Archived
Ruby Hazel Ward Hicks
Mrs. Ruby Hazel Ward Hicks, 87, of 2823 Old Highway 421 South, Boone, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born July 28, 1921 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Daniel and Maggie W. Ward. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include her husband, Linville Hicks; three daughters, Jean Harmon and husband, Earnest, of Lincolnton, Helen Spencer of Boone, and Linda Davis and husband, J.D., of Lenoir; three sons, Leroy Hicks of Boone, Frank Hicks and wife, Rosy, of Vale, and Mack Hicks and wife, Shirley, of Newton; and one sister, Mae Harmon of Glendon, N.C. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Minnie Rominger; and one brother, John Ward.
Services were conducted Thursday morning, Nov. 6, 2008, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Gordon Noble. Burial followed in the Ray Hicks Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ruby Hazel Ward Hicks family.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hicks family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Wilma Blanche ‘Birdie’ Townsend
Wilma Blanche "Birdie" Townsend, 93, of Raleigh, began the journey to eternal life with Jesus Christ, her beloved Savior, Nov. 2, 2008.
Birdie was born Dec. 4, 1914, in Watauga County, to Doris and Polly Townsend.
She attended Appalachian State Teacher’s College where she received a B.S. degree in education. She taught in Burlington, N.C. until she moved to Raleigh, N.C. where she spent the remainder of her teaching career at Fred Olds School as a third grade teacher. Birdie shared her life with her beloved husband, H.C. "Pappy," for 53 years. She was a very active member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Raleigh for many years.
Her life is celebrated by her sisters, Annah Townsend (Arlis), Lois McSwain, Mary Ruth Townsend (David); and brother, Ralph Townsend; and many loving nieces and nephews.
Her beloved husband, "Pappy", her parents, her brother "Red", and loving sister Olive were all at the gate to welcome "Birdie" home.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Nov. 8, at 11:00 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Family will receive friends from 7:00-9:00 on Friday, Nov. 7 at Brown Wynne Funeral Home 300 St. Mary St., Raleigh, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 1525 Clarks Creek Rd., Banner Elk, N.C. 28604.
Tributes may be sent to www.brownwynne.com
Brown Wynne Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

November 5, 2008

Brian Charles Aldridge
Mr. Brian Charles Aldridge, 38, of 444 Pine Orchard Road, Butler, Tenn., a native and former resident of Vilas, died Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008.
He was born Oct. 25, 1970 in Watauga County, a son of Elmer and Glenda Adams Aldridge.
Mr. Aldridge was a Corporal with the Northeast Correctional Complex in Mountain City, Tenn. He attended Midway Baptist Church in Butler and was a member of Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Vilas.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Aldridge is survived by his wife, Karen Farthing Aldridge of the home; his mother-in-law, Jo Ann Farthing of Sugar Grove; one sister-in-law, Beverly Farthing of Mountain City, Tenn.; and one brother-in-law, Bud Farthing of Sugar Grove. He is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Stuard and Marie Johnson Aldridge; and his maternal grandparents, Dolph and Ellie McNeil Adams.
Services will be conducted Thursday afternoon, Nov. 6, 2008, at 2:00 o’clock, at Brushy Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be Brother Greg Thompson and Pastor Andy McFarland. Burial will follow in the Adams Cemetery in Vilas.
The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, from 6:00 until 8:30, at Hampton Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, in care of Glenda Hodges, 810 Parkcrest Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607, The Adams Cemetery Fund, in care of Clay Verne Greene, 312 Ward Greene Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692, or to the Midway Baptist Church Mission Fund, 2071 Little Dry Run Road, Butler, Tenn. 37640.
Online condolences may be sent to the Aldridge family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Vaughn C. Payne
Mr. Vaughn C. Payne, 78, of 39 Edgewood Road South, Asheville, died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at CarePartners Hospice and Palliative Care in Asheville.
He was born Jan. 1, 1930 in Watauga County, a son of the late Fred and Hazel Greene Payne.
Mr. Payne was a graduate of Appalachian High School in Boone. After serving in the United States Navy, Mr. Payne graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1958. He taught school in Roanoke, Va. and Chino, Calif. before returning to North Carolina. After his return, he was employed by the State of North Carolina until his retirement in 1991.
Survivors include one son, Brian Allen Payne of the home; one daughter, Lavonda Nicole Payne of Asheville; his caregiver, Rose Payne of Asheville; three sisters, Katherine I. Payne of Hendersonville, Carol J. Politte of Fleetwood, and Janette Hollar and husband, Bob, of Hickory; and two brothers, Glen R. Payne and wife, Mary Lou, of Buffalo, Kansas, and Vilas R. Payne and wife, Stena, of North Wilkesboro. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, McDonald Payne.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 5, 2008, at 2:00 o’clock, at Mountain View Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o’clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Homer Greene. Military graveside rites and Masonic graveside rites will follow in the Mountain View Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o’clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times friends may call at the family’s homeplace, 1630 Mountain View Church Road, Deep Gap.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain View Baptist Church, in care of Rosetta Cornell, 626 Copna Greene Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618, or to CarePartners Hospice and Palliative Care, 21 Belvedere Road, Asheville, N.C. 28803.
Online condolences may be sent to the Payne family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

