Archived

William Luther Adams Jr.
Mr. William Luther Adams Jr., 90, of Lenoir, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009, at his residence.
He was born Dec. 28, 1918 in Caldwell County, to the late William Adams Sr. and Nannie Hall Adams.
Mr. Adams was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Amelia Sanders Adams; his son, R.L. Adams and wife, Shirley; his daughters, Nannie Lee Hendrix and husband, Ed, and Jewel Kabler, all of Lenoir; six grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Amelia Hendrix; his daughter, Celia Ann Robbins; three sisters; and two brothers.
A graveside service was held Wednesday, March 25, at 2:00 p.m. at Adams Cemetery in Buffalo Cove with the Rev. Bobby Pritchard officiating.
Condolences may be placed online at www.mem.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory, Lenoir, N.C. is assisting the family with arrangements.

Doug Calhoun Sr.
Mr. Doug Calhoun, Sr., 63, of Creston, died Tuesday morning, March 24, 2009 at his residence.
He was born in Chester County, Pa., on Thursday, Dec. 6, 1945, to the late Virgil Buel and Mary Jane Haga Calhoun.
Mr. Calhoun was the owner of State Drywall Company.
Survivors include his wife, Carol Malafronti Calhoun; three sons, Doug Calhoun, Jr and wife, Cindy, of Creston, Mike Calhoun and wife, Yvonne, of Lansing, Brian Calhoun and wife, Tonya, of Warrensville; two daughters, Donna Roush and husband, Roger, of Warrensville, Sandy Calhoun of the home; three brothers, Dave Calhoun and wife, Betty, of Todd, Dennis Calhoun and wife, Karen, of Warrensville, Dale Calhoun and wife, Joyce, of Jefferson; four sisters, Janet Dyke and husband, Garhart, of Germany, Fran Rush of Kennett Square, Pa., Betty Hughes and husband, Larry, of Landenberg, Pa., Diane Primus and husband, Johnny, of East Fallowfield, Pa.; seven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Dean and Don Calhoun; and one sister, Margie Wiles.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 28, 2009 at 11 a.m. at Boone Family Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Darrell Graybeal officiating. Burial will follow in the Calhoun Cemetery with military rites.
The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2009, at Boone Family Funeral Home.
Flowers will be appreciated.
You may give the family your condolences at www.boonefuneralhome.com.
Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of the arrangements.

Lena Maltba Edmisten
Mrs. Lena Maltba Edmisten, 81, of Boone, died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at her home.
Mrs. Edmisten is survived by one son, Gary Edmisten and wife, Teresa; and one granddaughter, Erin Edmisten.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight Edmisten, Jr.; one son, Kirk Edmisten; her parents, Java E. and Pheobe Hartley Maltba; two brothers and two sisters.
A private memorial service for Mrs. Lena Maltba Edmisten will be conducted at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, 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 Edmisten family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.


