Archived

Martha Davidson
Mrs. Martha Ruth Hollar Davidson, 83, formerly of Museum Road, Statesville, N.C., passed away Tuesday, August 11, 2009, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born Sept. 17, 1925 in Catawba County, N.C., and was the daughter of the late Shellie C. Hollar and Eura Bolick Hollar. She attended Catawba County Schools and also Davis Hospital School of Nursing.
On April 21, 1946 she was married to John Moffatt Clayton Davidson, who died December 10, 2008.
Mrs. Davidson was a member of First A.R.P. Church where she taught 5th grade Sunday School for many years and she was also a member of a church circle. She helped to start the first Garden Club in Statesville, was a leader in the 4-H Club organization and helped with the North Iredell High School Boosters Club while her daughters were in school.
Survivors include a daughter, Mary D. Ostwalt of Boone, N.C.; two granddaughters, Emily Williams of Mooresville, N.C. and Heather Ostwalt of Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Marcia Davidson Williams; along with nine brothers and sisters. She was the last member of her family of ten children.
Services will be conducted 3:00 p.m. Saturday, August 15, 2009, at First A.R.P. Church with her son-in-law, the Rev. Ozzie Ostwalt, Dr. Charles Steele, and the Rev. Robert Sherer officiating. Entombment will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends on Saturday at the church from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. in the Bride Deaton Parlor.
Memorials may be made to First A.R.P. Church, P.O. Box 1607, Statesville, N.C. 28687.
Arrangements for Mrs. Davidson are in the care of Nicholson Funeral Home.

Robert Louis Ocuto
Mr. Robert Louis Ocuto, 58, of Jefferson, N.C., died Friday, August 7, 2009 at his home.
He was born August 8, 1950 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Anthony P. Ocuto and Mary Abanate Ocuto.
He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and a member of the Men’s Club. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and woodworking. He loved to be involved with all his children’s activities.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Ocuto; two daughters, Angela Marie Ocuto and Nicole Helen Ocuto, both of the home; one son, Anthony John Ocuto of the home; his mother, Mary Ocuto of West Jefferson, N.C.; two brothers, Anthony Ocuto and John Ocuto, both of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; and a daughter, Christina Helen Ocuto.
A funeral mass was held Wednesday at 12 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church by Father Joseph Dinh. Burial followed in the Ocuto Family Cemetery with military rites. The family received friends from 6-9 p.m., Tuesday evening at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel.
Memorials may be made to the family, c/o Ashelawn Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 148, Jefferson, N.C. 28640.
You may send and view condolences through our website www.ashelawn.com.
Ashelawn Memorial Chapel was entrusted with Mr. Ocuto’s arrangements.

Donna Gay Lunsford Tester
Mrs. Donna Gay Lunsford Tester, 46, of Elk Creek Road, Deep Gap, died Tuesday morning, August 11, 2009 at the Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
She was born Oct. 10, 1962 in Watauga County, to Bruce James Lunsford, Sr. and Sudie Gray Ford Lunsford.
Mrs. Tester was a member of Mt. Ephraim Baptist Church and was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, James Walter Tester; one brother, Bruce James Lunsford, Jr. and wife, Donna, of Deep Gap; and a second mother to Meleah Wardrup of Hendersonville, and Emmet, Thomas and Jeffrey Lunsford, all of Deep Gap; and her great-nieces, Keoni Ranee and Lily Sharon Wardrup, both of Hendersonville. Several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant sister.
Memorial services will be conducted Friday evening, August 14, 2009, at 7 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 5:30 until 7 o’clock, prior to services at Austin and Barnes.
Memorials may be made to the Tester family.
Online condolences for the family may be sent to austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Tester family.

