Archived
James Delbert ‘J.D.’ Boone
Mr. James Delbert “J.D.” Boone, 82, of West Jefferson, the Smethport community, died Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at the Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson, N.C.
He was born on April 10, 1926 in Roan Mountain, Tenn., to Cecil A. and Dora Marie ‘Cordell’ Boone. He left home at age 14 to join the Civilian Conservation Corps; working in the National Forests in Oregon and Washington states. He supported his mother and sisters in this way through the depression.
J.D. enlisted into the United States Navy in April, 1943 and served onboard USS DuPage APA-41, in the Pacific theatre of operations. He served in combat against Imperial Japanese Forces in amphibious landings onto Kwaljalien, Cape Gloucester, New Guinea, Luzon, Guadalcanal, Guam, Leyte, Okinawa, Peleliu and the Solomon Islands and landed with the initial occupation force at Nagoya, Japan. On the evening of January 10, 1945 the fleet was attacked by a large formation of Japanese kamikaze aircraft; one of which struck the DuPage killing 35 and wounding 136 men. J.D. sustained severe burn injuries and was the only survivor among the crew of the 5 inch gun mount to which he was assigned. The solemn burial at sea of his many shipmates made a strong impression and was one of the events that led to his later funeral service career. His ship was awarded six ‘battle stars’, a number not surpassed by any U.S. warship.
Leaving the Navy in 1946, he began his apprenticeship at Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home in Elizabethton, Tenn. and entered the Cincinnati College of Embalming in 1947 where he graduated at the top of his class. Returning to Elizabethton, J.D. married his bride, and the focus of his life, Bertha Lou May on September 22, 1949.
J.D. later worked for the Tennessee Valley Authority as a field engineer where he collected and correlated rainfall data for flood control studies. While this was one of the most enjoyable periods of his life; working in the mountains and on the lakes of east Tennessee, he never lost sight of his dream to own a funeral home.
In 1957 that opportunity presented itself when the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in West Jefferson, N.C. became available. J.D. arrived in Ashe County with three young children, an old Studebaker car and $5000 to realize that ambition. Determined to provide compassionate and caring service to those he would always refer to as “the best people on this earth”. In 1961 he developed Ashe County’s first perpetual care cemetery, Ashelawn, and its sister cemetery in Watagua County; Mountlawn. In 1972 he moved his funeral home to the grounds of Ashelawn, becoming the first co-located mortuary/ cemetery in North Carolina. Serving the citizens of Ashe County was his life’s calling and he remained active in this service into his 80s. During this period, he served as a mentor to several young men who would later become successful members of the funeral service profession, local businessmen and government officials.
In 1959, J.D. was one of the first farmers in the area to operate a commercial Christmas Tree Farm, and in 1984 he and his son, Jim, established ‘Boone’s Tree Farm’ in Laurel Springs. As much as J.D. loved funeral service, he was closest to God in the fields and was equally at home in his coveralls as in a business suit.
Mr. Boone was a member of the Beaver Creek Christian Church. He was also member of Dashiel Lodge, Ancient, Free & Accepted Masons, Elizabethton, Tenn., a 50 year member of Ashe Lodge 594, AF&AM, the Wilkes York Rite Masonic Bodies, the Oasis Shrine Temple of Charlotte and the Ashe County Shrine Club. Also the Jefferson Rotary Club for many years, the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Farm Bureau and the Yadkin Valley Bank of Jefferson, and of the State and National Funeral Directors Associations and the North Carolina and National Christmas Tree Growers Association, and the USS DuPage Association.
J.D. departed this life on September 2, 2008 after a tenacious battle with mesothelioma, in the company of family and friends and confident in the love of his savior.
Survivors include his wife, Bertha Lou May Boone; three sons; James D. Boone, Jr. and wife, Susan, of Virginia Beach, Va., David Earl Boone and wife, Sandy, of West Jefferson, Daniel Joseph Boone and wife, Theresa, of Beckley, WV; two daughters, Klyda Leah Boone and Martha Lou Osborne and husband, Donnie, of West Jefferson; one sister, Mildred Rutherford of Portsmouth, Va.; three grandchildren, Matthew Boone, Emily Boone and Adam Osborne; four step-grandchildren, Preston Osborne, Amanda Testerman, Brent Lawrence and Brittany Lawrence; eight step-great-grandchildren, Doran Holman, McKenzie Osborne, Morgan Osborne, Katelyn Johnson, Nick Johnson, Zachary Walker, Blake Lawrence and Jackson Lawrence; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, John Charles Boone, who died in infancy.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. at the Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Creighton Beatty, the Rev. Kennith Morris and Capt. James D. Boone officiating. Interment will follow in Ashelawn Memorial Gardens with Masonic Rites.
The Boone family will receive friends on Friday from 1 -3:00 p.m. and 6-9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Shriners Childrens Hospitals, 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.
You may give the family your condolences at our website www.boonefuneralhome.com.
Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of the arrangements.

