Archived

Charles Junior English
Mr. Charles Junior English, 68, of Newland, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at Cannon Memorial Hospital.
He was a son of the late Ernest John and Edith Marie Calvert English.
Mr. English was a member of the Mountainside Lutheran Church, a charter member of Linville Central Rescue Squad, and a life time member of the NRA.
He started as a caddy for the Eeseola Lodge and worked his way up to Resort Plumber. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, horses and was a proud supporter of ASU Football. Mr. English was an avid NASCAR fan and loved to tell stories and play practical jokes.
He enjoyed visiting with friends and family and was always very giving and helpful to those in need.
Survivors include his loving wife, Sylvia English; a son, Phillip English of Linville; a daughter, Angela Hensley and husband, Jamie, of Gray, Tenn.; step-daughters, Susan Owens and husband, Philip, of Nashville, Tenn. and Kathryn Opper of Conover; step-son, Steven Opper, also of Conover; three sisters, Evelyn and Joe Bowman, Shirley and Charles Hunnicutt and Linda Hanna, all of Linville; one brother, Jack English; two step-granddaughters, Sara and Alysa Owens.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Millie Caminiti and Joyce Carpenter.
Services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mountainside Lutheran Church. The family received friends from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour at the church. Rev. Dennis Quackenboss officiated. Inurnment will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 11:00 a.m. in Tanglewood Cemetery. Friends and family are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mountainside Lutheran Church.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.rsfh.net.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the English family.

Catherine Harrell
Mrs. Catherine Harrell, 83, of Lower Creek Drive, Lenoir, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
She was born August 31, 1925 in Watauga County to the late Jacob “Jake” and Virginia Byers Harrell.
Mrs. Harrell was a homemaker.
Survivors include one son, Jerry Don Harrell of Lenoir; one daughter, Ms. Judy Bentley of Lenoir; one grandchild; and two great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by four brothers, Bobby Harrell, Henry Harrell, Howard Harrell and Charles “Jack” Harrell; and six sisters, Margie Rabon, Ruby Kovax, Lucy Bryant, Betty Gregg, Edith Townsend and Mary Hamel.
Graveside services will be held Friday, Dec. 12, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Matney Cemetery in Avery County conducted by the Rev. Paul Dula.
Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.
Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Ruby Smith Klutz
Mrs. Ruby Smith Klutz, 77, of Wind Walker Court, Boone, died Monday morning, Dec. 8, 2008 at Glenbridge Health & Rehabilitation.
She was born June 12, 1931 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Ottie and Ollie Culler Smith.
Mrs. Klutz was a member of First Presbyterian Church, and owned and operated Ruby’s Beauty Salon. She was a graduate of Carolina Beauty School.
Surviving are one daughter, Paula Presnell and husband, Rick, of Boone; two sons, Kim Klutz and wife, Corinne, and Dana Klutz, all of West Covina, Calif.; five grandchildren, Ben and Jessica Presnell, and Taylor, Ashley and Tristan Klutz.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Klutz; and one sister, Bessie Smith.
Services will be conducted Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at noon at the First Presbyterian Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. David Long and the Rev. Dr. Ronald Bowie. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service from 11 o’clock until noon. Graveside services and burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to High Country Bank, 149 Jefferson Road, Boone, N.C. 28607, for the Cosmetology Scholarship at Caldwell Community College in honor of Ruby Klutz.
Online condolences may be made to the Klutz family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Klutz family.

