Archived

Caroline Jacobs Abernethy
Mrs. Caroline Jacobs Abernethy, 94, of Hickory, passed away on Dec. 15, 2008.
She was born on July 29, 1914 in Alexandria, Va.
Mrs. Abernethy moved to Catawba County, N.C. upon her marriage to her beloved husband, John Miles Abernethy, who preceded her in death.
She was a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and an involved citizen who was an avid community volunteer in both Newton and Blowing Rock. While living in Newton, she was a member of Grace Reformed United Church of Christ where she served as a deacon, youth counselor, president of the Women’s Guild, and Circle Chairperson. She also served as Chair of Volunteers for the Newton area American Red Cross for 20 years and was a director of the Catawba County Red Cross for 10 years and Vice-Chairperson for 8 years. While involved with the Red Cross, she received numerous awards from the local, county, and national offices.
Mrs. Abernethy was also instrumental in the establishment of the Abernethy Retirement Home in Newton and was on their Board of Directors for 14 years. She was very active in her children’s school activities serving as chair of the Band Boosters Association and Fund Raising Committee for several school organizations.
She was very active in the Democratic Party having served as the first woman chair of the Catawba County Democratic Committee. She was a past member of the State Democratic Executive Club and was appointed as a delegate to the National Committee. Past Governor Terry Sanford also appointed her to serve on two state boards.
She continued her community involvement when she and her husband moved to Blowing Rock in 1968. She was a member of the original Garden Club and helped organize and served as the first chairperson of the Blowing Rock Beautification Association. Other community activities included membership and or chair of the following organizations: Community Club; Director of the Blowing Rock Charity Horse Show; honorary member of the Rotary Club; Blowing Rock Planning Board and Board of Adjustment; Historical Society; and the Blowing Rock Hospital Fashion Show.
In 1986, the Rotary Club honored Mrs. Abernethy as their Citizen of the Year, and then in 1991, she was honored as Blowing Rock’s Woman of the Year.
For 10 years, Caroline had a perfect attendance record at the seasonal Blowing Rock Methodist Church.
Survivors include three children, son, Michael Abernethy and spouse, Marie Huffman, of Hickory, N.C. and Ft. Myers, Fla.; son, Charles Abernethy and very special friend, Patsy Marlowe Rosenstein, of Land Harbor, N.C. and Newton, N.C.; and daughter, Caroline Abernethy Smith and spouse, Homer Smith, of Blowing Rock, N.C. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Michael Chambliss, Scott Chambliss, Caroline Chambliss, Joe Abernethy, Miles Abernethy, Flora Lynn Lester, Weidner Abernethy, Chuck Abernethy and John Abernethy; 16 great-grandchildren, Alex Chambliss, Zach Chambliss, Meghan Chambliss, Jack Chambliss, Mary Catherine Chambliss, Mac Chambliss, Jacob Chambliss, Carly Chambliss, Hannah Abernethy, Joseph Abernethy, Olivia Abernethy, Mic Abernethy, Miles Lester, Ryan Abernethy, Holly Abernethy, Braydon Abernethy; and one great-great-grandchild.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by an infant son, John Miles, Jr.; her parents, Caroline Greene and Joseph Michael Jacobs; and four brothers.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home and Crematory of Newton, N.C., on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 11:00 a.m. with receiving from 10:00-10:45 a.m. Dr. Kenneth Clapp, Chaplin of Catawba College in Salisbury will officiate at the service and special music will be provided by granddaughter, Flora Lynn Abernethy Lester.
In lieu of flowers, Mrs. Abernethy requested that donations be made to the Blowing Rock Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 47, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605; the Blowing Rock Fire Department, P.O. Box 47, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605; the Blowing Rock Police Department, P.O. Box 603, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605 or to a charity of one’s choosing.
Condolences may be sent to the Abernethy family at www.drumfuneralhome.com.
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home and Crematory of Newton, N.C.

