Archived
Earl ‘PawPaw’ William Brown
Mr. Earl “PawPaw” William Brown, 83, of Statesville, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at Godfrey Lumber Company, where he was employed for 59 years.
He was born on June 29, 1925 in Watauga County, to the late Clyde and Princess Hodges Brown.
Mr. Brown was a member of Diamond Hill Baptist Church in Statesville.
Survivors include his wife of 24 years, Jennie Byrd Brown; children, Bill Brown and wife, Ann; Janie Clontz and husband, Wayne; a brother, David Brown; grandchildren, Tina Woods, Jeremy Brown, Tammy Davidson, Amanda Moffitt, and Jennifer Moore; 11 great-grandchildren; step-children, Wanda Myers and husband, Raeford, Carol Reid and husband, Tim, Patricia Dishmond and husband, L.P.; step-grandchildren, Scott Reid, Perry Reid, Amy Reid, Brandon Dishmond, Kim Webborn, Julie Duchinski, Matt Myers; and eight step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Mary Brown; and a daughter, Rachel Rumple.
Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13, at Diamond Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Larry Holleman and the Rev. Jeff Luxon officiating. Burial will follow the service in Iredell Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Diamond Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, 2320 E. Broad Street, Statesville, N.C. 28625.
Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the Brown family.

Fred Henson
Mr. Fred Henson, 69, of Fleetwood, died Sunday night, March 8, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born in Johnson County, Tenn., Oct. 2, 1939 to Ann Henson.
Mr. Henson retired from Appalachian State University, where he worked as a campus policeman.
He is survived by his wife, Anna Belle Hartzog Henson; two daughters, Shelley Sturgill and husband, Danny, Jr. of West Jefferson and Rachel Taylor and husband, Greg, of Boone.
A memorial service was held on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. at Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. Billy Robinson and the Rev. Tim Roten officiating. The family received friends from 1:30-3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2009, prior to the memorial service.
Memorials may be made to Mt. Jefferson Presbyterian Church, PO Box 782, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694.
The family would like to thank the staff of Watauga Medical Center and Dr. Peter Hiabach for the devotion and special care they were given them.
You may give the family your condolences at our website www.boonefuneralhome.com.
Boone Family Funeral Home, Inc. of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.

Sandra Lee Ray Lawley
Mrs. Sandra Lee Ray Lawley, 68, of Boone, died Sunday, March 8, 2009, at home.
She was born Jan. 8, 1941, in Gary, Ind., a daughter of the late Charles and Hayzle Anderson Lawley.
Mrs. Lawley was of the Catholic faith and was a homemaker.
Surviving are two daughters, Adrienne Richardson of Boone and Mandy Patterson and husband, Chris, of Cary; two sons; Matthew Lawley and wife, Teresa, of Boone and Jeffry Lawley and wife, Elizabeth, of Appleton, Wisc.; nine grandchildren, Kristin and Kori Lawley, Ashleigh Richardson, Joshua Lawley and Amber, Jacob and Jackson Lawley, Katelyn, Zachary and Brandon Patterson; and one brother; Charles Ray and wife, Carol, of New Port Richey, Fla.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Hazel Anderson Ray; her husband USAF Captain Retired John William Lawley; and one sister, Mary Ellen Ray.
The family will receive friends Sunday afternoon from 2-3 p.m. at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
The family respectfully requests no food or flowers, and suggests memorials to www.pajamapals.org.
Online condolences may be sent to the Lawley family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Lawley family.

Victor Kent Winebarger
Mr. Victor Kent Winebarger, 44, of 569 Rainbow Trail, Boone, died Saturday, March 7, 2009.
He was born June 21, 1964 in Watauga County, a son of Dello June Greer and the late Tildon Richard Winebarger.
Mr. Winebarger was a landscaper and painter for Joe Greene Landscaping in Blowing Rock.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Winebarger is survived by one brother, James McLean of Boone; one sister, June Kathleen Hicks of Boone; three aunts, Ruth Winebarger of Deep Gap, Linda Hicks and husband, Tommy, of Butler, Tenn., and Sarah Winebarger Parlier of Boone; two uncles, Eddie Greer and wife, Mary Helen, of Fleetwood, and Richard Lawson of San Bernardino, Calif.; one niece, Canessa Hicks; and two nephews, Dewayne Hicks and Tony Hicks, all of Sugar Grove; and two cousins, Sherry Greene and husband, Stacy, of Deep Gap, and Donna Catone and husband, Joe, of Boone.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Glenn and Mildred Greer; and his paternal grandparents, Esaw and Ethel Winebarger.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon, March 12, 2009, at 3:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Gary Lawrence. Burial followed in Rutherwood Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family received friends Thursday afternoon, from 2:00 until 3:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Winebarger family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

March 11, 2009
Margaret Cloninger Bumgarner
Mrs. Margaret Cloninger Bumgarner, 97, of Lenoir, passed away Sunday, March 8, 2009, at the Shaire Center, where she had been a resident for the past three years. Prior to that, her home for more than 65 years was Park Street, Lenoir, N.C.
She was born July 31, 1911, in Gaston County, N.C.
Mrs. Bumgarner was the daughter of the late Oscar Miller and Maude Willis Cloninger.
She worked for more than 33 years at Caldwell Memorial Hospital, and after her retirement she continued as a volunteer at the hospital, accumulating more than 3,000 service hours. She was a member of College Avenue Baptist Church.
Survivors include her daughter, Betty, and son-in-law, Bill Williams, of Lenoir, N.C.; her son, Robert, and daughter-in-law, Pinkie Bumgarner, of Boone, N.C.; four grandchildren, Emelyne Williams, Gary Williams, Mark Bumgarner, and Tracy Bumgarner; and four great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friend, Loretta Bumgarner.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, David T. Bumgarner; four brothers; and three sisters.
The family will receive friends at Evans Funeral Service from 1-2 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, 2009, followed by a graveside service at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, N.C. 28645; or College Avenue Baptist Church, 1201 College Avenue, SW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Online condolences may be sent to the Bumgarner family at www.evansfuneralservice.com
Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is in charge of the Bumgarner family.

James Butler Sigmon
Mr. James Butler Sigmon, 78, of Claremont, N.C., passed away, surrounded by his family, on Saturday, March 7, 2009, at his residence.
He was born July 18, 1930 in Catawba County, a son of the late Claude Edgar Sigmon and Carrie Victoria Hefner Sigmon.
A lifetime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church, he served with the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
Survivors include his wife of 53 years, Mildred “Mickey” Klaus Sigmon; daughters, Vickie Sigmon of Little River, S.C., and Cindy Miller and husband, Chuck, of Claremont; sons, Jamie Sigmon and wife, Susan, of Gastonia, N.C., Jeff Sigmon of Claremont, Jon Sigmon and wife, Kay, of Blowing Rock, N.C. and Jerry Sigmon and wife, Deana, of Claremont; grandchildren, Jessica Sigmon, Tracy Adams, Justin Miller, Jennifer Miller, Joshua Sigmon, Carrie Sigmon, Jesse Sigmon, Ronnie Cook, Jr., Kendra McCombs, Jamin Sigmon, and Kristin Sigmon; great-grandchild, Jayden Zinn; and sisters, Claudine Tubbs of Pittsburgh, Pa., Ruby Wallace of Conover, and Jean Harris and husband, Wilson, of Maiden.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Harold Sigmon; and a brother, Ray Sigmon.
A service of remembrance was held at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, 2009, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Conover, N.C., with the the Rev. Scott Johnson and the Rev. Anton Lagoutine officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by the North Carolina National Guard.
The family received friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. prior to the service at the church.
Pallbearers were his sons and grandsons. Honorary pallbearers were members of the Men’s Bible Study Group of St. John’s Lutheran Church.
The family requests memorials be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 2126 St. John’s Church Road, Conover, N.C. 28613.
The Sigmon family has entrusted funeral arrangements to Drum Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Conover, N.C.

Mary Grace South
Ms. Mary Grace Eggers South, 84, of 350 Forest Hill Drive, Wilkesboro, formerly of Boone, died Monday morning, March 9, 2009, at Forsyth Memorial Hospital in Winston-Salem.
She was born May 13, 1924 in Ashe County, a daughter of the late Cartie and Lillie Guy Eggers.
Ms. South was a retired department manager for Roses Department Stores in both Boone and Wilkesboro. She was a member of Wilkesboro Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Betty Jo Bell and husband, Lee, of Wilkesboro; two granddaughters, Robin Huffman and husband, Michael, of Wilkesboro, and Amanda Chapman and husband, Nathan, of Andrews, N.C.; two grandsons, James South and wife, Stephanie, of Advance, N.C., and Lamar South of Auburn, Ala.; one great-granddaughter, Julia South of Advance; and four grandsons, Joshua Huffman, Logan Huffman, and Corey Huffman, all of Wilkesboro, and Nathan South of Advance. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 40 years, J.M. South; one son, Jimmy South; one brother, Rev. Blaine Eggers; and one sister, Lois Lewis.
Services will be conducted Thursday morning, March 12, 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. Burl Greer and the Rev. Herbert McCoy. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Wilkes County Rescue Squad, Boston Avenue, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.
Online condolences may be sent to the South family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Helen Marie Ward
Mrs. Helen Marie Ward, 74, of 195 McQueen Street, Butler, Tenn., passed away Sunday morning, March 8, 2009, at her residence, following an extended illness.
She was born on Dec. 5, 1934 in Meadowview, Va., to the late Joe and Dora Parker.
Mrs. Ward worked for many years at Shadowline Manufacturing of Boone, N.C., and at Burlington Industries of Mountain City, Tenn.
Her hobbies were flowers and gardening. She had a giving heart and this gave her a great delight for living. She will be missed deeply by her family and friends. She was a member of Cobbs Creek Baptist Church.
Survivors include her husband of 36 years, Robert “Bob” Ward; one son, Randy Brown and wife, Kathy, of Zionville, N.C.; one sister, June Canter of Mountain City, Tenn.; one brother, William “Bill” Parker of Mountain City, Tenn.; one sister-in-law, Marie Shanks of Elizabethton, Tenn.; two grandchildren, Russell Brown and Brooke Matheson, both of Zionville, N.C.; three nieces, Julie Canter of Kingsport, Tenn., Lisa Parker Dunn and husband, Tim, of Laurel Bloomery, Tenn., and Gail Totter of Pail, S.C.; one nephew, Gary Swift of Asheville, N.C.; two great-nieces, Brittany Cox and Tristan Dunn. Helen also had three special pets, Bear, Hugga and Pixie; and many special friends that survive.
The family received friends from 6:30-8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2009, from the Mountain City Funeral Home Chapel with the service following at 8:00 p.m with Pastor Alan Koch officiating.
Graveside services and interment will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, 2009 from the Butler Memorial Cemetery. .
Pallbearers will be Helen’s friends.
For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Cobbs Creek Baptist Church, 150 Church Street, Butler, TN 37640.
At other times, the family will receive friends at the residence, 195 McQueen Street, Butler, Tenn.
Condolences may be made online at www.mountaincityfuneralhome.com
Mountain City Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

March 9, 2009
Willie Junior Baldwin
Mr. Willie Junior Baldwin, 52, of 279 Windy Hill Road, Fleetwood, died Saturday morning, Feb. 28, 2009, at Ashe Memorial Hospital.
He was born Nov. 7, 1956 in Randolph County, N.C., a son of Betty Winchester Baldwin and the late Junior Baldwin.
In addition to his mother, Mr. Baldwin is survived by his wife, Joni Baldwin of the home; one daughter, Sade Baldwin of the home; three sons, Tyreal Baldwin, and Timothy Baldwin, both of the home, and Marcus Baldwin of Asheboro; two sisters, Shirley F. Baldwin of Ramseur, and Gracie B. Baldwin of Fayetteville; and three brothers, Henry J. Baldwin of Louisana, Kenneth Baldwin of Southern Pines, and Ronnie Baldwin of Asheboro. He is also survived by three aunts, and a number of nieces and nephews.
There will be no services.
Online condolences may be sent to the Baldwin family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Floe Elizabeth Bingham
Floe Elizabeth Bingham, 84, of 156 Ira Road, Boone, died Thursday, March 5, 2009, at her home.
She was born March 17, 1924, in Watauga County.
Miss Bingham attended Boone Elementary and High School. She has a B.S. and M.A. from Appalachian State University. She attended George Washington University and American University in Washington, D.C.; also George Mason University and The University of Virginia in Virginia.
Floe worked for the Army Signal Corp in 1943 through 1945. She taught 17 years in the Public Schools of Washington, D.C. from 1947 to 1964. She demonstrated the American Educational System to dignitaries, educators, teachers, students and visitors from all over the world as well as the United States. She did Educational Skits for WTOP Television Station in Washington, D.C. In Arlington, Va., she taught for 28 1/2 years. For several years she was a field instructor for George Mason University, James Madison University and Marymount University. She trained student teachers from universities and colleges within the Metro Area for over 35 years. She set up and taught the first Spanish Immersion Program in the State of Virginia or South of Washington, D.C.
She held membership in the following: Delta Kappa Gamma, Daughters of the Nile-Past Queen in Washington, D.C., White Shrine of Jerusalem-Past Worthy High Triestess, in Arlington, Va., Ladies of the Oriential Shrine-Past Lady High Priestess and Order of the Eastern Star-Past Worthy Matron both in Alexandria, Va. Floe was never married.
Miss Bingham is survived by one brother, Ira Bingham, Jr. and wife, Virginia, of Boone; three sisters, Beatrice Amendola of Salisbury, N.C. and Venice, Fla., Bonnie Cashion of High Point, and Viola Bingham of Sparta. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father and mother, Ira Bingham, Sr. and Elizabeth Puckett Bingham; one brother, Dr. George D. Bingham; and two sisters, Eddie Powell and Virginia Bingham.
Services were conducted Saturday afternoon, March 7, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was Dr. George Naff. Burial followed in the Boone City Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Bingham family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph Bowley
Mr. Joseph Bowley, 61, of 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Friday morning, March 6, 2009, at Glenbridge Health Care.
He was born Dec. 30, 1947 in Washington, D.C., a son of the late George Edward Bowley, Sr. and Maude Faye Trivette Bowley.
Mr. Bowley was a retired carpenter.
Survivors include two daughters, Evelyn Rominger and husband, Houston, of Sugar Grove, and Christina Harris and husband, Bobby, of Lockport, N.Y.; one son, Doug Bowley and wife, Karen, of Clayton, N.C.; three brothers, Edward L. Bowley, George Edward Bowley, Jr., and Tommy Presnell; seven sisters, Betty Rosales, Molly Hobbs, Patricia Bowley, Cynthia Bowley, Alice Ward, Eunice Johnson, and Donna Kaczmarczyk; and his former wife, Theresa Isaacs of Zionville. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one grandson, Dustin Joseph Rominger; one brother, Lewis Bowley; and one sister, Evelyn Eaton.
Memorial services were conducted Sunday afternoon, March 8, 2009, at 3:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Eric Cornett.
Online condolences may be sent to the Bowley family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Bernard Franklin Brown
Mr. Bernard Franklin Brown, 75, of Granite Falls, N.C., passed away on March 5, 2009, at Camelot Manor.
He was born Feb. 14, 1934 in Watauga County, the son of the late Joseph E. and Blanch Greer Brown.
A celebration of life service was held on Sunday, March 8, 2009 at Catawba Funerals & Cremations at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor David Crisp officiating.
Burial followed in Catawba Memorial Park.
The family received friends prior to the service from 2-3 p.m.
On-line condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.
Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals & Cremations are providing professional services to the Brown Family.

Wade Edward Brown
Wade Edward Brown died Monday, March 9, at the age of 101 leaving a legacy connected to the growth and development of the region.
He was born Nov. 5, 1907 in Blowing Rock, N.C., the youngest of 10 children born to Etta Sudderth and Jefferson Davis Brown.
Brown attended Watauga County schools before going to Mars Hill Junior College to complete high school and the first two years of college. He was accepted to Wake Forest College (now Wake Forest University) and its school of law. He had the distinction of passing the N.C. Bar exam in January 1930, a year before he graduated from the law school in 1931.
He opened his law office in Boone on July 5, 1931 and began a career which spanned more than six decades. Organizations and communities across Northwest North Carolina and statewide benefitted from his leadership. He worked on and endorsed numerous projects to improve the community and to bring people and jobs to the mountains.
In 1949, he was one of three to sign the charter to establish the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce. He worked behind the scenes to make the outdoor drama “Horn in the West” a reality, and, believing that a public golf course would bring tourist dollars (and give him a place to play his beloved game), he spearheaded the drive for the Boone Golf Club, which opened in 1959.
He worked for many years to help begin and later to expand the Watauga County Hospital (now Watauga Medical Center) while serving as chairman of its board of trustees.
After his retirement, he worked for several years as the legal advisor to the students at Appalachian State University.
In 1944 at the age of 37, Brown was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. After the war, he returned to Boone to re-open his law office. A lifelong Democrat, he was elected to both the N.C Senate (1947) and the House of Representatives (1951). From 1961 to 1967, he served as mayor of Boone.
Brown was appointed to the N.C. Board of Paroles in 1968 and served as its chairman for four years.
After his experiences working with the prisons, he felt that prisoners in Watauga County needed a place to worship. With the aid of many in the community who donated their talents, skills and materials, a chapel on the prison grounds became a reality in 1984 when then Gov. James B. Hunt came to Boone to accept the keys to the building on behalf of the state.
Brown traveled extensively on goodwill trips to Russia, China, England, Poland, Hungary, Germany and Belgium and, in 1998 at the age of 91, he joined a mission group for a working trip to the Ukraine.
Brown believed strongly in education. He worked closely with his friend and mentor, Dr. B. B. Dougherty to bring state dollars to a small and under-appreciated college in the mountains, now Appalachian State University. He served on the board of trustees at Appalachian in 1941 and 1944.
Additionally, he served on numerous committees and boards that directed the development of the public schools in Watauga County.
In 1993, he established the Wade E. Brown Scholarship at the Wake Forest University School of Law. He served several terms on the board of trustees of Wake Forest College and, on Feb. 4, 1999, he was named a trustee emeritus of the university.
A dedicated member of First Baptist Church in Boone since the early 1930s, Brown was active in all phases of church life. He served as a deacon and Sunday school superintendent in addition to serving on numerous committees from search committees for new ministers to building committees. He taught the men’s Sunday school class for countless years. In broader Baptist circles, he served as moderator of the Three Forks Association and as a member of the board of the Baptist Foundation.
In July 2000, Brown presented the High Country Conservancy with a conservation easement on 31 acres of land atop Big Yarnall Mountain overlooking the town of Boone ensuring that the mountain would forever be “like God made it.”
He was justifiably proud of the many honors he received. including his induction into the N.C. Bar Association Hall of Fame in 1992 and his receipt of the Liberty Bell Award by the Young Lawyers Division of the N.C Bar Association in 1995.
The Watauga County Bar Association named a scholarship in his honor, and his portrait was hung in a courtroom of the Watauga County Courthouse.
In 1996, he was named a charter member of the Founders of the Watauga County Public Library in recognition of the part he played in the building of the new library.
In 1997, he received the Alfred Adams Award for Economic Development from the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, and, in 2000, the chamber re-named their Community Development Award, the Wade E. Brown Award for Community Development.
Brown has written two books, “The Story of Golf in Boone” in 1981, and “Recollections and Reflections” in 1997.
Survivors include three children, Margaret Rose and her husband, Ray James; Wade Edward Brown Jr. and his wife, Cheryl Moon Brown; and Sarah B. Otey and her former husband, Kirkwood Otey IV; four grandchildren, Emory Glenn Johnston Jr., Alicia Brown Lyda, Kent Edward Brown and Katherine Kirkwood Otey; and two great-grandchildren, Grayson E. Johnston and Andrew M. Lyda.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Gilma Baity Brown; and by his second wife, Euzelia Smart Brown.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials to honor the life of Wade Edward Brown be made to the Wade E. Brown Scholarship at the Wake Forest School of Law, Campus Box 7206, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home, 194 Queen St., Boone. There will be a private family graveside service at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
Online condolences may be sent to the Brown family at www.austinandbarnsfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Brown family.

William Lewis Lentz
Mr. William Lewis Lentz, 82, of Circle L Drive, Blowing Rock, died Friday evening, March 6, 2009, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.
He was born in Watauga County, June 12, 1926, a son of the late Ralph Eugene and Ruth Edmisten Lentz.
Mr. Lentz was a graduate of Blowing Rock High School Class of 1944, and was retired from TRW/IRC where he worked as a plant supervisor. He was a lifetime member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church where he served as an ordained deacon. Mr. Lentz as a Mason, a member of the Scottish Rite and the Appalachian Shrine Club. He was past Master of Snow Lodge #363 AF & AM. He was also a retired Blowing Rock Firefighter.
Surviving are two sons, Charles Lentz and wife, Debbie, of Boone, and Johnny Lentz and wife, Brenda, of Blowing Rock; two grandchildren, Cindy Lentz of New Orleans and Adam Lentz of Boone; four step-grandchildren; and six step-great-grandchildren; one brother, Carter Lentz of Blowing Rock; three sisters, Nancy Trexler and husband, Earl, Reecie Craig, and Mary Lentz, all of Blowing Rock; one sister-in-law, Delores Lentz of Blowing Rock; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Emmy Klutz Lentz; and one brother; Guy Lentz.
Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, officiated by the Rev. Charles Carter and the Rev. Rusty Gunther. Masonic graveside services will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Shriner’s Children Hospitals, Appalachian Shrine Club, in care Randy Vines, 1005 George Wilson Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
The family received friends Sunday evening from 6 o’clock until 8 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the Lentz family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Lentz family.

Ronnie Charles McGlamery
Mr. Ronnie Charles McGlamery, 51, of Rush Branch Road, Sugar Grove, died Saturday evening, March 7, 2009, at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
He was born December 24, 1957 in Johnson City, Tenn., to Marlon Loyd “Pete” and Margaret Delane Thomas McGlamery.
Mr. McGlamery was a member of Bethel Baptist Church and was a maintenance department crew leader with the North Carolina Department of Transportation.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Sherwood McGlamery, and two daughters, Maura Celeste and Makala Lynn McGlamery, all of the home; two brothers, Jerry Wayne McGlamery and wife, Stephanie, of Zionville and Gale McGlamery and wife, Paula, of Trade, Tenn.; his father-in-law, Bill Sherwood, and brother-in-law James Sherwood, both of Bethel; five nieces, Lydia Sherwood, Kelli, Kristi, Debra and Diane McGlamery; and two nephews, Tyler Sherwood and Dusty McGlamery; and a host of friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Mary Fletcher Sherwood.
Services will be conducted Tuesday evening, March 10, 2009, at 8 o’clock at Bethel Baptist Church, officiated by Dr. Charlie Martin. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 5 until 8 o’clock at Bethel Baptist Church, prior to services.
Graveside services and burial will be conducted Wednesday morning at 11 o’clock at the Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery.
Flowers are appreciated or the family suggests memorial donations to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, in care of Glenda Hodges, 810 Parkcrest Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to Bethel Baptist Church, 123 Mountain Dale Road, Vilas, N.C. 28692.
Online condolences may be sent to the McGlamery family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the McGlamery family.

Mary Evelyn Pierce
Mary Evelyn Pierce, 75, of New River Hills, Boone, died Thursday morning, March 5, 2009, at the Davant Rehab & Extended Care Facility in Blowing Rock.
She was born August 15, 1933 in West Jefferson to Lydia Lester and Stella Clyde Sexton Pierce.
Miss Pierce was a member of Perkinsville Baptist Church and attended Advent Christian Church. She was employed as a switchboard receptionist at Watauga Medical Center for 22 years and thoroughly enjoyed working in her garden.
Survivors include a number of cousins, and special friend, Hill Bumgarner of Boone.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lydia Lester and Stella Clyde Sexton Pierce; and a half sister, Alma Bare.
Graveside services were conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Ashelawn Memorial Gardens in Jefferson, officiated by Pastor Gordon Noble and Pastor Darrell Bare.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Pierce family.

Ruth Eggers Stout
Mrs. Ruth Eggers Stout, 85, of 112 Monument Street, Mountain City, Tenn., passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at her residence.
She was a native of North Carolina, a daughter of the late Harrison Clay and Netta Hagaman Eggers.
Mrs. Stout retired from the Gabriel Shock Absorber Company as a payroll clerk. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Mountain City.
Survivors include three daughters, Wanda S. Critcher and husband, Harry, and Dana S. Critcher and husband, John, all of Boone, and Jenny S. Bumbarger and husband, Dennis, of Mountain City; one sister-in-law, Nancy Eggers of Eastlake, Ohio; and two brothers, Gaines Eggers and wife, Evelyn, of Springfield, Tenn., and Bobby Eggers of Mountain City. She is also survived by 17 grandchildren, 37 great-grandchildren, numerous great-great-grandchildren, and a number nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dana Stout, Jr.; two daughters, Claudia S. Crosswhite and Sharon S. Bissett; two brothers, Ernest Eggers and Glenn Eggers; and a sister, Anna Mae Eggers.
Services were conducted Friday evening, March 6, 2009, at 7:00 o’clock, at the chapel of Henson Funeral Home in Mountain City. Officiating was the Rev. Ricky Campbell. Graveside services and burial were conducted Saturday afternoon, at 2:30 p.m., at Sunset Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church, 421 West Main Street, Mountain City, Tenn. 37683.
Online condolences may be sent to the Stout family at www.hensonfuneralhome.com.
Henson Funeral Home, in Mountain City, is in charge of the arrangements.

Mary Miller Turner
Mrs. Mary Miller Turner, 96, of 1098 Meat Camp Road, Boone, died Wednesday evening, March 4, 2009, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.
She was born June 12, 1912 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Jonas McCoy Miller and Lovella Heffner Miller.
Mrs. Turner was a homemaker.
Survivors include four daughters, Armolee Greene and husband, Clarence, of Madison, Tenn., Nina Cooper and husband, Arnold, of Aberdeen, N.C., Jimma Lou Hodges and husband, Jim, and Lana King and fiancée, Mike Allen, all of Mountain City; one sister, Alma Church and husband, Bob, of Lakeview, N.C.; and six grandchildren, Dana Miller and wife, Cathy, of Linville, Pam Moretz and husband, Carter, of Boone, Marlene Crosby and husband, Jerry, of Todd, Kim Greer and husband, Rev. Wynn Greer, of Vilas, Tina Coelho and husband, Fernando, of Gaston, S.C., and Ava Grammer and husband, Jason, of Richmond, Va.; and two step-grandchildren, Jeff Cooper and Susan Clark. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tracy Turner; one son, Robbie Turner; two grandsons, Tony Winebarger and Jamie Tucker; one great-granddaughter, Hannah Mae Greer; three brothers, Henry, Rhonda, and Robert Miller; one sister, Martha Miller; and one half-brother, Jim Penington.
Services were conducted Friday afternoon, March 6, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating were Pastor Bruce Miller, Mr. Dana Miller, and Pastor Wynn Greer. Burial followed in the Pleasant Valley United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family received friends Friday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Turner family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Jutta Teupel Wyke
Mrs. Jutta Teupel Wyke of Charlotte, died on March 1, 2009.
She was born in Langendiebach, Germany, on Sept. 5, 1940.
Mrs. Wyke married Dr. Samuel David Wyke, of Taylorsville, N.C., and later made her home in Boone. She retired from a career with the Watauga County Project on Aging.
Jutta was a warm, cheerful, friendly person and was always willing to lend an encouraging word and a helping hand. During her life she enjoyed the full friendships of many people of varied backgrounds. She appreciated the diversity she found in others.
Mrs. Wyke was fond of gardening, bird-watching, nature walks, listening to golden “oldie's” and classical music, watching vintage movies, reading, exercising at the YMCA, but most of all visiting and spending time and enjoying a cup of coffee with people in her life. In addition she treasured all 25 pets she had enjoyed during her life. She could name each one.
Jutta did not call attention to herself, but others sought her special friendship. We will miss her loving personality. We will feel the emptiness that only she could fill, but we will find comfort in the special memories she created with those blessed to have known her.
She lived her Christian faith through her daily relationships with her fellow citizens. She inspired others by how she traveled her earthly journey. We are left with her imprint upon our hearts to help guide our continuing journey. We will miss her each day.
Survivors include her daughter, Sabine Wyke Hodson, and her grandson, David Alexander Hodson of the home.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Samuel David Wyke.
The family would like to extend a thank you to the members of Presbyterian Hospice & Palliative Care who were involved in her care. They possess the highest level of professionalism, competence and compassion. A special thank you to her nurse, Raina Ward, who so lovingly cared for her.
Final arrangements are incomplete and will be announced at a later time.
Online condolences may be sent to www.carolinafuneral.com
Carolina Funeral Service & Cremation Center is entrusted with the arrangements.