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Earl D. Aldridge
Mr. Earl D. Aldridge, 71, of 224 Hidden Cliff Drive, Marion, died Monday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2008, at Mission Hospital in Asheville.
He was born Oct. 19, 1937 in Watauga County, a son of the late Stuard and Marie Johnson Aldridge.
Mr. Aldridge was a retired watch repairman and was a master jeweler. He was a member of Heffner Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Lois Reese Aldridge; one daughter, Cindy Aldridge Thompson and husband, Andrew, of Hickory; one granddaughter, Kebony Huffman Thompson of Hickory; four brothers, Elmer Aldridge and wife, Glenda, of Vilas, Hugh Aldridge and wife, Carolyn, of the Foscoe Community, Charles Aldridge and wife, Helen, of Roan Mountain, Tenn., and Kevin Aldridge and wife, Denise, of Banner Elk; two sisters, Janice Taylor and husband, Joe, of Newland, and Karen Church and husband, Mike, of Vilas; one sister-in-law, Dorothy Dancy of Vilas; and his very special dogs, Taco and Fluffy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Tommy Aldridge; one infant brother, and one infant sister.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon, Oct. 30, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Watauga Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Mark Hollifield, Minister Lance Hostetter, and the Rev. R.D. Watson. Burial followed in the Watauga Baptist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the Aldridge family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jewel H. Byrd
Mrs. Jewel H. Byrd, 94, of Boone, died Monday afternoon, Oct. 27, 2008 at Glenbridge Health Care and Rehabilitation.
She was a member of Meat Camp Baptist Church and a homemaker.
Surviving are her husband, Rev. Eugene Byrd of Boone; two daughters, Jackie Byrd of the home, and Judy Miller and husband, Johnny, of Boone; one son, Dr. Robert Byrd of New York, N.Y.; two grandsons, Jonathan Miller and wife, Susie, of Boone and Edward Demtchenko of New York, N.Y.; two great-grandsons, Andrew and Thomas Miller of Boone; one sister, Anne Ellis and husband, Ted, of Snellville, Ga.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Services will be private. The family respectfully requests no food or flowers, and suggests memorials to the Meat Camp Baptist Church Building Fund, 256 Meat Camp Baptist Church Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Byrd family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Byrd family.

Clint C. Harmon
Mr. Clint Cecil Harmon, 75, of Butler, Tenn., went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center following a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born May 10, 1933 in Beech Creek, N.C. to the late William and Birdie Ward Harmon.
Mr. Harmon loved the outdoors and was a lifelong farmer who loved to raise cattle.
He was a member of God’s Country Church, Mountain City. Tenn.
He will be missed by all that knew him for his laughter and spunk.
Survivors include his loving wife of 39 years, Carrie Sue Roark Harmon; daughter, Peggy Harmon Hicks and husband, Bobby, of Butler; his beloved granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Hicks and his grandson and “best buddy”, William Clint Hicks of Butler, Tenn.; one sister, June Weaver and husband, William, of Vilas, N.C.; four brothers, Gale Harmon of Beech Creek, N.C., Ted Harmon of Elk Park, N.C., Bill Harmon and wife, Joann, of Sugar Grove, N.C. and Ewing Harmon and wife, Frances, of Vilas, N.C.; one special brother-in-law, Roy Roark and wife, Linda; three special sisters-in-law, Jean Potter, Ella Davis and Georgia Arnold, all of Mountain City; special niece, Carla Harper of Mountain City; and several other nieces and nephews; two very special friends, Robert Harper of Mountain City and Dean Ward of Elk Park, N.C.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Nannie Norris; two sisters-in-law, Eula Harmon and Edda Mae Phillips; four brothers-in-law, William Norris, Earl Roark, Kermit Potter and Johnny Arnold; and a nephew, Michael Harmon.
The family will receive friends Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 from 5-7 p.m. at Mountain City Funeral Home with the service to follow at 7 p.m. with Pastor Ron Manuel and the Rev. Quincy Norris officiating.
The committal service and interment will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 in Clint Harmon Family Cemetery (Henry Clay Presnell Rd. in Watauga County).
The family will also receive friends at the home, 264 George Henry Day Road, Butler.
Those who wish may send memorial contributions to God’s Country Church Building Fund, 1568 Crossroads Dr., Mountain City, Tenn. 37683.
Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com.
Mountain City Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

