Archived
Dr. Francis Berneil Dedmond
Dr. Francis Berneil Dedmond, 89, of Howard Street, Boone, died Saturday afternoon, May 17, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born August 19, 19l8 in Salisbury to Henry Baxter Dedmond, Sr. and Mae Fogelman Dedmond.
Dr. Dedmond graduated from Catawba College then went on to complete graduate studies at Duke University and Florida State University where he earned his PhD in American Literature. He was Chairman of the English Department at Gardner Webb College and later Chairman of the English Department at Catawba College until his retirement.
A distinguished scholar in his field, Dr. Dedmond published extensively in literary journals with an emphasis on American Renaissance. He authored several books, most notably, “Lengthened Shadows, a History of Gardner Webb College” (to honor the college’s sixtieth anniversary), “Catawba, The Story of a College”, and “Sylvester Judd”.
While continuing to publish well into his later years, Dr. Dedmond was a frequent contributor to many distinguished scholarly journals. Among them: “Studies in the American Renaissance”, “The Thomas Wolfe Review”, “American Transcendental Quarterly”, “Modern Language Quarterly”, “New England Quarterly”, “Concord Saunterer”, and “Thoreau Society Bulletin”.
Dr. Dedmond was a member of the Thoreau Society.
He is survived by; his wife, Eris Arrowood Dedmond; one step-son, Alan Thomas Wilson and wife, Rebecca Spencer Wilson, of Monroe; one sister, Doris Dedmond Latham of Fayetteville; three nieces, Linda Bridges of Lawrenceville, Ga., Patricia Foster of Fayetteville and Joanne Herrmann of Raleigh; two step grandsons, Brian Wilson of Monroe and Jonathan Wilson of Los Angeles, Calif.; and two step great-grandsons, Alex and Aaron Wilson, both of Monroe.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Henry Baxter Dedmond, Jr..
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, May 24, 2008, at 1 p.m. at the Rowan Memorial Park Chapel in Salisbury, officiated by the Rev. Richard Spencer.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the Dedmond family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Dedmond family.

Rosa E. Hodges
Ms. Rosa E. Hodges, 98, of 100 Sunset Street, Granite Falls, formerly of Forest Grove Road, Vilas, died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 25, 1909 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late John Samuel and Nancy Jane Isaacs Hodges.
Ms. Hodges was a homemaker and a member of Forest Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include two brothers, Robert L. Hodges of Toledo, Ohio, and Billy Dean Hodges of Boone; one sister, Joyce H. Warren and husband, Rev. Edd Warren of Granite Falls; a sister-in-law, Ruby Hodges of Vilas; two special friends, Kathleen Reese of Boone, and Dorcas Hodges of Bethel. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Stacy Hodges, J.D. "Dock" Hodges, and Raleigh Hodges; two sisters, Mary Ann Eggers, and Rachael Combs.
Services will be conducted Saturday morning, May 24, 2008, at 11:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Edd Warren. Burial will follow in Moretz/Mabel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday morning, following the service. At other times, friends may call at the home of a niece, Cheryl Creed, 203 Moretz Hollow Road, Zionville.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Mabel United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of J.C. Winebarger, 4166 Old U.S. Highway 421, Zionville, N.C. 28698.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hodges family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. Robert Bruce Jackson
Dr. Robert Bruce Jackson died Friday, May 16, 2008, in Sanford.
A memorial service and celebration of Holy Eucharist will be held at High Country United Church of Christ, 8233 Highway 421-N, Vilas, N.C., on Saturday, May 24 at 1:00 p.m. The Revs. Cynthia Banks and Shelly Wilson will officiate and all are invited to attend.

