Archived
Carole Meeks Archer
Mrs. Carole Meeks Archer, 56, of Weddington, N.C., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at Hospice of Monroe after a long and courageous (non-smoker) battle with lung cancer.
She was born on Sept. 29, 1951, in Eden, N.C., daughter to the late Marshall Oliver and Annie Newman Meeks.
Mrs. Archer was an honors graduate of Morehead High School and UNC Greensboro. Carole was very family oriented, as family to her included her church and her friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was an active and dedicated member at Providence Presbyterian Church. Carole enjoyed teaching Elementary School children with Union County Public Schools and was very active with Sun Valley and Weddington High School Bands. She also enjoyed her time spent volunteering with the Boy Scout Troop 99 and being a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America (Hornet's Nest Region).
Survivors include her beloved husband and best friend, Marcus Archer; loving son, Paul Archer of Boone, N.C.; devoted siblings, Ronald Meeks and wife, Yvonne, of Hickory, Myra Lee and husband, Jim, of Greensboro; and countless friends that will cherish the many years spent knowing Carole.
Services in celebration of Carole’s life will be held 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 14, 2008 at Providence Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Walt McCanless and the Rev. Anne Hilborn officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory, should be made to the Carole M. Archer Nursing Scholarship ASU, PO Box 32064, Boone, N.C. 28608-2064. Please make your memorial gift payable to the ASU Foundation.
Online condolences may be left at www.heritagefuneral.net
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Heritage Funeral Home, Weddington / Matthews Chapel.

Shirley Jean Watson Bristol
Mrs. Shirley Jean Watson Bristol, 61, of Fox Road, Wilkesboro, died Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Forsyth Medical Center.
She was born Sept. 20, 1946 in Wilkes County, to Dallas Lankford and Stella Mae White Watson.
Mrs. Bristol was a member of Yadkin Valley Baptist Church.
Surviving are her husband, George William Bristol Sr.; one son, George William Bristol Jr., of Wilkesboro; two daughters, Elizabeth Lea Hicks and husband, Charles, Michelle Bristol Frazier and husband, Brian, all of North Wilkesboro; one brother, Grady Lee Watson and wife, Lorene, of Deep Gap; one sister, Josephine Watson Shomaker and husband, Jerry, of Ferguson; four grandchildren, Megan Richardson, Charles Hicks, Sarah Hicks, Grace Frazier; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Services will be held 2 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2008, at Yadkin Valley Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Harless officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family received friends at Miller Funeral Service from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock Thursday night.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-9956.
Miller Funeral Service in North Wilkesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

William Howard Kincaid
Mr. William Howard Kincaid, 93, of Greensboro, died Monday, April 7, 2008, at Moses Cone Hospital.
He was born in Caldwell County and moved as a child to Watauga County where he graduated from Bethel High School.
He enlisted in the Army and served with the 5th Army in the Italian Campaign where he earned the rank of Corporal and was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery. After the war the family moved to Greensboro where he and his father began building homes.
Mr. Kincaid later served as a Vice-President of Libby Hill Seafood. He became superintendent of Construction for Kirkman & Koury and later went into commercial construction with Clark Building Co., building numerous restaurants and commercial buildings. After retiring, he became involved with building teams of the United Methodist Church, leading teams to Costa Rica, Jamaica, Aruba, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. He also led teams in disaster relief from Hurricane Andrew, Hugo, Fran, and Floyd and floods in northern Kentucky and southern Georgia and helped build churches in North Carolina.
In 1990 Mr. Kincaid and his sons bought Grandview Golf Club in Pfafftown, which they operated for 17 years. He loved to garden and was known for his produce stand on Stagecoach Trail where he was most proud of his tomatoes. He loved to spend time with his family and spoil his grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth C. Kincaid; children, William K. Kincaid and wife, Sandy, Harold Kincaid and wife, Susan, and Richard Kincaid and wife, Deborah; grandchildren, Matthew, Andrew, Melissa, Elizabeth, Emily, LeeAnna, Meredith, and Brooke; step-grandchildren, Brad and Kristen; sisters, Mariam Lawrence, Elizabeth Conrad, Irene Wright and husband, Julian, Joyce Inman and husband, Ray; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Special thanks to niece, Brenda Chrismon, and her husband, Mike, for their care and support of our parents in their later years.
Services will be held Friday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m. at Muir’s Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dan Money officiating with the Rev. Olin Isenhour and the Rev. John Kale. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family received friends Thursday evening 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405 or the United Methodist Church Building Teams, PO Box 18005, Charlotte, NC 28218.
Condolences may be offered at www.forbisanddick.com.
Forbis & Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the Kincaid family.

