Archived

Eva Belle ‘Bill’ Calloway Sluder
Mrs. Eva Belle “Bill” Calloway Sluder, 93, of Church Hollow Road, Boone, the Foscoe community, died Sunday night, May 4, 2008, at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilation.
Born June 6, 1914 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late G. B. and Cordie Danner Calloway. Mrs. Sluder was a homemaker and a member of the Foscoe Christian Church.
Surviving are: one daughter, Rebecca Barnes and husband, Rex; two sons, Tommy Earl Sluder of Wilkesboro and Pete Sluder and wife, Betty, of York, S.C.; four granddaughters, Annette Sluder of Boone, Debra Sluder of Wilkesboro, Vickie Chivers and husband, Brian, of Asheville, and Tricia Witherspoon and husband, Michael, of Ft. Mill, S.C.; two grandsons, Vincent Barnes and wife, Julie, of Wilson, and Ronnie Sluder and wife, Linda, of Phoenix, Ariz.; six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Holly and Colton Moore, Stephanie Barnes, Morgan Witherspoon, Nicole Sluder and Kasey and Travis Smiley.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arl Slude; one sister, Sybil Fox; and one great-granddaughter, Jenna Witherspoon.
Services were conducted Tuesday evening at 7 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was minister Lance Hostetter. Graveside services were private.
Memorials may be made to the Foscoe Christian Church, 8834 NC Hwy 105, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family received friends Tuesday evening prior to the service. At other times friends may call at the home of Rebecca and Rex Barnes, Norman Road in Boone.
Online condolences may be sent to the Sluder family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Sluder family.

Professor John Foster West
Professor John Foster West, 89, died May 2, 2008 at home.
John Foster, as he preferred to be called, was born Dec. 10, 1918 in Wilkes County, N.C., to John Wilkes and Elvira Foster West during the flu epidemic of that year.
John attended Mars Hill College in 1941, where he met his future wife, Nan Elizabeth Love. He graduated with a B.A. in English from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1947 and with an M.A. in 1949.
As an undergraduate, he was involved in establishing the “Carolina Quarterly,” a literary journal still in existence today. He also did doctoral work in English and journalism at Chapel Hill and the University of Iowa.
He taught English and creative writing for 42 years at three different colleges. He was at Elon College, N.C., from 1949 to 1958, Old Dominion College in Norfolk, Va., from 1958 to 1968, and in 1968, Appalachian State University (ASU), from which he retired, as professor emeritus, in January 1991.
At ASU, along with teaching, he was writer-and-poet-in-residence and mentored hundreds of aspiring writers and poets throughout the years.
John will be remembered most as a North Carolina writer, poet, historian and activist for the preservation and ecology of his beloved mountains. His first published book of poetry, “Up Ego,” was written while he was teaching at Elon College in 1951.
In 1965, John received wide acclaim for his first novel, “Time Was.” Published by Random House, the publishers submitted his novel to be considered for a Pulitzer Prize. Other books were: “Appalachian Dawn,” 1973, a sequel to “Time Was”; the “Ballad of Tom Dula,” 1990; and the Appalachian Consortium’s Appalachian Fiction Award, “The Summer People” in 1989.
In addition to varied contributions to magazines and other periodicals, his books of poetry include: “This Proud Land,” with photography by Bruce Roberts, “Wry Wine” and “High Noon at Pompeii.”
John received many awards and acknowledgements during his prolific career. He has appeared in “Who’s Who in the South and Southwest,” “Who’s Who Among American Scholars,” “Contemporary Authors” and the “Dictionary of International Biography.” He was past president of the N.C. Writers Conference, N.C. Folklore Society and Sigma Delta Chi, the professional journalism fraternity.
In addition to his parents, John was preceded in death by his wife, Nan, who died in 1966; his brothers, Leonard, Arnold, James and Ted; and his sisters, Vernice Arms, Verlee Crump and Orene Burrell.
He is survived by his daughters, Betsy West of Charlotte; Leah Killingsworth and husband, Ted, of High Point, N.C.; a son, John K. West of Boone; and three grandchildren, Karma, Ethan and Logan West of Silva City, N.C., plus a host of nieces and nephews.
John Foster West was a fascinating, eccentric, brilliant, caring and introspective man and he will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of John Foster West will be held on Friday, May 9, at 2 p.m. at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens, 521Old East King St., in Boone.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the John Foster West Scholarship Fund, care of the English Department at Appalachian State University, Boone, N.C., 28608.
Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is assisting the family. Online condolences can be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com.