Lois J. McGee
Mrs. Lois Johnson McGee, 76, of Appalachian Brian Estates, Boone, formerly of Fleetwood, died Monday evening, March 23, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Sept. 21, 1932 in Guilford County, a daughter of the late Robert Lee and Mary Jane Welborn Johnson.
Mrs. McGee was retired from the Internal Revenue Service, where she worked with taxpayer services.
Survivors include two daughters, Susan Norris and husband, Rex, of Boone, and Jeanine Ramsey and husband, Rick, of Banner Elk; three sons, Joe McGee and wife, Sheryle, of Salisbury, Tim McGee and wife, Susan, of Hampton, Va., and Steve McGee and wife, Laura, of Waxhaw; three sisters, Mabeline Mobley of Greensboro, Bobbie Reddick of Liberty, N.C., and Sue Lewey and husband, Bill, of Hartwell, Ga.; one brother, Robert Lee Johnson and wife, Laura, of Greensboro; five granddaughters, Morgan Winkler of Boone, Amanda Ramsey of Banner Elk, Sarah McGee of Salisbury, Kendall McGee, and Karsen McGee, both of Waxhaw; three grandsons, Joseph McGee, IV and wife, Jana, of Ringgold, Ga., Lucas Ramsey and wife, Miranda, of Zionville, and Timothy McGee, Jr. of Hampton, Va.; and two great-grandchildren, Joseph McGee, V of Ringgold, and Jaden Ramsey of Zionville.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. McGee, Jr.
A memorial service was conducted Thursday afternoon, March 26, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel officiated by Dr. David Luster.
The family received friends following the memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Arthritis Foundation, PO Box 96280, Washington, D.C. 20077-7491.
Online condolences may be sent to the McGee family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Bingham Stanwood
Helen Bingham Stanwood passed away Feb. 2, 2009. She was 83.
She was born in Boone, N.C. where she grew up on a farm.
She received her teaching credential from Appalachian State University and taught in elementary school for many years while raising two children with her husband, Richard Stanwood. She was active in small theater productions, loved to paint, travel, hike and go for walks.
She moved to Chico from Atherton, Calif. in 1999 to be close to her children and loved to go for drives in the area. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a generous, compassionate spirit.
Survivors include her children, Jim Stanwood and Elizabeth Finch.
A memorial service will be held in Blowing Rock, N.C. in April.


Mary Welch
Mrs. Mary Magdalene Ellen Anderson Welch, 87, of Chestnut Drive, Blowing Rock, and formerly of Boone, died Tuesday morning, March 24, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born April 8, 1921 in Halifax, County, Va., a daughter of the late Allen Lawson and Phoebe Eleanor Horne Anderson.
Mrs. Welch was a member of the First Baptist Church.
Surviving are two sons, Clyde Eller Welch, Jr. and wife, Helen, of King, N.C., and John Ira Welch of Boone; three daughters, Lottie Loretta Ratliffe of Roanoke, Va., Linda Welch Whittington of Boone, and Sharon Welch Childers of Lenoir; one sister, Oma Osborne and husband, Gar, of Wilkesboro; one brother, Tommy Anderson and wife, Edith, of Yadkinville; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Eller Welch, Sr.; a son-in-law, Woodrow Vance Childers; one grandson, Shane Vance Childers; one sister, Virginia Williams; and one brother, Roy Anderson.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Darrell Bare. Burial followed at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
The family received friends prior to the service Thursday from 1 o’clock until 2 o’clock at the First Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the Welch family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Welch family.

March 25, 2009
Larry Wayne Earp
Mr. Larry Wayne Earp, 55, of 5113 Howards Creek Road, Boone, died Sunday morning, March 22, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Dec. 20, 1953 in Avery County, a son of Ernest and Audie Colvard Earp.
Mr. Earp was a truck driver for Maymead Construction.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Earp is survived by two daughters, Vickey Earp Murphy and husband, Jerry, and Tyra Earp, all of Boone; four sons, Randy Earp of Banner Elk, Larry Daniel Earp of Virginia, Lance Earp, and Dillon Earp, both of Boone; one sister, Cathy Isaacs of Banner Elk; and two brothers, Earnie Earp and wife, Marie, of Vilas, and Cecil Earp of Banner Elk. He is also survived by seven grandchildren, and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Bobby Earp, and an infant sister.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, March 25, 2009, 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. Melvin Hodges.
The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Earp family.
Online condolences may be sent to the Earp family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Clonnie Richard Hendrix
Mr. Clonnie Richard Hendrix, 82, of Lenoir, peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 22, 2009.
He was born Nov. 24, 1926 in Watauga County, to the late John and Maggie Houck Hendrix.
Mr. Hendrix was a long time active member of Yadkin Baptist Church and a life time member of Happy Valley Optimist Club. He served in the CCC Camps in Buffalo. He was retired from Blue Ridge Electric where he worked for 38 years.
Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Vera Cox Hendrix; one son, Gary Hendrix and wife, Cathie, of Ocean Isle, N.C.; two daughters, Joyce Hendrix of Lenoir and Marcia Hendrix Powell and husband, Ken, of Englewood, Fla.; five grandchildren, Richard Saunders of Richmond, Va., Lee Saunders of Granite Falls, Chenoa Hendrix of Lenoir, Amy Hendrix Haney of Lenoir, Kenneth Hendrix of Granite Falls; and seven great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Trevor Saunders; four brothers, Theodore, Roy, Linzo and Don Hendrix; four sisters, Zina Shirley, Della Triplett, Cora Hawkins and Essie Greene.
The family will receive friends from 12:30 until 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 26, 2009 at Yadkin Baptist Church. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at the church with the Rev. Robert Livingston officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Yadkin Baptist Church, P O Box 37, Patterson, N.C. 28661 in honor of Mr. Hendrix or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be placed at www.mem.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home is assisting the Hendrix family with arrangements.