Melvin C. Triplett
Mr. Melvin C. Triplett, 66, of 460 Jake Storie Road, Boone, died Tuesday night, August 11, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Nov. 7, 1942, in Watauga County, a son of the late Don and Erie Storie Triplett.
Mr. Triplett retired from Enterline and Russell Builders.
Survivors include four sisters, Kathleen Kitchen and Marlene “Molly” Bentley and husband, Charles, all of Boone; Coleen Bush of North Wilkesboro, and Arlene Frye of Wilmington; three brothers, Steve Triplett and wife, Jenny, of Millers Creek; Harold Triplett of Hampstead, and J.C. Triplett and wife, Caren, of Clayton; two life-long friends, Jim Triplett and Dan Coffey, both of Boone; a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Don and Erie Storie Triplett; two brothers, Allen and Kenneth Triplett; two nieces, Cathy Kitchen and Angie Kilby; and two nephews, Hugh Kilby and Brett Frye.
Services will be conducted Saturday, August 15, at 2 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 12:30-1:45. Officiating will be the Rev. Marianne Romanat and the Rev. Mike Howard. Burial will follow in the Moore Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 12:30-1:45 at Hampton Funeral Service, prior to the service. At other times, the family will be at the Triplett home, 460 Jake Storie Road, Boone.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Moore Cemetery Fund, in care of FaithBridge United Methodist Church, 194 Aho Road, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.
Online condolences may be sent to the Triplett family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Winkler Yount
Ms. Helen Winkler Yount, 88, of Columbia, S.C. and formerly of Boone, passed away August 10, 2009.
She was born in Boone, a daughter of the late George C. and Belle Willis Winkler; and wife of the late Robert Russell Yount, Jr.
Surviving are her daughter, Roberta Ann Yount of Columbia, S.C.; and nephew, Richard Winkler (Erie) of Boone, N.C.
Services were held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 13, 2009, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel, Columbia, S.C. Entombment followed in Greenlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum.
The family received friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service at the Devine Street Chapel.
Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 4600 Daniel Drive, Columbia, S.C. 29206.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at dunbarfunerals.com
Dunbar Funeral Home of Columbia, S.C., is serving the Yount family.

August 12, 2009

Earl D. Cornett
Mr. Earl D. Cornett, 85, of Bend, Ore., a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Tuesday, August 4, 2009, in Bend, Ore.
He was born in the Beaver Dam community of Watauga County, to Charlie and Lillie Millsaps Cornett.
Mr. Cornett served his country in the U.S. Army from 1943 until 1946 attaining the rank of PFC while serving during World War II in Central Europe. He was awarded two Bronze Stars, one Silver Star, Good Conduct Medal and Victory Medal for World War II. He worked for the City of Bend in the maintenance department for 32 years. His hobbies included hunting, riding his tractor, working the fields, spending time with his family and trips to Nevada and the Oregon coast.
Services will be conducted Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home in Bend, Ore., at 10 a.m.
Niswonger-Reynolds Funeral Home in Bend, Ore., is in charge of the arrangements.

Robert Louis Ocuto
Mr. Robert Louis Ocuto, 58, of Jefferson, N.C., died Friday, August 7, 2009 at his home.
He was born August 8, 1950 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Anthony P. Ocuto and Mary Abanate Ocuto.
He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and a member of the Men’s Club. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and woodworking. He loved to be involved with all his children’s activities.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia Ocuto; two daughters, Angela Marie Ocuto and Nicole Helen Ocuto, both of the home; one son, Anthony John Ocuto of the home; his mother, Mary Ocuto of West Jefferson, N.C.; two brothers, Anthony Ocuto and John Ocuto, both of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father; and a daughter, Christina Helen Santiago.
A funeral mass will be held Wednesday at 12 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church by Father Joseph Dinh. Burial will follow in the Ocuto Family Cemetery with military rites. The family received friends from 6-9 p.m., Tuesday evening at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family, c/o Ashelawn Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 148, Jefferson, N.C. 28640.
You may send and view condolences through our website www.ashelawn.com.
Ashelawn Memorial Chapel was entrusted with Mr. Ocuto’s arrangements.

