Archived

Lucille Wilson Miller
Mrs. Lucille Wilson Miller, 95, of 312 Clint Norris Road, Boone, died Tuesday morning, Oct. 7, 2008, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.
She was born April 5, 1913 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late John Clinton and Leanah Winebarger Wilson.
Mrs. Miller was a homemaker and a member of Proffit’s Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Catherine M. Cole and husband, Clarence, of Boone; one son, John C. Miller and wife, Wanda, of Indian Trail; one sister, Ruth Brown of Boone; one daughter-in-law, Jean Miller; and one brother-in-law, Glenn Cottrell, both of Boone. She is also survived by eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Van Miller; one son, Arville Miller; four sisters, Georgia Miller, Ruby Triplett, Mary Wilson, and Jean Cottrell; and three brothers, Raymond Wilson, Alex Wilson, and Frank Wilson.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon, Oct. 9, 2008, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were the Rev. Harold Bennett and the Rev. Mark Chaney. Burial followed in the Proffit's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Proffit's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Janette Huff, 279 Henry Winebarger Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Miller family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Clarence Perry ‘Shorty’ Pitts
Mr. Clarence Perry “Shorty” Pitts, 79, of Ridgecrest Lane, Blowing Rock, died Monday afternoon, Oct. 6, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Sept. 4, 1929 in Caldwell County, a son of the late Jerry Monroe and Minnie Lone Oxentine Pitts.
Mr. Pitts mowed yards in the Blowing Rock area for over 40 years, and was retired from Hammary Furniture.
He was a member of the Blowing Rock Church of God where he served as the Sunday School Superintendent for over 40 years.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Kathleen Pitts; one daughter, Lynda Norris and husband, Donald, of Todd; two sons, Dennis Pitts and wife, Melody, of Hickory, and Kenny Pitts of Washington, N.C.; five grandchildren, Mark Edward Norris and wife, Dee Dee, Crystal Shelton and husband, Eddie; Dennis Pitts, Jr., Carrie Dietrich and husband, Matthew,, and Dustin Pitts; eight great-grandchildren; three sisters, Louise Loudermelt of Lenoir, Edith Fortune of Charlotte, and Ellen Krulik of Erie, Pa.; two brothers, Rev. Alfred Pitts and wife, Marie, of Whittier, and Roscoe Pitts of Blowing Rock; and a special friend, Fannie Rossi of Erie, Pa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Rosa Lee Pitts; and three brothers, Ernest, Aaron and Herman Pitts.
Services were conducted Thursday morning at 11 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were Pastor Mark Norris, Pastor Herbert McCoy, and Pastor Michael Merritt. Burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Memorials may be made to the Blowing Rock Church of God, in care of Roscoe Pitts, Post Office Box 351, Blowing Rock.
The family received friends Wednesday evening from 7 o’clock until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the Pitts family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Pitts family.

William Ray ‘Bill’ Scism
Mr. William Ray “Bill” Scism, 78, of Tampa, Fla., died Sunday Sept. 28, 2008 at St. Joseph Hospital in Tampa.
He was born July 20, 1930 in Hot Springs, N.C., a son of the late John J. and Bernice Harris Scism.
Mr. Scism was retired from the U.S. Navy after 23 years and was a retired U.S. Deputy Marshal having served 20 years.
Surviving are one brother-in-law, Frank Jestes and wife, Lois, of Wilkesboro, and their children; four cousins from South Carolina, and a number of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Teresa Jestes Scism; an infant son, James Thomas Scism; one brother, James Scism and wife, Pauline; his mother and father-in-law, Roscoe and Ethel Jestes; and two sisters-in-law, Velma J. Hayes and Doris J. Ruppard.
Graveside services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. Officiating will be the Rev. Greg Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the Scism family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Scism family.

Tate Sparks
Mr. Tate Sparks, 88, of 137 Maple Road, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday morning, Oct. 8, 2008, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
He was born Oct. 25, 1919 in Mitchell County, N.C., a son of the late Z.C. and Carrie Buchanan Sparks.
Mr. Sparks was a retired office manager, in heavy equipment sales for Mitchell Distributing Company. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Puckett Sparks; two daughters, Gina Triplett and husband, Butch, and Lisa Abernathy, all of Blowing Rock; one son, David Sparks and wife, Sandra, of Concord; and one grandson, Zack Abernathy of Charlotte.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Milton Sparks and Eli Sparks; and one sister, Margaret Sparks.
A memorial service will be conducted Saturday afternoon, Oct. 11, 2008, at 1:00 o'clock, at First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock. Officiating will be the Rev. Rusty Guenther and the Rev. Rhonda Gailes.
The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 12:00 until 1:00 o'clock, at the church, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Sparks family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements

October 8, 2008
Anthony Kyle ‘Tony’ Dickson
Mr. Anthony Kyle “Tony” Dickson, 58, of 135 Cherry Drive, Jefferson, died Saturday, Oct.r 4, 2008 at Rex Healthcare, after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born in Ashe County on March 3, 1950, to Kyle Koontz Dickson and Madge Gambill Dickson.
As long as his health permitted, he was a golf professional and a lifetime member of the Professional Golfers Association of America.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a daughter, Kylie Dawn Dickson of Raleigh, and her mother, Sara Smith of Raleigh.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008 at West Jefferson United Methodist Church, 107 West Second Street, West Jefferson, N.C.
The Dickson family will receive relatives and friends following the service.
The family has asked that flowers be omitted and memorial contributions be made to North Carolina High School Athletic Association NCHSAA Endowment Fund, P. O. Box 3216, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27515, Attention: Karen DeHart in Memory of Tony Dickson. Contributions support non-revenue sports, including golf for the high schools of North Carolina.

Billy Goodbar
Mr. Billy Goodbar, a supportive friend to all, a dedicated farmer, a scholar who deeply penetrated the reality of life, passed away peacefully on Sept. 18, 2008.
Billy had a wonderful way of making good friends where ever he went throughout our communities and we would like to invite all his friends to come to a memorial celebration of his life to be held this Saturday, Oct. 11, at 2 p.m. at 393 Little Laurel Road Extension in Boone.
We will deeply miss Billy's peaceful presence in our lives, his wonderful laughter, his kind heart, and his noble qualities of personal integrity and generosity. We all benefited from his wisdom, his strength and his light and full heart.
Mr. Goodbar leaves a son, Christopher; daughter-in-law, Sarah; two wonderful granddaughters, Mia and Lizzie; and three sisters, Joan, Barbara and Donna.
For more information or to share your stories and memories of Billy, please e-mail kmd1008@gmail.com or call 265-1733.

Burgess M. Staton Jr.
Mr. Burgess M. “Bim” Staton, Jr., 54, of Davidson, N.C., passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2008.
He was born May 29, 1954 in Rocky Mount, N.C. He was the son of the late Burgess M. Staton, Sr. and Virginia Ballard Staton of Ansonville, N.C.
Mr. Staton attended Wingate University and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in English from Appalachian State University.
He was employed at Mitchell Community College in Statesville, N.C. as the Program Coordinator for the English Department. He retired in 2007 due to a battle with cancer. His attitude and resolve throughout his illness was an inspiration to all.
He loved reading, writing, teaching, and learning. His passion for reading and learning lives on through both of his children and his students.
Mr. Staton was a member of Ansonville United Methodist Church and regularly attended Coddle Creek ARP in Mooresville, N.C. He was a devoted son, husband, brother, and father.
In addition to his mother, Virginia Ballard Staton, survivors include his wife, Rebecca Wallace Staton; his children, Ryan J. Staton of Raleigh, N.C., and Heather Staton Columb and her husband, Chris Colomb of Wilmington, N.C.; his siblings, Virginia Staton and her husband, Wayne Fee, of Boone and Gene Staton and wife, Misty Staton, of Cottonville, N.C; his in-laws, J.C. and Marie Wallace of Davidson, N.C.; his sisters-in-law, Jane Champion and husband, Jimmy Champion, of Davidson, N.C. and Anne Moose and husband, Tony, of Concord, N.C. He is also survived by six nieces and one nephew.
The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008, at Coddle Creek ARP Church in Mooresville, N.C., officiated by the Rev. Jamie A. Hunt. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Visitation was held Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis, N.C.
Memorials may be made to Coddle Creek ARP Church, in care of the Educational Scholarship Fund, 2297 Coddle Creek Highway, Mooresville, N.C. 28115 or the American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, N.C. 28210.
On-line condolences may be left at www.whitleyfuneralhome.com.
Whitley’s Funeral Home in Kannapolis, N.C. were in charge of the arrangements.

Rev. Mike Warren
The Rev. Mike Warren, 49, of Forest Grove Road, Vilas, went to be with his Lord Monday morning Oct. 6, 2008 at his home.
He was born in Bainbridge, Md., Jan. 26, 1959, a son of Robert Warren and the late Joyce Hagaman Warren.
Mike was a member of Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church where he served as pastor. He was a former pastor of Elk Knob Baptist Church. He was an employee of Woods Masonry for 32 years.
In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Pat Warren; one son, David Warren and wife, Miranda; one sister, Grace Pitts and husband, Nathan; two brothers, Mark Warren and wife, Betty, and John Warren and wife, Debbie, all of Vilas; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Orville and Anna Lee Isaacs Hagaman; and his paternal grandparents, James Spencer and Pearl Brotherton Warren.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Carl Wilson, the Rev. J. C. Greene, and the Rev. Wynn Greer. Burial will follow in the Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Forest Grove Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or Mission Fund, in care of Paul Wilson, 2424 Bethel Road, Sugar Grove, N.C. 28679; or to High Country Health Care System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family received friends Tuesday evening from 6:30 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the Warren family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Warren family.