October 29, 2008

Dallas Adam Aldridge
Mr. Dallas Adam Aldridge, 76, of Hildebran, passed away on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2008 at his residence.
He was born April 5, 1932 in Watauga County, the son of the late Everette McKinnley Aldridge and Nancy Perkins Aldridge.
Mr. Aldridge owned and operated Aldridge Landscaping Company. He was at one with nature, especially after his retirement, was happiest in his garden.
He is survived by his wife, Lois Perry Aldridge; one daughter, Wanda Smith and husband, Eugene, of Hickory; four sons, Bland Aldridge and wife, Debbie, of Lenoir, Marvin Aldridge of Hildebran, Lawrence Aldridge and wife, Teresa, of Lenoir, Stephen Aldridge and wife, Kelly, of Hickory; four sisters, Dema Spann and husband, Philip, of Vilas, Decota Storie of Granite Falls, Dannie White of Hickory, and Dimple Clark of Morganton; one sister-in-law, Sue Aldridge of Foscoe; and nine grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2008 in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Dr. Layne Smith officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Viewmont Baptist Church, 1246 2nd St., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601.
On-line condolences may be left for the Aldridge family at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Aldridge family.

Henry Clay Beshears
Mr. Henry Clay Beshears, “Clay”, as he was best known, passed away Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at his residence. He was 75.
He was born Sept. 18, 1933 in Summit, N.C. to the late Bynum and Bertha Phillips Beshears.
Mr. Beshears dutifully served his county in the U.S. Navy for four years as a shipfitter and spent some of his time in Norfolk, Va.
He was a member of Sunset Road Baptist Church where he was also a deacon. He loved being a part of his Sunday School Class. Clay was also a long-time employee of Baker Equipment Engineering Company.
He is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Louise Beshears; a sister-in-law, Ella Beshears of Elkin; a brother-in-law, Eddie Harmon, of the home; two nephews, Ralph Lane Beshears of Elkin, Alvin Beshears of Charlotte; two nieces, Pat Chastain of Knoxville, Tenn., Audrey Beshears of Boone; five great-nephews; two great-neices; close friends, Wade and Gail Phillips of Charlotte and their family Melisssa Anderson and her children Jake Phillips, Marshall, Foster, and Caitlin of Concord; Lori and her husband, Rusty Jordan, and family of Stanley.
He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ralph and James Beshears; and his sister, Ruth Farmer.
A visitation was held from 6-8 p.m., Monday, Oct. 27, 2008, at Sunset Road Baptist Church, 2317 Sunset Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
A celebration of Clay’s life took place at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2008 also at Sunset Road Baptist Church with the Rev. Steve Bass and Dr. Randy Wadford officiating. Burial took place 2:30 p.m. that same day at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens of Boone.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Beshears’ name to National Kidney Foundation, 5950 Fairview Rd # 550, Charlotte, N.C. 28210 or Sunset Road Baptist Church, 2317 Sunset Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28216.
McEwen Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Carroll Gibbs
Mr. Carroll Gibbs, 67, of Boone, passed away Friday, Oct. 24, 2008 at his home.
A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Bascombe and Annie Westall Gibbs.
Mr. Gibbs was a U.S. Army Vietnam veteran. He enjoyed being outdoors; especially fishing and being in the woods.
Surviving are his wife, Glenda Stewart, and daughter, Angie Stewart, of Boone; and a sister, Joyce Gardner of Burnsville. Nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Harold Gibbs and C.D. Gibbs; sisters, Thelma Holden and Pauline Hensley.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 29, in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Charles Carroll will officiate. Burial will be in the Autrey Cemetery at South Estatoe Baptist Church.
The family will receive friends two hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
To view this obituary online or send a condolence, visit www.holcombebrothers.com.
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ernest N. Greene
Mr. Ernest N. Greene, 96, of 921 Stony Fork Road, Deep Gap, died Sunday evening, Oct. 26, 2008.
He was born Feb. 28, 1912 in Watauga County, a son of the late Clinard Fields Greene and Nannie Simmons Greene.
Mr. Greene was a retired furniture finisher for American Drew Furniture Company and a member and deacon of Stony Fork Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Kathleen G. Woodard of Charlotte; two sons, James E. Greene and wife, Margaret, and Dale Greene and wife, Betty, all of Boone; five grandsons, Michael Jones and wife, Kimberlee, of Charlotte, Tony Greene and wife, Terry, and Tim Greene and wife, April, all of Boone; Barry Greene of Deep Gap, and Jeff Greene and wife, Emily, of Boone; and six granddaughters, Jacquline Fraasa and husband, Kipling, of Marietta, Ga., Kimberley Rogers and husband, Carl, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., Gwen Honeycutt and husband, Keith, and Pam Cook, all of Boone; Gayle Crowder and husband, Dennie, and Teresa Garvin and husband, Forest, all of Charlotte. He is also survived by 25 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Hattie G. Greene; four brothers, Chilio, Ziza, Arnold, and Luther Greene; and three sisters, Ora Smith, Cora Smith, and Flora Greene.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 29, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Stony Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Vernon Eller. Burial will follow in the Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock, at the church, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Stony Fork Baptist Church, in care of Betty Triplett, 414 Stony Fork Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618, or to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family has respectfully requested no food.
Online condolences may be sent to the Greene family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