Nellie Diana Townsend
Mrs. Nellie Diana Townsend, 79, of Banner Elk, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2008 while at Life Care Center of Banner Elk.
She was born a daughter of the late Lute and Mae Townsend.
Mrs. Townsend was a member of the Holy Communion Lutheran Church and enjoyed listening to Gospel music.
Left to cherish her memory are her nine children, Audrey Rose, Frankie Townsend, Nancy Townsend, Wanda Hamby and husband, Ricky, Dimple Arnett and husband, David, Rebecca Caraway and husband, Jeff, all of Banner Elk, Peggy Bowers of Roan Mountain, Frances Townsend and husband, Dennis, of Lenoir, Pansy Hamby and husband, Dayton, of Elk Park; brothers and sisters, Lillie Townsend, Adam Townsend, Daisy Johnson, Viola Daniels, Alice Daniels and Lucy Alexander; 10 grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; eight step-great-grandchildren; and five step-great-great-grandchildren.
Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tate Townsend; a son, Jerry Townsend; sisters, Ader Jane Townsend and Pearl Stafford; and brothers, Larkin and Robert Townsend.
The Townsend family received friends on Tuesday, Dec. 9, from 6-8 p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 11:00 a.m. at the Holy Communion Lutheran Church. Rev. Larry Campbell officiated. Interment followed in the Holy Communion Cemetery.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.rsfh.net.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Townsend family.

December 10, 2008
Bruce William Bumgarner
Mr. Bruce William Bumgarner, 68, of Lenoir, passed away Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 at Frye Regional Medical Center.
He was born in Watauga County to the late Edna Greer Bumgarner and Bill Bumgarner.
Mr. Bumgarner worked for McRary Saw and Tool.
Survivors include his wife, Opal Trivette Bumgarner; three step-sons, Robert Crane and Jerry Crane, both of Morganton, and Danny Royal of Granite Falls; two brothers, Billy Bumgarner and wife, Jeannie, of Boone and Johnny Bumgarner and wife, Kitty, of Hinton, Okla.; a sister, Betty Ward and husband, Gene, of Sugar Grove; a niece, Amy Coffey; three nephews, Steven and Greg Ward and Michael Carroll; six great-nieces and two great-nephews; and a special aunt, Ruby Haas of Lenoir.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Carolyn Carroll; and a niece, Vickie Carroll.
Services will be held Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. in Pendry’s Chapel with the Rev. John Borders officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park in Boone.
Pendry’s Funeral Home is assisting the Bumgarner family with arrangements.

Charles Junior English
Mr. Charles Junior English, 68, of Newland, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008, at Cannon Memorial Hospital.
He was a son of the late Ernest John and Edith Marie Calvert English.
Mr. English was a member of the Mountainside Lutheran Church, a charter member of Linville Central Rescue Squad, and a life time member of the NRA.
He started as a caddy for the Eeseola Lodge and worked his way up to Resort Plumber. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, horses and was a proud supporter of ASU Football. Mr. English was an avid NASCAR fan and loved to tell stories and play practical jokes.
He enjoyed visiting with friends and family and was always very giving and helpful to those in need.
Survivors include his loving wife, Sylvia English; a son, Phillip English of Linville; a daughter, Angela Hensley and husband, Jamie, of Gray, Tenn.; step-daughters, Susan Owens and husband, Philip, of Nashville, Tenn. and Kathryn Opper of Conover; step-son, Steven Opper, also of Conover; three sisters, Evelyn and Joe Bowman, Shirley and Charles Hunnicutt and Linda Hanna, all of Linville; one brother, Jack English; two step-granddaughter, Sara and Alysa Owens.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Millie Caminiti and Joyce Carpenter.
Services will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 9 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mountainside Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until the service hour at the church. Rev. Dennis Quackenboss will officiate. Inurnment will be held on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 11:00 a.m. in Tanglewood Cemetery. Friends and family are asked to meet at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. to go in procession to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mountainside Lutheran Church. Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family at www.rsfh.net.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the English family.