Kenneth Lee Hicks
Mr. Kenneth Lee Hicks, 60, of Hudson, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir.
He was born April 1, 1948 in Watauga County, to the late Charles William Hicks and to Ruby Alice Harmon Hicks of Granite Falls.
Survivors include his wife, Betty A. Hicks; four sons, Kenny Hicks of Granite Falls, Rob Hicks and wife, Carol Jane, of Hudson, Daniel Hicks of New Mexico, and Joseph Hicks and wife, Stephanie, of Lenoir; three daughters, Monica Staley and husband, Ricky, of Lenoir, Rachel Gerber and husband, Joe, of Grundy, Va., and Pamela Rusk of Virginia; three step-sons, Bobby Jean Jones, Jeffery William Jones, and Christopher Kelley Jones; two step-daughters, Nancy Jones, and Kathy Hudson; four sisters; five brothers; 15 grandchildren; 30 step-grandchildren; and 25 step-great-grandchildren;.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Rita Scarberry; a step-son, Donald Eugene Jones; and a step-daughter, Candy Marie Hayes.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept. 5, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. in the Bass-Smith Granite Chapel with the Rev. James Hicks and the Rev. Jerry Lingerfelt officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the funeral expenses of Mr. Kenneth Hicks, at P.O. Box 1063, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630.
Online condolences may be made at www.bass-smithgranite@charterinternet.com
Bass-Smith Granite is serving the Kenneth Lee Hicks family.

David Gene Mounce
Mr. David Gene Mounce, 54, of Stanley Miller Road, Deep Gap, passed away peacefully at his home, Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, 2008.
He was born May 8, 1954, in Surry County, a son of the late Heber Carmi and Mary Lee Holyfield Mounce.
Mr. Mounce was employed with G&B Energy as a truck driver. He was a Master Gardener with the N.C. Cooperative Extension and had a great love of music, cooking and hiking. He was a beloved brother, step-father, friend and companion.
Survivors include his companion, Debra Macey; four sisters, Melba Moore of Winston-Salem, Faye Martin of Elkin, Linda Kumar of Marietta, Ga., and Cathy Folger, “Ros”, of Elkin; two brothers, Earl Mounce “Kathy”, of Elkin and Sam Mounce of Mount Holly; two step-children, Leslee Basinger, “Jason” of Mooresville and Penn Miller, “Tanya” of Taylorsville; two step-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Jo Ann Courtney and Nancy Royall.
Memorial services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at the Elkin First Baptist Church at 3 o’clock. Officiating will be Dr. Bill Johnson.
The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to High Country Health Care System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Mounce family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Mounce family.
Sharon N. Madson Ohlson
Mrs. Sharon N. Madson Ohlson, 66, of Butler, Tenn., formerly of Largo, Fla., passed away on Sept. 1, 2008, at her home.
She was born on Sept. 11, 1941, in Clearwater, Fla., and lived most of her life in Largo.
Mrs. Ohlson was a graduate of Largo High School, class of 1959. She lived the past 25 years in Butler, Tenn. She was Methodist. Mrs. Ohlson was an accomplished piano and organ player and played for churches, temples and schools in Pinellas County. She and her late husband, Al, who predeceased her in 2000, were known for their antiques and collectibles in the Boone area.
Survivors include two daughters, Kimberlee Ohlson of Butler, Tenn. and Sonja Lee Ecker of Clearwater, Fla.; twin grandchildren, Ashley and Adam Ecker; a brother, Ted S. Madson, II, of Gainesville, Fla.; and a sister, Mary Jeanne Kavin of St. Petersburg, Fla.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, from 6-8 p.m., at Moss Feaster Funeral Home in Largo, Fla.
Services will be held Sunday, Sept. 7, at 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Largo Cemetery.
Moss Feaster Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Ivan Bud Ward
Mr. Ivan Burl Ward, 84, of Ray Brown Road, Boone, died Wednesday morning, Sept. 3, 2008 at home.
He was born April 8, 1923 in Watauga County, a son of the late Wes and Catherine Davis Ward.
Mr. Ward was a member of the First Christian Church of Boone and a WWII Veteran. He was a retired mechanic from the Town of Blowing Rock.
Surviving are his wife, Edith Tester Ward; two sons, Jake Ward and wife, Sue, of Elk Park and Jimmy Ward and wife, Pam, of Boone; five daughters, Dorothy Ward and husband, Kenneth, Brenda Cornett and husband, Dale, and Rita Ward, all of Boone, Jeannie Stines and husband, Wade, and Cathy Oaks and husband, Dennis, both of Banner Elk; 21 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sons; three brothers; and three sisters.
Services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 1 until 2 o’clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Nathan Ward. Burial with military graveside rites will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 o’clock until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be sent to the Ward family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ward family