Martha Ray Matthews Speed
Mrs. Martha Ray Matthews Speed, 82, of the Laurel Mill Community, Louisburg, N.C., passed away Monday morning, March 23, 2009.
She was the youngest of 11 children of the late Hammit Alvious and Lula Spencer Matthews.
She was known as sweet, loving and a good friend. She loved life, people and animals of all kinds.
Mrs. Speed was dedicated to many organizations including Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Museum of History Associates Committee, Sir Walter Cabinet, Person Place Preservation Society, and Lenox Baker Children’s Hospital.
She was strongly and actively involved in politics most of her life. Some of the activities included serving as Chairman and President on several Congressional and County Democratic Committees. She organized the Franklin County Democratic Women in 1961, and was a member of the state organization of North Carolina Democratic Women. Her dedicated involvement in political county, state and social committees and organizations are too vast to list. She was a dedicated member of Louisburg Baptist Church. She was also a former member of Mt. Zion Baptist Church.
Survivors include her sons, Tom Speed and his wife, Sara, of Boone; Mark Speed and his wife, Camille, of Louisburg; grandson, Davis Speed of Boone; and sister, Mildred M. Welch and husband, Tommy, of Henderson.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Senator James D. Speed; and her daughter, Claudia R. Speed.
Services will be conducted at 2 p.m., Thursday, March 26, 2009, at Louisburg Baptist Church with Dr. Reggie Rushing and the Rev. Don McGinnis officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Tomlinson Room at the church.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Louisburg Nursing Center, Resident Council Fund, P.O. Box 629, Louisburg, N.C. 27549 or Person Place Preservation Society, P.O. Box 135, Louisburg, N.C. 27549.
Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home, Louisburg, N.C.

March 23, 2009

Phyllis Crump Brown
Mrs. Phyllis Crump Brown, 51, of Catawba, died Tuesday, March 17, 2009, in Blowing Rock.
She was born Sept. 14, 1957, in Catawba County, the daughter of Shelby Wilkie Crump and the late Carl William Crump.
Mrs. Brown was employed as a hairstylist.
Survivors include her husband, Ronnie Brown; her mother, Shelby Wilkie Stilwell; sons, Steven Deal and wife, Deanna, of Taylorsville and Wesley Deal of Troutman; grandchildren, Gaven Deal, Carley Deal, Logan Deal and Cooper Deal; sisters, Kay Sigmon and husband, Jon, of Blowing Rock and Aleshia Meroney and husband, Tim, of Icard; and a brother, Chris Crump of Birmingham, Ala.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her stepfather, Champ Stilwell Sr.; and a brother, Champ Stilwell Jr.
A service of remembrance was held at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 19, 2009, at Drum Funeral Home chapel in Hickory, with the Rev. Frank Bentley officiating. Burial followed at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Hickory.
The family received friends from 2:30 to 3:45 p.m. Thursday, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Those who wish may make memorials to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Suite 4, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Condolences may be sent to the Brown family at www.drumfuneralhome.com.
Drum Funeral Home and Cremations in Hickory were in charge of the arrangements.

