Archived
Reba Trivette Hodges

Mrs. Reba Trivette Hodges Austin, 88, of Kalmia Lane, Boone, died Wednesday morning, June 25, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Dec. 13, 1919 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Orris Hobart and Ena Bernice Glenn Trivette.
Mrs. Austin obtained a BS from Appalachian State Teachers College and was a retired teacher, having taught for 20 years at Green Valley Elementary School. She also worked as a tour escort and after retirement worked at various national parks including Yosemite, Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon. She was a member of Perkinsville Baptist Church and attended Boone Advent Christian Church and Faith Baptist Church.
Surviving are three daughters, Betty Hodges of Boone, Jan Austin and husband, Larry, of Boone, and Dorothy Aragon and husband, George, of Eustis, Fla.; two sons, James Hodges and wife, Brenda, of Wilkesboro, and Franklin Hodges of Mountain City; ten grandchildren, Will and Jolee Hodges, Tim, Melanie and Shane Austin, Patrick Aragon, Ryan and Adam Hodges and Adam and Josh Richardson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilson Hodges; and one sister, Bobbie Norris.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were the Rev. Gordon Noble and Ryan Hodges. followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Seby B. Jones Regional Cancer Center, Post Office Box 2570, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be made to the Austin family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Austin family.

Thomas Edward DeHaven
Mr. Thomas Edward DeHaven, 48, of 1005 Rocky Mountain Road, Boone, died Tuesday, June 24, 2008, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.
He was born Jan. 26, 1960 in Montgomery County, Pa., a son of Mary Arlene Davis DeHaven and the late Karl Lewis DeHaven.
In addition to his mother, Mr. DeHaven is survived by three sons, Shaun Charles Manise DeHaven of Sugar Grove, Kevin Thomas DeHaven, and Jason Karl DeHaven, both of Boone; two sisters, Barbara Coupe and husband, Robert, of Norwood, Pa., and Linda Smedburg and significant other, Garry Cox, of Boone; and one brother, David DeHaven and wife, Gerry, of Doylestown, Pa. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be conducted Friday afternoon, June 27, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rerv. Keith Larned.
The family will receive friends Friday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the DeHaven family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.


Vernon James Hodges
Mr. Vernon James Hodges, 71, of Jacob & Sarah Drive, Vilas, died Wednesday morning, June 25, 2008 at home.
He was born in Watauga County, April 15, 1937, a son of the late Ralph and Stella Hayes Hodges.
Mr. Hodges was a retired carpenter, a member of Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church, and an Army Veteran.
Surviving are one sister, Glenda Simmons and husband, Jim, of Vilas; two brothers, Melvin Hodges and wife, Margaret, of Vilas, and Bobby Hodges and wife, Jean, of Wilkesboro; three nieces, Teresa Eggers and husband, Scott, Treva Story and husband, Steve, and Laura Hodges; two nephews, Allen Simmons and wife, Kathy, and Derick Hodges and wife, Juanita; two great-nieces, SarahLynn Eggers and Madison Hodges; and two great-nephews, Jacob Eggers and Blaine Hodges.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant sister, Leona Hodges.
Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Wynn Greer and the Rev. Carl Wilson. Burial will follow in the Danner Cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to High Country Health Care System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family will receive friends Saturday prior to the service from noon until 2 o’clock at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be made to the Hodges family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Hodges family.

