Archived

Louise Daniel Godwin
Louise Daniel Godwin, 91, a resident of Southminster retirement community in Charlotte, died peacefully on Palm Sunday afternoon, April 5, 2009, surrounded by loving family and friends.
She was born Feb. 16, 1918, in the Bethel community near Seaboard, N.C. She was the only daughter of the late Mamie Bass and Rufus A. Daniel, and the beloved wife of the late Lloyd K. Godwin, Sr. of Ahoskie, N.C., for 40 years. She was also predeceased by a brother, Dr. R. A. Daniel, Jr., of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.
Louise was a 1938 graduate of Meredith College in Raleigh with a degree in piano music. After graduation, she moved to Ahoskie and was employed as a public school music instructor. In 1939 she began serving First Baptist Church of Ahoskie where she assisted with all aspects of the music ministry over a period of 56 years to include choir director, soloist, organist, church pianist and long time Sunday school pianist for the Radio Businessmen’s Bible Class. She was ordained as a deacon at First Baptist Church where she was one of the first women to serve in that capacity. Her dedication to the music ministry of the church was recognized when the Godwin-Raynor Music Suite at First Baptist Church was co- named in her honor in 1993. She continued her service to the church until her retirement in 1995.
Over the years, she also privately taught piano to many young people, some of whom would later choose to pursue careers in music. In addition, she either sang or played for hundreds of weddings and funerals in the Ahoskie area throughout the years.
In early 1996 she began living part time in Blowing Rock, N.C. where she enjoyed the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains while being close to family. In 2002 she moved permanently to Southminster, a continuing care retirement community in Charlotte.
Surviving are children, Lloyd K. Godwin, Jr. and wife, Judy Kaye, of Lakeland, Fla. and Daniel E. Godwin and wife, Debbie, of Blowing Rock, N.C. In addition, she is survived by two grandsons, Clark Lloyd Godwin and wife, Jeanie, of Lakeland, Fla. and Pearce Daniel Godwin of Arlington, Va.; and one great-granddaughter, Destiny Brook Godwin.
A private family graveside service was held on Thursday, April 9, 2009, at Ahoskie Cemetery, followed by a memorial service at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Jesse Croom and Reverend Daniel Glaze officiating. The family greeted friends at the church following the service.
A memorial service will be held at Southminster in Charlotte at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial gifts may be made to the Music Ministry of the First Baptist Church of Ahoskie at P.O. Box 649, Ahoskie, N.C. 27910.
Garrett Funeral Home in Ahoskie is in charge of local arrangements.

Doris Watson Wright
Doris Watson Wright, 97, of Hildebran, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2009, at her residence.
She was born July 1, 1911 in Watauga County, the daughter of the late Zora Payne and Millard M. Watson.
She was a member of Mt. Hebron Lutheran Church and had retired from Southern Hosiery.
Survivors include a special niece, Patsy Greene of Boone, N.C.; a special friend, Lottie Martin of Hildebran, N.C.; three nieces; and four nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John A. Wright; a daughter, Billie S. Cline; brothers, Kenneth Payne, Otis Watson, and Walter Watson; and a sister, Zina Setzer.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 10, 2009, in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home with the Rev. Russell Makant officiating. Burial will follow in Catawba Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 1-2:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Palliative Care Center & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, N.C. 28658.
On-line condolences may be left for the Wright family at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of Doris Watson Wright.

April 8, 2009
Gene Roy Miller
Mr. Gene Roy Miller, 68, of Cajah Mountain Road, Hudson, died Monday morning, April 6, 2009, at Camelot Manor.
He was born March 5, 1941 in Burke County, a son of the late Clyde William and Beulah Kirby Miller.
Mr. Miller was retired from Caldwell Freight Lines where he worked as a mechanic. He was a member of Mount Zion Baptist Church and was a life long resident of Caldwell County.
Surviving are his wife, Connie Gantt; two sons, Dwayne Miller and wife, Lori, of Boone, and William Mark Miller and wife, Michella, of Taylorsville; three granddaughters, Allison and Ava Rose Miller of Boone and Catlyn Miller of Taylorsville; one brother, Troy Miller of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and one sister, Joyce Gilbert of Lenoir.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, C.W. Miller and Ray Miller.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Hudson. Officiating will be the Rev. John Greene. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Mount Zion Baptist Church Bus Fund, 1787 Cajah Mountain Road, Hudson, N.C. 28638.
The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon prior to the service from 12:30 until 2 o’clock at Mount Zion Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be sent to the Miller family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Miller family.