Roger Steven Osborne
Mr. Roger Steven Osborne, 50, of Blowing Rock, N.C., died Monday, April 7, 2008, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C.
He was born May 2, 1957 in Lenoir, N.C., to Pastor Carl Franklin Osborne and Alma Gragg Osborne, currently residing in Montezuma, N.C.
Mr. Osborne has been a successful and accomplished builder in Watauga County for over 20 years. He enjoyed spending time in the outdoors and playing the mandolin with neighbors and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Donna L Osborne; daughter, Stacey D. Osborne, of Vilas, N.C.; brothers, Kenneth Osborne and wife, Joan; Mark Osborne and wife, Jeannie, both of Newland, N.C.
A memorial service will be held at the Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock, N.C. on Saturday, April 12, at 2 p.m. A gathering of family and friends will be held after the service.
Memorial contributions, in lieu of flowers, may be made at the memorial service or to The Osborne Family, PO Box 1754, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.

Dudley D. Pennell
Mr. Dudley D. Pennell, 93, of Taylorsville Rd., Lenoir, passed away Tuesday, April 8, 2008, at Shaire Center.
He was born Feb. 23, 1915 in Watauga County to the late William J. Pennell and Mary Culler Pennell.
Mr. Pennell was an active member of Cedar Valley U.M.C. and was a former member of Oak Hill Ruritan Club.
Survivors include his wife of 75 years, Mildred Triplett Pennell; his son, Ned Pennell and wife, Dorothy, of Lenoir; his daughters, Billie Sue Braswell and husband, Charles, of Lenoir; Peggy Blinson and husband, Keith, also of Lenoir; and Jean Reid of Hickory; five grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers and four sisters.
Services will be held Saturday, April 12 at 11:00 a.m. at Cedar Valley United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lynn Hawkins and the Rev. Sarah Fouts officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday, April 11, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Pendry’s Funeral Home.
Serving as pallbearers will be Mr. Pennell’s grandsons and great-grandsons.
Memorials may be made to Cedar Valley U.M.C. at 1108 Woodbine Pl., Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care at 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Condolences may be placed online at www.mem.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements.

Rev. Everette Earl Watson Sr.
Rev. Everette Earl Watson, Sr., 77, of the Rominger Road in Banner Elk, died Tuesday evening, April 8, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born March 4, 1931 in Caldwell County, to Vonley Perry and Alba Baird Watson.
Rev. Watson served as a minister for more than 40 years.
He was a former pastor of Mt. Paron Baptist Church and for the past 32 years he served the congregation of God’s House of Worship.
Everette retired from Hal Hayes Tire Service.
Survivors include one daughter, Lela Ellison and husband, Kelly, of Todd; and one son, Vonley Watson of Banner Elk; one daughter-in-law, Diane Watson; one sister, Clara Michael; and one granddaughter, Stephanie Watson, all of Banner Elk; six grandsons, Gregory Greene of West Jefferson, Derrick and Dustin Michael and Josh Watson, all of Banner Elk, and Jessie and Jonathan Watson, both of Sugar Grove.
Four great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Venice Ray Watson; a son, Earl Watson; a sister, Ola Potter; and his parents.
Services will be conducted Friday morning at 11 o’clock at God’s House of Worship, officiated by the Rev. Harold Danner, the Rev. Richard Trivette, the Rev. Junior Carver and the Rev. Harvey Presnell.
The body will lie in state at the church from 10 until 11 o’clock. Military graveside rites and burial will follow at the Watson Family Cemetery.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to God’s House of Worship, in care of David Arnett, 231 Old Horsebottom Road, Banner Elk, N.C. 28604.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
The Watson family expresses their sincere gratitude to the members of God’s House of Worship, Everette’s family, and special thanks for their love, support and generosity given him and his family over the years and a special acknowledgement to the staff of Watauga Medical Center for their care, kindness and support.
Online condolences may be made to the Watson family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