May 7, 2008

Rev. David L. Castor
The Rev. David L. Castor, 74, of 301 Glasgow Road, Cary, died Sunday evening, May 4, 2008, at his residence.
The Rev. Castor was born March 8, 1934 in Concord, N.C., a son of the late Ross A. and Helen Smith Castor. He graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., in 1957 and the Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary in Columbia, S.C., in 1960 with a bachelor’s of divinity and a master’s in theology.
He was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1960 at Center Grove Lutheran Church in Concord.
The Rev. Castor served as a pastor for four churches throughout North Carolina: St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Burlington; Philadelphia Lutheran Church in Granite Falls; Resurrection Lutheran Church in Kings Mountain; and St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Hickory.
In 1973, Pastor Castor and his family moved to Cary, N.C., when he was called to be executive director of Lutheran Outdoors Ministries of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod, a position he held until his retirement 24 years later.
Beginning as a member of the Camp Committee of the North Carolina Lutheran Synod and during his tenure as executive director of Lutheran Outdoor Ministries, the Rev. Castor participated in the purchase and oversaw the development of 624 acres along the Cape Fear River in Fuquay-Varina, N.C., that became Camp Agape; and expanded the Lutheran Retreat Center in Kure Beach, N.C., one of the only oceanfront facilities in existence.
These camps and retreats have become models for other outdoor ministries around the country, fulfilling David’s vision of hearing the word of God in beautiful, natural settings and learning of God’s teachings in the environment of his creation.
In addition to his duties as executive director, the Rev. Castor also served as a regional facilitator for the East Coast, to aid in the direction of other camping programs.
The Rev. Castor felt this ministerial outreach was especially vital to the youth of the church, teaching them God’s word in a relaxed and fun atmosphere, as well as reaching out to others wishing to experience this unique style of spiritual renewal.
Pastor Castor was also instrumental in the development of travel ministries.
This innovative form of ministry met a unique need and brought a new population to the camping and retreating experience.
The Rev. Castor became well-known throughout the country as an expert in the development of travel ministries, and he led many seminars and workshops, teaching others how to establish these programs in their ministry settings.
David led many trips and adventures, from the Holy City of Jerusalem to Vatican City in Rome, witnessing the marvels of God’s wonders throughout the world.
Upon David’s retirement in 1997, and especially after his wife’s retirement from director of nursing at Guardian Care in Zebulon, N.C., in 2001, they continued to enjoy traveling, but David’s main source of joy was derived from the time he and Faye could spend at their mountain home in Boone, N.C.
He loved to work among the Christmas trees growing on the farm and the garden he and Faye lovingly attended.
He most loved being surrounded by family and friends, amidst the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
There are so many fond memories of hot dog roasts with the grandchildren, and tractor rides, and the tree house. His greatest gift perhaps, his most enduring legacy, was the great love he had for his family and his happiness at each moment that was spent there, among the mountains he loved so much.
The Rev. Castor is survived by his loving wife of more than 50 years, Faye Critcher Castor; two sons, Christopher D. Castor, and Mark G. Castor and wife, Victoria; one daughter, Cynthia C. Crumpler and husband, Earl; four grandsons, Brandon Castor, Cameron Castor, Weston Castor and Hampton Crumpler; four granddaughters, Mallory Crumpler, Savannah Castor, Caroline Crumpler and Emery Castor; two brothers, Donald Castor and Philip Castor; and one sister, Martha Sigmon.
He is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, and in-laws.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Ross and Helen Smith Castor.
A Celebration of Life service for the Rev. Castor will be held Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Christ the King Lutheran Church in Cary.
Services will be held at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone on Thursday afternoon, May 8, 2008, at 2 p.m. Interment will follow immediately after the service at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens in Boone.
The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the funeral service at Grace Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Agape/Kure Beach Ministries, 1369 Tyler Dewar Lane, Fuquay-Varina, N.C. 27526.
Online condolences may be sent to the Castor family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Eva Belle ‘Bill’ Calloway Sluder
Mrs. Eva Belle “Bill” Calloway Sluder, 93, of Church Hollow Road, Boone, the Foscoe community, died Sunday night, May 4, 2008 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.
Born June 6, 1914 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late G.B. and Cordie Danner Calloway. Mrs. Sluder was a homemaker and a member of the Foscoe Christian Church.
Surviving are one daughter, Rebecca Barnes and husband, Rex, of Boone; two sons, Tommy Earl Sluder of Wilkesboro and Peter Sluder and wife, Betty, of York, S.C.; four granddaughters, Annette Sluder of Boone, Debra Sluder of Wilkesboro, Vickie Chivers and husband, Brian, of Asheville, and Tricia Witherspoon of Ft. Mill, S.C.; two grandsons, Vincent Barnes of Wilson and Ronnie Sluder of Phoenix, Ariz.; six great-grandchildren, Dylan, Holly and Colton Moore, Stephanie Barnes, Morgan Witherspoon, Nicole Sluder, and Kasey and Travis Smiley.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arl Sluder; one sister, Sybil Fox; and one great-granddaughter, Jenna Witherspoon.
Services will be conducted Tuesday, May 6, 2008, at 7 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will minister Lance Hostetter. Graveside services will be private.
Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made to the Foscoe Christian Church, 8834 N.C. Hwy. 105, Boone, N.C. 28607. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening prior to the service from 6 until 7. At other times, friends may call at the home of Rebecca and Rex Barnes on Norman Road in Boone. Online condolences may be sent to the Sluder family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Sluder family.