Aleen Foster Smith
Mrs. Aleen Foster Smith, 78, of 256 Rainbow Mountain Road, Boone, died Sunday morning, August 9, 2009, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
She was born March 23, 1931, in Wilkesboro, a daughter of the late Troy and Gladys Cardwell Foster.
Mrs. Smith was a retired nurse and a member of First Baptist Church in Wilkesboro.
Survivors include one son, Thomas T. Smith of Boone; one brother, Dainard Foster of Washington State; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her father and mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Johnson "Johnny" Smith; two sisters, Doretta Ivey and Fern Whisnant; and two brothers, T.C. Foster and Tom Foster.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon 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 Dr. David Luster. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock at Hampton Funeral Service, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Smith family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Aug. 10, 2009
Patricia ‘Patty’ Ragsdale Davis
Patricia “Patty” Ragsdale Davis, 49, of Lenoir, died Thursday, August 6, 2009, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.
She was a native of Caldwell County, born Oct. 11, 1959.
Patricia loved sewing and making crafts.
Survivors include two children, Diane Snyder and husband, Jeremy, of Lenoir, and son, Joel Davis of Boise, Idaho; her mother and step-father, Rosalie and Tommy Suddreth of Lenoir; two sisters, Barbara Craig and husband, John, of Lenoir, Lisa Wydra and husband, Eric, of Scott Air Force Base, Ill.; one brother, J. David Ragsdale, Jr. and wife, Deborah, of Raleigh; one grandson, Alexander Jeremiah Snyder; and numerous other nieces, nephews, and relatives.
A celebration of Patricia’s life were conducted at 1 p.m., Saturday, August 8, 2009, in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service with the Rev. Ronnie Rogers officiating.
The family respectfully requests memorials being made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be sent to the Davis family at www.evansfuneralservice.com.
Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is in charge of the arrangements.

Sgt. Richard Charles Ensminger
Sgt. Richard Charles Ensminger, 62, of Niley Cook Road, Blowing Rock, died Friday, July 31, 2009, at the VA Medical Center in Asheville.
He was born Sept. 20, 1946 at Saint Mary’s Hospital in Miami Beach, Fla.
During his seven years of military service, Sgt. Ensminger was a highly decorated veteran who served a total of four tours of duty in Vietnam. He was the recipient of three purple hearts, the Bronze Star with Valor, the Good Conduct Medal, the Navy Presidential Unit Citation, the Combat Action Ribbon, the National Defense Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Bronze Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was a rifle sharp shooter and pistol expert. Sgt. Ensminger was a life member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, the Military order of the Purple Heart, and the Disabled American Veterans. During his tour of duty, he was involved in the Santo Dominican Crisis as well as serving with the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines and the 3rd Battalion of the 5th Marines. He once said that his best honor was when he served in the White House under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Sgt. Ensminger served in Watauga County as commander of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 of Boone. In 1981 he was awarded the N.C. Governor’s Volunteer Award as a Disabled Person Volunteer. Over the years in Boone, he was involved with the Cub and Boy Scouts, the Special Olympic, and many other service organizations. He was always proud that he served his country. Richard loved to help other vets and get their benefits and transport veterans to and from the hospitals. He was also very active in the Watauga REACT team in the 1970’s. Sgt. Ensminger, having served faithfully and honorably, was retired from the United States Marine Corps in March 1, 1970.
Survivors include; his wife, Nancy Love Ensminger; one daughter, Nannette Amelia Lennitt and her twins, Evan Howard and Rebecca Mae Lennitt, of Fort Pierce, Florida; one son, Franklin Howard Ensminger, of Marianna, Florida, and his two sons, Preston York of Greensboro and Dale Charles Ensminger of Lenoir, and a foster son, Terry Main of Blowing Rock; two brothers, M. R. Mack DDS of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Terry McQuiston and wife Barbara and their son, Kyle, of Alpharetta, Georgia; his step-mother, Christine Ensminger, of Eastman, Georgia; two half-sisters, Dottie Ann Rodes and son Mike, of Hampton, Virginia, and Jan Kuligowski and husband Al, of Cochran, Georgia.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Betty White McQuisten, his father, Francis Leon Ensminger, his step-father, Mack McQuisten, and his father and mother-in-law, Franklin Howard and Addie Mae Love.
Military graveside rites will be conducted Saturday morning, August l5, 2009, at 11 o’clock at Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery, officiated by Rev. Burl Greer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 90, Post Office Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ensminger family.