April 9, 2008
Bert Butler Fletcher
Mr. Bert Butler Fletcher, 90, of Boone, died Sunday afternoon, April 6, 2008 at home.
He was born on August 4, 1917 in Watauga County, a son of the late Walter and Louise Warren Fletcher.
Mr. Fletcher was retired from TRW/IRC, where he worked as a tool and die maker. He also held a patent on a resistor he developed. He was a member of Mabel United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife, Dorothy Eggers Fletcher; one daughter, Sue Fletcher Austin of Hickory; one grandson, Mark Fletcher Austin and wife, April, of Cary; one granddaughter, Cindy Suzanne Austin of Morganton; three nephews, Melvin Fletcher, Kent Henson and wife, Marge, and Ronnie Fletcher; and seven nieces, Gail Fox and husband, Jim, Hilda Fletcher and husband, Jake, Mary Lou Diether, Janet Grinstead, Karen Roth and husband, Charles, Joan Fletcher and Priscilla Rainey.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Collis Austin, Jr.; three sisters, Pauline Henson and husband, Clarence, Eula Greer and husband, Myron, and Ruth Dishman and husband, Dock; and four brothers, Ralph Fletcher and wife, Ella Mae, Wade Fletcher and wife, Lucy, Ernest and Blaine Fletcher; and one brother-in-law, Rom Eggers.
Services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Judy Eurey. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
The family respectfully requests no food, flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to High Country Healthcare System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to Mabel United Methodist Church, in care of Susanne Winebarger, 221 Joe Shoemaker Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.
The family will receive friends Thursday prior to the service from noon until 1 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Fletcher family.

Collis “C.A.” Payne
Mr. Collis “C.A.” Payne, 66, of Belmont, died Sunday, April 6, 2008, at Courtland Terrace.
He was born in Watauga County, on Feb. 1, 1922, son of the late William Thomas Payne and Bessie Watson Payne.
Mr. Payne was a member of Catawba Heights Baptist Church in Belmont. He was very active in the church and served as a trustee, deacon, treasurer, and church secretary.
He was a World War II Army veteran and was formerly employed with Pipe Fitters Union (Local 96). He had retired from MCC Powers Company of Charlotte and had also retired from his part-time job at BiLo in Belmont.
Survivors include his wife, Frances Berry Payne; daughters and sons-in-law, Karen and C.B. Helms of Gastonia, and Sandra and Don Gentile of Lumberton, New Jersey; brothers, William Payne of Belmont, Ernest Payne of Winston-Salem, James Payne of Asheville, and John Payne of Matthews; sisters, Avalee Cottrell of Winston-Salem and Lillian Woolman of Port Huron, Mich.; grandchildren, Wendy Helms Bekesi, Destry Helms, Amy Gentile, Nick Gentile, and Jessica Gentile; and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Norman and J.B. Payne; a sister, Ola Bell; and a daughter, Marsha C. Payne.
Services were conducted Tuesday morning, April 8, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Catawba Heights Baptist Church in Belmont with Pastor Raymond Johns and the Rev. Max Pendleton officiating. Entombment was at Gaston Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Catawba Heights Baptist Church Building Fund, 311 Belmont Ave., Belmont, N.C. 28012 or Feeding His Sheep Ministries Inc., c/o Karen Helms, 5039 Victory Trail, Gastonia, N.C. 28056.
Greene Funeral Service-South Chapel in Gastonia, were in charge of the arrangements.

