Archived
Ruth Fletcher Ballard
Mrs. Ruth Fletcher Ballard, 86, of Cecil Miller Road, Boone, N.C., died Tuesday, August 5, 2008.
She was born August 31, 1921, to Troy and Ida Robinson Fletcher.
Mrs. Ballard was a member of Perkinsville Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
Surviving are her grandson, Reed Brown and wife, Tracy, of Boone; one son-in-law, David Brown of Boone; one step-daughter, Mary Layne McRae and husband, Cameron, of Springfield, Va.; and two great-grandchildren, Tripp and Keegan Brown of Boone; two step-granddaughters, Megan McNair and husband, Michael, of Springfield, Va., and Page Powers, also of Springfield, Va.; three step-great-grandchildren, Austin and Cameron McNair and Brendan Powers of Springfield, Va.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Rosalind Covington Brown; her first husband, Rev. John Winfred Covington; and her second husband, T. R. Ballard; her parents, Troy and Ida Robinson Fletcher; and by three sisters, Ethel Greene, Loye McGuire and Ruby Davis.
Services were conducted Friday morning, August 8, 2008, at 11 o’clock at Perkinsville Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Harold Bennett. Burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens in Boone.
On line condolences may be made to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
The family suggests memorials to the Watauga County Project on Aging, 132 Poplar Grove Connector, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ballard family.

Walton S. Cole
Mr. Walton S. Cole, 87, of 171 Woodland Drive, Boone, died Wednesday morning, August 6, 2008, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
He was born June 24, 1921, in Rosemark, Tenn., a son of the late John Robinson Cole, Sr. and Mary Cassena Smith Cole.
Mr. Cole was a retired music professor for 34 years at Appalachian State University. He was a graduate of Southwestern in Memphis, Tenn., and the University of Arizona in Tucson. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II as a Link Trainer Instructor and a Tail Gunner in a B-17. Mr. Cole was a member of Grace Lutheran Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Ginger Cole Brewer and husband, Tom, of Hickory, and Melanie Cole and husband, Jim, of West Rupert, Vermont; four grandchildren, Ashley Cole Brewer, Samuel Smith Cole, Nathaniel Morton Cole, and Lily Alva Cole.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Alva White Cole; and one brother, John Robinson Cole, Jr.
A memorial service will be conducted Monday afternoon, August 25, 2008, at 4:30, at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. Officiating will be Pastor Tim Smith and Pastor Sarah Lang.
The family will receive friends, from 3:30-4:30, at the church, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 115 East King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 27985, Raleigh, N.C. 27611-7985.
Online condolences may be sent to the Cole family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Dewey Dale Hawkins
Mr. Dewey Dale Hawkins, 73, of Hickory passed away Monday, August 11, 2008, at his residence.
He was born April 13, 1935, in the Buffalo Cove Community of Caldwell County, Lenoir, N.C., to the late Luther Thomas Hawkins and Charlotte Hall Adams Hawkins.
Mr. Hawkins graduated in 1953 from Happy Valley High School. He was voted Most Intellectual and Most Likely to Succeed in the Senior Superlatives. Following early retirement he went into business for himself at Hawkins Enterprises, designing and building dining room chairs and bar stools, employing retired skilled laborers from Singer. He retired permanently in 1998 selling the business. He was presently a member of the First Baptist Church in Granite Falls, N.C. Formerly a long-time member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Hudson, N.C., he served on the Board of Trustees as Brotherhood Director, Baptist Men’s President, Head Usher, and numerous committees.
Survivors include his wife of 16 years, Artie Watts Hawkins; his daughter, Donna Hawkins Hoback and her husband, Tim Hoback, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; his son, Mitchell Dale Hawkins and his wife, Candice Deaton Hawkins, of Granite Falls, N.C.; grandsons, Corey Daniel Prince of Spartanburg, S.C., Christopher Thomas Prince of Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Cias Dale Hawkins of Granite Falls, N.C.; granddaughter, Brooke Ellery Hawkins of Granite Falls, N.C.; one uncle, William Luther Adams, Jr. and wife, Melia Sanders Adams; sisters-in-law, Lucille Hodge Tolbert and husband, Avery, Joann Watts Dalton, Bertha Watts Small and husband, Jerry, and Rev. Lynn Cash and husband, Rev. Dave Cash. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife of 33 years, and mother of his two children, Betty Sue Hodge Hawkins.
The family received friends Wednesday, August 13, 2008 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Pendry’s Funeral Home.
A Celebration of Praising Jesus was held at First Baptist Church of Granite Falls Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. with Pastor Dr. Robert Evans, Pastor Eddie Summerlin and Pastor James W. Hamby officiating. Interment followed at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church of Granite Falls, P. O. Box 507, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630.
Pendry’s Funeral Home is assisting the Hawkins family with arrangements.

