Archived

Frank Crippen
Mr. Frank Crippen, who once appeared in television commercials alongside other local Oldsmobile dealers under the slogan “five young men with the Olds idea,” died of a stroke on Friday, May 1, 2009. He was 79.
For more than 30 years Frank Crippen sold what he deemed a small slice of the American dream from a lot along Northeast 123rd Street in North Miami. As owner of Crippen Oldsmobile, the New York native sold shiny new cars to locals and along the way carved a name for his charitable works with local Catholic groups.
In 1965, Crippen moved his family from Lansing, Mich., where he was the general sales manager of an Oldsmobile dealership to Miami to open his own car dealership.
“He started out as a car salesman in Rochester, N.Y. and moved his way up,” said his daughter, Sharon Crippen-Ginsburg of Miami. “He came from a working class background, and was a classic example of a self-made man.”
Throughout his time in Miami-Dade, Crippen remained active in several prominent organizations and clubs – including serving on the Board of Trustees for Barry University for nearly 25 years. The Coral Gables resident also formerly served of the Bai Harbour Club, and was a member of the Rotary Club of Miami Shores.
In 1991, he was installed as a Knight of the Order of Malta, a religious order of the Roman Catholic Church that promotes work with the sick and the poor. He also worked as a board member for the Marian Center, a nonprofit private school for children and adults with developmental disabilities.
Crippen is survived by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy Summers Crippen; sons, Jeff and James Crippen; and daughters, Deborah Caruso and Sharon Crippen-Ginsburg; along with 13 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
A memorial service was held on Monday at St. Louis Catholic Church in Pinecrest, Fla.
The family requests that memorial donations be made to either or both the Marian Center School and Services, or the Order of Malta in South Florida.

May 6, 2009
Grace Moore Gilreath Elledge
Mrs. Grace Moore Gilreath Elledge, 101, of Dallas, N.C., made her crossing on April 29, 2009, at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
One of four children, she was born Oct. 14, 1907, to Judge Charles Gentry Gilreath, a lifelong attorney and Mayor of Wilkesboro, N.C., and Mary Fidelia Moore Gilreath, who died of tuberculosis when Mrs. Elledge was seven.
After high school, she attended Greensboro Women’s College and graduated with honors in 1928, then earned her Masters of English at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She was a charter member of Delta Kappa Gamma, Alpha Rho, Beta Zeta and Alpha Epsilon. After a few years of teaching, she returned to Chapel Hill for graduate studies and married Charles Cowles Elledge on Dec. 16, 1933. During World War II, she accompanied her husband, CPO CC Elledge, to Norfolk, Va., and kept the books at JC Penny’s while he served out his duty in the Navy.
A 40 year veteran of the N.C. Public School system, Mrs. Elledge taught high school English, French, Speech and Journalism and sponsored the student newspaper, the student council, and the school yearbook. In addition to her teaching career, she spent 33 summers performing in Horn in the West Outdoor Drama, portraying Lady Suret, Quaker Mother, and understudying Widder Howard. In addition to her years on the stage, she appeared in the 1974 feature film “Hot Summer in Barefoot County” with her husband and daughter, Cherie. She also appeared in a TV commercial for Pioneer Chain Saws and at age 100, she made an appearance on NBC’s Today Show in a Smucker’s Jar tribute.
She was a member of the Galbraith Clan of the Culcreuch Castle in Scotland, as well as a member and Real Granddaughter of the Robert E. Lee Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. President of the N.C. Education Association in Rutherford County and the city of Marion, she also served for many years as President of the N.C. English Teacher’s Association, editor of the N.C. English Teacher’s Magazine, and editor of the student issue for thirty years. An avid reader, she was a lifelong member of the Dallas Readers Book Club and in her late 90s, she published a short story in Bryson City Tales.
Mrs. Elledge served for ten years on the Gaston County Council for the Aging and showed them how to do it gracefully. She was the oldest living member of Dallas Baptist Church and a longtime Sunday school teacher. She was inducted into “Who’s Who Among American Women” and is listed in the British Biographical Dictionary. Among her many honors are The American Teacher of the Year Award and the 2009 Gaston County Schools Outstanding Contributor to Education Award.
She is survived by her daughter, Cherie Blanche Hamby Elledge-Grapes; her granddaughter, Chloe Rose Grace Cherijon Charlie Elledge-Grapes; her nephew, Dr. Charles Sidney Gilreath and wife, Lelia Cooper Gilreath, of Elkin, N.C.; and sister-in-law, Eloise Williams Gilreath of Charlotte, N.C.
A memorial service in celebration of her life will be held on Mother’s Day, May 10 at 2 p.m. at Dallas Baptist Church. The Rev. Jack Bryant of Middlesex, N.C., the Rev. Barron Lee of Dallas, N.C., and the Rev. Gil Ott of Brooklyn, N.Y., will be officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Charles Elledge Scholarship Fund, c/o Executive Director WCC Endowment Corporation, Wilkes Community College, PO Box 120 1328 S. Collegiate Dr., Wilkesboro, N.C., 28697.
Condolences may be made to the family at www.withersandwhisenantfuneral.com
Withers and Whisenant Funeral Home in Gastonia, N.C., will be serving the family.

John Ray Snead
Mr. John Ray Snead, 66, passed away on Friday, May 1, 2009, at Shands at the University of Florida.
He was born July 2, 1942, in Sebring, Fla., to A.J. and Mary Snead.
Mr. Snead moved to Trenton, Fla. two years ago from Boone, N.C. He was a machinist with Progress Energy. He was a member of Howard’s Creek Baptist Church in Boone, N.C. and The 1st Baptist Church of Trenton.
He was a volunteer for the Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief, a member of The Order of the Eastern Star in Clearwater, Fla., and a member of the Blue Lodge in Clearwater, Fla.
Survivors include his wife, Mary E. Snead of Trenton, Fla.; step-daughter, Theresa Graham of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; son, Allen James Snead of New Port Richey, Fla.; step-son, David W. Graham of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; two sisters, Marygail McLeod of Bell, Fla., and Renee (Billy) Philman of Bell, Fla.; granddaughter, Kaleigh Graham of Indiana; grandson, Emilio Cortes of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and several loving nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
A memorial service was held on Monday, May 4, 2009, at 11 a.m. at the 1st Baptist Church of Trenton with Pastor Keith McConnell and Pastor Bill Philman conducting the service.
Arrangements are under the care of Watson Funeral Home, Trenton, Fla.

May 4, 2009
Harold J. Brandhuber Sr.
Mr. Harold J. Brandhuber, Sr., 92, went to be with our Lord on April 25, 2009.
He was born May 27, 1916 in Toledo, Ohio.
Mr. Brandhuber was known as a hard working and honest man that touched many lives. He was a retired owner/operator of automotive repair garages in Maine, Florida and North Carolina.
Survivors include sons, Kenneth Morley, Fred Brandhuber, Donald Brandhuber, Harold Brandhuber, Jr.; and daughters, Yvonne Bastain, Melodie Stafford and Sharon Sprissler; 18 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
Memorial services were held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 2, 2009, at Turner Funeral Home, Spring Hill, Fla. A final burial will take place at a later date in Hollywood, Fla.
He is missed by all who love him.

Norman Lee Cheek
Mr. Norman Lee Cheek, 70, of 109 West Pine Swamp Road, Fleetwood, the Deep Gap community, died Wednesday morning, April 29, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born June 15, 1938 in Ashe County, a son of the late Carl and Mabel Church Cheek.
Mr. Cheek was the retired owner of Toyota of Boone and a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church. He was recognized with many awards throughout his life, including The Above and Beyond Award-ESGR, Gold Apple Award, Four Seals Award, ESGR, the Governor's Award in 1994 and 1999 and the President's Award from 2004 through 2007. During his career, he received numerous service awards with Toyota and Johnson Cook Ford. Mr. Cheek was instrumental in the development of the auto tech building at Mayland Technical College and the sports facilities at Watauga High School. With his love and concern for less fortunate children in our area, Mr. Cheek was deeply involved with Christmas for Kids, and Toys for Tots programs. He was recognized with the Minute Man Award by the National Guard and for Outstanding Meritorious Service by the National Republican Congressional Committee. Mr. Cheek was featured by the High Country Magazine during Military Appreciation Day (June 24, 2006). On June 15, 2005, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-5) declared “Norman Cheek Day” from the congressional floor, honoring him for his philanthropic efforts. Norman was recognized in many issues of Time Magazine as the founder and a supporter of Project Graduation in Watauga, Ashe, and Caldwell Counties, providing a safe, alcohol and drug free party for the high school graduates of these counties, and for his support of the regional National Guard troops.
Survivors include his fiancee, caregiver, and special friend, Carolyn J. Winkler of the home; two daughters, Pamela Davis and husband, Ralph, of Hiddenite, and Donna Bare and husband, Jerry, of West Jefferson; two grandsons, Nathan Cheek of Fleetwood, and Joshua Bare of West Jefferson; two sisters, Loraine Grogan and husband, Gene, of Hudson, and Carolyn Pierce and husband, Archie, of West Jefferson; and one brother, Curtis Cheek and wife, Peggy, of Warrensville. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Brenda Ward Cheek; and his father and mother, Carl and Mabel Church Cheek.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2009, at 3 p.m. at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Brent Bolick, the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn, Coach Jerry Moore, and Mr. Larry Norman. Military graveside rites and burial followed in Old Fields Church Cemetery.
The family received friends Saturday evening, from 6 until 9 o'clock, and Sunday afternoon, from 1:30 until 3 p.m. at Laurel Springs Baptist Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Norman Cheek Project Graduation Memorial Fund, or to the Norman Cheek National Guard Fund, both in care of Donna Bare, 671 Bare Ridge Road, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694, or to the Old Gap Creek Cemetery Fund, in care of Carolyn Pierce, 303 NC Highway 194 South, West Jefferson, N.C. 28694. Online condolences may be sent to the Cheek family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Timothy Ronald Limbacher
Mr. Timothy Ronald Limbacher, 47, of Hillside Drive, Boone, died Tuesday, April 28, 2009.
He was born Feb. 12, 1962 in Canton, Ohio.
Tim attended Perkinsville Baptist Church and was an employee of Hollar & Greene Produce, Inc.
Survivors include his father, Ronald Raymond Limbacher, of Boone; and two brothers, Chris Limbacher of Boone and Steve Limbacher of Blowing Rock.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Geri Moody Limbacher.
An informal gathering in memory of Mr. Limbacher will be held on Saturday, May 9, from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. at the home of his father, Ronald Limbacher at 806 Ray Brown Road, Boone, N.C.
The family respectfully requests no food or flowers and suggests memorials to High Country Health Care System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Limbacher family.

Jessie Timmons Norris
Mrs. Jessie Timmons Norris, 86, died peacefully of complications of pneumonia at A.G. Rhodes of Wesley Woods in Atlanta on May 2, 2009. She had been an active resident at the nursing home for the past 10 years.
She was born in Hickory, N.C., on Nov. 12, 1922.
Mrs. Norris grew up in Boone and spent most of her life there. In 1939, at age 16, she went to work for the fledgling telephone company in Boone, when the town had a telephone system which operated by hand cranking. She later became a switchboard operator and progressed to chief operator. During those years, she was voted, “The Voice with the Smile” by Boone telephone customers. When Boone went to the dial telephone system, she moved to the local business office as a customer service representative. She retired from Bell Telephone with 30 years of service. She was also, during her work life, a staff member at Appalachian State Teachers College, now Appalachian State University. She was an active member of Boone United Methodist Church during her years in Boone. The daughter of a well-known local ballad singer, Mrs. Norris inherited her mother’s love of music and enjoyed singing her entire life.
She will be forever loved, missed and remembered by all for her generous spirit and remarkable character.
Survivors include one daughter, Diane Warman Blanks of Tucker, Ga.; and two grandchildren, Laurin Blanks Johnson of Covington, Ga. and David Redding Blanks of Boone.
She was preceded in death by her second husband, Claude E. Norris; her first husband, A.C. Warman; her mother, Laura Brown Timmons; her father, Lorin Timmons; and her brother, George Fremont Timmons.
Graveside services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends Wednesday prior to the service from 12:30 until 1:30 at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.
The family respectfully requests no food; flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be made to the Norris family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Norris family.

Horst ‘Pete’ Schieder
Mr. Horst "Pete" Schieder, 74, of 3071 North Pine Run Road, Boone, died Saturday evening, May 2, 2009, at Blowing Rock Hospital.
He was born August 21, 1934, in Ilnsdorf, Germany, a son of the late Karl H. and Anna Maybaum Schieder.
Mr. Schieder was a retired truck driver for Allied Van Lines and a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Rita J. Markovics and husband, Mike, of Lindenhurst, Ill.; one son, Terry Triplett and wife, Margaret, of Lake Villa, Ill.; two granddaughters, Martina Markovics and Margo Ferretti, both of Lindenhurst; three grandsons, Michael Markovics of Lindenhurst, Justin Triplett of Gurnee, Ill., and Jason Triplett of Woodstock, Ill.; two sisters, Elizabeth Kluwe and Helga Gruneinald, both of Germany.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edith Stanbery Schieder; one daughter, Angela C. Schieder; and five brothers; and one sister.
Services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, May 6, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Tabernacle Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be the Rev. Gary Watson. Burial will follow in the Tabernacle-Norris Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at the Schieder home, 3071 North Pine Run Road, Boone.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the Tabernacle Baptist Church Building Fund, in care of Judy Hampton, 3004 North Pine Run Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Schieder family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Vivian Ray Tate
Ms. Vivian Ray Tate, 67, formerly of Glovenia Street, Eden, N.C., passed away early Friday morning, May 1, 2009, at Life Care Center of Banner Elk.
She was born Jan. 12, 1942 in Eden, N.C., daughter of the late Dr. S. Philip and Bessie Clark Ray.
Ms. Tate was a member of Leaksville United Methodist Church and a retired real estate broker.
Surviving are her daughters, Reine Blackwell-Moore, and husband Rick, of Germantown, Md., and Shannon B. Wilkes, and husband, James, of Creston; sisters, Rachel Wright of Eden, and Lucie Gravely of Martinsville, Va.; and nine grandchildren, Margaret, Galen, Sullivan, Israel, Lillian, Zion, and Oliver Wilkes, Clark Dancy and Brittney Moore.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Micah Wilkes.
A funeral service was held at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Fair Funeral Home Chapel. Burial followed in Lawson Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601-7633; Hospice of Avery County, PO Box 1357, Newland, N.C. 28657; or to Lawson Cemetery, c/o Klyce Chandler, 805 Washington Street, Eden, N.C. 27288.
Online condolences may be offered to the Tate family at www.fairfuneralhome.com
Fair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.