December 8, 2008

Floyd ‘Chip’ Berry IV
Mr. Floyd "Chip" Berry, IV, 19, of Zion Church Road, Hickory, died Monday, Dec. 1, 2008.
He was born Oct. 31, 1989 in Charlotte, N.C., a son of Floyd Berry, III and Allyson Gayle Ward.
In addition to his parents, survivors include one brother, Todd Durica of Charlotte; one sister, Amanda Berry of Charlotte; one uncle, Jerome Stutts of Lexington, S.C.; and one cousin, Shawn Stutts of Lexington, S.C.
A memorial service was conducted on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2008 at the home of Frank and Linda Murrow,9642 Cokerham Lane, in Huntersville, at 2:00 o'clock.
Online condolences may be sent to the Berry family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Ralph J. Broyhill
Mr. Ralph J. Broyhill, 83, of 703 Middle Fork Road, Blowing Rock, died Thursday morning, Dec. 4, 2008, at his home.
He was born Feb. 9, 1925 in Tams, West Virginia, a son of the late Thomas and Nora Carlton Broyhill.
Mr. Broyhill was a retired engineer for Tweetsie Railroad in Blowing Rock.
Survivors include his wife, Marie Coffey Broyhill; two daughters, Glenda Broyhill Messer and husband, Donald, of Travelers Rest, S.C., and Brenda Dawn Broyhill of Boone; one granddaughter, Cassandra King; and two great-granddaughters, Summer and Heather King, all of Travelers Rest; one brother, John D. Broyhill of Blowing Rock; and one sister, Cleo Ford and husband, Steve, of Blowing Rock.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Taft and Glenn Broyhill; and one sister, Lydia Lentz.
Services were conducted Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2008, at Grace Lutheran Church. Officiating was Pastor Tim Smith. Military graveside rites and burial followed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 115 East King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Broyhill family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Hildreth L. Davis
Mr. Hildreth L. Davis, 83, of 727 Dutch Creek Road, Banner Elk, the Valle Crucis community, died Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008.
He was born July 16, 1925 in Watauga County, a son of the late John and Bessie Matney Davis.
Mr. Davis was owner and operator of Davis Drywall Company.
Survivors include his wife, Etta E. Davis; three daughters, Carolyn Triplett and husband, Roy, of Vilas, Patricia Miller and husband, Frankie, of Valle Crucis, and Brenda Davis of the home; four grandchildren, Jordan Triplett of Vilas, Bryan Miller and wife, Amy, of Valle Crucis, Lori Swift and husband, Derek, of Zionville, and Lynn Miller and fiancé, James Hogan, of Fleetwood; one step-grandson, Jonathan Miller and wife, Brandy, of Buffalo; six great-grandchildren, Ashely Kazmarchek, Chloe Miller, Cody Swift, Corey Swift, Victoria Smith, and Patrick Smith; and a great-great-granddaughter, Taylor Kazmarchek.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, James Davis, Willard Davis, Dillard Davis, and Lameul Davis; two sisters, Hazel Townsend and Opal Davis; and a very special nephew, Bill Davis.
Services were conducted on Sunday afternoon, Dec. 7, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Zane Tester. Military graveside rites and burial followed at Liberty United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Online condolences may be sent to the Davis family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Nonnie Greene
Mrs. Nonnie Greene, 83, of Old US 421 South, Deep Gap, died Thursday morning, Dec. 4, 2008 at Margate Health & Rehab.
She was born May 30, 1925 in Wilkes County, a daughter of the late Abraham and Maggie Church Greene.
Mrs. Greene worked for 35 years for Foster-Richardson Rest Home and for the Department of Social Services. She attended Mt. Paran Baptist Church.
Surviving are three daughters, Geraldine Harless and husband, Larry, of West Jefferson, Darelene Greene and husband, Tom Moodie, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Pauline Taylor and husband, Mark, of Purlear; four sons, Mac Greene and wife, Janis, Jack Greene and wife, Ann, and Joe Greene and wife, Linda, all of Deep Gap, and Ricky Greene and wife, Carlene, of Fleetwood; nine grandchildren, Eugene Greene, Gregory Greene, Nathan Greene, Justin Greene, Tylor Greene, Cierra Greene Kameron Greene, Sarah Taylor and Seth Taylor; and several cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dallas Greene; two sons, Bobby and Donnie Greene; and one grandson, Jason Greene.
Services were conducted Friday evening, Dec. 5, 2008, at 8 o’clock at Mt. Paran Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Rick Cornejo, the Rev. Steve LeaShomb, and the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn. Graveside services and burial were private.
Memorials may be made to Gideon’s International, Boone Camp, PO Box 3602, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to the Mt. Paran Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 3795 Wildcat Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618. Online condolences may be sent to the Greene family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Greene family.