Laura Bernice Hawkins Park
Ms. Laura Bernice Hawkins Park, 81, of Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Thursday, August 7, 2008, at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.
She was born in Prince Edward Island, Canada, Sept. 25, 1926, a daughter of the late John and Laura Learning Hawkins.
Ms. Park was a homemaker and a waitress.
Surviving are four daughters, Sharon Knowles of Plano, Tex., Kathy Ewing and husband, Kenneth, of Lynchburg, Va., Linda Park of Beverly Hills, Fla., and Carol Nathan of Boone; two sisters, Myrtle Carson and husband, Vern, and Genie Miller and husband, Jim, all of Canada; four brothers, Jack Hawkins, Harold Hawkins, Ralph Hawkins, and Bill Hawkins and wife, Anne, all of Canada; four grandchildren, Michael Nathan and wife, Kari, of Boone, Timothy Knowles and wife, Kandy, of Texas, Jeffrey Knowles and wife, Teresa, of Texas, and Daniel Nathan of Boone; and ten great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four sisters, Ruth, Francis, Ethel and Olive; and one brother, Jim Hawkins.
Memorial services were conducted Sunday, August 10, 2008, at 6 p.m. Officiating was Patrick McLenithan.
Online condolences may be sent to the Park family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory served the Park family.

Diane Barratt Swift
Mrs. Diane Barratt Swift, 76, of 1350 Beverly Road, Apt. 524, McLean, Va., passed away at Halquist In-Patient Center, on Monday, July 14, 2008.
She was a beloved and devoted wife of 50 years to Carlton H. Swift, and was a Watauga County native, and former resident of the Sugar Grove community.
In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, Stuart Swift, of Reston, Va.; daughters, Shannon Swift, of Germantown, Md., and Rebecca Swift, of McLean, Va., and son, Steven Swift and wife, Angela, of Riverside, Conn.; as well as three wonderful grandchildren, Brooke, Tyler, and Courtney Swift, all of Riverside, Conn.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Alice Douglass Barratt, and locally by a brother-in-law, Russell Dean Swift, of Sugar Grove, N.C.
Services and interment will be private at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., on Monday, August 18, 2008, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Capital Hospice, P.O. Box 1576, Merrifield, Va. 22116-1576.

George Allan Van Dyke
Mr. George Allan Van Dyke, 70, died early Monday morning, August 11, 2008, at his residence.
He was born in Boone, N.C., the son of the late Lawrence H. and Dorothy Benson Van Dyke.
Mr. Van Dyke was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was retired from the Keebler Company. He was a member of the Covenant Fellowship Church in Mt. Olive.
Survivors include his wife, Darlene Chappell Van Dyke; his children, Ron Van Dyke and wife, Phyllis, of Goldsboro, Diana Van Dyke of Fletcher, N.C., David Van Dyke and wife, Faith. of Goldsboro; a brother, Terry Van Dyke and wife, Judy, of Boone, N.C.; two sisters, Virginia Robinson of Cleveland, Ohio, and Jean Califos of Owings Mills, Md.; five grandchildren, Ryan Allan Van Dyke, U.S. Army serving in Afghanistan, Kellie M. Van Dyke, Salisbury, Md., Marcus A. Whaley, Fletcher, N.C., Paul E. Van Dyke, Goldsboro, and Charity L. Van Dyke, Goldsboro.
Services were held Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home Chapel. Graveside services will be held Friday at 11:00 a.m. at Wayne Memorial Park.
Family members greeted friends Thursday evening immediately following the funeral service at Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home.
Memorial gifts may be made to the Covenant Fellowship Church, Mount Olive, N.C. 28365 or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718.
Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com.