Linda Davis Watson Gilstrap
Linda Davis Watson Gilstrap, 87, died peacefully on July 31, 2009 in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
She was very proud of her birth date, 2/2/22. She was the beloved wife of Andrew T. Watson until his death in 1989 and was later the beloved wife of C.H. “Gillie” Gilstrap until his death in 2004.
Linda and Andy met at Furman University and married on Dec. 26, 1943 in Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. While Andy was a flight instructor in Eagle Pass, Tex. and Pensacola, Fla., Linda was caring for their first daughter, Sandra, and making lifelong friends as well. Linda and Andy lived in Alexandria, Va. for over 30 years where their second daughter, Jessie, was born.
Linda was an active member of the Red Cross and Mt. Vernon DAR Chapter. While starting in the banking business, Linda’s most rewarding years were as the Director of the Chichester School, a private nursery to second grade school in Alexandria. She was always competitive in sports whether swimming in her youth or playing golf and tennis with family and friends at Belle Haven Country Club.
While married to Gillie, Linda loved living in Boone, N.C. and being step-mother to his five children and their large extended family. For three months each year, Gillie and Linda returned to Seabrooke, John’s Island, to enjoy beach life and visiting the Watson Family, Gilstrap family and old family friends living in the surrounding Charleston community. Gillie and Linda gave each other a new lease on life, enjoying entertaining friends, attending sports events at Appalachian State University, and playing “pig” or gin rummy. When it became too hard to attend the Appalachian games, Gillie and Linda’s enthusiasm for watching sports on television increased over the years until that’s where you would find them each weekend for hours on end.
Linda will be greatly missed by her daughters, Dr. Sandra Watson and Jessie and her husband, Mike Killeen; her grandchildren, Lauren, Sean and Carolyn and her husband, Bryan Walker; and great-grandchild, Jessie Walker. She was a loving step-mother to Rick Gilstrap and his wife, Joan, and family; Suzy and her husband, Jack Wilks, and family; Ann Pait (deceased) and family; Jane and her husband, Jon Pierce, and family; and Jack Gilstrap and his wife, Len, and family. Linda’s deceased sister, Betty Edwards Williard, whose family includes Stan Edwards and his wife, Karen, and family; Bill Edwards and his wife, Gayle, and family; Tom Edwards and his wife, Dawn, and family; Linda Prehn and her husband, Fred and family; and Polly Edwards. The Watson family includes Hunter and his wife, Shirley and family; Andy and his wife, Holly, and family; Mike and his wife, Julie, and family; Lewis (deceased); Molly and her husband, Steve Hope, and family; and Thomas (deceased).
A memorial service will be held at Rodenberg Hall, Franke at Seaside, 1885 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, S.C. 29464, on Saturday, August 22, 2009, at 2:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please send a contribution to Reading Is Fundamental (Reading Is Fundamental, Inc. 1825 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite 400, Washington, DC 20009 or) to support Linda’s love of children and reading. (It provides book ownership to at risk children).
Arrangements are being made through Palmetto Cremation Society, Charleston, S.C.

Helen Machree Holder
Mrs. Helen Machree Holder, 69, of Lazy Way, Boone, died Thursday evening, August 6, 2009, at the Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born Feb. 12, 1940 in Spartanburg, S.C. to Benjamin and Helen Bell Goodwin.
Mrs. Holder was a member of Mount Vernon Baptist Church and was a housewife and homemaker.
Survivors include three sons, Richard Terry Holder, Jr. of Atlanta, Ga., Rustin Michael Holder and wife, Cynthia, of Mississippi, and Benjamin Shelly Holder and wife, Heidi, of Charlotte; two daughters, Faith Machree Hyche and husband, Mike, of Statesville and Nichole Machree Hood and husband, Robin, of Boone; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; one brother, Benjamin Goodwin and wife, Gwen, of Tryon; and one sister, Frieda Allen and husband, Bill, of Cary.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Terry Holder, Sr.
Services will be conducted Monday morning, August 10. 2009, at 11 o’clock at Mount Vernon Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Bud Russell. Burial will follow in the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be sent to the Mount Vernon Baptist Church Building Fund, 3505 Bamboo Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family received friends Sunday evening from 6 until 9 o’clock at Austin & Barnes.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Holder family.

