Archived
Gerald Miles Blanchard, Jr.
Mr. Gerald Miles Blanchard, Jr., 35, of O’Brien, Fla., died Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2008, after a short illness.
A native of West Branch, Mich., he moved to O’Brien four years ago from Muskegon, Mich. After moving to O’Brien he worked for Applebee’s in Lake City, Fla. and was a member of Glad Tidings Assembly of God in Lake City, Fla.
Survivors include his parents, Barbara and Robert Rose of O’Brien, Fla. and Gerald Miles and Dorothy Blanchard, Sr. of Muskegon, Mich.; one sister, Kimberly Elaine and Robert Jabrocki of Muskegon, Mich.; one brother, William Charles and Hope Blanchard of Ionia, Mich.; two nieces, Hannah Marie Blanchard of Ionia, Mich., and Skylar Jean Jabrocki of Muskegon, Mich.; maternal grandfather, Rev. Charles Bristle of Lenoir, N.C.; paternal grandmother, Margaret Blanchard of Muskegon, Mich.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Martha E. Bristle; and paternal grandfather, Miles R. Blanchard.
Memorial services will be conducted Friday afternoon, Feb. 8, 2008, at 5 p.m. at Glad Tidings Assembly of God, Lake City, Fla., with the Rev. Lowell Vanvleck and the Rev. Charles Bristle officiating.
Daniels Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc. is in charge of the arrangements.

Elizabeth “Betty” Blume
Mrs. Elizabeth "Betty" Blume, 85, of Shawnee Ridge Circle, The Woodlands, Texas, a former resident of Blowing Rock, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at Herman Memorial Hospital in The Woodlands.
She was born Oct. 14, 1922 in Wittenburg, N.C., a daughter of the late Lawrence A. and Tressie White Crouch.
Mrs. Blume was a homemaker and a member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock.
Survivors include one daughter, Barbara B. McKeon and husband, Jimmie, of The Woodlands; one granddaughter, Lara Tonelli and husband, Mike; two great-grandsons, Michael Tonelli and Christopher Tonelli, and one great-granddaughter, Catherine Tonelli, all of San Deigo, Calif.; and two brothers, L.A. Crouch of Greer, S.C., and Vernon Crouch of Macon, Ga.
Services were conducted Thursday morning, Feb. 7, 2008, at 11:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donors choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the Blume family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

February 6, 2008
Peter Sharpe Greene
Mr. Peter Sharpe Greene, 74, of 701 Plummer Drive, Greensboro, a native and former resident of Blowing Rock, died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008, at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital in Greensboro.
He was born Jan. 27, 1934 in Blowing Rock, a son of the late Robert Lee Greene and Nettie Sharpe Greene.
After graduating from Blowing Rock High School in 1951, Mr. Greene entered the U.S. Air Force and served his country for over eight years including time in Korea. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1955-1957) and earned his BS degree in 1963 and MA degree in 1965 from Appalachian State University. He was a Social Studies teacher at Grimsley High School (1963-1980), and Assistant Principal at both Dudley High School (1980-1993) and Eastern Guilford High School (1993-1995).
Mr. Greene was an active member of First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock and Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro. At Friendly Avenue Baptist Church he organized Troop 104 and was Scoutmaster for several years. He was also a former member of Hamilton Lakes Civitan Club.
After retiring, he enjoyed reading, traveling, and spending time with his wife at their cabin in Blowing Rock. He was an active member of the North Carolina Retired School Personnel at local, district, and state levels. For many years he was a precinct worker in Greensboro and was also involved in the North Carolina Teacher Fellowship Program.
Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Mary Jane Lassiter Greene; one son, Hal Lassiter Greene of Greensboro; one daughter, Nettie Elizabeth Greene McKee and husband, Frank, of Delray Beach, Fla.; two granddaughters, Taylor Jane and Amy Lynn McKee; one sister, Mary Caroline Greene Robbins of Hickory; and one brother, Rev. Robert "Pug" F. Greene and wife, Mary, of Blowing Rock. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Dr. Ben Greene.
A memorial service was conducted Saturday morning, Feb. 2, 2008, at Friendly Avenue Baptist Church in Greensboro. Military graveside rites and burial were conducted Saturday afternoon, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Memorial contributions may be made to the North Carolina Foundation for Public School Children, NCAE Center, 700 South Salisbury Street, PO Box 27347, Raleigh, N.C. 27611, or to The Enrichment Fund for Guilford County Schools, 712 North Eugene Street, Greensboro, N.C. 27401.
Online condolences may be sent to the Greene family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service and Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel in Greensboro were in charge of the arrangements.