Lena Maltba Edmisten
Mrs. Lena Maltba Edmisten, 81, of 3121 Old Highway 421, Boone, died Sunday, March 22, 2009, at her home.
Survivors include one son, Gary Edmisten and wife, Teresa; a daughter-in-law, Rene Edmisten of Harrisburg, N.C.; and one granddaughter, Erin Edmisten.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dwight Edmisten, Jr.; one son, Kirk Edmisten; her parents, Java E. and Pheobe Hartley Edmisten; two brothers; and two sisters.
A private memorial service will be conducted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, 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 Edmisten family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Kathleen Cook Kerley
Ms. Kathleen Cook Kerley, 81, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, left this world Sunday, March 22, 2009, at Glenbridge Health Care Center, to begin her new life with her heavenly father, and be reunited with loved ones.
She was born Feb. 3, 1928 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late George and Annis Matney Cook.
Ms. Kerley was a well known and loved waitress at the Holiday Inn in Boone, and maintained many of those friendships after her retirement. Her friends and family will miss her quick wit and loving kindness. Ms Kerley was a faithful member of Faith Baptist Church in Boone.
The family wants to acknowledge a great appreciation for the care, concern and tenderness she received at Appalachian Brian Estates and Glenbridge Health Care.
Survivors include one son, Dink Miller and wife, Kim, of Boone; one brother, the Rev. Russell Cook and wife, Irene, of Morganton; and one sister, Marjetta C. Timm of Lewisville. She is also survived by six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one son, Gary C. Miller; one daughter, Carol M. Forrest; and two brothers, Howard Cook and Wayne Cook.
Services will be conducted Tuesday morning, March 24, 2009, at 11:00 o'clock, at Faith Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Dr. Sonny Younce. Burial will follow in Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, the family will be at the family home, 595 Old Hampton Road, Boone.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 513 Cardinal Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Kerley family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Howard Wellington ‘H.W.’ Mast Jr.
Mr. Howard Wellington “H.W.” Mast, Jr., 83, of Broadstone Road, Valle Crucis, died Saturday morning, March 21, 2009 at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation in Boone.
He was born Feb. 28, 1926 in Watauga County, to Howard Wellington Mast, Sr. and Anne Moretz Mast.
Mr. Mast was a life member and served as superintendent of the Valle Crucis United Methodist Church. H.W. was the former owner and operator of the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis. He was employed by the Watauga County Sheriffs Department for a short time after volunteering at the department for a number of years. Always active in community affairs, H.W. served as Chairman of the Watauga County Democratic Party, was a member of the Watauga County Board of Education, on the Board of Trustees at Watauga County Hospital, and was a Watauga County Commissioner. He was an avid fisherman and golfer. Extremely well known and respected by all who knew him, H.W. was affectionately known by many as the ‘Honorary’ mayor of the Valle Crucis community.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Hazel Farthing Mast; his children, Richard Mast and wife, Kay, of Lewisville, Susan Mast and partner, Sam Sambroia, of Valle Crucis, Jeanne Williams Winkler and husband, Scott, of Boone, and Allen Mast of Valle Crucis; one sister, Sarah Carolyn Mast, of Valle Crucis; three grandchildren, Toni Swint, Stephen Williams and Mary Katherine Mast; and three step-grandchildren, David, Allison and Ryan Winkler. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Frank Mast; and sister-in-law, Thelma Mast.
Services will be conducted Monday evening, March 23, at 7 o’clock at Valle Crucis United Methodist Church, officiated by the Rev. Robert ‘”Bob” Roten and the Rev. Chuck Rowland. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 5 until 7 o’clock, prior to services, at the church.
The family respectfully requests no flowers and suggests memorial donations to Hospice of Avery County, 351 West Mitchell Street, Newland, N.C. 28657.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Mast family.

Kelly Colleen O’Grady Ward
Kelly Colleen O’Grady Ward, 30, of Boone, died Saturday afternoon, March 14, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born in San Diego, Calif., June 21, 1978, the daughter of the late Kathleen O’Grady.
Surviving is her husband, Michael Cook of Blowing Rock.
Memorial services will be conducted Friday, March 27, 2009, at 2 o’clock at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family in care of Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, 194 Queen Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be made to the family at austinandbarnesfuneral.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Ward family.