James T. ‘Jim’ Lowery Jr.
Mr. James T. "Jim" Lowery, Jr., 66, of 259 Millers Mountain Trail, Valle Crucis, and Surfside Beach, S.C., died Thursday afternoon, August 6, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center in Boone.
He was born March 26, 1943 in Rock Hill, S.C., a son of James T. Lowery, Sr. and Opal Reynolds Lowery.
Mr. Lowery was a self-employed CPA and served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina and an avid "Gamecock" fan. He was a longtime friend of Bill W.'s. Mr. Lowery was a member of Surfside United Methodist Church.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Lowery is survived by his wife of 45 years, Betty Baldwin Lowery; two sons, James T. Lowery, III "Trip" and wife, Eileen, of Kill Devil Hills, N.C., and Rad Lowery and wife, Adrienne, of Surfside Beach; three grandchildren, Savannah Lowery and Katelynn Lowery, both of Kill Devil Hills, and Isaac Lowery of Surfside Beach; one sister, Rosemary Sullivan and husband, Tim, of Rock Hill; and two brothers, Joseph Lowery and wife, Lea, of Rock Hill, and Lanny Lowery and wife, Denise, of Spartanburg, S.C.
A memorial service for Mr. James T. "Jim" Lowery, Jr. will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, August 11, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. James T. Lowery, III "Trip".
The family will receive friends following the memorial service.
A second memorial service will be conducted Thursday evening, August 13, 2009, at 6:00 o'clock, at Surfside United Methodist Church in Surfside Beach, South Carolina. Officiating will be the Rev. James T. Lowery, III "Trip" and the Rev. Kim Eanes.
The family will receive friends following the memorial service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jimmy V Foundation, 106 Towerview Court, Cary, N.C. 27513, or to the Valle Crucis Community Park, PO Box 581, Valle Crucis, N.C. 28691.
Online condolences may be sent to the Lowery family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Matthew Curtis Main
Mr. Matthew Curtis Main, 23, of Council Ward Road, Sugar Grove, died Saturday morning, August 8, 2009.
He was born August 23, 1985, he was the son of Curtin Main and Jennifer Brinkley Cash.
Matthew was a graduate of Watauga High School, NASCAR Technical School, and was a veteran, having served in the United States Air Force as an aircraft mechanic. He had previously worked as a mechanic with Armstrong Ford and Mack Brown, Inc. Matt was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church.
Surviving are his mother; Jennifer Brinkley Cash of Vilas; his father, Curtis Main and wife, Stephanie, of Sugar Grove; his maternal grandparents, Tom and Donna Brinkley of Lehigh Acres, Fla.; his paternal grandparents, Roy and Mary Lee Main of Boone, and Dorcas Hodges of Vilas; one aunt, Carolyn Warren and husband, Jimmy, of Zionville; three uncles, Pat Brinkley and wife, Elizabeth, of Lehigh Acres, Fla., David Main and wife, Martha, of Newton, and Eric Hodges and wife, Lisa, of Vilas; his girlfriend, Hollie Scholl of Vilas; two special friends, and brothers, Travis Ward and Eric Scholl of Vilas; and a number of cousins.
Services will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock at Beaver Dam Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Carl Johnson. Burial will follow in the Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday morning prior to the service from 9 o’clock until 11 o’clock. At other times friends may call at the home of Roy and Mary Lee Main, 222 George Wilson Road, Boone, or at the home of Keith and Tammy Ward, 968 US Hwy 321 North, Vilas.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, in care of Jan Scott, 3476 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692 or to Carolina’s Rehabilitation, 1100 Blythe Boulevard, Charlotte, N.C. 28203.
Online condolences may be sent to the Main family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Main family.

