Archived

Lane Massey
Mr. Lane Massey, 75, of Crumpler, N.C., died Monday, June 9, 2008 at his home.
He was born Nov. 3, 1932 in Ashe County to the late Arthur and Rebecca Blevins Massey.
Survivors include two sons, Ronnie Massey and wife, Linda, of Crumpler and Roger Massey and wife, Bonnie, of Baldwin; five daughters, Shirley Miller and husband, Greg, of Crumpler, Mary Paisley and husband, Greg, of West Jefferson, Doris Massey and special friend, Herbert, of Jefferson, Linda Greene and husband, Bart, of Boone, and Beth Holman and husband, Ricky, of Baldwin; one brother, Neal Massey of Maryland; three sisters, Eula Nettleman of Crumpler, Goldie Richardson of Pennsylvania, and Doris Fowler of Maryland; 14 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Lula Bell Massey.
Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, June 13, 2008 at Badger Funeral Home Chapel by Elder Bobby Absher. Burial will follow in the Parsons Cemetery.
The family received friends from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Thursday at Badger Funeral Home.
You may send and view email condolences to the family through our website at www.badgerfuneralhome.com.
Badger Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Louise Payne Nelson
Mrs. Louise Payne Nelson, 86, of Lenoir, died on June 8, 2008 at the Caldwell County Memorial Hospital.
She was born March 6, 1922 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Kenneth and Lizzie Pennell Payne; and the wife of the late Ivey Nelson, to whom she was married 57 years.
Mrs. Nelson was member of the Cajah's Mountain Baptist Church and had worked many years in the furniture business.
Survivors include her sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Paul Johnson of Lenoir; and a niece, Judy Woods and her husband, Granville, of Lenoir. Mrs. Nelson is also survived by numerous other relatives.
A celebration of Mrs. Nelson’s life was held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2008 in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service with the Rev. Doug Woody officiating.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 8 PM at Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir.
Memorials may be made to the Cajah’s Mountain Baptist Church Brotherhood, 2145 Connelly Springs Road, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be sent to the Nelson family at www.evansfuneralservice.com
Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is in charge of the arrangements.

William ‘Clay’ Claywell Postell
Mr. William “Clay” Claywell Postell, 64, of Lenoir, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 8, 1943 in Caldwell County, son of the late Harry Blaine and Rosalie Haas Postell.
Mr. Postell owned Clay’s Furniture in Hudson for 37 years. In 1999, he began work in local government for the State of North Carolina in the field of rehabilitation – first at Serenity Farms and most recently at New River Behavioral Healthcare.
He was a 1962 graduate of Oak Hill School and served his country in the U.S. Army. Clay was full of life and cherished his family. His children and grandchildren meant the world to him. He also treasured his brotherhood in the AA family whom he loved dearly.
He was a counselor, mentor and speaker for Alcoholics Anonymous for the past 14 years; a volunteer with the State Department of Corrections for which he received numerous awards for his involvement; a recipient of the Presidential Award for the NC Association of Alcoholic Residential Facilities; and a recipient of the 2000 Caldwell Community Volunteer of the Year Award.
Mr. Postell led and supported countless individuals in their sobriety efforts and received many awards for his AA participation.
He had a passion for serving the community and received many accolades for his work; Clay was very humble in his outreach and no one will ever know all the lives he touched.
Survivors include two sons, Larry E. Postell and wife, Penny, and William Clifford “Billy” Postell, all of Lenoir; two daughters, Cindy Postell Smith Austin and husband, Michael, of Hudson, and Pamela Jeanette Postell Wagoner and husband, Adam, of Lenoir; three sisters, Opal Postell Russell, Louise Postell Nichols and Joy Postell Parsons, all of Lenoir; three granddaughters, Tara Michelle Austin of Hudson, Chassie Jade Postell and Olivia Rose Postell of Lenoir; and one grandson, Jordan Tanner Austin of Hudson.
A celebration of Clay’s life will be held 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 13, 2008 at Bethel Advent Christian Church with Pastor Jerry Burnette officiating. Other speakers will include Ronnie Caldwell, Randy Thornton, Phil Wendling and Tom Iverson. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Mike Burns, Stephen Buss, Ronnie Caldwell, Bear Barrier, Frank Pettry and Robert Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Yancy Hice, Johnny Moss, Tanner Austin and Chris Chandler.
The family will receive friends from 9 until 11 a.m., prior to the service at the church.
The family respectfully requests memorials be made to Caldwell House, 951 Kenham Place, SW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or Flynn Home, 708 Main Avenue, SE, Hickory, N.C. 28602.
Online condolences may be sent to the Postell family at www.evansfuneralservice.com
Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is in charge of the arrangements.