Solomon Gilmer Cherry
Mr. Sol Gilmer Cherry of Boone, formerly of Fayetteville, a retired District Court Judge, was born in Elizabeth City, N.C., on Dec. 26, 1932, to Solomon and Emma Britt Cherry. He died in Winston-Salem, N.C., on Dec. 10, 2008.
He graduated from Roxobel-Kelford High School, the University of North Carolina, and from the University of North Carolina Law School. He celebrated his 50th year at the bar in 2006. His career included many facets; he served as a Judge Advocate General officer in the United States Air Force. He had his own private practice. Mr. Cherry served as an assistant District Attorney in Fayetteville and was the first duly sworn Public Defender in the state of North Carolina. He was appointed to a District Court judgeship and served on the bench from 1978 until 1992. He retired as Chief Judge of the Twelfth Judicial District.
Survivors include his wife Jane; a daughter, Gray Cherry Thomas of Jupiter, Fla., her husband, Todd, and their daughters Emma Britt and Sarah Catherine; a son, Gideon Forte Alston II, of Sacramento, Calif., his wife Naseem, and their sons Braden and Whalen; a chosen son, Hirokazu Ishige, of Greensboro, his wife Hiroko, and their daughters Sumire and Hana; and special cousins, Elizabeth Norfleet Stallings of Greensboro and Joseph B. Cherry of Windsor.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 3, at 11:00 in St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock.
Memorials may be made to St. Thomas Episcopal Church Restoration Fund, Windsor, N.C. 27983; Cape Fear Botanical Garden, Box 53485, Fayetteville, N.C. 28305; or to the cause of one’s choice.

Wade S. Weems, MD
Wade S. Weems, MD, 71, of Linville, N.C., died Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, at Duke University Medical Center.
He was born in Waynesboro, Va., and spent the past 20 years in Linville, N.C., with his late wife and three daughters.
Dr. Weems graduated from Duke University in 1958 and graduated Duke Medical School in 1962 with honors. He practiced urology in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Asheville, N.C. prior to retiring. Dr. Weems enjoyed playing golf and spending time with friends and family. People knew him as a gentle, patient, and generous soul. He will be missed dearly.
Survivors include his daughters, Meghan Michelle Weems of Atlanta, Ga., Courtney Leigh Weems of Greenville, N.C. and Whitney Samantha Weems of Linville, N.C. He is also survived by his step-mother, Mildred Weems; and his six siblings.
In addition to his mother, Henrietta Medova White; and father, Bliss King Weems, MD, he was preceded in death by his son, Wade Scott Weems, Jr.; and his wife, Patricia Ann Weems.
A service to celebrate his life was conducted Thursday, at Crossnore Presbyterian Church with Dr. Paul Smith officiating. Family and friends gathered at Grandfather Golf and Country Club following the service.
Donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor Brookline, MA 02445.
Condolences may be made by visiting http://memorialwebsites.legacy.com/Wade_Weems/Homepage.aspx
Funeral arrangements are in the care of Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home and Crematory of Newton, N.C.

Verna Mae Woodard
Mrs. Verna Mae Woodard, 72, of 405 Fall Creek Road, Zionville, N.C., went to be with her Lord on Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008, at her residence.
She was a native of Johnson County, Tenn. and a member of West View Baptist Church. She loved spending time with her family.
Survivors include two sons, Raymond Woodard of Mountain City, Tenn. and Charles Woodard and wife, Janice, of Zionville, N.C.; one sister, Rose Tester of Mountain City, Tenn.; two step-daughters, Joyce Hudler and husband, Bob, of Lincoln University, Pa., and Shirley Newhouser and husband, Kenny, of West Chester, Pa.; two step-sons, Walter Woodard and wife, Wanda, of Mountain City, Tenn. and Earl Woodard and wife, Bonnie, of Zionville, N.C.; one brother-in-law, Bill Roark of Mountain City, Tenn.; eight grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Columbus R. Woodard, in 1997; her parents, George and Alice Potter Brown; a daughter, Ramona Coffey; a granddaughter, Diana Coffey; three sisters: Grace Eggers, Gladys Arnold, and Hazel Roark; and two brothers, Bruce Brown and Claude Brown. Verna Mae will be fondly remembered for her loving spirit and generous heart and will be greatly missed by all whose lives she had touched.
Services were conducted at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2008, from the Charles B. Hux Memorial Chapel of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home with the Rev. Zane Tester and the Rev. Frank Johnson officiating. Graveside service and interment will follow in Dunn Memorial Park.
Online condolences may sent to the family and viewed through the website at www.hux-lipford.com.
Hux-Lipford Funeral Home is serving the Woodard family.