August 13, 2008
George David Galloway
Mr. George David Galloway, 79, of Gooseberry Way, Boone, died Saturday afternoon, August 9, 2008.
He was born April 17, 1929 in Chicago, Ill., the son of the late John and Jean Wilson Galloway.
Mr. Galloway served his country during the Korean War in the U.S. Army as a communication instructor. He had reached the rank of Sergeant, when he was honorably discharged.
He retired to the mountains, which he loved, in 1989 after raising his family in Pompano Beach, Fla. He attended Alliance Bible Fellowship and Trinity Baptist Church. He worked in the community as an appliance repair technician. He also volunteered his services to many friends and neighbors. It was often said, “If George couldn’t fix it, it was time to buy a new one”.
He is survived by his wife JoAnn of 53 years; two daughters, Sandy, of Boynton Beach, Fla., Cherie and husband, Mike (Gill), of Alpharetta, Ga.; two sons, David of Ocala, Fla., and Don and wife, Diana, of West Palm Beach, Fla. He also had ten grandchildren, Phillip, Kacie, and Matthew Cummins; Megan, Michael, Jessica and Jonathan Gill; Rebekah, Luke and Adam Galloway; six great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Ann DeKlerk; nephew, Jon DeKlerk; and two nieces, Karen Baker and Patti Mullen
A Celebration of Life will be held at Alliance Bible Fellowship on Hwy 105 bypass at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 14. A reception will follow at the church.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the Uphill Ministries at Cherokee Cove, 290 Cove Camp Private Drive, Mountain City, Tenn. 37683 or www.cherokeecove.org. Cherokee Cove is a family camp that George volunteered his services to and dearly loved.
Online condolences may be made to the Galloway family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Galloway family.

James Lee ‘Jay Bird’ Hyatt, Jr.
Mr. James Lee “Jay Bird” Hyatt, Jr., 25, of Hill Crest Drive, died on Sunday, August 10, 2008, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center from injuries received in an automobile accident.
He was born in Watauga County on Oct. 8, 1982, the son of James Lee (Kim) Hyatt, Sr. of Boone, N.C. and Mildred Thompson (Billy) Shinault of Advance.
Mr. Hyatt attended both Watauga and Davie High Schools. He worked for Tyson Foods and was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a brother, Justin Hyatt, of Fort Jackson, S.C.; and a sister, Jennifer Trivette and husband, Kevin, of Boone, N.C.; grandmothers, Mary Bowen and Corda Hyatt; four nephews and cousins, aunts and uncles.
He was preceded in death by grandfathers, Roy Bowen and George Hyatt.
The graveside service to celebrate the life of Mr. Hyatt will be held on Thursday, August 14, at 4:00 p.m. at Rose Cemetery with the Rev. Jimmy Lancaster officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. at Davie Funeral Service. Davie
Funeral Service in Mocksville, N.C. is serving the family of Mr. Hyatt.

Betty Jean Wallace
Mrs. Betty Jean Wallace, 66, of Trade, went home to be with Jesus, Sunday, August 10, 2008, at her residence surrounded by her family.
She was born on May 6, 1942 in Watauga County, N.C., to the late Ruby Price Vannoy.
Mrs. Wallace loved red birds, taking care of her home, and especially her grandchildren. She was a member of Roan Creek Baptist Church and was a Sunday school teacher.
Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Tommy Wallace; two daughters, Kim Wilson and husband, Brian, and Debra Phillips and husband, Joey, all of Trade; three grandsons, Samuele Wilson, Sawyer and Silas Phillips; brother, J. L. McCrary and wife, Sheila, of Triplett, N.C.; sister-in-law, Joyce Stephens of Creston, N.C.; brother-in-law, Elmer Wallace of Alexandria, Va.; two nieces; three nephews; special cousin, Debe Jones of Boone, N.C.; and many special friends.
The family received friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at Roan Creek Baptist Church with the service following at 8:00 p.m. with Pastor Derick Wilson, Pastor Rick Thomason and Pastor Derl McCloud officiating. Music was provided by the Fletcher Family.
The committal service and interment will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 13, in Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Zionville, N.C.
The family will also receive friends at the home, 555 Wallace Road, Trade.
Those who wish may send memorial contributions to Roan Creek Baptist Church Building Fund, 662 Lumpkins Branch Road, Mountain City, TN or Adventa Hospice, 203 Forge Creek Road, Mountain City, TN 37683.
Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com.