Paul Jones
Mr. Paul "P.J." Jones, 59, of 841 Trivette Circle, Sugar Grove, died Tuesday, May 20, 2008, at Johnson City Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 28, 1948 in Avery County, a son of the late Frederick H. and Lois Trivette Jones.
Mr. Jones was owner and operator of P.J.’s Plumbing in Vilas, and served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include his wife, Amy Dugger Jones; four sons, Anthony Jones and wife, Barbara, of Sugar Grove, Shane Jones and friend Debbie Adams of Mountain City, Tenn., Dusty Jones and Dakota Jones, both of Sugar Grove; one step-daughter, April Presnell and husband, Clayton, of Zionville; one sister, Paulette Ward and husband, Harold, of Elk Park; one brother, Kyle Jones of Sugar Grove; and two step-granddaughters, Cassidy Presnell and Haley Presnell, both of Sugar Grove. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Shelby Guy Jones; and one sister, Taru Jones.
Services will be conducted Friday afternoon, May 23, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Beech Valley Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Bill Warren and the Rev. Quincy Norris. Burial will follow in the Beech Valley Community Cemetery.
The family received friends Thursday evening, from 7:00 until 9:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Jones family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Rebecca Teague
Mrs. Rebecca Winkler Teague, 86, of Clover, S.C., died Friday, May 16, 2008, at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill.
A native of Boone, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Robert Winkler and the late Marian Norris Winkler.
Mrs. Teague was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and the widow of Asa L. Teague.
Survivors include her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca Elizabeth and Wayne Griffin of Clover; and her sisters, Nancy Coffey and Margaret Greene, both of Boone, N.C.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, May 18, 2008, at 1:30 p.m. at Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, with the Rev. Bart Plaxco officiating. Entombment followed at Sharon Memorial Park in Charlotte, N.C. The family received friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 1-1:30 p.m.
The family requests memorials be made to Bethel Baptist Building Fund, 6031 Charlotte Hwy., York, S.C. 29745.
Condolences may be made at www.greenefuneralhome.net.
Greene Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

May 21, 2008

Barbara Elizabeth Hudnall
Ms. Barbara Elizabeth Hudnall, 79, of 151 Edgewood Drive, Boone, died Monday morning, May 19, 2008, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born Jan. 20, 1929, in Birmingham, Ala., a daughter of the late Frank Watson Hudnall and Sarah Aline Nicholson Hudnall.
Ms. Hudnall attended Ward-Belmont College in Nashville, Tenn. and Florida State University where she received her Bachelors Degree. She did graduate work at Florida State, the University of Wyoming in Laramie, as well as the University of the South School of Theology in Sewanee, Tenn., where she received a Program of Theological Education Certificate. She taught middle school at Cobb Middle School in Tallahassee. Ms. Hudnall was a member of the Tallahassee Women's Club and an active volunteer for the Tallahassee Salvation Army. While living in Tallahassee, Fla., she founded a flourishing
backpacking and snow ski store, Trail and Ski. In 1980 she sold Trail and Ski and moved to Banner Elk where she became the skiwear buyer for the Alpine Ski Center stores. She was an avid outdoors person and loved backpacking, canoeing, and snow skiing. She had a continuing interest in and support of the Appalachian Trail Conference and was instrumental in the effort to save Howard's Knob from further environmental damage. She was active in helping to develop the Hospitality House.
Barbara served on the Board of Directors for Mountain Pathways Montessori School. She committed time to mental health and health projects across the state including volunteering to care for children of drug alcohol addicted mothers so that the mothers could attend child care classes.
Reared in the Baptist Church, Barbara began to explore other faiths while a student at Florida State University. She found her church home with the Episcopal campus group. She was a founding member of Holy Comforter Episcopal Church in Tallahassee. During her time at St. John's Episcopal and Holy Comforter she served on the altar Guild, wedding committee, and children’s Christian education.
In 1980, when Barbara moved to the High Country, she became a member of St. Luke's Episcopal Church. She served her parish in numerous ways, including serving on the building committee, the Altar Guild, wedding committee, flower committee, and the vestry. She was a Licensed Chalice Bearer, Lay Reader, Lay Eucharistic Minister. She was a member of the Order of St. Luke and a member of the Iona Community, Scotland and made regular pilgrimages to the abbey. Barbara was recognized as a Distinguished Communicant Award for the Diocese of Western North Carolina in 2004.
Survivors include three daughters, Margaret Elizabeth Black Bottomley and husband, Thomas Bottomley, of Richmond, Calif., Beth Hudnall Stamm and husband, Henry E Stamm, IV, of Pocatello, Idaho, and Amy C. Hudnall of Zionville; one granddaughter, Margaret Erin "Megan" Miller of Zionville; and one grandson, Thomas Earl James "Jamie" Bottomley of Daly City, Calif.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Frank Watson Hudnall and Sarah Aline Nicholson Hudnall; her stepmother, Clara Clements Hudnall; and one sister, Gayle Hudnall.
A memorial service will be conducted Thursday afternoon, May 22, 2008, at 5:00 o'clock, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Boone. Officiating will be the Rt. Rev. G. Porter Taylor and the Rev. Cynthia Banks. Interment will follow in the St. Luke's Memorial Garden.
The family will receive friends at a reception following the service, at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.
Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made Iona Community, Abbey & MacLeod Centres, Isle of Iona, Argyll, PA76 6SN, Scotland UK; Lake Logan Episcopal Center, 154 Suncrest Mill Road, Canton, N.C. 28716, or to the Watauga County Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hudnall family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. Robert Bruce Jackson II
Dr. Robert Bruce Jackson II, 56, of Boone, died May 16, 2008.
A highly respected physician, Dr. Jackson graduated with a Bachelors of Science with honors from North Carolina State University. He received his Medical Doctorate and completed his Residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of North Carolina Medical School.
He served the communities of Abingdon, Va. and Boone, N.C. for over 25 years providing care to many uninsured patients and was an active Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
He is survived by his daughters, Elise Rackoff and husband, Andy, of Tampa, Fla., Anne Kathryn Taylor and husband, Michael, of Denver, Colo., Elle Jackson of Tampa, Fla.; son, Jeremiah Jackson of Charleston, S.C.; his mother, Edith Gilbert of Raleigh; his brothers and sisters, Lynne Wray and husband, Floyd, of High Rock Lake, Jill Paul and husband, John,,of Chapel Hill, Harry Lawrence and wife, Beth, of Raleigh, Jan Sumerel and husband, Gordon, of San Jose, Calif., Carol Duval and husband, Brian, of Roanoke, Va., and Mark Lawrence of Bellingham, Wash.; and his devoted partner, Jennifer Laumer of Sanford.
He was predeceased by his father, Robert Bruce Jackson, a brother, Keith Jackson; and former wife, Mary Ellen Penn Jackson, mother of Elle.
The family will hold a private celebration of life service on Tuesday in the beautiful mountains surrounding Boone that he enjoyed hiking in with his friends and family.
The family requests in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations be made to The Cancer Project or Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine.
Arrangements are by the Cremation Society of the Carolinas.
Online condolences can be made at @ www.cremnc.com.