Darrell Johnson Worth
Mrs. Darrell Johnson Worth, 82, of Wilkesboro, formerly of Ashe County, passed away on Friday morning, Dec. 12, 2008 at Britthaven Nursing Home in Wilkesboro.
She was born in Ashe County on Monday, July 19, 1926 to the late William Johnson and Mabel Shepherd Johnson.
Mrs. Worth was a homemaker.
Survivors include a daughter, Veronica Gail Worth, of Honolulu, Hawaii; and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2008 at 5 p.m. at Bethany United Methodist Church with the Rev. Lewis Poag officiating.
You may give the family your condolences at our website www.boonefuneralhome.com.
Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.

December 17, 2008
Sandra 'Sandy' Hines Clifton
Sandra “Sandy” Hines Clifton, 54, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008.
She was born in Denver, Colo., on March 24, 1954.

She graduated from Watauga High School, attended Appalachian State University, and graduated from UNC Wilmington with a bachelors in education.
She was a talented artist who loved people and animals.
She is survived by her two daughters, Felycia and Amber Clifton; her mother and father, Shirley and Tommy Tyer; and her father, Joseph Hines.
A remembrance gathering will be held in Oak Island, Brunswick County, N.C., at Ocean View United Methodist Church on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m.

For details call (910) 231-2018 or (910) 386-8426.

Nancy Lou Davis
Mrs. Nancy Lou Davis, 67, of 2342 Waterplant Road, Maiden, died Friday, Dec. 5, 2008, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.
She was born March 12, 1941 in Avery County, a daughter of the late Avery J. and Nellie Puckett Davis.
Mrs. Davis was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include three sons, Richard Wayne Davis of Mooresville, Bruce L. Davis and fiance, Gail, and Winston Willis Davis, Jr., all of Maiden; two sisters, Pauline Harrison of Salisbury, and Little Mae Gwynn of Oregon; and one brother, Fred Davis and wife, Ruby, of Newland. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, one great-grandchild, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Winston Willis Davis, Sr.; two sons, Roger Dale Davis, and Jimmy Ray Davis; one grandson, Roger Allen Davis; three sisters, Beatrice Proffitt, Jean Jones, and Evelyn Banner; and one brother, Avery J. Davis, Jr.
Services were conducted Saturday morning, Dec. 13, 2008, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Mike Roland. Burial followed in the Elk Valley Baptist Church Cemetery in Banner Elk.
Online condolences may be sent to the Davis family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