Michael Jason Mendoza
Mr. Michael Jason Mendoza began a whole new life on Friday, June 13, 2008.
His life was an ever evolving miracle to witness and a life lesson for many. He loved music, art and danced to the beat of a different drummer. He was generous, kind, quirky and met life head on with courage and determination. Mr. Mendoza loved his family and friends. May his journey continue to illuminate our spirits and let our connections with him grow and strengthen.
Survivors include his mother, Ann R. Hoyme and her husband, Jeff, of Winston-Salem; his father, Frank Mendoza and his wife, Camille, of Bend, Ore.; two sisters, Lluvia Henneberg and her husband, Bobby, of Winston-Salem and Caylin Hoyme of Winston-Salem; three brothers, Damon Mendoza and his wife, Jody, of Winston-Salem, and Will and Matt Hoyme of Winston-Salem; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A Celebration of his Life will be held between 4-6 p.m., Sunday, June 29, 2008, at the Garage on 7th and Trade Street.
Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Betty Ruth Shepherd Williams
Mrs. Betty Ruth Shepherd Williams, 76, of Hickory, N.C., passed away Monday, June 23, 2008, at her residence.
She was born Feb. 28, 1932, in Ashe County, and was the daughter of the late Grover Cleveland Shepherd and Ethel Walker Shepherd.
Mrs. Williams was a graduate of Ashe County Schools and was formerly married to Homer Williams, who survives.
Survivors include son, Mark Williams and wife, Vicky, of North Wilkesboro; daughter, Susie Clanton of Statesville; daughter, Kay Blackwood and husband, Jim, of Conover; son, Neil Williams of Hickory; five grandchildren, John Michael Clanton of Boone, Amber Williams of North Wilkesboro, Latelle Williams of Hickory, Brianna Williams of North Wilkesboro, and Beth Blackwood of Conover; a sister, Myrtle Pugh of Millersville, Pa.; and two brothers, Ralph Shepherd of Cummings, Ga. and Mont Shepherd of Crumpler, N.C.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Wilburn Shepherd, Walter Shepherd, and Blaine Shepherd; and a sister, Edith Howard.
Services will be conducted Sunday afternoon, June 29, 2008, at 5:30 p.m., in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Carl Ray Williams officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 3:30-5:30 p.m., before the funeral hour.
Burial will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, June 30, 2008, at New River Cemetery in Ashe County, off of Weavers Ford Road.
Memorials may be made to the Samaritan’s Purse in Boone, N.C.
Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Betty Williams.

June 25, 2008

Carl Henry Nichols

Carl Henry Nichols, 69, of Countryside Drive, Lenoir, passed away Sunday, June 22, 2008, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
He was born in Watauga County to the late Charlie Johnson Nichols and Viola Greene Nichols.
Mr. Nichols was retired from Bernhardt Furniture and was a member of Morning Star Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Annie Phillips Nichols; a son, Carl Daniel Nichols and his wife, Jennifer, of Morganton; daughters, Teresa Anderson of Stanley County, Renee Dula and her husband, Darryl, of Lenoir, Tabitha deGuzman and Tiffany deGuzman, both of the home; brothers, Ray Lee Nichols, Earl Nichols, Cleamith Nichols and Merle Nichols, all of Lenoir; nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Henry “Rex” Allen Nichols; two brothers; and two sisters.
The family received friends Tuesday, June 24, 2008 from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. at Pendry’s Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held in Pendry’s Chapel Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Mike Greene and the Rev. Rocky Dula officiating. Burial will follow at Greene Family Cemetery in Watauga County.
Online condolences may be placed at www.mem.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home is assisting the Nichols family with arrangements.

Billy Ray ‘Bill’ Varner
Mr. Billy Ray “Bill” Varner, 75, of Granite Falls, and formerly of the Foscoe community, died Friday evening, June 20, 2008, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.
He was born Dec. 31, 1932 in Canton, a son of the late Lorenzo D. and Clara Holcombe Varner
Mr. Varner was retired from the printing department at ASU, where he worked as a supervisor. He was of the Baptist faith and was an Army veteran.
Surviving are his wife, Susie Calloway Varner; one daughter, Renee Greene and husband, Robert, of Boone; two sons, Dale Taylor and wife, Becky, of Port Orange, Fla., and Richard Len Taylor of Deep Gap; one brother, Bernis Varner of Jacksboro, Tenn.; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one great-grandson,; Mason Robert Walsh; two sisters, Ruth Leatherwood and Alice Varner; and two brothers, Jim and L. D. Varner.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday evening, June 28, 2008, at 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. Larry Campbell.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the family.
The family will receive friends Saturday evening prior to the service from 6:30 until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. At other time friends may call at the home, 4677 Greenwood Terrace, Granite Falls, N.C.
Online condolences may be made to the Varner family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Varner family.