Emma P. Greer
Emma P. Greer, 93, of Lenoir, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008.
Born July 3, 1914 in Watauga County, Mrs. Greer was a daughter of the late John and Lillie Mae Bodenhamer Phillips and the wife of the late Mack Thomas Greer.
Mrs. Greer was a member of Blair’s Fork Baptist Church and retired from Thomasville Furniture.
She is survived by one son, Kenneth Lee Greer, and wife, Patty, of Lenoir; two daughters, Wanda Greer Hamby and husband, Lawrence Jr., and Donna Greer Vines and husband, Wayne, all of Lenoir; one sister, Edna Pearl Nelson of Lenoir; and seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Other than her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Raymond, Leonard, Frank and Grady Phillips, and one sister, Julia Rose Greer.
Services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008, at Blair’s Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Jobie Borders and the Rev. Claude Suddreth officiating. Burial will follow in the Watson Cemetery in Boone.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, at Evans Funeral Service in Lenoir.
Pallbearers will be Ricky Estes, Greg Estes, Aaron Hamby, John Cassidy, Sam Wilson and Conard Greer.
Memorials may be made to Blair’s Fork Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1975, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be sent to the Greer family at www.evansfuneralservice.com.
Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is in charge of arrangements.

James N. Guy, Sr.
Mr. James N. Guy, Sr., 87, of 209 River Road, Banner Elk, died Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, at his residence.
He was born Oct.10, 1920 in Iredell County, a son of the late Moffett Presley Guy and Claudia Shaw Guy.
Mr. Guy was a retired draftsman in the communication department for C.S.X. Corporation Railroad Company. He served in World War II with the United States Marines and was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
Survivors include his wife, Carolyn Keen Guy; two sons, James N. Guy, Jr. and wife, Linda, of Tallahassee, Fla., and Paul P. Guy and wife, Kathryn, of Banner Elk; and two grandsons, Paul David Guy and wife, Monica, of Winston-Salem, and Andrew Nathan Guy of Tallahassee.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Margaret Guy.
A memorial service was conducted Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 5, 2008, at 1:00 o'clock, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Officiating was the Rev. Cynthia Banks.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Episcopal Church, 170 Council Street, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the Watauga County Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, PO Box 1835, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Guy family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Lena Eller Hansen
Mrs. Lena Eller Hansen, 90, of West Columbia, S.C., died Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008, at Agape Retirement Center in West Columbia, S.C.
She was born June 16, 1916 in Watauga County and was the daughter of the late James and Florence Calloway Eller.
Mrs. Hanson and her husband were charter members of Grace Baptist Church in West Columbia, S.C.
Survivors include one daughter-in-law, Jackie Hansen of Carrollton, Texas; one granddaughter, Tammie Burkhalter; one grandson, Jim Hansen; and one step-granddaughter, Lisa Scott. She is also survived by one sister, Ruby Eller Love of Sugar Grove, N.C.; and six nieces, Phyllis Dixon of Blythewood, S.C.; Linda Adams of Sugar Grove, N.C.; Sharon Brown of Rockingham, N.C.; Mavis Burnette of Morganton, N.C.; Mary Jane Neal of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Teresa Eller of Lenoir, N.C.; and three nephews, Jack Love of Boone, N.C.; Douglas Love of Sugar Grove, N.C.; and Tommy Eller of Black Mountain, N.C.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Cliff Hansen; and their son, Jim Hansen of Carrollton, Texas; four sisters, Ethel E. Greene, Ruth E. Crowell, Lillie Eller, and Lossie E. Reese; and three brothers, Raymond, Bynum, and Blaine Eller.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2008, at 1 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in West Columbia, S.C. Private committal services followed at Greenlawn Cemetery.
Thompson Funeral Home on State Road in West Columbia, S.C. was in charge of the arrangements.

Earl Austin Holman
Mr. Earl Austin Holman, 86, of Delmar Street, Boone, died Monday afternoon, Feb. 4, 2008, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir.
He was born July 9, 1921 in the Buffalo community of Ashe County to David Austin and Veste Rash Holman.
Mr. Holman served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. He retired from the Town of Boone’s Department of Public Works.
Survivors include one son, Ronard Holman and wife, Dena; and three grandsons, Heath, Kyle and Cody Holman, all of Lenoir. Fifteen nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Belle Elrod Holman; and two brothers, Albert and Buddy Holman.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 3 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. David Austin. The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon from 2 until 3 o’clock, one hour prior to services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the community Hospice organization of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the Holman family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Holman family.