Sandra Elizabeth Lewis Ward
Mrs. Sandra Elizabeth Lewis "Sandy" Ward, 53, fulfilled her lifelong ambition when she went home to be with her Lord, Monday morning, June 9, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born July 8, 1954, in Boone, to the late W. Clint Lewis and Dora Culler Lewis of Boone.
Sandy was a long-time and very active member of Howards Creek Baptist Church. She was a 1972 graduate of Watauga High School. Sandy was a homemaker, a flower gardener, and also “Mimi” to her beloved grandchildren.
Surviving are her husband of 35 years, Steve W. Ward; one daughter, Linsey A. Ward of Boone; one son, Seth A. Ward of Everett, Wash.; her mother, Dora C. Lewis of Boone; three brothers, John Lewis and wife, Liz, Walter Lewis and wife, Margie, all of Boone, and Bill Lewis of Vero Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Jeanne Blizard of Winston Salem and Ellen Grunewald and husband, Lee, of Leesburg, Va.; her mother-in-law, Jean H. Ward of Sugar Grove; brother and sister-in-law, Randy Ward and Maxann Ward of Mountain City, Tenn., and Gary Deitz and Denise Deitz of Zionville; two grandchildren, Talia C. Ward of Boone and Dominik A. Ward of the home; and a number of nieces and nephews. Also surviving are very special family friends Tracy Critcher and Janet Baird of Boone, and a host of other friends and neighbors.
In addition to her father, W. Clint Lewis, and her father-in-law, Rev. Cannon G. Ward, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Lewis, and a brother-in-law, Richard Blizzard.
A service remembering the life of Sandy was conducted on Thursday, June 12, 2008, at Howards Creek Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Mark Chaney and the Rev. Joe London. Burial followed in the Willow Valley Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the EKG fund of Howards Creek Baptist Church, 240 Howards Creek Church Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Ward family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

June 11, 2008
Dare Tester Greene Newman
Mrs. Dare Tester Greene Newman died June 2, 2008, in Jacksonville, Fla., after a brief illness.
She was born in Caldwell County, to the late Clyde Carlton Tester and Lula Moore Tester Griffis.
Survivors include her son, Ralph E. Greene of San Antonio, Tex. and Jacksonville, Fla.; two sisters, Anna Lea Helton and husband, Lloyd, of Lenoir, N.C., and Clara Tester Ray of Boone; and one brother, Glenn C. Tester and wife, Emma, of San Antonio, Tex. She is also survived by one granddaughter; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside memorial service was held in the Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla., June 6, 2008.