Jakob Oliver ‘Ollie’ Mastin

Jakob Oliver "Ollie" Mastin passed away in the loving arms of his parents on August 3, 2009, two days shy of his first birthday.
Oliver was a victim of the genetic disease, Spinal Muscular Atrophy – Type I.
He is survived by his parents, Neil and Rebekka Mastin of Raleigh; and his grandparents, Grant and Pamela Mastin of Deep Gap, N.C. and Timothy and Karla Mize of Yukon, Okla.
More information about this heartbreaking disease, the biggest genetic killer of children under two, and about Oliver's life can be found at http://olliestale.blogspot.com.
A celebration of his short but full life was held at 12 Noon on August 7, 2009 at Shady Wagon Farm in New Hill, N.C. Oliver's bright smile and big blue eyes will be missed by many. We love you Ollie-bear!


Agnes Storie Miller
Mrs. Agnes Storie Miller, 89, of Sampson Road, Boone, the Aho community, died Saturday morning, August 8, 2009 at her home.
She was born Oct. 18, 1919 in Watauga County, to Colfax and Nell Hampton Storie.
Mrs. Miller was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Valerie Dotson of Boone and Kay Mullen and husband, Bill, of Coral Springs, Fla.; two sons, Kent Miller and wife, Peggy, of Lenoir and Michael Miller and wife, Becky, of Boone. Eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.
She was preceded in death by her husband, William Stokes Miller; two granddaughters, Kristle Messer and Joanna Mullens; and a brother, Kermit Storie.
Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 o’clock at Friendship United Methodist Church. Burial will be private.
Friends may call at the Miller residence on Sampson Road at any times.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Friendship United Methodist Church, in care of Donna Lyons, Post Office Box 401, Boone, N.C.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Miller family.

George Daniel Watson
Mr. George Daniel Watson, 87, of Cherry Tree Lane, Banner Elk, the Foscoe Community, died Friday evening, August 7, 2009 at Life Care of Banner Elk.
He was born August 11, 1921 in Pompano Beach, Fla., to Ezra Kilbert and Evelyn Waas Watson.
Mr. Watson retired as a police officer from the city of Miami in 1977. He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Masonic Lodge. George and his wife began spending summers in the Foscoe community in 1979 where the made many wonderful friends and acquaintances.
Survivors include one daughter, Barbara Tomson and husband, Peter, of Foscoe; one son, Kim Watson and wife, Marina, of Miami, Fla.; two granddaughters, Karen Hodges of Foscoe and Kathy Zalewski and husband, Robert, of Davis Junction, Ill.; and three great-grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Aiden and Adam Hodges, all of Foscoe.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gwendolyn Reams Watson; and three brothers, Edward, Donald and William Watson.
Funeral services and entombment will be conducted Tuesday at the Woodlawn Cemetery Mausoleum in Miami, Fla.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Watson family.

Gaynelle Banner Wilson
Mrs. Gaynelle Banner Wilson, 74, of 2210 Mast Gap Road, Sugar Grove, died Tuesday, August 4, 2009, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
She was born Oct. 3, 1934 in Avery County, a daughter of Beatrice Teague Banner and the late Robert Martin Banner.
Mrs. Wilson was a retired music educator for the Watauga County School System, where she worked for 30 years.
In addition to her mother, Mrs. Wilson is survived by one son, Derek Martin Wilson and his friend, Donna Francis, of Vilas; one daughter, Heather Wilson Wingler and husband, Eddie, of Banner Elk; one grandson, Brandon Mast Combs of Sugar Grove; one granddaughter, Haley Eden Wingler of Banner Elk. She is also survived by a number of aunts, uncles, one niece, and cousins.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one brother, Samuel Teague Banner.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, August 9, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Henson Chapel United Methodist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Judy Eurey and the Rev. Richard Moore. Burial followed in Newland City Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, in care of Glenda Hodges, 810 Parkcrest Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to Henson Chapel United Methodist Church, in care of Donna Francis, 381 Laurel Branch Drive, Vilas, N.C. 28692.
Online condolences may be sent to the Wilson family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.