December 15, 2008

Archie Lamer Carroll
Mr. Archie Lamer Carroll, 72, of Green Briar Road, Boone, died Wednesday evening, Dec. 10, 2008 at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville.
He was born July 20, 1936 in Watauga County to Leonard Spencer and Rosa Hodges Carroll.
Mr. Carroll was an avid game hunter and fisherman. He retired from Chandler Concrete as a diesel mechanic and was a member of Middlefork Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Christine “Cricket” Hartley Carroll; one daughter, Patricia Carroll of Manchester, N.H.; three sons, Randy Carroll and wife, Lisa, of Mountain City, Tenn., Curtis Carroll and wife, Beverly, of Brooklet, Ga., and Martin Carroll and wife, Lillie, of Boone; his foster son, Mike Triplett and wife, Cheryl, of Boone; five granddaughters, Melissa Vanzant of Boston, Mass., Olivia Brown and husband, Micah, of Newnan, Ga., Courtney Carroll of Manchester, N.H., Lindsey Sapp and husband, Joey, of Brooklet, Ga., and Rebecca McLaughlin of Apollo Beach, Fla.; six grandsons, Bryan McLaughlin and wife, Jessie, of Wellsburg, W. Va., Shane Carroll of Brooklet, Ga., Zackary and Jed Carroll, both of Boone, Ryan and Ethan Carroll, both of Mountain City, Tenn.; two great-grandchildren, Landon Brown of Newnan, Ga., and Taylor McLaughlin of Wellsburg, W. Va.; two sisters, Betty Hawkins of Cleveland, Tenn. and Reba Randall and husband, Grady, of Triplett; and two brothers, Newell Carroll and wife, Shirley of Cleveland, Tenn. and J. R. Carroll and wife, Sue, of Deep Gap.
He was preceded in death by a grandson, Luke Carroll; one brother, Baxter Carroll; one sister, Mabel Goda; and his parents.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 12, 2008, at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Bill Warren. Burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church, in care of Geraldine Woods, 3273 Elk Creek Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618; or to High Country Health Care Systems Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the Carroll family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Carroll family.

John M. Davidson
Mr. John Moffatt Clayton Davidson, 89, of Museum Rd., Statesville, N.C., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
He was born Dec. 23, 1918 in Iredell County and was the son of the late Leon Davidson and Sarah Lineberger Davidson.
Mr. Davidson was a graduate of Statesville High School and was a retired dairy farmer. On April 21, 1946, he was married to Martha Hollar Davidson, who survives. Mr. Davidson was a lifelong member of First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Statesville, where he was an Elder and Deacon. He served on the Statesville Planning and Zoning Board and was a member of the Golden K, Kiwanis and was a volunteer with 4-H. He also was a member of the Statesville Exchange Club’s Book of Golden Deeds, a supporter of the Arts and Science Museum and frequent volunteer for local agencies.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Davidson is survived by a daughter, Mary D. Ostwalt of Boone, N.C.; two granddaughters, Emily Williams of Mooresville, Heather Ostwalt of Boone; a sister, Lois Jordan; and two son-in-laws, Ozzie Ostwalt of Boone and Mike Williams of Salisbury.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcia D. Williams; one brother, Tom Davidson; and two sisters, Louise Queen and Helen Watts.
Services were conducted 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008 at First A.R.P. Church in Statesville with Dr. Charles Steele, the Rev. Robert Sherer and son-in-law, Ozzie Ostwalt, officiating. Burial followed in the Iredell Memorial Gardens Cemetery. The family received friends on Sunday from 1:30-2:00 p.m. at the church.
Memorials may be made to the First A.R.P. Church, P.O. Box 1607, Statesville, N.C. 28687.
Nicholson Funeral Home is serving Davidson family.

Charlie H. Eggers
Mr. Charlie H. Eggers, 95, of Longview, Wash., a native and former resident of Trade, Tenn., died Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008, in Longview.
He was born May 8, 1914 in Trade, Tenn., a son of the late Emmett and Ada Main Eggers.
Mr. Eggers was a retired employee of Weyerhaeuser in Longview and served with the United States Army during World War II.
Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Marie Greer Eggers; two sons, Ron Eggers and fiancée, Mary Ellen, of Kelso, Wash., and Jim E. Eggers and wife, Kathy, of Longview; one sister, Pearl Thomas of Trade; and a daughter-in-law, Becky Eggers of Longview. He is also survived by four grandchildren, and two step-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Don Eggers; two brothers, Edgar Eggers and Carl Eggers; and a daughter-in-law, Earlene Eggers.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, Dec. 15, 2008, at 2:00 o’clock, at Longview First Church of God, in Longview, Wash. Officiating will be the Rev. Joe Tira. Burial will follow in Longview Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family received friends Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 until 4:00 o’clock at Steele Funeral Chapel.
Steele Funeral Chapel in Longview, Wash., is in charge of the arrangements.