October 20, 2008

George David Arnette Sr.
Mr.George David Arnette, Sr., age 53, of Timber Ridge Road, Sugar Grove, went home to be with his Lord Friday evening, Oct. 24, 2008, at home.
He was born April 30, 1955 in Avery County, a son of the late Ralph Arnette, Sr. and Grace Hayes Arnette.
Mr. Arnette was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. George loved the Lord and his church and devoted his life to serving the Lord. George was a member of Timber Ridge Baptist Church and the owner of Cloverleaf Excavation.
Surviving are his wife, Penny Hagaman Arnette; one son, George Arnette, Jr. and wife, Amanda, of Sugar Grove; three beloved grandchildren, Sarah, Morgan and Hannah Arnette; two sisters, Linda Arnette of Banner Elk, and Minnie Story and husband, Larry, of Vilas; two brothers, O. J. Arnette and wife, Edith, of Lenoir, and Ralph Arnette, Jr. and wife, Jean, of Vilas; his mother-in-law, Annis Hagaman of Sugar Grove; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Georgetta Grace Arnette; an infant brother, Charles Edward Arnette; and two special nephews, Joel Arnette and Kenny Pennell.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Timbered Ridge Missionary Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Derek Wilson and the Rev. Harold Danner. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o’clock. Burial will follow in the Trivette 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 would like to extend a special thank you to High Country Health Cares System Hospice, Dr. James Dale Brown and Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center for care above and beyond the call of duty.
Online condolences may be sent to the Arnette family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Arnette family.

Samuel Luther Cornett
Mr. Samuel Luther Cornett, 46, of 1255 Eggers Branch Road, Trade, Tenn., passed away Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2008.
He was the son of Pauline Eggers Cornett and the late Luther Cornett.
Mr. Cornett attended God’s Country Church. His hobbies included playing the guitar, singing and building. Samuel was a carpenter and craftsman.
Survivors include three daughters, Christine Cornett, Hannah Cornett and Helen Cornett, all of Boone, N.C.; two sons, Adam Cornett of Johnson City, Tenn. and Alex Cornett of Fayetteville, N.C.; two sisters, Virginia Trivette and husband, John, of Drexel, N.C. and Mary Trivette and husband, Jimmy, of Deep Gap, N.C.; six brothers, Dallas Cornett and wife, Mamie, and Lloyd Cornett and wife, Wanda, both of Granite Falls, N.C.; Joe Cornett and wife, Kerwin, and Mike Cornett and wife, Kitty, both of Mountain City, Tenn.; Jerry Cornett and Randy Cornett and wife, Phyllis, both of Trade, Tenn. Several nieces and nephews and many special friends also survive.
Services were conducted Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. from the Charles B. Hux Memorial Chapel of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home with Mr. Ronnie Manuel and Mr. Bud Gentry officiating. Graveside service and interment followed the service in Sunset Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to Johnson County Rescue Squad, 203 Vandilla Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.
Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed through our website at www.hux-lipford.com
Hux-Lipford Funeral Home were in charge of the arrangements.

