis family.

Everett Jacob “Jake” Lutz
Mr. Everett Jacob “Jake” Lutz, 69, of Lawndale, N.C., died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007, at Hospice of Wendover.
He was born July 19, 1938 in Watauga County, the son of late Everett and Edith Lutz and Elbert and Bessie Norris.
Mr. Lutz was Vice President of Everett Lutz & Son, Inc. He was a graduate of Belwood High School and attended NC State. He was a member of Kadesh United Methodist Church, Cooksville Masonic Lodge, Shiner Oasis, Board of Directors for the NC Apple Growers Association. He served nine months active duty as a medic for the U.S. Air Force and six years in the Air National Guard.
He is survived by three daughters, Lori Lawrence and husband, Mike, Liz Abee and husband, Shawn, and Lindy White and husband, Bryan, all of Lawndale; granddaughters, Sarah McIntyre and Becca McIntyre and Pam Lawrence, all of Shelby; a half brother, Edwin Norris and wife, Betty, of Boone; a half sister, Lola Edminsten of Blowing Rock; the mother of his children, Joyce Hartman Lutz; the father of his grandchildren, Bryon McIntyre; numerous nieces and nephews; and a special nephew, Kevin Norris and wife, Shelly and their children, John and Anna; and three grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, Paul Norris; and several half-brothers and sisters.
The funeral will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 21, 2007 at the Stamey Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Keys Pendelton officiating. Visitation will immediately follow the chapel service. There will be a graveside service and burial at Fairview Cemetery, Boone, on Friday at 4:00 p.m. with the Rev. Keys Pendelton officiating.
Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care, Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, N.C. 28150.
The family will be at the home of a daughter, Lindy and Bryan White, 124 Rockdale Road, Lawndale, N.C.
Stamey Funeral Home in Fallston, N.C., are in charge of arrangements.

Dr. William “Bill” Horace Oakland
Dr. William “Bill” Horace Oakland, 68, of Beech Mountain and Diamondhead, Miss., died Monday evening, Sept. 17, 2007, at home.
He was born Feb. 21, 1939, in Chicopee, Mass., a son of the late William Henry and Cecile Blanchard Oakland.
Mr. Oakland was a retired economics professor, having last taught at Tulane University in New Orleans. He received his BA in Economics in 1961 from the University of Massachusetts and his PhD. In Economics in 1964 from MIT.
Surviving are his wife, Joyce Bennett Oakland; one son, William Henry Oakland, II and wife, Belinda Lee Oakland, of Diamondhead, Miss.; one daughter, Donna Beatrice Tillman and husband, David, of Columbia, Md.; and three grandsons, William Henry Oakland, Leelond Henry Oakland and Patrick Henry Oakland.
Services will be conducted Saturday at noon at the Byron Hafey Ratell Funeral Home Chapel in Springfield, Mass. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11 o’clock until noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow in the Adams Cemetery, Wilbraham, MA.
The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center, Post Office Box 2570, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Genesis Wildlife Sanctuary, 210 Grassy Creek Road, Beech Mountain, N.C. 28604.
Locally, the family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5 until 7 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory.
Byron Hafey Ratell Funeral Home Chapel in Springfield, MA and Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory of Boone, N.C. are serving the Oakland family.

Elmar Lloyd Scott
Mr. Elmar Lloyd Scott, 82, of Manchester Place, Kingsport, Tenn., died Tuesday evening, Sept. 18, 2007 at home.
He was born in Watauga County, April 25, 1925, a son of the late Ira and Beunie Davis Scott.
Mr. Scott was a retired U.S. Army Staff Sergeant and a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Jo Ann Wilson Scott; two daughters, Theresa Khrybeh and husband, Aiman, of Greenville, N.C. and Lesia Gregory and husband, Kase, of Chattanooga, Tenn.; three brothers, Delmar Scott, Ed Scott and wife, Dorothy, Earl Scott and wife, Shirley, all of Vilas; and one sister, Thelma Farmer of Richmond, Missouri.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Helen May and Hazel Hodges.
Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Carl Wilson and the Rev. Carl Johnson. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o’clock. Burial will follow in the Wilson family.
The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6:30 until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Scott family.