August 11, 2008

Gail Main Isaacs
Mrs.Gail Main Isaacs, 47, of Vilas, died Friday evening, August 8, 2008.
She was born August 30, 1960 in Chester County, Pa., a daughter of Dan and Emily Crissman Main.
Mrs. Isaacs was a homemaker and was attending Caldwell Community College.
Surviving are her son, Daniel Michael of Boone; her parents, Dan and Emily Main of Boone; two brothers, Roy Main and wife, Evelyn, of Valle Crucis, and Lewis Main and wife, Sue, of Trinity; one sister, Janet Hicks and husband, Jimmy, of Vilas; four nieces, Nikki Murphy, Catherine Tester, Sierra and Amanda Hicks; and three nephews, Dustin Hicks, James and Chris Main.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Gray Isaacs.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Burl Greer. Burial will follow in the Vanderpool Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday afternoon prior to the service from 12:30 until 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home; at other times friends may call at the home of Dan & Emily Main, 628 Friendship Church Road, Boone.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Isaacs family.
Online condolences may be made to the Isaacs family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Isaacs family.

Jerry Len Triplette
Mr. Jerry Len Triplette, 57, of Salisbury, passed away at his residence, Thursday, July 31, 2008, after a long illness with COPD emphysema.
He was born in Watauga County, N.C., on July 17, 1951. His parents are Ernest Clint Sr. and Mary Ashley McGuire of Boone, NC.
Mr. Triplette attended Watauga High School and also school in Hampton, Va. He worked as a repairman for Salisbury Housing Authority and Clancy Hills Apartments. He was a member of the Buckroe Baptist Church in Virginia and enjoyed fishing, motorcycles, dancing and being a volunteer fireman.
He leaves behind his wife, Cathy Beaver Triplette, whom he married August 5, 1994; a daughter, Stephanie Triplette South and James of Advance; a son, Christopher Payne of Salisbury; brothers Charles S. “Butch” McGuire and wife, Lois Ann, of Trade, Tenn., Ernest McGuire Jr. and wife, Sherry, of Independence, Va.; a sister, Kathy McGuire Hamby and Kimi Max of Wilkesboro; special uncle, George Ashley; special cousin, Sandy McGuire Wilson; and four grandchildren, Nathan South, Julia South, Derrick Payne, and Starr Payne.
Services were conducted at 4 p.m., Sunday, August 3, 2008, at the James C. Lyerly Chapel with burial following at Trading Ford Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Michael Beaver conducted the service.
Memorials may be made to Advance Home Care, 612 W. Innes St., Salisbury, N.C. 28144.
Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.
Lyerly Funeral Home in Salisbury, was in charge of the arrangements.

Myra Watterson
Myra Watterson, 86, of Soddy Daisy, Tenn., and formerly of Shelby, N.C., died Thursday, August 7, 2008, at Rhea Medical Center in Dayton, Tenn.
She was born May 11, 1922 in Commerce, Ga., the daughter of the late Jett Thomas and Ada Lee Seagraves Burroughs.
Myra was a Charter member of the Churchill Drive Baptist Church and member of the Westwood Heights Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C., where she lived until 2005. She was a former owner/operator of Bill’s Sandwich Shop and Watterson’s Crafts in Shelby. She was active in the Gideon Auxiliary and Lions Auxiliary.
Survivors include her daughter, Melinda Evaul and husband, Rev. Paul Evaul, of Soddy Daisy, Tenn.; a son, William Watterson and wife, Carol, of Banner Elk, N.C.; brother, Jack Burroughs of Newton, N.C.; sister, Joan “Jody” Gore of Kings Mountain, N.C.; four grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William Monroe Watterson.
Services were held Sunday, August 10, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. at the Westwood Heights Baptist Church in Shelby, N.C. with the Rev. Jimmy Black officiating. Entombment followed at the Cleveland Memorial Park Mausoleum.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons.
Please share your memories of Myra on her on-line guest register at www.vanderwallfh.com
Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tenn., is serving the Watterson family.