Carl Vester Davis
Mr. Carl Vester Davis, 58, of Vilas, died Thursday morning, Oct. 23, 2008, at the James H. Quillen VA Medical Center, Mountain Home, Tenn.
He was born August 16, 1950, in Watauga County, to Elizabeth Phillips Davis and the late Hugh H. Davis.
Mr. Davis was a member of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church and was a retired delivery supervisor from Lowes Improvement Center in Boone. He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army during the Viet Nam Conflict.
Survivors include his mother, Elizabeth Phillips Davis; one sister, Martha Davis; two brothers, Ralph Davis and wife, Nancy, and Larry Davis and wife, Olevia, all of Vilas; two nieces, Jan Scott and husband, David, of Vilas and LeAnne Reese and husband, Jeff, of Millers Creek; and one great-nephew, Jacob Reese, also of Millers Creek.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by one sister, Mary Ellen Davis; three brothers, Joe Lee Davis, and infants Lane and Blane Davis; and two nephews, Jamie and Mark Pennell.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Beaver Dam Baptist Church officiated by the Rev. Carl Johnson and the Rev. Quincy Norris. Burial followed in the Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Cemetery Fund of Beaver Dam Baptist Church, c/o David Scott at 3476 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692 or to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 2914, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Davis family at www.austinbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Davis family.

Joseph Nicholas Minor
Joseph Nicholas Minor, 17, of West Palm Beach, Fla., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2008.
He was born on Sept. 1, 1991 in Charlotte, N.C. He was the youngest child of Joe and Juanita Minor.
Nick was a senior at Suncoast Community High School in Riviera Beach, Fla., where he excelled in his studies in the International Baccalaureate Degree program, and enjoyed his many friends. He also attended Palm Beach Day School where friends, teachers and parents welcomed him when he moved to the area from Norwich, N.Y. in the fourth grade.
He shared a special bond with his brother, Adam. The boys both followed in the footsteps of their father by sharing his passion for weightlifting. The three of them regularly worked out together at Fitness America in Palm Beach Gardens. Adam and his father cherish the memories of their time with Nick at the gym. Nick also enjoyed golfing with his father. His father was looking forward to recovering from his surgery and getting back on the course and back in the gym with Nick.
Nick’s mother was devoted to his academics, and nurtured his education by sharing her love of learning. During their time in Norwich, N.Y., his mother even took over the role of primary educator and homeschooled Nick from the third grade until the family moved to West Palm Beach. She is most thankful for their trip to Europe together in 2006. They were able to spend time exploring the history, culture and art they studied together.
His kind and gentle spirit will be missed by many.
Survivors include his parents, Joe and Juanita Minor of West Palm Beach, Fla.; a loving and devoted grandfather, Oliver Williams of Gastonia, N.C.; brother, Adam Minor of Hickory, N.C.; sister, Jennifer Teske (Mark) of Edwardsville, Ill.; sister, Amanda Trivett (Cory) of Hickory, N.C.; sister, Paige Sheppard (Paul) of Greenville, S.C. He had a special relationship with his nephew, Zachary Jenkins of Hickory, N.C., and cousin, Christopher Williams of Gastonia, N.C. Nick is also survived by a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends who loved him very much.
There was a special gathering for friends and family at the Ibis Country Club, 8225 Ibis Boulevard, West Palm Beach on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Nick Minor to AER, Army Emergency Relief, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting soldiers, active and retired, and their dependents; or, Hospice of Palm Beach County. For more information, visit www.aerhq.org or www.hpbc.com.
Please sign guest book at www.edgleycremationservices.com
Edgley Cremation Services were in charge of arrangements.

Mary Helen Muller Moretz
Mrs. Mary Helen Muller Moretz, 82, of 586 Hardaman Circle, Boone, died Saturday, Oct. 25, 2008, at her home.
She was born July 2, 1926 in Slovenia, a daughter of the late Jakov and Anna Peterka Muller.
Mrs. Morertz was a homemaker and a member of Grace Lutheran Church in Boone. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1956.
Survivors include two daughters, Patricia Weaver and husband, Roy, and Sandra E. Moretz, all of Boone; two sons, Thomas Moretz and wife, Jan, of Boone, and Dr. Theodore Moretz and wife, Lois, of Concord; four grandsons, Jacob Moretz of Lenoir, Joshua Moretz of Boone, James Moretz and Carson Moretz, both of Concord; one great-grandson, Hayden Moretz of Lenoir; one sister, Irene Zuaboni of Wilmington, N.C.; one brother-in-law, Scott Moretz and wife, Wilma; and one sister-in-law, Cora Lee Moretz, all of Deep Gap. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilmer Davis Moretz; three sisters, and five brothers.
A memorial service was conducted Monday morning, Oct. 27, 2008, at Grace Lutheran Church. Officiating were Pastor Tim Smith, Pastor Sarah Lang, and Pastor John Bollinger.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church Building Fund, 115 East King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Moretz family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.