June 23, 2008
Anne Covil Motte Gray
Mrs. Anne Covil Motte Gray, 94, of Milton Brown Heirs Road, died Friday morning, June 20, 2008 at Glenbridge Health & Rehab.
She was born in New Hanover County, Nov. 9, 1913, a daughter of the late Lewis Alamance and Hattie Canady Covil.
Mrs. Gray worked for many years at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, N.C.
Surviving are three daughters, Shirley Nilles and husband, Ralph, and Joyce Griffith and husband, Fred, of the Foscoe community, and Maxcyne Yaworsky and husband, Ray, of Ogden, Utah; one son, David Motte, Jr. and wife, Carol, of Cleveland, Ga.; 12 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David MacDonald Motte; and her parents, Lewis Alamance and Hattie Canady Covil.
Services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock at Coble-Ward-Smith Funeral Home in Wilmington. Officiating will be Chuck Nilles. Burial will follow in the Prospect Cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215-3220.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 o’clock until 8:30 at Coble-Ward-Smith Funeral Home in Wilmington.
Online condolences may be made to the Gray family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Gray family.

James William Hosch, III
Mr. James William Hosch III, 79, of Linville Heights, Paddy’s Creek Rd., Nebo, N.C., died Wednesday, June 18, 2008.
He was born in Jefferson County, Ala. on Nov. 18, 1928 and was a son of the late James William Hosch, Jr. and Zula Leon Tanner Hosch.
Mr. Hosch was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was a professor of Special Education at Appalachian State University. He leaves a legacy of love for Special Ed in the teachers he has taught at Appalachian. “A man is not known by the things he has, but by what he leaves behind.”
Surviving are his daughters, Suzanne Marie Hosch and her husband, John L. Dice, of Fletcher, N.C., Sharon Elaine Burris and her husband, Kevin, of Mt. Pleasant, N.C., and Stacey Anne Lowman of Valdese; grandchildren, Matthew James Koppi, Kathryn Leigh Koppi, William Tanner Koppi, Joshua Ray Pope, and Austin Lewis Drum; and great-grandchildren, Christine Monica Marie Koppi and Sara Elizabeth Leigh Koppi.
A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Special Olympics North Carolina, 2200 Gateway Center Blvd. Suite 201, Morrisville, N.C. 27560-9122.
Condolences may be made online at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.
Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.
 