Hazel Cooke Miller
Mrs. Hazel Cooke Miller, 96, of Milt Houck Road, Todd, died Saturday evening, Feb. 2, 2008 at the Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Nov. 20, 1911 in Damascus, Va., to John Douglas and Alice Shuler Cooke.
Mrs. Miller was a member of Zion United Methodist Church where she served as the choir director for more than 40 years. She was a housewife and homemaker.
Survivors include two daughters, Peggy Greer and husband, Bill, and Janelle Yates and husband, Harry, all of Boone; one son, Ronald Dean Miller of Todd; two grandchildren, Pam Summers and husband, David, of Valdosta, Ga. and Randall Miller of Chicago, Ill.; and five great-grandchildren; one brother, Neal Cooke of Winston-Salem; and two sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Cooke of Winston-Salem and Gladys Jean Cooke of Salt Lake City, Utah.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Balma Reece Miller; one son, Paul Leon Miller and his wife, Colleen; her great-granddaughter, Stephanie Noelle Miller; two sisters; and four brothers.
Services will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock at Zion United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Brenda Beshears. The body will lie in state at the church from 10 until 11 o’clock. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to Zion United Methodist Church in care of Bradley Scott, 303 Zion Methodist Church Road, Todd, N.C. 28684.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes.
Online condolences may be made to the Miller family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Miller family.

Bobby Kevin Sluder
Mr. Bobby Kevin Sluder, 41, of Ruth Drive, Hickory, and a former resident of Watauga County, died Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 30, 2008, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
He was born Feb. 5, 1966 in Orlando, Fla. to Avery Calvin and Martha Novella Presnell Sluder.
Mr. Sluder designed, constructed and sold bird houses.
He is survived by his partner, Sherri Deal of Hickory; three daughters, Brittney Houck and husband, Kevin, of Hudson, Tiffany and Brandi Sluder, both of Newton; his grandson, Kyle Houck of Hudson; three sisters, Gloria Presnell and Sandy Presnell and husband, Dennis, all of Boone, and Patricia Trejo and husband, Antonio, of Hickory; and two brothers, Eddie Presnell and wife, Rita, of Banner Elk and Mark Sluder of Hickory.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Vivian Kay Presnell.
Memorial services were conducted Saturday afternoon, Feb. 2, 2008 at 4 o’clock at the Beech Valley Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Quincy Norris. Burial followed in the Presnell Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Austin & Barnes Funeral Home to assist the family with expenses.
Online condolences may be made to the Sluder family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Sluder family.

Edna Coffey Smith
Mrs. Edna Coffey Smith of Ocala, Fla., died Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2008.
She was born in Three Springs, Va., Dec. 14, 1919. She was the daughter of Beeler E. Coffey and Elizabeth Cross Coffey.
Mrs. Smith had been a resident of Ocala since 1946.
Survivors include one son, Steve Smith; and a daughter, April Smith Tooker, both of Ocala, Fla.; and several grandchildren; nieces, and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Smith; her beloved sisters, Mrs. Edwin (Edith) Brookshire of Boone, N.C.; Mrs. Eugene (Ina) McDade of Lenoir, N.C.; Mrs. Lewis (Esther) Phipps of Bristol, Va.; Mrs. Roy L. (Lorena) Bass of Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. Edgar G. (Jean) Smith of Bristol, Va.; an infant sister, Leona Coffey, of Bristol, Va.; and one brother, Beeler T. “June” Coffey, Jr. of Zionville, N.C.
Private services were in Ocala, Fla.

Marie Elliott Teague
Mrs. Marie Elliott Teague, 80, of Greensboro, N.C., passed away Wednesday evening Jan. 30, 2008, at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on July 31, 1927 in High Point, the daughter of the late Henry Elliott and the late Edna Harris Elliott Burger.
Mrs. Teague was educated in the Lexington and High Point city schools, graduating from High Point Central High School in 1944. She continued her education at Guilford College. While there she held a scholastic scholarship for one year. Mrs. Teague earned the B.A. Degree with a major in English and a minor in Business in 1948. She was of the Methodist Faith. Mrs. Teague served 31 years as Assistant to the Dean of the School of Music at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. Following her retirement she volunteered in the Cardio-Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital as long as her health permitted.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.
Survivors include her loving husband of 59 years, William Jefferson “Billy” Teague; two loving children, Jeannie Marie Teague of Boone, and William Jefferson “Jeff” Teague, Jr. and wife, Clare Walker Teague, of Duluth, Ga.; and two grandchildren, Ashley and William Teague of Duluth, Ga.
Graveside services were held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at Springfield Friends Meeting Cemetery in High Point, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Avenue, Greensboro, N.C. 27401.
Forbis & Dick Funeral Service in Greensboro, are in charge of the arrangements.