Ronnie Lee Miller
Mr. Ronnie Lee Miller, 62, of Asheville, a native and former resident of the Triplett community, died Thursday, April 2, 2009.
He was born August 8, 1946 in Watauga County, a son of the late Allie and Clemmie Miller.
Mr. Miller was a retired landscaper and a member of Mount Ephriam Baptist Church.
Survivors include two sisters, Gloria Miller and Sadie Miller and husband, Johnny, all of Deep Gap; seven brothers, Curley Miller and wife, Barbara, of Yadkinville, Curtis Miller and wife, Julie, of Deep Gap, Joey Miller and wife, Madelene, of Lenoir, Donnie Miller of Deep Gap, Kilmer Miller of Lenoir, Frankie Miller and wife, Pat, of Valle Crucis, and Kenny Miller and wife, Carolyn, of Boone; and three sisters-in-law, Doris Miller of Deep Gap, Shirley Miller, and Mary Lee Miller, both of Lenoir.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by six brothers, Clonnie, J.D., Vaughn, Glenn “Alpine”, Tracy, and J.L. Miller; and one sister, Katie Brown.
Services were conducted Tuesday evening, April 7, 2009, at 8 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Wesley Ward and the Rev. Johnny Ward. Graveside services and burial followed Wednesday morning, at 11 o’clock, at Mount Paran Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family received friends Tuesday evening from 6:30-8:00 p.m., at the funeral home, prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Miller family.
Online condolences may be sent to the Miller family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

April 6, 2009
Katie Sue Brown
Mrs. Katie Sue Brown, 68, of Lenoir, passed away Wednesday, April 1, 2009, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.
She was born in Watauga County to the late Allie Miller and Clemmie Alice Miller.
Survivors include a son, Donald Eugene Brown of Lenoir; a daughter, Susie Kaye Laws of Lenoir; brothers, Kelmar Miller of Lenoir, Ronnie Miller of Triplett, Donnie Miller of Triplett, Curly Miller of Yadkinville, Joey Miller of Lenoir and Curtis Miller of Deep Gap; sisters, Gloria Miller of Triplett and Sadie Ward of Deep Gap; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Johnny Brown; a son, John Daniel Brown; brothers, Glen F. Miller, J. D. Miller, Tracy T. Miller, J. L. Miller, Vaughn Miller and Clonnie Miller.
Services were held Saturday, April 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Sunrise Baptist Church with the Rev. David Woods and the Rev. Edd Warren officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Online condolences may be placed at www.mem.com
Pendry’s Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Ann Long Davis
Mrs. Ann Long Davis, 60, of 744 Appalachian Drive, Boone, died Sunday evening, April 5, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Jan. 24, 1949, in Statesville, N.C., a daughter of the late John Addison Long, Sr. and Patti Ann Gillespie Long.
Mrs. Davis was a 1966 graduate of Statesville Senior High and a 1970 graduate of the University of North Carolina, with a degree in elementary education. Mrs. Davis taught in public schools in Georgia and West Virginia. She was a member of Boone United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 39 years, Harry M. Davis; one daughter, Carrington Hampton and husband, Tommy J., of Boone; one brother, John Addison Long, Jr. of Denver, Colo.; one uncle, Henry Richmond Long of Statesville; and a niece, Laura Long of Durham. She is also survived by a number of additional nieces and nephews.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, April 8, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Boone United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. John Fitzgerald and Dr. George Naff.
The family will receive friends, at the church, following the funeral service.
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 Davis family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Marjorie Goulds Greene
Mrs. Marjorie Goulds Greene, 81, of Chestnut Drive, Blowing Rock, a former resident of Deep Gap, died Friday morning, April 3, 2009, at Blowing Rock Extended Care.
She was born June 20, 1927 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Willard Horton Goulds and Nellie Mae Pitts Goulds.
Mrs. Greene provided a cleaning service in the Boone and Blowing Rock area for many years. She was a Stanley Home Products distributor, and enjoyed her love for flowers and gardening. She was a member of Mount View Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Melba Carter and husband, Doug, of Boone; two sons, Barry W. Greene of Deep Gap, and Jimmy Dean Greene of Lenoir; two sisters, Leota Triplett and husband, Rodney, of Boone, and Phyllis McBride and husband, James, of Hickory; one brother, Melvin Goulds and wife, Carol, of Lake Wales, Fla.; and one aunt, Frances Denny of Garner, N.C. She is also survived by a number of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Newland Harvey "Newt" Greene; one daughter, Paula N. Greene; and two sons, Alan N. Greene, and Marvin Dale Greene.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, April 5, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn. Burial followed in the Greene Family Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greene Family Cemetery Fund, in care of Barry W. Greene, 144 Hot Rod Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618. Online condolences may be sent to the Greene family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Chester Hubert Jones
Mr. Chester Hubert Jones, 87, of Milton Brown Heirs Road, formerly of Chestnut Grove Road in Boone, died Thursday afternoon, April 2, 2009, at Glenbridge Health and Rehabilitation.
He was born in Watauga County, June 29, 1921, a son of the late Bertha Jones.
Mr. Jones was a carpenter and a member and Deacon of Meat Camp Baptist Church. He was a World War II veteran having served in the Army Air Corps.
Surviving is one daughter, Nell Fletcher and husband, Max, of Boone; two sons, Ned Jones and wife, Judy, of Boone, and Robert Jones and wife, Linda, of Fleetwood; four grandchildren, Kim Jones of Mount Holly, Mark Jones and wife, Angel, of West Jefferson, Timmy Jones and wife, Carol, of West Jefferson and Kristina Norris and husband, Scott, of Boone; five great-grandchildren, Emily Jones, Allie Jones, Eva Jones, Kristen Jones, and Hannah Grace Norris.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Richards Jones; his mother, Bertha Jones; his grandparents, Joseph C. and Mary C. Jones; two aunts, Maggie Louisa Jones and Carrie Belle Jones; and one sister, Lena Grace Jones.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Meat Camp Baptist Church, officiating by the Rev. Mike Townsend, the Rev. Herbert McCoy and the Rev. Thant McManus. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Meat Camp Baptist Church Fellowship Hall Building Fund, in care of Barry Greene, 527 Jack Hayes Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Jones family at
austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Jones family.

Roy Clyde Lester
Mr. Roy Clyde Lester, 78, of 186 Elderberry Ridge Road, Beech Mountain, died Thursday morning, April 2, 2009, at his home.
He was born August 22, 1930 in Bluff City, Ky., a son of the late Howard and Corine Goldsberry Lester.
Mr. Lester served in the U.S. Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and went on to graduate from Western Kentucky University with degrees in Chemistry and Physics in 1958 and a Masters of Science degree from the University of Northern Iowa in 1959. After teaching mathematics at Morehead State University for two years, Roy worked for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. as a mathematician and later as the ground-based mission manager for scientific Spacelab 2 mission before retiring in 1991 after 30 years. Mr. Lester was a member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Linville.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys Reed Lester; two sons, Howard Lester of Madison, Ala., and Rick Lester of Florence, Ala.; one daughter, Lora Holladay of Huntsville, Ala.; one sister, Grace Marshall of Springhill, Fla.; and five grandchildren, Sara Lester, Ansley Lester, Kate Lester, Michael Lester, and Colin Holladay.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, LoRain Klaffer Lester; and one brother.
A Funeral Mass will be conducted Monday morning, April 6, 2009, at 11:00 o'clock, at St. Bernadette Catholic Church in Linville. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Father Christopher Gober. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, at 1:00 o'clock, at Huntsville Memory Garden, in Huntsville, Ala.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2085 Highway 105, Linville, N.C. 28646.
Online condolences may be sent to the Lester family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Ilene McGhee Norris
Mrs. Ilene McGhee Norris, 86, of Salisbury, N.C., died Friday, April 3, 2009, at the Brian Center Nursing & Rehabilitation of Salisbury.
She was born May 1, 1922 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late James W. and Maude Norris McGhee.
Mrs. Norris was educated in the Watauga County Schools and graduated from Boone High School and was a secretary for T. M. Mayfield & Company before retiring. She was a member of Milford Hills Baptist Church, the Women’s Missionary Union and taught Sunday school.
Surviving are one son, J. Eric Norris and wife, Kathy, of Salisbury; two grandchildren, Erin Norris of Arlington, Va. and Kristen Rogers and husband, Jonathan, of Charlotte; and one great-grandchild, Zackary Rogers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Ned Jackson Norris; and a son Mark Todd Norris.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Milford Hills Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Jerry Allen. The body will lie in state at the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Milford Hills Baptist Church, 1238 E. Colonial Drive, Salisbury, N.C. 28144.
The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:30 until 8 o’clock at Summerset Funeral Home.
On line condolences may be made to the Norris family at summersetfuneralhome.com.
Summerset Funeral Home in Salisbury is serving the Norris family.