September 19, 2007

Lucienne Renee Kohn
Mrs. Lucienne Renee Kohn, 74, of 153 Shalom Mountain Lane, Boone, died Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Dec. 30, 1932 in Aubin Aveyron, France, a daughter of the late Roger and Bernadette Cousin Bessiere.
Mrs. Kohn was a retired cosmetologist.
Survivors include her husband, Harry Kohn; one daughter, Patty Kabbash and husband, Sid, of Boone; one son, Danny Fischer of Springboro, Ohio; one granddaughter, Natalie Moorhead and husband, Danny, of Vilas; two great-granddaughters, Meagan Hansen, and Grace Moorhead, both of Vilas; and two great-grandsons, Matthew Hansen of Boone, and Bryce Moorhead of Vilas.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 19, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Brown.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Dexter Yates
Mr. Dexter Yates, 86, of 1786 North Carolina Highway 194 South, Vilas, died Thursday evening, August 16, 2007, at his home.
He was born April 21, 1921 in Watauga County, a son of the late Fred and Ethel Matheson Yates. Dexter,
Mr. Yates, a veteran of World War II, served as a machine gunner in the American Theater – Company "L", 38th Infantry of the U.S. Army. Under General Hodges, he went to the front at the Battle of the Bulge. His company marched and fought in France, Belgium, Germany and Czechoslovakia. He was a member of Baird’s Creek Presbyterian Church and retired owner and operator of Dexter Yates Grading. Mr. Yates graded many roads, home sites, lakes, and ponds in Watauga, Avery, and Ashe Counties during his 47 year career in earth moving. Many will remember his many hours aboard his dozer, in the bitter cold, opening roads in the western end of the county, following historically deep and drifting snowfalls.
Survivors include his wife, Victoria Smith Yates; four daughters, Carolyn Puckett and husband, Paul, of Boone, Patt Paal and husband, Jim, of Boone, Ann Delgrippo of Nashville, Alice Wilson and husband, Tim, of Boone; two granddaughters, Regina Ward of Arlington, Va., Lisa Childs of St. Peters, Missouri; three grandsons, Alex Stout of Greensboro, Daniel Wilson and Rayland Wilson, both of Boone; five great-grandchildren, Elexis Stout and William Stout, both of Greensboro, Grace Childs and Blake Childs, both of St. Peters, Missouri, and Chandler Hamby of Boone; three sisters, Jean Blake and husband, Hank, of Ash, N.C., Margaret Mast of Sugar Grove, and Phyliss Yates of Vilas; three brothers, Olas Yates and Fred Yates, Jr., both of Vilas, and Larry Yates. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Letha Kaiser; two brothers, Clay and Howard Yates; and a son-in-law, Michael DelGrippo.
A private memorial service for family and relatives will be conducted Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007, at 11:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family has respectfully requested no food.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

September 17, 2007

Edward Samuel Alton
Mr. Edward Samuel Alton, 61, of Shallotte, N.C., passed away Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007.
Mr. Alton served as Campus Minister for the ASU Campus Ministry from 1993 to 1995, was Director of Music Ministry at St. Elizabeth Church in Boone from 1994 to 2002 and was a member of the Hayes School of Music faculty at Appalachian State University. Since 2002 he has served as Director of Music Ministry and Liturgy at St. Brendan's Catholic Church in Shallotte, N.C.
Prior to residence in North Carolina, Mr. Alton spent 12 years at St. Vincent Abbey in Latrobe, Pa., was in professional theatre for 10 years, and served in the United States Navy.
Mr. Alton is a graduate of Transylvania University, Syracuse University and Appalachian State University.
Survivors include a sister, Joan Solomon and her husband, J.R.; many nieces and nephews; and a broad network of choir members, theatre friends and former students across the United States.
A funeral service was conducted in Shallotte at St. Brendan's Catholic Church on Monday, Sept. 17th. A memorial service will be held at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church in Boone at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept 19. Fr. Conrad Hoover and Fr. John Schneider will co-celebrate at this celebration of Ed's life.

Evelyn G. Efird
Mrs. Evelyn G. Efird, 86, of Charlotte, N.C., formerly of Boone, died Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at Century Care of Gastonia, N.C.
She was born April 15, 1921 in Statesville, N.C., daughter of the late Albert and Selena Nelson Lofland.
Mrs. Efird was a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. She did volunteer work with Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte in the past years.
Survivors include sons, Larry Efird and wife, Martha, of Huntersville, N.C. and Tim Efird and wife, Phyliss, of Gastonia, N.C.; grandchildren, Brent and Tiffany Efird of Charlotte, Charles and Lorie Hamrick of Mt. Holly, and Kimberly and Ronnie Wells of Clover, S.C.; and great-grandchildren, Jared and Mason Hamrick and Anna Wells.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold R. Efird; seven brothers; and one sister.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 18, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Forest Lawn West Mausoleum in Charlotte. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Smith. Entombment will be in Forest Lawn West, in Charlotte.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Greene Funeral Service, South Chapel, in Gastonia, are in charge of the arrangements.

