Archived

J.R. Hampton
Mr. J.R. Hampton, 69, of Tampa, Fla., and Winston-Salem, a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Tuesday afternoon, Dec. 4, 2007, at Life Path Hospice in Temple Terrace, Fla.
He was born Jan. 16, 1938 in Watauga County, a son of the late Russell and Fannie Herman Hampton.
Mr. Hampton was a retired operations manager or Four Brothers Convenient Stores in North Carolina.
Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Coulter Hampton; three sons, Jerry Lee Hampton and wife, Paula, of Ingleside, Texas, Jordan Russell Hampton, Jr. and wife, Karen, of Land O' Lakes, Fla., and James F. Hampton and wife, Jill, of Tampa; one daughter, Tammy R. Bowers and husband, Darren, of Mocksville, N.C.; seven grandsons, Brandon K. Hampton of Ingleside, Texas, Larry McDonald of Yadkinville, N.C., Brian R. Hampton of Corpus Christi, Texas, Kyle J. Hampton, Jillian M. Hampton, and Jordan Russell Hampton, all of Tampa, Fla., and Robert Tijerina of Mocksville, N.C.; four granddaughters, Helen L. Hampton of Ingleside, Texas, Candice N. Terrell of Land O' Lakes, Fla., Tiffany Tijerina of Booneville, and Kayla Tijerina of Mocksville, N.C.; two sisters, Beulah “Boots” Southerland of Winston-Salem, N.C., and Verdola Cook and husband, Gary Morgan, of Boone; and one brother, Wendell Hampton and wife, Shirley, of Pfafftown. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Dawn Shepherd and Mabel “Beth” Trivett.

December 3, 2007
William Barden ‘Bill’ Austin
Mr. William Barden “Bill” Austin, 68, of Forest Grove Road, Vilas, died Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2007 at home.
He was born in Asheville, a son of the late Pascal Jeff and Bertha Robinson Austin.
Mr. Austin was a retired recruiter with the U.S. Army and a member of Willowdale Baptist Church.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his beloved wife of 50 years, Ginny Austin; three sons, Donald Keith Austin, Michael Bruce Austin and wife, Charlene, and Griffith Douglas Austin and wife, Lynne; five grandchildren, Timothy James Austin, Brandon Chase Austin, Edward Blaine Austin, Heather Michelle Austin and Sarah Nicole Austin; two great-grandchildren, Jonathan William Austin and Emily Nicole Austin; five brothers; and two sisters.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pascal Jeff and Bertha Robinson Austin.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Willowdale Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Eugene Braswell and the Rev. Ed Warren. Military graveside rites and burial will follow at the Upper Forest Grove Cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Willowdale Baptist Church Benevolence Fund, 133 Westside Drive, Vilas, N.C. 28692 or to the Upper Forest Grove Cemetery Fund, in care of Paul Wilson, 2424 Bethel Road, Sugar Grove, N.C. 28679 or to the Masonic Home for Children, 600 College Street, Oxford, N.C. 27565 or to High Country Health Care System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-A, Boone, N.C. 28607 or Brenner’s Children’s Hospital, Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27157.
The family received friends Sunday evening from 7 until 9 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. A candlelight service was held at 6:30 prior to the visitation at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Austin family.

Franklin D. Cook
Mr. Franklin D. Cook, 73, formerly of Watauga County, a graduate of Cove Creek High School, and an Air Force veteran, died Nov. 21, 2007, at his home in Bridgeview, Ill.
Survivors include his wife, Minnie Reece Cook; a daughter, Karen Pelko and husband, David; one son, Tom Cook and wife, Karen; and foster son, Gary Scaturro and wife, Nancy; grandchildren, Daniel, Robert, and Jonathan Pelko; Courtney and Kyle Cook, and Justin Scaturro; two brothers, Junior Cook and wife, Helen; and Shelton Cook and wife, Francis; and one sister, Ruth Nelson and husband, Paul, of North Carolina. Local family members include Sue Hayes and husband, Johnny; Pearl Dugger, Roxie Reece, Ruth Wright and husband, Harold; Lillian Dugger and husband, Jack; Molly Greenwell and husband, Gervis; Phyllis Dugger and husband, Ronnie, of Ohio; Lee Reece and wife, Pat; Lester Reece and wife, Janet; John Reece of Illinois; and lots of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services were conducted in Burbank, Illinois, with the Rev. Lee Reece and the Rev. Larry Busby officiating.

Elizabeth Fox
Ms. Elizabeth Fox, 83, a resident of Russellville, Arkansas, died Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007, at Saint Mary’s Regional Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 12, 1924, in Russellville, to Ernest and Ilah Pless Fox.
Ms. Fox was a retired associate professor of music, having taught at Appalachian State University from 1957 until 1979. She received her bachelor’s and master’s (M.M.Ed.) degrees, both in music, from North Texas State. Ms. Fox taught in the public school in Hartford, Arkansas for a year. She was a member of the faculty at the demonstration school at Arkansas State. Ms. Fox took a position as supervisor of elementary music for Ector County Public Schools in Odessa, Texas until 1957. She then joined the faculty at Appalachian State Teachers’ College (now Appalachian State University) in Boone, N.C., as an assistant professor in the Department of Music.
She was a member of several professional organizations including the North Carolina Music Educators Association, MENC (state advisor for student chapter), Sigma Alpha Iota, Pi Kappa Lambda, Alpha Chi, Kappa Delta Pi, and Watauga Music Teachers Association. Ms. Fox was promoted to associate professor in 1975 and honored with emerita status by the Board of Trustees of the Appalachian State University in 1982. She served as organist to the First Presbyterian Church in Boone, N.C.
Ms. Fox moved back to Russellville some years after retirement. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church and active in Circle One. She was an associate member of booklovers.
Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, John E. and Penny Fox of Fayetteville; two nieces, Jeanie Fox of Fayetteville and Tory Rogers and her husband, Mike of Fort Smith; a nephew, John Fox of Tulsa, Oklahoma; three great-nephews, Jesse Fox, Tim Rogers, and Ben Rogers; and a great-niece, Caitlin Rogers.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
The memorial service was held at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at the Shinn Chapel with Pastor Danyelle Trexler officiating. Burial will be private under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 304 South Commerce Avenue, Russellville, Arkansas 72801.
The online obituary and guestbook are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.
Shinn Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jerry William Jones
Mr. Jerry William Jones, 56, of Poplar Hill Drive, Boone, died Monday morning, Nov. 26, 2007 at his home.

He was born April 30, 1951 in Boone, a son of Eula Moretz Jones and the late Harold Walter Jones.
Mr. Jones was a member of Mount Lebanon Baptist Church. Jerry was a 30 year employee at Winn-Dixie, retiring as the produce manager and was the campground manager at Flintlock Camp Ground. He loved playing with his grandchildren. His joy was spending time with family and his many friends at the campground and his hobbies included crafting wooden toys for children and landscaping in his yard.
Survivors include his wife, Sue Baird Jones; one daughter, Kimberly Jones McAulay and husband, Daniel Forrest, of Albemarle; and one son, Christopher Michael Jones and wife, Robin Raquel, of Weddington; four grandchildren, Sullivan McAulay of Albemarle and Sydney, Alex and Austin Jones, all of Weddington; his mother, Eula Jones Tester of Boone; one sister, Sharon Jones Phillips of West Jefferson; and his mother-in-law, Clara Baird of Boone. A number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousin also survive.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Laura Jones Johnson; an infant brother, Harold Jones, Jr.; his father-in-law, Ralph Baird; and his step-father, M. F. Tester.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Wynn Greer and the Rev. Carl Wilson. Burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Watauga County Unit of the American Cancer Society, Post Office Box l903, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Mount Lebanon Baptist Church Building Fund, in care of Millard Trivette, 110 Anderson Avenue, Vilas, N.C. 28692.
The family wishes to especially thank the staff at Watauga Medical Center, Watauga Medical Center Home Health and Blue Ridge Health Care, Dr. Flint Gray, and the Boone Drug Company and Deerfield Pharmacy.
Online condolences may be made to the Jones family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Jones family.

Grady Harrison Miller
Mr. Grady Harrison Miller, 86, of Boone Trail, Millers Creek, died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.
Mr. Miller was born December 19, 1920 in Watauga County to Thomas Harrison and Lori Greene Miller. He was retired from V. M. Church Lumber Company and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
He was born Dec. 19, 1920 in Watauga County to Thomas Harrison and Lori Greene Miller.
Mr. Miller was retired from V. M. Church Lumber Company and was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Annie Wingler and husband, Ralph, of Wilkesboro; one son, Tommy Miller of Millers Creek; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
His wife, Stella Knight Miller preceded him in death.
Services were held Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m., Dec. 2, 2007 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Fellman Cheek and the Rev. Sonny Thomas officiating. Burial will be at Scenic Memorial Gardens.
On line condolences may be made at reinssturdivant.com
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro are in charge of arrangements.

Andrew Russell ‘Drew’ Newell
Mr. Andrew Russell “Drew” Newell, 22, of Boone, passed away Saturday, morning, Nov. 24, 2007, at Johnson City Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 16, 1985, in Watauga County, the son of Brian and Sallie Ellis Newell. Andrew was a student at Caldwell Community College and was employed by the Gamekeeper.
Surviving are his parents, Brian and Sallie Newell of Boone; two sisters, Brianne Thurman and husband, Joshua, of Fort Myers, Fla., and Jackie Newell of Boone; his paternal grandparents. Jack and Frieda Newell of Abbeville, S.C.; his maternal grandfather, William J. Ellis of Mountain View, Missouri; and a number of aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Hazel Lackey Ellis.
Drew was the boy that every mother wanted their daughter to marry. His smile would light up a room and his friendly manner made everyone feel welcome. Like the rest of his family, his mother and father, Sallie and Brian, his older sister, Brianne, and his younger sister, Jackie, he was a popular person. There was a simple reason for that; he and they love other people. It is the number one sign of being a Christian and he was above all else a person who knew the Lord. He was also a person who loved being with his many friends.
Throughout his boyhood he excelled at a number of sports. Typical of many Watauga County boys he spent many happy hours skiing and then later snowboarding at the various local ski resorts. This past winter, he fulfilled a dream of living out in Colorado at a ski resort where he was able to snowboard on the “big hills”. He had the best of his parents in him; good looks, sense of humor, love of fun, inclusiveness of others, athletic ability, and a great appreciation for friends and family.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2007, at 2 o’clock at the Boone United Methodist Church. Officiating were Dr. George Naff, Dr. John Fitzgerald, the Rev. A. J. Thomas and the Rev. Vern Collins. Graveside services will be private.
Memorials may be made to the Newell Family Fund, in care of High Country Bank, 149 Jefferson Road, Boone, N.C. 28607; or Boone United Methodist Youth Ministry, 471 New Market Boulevard, Boone, N.C. 28607; or to Santa’s Toy Box, PO Box 1337, Boone, N.C. 28607.
On line condolences may sent to the Newell family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Newell family.

Dale Cloyd Norris
Mr. Dale Cloyd Norris, 98, of Kannapolis, a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Sunday, Dec. 2, 2007, at N.C. Lutheran Home in Salisbury.
He was born Dec. 1, 1909 in Watauga County, to the late Millard H. Norris and Ida Davis Norris.
Mr. Norris received his BA degree from Appalachian State. He had been a classroom teacher, principal, and Assistant Superintendent of a period of 43 1/2 years. He began his career in Watauga County in 1937 to 1943. During this period, he earned his MA degree from Appalachian State. After an enlistment in the U.S. Navy during World War II he came to Kannapolis in 1946 pursuing his career until his retirement in 1975.
He was a member of Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church since 1946 where he taught Sunday school, had served on the Church Council, former vice-chairman of the congregation, and active in various phases of church activities.
Mr. Norris was a member of the Board of Directors of the Cannon Memorial Y.M.C.A. in Kannapolis as well as he had served on the Board of Electors before and after incorporation. He has served on various committees through the years including Sustaining Membership and Capital Funds.
He was a very active member of the J.T. Fesperman Y’s Mens Club for years having served as Regional Director and Past-President of the Club. He also has participated in various committee functions.
Mr. Norris had been a former member of the Board of Directors of the Cabarrus County Chapter of the American Red Cross and a volunteer for many years. He also served as a volunteer for the Cabarrus Cooperative Christian Ministry. He had also been a faithful member of the Beaver-Pittman Post 115 of the American Legion.
Survivors include his wife of 69 1/2 years, Anna Belle Coffey Norris; three sons, Gary Norris and wife, Susan, and Mickey Norris and wife, Karen, all of Concord; and Dan Norris and wife, Vickie, of Boone. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Amy Norris Carter and husband, Wesley; Tara Norris, Brian Norris, Matt Norris and Ashley Norris; and one great-grandchild, Avery Carter.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Millard and Ida Davis Norris; five brothers; and two sisters.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church in Kannapolis. The body will lie in state from 12:30-2:00. Officiating will be the Rev. Richard Rhoades and the Rev. Dr. Hoke Ritchie. Entombment will follow in the Carolina Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends from 12:30-2 p.m. at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, 101 Vance Street, Kannapolis, N.C. 28081 or Green Valley Park, P.O. Box 3533, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Whitley Funeral Home in Kannapolis is in charge of the arrangements.

Joe Tillman Parker
Mr. Joseph “Joe” Tillman Parker, 95, of Mountain City, Tenn., passed away Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007 at his residence.
He was born on July 27, 1912 in Walla Walla, Washington to the late Millard and Ader Farmer Parker. He married Dora Delp in 1936.
Mr. Parker was employed with the CCC Camps. He was a retired construction worker with J. E. Green Construction Co. He enjoyed repairing chainsaws, lawn mowers and weed eaters. He was a member of Liberty Christian Church.
Survivors include three daughters, Eva Jo Shirley and husband, Charles, of Mountain City, June Canter of Mountain City and Helen Ward and husband, Bob, of Butler; son, William “Bill” Parker of Mountain City; three sisters, Danford Darrect, Ella Mae Lewis and Nina Faye Poovie; three brothers, Hugh Parker and wife, Ester, Edgar Parker and wife, Wilma, and Russell Parker and wife, Sophia; six grandchildren, Julie Canter, Lisa Dunn and husband Tim, Terry Lewis and wife, Elaine, Teddy Lewis and wife, Elaine, Randy Brown, wife, Kathy, and Michael Greer; eight great-grandchildren, Heather Savery and husband, Will, Megan McEwen and husband, Daniel, Whitney Lewis, Parker Lewis, Russell Brown, Brittani Cox; Tristan Dunn and Brook Matheson; two great-great-grandchildren, Harlan Savery and Audrey Savery; several nieces and nephews; special friends, Elmer Hammons, Ralph Poteet, Ken Snyder, Worley Tester, Shirley Roark, Shirley Reece, Noreen Smith and Bea Williams; and a special pet, Woodrow.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3, 2007 at Mountain City Funeral Home with the service to follow at 8:00 p.m. with Jim Hutchinson, Minister officiating.
The committal service and interment will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2007, in Phillippi Cemetery.
The family will also receive friends at the home of daughters, Eva Jo Shirley, 639 Liberty Church Road, Mountain City or June Canter, 648 Liberty Church Road, Mountain City.
Those who wish may send memorial contributions to Liberty Christian Church, c/o Valerie Widner, 37393 Chestnut Mountain Road, Damascus, VA 24236 or Locust Gap Freewill Baptist Church, 1600 Millcreek Road, Mountain City, TN 37683.
Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com.
Mountain City Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Velma ‘Nana’ Greene Phelps
Mrs. Velma “Nana” Greene Phelps, 78, of Lenoir, died Thursday, Nov. 29, 2007.
She was born Sept. 1, 1929 in Wilkes County, a daughter of the late Turner and Dulce Younce Greene; and the wife of Edgar L. Phelps.
Mrs. Phelps was a homemaker and a member of Trinity Baptist Church.
She always had a beautiful smile for everyone she met. She was a wonderful example of a true Christian and enjoyed sharing the love of Jesus with all. Her favorite thing was to be in church choir and sing. So many lives were touched by her hugs, kisses and precious words. She has been “Nana” to so many over the years. We will all miss our loving mother and “Nana”.
Survivors include her husband, Edgar L. Phelps; two sons, Tommy Phelps and wife, Martha, of Boone, and Keith Phelps and wife, Bea, of Lenoir; five daughters, Lois Phelps, Darlene Hall and husband, Ray; Sarah Bryant and husband ,George; and Dawn Phelps, all of Lenoir; Marjorie Elkins and husband, Gerald, of Burnsville; one brother, David Greene of Lenoir; two sisters, Virginia Spears and Vandella Adams, both of Lenoir; one half-brother, Danny Greene of Wilkesboro; three half-sisters, Mary Ellen Blankenship and Georgia Greene, both of Wilkesboro, and Joyce Osborne of Taylorsville; 10 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Bobby Greene; a sister, Viola Greene; two half-brothers, Buette and Hullette Greene; one great-grandson, Nathan Plunk; and her aunt, Dessie Bobbie Greene.
A celebration of Mrs. Phelps’ life was held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at Pisgah Baptist Church with the Rev. Russell Cook and the Rev. Horace Minton officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be sent to the Phelps Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com
Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is in charge of the arrangements.

Leah Wilson Schmidt
Mrs. Leah Wilson Schmidt, 83, of Snowy Oak Road, Boone, and widow of the late Sigurd Ernst Schmidt, died Saturday afternoon, Dec. 1, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Dec. 13, 1923 in Claiborne Parish, La., a daughter of Early and Velma Beaird Wilson.
Mrs. Schmidt was of the Baha’i faith. She was one of the founding members of our local Multiple Sclerosis support chapters.
Survivors include her step-daughter, Carmel Toliver and husband, Ken, of Hephzibah, Ga.; one sister, Earlene Brewer and husband, Phil, of Tavares, Fla.; and one grandson, Sean; and her Baha’i Faith family.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Laura.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel by members of the Baha’i faith. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Schmidt family.