April 9, 2008
Freddy H. Dykes
Mr. Freddy H. Dykes, husband of Leona Gentry Dykes, of London, Ky., passed away on Friday, April 4, 2008, at the St. Joseph Hospice Care Center in Lexington, Ky.
He was born in Mt. Ash, Ky., the son of the late Rev. Chester and Cleda Welch Dukes.
Mr. Dykes was a member of the Corinth Baptist Church in London, Ky., and a retired employee of Kerns Bakery.
Survivors include his wife, Leona Gentry Dukes; two daughters, Virginia Gable and husband, Vince, of Boone, N.C., Theresa Smith and husband, Joe Paul, of Jellico, Tenn.; one son, Darrell Dykes of Jacksboro, Tenn.; two step-sons, Rodney Nantz of Vicco, Ky. and Glen Nantz and wife, Teresa, of London, Ky.; two sisters, Clara Thorton of Mt. Ash, Ky. and Charlene Walden of Jellico, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Josh Parrott and Brook Parrott; two great-grandchildren, Stella Parrott and Jaxton Parrott; three step-grandsons, Jonathon Nantz, Blake Nantz, and Hunter Nantz.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m., April 6, 2008, in the House & Rawlings Funeral Home Chapel in London, Ky., with Bro. James Blaylock, Bro. Bobby Helton and Bro. Kevin Walden officiating. Burial followed in the Highland Park Cemetery in Williamsburg, Ky., with full military honors.
House & Rawlings Funeral Home in London, Ky., was in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. Clyde N. McCall
Dr. Clyde N. McCall of Blowing Rock, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2008 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 20, 1928 in Forest City to the late Dr. Charles Summers McCall and Lena Cox McCall.
Dr. McCall was a graduate of Berea College in Berea, Ky., and in 1954 graduated with the first dental class from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry at Chapel Hill. He served two years as a dentist in the U.S. Air Force. Beginning in 1957, he practiced general dentistry in Stanley for 41 years, retiring in September 1998.
He was a member of Stanley United Methodist Church and was a leader in the church for years, serving on the Administrative Board, the Committee on Finance, and Chairman of the Staff-Parish Committee. He served as a member of BB&T's Gastonia Advisory Board of Directors from 1975 to 1998. He supported and was an active participant in the initial process of creating the Stanley Total Living Center which provided the community's need for a nursing home facility.
Dr. McCall was a member and actively involved in the work of both the Stanley Lions Club and the Gaston County Dental Society. In 1996, when the Dental Society, in collaboration with the County Health Department, formed the Gaston County Public Health Dental Clinic to provide dental care for the poor, Dr. McCall volunteered many hours of his time and services working in the clinic. During his retirement years in Blowing Rock, his pastimes were hiking mountain trails and doing nature photography. He enjoyed and appreciated being a part of the Institute of Senior Scholars.
Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Joan Evans McCall; his daughter, Leslie McCall of Winston-Salem; a sister, Margaret Warlick of Charlotte; a brother, Dr. Glenn W. McCall and wife, Kathy, of Spartanburg, S.C.; a sister-in-law, Dorothy McCall of Tryon; and numerous nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his step mother, Sadie Seals McCall; and two brothers, Dr. Robert S. McCall of Marion and Dr. C. W. McCall, Sr. of Tryon.
A memorial service will be held at Centenary United Methodist Church chapel in Winston-Salem on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:00 p.m. Receiving of friends will follow the service.
The family requests no flowers. Please consider a memorial contribution to the Dental Foundation of North Carolina, 101A Market Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, or Berea College, CPO 2216, Berea, KY 40404.
Any condolences may be made to: www.salemfh.com.
Salem Funerals and Cremations will be in charge of arrangements.