Blanche Rogers
Ms. Blanche "Bucky" Rogers, 96, of 172 Henderson Bend Road, Knoxville, Tenn., a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008, in Knoxville.
She was born Sept. 11, 1912 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Simon and Ida Vandyke Rogers.
Ms. Rogers was a retired accountant and secretary at Johnson City Eye Center (formerly Wilson Eye Clinic) for 40 years. She was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Letty Rogers Bryant of Newport, Tenn., and Marie Rogers Wilson and husband, Jerry, of Boone. She is also survived by five nieces, one nephew, and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Turner Rogers and Vilas Rogers; two sisters-in-law, Madge Rogers and Vivian Rogers; and one brother-in-law, Eulys Bryant.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, Dec. 8, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Gordon Noble. Burial will follow in Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Rogers family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Dayton Junior Townsend
Mr. Dayton Junior Townsend, 71, of Banner Elk, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2008 at Kindred Hospital in Greenesboro, N.C.
He was born had lived in Banner Elk all of his life. Mr. Townsend was retired as a heavy equipment operator having worked for Andy Byrd Construction and Eggers Construction. He also had been plant operations manager for Loven Ready Mix in Pineola, N.C. Mr. Townsend had said that his greatest love and accomplishment was his family.
Surviving are his wife of 52 years, Margaret Rupard Townsend; three daughters, Diane Shoupe and husband, Bill, of Newland; Debbie Puckett and husband, Richard, of Banner Elk; Donna Trivett and husband, Craig, of Banner Elk; a son, Terry Townsend and wife, Gail, of Banner Elk; eight grandchildren, Misty, Jody, Shannon, John, Jason, Lynn, Justin and Joseph; eight great-grandchildren, Macayla, Macie, Madison, Dalton, Sydnie, Taylor, Brody and Tyson; six sisters, Cecila Norwood of Hendersonville, N.C., Lucy Sword, of Banner Elk, Mildred Ramsey and husband, Fred, of Banner Elk; Ethel Norwood and husband, Junior, of Banner Elk, Mary and Junior Townsend of Piney Creek, Barbara and Cecil Ward of Matney; three brothers, Floyd Townsend and wife, Edna, of Banner Elk, Jimmy Townsend and wife, Ruby, and Vernon Townsend, all of Laurel Springs; two sisters-in-law, Earlene Townsend Brown of Boone and Ruth Townsend of Laurel Springs; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Geneva Townsend; and two brothers, Buster and Kenneth Townsend.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Monday, Dec. 8, at Banner Elk Seventh Day Adventist Church with the Rev. Bill Shoupe and the Rev. Charles Hindman officiating. Music will be provided by the End Of The Road Trio and Pat Hicks.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to service.
Pallbearers will be Jeffy Johnson, Jody Puckett, John Shoupe, Jason Trivett, Jospeh Townsend, Tim and Chris Townsend and Danny Norwood.
Burial will follow in the Townsend Family Cemetery.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

James Eggers Wilson
Mr. James Eggers Wilson, 75, of Adams Cemetery Road, Vilas, died Tuesday morning, Dec. 2, 2008, at the Blowing Rock Hospital.
He was born August 8, 1933 in Watauga County, a son of the late Luther Alexander and Ina Eggers Wilson.
Mr. Wilson’s education was in the Bethel Schools. He was retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation in Boone and was a member of Cove Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lennis Brown Wilson of Vilas; seven sisters, Dare Harrison, Martha Moody and husband, Joe, Jean Collins and husband, Bob, all of Boone; Ella Mae Tester of Colfax, Betty James and husband, Doyle of Vilas, Mary Hodges and husband, Jack, of Mountain City, Tenn., and Ruth Fry and husband, Don, of Lockport, N.Y.
He is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Lavola and Lynn Isaacs of Vilas; and one niece and ten nephews.
Services were conducted Friday afternoon, Dec. 5, 2008, at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Max Gessner.
The family received friends Friday afternoon from 12:30 until 2 o’clock, prior to services, at the funeral home. Entombment followed in the Rose Chapel II Mausoleum at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Wilson family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Wilson family.