Frances Stubbs Milburn
Mrs. Frances Stubbs Milburn, a former Boone resident, passed away May 14, 2008, after an extended illness.
She was born on Jan. 30, 1921, in Kingstree, S.C.
After graduation from Appalachian State University and teaching, she worked for the U.S. Navy in Florida until she and Don were married, and moved to California. She was a long time member of Camarillo United Methodist Church, the Republican Women’s Club, Antiquities Club, and the Las Posas Country Club.
Survivors include a daughter-in-law, Cindy Milburn; grandchildren, Shelby Milburn and Ryan Milburn, all of Santa Maria, Calif.; and sister, Betty Stubbs McMillin of Murfressboro, Tenn.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Emma Stubbs; her husband, Donald G. Milburn; and a son, Frank Milburn.
Services will be held Thursday, May 22, 2008, at Camarillo Methodist Church. Private burial will follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
She will be missed by the family but they will take comfort that she is now with all her loved ones who have gone on before her.

Benjamin Seth ‘Ben’ Pickett
Mr. Benjamin Seth "Ben" Pickett, 19, of Todd, died Sunday, May 18, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born May 1, 1989 in Wake County, a son of Leslie Marie Webb Pickett and the late Danny Pickett.
Mr. Pickett was a hardworking, adventurer and wanderer. He always wanted to see what was on the other side of the next mountain, and usually found out! That grin will never be forgotten by his friends and family, that he always had around.
Survivors include his mother, Leslie Marie Webb Pickett of Todd; five brothers, Robbie Pickett of Portland, Ore., Jeremy Michael Pickett and wife, Jessica, of Avon, N.C., Matthew Pickett of Wilmington, N.C., Christopher Pickett of Todd, and Jordan Pickett of Charlotte; one sister, Emma Leigh Pickett of Todd; his maternal grandmother, Marilin Webb of Newland; and his paternal grandparents, Louise and Bobby Pickett of Beulaville. He is also survived by one niece, Raelyn, and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Services will be conducted Wednesday evening, May 21, 2008, at 6:00 o'clock, at Alliance Bible Fellowship. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 5:00 until 6:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Pastor Doug Cheshier and David Blust. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Thursday afternoon, May 22, 2008, at 4:00 o'clock, at the Pickett Family Cemetery in Beulaville, N.C.
The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, following the service, at Alliance Bible Fellowship.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alliance Bible Fellowship, 672 George Wilson Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Pickett family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com, or at goGHA.org.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

