AZALINE BUCHANAN LEDFORD
BAKERSVILLE Azaline Buchanan Ledford, 93, of Ledford Ridge Lane,
died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2002 at Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation in
Spruce Pine. She was the daughter of the late Perry and Dora Buchanan,
and wife of the late Grovie Ledford. A homemaker, she was the oldest member
of Calvary Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Grace DeGroat of Newdale; a son, Arthur
Ledford of Bakersville; four grandchildren; and seven great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 8 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Revs. Ronnie Gouge, Vernon Buchanan and Charles
Willis officiated. Burial was at 11 a.m. Wednesday in Cane Creek Cemetery.
The family received friends from 6:30 p.m. until the service hour at the
funeral home.
HAZEL FREEMAN COOKE
NEWLAND Hazel Freeman Cooke, of the Cranberry community, died Sunday,
Nov. 10, 2002 at Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville. She was the daughter
of the late Sherman Freeman and Ivie Buchanan Freeman Sparks. She was also
preceded in death by two sons, Sammy McCoury and Kirk Cooke, and one brother,
Calvin Freeman. She was a member of Lewis Chapel Freewill Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Edward Cooke Jr. of the home; four daughters,
Zanah McCoury of Wytheville, VA, Pam Williams of Spruce Pine, Sarah Young
of Minneapolis, and Karen Birchfield of Elk Park; two sons, Billy McCoury
of Cranberry and Hugh Cooke of Roan Mountain, TN; two sisters, Estell Crosby
of National City, CA, and Virginia Shupe of Rural Retreat, VA; and one
brother, Ambrose Freeman of Cranberry; 17 grandchildren; and eight great
grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday at Lewis Chapel
Freewill Baptist Church. Revs. Gene Carver and Spivey Penland officiated.
Burial was in Cranberry Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8
p.m. Tuesday at the church. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine was in charge
of arrangements.
VESTAL MCKINNEY
BAKERSVILLE Vestal McKinney, 80, of McKinney Lane, died Saturday,
Nov. 9, 2002 at VA Mountain Home in Johnson City, TN. He was the son of
the late Will and Polly Garland McKinney. He was also preceded in death
by his sisters, Vista Garland, Daisy Gouge, and Texie Ledford; and brothers,
Charlie and Edd McKinney. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a member of
the Church of Lord Jesus Christ and a combustion engineer with C&E
Air Preheater in Marion.
Survivors include his wife, Joyce Bennett McKinney; daughters, Margaret
Johnson and Elizabeth Miller, both of Marion; a sister, Gladys Hughes of
Maryland; and one grandson.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Revs. Dallas Cook, Douglas Honeycutt and Mike
Peterson officiated. Burial followed with VFW graveside services in Greene
Garland Cemetery. The family received friends from 7-9 p.m. Monday at the
funeral home.
WILLIAM GOFORTH
SPRUCE PINE William Goforth, 88, of Sevierville, TN, formerly of
Spruce Pine, died Sunda, Nov. 10, 2002. He was the son of the late Merit
and Lula Thacker Goforth. He was also preceded in death by four sisters.
He was a member of Bethel Missionary Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mable Townsend Goforth of the home; daughter,
Carolyn Leonard of Sevierville, TN; sons, Billl Goforth Jr. of Westerville,
OH, and Charles Goforth of Oklahoma City, OK; a sister, Margaret McMahan
of Glenwood; seven grandchildren; one step-son; and nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Bethel Missionary
Baptist church. Revs. Luther Carver and Darrin Waldroup officiated. Burial
was in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 1 p.m. until
the service hour Wednesday at the church.
MYRTLE BUTLER WILSON
LITTLE SWITZERLAND Myrtle Butler Wilson, 88, of Wilson Lane, died
Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2002 at White Oak Family Care in Bakersville. She was
the daughter of the late Wash and Emily Hollifield Butler, and wife of
the late Johnny B. Wilson. She was also preceded in death by her sisters,
Betty Riddle, Mamie Schmit and Carrie Burnette. She was retired from American
Thread (Coats America).
Survivors include her son, Robert B. Wilson of Spruce Pine; three grandson,
all of Little Switzerland; and one great granddaughter.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Rev. Chet Glenn officiated. Burial was in
Chestnut Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family received visitors from
1 p.m. until the service hour at the funeral home. Memorial donations may
be made to Hospice of Mitchell County, P.O. box 38, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
JOE PARLIER
ELK PARK Joe Parlier, 48, died Friday, Nov. 15, 2002 in Watauga Medical
Center. A native of Detroit, MI, he was the son of Sanford and Joan Weldecker
Parlier of Elk Park. He was a member of Beech Mountain Baptist Church and
a U.S. Army veteran. He had worked 19 years with the North Carolina Department
of Corrections.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Alice Parlier
of the home; daughters, Laura Richardson of Shaw AFB, SC, and Jody and
Ashley Parlier of the home; sisters, Linda Briggs and Sandra Norris, both
of Elk Park; brothers, Arnold Parlier of Granite Falls, Charles Parlier
of Mountain city, TN, and James and Jeffrey Parlier, both of Elk Park;
and two grandsons.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at Beech Mountain Baptist
Church. Revs. Dennis Church and David Burnop officiated. Burial was in
Beech Mountain Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. Sunday
at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland.
BESSIE HOLDER BUCHANAN
BAKERSVILLE Bessie Holder Buchanan, 84, of Hamburg Road, died Friday,
Nov. 15 in Spruce Pine Community Hospital. She was the daughter of the
late Greenlee and Senia Ledford Holder, and wife of the late Baxter David
Buchanan. She was a former employee of Ellen Knitting Mill and a homemaker.
She was a member of Faith Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty Smith of Fairview; one son, Rev.
Ronald Buchanan of Bakersville; a brother, Roosevelt Holder of Florida;
six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 8 p.m. Sunday inn the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Rev. Skip Weiford officiated. burial was at
11 a.m. Monday in Cane Creek Cemetery. The family received friends two
hours prior to the service at the funeral home.
WILLIAM HOBERT FREEMAN
MARION William Hobert (Hobe) Freeman, 94, formerly of Spruce Pine,
died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002 at Oteen VA Nursing Facility. He was the son
of the late Dock and Stella Franklin Freeman, and husband of the late Ada
Barrier Freeman. He was also preceded in death by a son, Harlan Freeman;
and sisters, Ann Kear and Lela Harlow. He owned and operated WH Freemans
Nursery and was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.
Survivors include his daughters, Judy Presnell of Burnsville and Viola
Wright of Marion; a son, Gary L. Freeman of Spruce Pine; sisters, Winnie
Franklin of Citrus Heights, CA, and Inez Fullbright of Marion; brothers,
James Freeman of Elizabeth City, Omar Freeman of Spruce Pine, Carl Freeman
of Vinita, OK, Earnest Freeman of Candler, and Robert Freeman of Morganton;
eight grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; two step grandchildren; one
step great grandchild; and one step great great grandchild.
Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Grindstaff Memorial
Chapel of Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Sunday
in Mt. Zion Methodist Church Cemetery. The family received friends from
5 p.m. until the service hour Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations
may be made to Hospice of McDowell County, 218 North Logan Street, Marion,
NC 28752.
G. ESTALENE PARKER
SPRUCE PINE G. Estalene Parker, 83, formerly of Carrollton, died
Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2002 at the Brian Center in Spruce Pine. She was the
daughter of the late Claude and Emma Stumbo Pruitt, and wife of the late
William Parker. She was also preceded in death by a brother, Harold Pruitt;
a stepsister, Helen Hillis; two stepbrothers, George and Curtis Ray; and
one great grandson. A member of Carrollton First Baptist Church, the American
Business Womens Association, and the Jacksonville Moose Lodge, she was
retired from General Telephone Company, in Jacksonville, IL.
Survivors include one son, Keith Parker of Spruce Pine; two daughters,
Karen Carmody of Springfield, IL, and Kathy Greco of Beach Park, IL; eight
grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Friday at Airsman-Hires Funeral
Home in Carrollton. Graveside rites were at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Carrollton
City Cemetery. The family received friends from 4-7 p.m. Friday at the
funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimers Research
Foundation.
BROWN LOWE HUGHES
NEWLAND Brown Lowe Hughes, 65, of the Roaring Creek community, died
Wednesday in a Johnson City, TN hospital. He was the son of the late Bobby
and Pearl Smith Hughes. He was also preceded in death by his brothers,
Frank and Richard Hughesp; and sisters, Eliza Jane and Rosa Hughes. He
attended Roaring Creek Holiness Church.
Survivors include his wife, Paulette McKinney Hughes of the home; sons,
Charles Robert Hughes of Spruce Pine, and Richard Ray Hughes and Randy
Allen Hughes of Newland; daughters, Margaret Elizabeth Lusk, Tonya Sue
Hughes and Amber Nicole Hughes, all of Newland; sister, Mary Moody of Newland;
brother, Adam Hughes of Newland; and eight grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Friday in the Grindstaff Memorial
Chapel of Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine. Revs. Ken Lance and Hugh Hall
officiated. Burial was in Hughes Cemetery. The family received friends
one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
HOBERT LEE BURLESON
SPRUCE PINE Hobert Lee Burleson, 78, of Clearwater Road, died Tuesday,
Nov. 26, 2002 at his home. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of
the late Sam and Mae Nanney Burleson. He was a self-employed landscaper
and a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He was also a member of Vespers
Masonic Lodge #554 AF&AM, and a U.S. Army veteran of WWII.
Survivors include his wife, Edna Lee Pittman of the home; one daughter,
Sabra Leigh Rock of Spruce Pine; one brother, Robert J. Burleson of Marion;
two grandchildren; and three great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mt. Carmel Baptist
Church. Revs.Martin Fisher, R.M. Cassidy and J.J.Orr officiated. Burial
followed in the church cemetery with graveside rites conducted by Vespers
Masonic Lodge #554 AF&AM. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m.
Friday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes Funeral Home in Bakersville.
JIMMIE O. EDWARDS
SPRUCE PINE Jimmie O. Edwards, 61, of George Gap Road, died Saturday,
Nov. 30, 2002, at his home. He lived a number of years in Seven Valleys,
PA, where he was a member of Seven Valleys Baptist Church. After returning
to Spruce Pine, he worked in the maintenance department at WalMart. He
was a member of the Blue Ridge Grass Band.
Survivors include his wife, Christine Wiseman Edwards of the home;
his mother, Myrtle Edwards of Bakersville; a son, Vincent Edwards of Pennsylvania;
daughters, Michele Edwards and Jennifer Edwards, both of Pennsylvania;
brother, Gilbert Edwards of Maryland; sister, Evelyne Musselman of Pennsylvania;
and two grandsons.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Grindstaff Memorial
Chapel of Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine. Revs. Howard Forbes and Bud
Edwards officiated. Burial followed in Cook Cemetery. The family received
friends from 7-9 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
PAUL GOUGE
BAKERSVILLE Paul Gouge, 79, died Thursday, Nov. 28, 2002, at the
Brian Center in Spruce Pine. He was the son of the late Rom and Mima Greene
Gouge. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Handord, Howard,
Millard and Brown Gouge; sisters, Ethel Garland, Neva McKinney and Nezzie
Korman. He was a heavy equipment operator for Burns and Spangler, Inc.
and Lawson/Claude Greene.
Survivors include his wife, Irene Johnson Gouge of the home; a son,
Don Gouge of Asheville; one daughter, Ginger Peterson of Bakersville; six
grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 8 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Rev. Eddie Dean Ledford officiated. Graveside
services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Gouge Cove Cemetery. Revs. Dallas
Cook and Douglas Honeycutt officiated. Memorial donations may be made to
Hospice of Mitchell County, P.O. Box 38, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
WILLIAM M. MULLINNIX
BAKERSVILLE William M. Pete Mullinnix, 86, of the Snow Creek community,
died Monday, Dec. 2, 2002 at Spruce Pine Community Hospital. A native of
Anniston, AL, he was retired from Eustis Engineering Company and was a
member of Bakersville Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Florence Townsend Mullinnix of the home;
two daughters, Lynn Rowan of Forest City, and Pat Wilson of Bakersville;
one son, William Mullinnex of Dossier City, LA; three grandchildren; and
four great grandchildren.
Graveside services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in Bakersville Memorial
Cemetery. Dr. James D. Jordan and Rev. Billy Stewart officiated. Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville was in charge of arrangements. Memorial donations
may be made to Hospice of Mitchell County, P.O. Box 38, Spruce Pine, NC
28777.
DAVID FULLER HUSKINS
BAKERSVILLE David Fuller Huskins, 92, of Fuller Huskins Lane, died
Friday, Nov. 29, 2002 at Spruce Pine Community Hospital. He was the son
of the late Charles and Creanie Gouge Huskins, and husband of the late
Claudia Buchanan Huskins. An avid outdoorsman, he was a U.S. Army veteran
of WWII, serving under Gens. Bradley and Patton. He had been employed as
a structural ironworker and was a member of Lily Branch Baptist Church.
Survivors include one brother, Bobby Huskins of Bakersville; two sisters,
Mary Lou Willis and Kathleen Hall, both of Bakersville; and several nieces
and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Saturday at Lily Branch Baptist
Church. Rev. Steve Williams officiated. Burial was in the church cemetery.
The family received friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
HARLEY BURNETTE JR.
NEWLAND Harley Burnette Jr., 65, of Little Henson Creek Road, died
Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002 in a Linville hospital. He was the son of the late
Harley Burnette Sr. and Daisy Mae McKinney Burnette of Sprucd Pine. A member
of Chestnut Grove Baptist Church, he was president of the local Unimin
union, UTWA.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Kate Johnson
Burnette; a son, Steven Burnette of Spruce Pine; a daughter, Carolyn Johnson
of Fort Worth, TX; brothers, Roger and Jimmy Burnette, both of Spruce Pine;
one grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Grindstaff Memorial
Chapel of Webb Funeral Home in Sprucd Pine. Revs. Earl Carver Jr. and Monroe
Cook officiated. Burial was in Burnette Cemetery. The family received friends
from 10 a.m. until the service hour Thursday at the funeral Home.
MARIE WRIGHT LEDFORD
NEBO Marie Wright Ledford, 83, died Friday, Nov. 29, 2002 at Presbyterian
Hospital in Charlotte. A native of Mitchell County, she was the daughter
of the late D.W. and Mattie Gouge Buchanan. She was also preceded in death
by her first husband, Lennis Grady Wright, and second husband, Troy A.
Ledford. She was a member of Bethel Freewill Baptist Church and retired
from Drexel Heritage.
Survivors include three sons, Danny Wright of Charlotte, Lanny Wright
of Bakersville, and Roger Wright of Linville; one daughter, Delores Ross
of Charlotte; one sister, Mary McKinney of Bakersville; nine grandchildren;
and nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Westmoreland
Funeral Home. Revs. Ray Stockton, Carl Roland and W.C. Keller officiated.
Burial was in McDowell Memorial Park. The family received friends from
5-7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
JERRY R. PARLIER
MORGANTON Jerry R. Parlier, 54, died Sunday, Dec. 1, 2002 at his
residence. He was the son of Fleta Horney Parlier of Morganton and the
late Hugh Reece Parlier. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Nellie
Dale. He was a U.S. Army veteran and a retired employee of Broughton Hospital.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife,m Kathy Fortune
Parlier of the home; a daughter, Katrina Tallent of Morganton; step daughters,
Kim Keller and Sabra Pritchard, both of Newland; brothers, Russell Franklin
Parlier of Roxboro, and Ray Parlier of Morganton; a sister, Gladys Cooper
of Morganton; three grandchildren; three step grandchildren; and several
nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday at Grace Baptist Church.
Rev. Marty Bess officiated. Burial followed in Burke Memorial Park with
military graveside rites by the Morganton Veterans Ceremonial Team. The
family received friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Sossoman Funeral Home.
LYLE HOSCHAR
TAMPA, FL Lyle Hoschar, 73, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002. A member
of State Highway Baptist Church, he was retired from the Tampa Tribune
as a pressman after many years of service.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel Rose Hoschar of the home; a brother,
Charles Hoschar of Kentucky; four step children; and 12 grandchildren.
Funeral services were at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel of Adams
and Jennings Funeral Home. The family received friends from 6 p.m. until
the service hour at the funeral home. He was then sent to Webb Funeral
Home in Spruce Pine for services and burial.
CELIA TWIGGS WILCOX
SPRUCE PINE Celia Wilcox, 90, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2002 at Memorial
Mission Hospital in Asheville. She was the daughter of the late Greene
Buchanan and Nelly Twiggs King, and wife of the late Daniel L. Wilcox.
She was also preceded in death by a son, David Wilcox; a sister, Hattie
McKinney; granddaughter, Pam Wilcox; and several half brothers. She was
a member of Spruce Pine Freewill Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughters, Betty Biddix, Madge Biddix, and Linda
Carpenter all of Spruce Pine, and Sarah Buchanan and Dorothy Sue Buchanan
of Bakersville; two half sisters, Viola Underwood of Valdese and Beatrice
Wise of Spruce Pine; two half brothers, Bernie Buchanan of Pineola and
Sammy Buchanan of Valdese; 13 grandchildren; and 18 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday at Spruce Pine Freewill
Baptist Church. The family received friends from 5-7 p.m. Sunday at Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville.
RACHEL DELLINGER LYONS
BAKERSVILLE Rachel Dellinger Lyons, 89, died Saturday, Dec. 7, 2002
at the Brian Center in Spruce Pine. She was the daughter of the late Marvel
Greenberry and Susan Buchanan Dellinger, and wife of the late Carthie Lyons.
She was also preceded in death by two sister, Edith Edwards and Mabel Hollifield;
and two brothers, Stephen and James Dellinger. A member of Cane Creek Baptist
Church, she was retired from the State of Virginia Department of Highways.
Survivors include a sister, Ruth Lamkin of Plainsboro, NJ; a brother,
Jack Dellinger of Pensacola, FL and Bakersville; and several nieces and
nephews.
Graveside services were held at 3 p.m. Monday at Cane Creek Cemetery.
Revs. Mark McKinney and John Stafford officiated. Henline-Hughes Funeral
Home in Bakersville was in charge of arrangements.
CARROLL RAY FORBES
SPRUCE PINE Carroll Ray Forbes, 72, of Edison, NJ, died Thursday,
Dec. 12, 2002 at his home. A native of Unicoi, TN, he was a U.S. Army veteran
of the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife, Hazel McGuire Forbes of the home; daughters,
Donna Matis, Caroline Steele and Leslie Murdock, all of Edison, NJ; sisters,
Lottie Davis of Morganton, Irene Fisher, Mildred Buchanan and Kathleen
Buchanan, all of Spruce Pine, Genevieve Cook and Lucy Lanning both of Marion,
and Anna Lee Ledford of Johnson City, TN; brother, Jack Forbes of Newland;
and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at Fairview Baptist
Church. Revs. Glenn Burleson and Donnie Thomas officiated. Burial was in
the church cemetery. The family received friends from 7-9 p.m. Tuesday
at Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine. Memorial donations may be made to
the American Diabetes Foundation.
JOHN JACK TUCKER
SPRUCE PINE John Jack Tucker, 80, of Gusher Knob, died Monday,
Dec. 9, 2002 at his residence. He was the son of the late Sydnore J. and
Ella Beatrice Freeland Tucker. He was also preceded in death by a sister,
Elizabeth Calhoun; a half-brother, Thomas Tucker; and a stepdaughter, Debra
Ann Ripley. A U.S. Air Force veteran of WWII, he was co-owner of Tucker
and Johnson Office Supply and a Sunday School teacher at the Episcopal
Church of Palm Beach.
Survivors include his wife, Sam Ripley Tucker of the home; one daughter,
Ann Costello of Ocala, FL; one son, John Gordon Tucker Jr. of Forest City,
CA; one stepdaughter, Denise Miller of New Albany, OH; one stepson, David
Ripley of Huntersville; two granddaughters; and five step grandchildren.
A memorial service was held at 11 a.m. thursday at Pine Grove Methodist
Church. Cremation was handled by Cremation of the South in Smyrna, GA.
Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Avery County, P.O. Box 1350,
Newland, NC 28657, or Avery County Humane Society, 1824 Stamey Branch Road,
Newland, NC 28657.
MARGARET JO HORN CAVE
LITTLE SWITZERLAND Margaret Jo Horn Cave of Tampa, FL and Little
Switzerland, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2002 in Tampa.
Survivors include her husband, Rev. George H. Cave Jr., the Summer
Vicar at The Church of the Resurrection in Little Switzerland; four children;
11 grandchildren; and one sister.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at St. Johns Episcopal
Church in Tampa. A memorial service will be held at The Church of the Resurrection
after the church reopens in May 2003. Memorial donations may be made to
St. Johns Episcopal Church in Tampa, FL, or The Church of the Resurrection
in Little Switzerland.
JOE GALE BIDDIX
SPRUCE PINE Joe Gale Biddix, 56, of Fairy Avenue, died Monday, Dec.
16, 2002 at his residence. He was the son of Lee Ray Biddix of Spruce Pine
and the late Dixie McCloud Biddix. A U.S. Army veteran, he was a member
of First Baptist Church in Spruce Pine.
In addition to his father, he is survived by his wife, Martha Vaughn
Biddix of the home; a daughter, Shanna Kelling of Swannanoa; sons, Shane
Colbath of Black Mountain, and Chad Biddix of Lakeland, FL; stepsons, Steven
and Keith Vaughn, both of Spruce Pine; and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Grindstaff Memorial
Chapel of Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine. Rev. Steve Sisk officiated.
Burial was Wednesday in Whites Memorial Cemetery. The family received friends
from 6 p.m. until the service hour Tuesday at the funeral home.
BETTY JO MILLER
JOHNSON CITY, TN Betty Jo Miller, 73, died Friday, Dec. 6, 2002 at
Johnson City Medical Center. A native of Bakersville, she was the daughter
of the late George and Florence Sparks Conley. A homemaker, she was a member
of Johnson City Baptist Temple, where she taught the Ladies Adult Sunday
School Class.
Survivors include her husband, Roy C. Miller of the home; one daughter,
Angela Miller of Telford; two sisters, Helen Hughes of Telford,and Ethel
Gouge of Bakersville; one niece; and one nephew.
Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Monday at Appalachian Funeral
Home. Rev. Wilkie Brookshire officiated. Graveside services were held at
12 noon onTuesday in Roselawn Memory Gardens. The family received friends
from 6 p.m. until the service hour Monday at the funeral home.
DAVID A. PRESSLEY
BAKERSVILLE David A. Pressley, 34, of Hillcrest Drive, died Monday,
Dec. 16, 2002 at his residence. A native of Honolulu, Hawaii, he was the
son of Bill and Celene Grindstaff Pressley. He was a member of Snow Hill
Baptis tchurch and was a carpenter and truck driver.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by one daughter, Bethany
Megan Pressley of Bakersville; two sons, Zachary Allen Pressley and Jesse
David Pressley, both of Bakersville; one brother, Ben Pressley of Bakersville;
and one sister, B.J. Ollis of Bakersville.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Snow Hill Baptist
Church. Revs. Gerald Grindstaff and Shane Buchanan officiated. Burial followed
in the church cemetery. The family received friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Henline-Hughes Funeral Home in Bakersville was in charge of arrangements.
BOBBY LEE SPARKS
ICARD Bobby Lee Sparks, 72, died Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2002 at Catawba
Valley Medical Center. He was the son of the late Claude and nancy Helms
Sparks. He was also preceded in death by five brothers; one sister; and
one grandson. He had been employed by Bassett Furniture.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Sparks; one son, Henry Joseph
Sparks of Drexel; five daughters, Shirley Autrey of Icard, Rosa St. John
of Americas, GA, and Barbara Victoria Blanton, Cynthia Marie Powell, and
Lois Michele Tipton, all of Morganton; three stepchildren; and several
grandchildren, great grandchildren and step grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Ransom Baptist Church
in Hildebran. Revs. Alan McCoy and John Lail officiated. Burial was in
Catawba Memorial Park. The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday
at Catawba Funerals and Cremations.
ANNIE GOUGE LEWIS
BAKERSVILLE Annie Gouge Lewis, 94, of Maple Street, died Thursday,
Dec. 19, 2002 at her residence. She was the daughter of the late Gibbs
and Louisa Bennett Gouge, and wife of the late Halvey Lewis. She was also
preceded in death by two sisters and seven brothers. She was a homemaker
and member of First Christian Church.
Survivors include her daughters, Regina L. Henline and Sybil L. Hall,
both of Spruce Pine; a brother, Homer Gouge of Green Mountain; and one
granddaughter.
Funeral services were held at 8 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Rev. Palma L. Bennett officiated. Burial was
at 11 a.m. Saturday in Fairview Cemetery. The family received friends one
hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be
made to Hospice of Mitchell County, P.O. Box 38, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.
ANDREW JACKSON (JAKE) MCKINNEY
BAKERSVILLE Andrew Jackson (Jake) McKinney, 83, died Sunday, Dec.
22, 2002 in the Veterans Administration Center in Oteen. He was the son
of the late Brown and Francis Buchanan McKinney, and husband of the late
Billie June McKinney. He was also preceded in death by a brother, John
McKinney; and sisters, Bertha Wilson and Rosalee Deneen.
Survivors include his sons, Daniel and Christopher McKinney, both of
Kingsport, TN; a stepdaughter, Deborah Hughes of Marion; one brother, Milton
McKinney of Newport Richie, VA, and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 7 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Rev. Don Ford officiated. Burial was at 11
a.m. Tuesday in Bakersville Memorial Cemetery with graveside services by
VFW Post 8060. The family received friends from 6-7 p.m. Monday at the
funeral home.
C.W. HUFFMAN
NEWLAND C.W. Huffman, 72, of Little Plumtree Creek, died Tuesday,
Dec. 31, 2002 at his residence. He was the son of Eula Johnson Huffman
of Newland and the late Staples Huffman. A member of Chestnut Dale Baptist
Church, he was retired from the furniture and textiles industries.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Pansy Virginia
Shell Huffman of the home; a son, Michael Huffman of Newland; sisters,
Bonnie Sluder, Glenna Ollis and Blanche Shell, all of Newland; brothers,
Conley Huffman of Newland, and Pete and Lance Huffman, both of Spruce Pine;
and one grandson.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Grandfather Chapel
of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Revs. Jerry Burleson and Gary Huffmann
officiated. Burial was in Elk Mountain Cemetery. The family received friends
from 1 p.m. until the service hour Wednesday at the funeral home.
ANTHONY LEE (TONY) JOHNSON
MARION Anthony Lee (Tony) Johnson, 59, of Roberts Hill Drive, died
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003 at his home. He was the son of the late Essie Feather
and Anthony Heminger. He was also preceded in death by his adoptive parents,
Marion Weaver and Ellis Johnson; a brother, Terry Heminger; sisters, Beverly
Anderson and Cynthia Wolfe; a niece; and a great nephew. A member and tribal
elder of of the Sisston-Wahpeton Sioux tribe, he was a U.S. Navy veteran
of the Vietnam War. He worked for 25 years as a respiratory therapist at
McDowell Hospital and was recently employed as a truck driver and instructor.
Survivors include his wife, Gertie McKinney Johnson; stepfather, Clyde
Weaver of Soda Springs, ID; daughter, Jada Snyder of Marion; son, Shane
Johnson of Marion; foster daughter, Amy Sheehan of Marion; sisters, Lois
Jackson of Wilmot, SD and Peggy Thompson of Sisseton, SD; brothers, Alex
and Tato Heminger, both of Sisseton, SD; two granddaughters; and several
nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. Monday at the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints. Brother Curtis Patton officiated. Burial was
in McKinney Gap Cemetery. The family received friends at the home prior
to the service. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine was in charge of arrangements.
MABLE MASTERS YOUNG
NEWDALE Mable Masters Young died Saturday, January 4, 2003 at her
home. A native of Mitchell County, she was the daughter of the late Aaron
and Vista Tipton Masters, and wife of the late Warren M. Young. She was
also preceded in death by an infant daughter.
Survivors include three sons, Kirk Young, Fritz Young and Eric Young,
all of Burnsville; three brothers, Gene Masters of Waldorf, MD, Bill Masters
of Gray, TN, and Bruce Masters of Jonesborough, TN; three grandchildren;
and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at 6 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Holcombe
Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. Frank Wyatt and David Gillespie officiated.
Graveside services were held at 1 p.m. Monday in the Newdale Presbyterian
Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 4-6 p.m. Sunday at the
funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Yancey County,
P.O. Box 471, Burnsville, NC 28714, or to The Gideons, P.O. Box 264, Burnsville,
NC 28714.
CLAUDIA WILMA DELLINGER
BURNSVILLE Claudia Wilma Dellinger, 92, died Friday, Dec. 20, 2002
in the Brian Center in Spruce Pine. She was the daughter of the late Edd
and Essie Sparks Young, and wife of the late Claude Dellinger. She was
also preceded in death by a brother, Kenneth Young; an infant daughter;
and a granddaughter. She was an active member of Newdale Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are four daughters, Faye Johnson and Vera Westall of Burnsville,
Linda Capps of Spruce Pine, and Sherrie Styles of Titusville, FL; a son,
Edward Dellinger of Spruce Pine; nine grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 8 p.m. Monday in the chapel of Holcombe
Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. Mike Brazelle, Steve Williams and Eugene Styles
officiated. Graveside services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Newdale
Prestyterian Church Cemetery. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m.
Monday at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Newdale Presbyteriann
Church Building Fund, Newdale Presbyterian Church Road, Box 71, Burnsville,
NC 28714.
GILBERT HENRY THOMAS
BAKERSVILLE Gilbert Henry Thomas, 81, of Roses Branch Road, died
Friday, Dec. 27, 2002. He was the son of the late Leroy and Laura Woody
Thomas. A farmer and veteran of the U.S. Navy, he was a member of Red Hill
Baptist Church where he had taught the adult Sunday School class.
Survivors include his wife, Jewell Woody Thomas of the home; sons,
Gilbert Iric Thomas of Sapphire, and Wayne Edward Thomas of Bakersville;
daughters, Carmella Hall of Asheville and Nancy Byrd of Bakersville; 13
grandchildren; and 19 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 3 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Henline-Hughes
Funeral Home in Bakersville. Rev. Randy Wise officiated. Burial followed
in the Thomas Family Cemetery. The family received friends one hour prior
to the service at the funeral home.
LEWIS ANDREW SPARKS
SPRUCE PINE Lewis Andrew Sparks, 83, of Harris Heights, died Thursday,
Dec. 26, 2002 in a Spruce Pine health care facility. He was the son of
the late Milton and Myra Young Sparks. He was a member of First Baptist
Church, where he served as deacon, head usher, and Sunday School teacher,
and a member of Vesper Masonic Lodge $554 A.F. & A.M. He was co-owner
of Mayland Printing Company and a salesman for Electro-Lux vacuums.
Survivors include his wife, Mary B. Sparks of the home; two daughters,
Myra Swallow of Sarasota, FL, and Donna Blevins of N. Myrtle Beach, SC;
and four grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at First Baptist Church
in Spruce Pine. Dr. David Vess officiated. Internment was at Spruce Pine
Memorial Cemetery Mausoleum. the family received friends from 1 p.m. until
the service hour Sunday at the church. Webb Funeral Home in Spruce Pine
was in charge of arrangements.
ETTA DAVIS CARVER
BAKERSVILLE Etta Davis Carver, 89, died Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002 in
a Sykesville, MD nursing home. She was the daughter of the late John and
Mary Gilley Davis, and wife of the late Elder Dock H. Carver. She was also
preceded in death by a son, Howard Carver; four sisters; and one brother.
Survivors include four daughters, Ruth Whitson of Jonesboro, TN, Thelma
Smith of King George, MD, Charlene Cook of Hamstead, MD, and Sue Karner
of Sykesville; one son, Johnnie Carver of Jonesboro; one sister, Nora Slater
of Sterling Heights, MI; two brothers, J.D. and Claude Davis of Bakersville;
12 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildrenp; three great great grandchildren;
and several nieces and nephews.
Henline-Hughes Funeral Home in Bakersville was in charge of arrangements.
HAZEL H. MCCOURY
HANOVER, PA Hazel H. McCoury, 92, a native of Buladean, died Wednesday,
Dec. 25, 2002 at Hanover Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Hamilton
and Elizabeth Odom Hughes, and wife of the late Grover C. McCoury Sr. She
was also preceded in death by six sisters and six brothers. A member of
First Baptist Church of Hanover, she retired from Hanover Manufacturing
after 25 years of service as a seamstress.
Survivors include three sons, Grover C. McCoury Jr. and Jerry McCoury
of Thomasville, PA, and Delano Del McCoury of Nashville, TN; three daughters,
Margaret Hoover of York, PA, Vivian Heiner of Spring Grove, PA, and Jeannette
Myers of East Berlin, PA; 21 grandchildren; and 29 great grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kenworthy Funeral
Home in Hanover. Rev. Dwight Eldeen officiated. Burial was in Susquehanna
Memorial Gardens in York, PA. The family received friends from 9 a.m.until
the service hour Saturday at the funeral home. |
North
Carolina Obituary Links
Marriage
Search Engines |