Archived

Gerald Len Baird
Mr. Gerald Len Baird, 55, of Circle Drive, West, Vilas, died Tuesday morning, Sept. 25, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born July 19, 1952 in Watauga County, a son of Bennie and Margaret Louise Greene Baird.
Mr. Baird was a member of Cove Creek Baptist Church and was a truck driver for WalMart, Inc.
Survivors include his mother, Louise Greene Baird of Vilas; two sons, Aaron Gregory Baird of Roan Mountain, Tenn. and Travis Jackson Baird of Granite Falls; his brother, Kenneth Jackson Baird of Jackson, Ga.; and his sister, Barbara Baird Balsamo, of Haymarket, Va.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Michael Baird; and his father, Bennie Baird.
Services were conducted Wednesday evening at 7:30 at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Mike Warren. The family received friends Wednesday evening from 6 until 7:30, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Private entombment will be at the Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life, in care of Glenda Hodges, 810 Parkcrest Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Cove Creek Baptist Church, Post Office Box 68, Sugar Grove, N.C. 28679.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Baird family.

Todd Critcher
Mr. Todd Critcher, 39, of Boone, died Monday morning, Sept. 24, 2007.
He was a 1986 graduate of Watauga High School in Boone and attended Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Todd had worked for Critcher Brothers Produce Company for many years, and currently was operations manager with Austin Outdoor of Boone and Florida.
Survivors include two daughters, Taelor Renee Critcher and Samara Kae Critcher, both of the home; his parents, Sammy and Gloria Critcher of Deep Gap; two brothers, Anthony Critcher of Deep Gap, and Barry Critcher and wife, Carmen, of Bunnell, Fla.; one niece, Carlee Critcher, and three nephews, Kenlee Critcher, Bentlee Critcher, and Rylee Critcher, all of Bunnell, Fla. He is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Services were conducted Wednesday morning, Sept. 26, 2007, at 11:00 o'clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Officiating was Pastor Allan Blume. Entombment followed in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the Taelor and Samara Critcher Endowment Fund, with checks made payable to Raymond James and Associates, PO Box 1508, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Horace Jerome Moretz Sr.

Mr. Horace Jerome Moretz, Sr., 79, of Shallow Creek Road, Lenoir, died Monday, Sept. 24, 2007 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
He was born April 28, 1928 in Watauga County to the late Christian Rudolph and Eliza Wagner Moretz.
Mr. Moretz was a self-employed sawmill operator. He was a member of Setzer Creek Baptist Church where he was a Sunday School teacher and superintendent, a Deacon, a brotherhood director, and a Training Union director and teacher. He also was a State Forest Ranger and avid gardener. He enjoyed making yokes, handles for axes, shovels and hammers. He also reworked old sawmills.
Survivors include a son, Jerome Moretz, Jr. and wife, Diane, of Lenoir; two daughters, Mrs. Johnny (Creola) Dula of Morganton and Mrs. Jim (Reba) Pipes of Lenoir; three brothers, Arnold Moretz, Hoy Moretz and Caroll Moretz, all of Lenoir; two sisters, Mrs. Elda Sloan of Matthews and Mrs. Norma Moretz of Lenoir; grandchildren, Tony Moretz and wife, Kim, and children Victoria and Matthew; Junior Clark and wife, Shannon, and children Alan and Justin; Derrick Maltba and wife, Tiffany, and children Bailey and Kendal; Mrs. Tim (Dawn) Thompson and son Sawyer; and Tommy Moretz and wife, Cathy, and children Trey, Wyatt, Dusty and Dylan.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Eunice Greer Moretz; a brother, William Roby Moretz; two sisters, Nell Massengill and Ruth Dishman; and a granddaughter, Sissy Moretz.
Services will be held Friday, Sept. 28, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Tony Moretz, the Rev. Herbert McCoy and the Rev. Todd Leger. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Serving as pallbearers will be the grandsons and great-grandsons.
Memorial contributions may be made to: The Gideon Memorial Bible Chairman, Gideons International, P.O. Box 169, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.
Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Frances Ragan Rapp
Ms. Frances Ragan Rapp, 64, of 3550 Washington Street, Hollywood, Fla., died Tuesday evening, Sept. 25, 2007, at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood.
She was born June 12, 1943 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Glenn and Genevieve Tuite Ragan.
Ms. Rapp was employed with the security department for the K-Mart Corporation, and was of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include one daughter, Amy Harden and husband, Jim, of Maggie Valley; one son, Sean Patrick Rapp of Beaverton, Ore.; one sister, Glenda Arthur and husband, Bill, of Sugar Grove; two granddaughters, Grace Harden and Joy Harden, both of Maggie Valley; one aunt, Beaulah Ragan; and one cousin, Melba Brown, both of Boone; and a special friend, Jackie Snipes of Hollywood, Fla.
Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Sept. 29, 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 Father Joe Mulligan. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