Robert G. Minton Jr.
Robert G. Minton, Jr., age 72, of Lenoir, died Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.
He was born August 1, 1935 in Watauga County to the late Robert G. Minton, Sr. and Bessie Robbins Minton.
Mr. Minton was retired from the construction business and was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife Mrs. Hildegard N. Minton; one son, Stephen A. Minton of Statesboro, Ga.; one daughter, Mrs. Silvia A. Summers of Huntsville, Ala.; and two grandchildren, Stefan Minton and Saundra Minton, both of Georgia.
Memorial services were held Saturday, April 5, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church conducted by the Rev. Matthew Leonard and the Rev. Dr. Ron Caplette. Inurnment followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock at 12:45 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, 328 B Woodsway Lane, Lenoir, N.C. 28645 and Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St. 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.

Stephanie Nicole Morris
Ms. Stephanie Nicole Morris, 23, of Dogwood Knoll, Boone, died Wednesday evening, April 2, 2008, at her home.
Survivors include her parents, John T. and Joy R. Morris; two brothers, John T. Morris, Jr. and wife, Christine, of Fuquay Varina, N.C., and Damon R. Morris and wife, Mindy, of Boone (Mindy was one of her caregivers). She is also survived by nine aunts, seven uncles, two nieces, and two nephews.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, George H. and Margaret B. Robinson; and her paternal grandparents, John A. Morris and Grace E. Smith.
A funeral mass will be conducted Monday afternoon, April 7, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Joseph Mulligan. Entombment will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum.
Online condolences may be sent to the Morris family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements .

Rev. Jerry Grant Winkler, Sr.
Rev. Jerry Grant Winkler, Sr., 67, husband of Patricia Johnson Winkler, of Wayfound Baptist Church Road, Hiddenite, died Friday, April 4, 2008 at Iredell Memorial Hospital.
He was born May 12, 1940 in Wilkes County to Grant and Glea Norris Winkler. He was the pastor of Wayfound Baptist Church in Hiddenite. Rev. Winkler served in the United States Army. He had pastored in Wilkes, Watauga, Ashe, Yadkin and Alexander counties.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia Johnson Winkler; one daughter, Melissa Winkler Hall and husband, Greg, of Purlear; one son, Jerry Grant Winkler, Jr. of the home; one sister, Jackie Church and husband, Junior, of Wilkesboro; three grandchildren, Nathan Hall, Ashley Hall and Joshua Winkler.
Service were held Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m., April 6, 2008, at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Fellman Cheek, the Rev. Greg Hall and Mr. Michael White officiating. Burial with military honors by Post 1142 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars was in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to American Lung Association, P O Box 27985, Raleigh, N.C. 27611.
On line condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivnat.com.
Reins-Sturdivant in North Wilkesboro, were in charge of the arrangements.

John A. Wood
Mr. John A. Wood, 61, of 401 Hayes Wellborn Road, Deep Gap, died Thursday, April 3, 2008, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
He was born Sept. 7, 1946 in Wilkes County, a son of Pauline Reavis Wood and the late John Wood.
Mr. Wood was an employee and truck driver for Hollar and Greene Produce in Boone, and a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Wood is survived by his wife, Alesia N. Wood; two daughters, Jessica Wood of the home, and Anita C. Watson and husband, Larry, of Hamptonville; one son, Keith J. Wood and wife, Shelley, of North Wilkesboro; his step-father, Howard Roope of Hayes; six grandchildren, Joshua, Kayla, Hope, Christian, Brandon, and Haley; two sisters, Linda Longbottom and Regina Wood, and a special friend, Fred Wingler, all of North Wilkesboro; two brothers, Donald Wayne Wood and wife, Patsy, of Wilkesboro, and Jimmie Dale Wood and wife, Donna, of Hays; and one step-brother and one step-sister.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one infant brother, Billy Ray Wood.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, April 5, 2008, at Stony Fork Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Vernon Eller. Burial followed in Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Betty Triplett, 414 Stony Fork Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.
Online condolences may be sent to the Wood family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the