Victor Russell Harris
Mr. Victor Russell Harris, 63, of Marion, N.C., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2007 at his residence.
He was born in Mecklenburg County on March 3, 1944 and was a son of the late William Edney Harris, Jr. and Lessie Savage Harris.
Mr. Harris was a member and treasurer of Concord United Methodist Church, a member of the Oasis Gospelairs, treasurer of Mystic Tie 237 Masonic Lodge A.F.& A.M., 32nd degree Mason, a member of Mount Mitchell Shrine Club and Oasis Shrine Temple. He was Manager of Bank of America, Boone, N.C.
Survivors include his wife, Marsha J. Harris; five children, Natalie G. Harris of Charlotte, N.C., Amanda H. Downs of China Grove, N.C., Victoria H. Brown of Rock Hill, S.C., Jordan Harris of California and Austin Harris of Johnson City, Tenn. He is also survived by one brother, William Edney Harris, III of Decatur, Ga.; and four grandchildren.
A celebration of Mr. Harris’s life was held Saturday, Sept. 15, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at Concord Methodist Church with the Rev. Chester West officiating. The family received friends following the service.
Memorials may be made to Concord United Methodist Church, 18134 Old Linville Road, Marion, N.C. 28752.
An online register is available under Obituaries at www.westmorelandfuneralhome.com.
Westmoreland Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Charles Mast
Mr. Charles “Charlie” Mast, 51, of Monterey, Calif., passed away peacefully with his entire family at his side, after a long battle with cancer, at the Westland House in Monterey.
He was born in Baumholder, Germany, and resided in Marina, Calif. for most of his life. He was a graduate of Seaside High School, and he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from San Jose State University. Mr. Mast was a realtor in the family business. He was also very active in coaching the kids soccer league and also an avid softball and baseball player.
Mr. Mast loved the beach, Lake Tahoe, See’s candy, Great America Amusement Part, skiing, eating at his favorite restaurants, Haagen-Dazs Ice Cream, watching SpongeBob Square Pants with his daughter, Amanda, and enjoyed all of this with his loving family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, and good friend to all who knew him. He always loved to laugh and joke around with everyone; he always had a smile on his face and was a joy to be around. Anyone who knew Charlie was blessed to be around someone so special.
Survivors include his wife, Konnie; and his only child, Amanda; his three brothers, Mike, Steve, Mark; and his sister, Robin (Fox); his eight nieces and nephews, Jared, Jeffrey, Brett, Kelly, and Lauren Mast; Cody, Hannah, and Olivia (Weeva) Moore; his uncle, Dr. William H. Mast of North Carolina; his aunts, Ruby Dietrich of Ohio, and Jeannie Williams of North Carolina; his sisters-in-law, Tammy Mast, Vienna Moore, and Lisa Bryan; his brother-in-law, Andrew Moore; his father-in-law, Russel Merritt; and many beloved cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. and Kathleen H. Mast, who passed away in 2005. He was the grandson of the late Bud and Bonnie Mast of Sugar Grove, N.C.
At Charlie’s request there will be no services held. He has requested that any donations be made to the Westland House (Hospice), in Monterey, at 100 Barnet Segal Lane, Monterey, Calif. 93940.