May 5, 2008

Judith Wilson Bishop
Mrs. Judith Wilson Bishop, of Wingate, N.C., devoted daughter, wife, mother, teacher and friend, passed away Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at Carolinas Medical Center, in Charlotte.
She was born in Boone, N.C., the daughter of Jerry Wilson and the late Glenna Sparks Wilson.
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Judi married J. Larry Bishop in 1969 and moved to Wingate, N.C. She first worked at the State Bank of Wingate and then stayed at home during her sons’ childhood. During this time she was actively involved in Boy Scouts, volunteer activities, and summer recreation programs in the area. In her last years, Judi taught at East Union Middle School in Marshville where her greatest love was seeing middle school students achieve their potential.
Survivors include her father; her husband; two sons, Michael Bishop of Wingate and J. Bradford Bishop of Atlanta; a brother, Dan Wilson of Charlotte; and step-mother, Marie Wilson of Boone.
The family received friends at Gordon Funeral Service in Monroe, on Saturday, May 3 from 6- 8 p.m. and in Boone on Sunday at the First Baptist Church from 3-4:00 p.m. The funeral service to celebrate the life of Judi Bishop was held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, May 4, 2008, at the First Baptist Church in Boone, N.C., with burial following at Mount Lawn Memorial Park in Boone.
Gordon Funeral Service, Inc., in Monroe, N.C., were in charge of the arrangements.

Bernice "Jackie" Marie McGuire
Mrs. Bernice "Jackie" Marie McGuire, 81, of Deland, Fla., died Tuesday, April 29, 2008, at Woodland Terrace Nursing Center in Deland.
She was born March 25, 1927 in West Jefferson.
Mrs. McGuire was a co-owner of the Central Food Market in West Jefferson. She later opened Discount Furniture Store and the Holiday Furniture Factory in Boone. After moving to Florida, she stayed busy working with estate sales as she always enjoyed the challenge of new opportunities.
In her spare time, she enjoyed fishing and solving crossword puzzles, but her favorite past time was visiting with and caring for her grandson Riley and great-grandson Nathan, whom she adored.
Survivors include one daughter, Donna L. Davis and husband, Buzzy, of Deland; one grandson, Riley E. Davis; and one great-grandson, Nathan Wentworth Davis.
Services were conducted Friday afternoon, May 2, 2008, at Lankford Funeral Home in Deland. Officiating was Chaplain Alan Gaylord. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Monday afternoon, May 5, 2008, at 1:00 o'clock, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens in Boone.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice Volusia/Flagler, 1525 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Orange City, Fla. 32763.
Online condolences may be sent to the McGuire family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Lankford Funeral Home in Deland, Fla., and Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Susie Alice Reece Osborne
Mrs. Susie Alice Reece Osborne, 90, of Mabel School Road, Zionville, died Wednesday evening, April 30, 2008, at the Watauga Medical Center.
She was born August 5, 1917 in Watauga County, to Ira Eugene and Ollie Belle Wilson Reece.
Mrs. Osborne was a member of Mabel Baptist Church and a retired seamstress from Shadowline.
Survivors include three daughters, Lucille O. Harmon of Zionville, Carolyn Wilson and husband, Bob, of Boone and Marlena O. Williams and husband, Johnny, of Lancaster, S.C.; 13 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren; and one daughter-in-law, Edna Osborne of Dekalb, Ill.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arlie Estel Osborne; one daughter, Jeanette Miller; one son, Darrell Osborne; one step-grandson, Chris Williams; her parents; eight brothers and sisters; and two sons-in-law, Billy Harmon and Clyde Miller.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Mabel Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Carl Johnson. Burial followed in the Reece Cemetery.
Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorials to the Mabel Baptist Church WMU, in care of Kathy Burkett, 6300 Old Hwy 421, Zionville, N.C. 28698.
Online condolences may be made to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Osborne family.

Henry William Taylor
Mr. Henry William Taylor, age 90, of 287 Bamboo Road, Boone, died Thursday evening, May 1, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
Mr. Taylor was born March 14, 1918 in Watauga County, a son of the late Willie and Blanche Hartley Taylor. He retired from the maintenance department at Appalachian State University, and was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife, Ruth Carroll Taylor of Boone; two daughters, Linda Taylor McKinney and husband James of Boone, and Bonnie Taylor Eggers of Lexington; one son, Kent Taylor of Boone; one brother, Al Hodges of Little Rock, Arkansas, and one daughter-in-law, Thelma Taylor of Boone. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Rabon Taylor; one son-in-law, Jack Eggers; three brothers, Dale Hodges, Roy Hodges, and Ned VanDyke, and a number of aunts and uncles.
Funeral services for Mr. Henry William Taylor will be conducted Monday afternoon, May 5, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. The body will lie-in-state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Reverend Allan Blume and Reverend Bud Russell. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Sunday evening, from 6until 8o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Taylor family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.