October 6, 2008

John Paul Brown
Mr. John Paul Brown, 83, of Boone, N.C., son of the late Charles W. and Myrtle Knight Brown, passed away at Roan Mountain Nursing Home, Oct. 2, 2008, after losing a four-year battle with cancer.
He was born in Creston, N.C., in the Peak Valley community, Oct. 24, 1924, and grew up in that community. His parents were the well known Charles W. Brown and Myrtle Knight Brown. Mr. Brown graduated from Riverview High School and served during World War II in the U.S. Marine Corp in the South Pacific.
A graduate of Appalachian State University, he earned the Bachelor’s degree in Education and a Master’s degree in School Administration. His years as a teacher included Ashe, Watauga, and Mecklenburg County High Schools, a private school in South Carolina, and Military Dependent Schools of Okinawa in Japan. He taught Math and coached basketball and football.
Active in politics, Mr. Brown ran on the Republican ticket for State Representative to the North Carolina Assembly and ran for the Watauga Board of Education.
Survivors include a son, Charles E. Brown of New York City; two sisters, Anita W. Brown and Mary B. McClure-Carter; one brother, Edwin Y. Brown, all of Silver Spring, Md.; and dear friend, Elizabeth McDaniel, of Sleepy Hollow, N.C.
The family received friends from 2-3 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 7, at Mountain City Funeral Home. Services followed at 3 p.m. The committal service and interment will be conducted at 10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 8, 2008, at National Cemetery, Mountain Home, Tenn.
Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com.
Mountain City Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Capt. Richard G. Cliff
Capt. Richard G. Cliff, Jr., 29, of Sanford, N.C., was killed Sept. 29, 2008, while conducting a combat reconnaissance patrol in the vicinity of Yakhchal, Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of combat operations while serving with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in September, 2008, as a member of the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan. This was his third deployment in support of the Global War on Terror and his first deployment to Afghanistan. Captain Cliff was a Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha Team Commander.
Cliff was a native of Mount Pleasant, S.C. and graduated from Wando High School in 1997. He was commissioned in June, 2002, after graduating from Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C. At Appalachian State “Richie” was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and ROTC. Richie began his military career at Ft. Benning, Ga., where he completed the Infantry Officer Basic Course. His first assignment was Ft. Lewis, Wash., where he was a platoon leader with the 5th Battalion 20th Infantry Stryker Brigade Combat Team. He deployed with them to Iraq in 2003, and again in 2006, as a company Executive Officer. He then went to Ft. Benning, Ga. where he completed the Maneuver Captains Career Course. He began the Special Forces Qualification Course June, 2007, and he earned the coveted “Green Beret” in July, 2008.
Cliff’s military education includes the Maneuver Captains Career Course, Infantry Officer Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape Course, Basic Airborne Course, Ranger Course, and Special Forces Qualification Course. Richie also became bilingual, learning Spanish while at the Qualification Course.
His awards and decorations include four Army Commendation Medals (one for valor), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab and the Special Forces Tab.
In his spare time Richie was an avid surfer with his favorite local spot being Folly Beach. He traveled to Costa Rica, Hawaii and surf spots up and down the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. He enjoyed days spent on his boat, wakeboarding with friends, and hitting the slopes with his brother, Eddie. Richie also climbed to the summit of Mt. Rainier in Washington state while stationed at Ft. Lewis. He loved life and enjoyed every day to the fullest. He had an amazing sense of humor, always playing practical jokes on his friends. His laugh was so infectious and luckily for those around him, he laughed a lot. Richie made friends with ease, becoming friends with everyone he met. He never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He was driven to succeed and excelled at every endeavor. His friends describe him as loyal and kind, a born leader.
Survivors include his wife, Stacy Wagoner Cliff, who he married in August, 2003; an infant son, Richard Sanders Cliff, born Sept. 4, 2008, both of Sanford, N.C.; his parents, Julie and Rich Cliff, Sr.; and a brother, Eddie Cliff, all of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; uncles, George Cliff and wife, Linda, of Columbus, Ga., Bill Cliff and wife, Penny, of Thomaston, Ga., Brownie Sanders and wife, Brenda, of Charleston, and Edward Sanders and wife, Susan, of Charleston, S.C.; several cousins and many friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial donations may be made to the Special Forces Association, P.O. Box 41436, Fayetteville, N.C. 28309, which assist the families of fallen soldiers. Also a trust has been set up for the benefit of Richie’s son. Donations can be made to Stacy Cliff, FBO Richard Sanders Cliff, c/o Yadkin Valley Bank, P.O. Box 1865, West Jefferson, N.C 28694.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Wednesday, Oct. 8, in Mt. Pleasant Presbyterian Church, 302 Church Street at 2 p.m. Burial will follow with full military honors at Live Oak Memorial Gardens, 3093 Ashley River Road, Charleston, S.C. The family will receive friends at J. Henry Stuhr, Inc, Mount Pleasant Chapel on Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 5-7 p.m.
J. Henry Stuhr, Inc., in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., is in charge of the arrangements.