November 3, 2008

Virginia Price Greene
Mrs.Virginia Price Greene, 85, passed away Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 at Shaire Center.
She was born Nov. 3, 1922 in Watauga County to the late Edward S. Price and Mamie Smith Price.
Mrs. Greene was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Betty Greene Walker of Hudson; her granddaughters, Robin W. Day and husband, Randy, and Myra W. Thomas, all of Lenoir; her great-grandchildren; Ryan Day, Jessica Day and Brandon Sweitzer, all of Lenoir; her great-great-grandchildren, Alissa Day, Macy Day and Elijah S. Sweitzer; her brothers, William S. Price of Lenoir and Kenneth D. Price of Granite Falls; and her sister, Joyce P. Gregg of Hickory.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Willard H. Greene; her sister, Louise P. Pittman; and her son-in-law, Frederick S. Walker.
Services will be held Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Pendry’s Chapel at 11:00 a.m. with the Rev. Wayne Caviness officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Pendry’s Funeral Home. Burial will follow the service at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga County.
Condolences may be placed online at www.mem.com.
Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory, Lenoir, N.C., is assisting the family with arrangements.

Clint Cecil 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; four special sisters-in-law, Magdalene Roark, 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.
Services were conducted Saturday evening, Nov. 1, 2008, at 7 p.m. with Pastor Ron Manuel and the Rev. Quincy Norris officiating. The committal service and interment were conducted at 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov 2, in Clint Harmon Family Cemetery (Henry Clay Presnell Rd. in Watauga County).
Those who wish may send memorial contributions to God’s Country Church Building Fund, 1568 Crossroads Dr., Mountain City, TN 37683.
Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com.
Mountain City Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Barbara Ann Mace McKinney
Mrs. Barbara Ann Mace McKinney, 62, of Feldspar Street, Spruce Pine, N.C., passed away Nov. 1, 2008 at the Blowing Rock Medical Center in Blowing Rock, N.C.
She was a native of Madison County, N.C., and was previously employed as a Nurses Assistant, and also at Baxter Healthcare, and was a homemaker. She was a member of Berry Chapel Baptist Church in Spruce Pine, N.C., was a volunteer for Mitchell County 4-H, a volunteer for the Mitchell County Friends Program, and member of the Mitchell County Town View Homemakers Club.
Survivors include her mother, Nadine Ellen Rowe Mace of Spruce Pine, N.C.; daughter, Mary McKinney of Boone, N.C.; son, Matthew McKinney of Spruce Pine, N.C.; sister, Betty Biddix Behm of Spruce Pine, N.C.; brothers, Jim Mace of Morganton, N.C., and Eddie Dean Mace of Spruce Pine, N.C.; three grandchildren, Brooke Penley, Seleste Penley, and Dylan McKinney.
She was preceded in death by her father, Jones Edward Mace.
Services will be held Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home in Bakersville, N.C. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. The Rev. Michelle Grit will be officiating the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in care of Mary McKinney, 945 Ravens Ridge Circle, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Henline-Hughes Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Jack Wade Roark
Mr. Jack Wade Roark, 63, resident of 400 N. Main St., High Point, N.C., died Oct. 29, 2008 at High Point Hospice Home.
He was born March 10, 1945 in Ashe County, a son of Ed and Mae Stanley Roark.
A resident of the High Point area most of his life, Mr. Roark was of the Baptist faith and had worked at Brayton International.
Surviving is a daughter, Sherry Jones of Thomasville; two sons, William Roark of High Point and Timmy Wilcox of High Point; two sisters, Wilma Tolson of Thomasville and Dorothy Camp of West Jefferson; three brothers, Quincy Roark of Thomasville, Clay Roark of West Jefferson and Edward Roark Jr. of West Jefferson; and two grandchildren, Christian and Cameron Jones.
A graveside service was held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, in the Roark Family Cemetery in West Jefferson.
On-line condolences may be made through www.cumbyfuneral.com.
Cumby Family Funeral Service in High Point is assisting