September 3, 2008
Charles Clarence Braswell
Mr. Charles Clarence Braswell, 82, of Cary, died Tuesday, August 26, 2008, at Cary Wake Med Hospital.
He was born May 31, 1926, in Raleigh, N.C., to the late Clarence Odell Braswell and Levie Ann Murdock.
Mr. Braswell was a 1942 graduate of Durham High School and a 1945 graduate of Duke University. He retired from North Carolina State University as Director of the Physical Plant in 1988 and. previously was Physical Plant Director at Appalachian State University.
Survivors include his devoted wife of 60 years, Julia Hamilton Braswell; four daughters, Linda Brown and husband, David, of Wrightsville Beach and Blowing Rock; Bonnie Trivette and husband, Danny, of Cary; Marcia St. Clair and husband, David, of Emory, Va., Martha Wolfenbarger and husband, Billy, of Sanford; brother, J. Swanson Braswell and wife, Hannah, of Durham; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Services were conducted Friday, August 29, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Highland United Methodist Church, 1901 Ridge Road, Raleigh, N.C. Burial followed at Raleigh Memorial Park.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the Methodist Home for Children, 1041 Washington Street, Raleigh, N.C. 27605 or the Highland United Methodist Church Endowment Fund.
Condolences may be sent to www.brown-wynne .com
Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary, N.C., are in charge of the arrangements.

Raylo Arvis Greene
Mr. Raylo Arvis Greene, 62, of Congo Road, Wilkesboro, died Monday, Sept. 1, 2008, at his home.
He was born April 24, 1946 in Wilkes County.
Mr. Greene was a member of Lewis Fork Baptist Church.
Surviving are one son, Marty Ray Greene and wife, Amber, of Boomer; two brothers, Roger L. Greene, and H.S. Greene and wife, Kathy, all of Deep Gap; one sister, Kathy G. Brown and husband, Garry, of Wilkesboro; and three grandchildren, Kayla Greene, Evan Greene, Leah Greene.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Vecie Greene; and a son, Jerry Ray Greene.
Services will be held at 2:00 o'clock Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008, at Lewis Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at Lewis Fork Baptist Church from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock on Wednesday, prior to the service.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Lewis Fork Baptist Church Youth Fund, 395 Lewis Fork Baptist Church Road, Purlear, N.C. 28665.
Miller Funeral Service in North Wilkesboro is in charge of the arrangements.