Rev. Thomas ‘Vance’ Edwards
Rev. Thomas “Vance” Edwards, 93, of Monroe, died Wednesday evening, Oct. 1, 2008.
He was born May 14, 1915, in Union County, and at the age of 30 heard God’s calling to the ministry. Before retirement, he had served 12 churches throughout North Carolina. Following retirement, he served as interim pastor for 22 additional congregations including Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Vilas. The Lord blessed his calling with the unique talent of being direct and uncompromising with the Word of God, but he was always able to express it in a special love that lead untold numbers to Christ. Rev. Edwards always had a special love of nature and the love of the land. He often said he “didn’t know if he was a farming preacher or a preaching farmer.”
Survivors include his daughters, Janet Brown and her husband, Charlie, and Phyllis Walton, all of Monroe; five grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Kathleen Nance Edwards; his second wife, Kate Simpson Haigler Edwards; his son, Thomas (Tommy) V. Edwards, Jr.; and his sister, Ressie Edwards Edwards.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Oct. 4, at 2 p.m. at the Family Life Center of Benton Crossroads Baptist Church. Burial followed at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in the Marshville area.
Memorials may be made to North Carolina Baptist Foundation, Inc., Attn: Thomas Vance Edwards Endowment Fund at Fruitland Bible College-Acct. # 002129, 201 Convention Dr., Cary, N.C. 27511-4257.
Gaskin Services in Matthews, is serving the Edwards family.

Sarah Jean Rominger
Mrs. Sarah Jean Rominger, 78, of Campground Rd. Granite Falls, passed away Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
She was born August 22, 1930 in Watauga County, to the late Mack Donald May and Sarah Ida May.
Mrs. Rominger was a member of Lovelady Baptist Church where she was a nursery worker.
Survivors include her sons, Dennis, Harold, Danny, Shelby and Curtis Rominger, all of Granite Falls; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; her twin brother, Dean May, of Taylorsville; and brother, Harry May, of Granite Falls; her sisters, Ann Sherrill of Granite Falls and Mary Withers of Hudson.
Services were held Sunday, Oct. 5, at 3 p.m. at Lovelady Baptist Church with the Rev. Floyd Crouch officiating. Burial followed at Dudley Shoals Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family suggests that memorials be made to Lovelady Baptist Church at 760 Dudley Shoals Rd., Granite Falls, N.C. 28630.
Condolences may be placed online at www.mem.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory in Lenoir, N.C. is in charge of arrangements.

Marguerite B. Whitlock
Mrs. Marguerite B. “Peg” Whitlock, 96, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Friday morning, Oct. 3, 2008, at Glenbridge Health Care in Boone.
She was born Jan. 3, 1912 in Amsterdam, N.Y., and resided in Hagaman, N.Y.
Mrs. Whitlock taught school and was an active member of Calvary Reformed Church. She also lived in Bennettsville, S.C. and Orange City, Fla. For the past 15 years she lived in Boone, N.C.
Survivors include her daughter, Diane Graham and husband, Richard, of Boone; and her niece, Marilyn Gilman Velzy of White Haven, Pa.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Sidney; her sister, Helen Gilman Ehrke; and her brothers, Don and Claude Buchanan.
A memorial service will be conducted next year at Great Sacandaga Lake in the Adirondack Mountains in New York.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 381 East King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the Watauga Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Whitlock family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Banner Williams
Mrs. Helen Banner Williams, 90, of Old US 421, Zionville, died Friday evening, Oct. 3, 2008, at Glenbridge Healthcare & Rehabilitation.
She was born March 15, 1918 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Arthur M. “Bill” and Alice Combs Banner.
Mrs. Williams was a member of Mabel Baptist Church and a homemaker.
Surviving are one son, Frank Williams and wife, Earlene, of Zionville; one grandson, Curtis Williams and wife, Jo, of Zionville; two sisters, Charlotte Martin of Boone and Eva Nell Alexander of Newland; three brothers, Martin Banner of Banner Elk, Johnny Banner of Edgefield, S.C. and Bill Banner of Vilas; two sisters-in-law, Nina Banner of Banner Elk, and Betty Banner of Butler, Tenn.; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Jones Williams; one daughter; Nancy Wakerman; seven sisters; and four brothers.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 3:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were the Rev. Carl Wilson and the Rev. Derek Wilson. Entombment followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum.
Memorials may be made to High Country Healthcare System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be made to the Williams family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Williams family.