Rev. Raoul Francis ‘Lee’ Roche
Rev. Raoul Francis “Lee” Roche, 71, of Union Mills, N.C., formerly of Ashe County, died Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007 at the Sunrise Rehabilitation and Care in Nebo, N.C.
He was born April 17, 1936 in Unicoi, Tenn., to the late William Patrick and Florence Huskins Roche.
Rev. Roche was a Methodist minister. He also served as Chaplain at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital in Salisbury, N.C.
Survivors include two sons, William Roche II of Lincolnton, N.C. and Chris Roche of Union Mills, N.C.; one daughter, Pamela Roche of Johnson City, Tenn.; one stepson, Billy Church of West Jefferson, N.C.; one stepdaughter, Jenine Lewis of West Jefferson, N.C.; four brothers, Robert E. Roche of West Jefferson, N.C., Johnny Roche of Boone, N.C.; Danny Roche of Tucson, Ariz., and Joel Roche of Denver, Colo.; three sisters, Mary Anne Roche, Patsy Roche and Sharon Bailey, all of Albuquerque, New Mexico; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Michael Roche.
Services were held Saturday at 2:00 p.m. at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Leon Morrow and the Rev. Jimmy Church officiating. Burial followed in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens with military rites.
Memorials may be made the Gideons, P.O. Box 993, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.
Condolences may sent to the family through the website www.ashelawn.com.
Ashelawn Memorial Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Randy Rook Sr.
Mr. Randy Rook, Sr., 47, of 824 Dogwood Road, Boone, died Wednesday evening, Sept. 12, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born March 12, 1960 in Memphis, Tenn., a son of the late Kelly Lee Rook and Delorma Joanne Schuch Rook.
Mr. Rook was a retired truck driver and attended Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Andrea Zigli Rook; six sons, Robert M. Rook of Blacksburg, Va., Kevin A. Rook, and Anthony J. Rook, all of Boone, Randy Rook, Jr. and wife, Laura, of Vilas, Jerry Rook of Boone, and Jason Ramsey of Memphis, Tenn.; two daughters, Brittany A. Rook of Boone, and Samantha Ervin of Mooresville; six brothers, Steven Rook and wife, Linda, of Boone, Hubert Rook and wife, Lisa, Mickey Rook and wife, Linda, and Steve Fletcher, all of Memphis, Lyle Ealy of Montana, and Rocky Simpson of Washington State; three sisters, Susie Cloar and husband, Jordan, of Millington, Tenn., Cindy Rook and significant other, David Tutor, of Mississippi, and Ramona Anderson and husband, Roger, of Illinois; and two grandsons, Dallas and Ethan Ervin, both of Mooresville.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2007, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Officiating were Pastor Allan Blume and Pastor Kanoot Midkiff. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family, for an Educational Fund of Kevin, Brittany, and Anthony, 824 Dogwood Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Beatrice Williams Sherwood
Mrs. Beatrice Williams Sherwood, 79, of George Wilson Road, Boone, died Sunday morning, Sept. 16, 2007 at her home.
She was born Nov. 3, 1927 in Watauga County, a daughter of Roy Franklin and Connie Hayes Williams.
Mrs. Sherwood was a member of the Boone Advent Christian Church. She retired from TRW in Boone and was an avid supporter of the American Legion Post 130.
Survivors include two daughters, Sue Ward and husband, Ken, of Boone and Judy Elmore and husband, Charles, of Concord; one granddaughter, Megan Ward of Boone; and two grandsons, Jared Ward and wife, Crystal, of Boone and David Elmore and wife, Michelle, of Perkingston, Miss.; and two great-grandchildren, Maritza and Jacob Elmore, both of Perkingston, Miss.; one brother, Roy Williams and wife, Jean, of Boone; one sister, Pauline Dotson of Hendersonville; and a number of nieces and nephews, including a special nephew, David Williams, of Boone.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Newton Sherwood; one sister, Oralee Blair; and one brother, Clyde Williams.
Services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock at the Boone Advent Christian Church in Boone, officiated by the Rev. Gordon Noble. The body will lie in state at the church from 10 until 11 o’clock. Graveside services will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Boone Advent Christian Church, in care of Joyce Sherrill, 375 Shady Bark Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 until 8:30 at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the Sherwood residence.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Sherwood family.

Judy Wheeler
Miss Judy Wheeler, 66, of 218 Laurel Creek Court, Spruce Pine, died Friday, Sept. 14, 2007, at Brian Center in Spruce Pine.
She was born July 7, 1941 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Grover and Roxie Rhymer Wheeler.
Miss Wheeler was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include three sisters, Hattie Cox of Boone, Doris Townsend of Taylorsville, and Wilma Greene of Fleetwood. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her father and mother, Grover and Roxie Rhymer Wheeler; six brothers, Ernest, Richard, Rhonda, Commie, Don, and Jimmy Wheeler; and four sisters, Pearl Wheeler, Faye Greene, Frances Hartley, and Lola Lail.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, Sept. 16, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel.
The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. J.D. McClellan. Burial will follow in the Rhymer Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Brian Center, 218 Laurel Creek Court, Spruce Pine, N.C. 28777, or to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Mitchell County, PO Box 38, Spruce Pine, N.C. 28777.
The family has respectfully requested no food.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.