September 1, 2008

Thomas Stuart Beach
Mr.Thomas Stuart Beach, 83, of Rockingham, passed away Friday, August 29, 2008 at his home.
He was born Sept. 6, 1924 in Mountain City, Tenn., a son of the late Thomas Coffey and Winnie Shoupe Beach.
Mr. Beach was a graduate of Appalachian High School and then attended Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He earned a Bachelors Degree and a Masters Degree from Appalachian State University. He also played basketball while attending Appalachian State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Beach served his country in the United States Marines and was a World War II veteran. He was also a long time member of First United Methodist Church in Rockingham. Mr. Beach taught and coached at RJ Reynolds High School in Winston Salem, N.C. He coached the first Basketball State Champions in the history of RJ Reynolds High School in 1948. Mr. Beach was the Assistant Principal at Wiley Elementary School in Winston-Salem, N.C. and then became the Principal at Moore Elementary School in Winston-Salem. He was also the Assistant Superintendent of Lenoir County Schools in Kinston, N.C. and then became the Superintendent of Lenoir County Schools in Kinston. Mr. Beach was the Principal at L.J. Bell Elementary School in Rockingham from 1972 until his retirement in 1987. Over-all Mr. Beach devoted 39 years to the North Carolina Public School System.
Surviving are his daughters, Tommie Sue Beach Johnson and husband, Dean, of Rockingham and Debbie Beach Lancaster and husband, Tim, of Hamlet; a son, Thomas Stuart Beach, Jr. of Greenville, S.C.; grandchildren, Drew Young , Blair Johnson, Jessica Lancaster, Zackary Beach, Brittany Beach, and Kevin Johnson; a great-grandson, Thomas Reed Young; and his caregivers, Renae Patterson, Alberta Bivens, Daisy McRae, and Pearl Burney.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Beach was preceded in death by his wife, Sue Marion Beach; and a brother, Jay W. Beach.
Services will be conducted Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Rockingham by the Rev. Keith Nanney and the Rev. Leonard Mayo. Entombment will follow at Richmond County Memorial Park Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends Monday, Sept. 1, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham.
Memorial contributions may be made to Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N. U.S. Hwy. 1, Rockingham, N.C. 28379.
Online condolence may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com.
Watson-King Funeral Home of Rockingham is serving the family.

Antoinette Di Biase
Mrs. Antoinette Di Biase, 88, of Blowing Rock, died Wednesday morning, August 27, 2008, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born July 17, 1920, in Bronx, N.Y., a daughter of the late Anthony and Anna Iula Leone.
Survivors include one daughter, Donna Di Biase and fiancé, Michael, of New Jersey; one son, Louis Di Biase and wife, Joanne, of Banner Elk; one granddaughter, Deborah Nardi and husband, Joe; three grandsons, Joseph Di Biase, Brandon Nardi, and Joseph Nardi and wife, Amber; and one great-grandson, Tristan Nardi, all of North Carolina.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Di Biase; and her father and mother, Anthony and Anna Iula Leone.
Services will be conducted Monday evening at 8 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 6-8 p.m. Officiating will be Pastor Reggie Hunt and the Rev. Glenn McConkey. Entombment will be in Ferncliff Mausoleum in Hartsdale, N.Y.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Cornerstone Summit, 372 East King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Di Biase family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral service is in charge of the arrangements.

Myrtle Francis Cook Dotson
Mrs. Myrtle Francis Cook Dotson, 87, of Howard Edmisten Road, Sugar Grove, died Thursday morning, August 28, 2008 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.
She was born Nov. 11, 1920 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Fallah Cook.
Mrs. Dotson was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church and was a homemaker.
Surviving are her husband, Robert Dotson; two daughters, Ann Wood of Sugar Grove and Peggy Coffey of Lenoir; one sister-in-law, Maybelle Cook of Sugar Grove; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Harriett Lafone and Marianne Harrison; and two brothers, Tom and Don Cook.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, August 30, 2008, at 2 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Ray Greene. Burial followed in the St. John’s Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the Dotson family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Dotson family.

Dorothy Earline Fox
Mrs. Dorothy Earline Fox, 85, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away Wednesday morning, August 27, 2008, after a lengthy illness at The Forum of Knightsbridge in Columbia, Ohio.
She was born April 20, 1923 in St. Louis, the daughter of the late Henreatta and Edward Grote. She married Willard Fox in 1945 and live with him in Florida, Missouri, Wyoming, Livonia, MI, Bowling Green, Ohio, and Boone, N.C., until his passing Feb. 26, 2004. She had lived in Columbus with her daughter, Nancy since.
Survivors include three children, Judith Ann Fox and Nancy Lee Fox, both of Columbus, and Willard Fox, III, from Lafayette, La.; as well as five grandchildren, Michael Fox Phillips of Palm Harbor, Fla., Joseph McClure Phillips of Delaware, Ohio, Benjamin Ezra Fox of Atlanta, Ga., Bessie Lee Fox of Washington, D.C., and Heather Ann Fox of Lafayette, La. Deeply Christian, she gave her life to her husband and family. She was loved and will be deeply missed.
Memorial contributions may be made to either Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, N.C. 28607, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633.
Weir-Arend Funeral Home in Columbus, Ohio, are in charge of the arrangements.

Willis Ray Greene
Mr. Willis Ray Greene, 83, of Drexel Road, Valdese, passed away Thursday, August 28, 2008, at Burke Palliative Care Center, following a period of declining health.
He was born in Watauga County, May 19, 1925, a son of the late Robert Warren Greene and Lilly Dishman Greene.
Mr. Greene was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and was retired after being self-employed for many years as an owner/operator in the trucking industry. He was a member of Drexel Memorial Baptist Church and truly loved his church family.
Surviving are his daughter and son-in-law, Janie and Ronnie Perry; grandsons and their wives, Jack and Dawn Perry and Jay and Lee Ann Perry. He was blessed with four very special great-grandsons of whom he was so proud, Avery, Wakefield, Grant and Jake Perry. Also surviving are one brother and his wife, Roy Lee and Betty Greene, of Salisbury, N.C.; four sisters and their husbands, Lucille and Homer Smith of Salisbury, Joyce and Truett Coffey of Mountain City, Tenn., Rachel and Bill Townsend, and Lois Ann Hodges, of Banner Elk, N.C.; special friends, Kaye Penley and Greg Helton; and numerous nieces, nephews, several special cousins, and many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Emogene Swift Greene; an infant grandson, Kenneth Brian Perry; and brothers, Henry Lawrence Greene and George Wayne Greene.
Services were held Saturday morning, August 30, 2008, at 11:00 a.m., at Drexel Memorial Baptist Church with Pastor Steve Chapman officiating. Burial followed at Burke Memorial Park.
Memorials contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Building Fund, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, N.C. 28690.
The family wishes to express their appreciation to all of Mr. Greene’s wonderful neighbors, friends, and caregivers. Anyone who knew him well knew his favorite pastimes were working on his vehicles and spending time with his faithful canine companions, Little Girl and Timer. Your faithfulness and watchful eye gave him added days to be at home doing what he liked to do best.
Condolences may be made online at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.
Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, N.C., is in charge of the arrangements.

Janie Reagan Monroe
Ms. Janie Reagan Monroe, 56, of Kingston, Tenn., passed away on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.
She was born on Jan. 31, 1952 in Cookeville, Tenn. A 1969 graduate of Roane County High School and Tennessee Technology Center in Harriman, Tenn., Ms. Monroe worked for several years as a Licensed Practical Nurse for several doctors in the Oak Ridge area.
She is survived by her father and mother, Paul and Billie Reagan of Kingston; one daughter, Emily Evans Thomas, a son-in-law, Jason Thomas, both of Oak Ridge; three sisters, Judy Bensey of Kingston, Joyce Nall of Kingston, Jennifer Burnett of Flowery Branch, Ga.; two brothers, Joel Reagan of Knoxville and Jason Reagan of Boone, N.C.; two brothers-in-law, Earl Nall of Kingston and Ray Burnett of Flowery Branch, Ga.; two sisters-in-law, Andre’a Reagan of Knoxville and Stacy Reagan of Boone, N.C.; two grandchildren, Jared and Lindsey White of Oak Ridge; 10 nephews and nieces, Todd Carriger of Kingston, Paula Bryant of Rockwood, Jeremy Carriger of Iga Ueno, Japan, Sara Miles and husband, Marty, of Kingston , Addison and Kelsey Reagan of Knoxville, Tyler and Corey Burnett of Flowery Branch, Ga., Justin and Shelby Reagan of Boone, N.C.; and special friend, Dara Giles Shelton, of Clinton, Tenn., whom Ms. Monroe considered a daughter.
The family received friends at Kyker Funeral Home in Kingston, Tenn. on Friday, August 29, 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. with funeral services immediately following. The Rev. Tim Shelton officiated. A private burial followed on Saturday, August 30, 2008.
The family requests that donations be made to Roane County Animal Shelter.
Kyker Funeral Home of Kingston, Tenn. is in charge of arrangements.