September 26, 2007

Todd Critcher
Mr. Todd Critcher, 39, of Boone, died Monday morning, Sept. 24, 2007.
He was a 1986 graduate of Watauga High School and attended Forsyth Tech in Winston-Salem, N.C. He was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Todd had worked for Critcher Brothers Produce Company for many years, and currently was operations manager with Austin Outdoor of Boone and Florida.
Survivors include two daughters, Taelor Renee Critcher and Samara Kae Critcher, both of the home; his parents, Sammy and Gloria Critcher of Deep Gap; two brothers, Anthony Critcher of Deep Gap, and Barry Critcher and wife, Carmen, of Bunnell, Fla.; one niece, Carlee Critcher, and three nephews, Kenlee Critcher, Bentlee Critcher, and Rylee Critcher, all of Bunnell, Fla. He is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Services will be conducted Wednesday morning, Sept. 26, 2007, at 11:00 o'clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Pastor Allan Blume. Entombment will follow in the Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, from 6:00 until 9:00 o'clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Ruth McDade Triplett
Mrs. Ruth McDade Triplett, 92, of Mountain Care Facility in Boone, and formerly of Sparta, died Sunday morning, Sept. 23, 2007, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was a daughter of Patterson and Mary Suddreth McDade.
Mrs. Triplett was a homemaker and a member of Sparta Presbyterian Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Mary Elaine Miller and husband, Curtis, of Laurel Springs, Caroline Caudill and husband, Bill, of Woodville, Ala. and Becky Hall of Deep Gap; two sons, Wayne Triplett of Sparta and Thomas Triplett of Tulsa, Okla.; and nine grandchildren, including Jason Hall and wife, Emily, of Deep Gap, and Tim Hall and wife, Kim, of Fleetwood. One step-granddaughter and six great-grandchildren also survive.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Floyd Triplett.
Services were held Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 25, at 2 p.m., at Sparta Presbyterian Church, officiated by the Rev. Thomas Burleson. Burial followed in the Sparta Cemetery in Sparta.
The family received friends at the church following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sparta Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 306, Sparta, N.C. 28675.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Triplett family.

September 24, 2007

David Allen Carlton
Mr. David Allen Carlton, 57, of Hayes Wellborn Road, Deep Gap, died Saturday morning, Sept. 22, 2007 at his home.
He was born July 29, 1950 in East Cleveland, Ohio, a son of Ralph Wells and Constance Daniels Carlton.
Mr. Carlton attended Maple Springs Baptist Church and was a detailer for Southern State Subaru. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corp. Being an enthusiastic Civil War re-enactor, he participated with the Lexington Civil War group. Mr. Carlton enjoyed sketching and painting landscapes and was an avid deer hunter.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Sue Tester Carlton; one daughter, Dina Rose Carlton of the home; two brothers, Kent Robert Carlton of Creede, Colo., and William Paul Carlton and wife, Yvonne, of Brooklyn Heights, Ohio; and his mother-in-law, Grace Barnes Tester of Howard’s Creek Road, Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Maple Springs Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Smith and the Rev. Arvil Hardy. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o’clock. Burial will follow in the Skyland Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Carlton family at 140 Hayes Wellborn Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 286l8.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Carlton family.