Erin Elizabeth Isaacs
Miss Erin Elizabeth Isaacs, 20, of 404 Dillard Greene Road, Vilas, died Saturday morning, June 21, 2008, at her home.
She was born Oct. 22, 1987 in Watauga County, a daughter of Perry G. and Gay Hodges Isaacs.
Miss Isaacs was a student at Caldwell Community College. She was also a sales clerk at the Mast General Store and a member of Valle Crucis United Methodist Church.
In addition to her parents, Miss Isaacs is survived by her brother, David Isaacs of the home; her maternal grandfather, Roy Lee Hodges of Vilas; her boyfriend of many years, Daniel Combs of Zionville; her aunts and uncles, Charles and Joy Pritchett, Lee and Lisa Hodges, Ronnie and Debbie Isaacs, and Tom and Marianna Isaacs, all of Vilas; and her cousins, Mary and Luke Boudreault of Greensboro, Laura and Kenny Kaufman of High Point, Emily Pritchett of Vilas, Elisha Hodges of Welcome, Cheryl and Trace Hodges of Vilas, J.B., Ben, Casey, and Grady Isaacs, all of Vilas.
She was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Laura Milton Hodges; her paternal grandparents, Butler and Helen Isaacs; and one uncle, Johnny Isaacs.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, June 22, 2008, at Valle Crucis United Methodist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Allen Marsh and the Rev. Ray Greene. Burial followed in the Church Family Cemetery in Valle Crucis.
Online condolences may be sent to the Isaacs family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Larry Lee III
Mr. Larry Lee, III, 54, of Granite Quarry, passed away on Saturday, June 21, 2008, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston Salem.
He was born on Oct. 27, 1953 in Rockport, New York, a son of the Rev. Lawrence Lester and Carol Kinsey Lee of Salisbury.
Mr. Lee was a 1971 graduate of Monroe High School; and he was owner and operator of Larry's Auto Body in Faith. He enjoyed four wheeling, bicycling, fishing, traveling and spending time in North Carolina mountains. But, what he enjoyed most was being able to do all of these things with his wife and children.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, are his wife of 34 years, Debbie Minton Lee whom he married on Jan 19, 1974; a son, Brandon F. Lee and wife, Julia, of Va. Beach, Va.; two daughters, Andrea Nicole Lee and Kristin Hope Lee, both of the home; three sisters, Christine Rogers of Clayton, Gwen Chubirko and Linda Lee Jablonski, both of Kannapolis; his mother-in-law, Joan Green of Lenoir; sister-in-laws, Claudine Eller of Faith, and Christine Sipes of Lincolnton; 12 nieces and nephews, and 15 great-nieces and nephews.
Services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 24, at the Salisbury Christian Fellowship, with the Rev. Tom Whidden Ret., Pastor of Concord First Assembly officiating, and the Rev. Rick Ross, Sen. Pastor of Concord First Assembly; and the Rev. Donald R. Vess, Pastor of Salisbury Christian Fellowship assisting. Burial will be at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens in Boone, N.C.
The family will receive friends at Powles Funeral Home on Monday, June 23, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com
Powles Funeral Home of Rockwell is assisting the Lee Family.

Janie Margaret Watts Miller
Mrs. Janie Margaret Watts Miller, 88, widow of Joseph Clemens Miller, of Hunting Hills Lane, Boone, formerly of Wilkes County, died Sunday, June 15, 2008 at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born April 3, 1920 in Wilkes County to William Dodson and Lillian Gentle Watts.
Mrs. Miller was employed at R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company in Winston-Salem for 27 years. During her retired years as a resident of Blowing Rock, she served as co-director of the Blowing Rock Community Club Craft Guild.
Surviving are one son, Dr. Donald Miller of Boone; one daughter, Mary Joe Miller Freeman of Lexington; one brother, Hayden Watts of Boomer; one sister, Merle Maltba of Eugene, Oregon; two grandchildren, Charlotte Ann Freeman of High Point, Thomas Calloway Freeman of Mebane; and two great-grandchildren, Hope Freeman, Jessica Freeman, both of Greensboro.
Graveside services were held 4:00 o'clock Saturday, June 21, 2008, at Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Boomer with the Dr. Sonny Younce officiating.
Miller Funeral Service in North Wilkesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

William S. Ward
Mr. William S. "Dub" Ward, 83, of 2047 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, died Saturday morning, June 21, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Sept. 2, 1924 in Butler, Tenn., a son of the late Warren and Josie Perkins Ward.
Mr. Ward was a retired press operator for City Auto Stamping in Toledo, Ohio and served in the United States Army.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline Presnell Ward; two sons, Sam Ward and wife, Linda, of Belleville, Ill., and Paul Ward and wife, Windy, of the Beaver Dam community; one daughter-in-law, Sandra Oberst and husband, Allen, of the Beaver Dam community; one sister, Opal Auton of Claremont, Fla.; three grandsons, Paul Daniel Ward of Vilas, Douglas Ward and wife, Julia, of Pensacola, Fla., and David Ward and wife, Rachel, of Tucson, Ariz.; and one granddaughter, Rachelle Bowker and husband, John, of Fort Carson, Colo. He is also survived by ten great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Michael Ward; one daughter, Billie Sue Ward; and two sisters, Lora Ward and Verna Mae Hagaman.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, June 24, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Mountain Dale Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Eric Cornett. Military graveside rites and burial will follow in the Mountain Dale Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 7:30 until 9:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Ward family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements