Archived

Jerry Walton Campbell
Mr. Jerry Walton Campbell, 62, died at his home in Lexington, N.C. on Wednesday, July 15, 2009.
He was born in Stony Fork, Watauga County, on Dec. 19, 1946, to Walton Wagner Campbell and Dorothy Jean Robbins Campbell (later Hicks).
Mr. Campbell received some of his education in the Watauga County Schools, recalling the glory days of an outstanding high school football team. He worked for TRW before serving with honor in the U.S. Army from 1966 until 1968. He served his country as a Specialist E-5 in Vietnam as an intelligence analyst. He was always a true patriot. He later became a tool and die maker. He worked for 41 years with Lane Punch Tool & Die Corporation, starting as a talented engineer working on the drawing board in Pennsauken, N.J. and Willoughby, Ohio and later moving with the company to Salisbury, N.C. working his way up to company president. Lane gave him the opportunity to travel the world as they expanded their business internationally.
He was a member of The Clan Campbell Society of North America, enjoying the Grandfather Mountain Scottish Highland Games and trips to Scotland. He has traced his Campbell ancestry back to great-grandparents Andrew “Jack” Campbell and Martha Greer and great-great grandparents Civil War Veteran Rufus Campbell and Hannah Blackburn of Watauga as well as three prior generations of Campbells. He is also connected to Wagners, Greenes, and Daniel Boone’s family. Watauga County always felt like home to him. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Muriel Jean C. Shaheen.
He is survived by his stepmother, Maulterine Campbell of Madison, Ohio; his wife, Elizabeth Anne Deegan Campbell, whom he married on June 20, 1970; a son, Gary William Campbell, and foster son, Jeffrey Lee Roberts, both of Vilas; four daughters, Amy Christine C. Norman and her husband, Douglas, of Charlotte, Amanda C. Russell and her husband, Bradley, of Martinsville, Va., Laura Elizabeth C. Keller and her husband, Benjamin, of Hickory, and Holly Marie Campbell of Lexington; two brothers, Michael Hicks and his wife, Christy, of Waxhaw, and Thomas Hicks and his wife, Tina, of Robesonia, Pa.; three sisters, Linda C. Bobbitt and her husband, Bruce, of Painesville, Ohio, and Karon Coady and Sharon Hicks, both of Mays Landing, N.J.; four grandchildren; and one grandson who is on the way. He was well-loved by his family and will be missed.
A memorial service was held in his honor at Macedonia United Methodist Church in Southmont, N.C. His final resting place will be the National Cemetery in Salisbury, N.C., following a service with military honors at a later date.

Edith Allgood Hendrix
Mrs. Edith Allgood Hendrix, 89, of 1479 Mt. View Baptist Church Road, Deep Gap, went home to be with our Lord on Tuesday morning, July 21, 2009.
She was born March 9, 1920 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late George Washington and Mettie Greene Allgood, and a step-daughter of Jud Goulds.
Mrs. Hendrix was in Christian faith and worked at a variety of manual labor jobs.
Surviving are one daughter, Sandra H. Blankenship and husband, Ralph, of Deep Gap; one grandson, Lee Blankenship and wife, Sherrell, of West Columbia, S.C.; two great-grandchildren, Margaret Rose Blankenship and Mary Clare Blankenship, of West Columbia, S.C.; and one sister, Agnes Waters of Jefferson.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Jud Goulds; her first husband, James A. Holder; her second husband, Roy R. Hendrix; and one daughter, Sharon Hendrix.
Graveside services and burial will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 1 o’clock at Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery. Officiating will be Rev. Vernon Eller and the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn.
The family respectfully requests no food or flowers, and suggests memorials to the Mt. View Baptist Church Cemetery or Building Fund, in care of Rosetta Cornell, 626 Copna Green Road, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618 or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hendrix family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Hendrix family.

Dr. John Stanley Vetter
Dr. John Stanley Vetter, 81, died Wednesday, July 22, 2009 at his home.
He was born in Chattanooga, Tenn. on May 26, 1928, the son of the late John Stanley and Roselle Bird Vetter. After the death of his father, when Dr. Vetter was only thirteen months old, his mother moved to her parents’ home in Mt. Olive, N.C., where he was reared.
While attending the public schools in Mt. Olive, Dr. Vetter received his Eagle Scout. He later graduated from Wake Forest College and Duke University School of Medicine. While at Duke, he received special training in pediatrics at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, England. He interned at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. After completing his internship, he served in the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of Captain and served as a Flight Surgeon and the Base Surgeon.
Upon his discharge from the Air Force in 1956, Dr. Vetter spent one year as a Family Practitioner at Carolina Beach before moving to Rockingham in 1957 where he served in family medicine for over 51 years.
Dr. Vetter loved this community and was extremely active in civic affairs. He served as the president of the Richmond County Medical Society and served three terms as president of the Richmond Memorial Hospital Medical Staff. He was a member of the American Medical Society and the Southern Medical Association. He was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice and a Diplomat of the American Board of Family Practice.
Dr. Vetter desired to give of himself and to make a significant difference in the lives of others. For over twenty-five years, he was the team physician for the Rockingham High School and the Richmond Senior High School football teams. He was the first president of the initial group championing the teaching and training of students with special needs. As a result, a program for Special Education was established in Richmond County, even before the state program began.
In 1963, the County Commissioners appointed Dr. Vetter to head the committee to establish a technical school in Richmond County under the Community College Act during the term of the then, Governor Terry Sanford. This school later developed into what is now Richmond Community College. The bond vote for the technical school passed by one of the largest margins of any bond vote in the county.
Dr. Vetter served as the president of the local Heart Association, the Cancer Society and the County Unit of the North Carolina Symphony Association. He was chairman of the committee to publicize the consolidation of the high schools in Richmond County. He served two times as the president of the Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and three times as the president of the Rockingham Cotillion Club.
In addition, Dr. Vetter was a past member of the local Board of Directors of Southern National Bank and then a Board Member of Richmond Federal Savings and Loan for thirty-three years where he also served as Chairman of the Board. He was a former member of the Rockingham Civitan Club and was later awarded the “Citizen of the Year” Award by the Civitans and the “Distinguished Service Award” by the Jaycees. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the first Richmond County Civic Index Project and a former member of the Advisory Board of the Cole Foundation.
Dr. Vetter served as the Medical Director of the Richmond County Health Department until shortly before his death. His most recent contribution to the community was in helping to establish a medical clinic at the Health Department which assists older citizens who are uninsured.
Survivors include his wife, the former Sallie Middlebrooks; and two daughters, Martha Vetter who serves as a missionary in Rwanda, and Sara Vetter Mayhew and her husband, Dr. Michael Mayhew, of Boone; and three grandchildren, Kelly Mayhew Caron and her husband, Nate Caron; John Mayhew and Katherine Mayhew.
The Vetter family would like to thank the doctors and medical staff at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, the staff of FirstHealth of the Carolinas in Rockingham and Pinehurst, and the staff of Richmond County Hospice.
Funeral services will be held at First Baptist Church in Rockingham on Saturday, July 25, 2009 at 2:00 pm. Dr. Lamar King will officiate. The burial will follow at Eastside Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 to 8 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Rockingham.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church, 201 N. Randolph Street, Rockingham, N.C. 28379 or Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N. US Highway 1, Rockingham, N.C. 28379. Memorials may also be made to the nonprofit ministry in Rwanda of his daughter, Martha, at the National Christian Foundation #11448 and sent to Mrs. John Windsor, 527 Tiffany Drive, Hastings, MN 55033.
Online condolences may be sent to www.carterfuneral.net

July 21, 2009

James Claude Michael
Mr. James Claude Michael, 59, of Lee Gaultney Road, Banner Elk, died Sunday morning, July 19, 2009, at the Hospice House in Whiteville.
Mr. Michael was born August 28, 1949, in Banner Elk, to Clara Watson Michael and the late Henry Clay Michael.
He was a member of the Bethany Baptist Church and was a follower of God’s House of Worship. Mr. Michael was a telephone splicer in North Carolina and surrounding states.
Survivors include his wife, Kimberly Michael of Winnabow; one son, Barry Michael and grandson, Dalton Michael, of Ash; two daughters, Melissa Michael and Wendy Michael, both of Staley; the mother of his children, Becky Coley of Staley; his mother, Clara Watson Michael of Banner Elk; four sisters, Earline McGuire and husband, Dean, and Velva Cook and husband, Tom, all of Banner Elk; Wanda Cole and husband, Wesley, of Kernersville, and Treva Potter and husband, Jerry, of High Point; one brother, Dean Michael and wife, Judy, of Banner Elk; and two step-sons, Jeremy and James Hannel, both of Winnabow. A number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by one sister, Donna Minton; and a nephew, Charles Minton.
Services will be conducted Thursday morning, July 23, at 11 o’clock at Bethany Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Harvey Presnell and the Rev. Gene Carver. Burial will follow in the Michael Family Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Austin & Barnes. At other times, the family will be at the home of his mother, Clara Michael, Lee Gualtney Road in Banner Elk.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the Michael Family Cemetery Fund, in care of Velva Cook, 2065 Worley Road, Banner Elk, N.C. 28604.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Michael family.

Charles L. ‘Charlie’ South
Mr. Charles L. “Charlie” South, 90, of 622 Clarence Potter Road, Mountain City, Tenn., passed away Sunday, July 19, 2009, in Ivy Hall Nursing Home, Elizabethton, Tenn., after an extended illness.
He was a son of the late Hobert and Lillie Brown South. Charlie was a retired U.S. Army veteran and worked at Johnson County Memorial Hospital with Dr. Obergon for many years. He was a charter member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church where he was a former deacon, treasurer, teacher and Sunday School superintendent. He loved Tennessee football and St. Louis Cardinal baseball.
Survivors include two sisters, Marie Reece and husband, Harvey, of Trade, Tenn. and Betty Iverson and husband, Randy, of Lenoir, N.C.; four brothers, Jack South and wife, Susie, of Lenoir, N.C.; Bill South and wife, Catherine, of Zionville, N.C.; Burl South and wife, Dolly, of Trade, Tenn.; and Bruce South and wife, Mae, of Mountain City, Tenn.; and several nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Norma R. Lipford South; four brothers, Tommy South, Eugene South, Clayton South, and Kermit South; and two sisters, Mae Greene and Penny Fisher.
Services were conducted at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 21, 2009, from the Charles B. Hux Memorial Chapel of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home with the Rev. Frank Johnson and the Rev. Bruce Simcox officiating. Music was under the direction of Amy Reece Townsend. Active pallbearers were Shannon Brown, Hadley Townsend, Roger South, Buford Lipford, Boyd Lipford, Harvey Reece and Larry Payne. Honorary pallbearers were Dr. John Whitlock, Dr. Claire Paris and the Staff of Ivy Hall Nursing Home. Military graveside service accorded by the Johnson County Honor Guard will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, 2009, from Lipford Cemetery. The family received friends from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the funeral service.
At other times friends may call at the home of a sister, Marie Reece, 186 Reagan Road, Trade, TN.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Johnson County Rescue Squad, 203 Vandilla Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.
Online condolences may be sent to the family and viewed through our website at www.hux-lipfpord.com
Arrangements for the Charles L. “Charlie” South family are in the care of Hux-Lipford Funeral Home.

July 20, 2009
Eula Carroll Cowles

Mrs. Eula Carroll Cowles, 100, of 1016 Fletcher Street, Wilkesboro, a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Friday, July 17, 2009.
She was born Dec. 14, 1908 in Watauga County, a daughter to the late P.G. Carroll and Mary Winkler Carroll. This family was honest, truthful, caring, hard working, dependable, and generous.
These traits were given to Eula and she exemplified them as long as she was able. She finished elementary school and had to be sent to Boone to board with a relative so she could attend Boone High School.
After high school she entered Appalachian State Teachers College and worked at various jobs to help with her college education.
She worked at The Novelty Shop in Boone doing the engraving and art work on the novelties.
She also started teaching during the school year and attending college classes in the summer until she received her B.S. Degree.
During her school attendance at ASTC she met and married Mack Cowles (Coles) and both taught school in Watauga County and later in Wilkes County.
She taught in a number of schools, sometimes as teacher and sometimes as principal. There were times when she walked for miles to get to the place of her work. She taught for 42 years.
She enjoyed her students and economic status was never noticed in her classroom – each student being equal and special. Due to her influence many have become influential and prominent citizens.
She was a former member of the Council of Government and served as a member of the Advisory Board and sales staff of Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
The kindest word that falls today may bear its fruit tomorrow. Her work has proven this. Eula was a tiller of the soil – she grew beautiful gardens and was always so generous with her vegetables.
One could not leave from a visit at her home without bags full of garden produce. If a visit to her home had not been made she filled a bag with corn, beans, tomatoes, and anything else that she had growing and she came to visit you. She very carefully checked every article in the bag she was giving you to reassure herself as well as you that she was giving perfection. Many of these products from her garden were canned and preserved.
Lessie White, a neighbor, who helped Eula at bean canning time, made the remark, “When we get to Heaven do you suppose there’ll be beans to fix?”
Eula was so very understanding she would listen to any problem, large or small, probably never giving advice but you would feel better knowing someone cared and understood and that she would never divulge the information.
She was married to Mack Cowles in 1932; this marriage lasted until his death in 1994. She was a trusting and faithful partner.
Eula was a Christian lady and her acts, her deeds, and her expressions of faith were clearly exemplified by her everyday life.
She professed a faith at an early age and attended her church regularly as long as her health permitted. I think we can truly say Eula:
Did all the good she could
By all the means she could
In all the ways she could
In all the places she could
At all the times she could
As long as she could
Eula lived a long well rounded life. We love you Eula. You shall be missed by all but we shall see you again when we meet in that city of eternal rest.
Mrs. Cowles is survived by one brother, Ward Carroll and wife, Elsie, of Boone; two sisters, Norma Collins of Millers Creek, and Molly Ann Jackson of Seattle, Wash.; three nieces, Carol Ann Scott of Seattle, Gayle Benton and husband, Edward, of Millers Creek, and Cathy Schweitzer and husband, Michael, of Boone; and one nephew, Johnny Carroll and wife, Shelby, of Boone.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Mack A. Cowles; and her father and mother, P.G. and Mary Elizabeth Winkler Carroll.
Services will be conducted Monday morning, July 20, 2009, at 11:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Gary Lawrence. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends Monday morning, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the 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.
Online condolences may be sent to the Cowles family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jerry Wayne Smith
Mr. Jerry Wayne Smith, 58, of 662 Brownwood Road, Deep Gap, died Friday morning, July 17, 2009, at his home.
He was born June 7, 1951 in Watauga County, a son of Veo Greene Smith and the late George T. Smith, Sr.
Mr. Smith was a previous employee of Carroll Companies, Inc. and a member of Mount Paron Baptist Church.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Smith is survived by his wife, Janet Wellborn Smith; one daughter, Tasha Warren and husband, Michael, of Walkertown; one grandson, Nathaniel Warren, and one granddaughter, Olivia Warren, all of Walkertown, N.C.; three brothers, Jim Smith and wife, Jane, of Deep Gap, Johnnie Smith and wife, JoAnne, of Todd, and Tom Smith and wife, Sheryl, of Deep Gap; his father and mother-in-law, Bill and Tommie Wellborn of Deep Gap. He is also survived by one aunt, one niece, one great-nephew, one great-niece, and six cousins.
Graveside services and entombment for was conducted Sunday afternoon, July 19, 2009, at 3:00 o'clock, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Mausoleum. Officiating was the Rev. Randall Greene.
The family received friends following the memorial service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center, at 184 Virginia Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607, or High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Smith family at www.hamptonfuneralhome.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Carolyn Jones Tester
Mrs. Carolyn Jones Tester, 66, of Martin Lane, Boone, died Monday afternoon, July 13, 2009, at Kindred Hospital in Tampa, Fla.
She was born Oct. 23, 1942 in Wilkes County, a daughter of the late Ed and Blanche Greene Jones.
Mrs. Tester was retired from Charleston Forge, where she worked as an inspector.
Surviving are her husband, William Ray Tester; two step-daughters, Freda Greene of Laurel, Ky., and Deana Perry of Taylorsville; two step-sons, Eric Tester of Statesville and Chris Tester of Columbus, Ohio; two sisters, Ruth Phillips of Wilkesboro and June Pope of Vilas; one brother, Burl Jones and wife, Wanda, of Marion; one sister-in-law, Bronda Jones of Lenoir; and one brother-in-law, Kenneth Laws and wife, Pat, of Wilkesboro; 14 nieces and nephews and several great-nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Blanche Greene Jones; one sister, Barbara Laws; and one brother, Lawrence Jones.
Services will be conducted Monday evening at 7:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiating by the Rev. Burl Jones, the Rev. David Greene and the Rev. George Berry. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 6 o’clock until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Joe Warren, 146 Warren Lane, Zionville, N.C. 28698.
Online condolences may be sent to the Tester family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Tester family.

Edith Dorothy Tester Ward
Mrs. Edith Dorothy Tester Ward, 85, of Ray Brown Road, Boone, died Saturday morning, July 18, 2009, at her home.
She was born Sept. 9, 1923 in Watauga County, a daughter of Jake Robert and Mary Elizabeth Ward Tester.
Mrs. Ward was a member of the First Christian Church of Boone.
She is survived by two sons, Jake Ward and wife, Sue, of Elk Park, and Jimmy Ward and wife, Pam, of Boone; five daughters, Dorothy Ward and husband, Kenneth, Brenda Cornett and husband, Dale, and Rita Ward, all of Boone; Jeannie Stines and husband, Wade, and Cathy Oaks and husband, Dennis, all of Banner Elk; 22 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ivan Ward; three sons, Ivan Junior Ward, Bobby Ray Ward and Mack Donald Ward; her parents; two sisters; and three brothers.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, July 22, 2009, at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Nathan Ward. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6 until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ward family.