Billy Denny Hampton
Mr. Billy Denny Hampton, 64, of 258 Elk Lane, Deep Gap, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, at his home.
He was born March 24, 1943 in the Triplett Community, a son of the late Jerry Dean Hampton and Della Triplett Hampton.
Mr. Hampton was a heavy equipment operator and stone mason. He was a member of Mount Ephriam Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Hampton; his children and grandchildren, and one brother, J.D. Hampton of Winston-Salem.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, and one brother.
Graveside services and burial were conducted Friday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2007, at 4:30, at Rhymer Branch Cemetery in the Triplett Community. Officiating were the Rev. Eric Proffitt and the Rev. Zane Tester.
Memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Kate Miller
Ms. Kate Miller, 76, of Chestnut Drive, Blowing Rock, and formerly of Boone, died Friday morning, Sept. 21, 2007 at the Davant Extended Care Facility.
She was born Sept. 20, 1931 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Fred Cecil and Flossie Church Miller.
Ms. Miller was a member of the First Baptist Church in Boone.
Surviving are three brothers, Fred Miller and wife, Susie, Bill Miller and wife, Donna, and Joe Miller and wife, Lynda, all of Boone; one niece; four nephews; a number of great-nieces and nephews; two aunts, Lucile Wagner and husband, Estel, of Lakeland, Fla., and Mary June Risk and husband, Charlie, of Todd. She is also survived by a number of cousins.
A Celebration of Life was conducted Sunday at 3 o’clock at the First Baptist Church. Officiating was Dr. Wayne Brown. Burial will be private. The family received friends Sunday afternoon from 2 until 3 o’clock at the First Baptist Church.
The family suggests memorials to the Appalachian Regional Health Care Foundation, Blowing Rock Hospital, Post Office Box 2600, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Miller family.

Tina Joyner Minton
Mrs. Tina Joyner Minton, 45, of Zebulon, N.C., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007.
She was born Oct. 14, 1961 in Nash County, N.C. She was the daughter of William and Betty Joyner. Her family best knew her as “Tina Fred”.
Mrs. Minton loved to travel to the beach and mountains. She graduated from Northern Nash High School in Rocky Mount, N.C. Tina was a member of Union Missionary Baptist Church.
She leaves to cherish her memory, her husband, Edward Minton; her parents, William and Betty Joyner of Rocky Mount; one brother, William Fred Joyner, III and wife, Terri Lynn, of Rocky Mount; one sister, Kimberly Hope Joyner Hood and husband, Michael, of Rocky Mount; two daughters, Kristen Brice Hardison and Katelyn Brooke Hardison, both of Zebulon.
Services were conducted Friday afternoon, Sept. 21, 2007, at 2:30 p.m. at Union Missionary Baptist Church with the Rev. Evan Bass and the Rev. Scott Gleason officiating. Burial followed at Rocky Mount Memorial Park.
Condolences may be made at www.johnsonfuneralsandcremations.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Johnson Funerals and Cremations, 661 English Road, Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804.

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 Buna 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 were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Carl Wilson and the Rev. Carl Johnson. Burial followed in the Wilson family cemetery.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Scott family.

Loyd E. Smith
Mr. Loyd E. Smith, 85, of Sugar Grove, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
He was born Nov. 17, 1921 in Watauga County, a son of the late Ollie Lee and Bertha Pennell Smith Hamby.
Mr. Smith was a retired machine operator for Flava-Rich Milk Company and a member of Cove Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Matheson of Butler, Tenn.; one son, Richard L. Smith of Vilas; one granddaughter, Sherry Harmon of Fleetwood; three grandsons, Dan Phillips of Butler, Mike Smith of Zionville, and Richie Smith and wife, Kara, of Vilas; two special friends, Vicki Trombley and Michelle Smith; and one sister, Betty LeCaire of Virginia. He is also survived by six great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Jewel Mast Smith; two sisters, Lula Eggers and Lilly Mae Pennel; and three brothers, his twin brother, Floyd Smith; Henry Smith, and Howard Smith.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Sept. 23, 2007, at Cove Creek Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Howard Smith and the Rev. Ray Greene. Burial followed in the Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Annie Goulds Watson
Mrs. Annie Goulds Watson, 89, of Valley Hill Drive, Purlear, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2007 at her home.
She was born in Watauga County to Lee and Chanie Greene Goulds.
Mrs. Goulds was a member of Mountain View Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Linda Watson Wellborn and husband, Dean, of Millers Creek; and one brother, Deamus Goulds and wife, Ennis, of Millers Creek.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Homer Watson; three brothers, Wright Goulds, J. D. Goulds and Odis Goulds.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., Sept. 22, 2007 at Mountain View Baptist Church in Deep Gap with the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn, the Rev. Mike Barfoot and the Rev. Homer Greene officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Rose Etta Cornell, 626 Copie Greene Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.
On line condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro were in charge of the arrangements.