Robert James Phillips
Mr. Robert James Phillips, 73, of Alex Wellborn Road, Deep Gap, died Tuesday evening, March 31, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born March 16, 1936 in Mecklenburg County, a son of Lynn and Lucille Phillips Sloop.
Mr. Phillips was a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church. He was in charge of security at Chetola Resort in Blowing Rock for l5 years, a former deputy with the Watauga County Sheriffs Department, and for 16 years was employed by Orlando Paving Company in Florida. Mr. Phillips was a member of Ashler Masonic Lodge #373 and Snow Lodge #363. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.
Survivors include his wife, Verbie Sue Watson Phillips; one daughter, Regina Sue Preston and husband, Chris, of Virginia; two grandchildren, Reo Jay and Bonita Sue Phillips; one great-grandson, Reo James Phillips, all of Florida; two step-grandchildren, Jon and Anna Preston, both of Virginia; and three sisters, Pat Greene and husband, Carl, and Cecilia Staskus, and husband Paul, all of Florida, and Deloris Darr, of Georgia. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by one son, Reo James Phillips; one daughter, Jennifer Lynne Phillips; and one sister, Shirley Mandosa.
Services were conducted Friday morning, April 3, 2009, at 11 o’clock at Stony Fork Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Vernon Eller and the Rev. Billy Norris. Military graveside and Masonic graveside rites followed in the Watson Cemetery.
The family received friends Thursday evening from 7 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes.
Memorials may be sent to the Watauga County Hunger Coalition, 417 Meadowview Drive, Boone, N.C. or to the family to assist with expenses.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Phillips family.

Lloyd Benjamin Stevens
Mr. Lloyd Benjamin Stevens, 84, of Boone, died Saturday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
A native of Wayne County, Mr. Stevens was a retired school teacher and administrator and served his country in the U.S. Navy.
Surviving are his daughters, Agnes C. Stevens of Raleigh and Maria J. Stevens of Boone; sons, Henry B. Stevens and Betsy of Ash, N. C. and Michael D. Stevens of Boone; a brother, Vernon Ray Stevens of Charlotte; and grandchildren, Benjamin Stevens and Ada Stevens.
A memorial service will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday at Falling Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Henry Jinnette officiating. The family will receive friends at the church following the service.
Arrangements by Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Helen Mae McIlwain Quiroga
Mrs. Helen Mae McIlwain Quiroga, 80, of Blowing Rock, and Naples, Fla., went home to be with Jesus on Wednesday morning, April 1, 2009, at Physcians Regional Medical Center in Naples, Fla.
She was born Nov. 22, 1928 in Asheville, N.C., the daughter of the late William S. McIlwain and Helen Mae Bell McIlwain.
Mrs. Quiroga was a member of Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Boone, N.C. and attended services at New Life Community Church on Marco Island, Fla.
She also lived for many years in Virginia Beach, Va. and was a member of Thalia Lynn Baptist Church and has many wonderful friends still there.
Survivors include her son, Edward E. Quiroga (affectionately called Chip) and wife, Marsha, of Virginia Beach, Va.; daughter, Pamela J. Cameron and husband, Gordon, of Blowing Rock, N.C. and Naples, Fla., with whom she lived, and youngest daughter, Marsha L. Banach and husband, Richard, of LaGrange, Ky.; 3 brothers, William Mcilwain and wife, Ellen, of Atlanta, Ga., Samuel McIlwain and wife, Linda, of Lake Lure, N.C. and Thomas McIlwain and wife, Artelia, of Candler, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herman E Quiroga, Jr.; and her daughter, Linda Ann Kleeb.
A small family gathering at her gravesite will precede a Celebration of her life to be held sometime this summer. A date has not been set yet.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions made to Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, FL 34105, in her name would be greatly appreciated.
She will be missed by all who loved her.
Online condolences may be sent to her family members at www.fullerfuneralhome.com
Fuller Funeral Home & Crematorium of Naples, Fla. is in charge of the arrangements.