June 9, 2008

Donald Paul Alexander
Mr. Donald Paul Alexander, 80, of 330 Appalachian Drive, Boone, died Wednesday morning, June 4, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Jan. 11, 1928 in Akron, Ohio, a son of the late Donald Briggs Alexander and Annette Frances Cardarelli Alexander.
After graduating high school, Mr. Alexander enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, where he served until 1949. Beginning college in St. Petersburg, Fla., he was soon called back into the Marine Corp, where he was introduced to helicopters. Leaving the Marines for a second time, Mr. Alexander entered George Washington University. He joined Kaman Aircraft Corporation in 1954 and worked as a Field Service Representative for the Marine Corp, HOK and HUK helicopters, and the Air Force H-43 helicopters.
Mr. Alexander has held numerous positions as an Advisor and Service Representative. Some of these positions include Program Advisor to the Iranian Air Force in Teheran, Advisor to the U.S. Navy at Subic Bay, Philippines, Barbers Point, Hawaii, Naval Station, Naples, Italy, NAS, Norfolk, Virginia and NAS, North Island, Calif.. After 40 years of employment with Kaman Aircraft, Mr. Alexander retired while at North Island as the Western Regional Manager for Customer Service. Locally he was an active member of the Watauga Amateur Radio Club, Rotary, Habitat for Humanity, and ASU’s Institute for Senior Scholars.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia O'Brien Alexander; one son, Donald Edward Alexander and wife, Erin, of Daytona Beach, Fla.; one daughter, Mary Briggs Sullivan and husband, John, of London, England; and three granddaughters, Erin Briggs Sullivan and Mattie Elizabeth Sullivan, both of London, and Melissa Briggs Alexander of Daytona Beach.
Services will be conducted Monday morning, June 9, 2008, at 11:00 o'clock, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Father Joe Mulligan, Father Conrad Hoover and Dr. Dick Rupp. Military graveside rights and burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family received friends Sunday afternoon, from 3:00 until 5:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Watauga County Library, 140 Queen Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Alexander family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Rayner Day
Mr. Rayner Day, 87, of 124 Day Drive, Boone, died Sunday, May 25, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born May 10, 1921 in Watauga County, a son of the late William and Bertie Blackburn Day.
Mr. Day was a retired furniture finisher for Bernhardt Furniture and a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church.
Survivors include two grandsons, James Franklin Day and wife, Marka, of Lavonia, Ga. and William Charles Day of Panama City, Fla.; one granddaughter, Ellen Ann Seagroves of Lavonia, Ga.; one daughter-in-law, Frankie Day of Panama City, Fla.; two great-granddaughters, Kourtlyn and Lealyn Day, both of Lavonia, Ga.; and one great-grandson, Nathaniel Seagroves of Lavonia, Ga.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Florence Day; one son, William Thomas Day; and a grandson-in-law, Rick Seagroves.
Services were conducted Wednesday morning, May 28, 2008, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Brent Bolick. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 7504 US Highway 421 South, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.
Online condolences may be sent to the Day family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Darren Len Farthing
Mr. Darren Len Farthing, 30, of Joe Farthing Road, Sugar Grove, the Green Valley community, died Thursday, June 5, 2008.
He was born July 17, 1977 in Forsyth County, to Jo Ann Hicks Farthing and the late Dwight Austin Farthing.
Mr. Farthing attended Bethel Elementary and Watauga High School. He was a member of Green Valley Baptist Church and for the past six years was employed by Watauga Opportunities in Boone.
Survivors include his mother, Jo Ann Farthing of Sugar Grove; two sisters, his twin, Karen Farthing Aldridge and husband, Bryan, of Butler, Tenn., and Beverly Carroll of Mountain City, Tenn.; his brother, Dwight “Bud” Farthing of Sugar Grove; three nephews, Bradley Ward of Beech Creek, Chris Ward of Boone and John Wesley Farthing of Sugar Grove; and two nieces, Chasiti Norris of Zionville and Kaycee Farthing of Sugar Grove. He is also survived by his best friend, Scott Dunn.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Anita Farthing Patterson; his maternal grandparents, Dewey and Mandy Davenport Hicks; and his paternal grandparents, Edgar and Genevieve Combs Farthing.
“Dude” was loved and will be greatly missed by his family and all who knew him.
Services were conducted Sunday evening at 5 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Eric Cornett and the Rev. David Ward.
The family suggests memorials to Watauga Opportunities, Inc., 642 Greenway Road, and Boone.
Online condolences can be made to the Farthing family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Farthing family.

Edna Greer Hampton
Mrs. Edna Serena Greer Hampton, 101, of 206 Ridgewood Road, Deep Gap, died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.
She was born Sept. 25, 1906 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Albert and Bertha Triplett Greer.
Mrs. Hampton was one of the original 43 charter members of Trinity Baptist Church in Deep Gap, N.C., where she attended for many years and also taught Sunday School.
A life well lived, Edna is fondly remembered by her family and friends as a maker of beautiful quilts, fine embroidery, good cooking, love of family, and a gentle spirit. As a descendant of some of the first settlers in this area (as well as Daniel Boone’s sister and Benjamin Greer, a soldier of the Revolutionary War) she is one of the last of a pioneering breed of true Americans. She enjoyed most of all family get-togethers, always featuring loads of good food. Edna enjoyed gathering and preserving food when in season. She is remembered best sitting at her quilting frames, or holding an embroidery hoop and needle, peeling and paring vegetables and fruits for canning, drying, freezing or preserving.
Survivors include four daughters, Rosella (Kay) Nolte of Millersville, Md., Evalee Stone of Lenoir, Bonnie Steelman and husband, Harold, of Deep Gap, and Margaret Jewell of Raleigh; two sons, Dale Hampton and wife, Marie, of Boone, and Kenneth Hampton and wife, Hazel, of Bowling Brook, Ill.; one sister, Maude Clawson of Boone; and four half-sisters, Bernice Cox of Lenoir, Ruth Miller of Boone, Gladys Gilbert and Melba Hayes, both of Boomer. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Augustus Hampton (Gus); two daughters, Reba Rourke; and an infant, Shelby Jean Hampton; one grandson, Claude Nolte; three sons-in-law, Robert Rourke, Bernard G. Stone and Joseph Jewell; three sisters, Mrs. Lawrence "Maggie" Green, Mrs. Walter "Lily" Triplette and Mrs. Willard "Ora" Watson; two brothers, Virgil Greer and Sherman Greer; two half-brothers, Bynum Greer and Vaughan Greer; and one half-sister, Chloe Greer.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, June 9, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Brown. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends, Monday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the home of Bonnie and Harold Steelman, 206 Ridgewood Road, Deep Gap.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hampton family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.