May 19, 2008
Margaret Watson Greene
Mrs. Margaret Watson Greene, 73, of Winebarger Road, Deep Gap, died Wednesday evening, May 14, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born April 23, 1935 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Ode and Texie Greene Watson.
Mrs. Greene was a member of Stony Fork Baptist and retired from Ashe Memorial Hospital.
Surviving are one daughter, Libby Winebarger and husband, Dennis, of Deep Gap; one son, Billy Blevins and wife, Terry, of Jefferson; four grandchildren, Brad Winebarger and wife, Ashley, of Boone, Sarah Winebarger of Deep Gap, Cody and Tanner Blevins of Jefferson; and one brother, Mackie Watson and wife, Karen, of Deep Gap.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hal Greene.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, May 16, 2008, at 2 o’clock at Stony Fork Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Vernon Eller. Burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Dennis Winebarger, PO Box 508, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be made to the Greene family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Greene family.

William F. ‘Fayne’ Greer
Mr. William F. “Fayne” Greer, 77, of Daytona Beach, Fla., died Saturday, April 19, 2008, in Daytona Beach.
He was born Sept. 3, 1930 in Watauga County, N.C. He was well known throughout this life in northwestern North Carolina and Daytona Beach, as being a successful businessman and entrepreneur who excelled in every area in which he took an interest.
Mr. Greer was an avid race fan, natural golfer and musician. With the unerring aid and support of his loving wife, Ramona, they became successful locally in their private business, also making many lifetime friends, as a result of their endeavors. Fayne loved and was loved by his friends. He will be greatly missed.
Survivors include his loving wife of 56 years, Ramona Sloop Greer; a daughter, Colette, and her husband Warren Wakeman who reside in Banner Elk, N.C. and Bradenton, Fla.; two brothers, Brook Greer and Kent Greer; four nephews, Randy Greer, David Greer, Phillip Greer and Doug Greene; two nieces, Janet Brown and Teresa Jones.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Monroe and Viola Nichols Greer; two brothers, W.M. Greer, Quentin Greer; and one sister, Anna Lee Greene.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday evening, May 23, 2008, at 7:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Homer Greene. Masonic graveside rites and burial will be conducted Saturday morning, at 11:00 o’clock, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made directly to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215-3220.
Online condolences may be sent to the Greer family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service, in Boone, is in charge of the arrangements.

AnnaBelle Coffey Norris
Mrs. AnnaBelle Coffey Norris, 93, of Trinity Oaks Retirement Community in Salisbury, N.C., formerly of De Soto Avenue, Kannapolis, N.C., died Saturday, May 17, 2008, in Salisbury.
Mrs. Norris was born Jan. 18, 1915 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Dell C. and Mary Jane Bodenhamer Coffey. She was a teacher in the Kannapolis city schools for 20 years until her retirement in 1976. She was a member of Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, where she assisted with Cub Scouts, Sunday school, the Lutheran Women and various phases of church activities.
Mrs. Norris was a former member of the Kannapolis Garden Club, where she had served as president. She was a former volunteer with the American Red Cross in Cabarrus County and the Cabarrus Cooperative Christian Ministry.
Mrs. Norris was a resident of the Kannapolis area since 1946, moving there from Nantucket, Mass.
Mrs. Norris is survived by three sons, Gary Norris and wife, Susan, and Micky Norris and wife, Karen, all of Concord, and Dan Norris and wife, Vickie, of Boone; five grandchildren, Amy Norris Carter and husband, Wesley, Tara Norris, Brian Norris and wife, Beth, Matt Norris and Ashley Norris; and one great-grandchild, Avery Carter.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dale C. Norris, and six brothers and two sisters.
Services will be conducted Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at 2 p.m. at Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church in Kannapolis. Officiating will be the Rev. Richard Rhoades. Entombment will follow in Carolina Memorial Park Chapel Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends Tuesday from 12:30 until 2 p.m. in the parlor of Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kimball Memorial Lutheran Church, 101 Vance St., Kannapolis, N.C. 28081, or to Green Valley Park, P.O. Box 3533, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Norris family at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.
Whitley Funeral Home in Kannapolis is in charge of the arrangements.