Glen Pinske
Mr. Glen Pinske of 4124 Junaluska Road, Boone, died Thursday morning, Dec. 11, 2008, at his home.
He was born March 23, 1938 in Arlington, Minn., a son of the late John and Clara Dahlke Pinske.
Mr. Pinske was a self-employed carpenter.
Survivors include his wife, Beverly Weiker Pinske; one daughter, Pam Wirth and husband, Eric; one son, Perry Pinske and wife, Elizabeth, all of Boone; one sister, Darlene Dammann and husband, Earl, of Arlington, Minn.; one brother-in-law, Jack Krugen of Minneapolis, Minn.; one granddaughter, Amy Numa of Coral Springs, Fla.; and one grandson, Joshua Sills of Boone. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Donna Krugen.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Dec. 14, 2008, at 4:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was Mr. Ray Halle.
Memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607
Online condolences may be sent to the Pinske family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Russell C. ‘Jack’ Taylor, MD
Russell C. “Jack” Taylor, MD, passed Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008 at his home after a long illness.
He was born in Dobson, N.C., on April 23, 1937. His family moved to Mount Airy, N.C. when he was five years old.
Dr. Taylor attended grammar and high school in Mount Airy and upon graduating, he worked for one year for a patent medicine company as a traveling salesman along with his father. He graduated from Lees McRae College and then graduated from Davidson College. After graduating from the University of North Carolina Medical School at Chapel Hill in the top 10 percent of his class, he did an internship and two years residency at the University of Colorado Medical Center in Denver, Colo. He moved back to North Carolina and was chief resident of internal medicine at Charlotte Memorial Hospital from 1967 to 1968 afterwards; he moved to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed a two-year fellowship in nephrology.
He began practice in internal medicine at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Banner Elk for three years and then moved to Boone where he practiced until July 2007 when his illness forced him to retire. He was the first Medical Director of the Kidney Dialysis Center which was established in 1989 due in large part to his dedication and drive to provide such clinical services to the region.
Survivors include his wife, Terry Taylor; and his sister, Ann Taylor of Hertford, N.C. He is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews, Mark A. Taylor and wife, Lou Ann, and son Stephen of Morehead City; Mary T. Transou and husband, Hal, and daughter Haley and son Tyler of State Road; J. Bryan Taylor and wife, Lynn, and daughter Lauren and sons James and Tate of Wilmington; Robert M. Taylor and wife, Luisa, and daughters Manuela, Melanie, Melissa and Mia of Miami; Nancy C. Taylor of Mount Airy; Theresa T. Gray and husband, Brian, and son Austin and daughter Abbey of Richmond. He is also survived by his beloved step-sons, Andrew Harkey and Edward Dill and his daughter Sullivan, along with sister-in-law, Tonda Taylor and partner Janice Coulter; and brother-in-law Andrew Taylor and wife, Dr. Susan Lupo, and their children, Dustin Taylor and wife, Jennifer and their child Kate; and daughter Robin Belk and her husband, Jake, all from Charlotte.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Everette L. Taylor, Sr. and Malissa Hill Taylor; and by three brothers, E.L. Taylor, Jr. MD, Robert E. Lee Taylor and Larry Don Taylor.
A memorial service will be held in the chapel of Austin and Barnes Funeral Home in Boone on Tuesday, Dec. 16 at 2:00 p.m. Chaplain Melanie Childers will officiate. The family will greet friends and family after the service.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Western Youth Network, 155 Wyn Way, Boone, or the Watauga Animal Shelter, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be made to the Taylor family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Taylor family.