Verna Lillian Woodie Wilcox
Verna Lillian Woodie Wilcox, age 102, of Bourne Lane, Asheville, went to Heaven on Tuesday afternoon, August 26, 2008, at the Western North Carolina Baptist Retirement Home in Asheville.
Born January 21, 1906 in Vannoy, (Wilkes County), North Carolina, one of nine children, she and her husband, Herman, married in 1926 and lived in Johnson City, Tennessee. They moved to Boone in the 1930’s, where Verna assisted her husband who was manager of the ET&WNC Railway Station (the train known as “Tweetsie” which operated between Johnson City and Boone), Western Union delivery, REA Express, and the Trailways/Greyhound Bus Terminal. In 1952, Verna and Herman’s son Glenn opened Wilcox Travel Agency, Inc., in offices next to the Bus Terminal in Boone. Wilcox Travel is now based in Asheville, and is one of the largest privately-owned travel agencies in the United States.
A deeply committed Christian, Verna was very active in many church and civic activities, including membership at First Baptist Church of Boone, Women’s Missionary Union of the Southern Baptist Convention, Cradle Roll at First Baptist Church Boone (Director for many years), Gideons Auxiliary Bible ministries (Boone and Asheville), the Worthwhile Women’s Club of Boone, and the Rhododendron Garden Club of Boone. For many years, she was also a Gray Lady hospital volunteer with the American Red Cross, and was particularly dedicated to visiting shut-ins. Upon moving to Asheville in the late 1970’s, Herman and Verna attended Biltmore Baptist Church. She was currently a resident of Biltmore Forest (Asheville), NC, and the Western North Carolina Baptist Retirement Home/Rickman Nursing Center in Asheville.
Mrs. Wilcox loved to play music by ear, especially hymns, on the piano and electric organ, and enjoyed growing a large variety of flowers in her garden. She also made beautiful flower arrangements and won many awards. She loved homemaking and was especially loving and dedicated to her family.
Mrs. Wilcox is survived by her son, Glenn W. Wilcox, Sr. and wife Pauline Greene Wilcox of Asheville; five grandchildren, Sharon Wilcox Moulds and husband William of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Glenn Wallace Wilcox, Jr. and wife Annette of Asheville, Marie Wilcox Woodson and husband Robert of Weaverville, William V. Wilcox and wife Michelle of Asheville, and David N. Wilcox and wife Pam of Asheville; ten great-grandchildren, Will Garrison, Diana Woodson Reece and husband Travis, Glenn Wilcox, III, Tyler Wilcox, Corey Wilcox, Joshua Wilcox, Ashley Wilcox, Marisa Woodson, Elizabeth Wilcox, and Rebecca Wilcox, and one great great-grandchild, Kate-Marie Reece. She is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Herman Wallace Wilcox; her father and mother, William Vance Woodie and Delphia Miller Woodie; seven brothers and one sister.
Funeral services for Mrs. Verna Woodie Wilcox will be conducted Saturday morning, August 30, 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 David Wilcox. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends Saturday morning, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Biltmore Baptist Church, 35 Clayton Road, Arden, North Carolina, 28704, or to the First Baptist Church, 375 West King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Wilcox family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.