Dr. Edwin ‘Max’ Schrum Sr.
Dr. Edwin “Max” Schrum, Sr., 81, of 6th Street, N.W., Taylorvsille, N.C., died Friday, Nov. 30, 2007, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.
He was the son of the late Earl McNairy Schrum, Sr. and Nellie Bly Moose Schrum.
Dr. Schrum was a retired optometrist having started his practice in Taylorsville in 1948. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he was a member of the choir and was the great-grandson of two of the founding members of First Baptist Church, Sophia Kivett Moose and David Washington Moose. Dr. Schrum was very active in the performing arts in Alexander County and the surrounding area, where he participated in many plays. He was known to his family as “Pock” as he was proud of his family and grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Millie Rebecca Hewitt Schrum; a daughter, Martha Conrad and husband, Greg, of Bethlehem; three sons, Edwin Max Schrum, Jr. and wife, Jenny, of Boone; David Schrum and wife, Kay, of Raleigh and Harry Schrum and wife, Debbie, of Taylorsville; two brothers, Dr. David Irvin Schrum of Tulsa, Okla., and Dr. Paul Thomas Schrum of Hudson; eight grandchildren, Mary Neil Schrum, Evan Michael Schrum, Sabrah Jennette Schrum, Anna Rebecca Schrum, Molly Elizabeth Schrum, Ryan Gregory Conrad, Matthew Thomas Schrum and Meredith Lauren Schrum. He is also survived by many of his children’s friends whom he claimed as his own.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Laura Nell Hoffman; two brothers, infant Earl McNairy Schrum, Jr. and Dr. Sidney Schrum.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Marion Powell officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylorsville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends in Davis Hall of First Baptist Church from 1-2 p.m., prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 305, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Schrum family at www.adamsfunerals.com.
Adams Funeral Home is serving the Schrum family.

Venice Lee Watson
Mrs. Venice Lee Watson, 71, of Rominger Road, Banner Elk, the Matney community, died Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 27, 2007, at home.
She was born Oct. 21, 1936 in Glennville, Ga., a daughter of Elisha and Mollie Driggers Ray.
Mrs. Watson was a member of God’s House of Worship in Banner Elk. She was employed at IRC-TRW, Roses’ Department Store in Boone, and was a housewife and mother.
Survivors include her husband of 54 years, Rev. Everette Earl Watson; one daughter, Lelia Ellison and husband, Kelly, of Todd; and one son, Vonley Watson of Banner Elk; her daughter-in-law, Diane Watson of Banner Elk; nine grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; three sisters, Verna Lamb and husband, Mike, Linda Knight and husband, Billy, and Winell Foley and husband, Jimmy, all of Glennville, Ga.; one brother, Jerry Ray and wife, Mary Sue, of Claxton, Ga.; and a number of nieces and nephews whom she dearly loved.
She was preceded in death by one son, Earl Watson.
Services were conducted Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2007, at 11 o’clock at God’s House of Worship in Banner Elk, officiated by the Rev. Richard Trivette, the Rev. Harold Danner and the Rev. Harvey Presnell. Burial will follow in the Watson Family Cemetery.
Online condolences may be made to the Watson family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Watson family.

Sharon Rominger Yates
Mrs. Sharon Faye Rominger Yates, 50, of Vilas, died Thursday morning, Nov. 29, 2007.
She was born Oct. 16, 1957 in Watauga County, a daughter of Alma Laws Rominger and the late Dewey R. Rominger.
Mrs. Yates was a homemaker and a member of Forest Grove Baptist Church.
In addition to her mother, survivors include her husband, William "Bill" Yates; one daughter, Stephanie Grindstaff and husband, Tim; and one son, William Conrad Yates, all of Elizabethton, Tenn.; one sister, Betty Buckner of Zionville; five brothers, Scott Corum and wife, Becky, of Vilas, Junior Rominger, Dale Rominger and wife, Marty, Houston Rominger and wife, Evelyn, and Richard Rominger, all of Zionville; three granddaughters, Alexus Yates of Vilas, Ashley Hodges, and Keyler Russell, both of Elizabethton; and four grandsons, Austin Hodges, Avery Hodges, Keydon Russell, and D.J. Harris, all of Elizabethton. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 2, 2007, at Forest Grove Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Mike Warren. Private graveside services and burial were conducted, prior to the funeral service, at Forest Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements