Archived

Mrs. Mary Brown James
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown James, age 87, of Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of John Beckly James died Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Forsyth Medical Center.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor Martha Ellis officiating. Burial will be in Mount Lawn Memorial Park. The family will receive at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6:30 until 8:30 Saturday night.
Mrs. James was born in Wilkes County Jan. 4, 1922, to John Quince and Ona Belle Blackburn Brown. She was a member of Hinshaw Street Baptist Church. Mrs. James was a homemaker, substitute school teacher, and a seamstress.
Mrs. James is survived by three daughters, Carol Lou James Tucker and husband, Don of Laurel Springs, Carissa Ann James Guthrie and husband, Linwood Brothers of Morganton, and Carmen Elizabeth James of North Wilkesboro; two sisters, Betty Ann Jennings and husband, Ralph of Gaffney, SC and Aurelia Delp and husband, Bobby of Millers Creek; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to C C Wright School Library, 200 C C Wright School Road, North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro will be in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

Mr. Charles Edward Keller

Mr. Charles Edward Keller, 76, of 193 Old East King Street, Boone, died Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at his home.
He was born May 23, 1932 in Watauga County, a son of the late Hardin Keller and Mabel Jackson Keller Wilcox.
Mr. Keller was retired owner of K & W Hardwoods, and was of the Methodist faith.
Survivors include his wife, Anna Lea Keller; three sons, Edward Lee Keller and wife, Deborah, and Tommy Randall Keller and wife, Mary Ann, all of Boone, and David E. Keller and wife, Donna, of Vilas; one daughter, Terry Keller Heffren and husband, John, of Boone; one brother, Bill Wilcox and wife, Cheryl, of West Jefferson; and his mother-in-law, Hazel Carroll of Boone. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and five step-great-grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one infant sister.
Services were conducted Thursday afternoon, May 21, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Rev. Gordon Noble. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family received friends Thursday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Keller family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Kenneth Franklin Ragan
Mr. Kenneth Franklin Ragan, 91, of Briarwood Lane, Boone, died Tuesday morning, May 19, 2009 at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Jan. 1, 1918 in Watauga County. Mr. Ragan was a veteran of World War II, serving in Patton’s 3rd Army and was a member of the American Legion Post #130. He attended Hopewell United Methodist Church and was retired from the housekeeping department at Appalachian State University.
Survivors include his wife, Violet Houck Ragan; two daughters, Linda Buchanan and husband, Ron, of Rock Hill, S.C., and Nancy Jones and husband, John, of Boone; one granddaughter, Nichole Buchanan, of Spartanburg, S.C.; and one grandson, Tim Jones and Michelle Miller, of Boone; and special friend and caregiver, Violet Winebarger of Boone.
He was the last of 14 children born to Lewis Franklin and Nancy Lookabill Ragan.
Services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Herbert McCoy. The body will lie in state at the chapel from 1 until 2 o’clock. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens.
Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be sent to the Duke Alzheimer’s Foundation, in care of Duke University Medical Center, Post Office Box 2914, Durham, N.C. 27710.
The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 until 7:30 at Austin & Barnes.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Ragan family.

May 20, 2009
Alton Keith Dotson
Mr. Alton Keith Dotson, 55, of Rine Street, Mountain City, Tenn., and a native and former resident of Watauga County, died Saturday, May 16, 2009, in Mountain City.
He was born April 30, 1954 in Alleghany County. Mr. Dotson had done networking for Nortel and was employed at Junior Herman Auto Repair.
Survivors include his mother, Phyllis Hollars Dotson of Boone; one brother, Reyd Dotson and wife, Sandra, of Golden, Colo.; one niece, Anika Dotson of Golden, Colo.; and his fiancé, April Pardue, and her three children, James and Harley Reece and Dawn Lewis, all of Mountain City.
He was preceded in death by his father, McDonald Dotson.
Memorial services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Dr. Sonny Younce. The family will receive friends Wednesday afternoon from 1 until 2 o’clock, one hour prior to services, at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made in memory of Keith to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Dotson family.

Rena Farthing Graybeal
Mrs. Rena Farthing Graybeal, 91, of Shadowline Drive, died Thursday evening, May 14, 2009, at Cannon Memorial Hospital.
She was born June 28, 1917, in Watauga County, a daughter of the late William Dudley and Beulah Edmisten Farthing.
Mrs. Graybeal was a member of the First Baptist Church. She was an elementary school teacher for 34 years, having taught mostly in Ashe County. She also helped found the Head Start Program.
Surviving are two daughters, Patricia Tutterow and husband, Keith, of Newland, and Shirley Barker of Wildwood, Fla.; four sisters-in-law, Virginia Farthing of Wilkesboro, Grace Triplett of Dalton, Ga., Pearl Snyder of Gray, Tenn. and Jennie Graybeal of Pennsylvania; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Herbert Thomas Graybeal; three sisters, Elsie Morgan, Frieda Sasser, and Dorothy Parker; and three brothers, Charles, James, and Ralph Farthing
Memorial services will be conducted Friday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the First Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Keith Tutterow, the Rev. Jim Barker, the Rev. Darrell Graybeal and Dr. George Miles. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family will receive friends Friday afternoon prior to the service from 1 until 2 o’clock at the church.
Memorials may be made to missions. Steven Allen, a great-nephew serves in Swaziland in Africa, memorials for his mission should be sent to Big Laurel Church of Christ & Christian Union, in care of Glenda Allen, 468 Roundabout Road, Creston, N.C. 28615. Wendy Slentz, a granddaughter in Wilkesboro is involved in a mission project in Kenya, memorials may be sent to Kenya Partners-Nakura, 1815 Brunswick Court, High Point, N.C. 27262.
Online condolences may be sent to the Graybeal family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Graybeal family.

Lynn Spencer Hughes
Mr. Lynn Spencer Hughes, 76, of Newland, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2009.
He was born a son of the late Willburn and Laura Jane Keller Hughes.
Mr. Hughes was a member of the Newland Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder.
He graduated from Lees MacRae and East Tennessee State University.
He worked for the State of North Carolina for 32 years and last worked as Chief Juvenile Court Counselor for the 24th Judicial District. After retiring, he enjoyed being an auctioneer.
Mr. Hughes was a retired member of Newland Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Linville Masonic Lodge #489, and a member of the OASIS Shrine Temple.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Bramblett Hughes; daughter, Sharon Nicholson and husband, Jimmy, of Pensacola, Fla.; son, Gregory Lynn Hughes of New Orleans, La.; two grandsons, Nick and Ted; sister-in-law, Leona Hughes; nieces, Nina Ferrando, Christine Vance and Irma Gravley; nephews, Gary Buchanan, David Hughes, Terry Hughes, Charles Burleson and Bernie Burleson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Lyle Hughes, Clara Buchanan, and Estelle Carter; and a brother, Jack Hughes.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Newland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Terry Alexander will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Newland Presbyterian Church in memory of Lynn at 199 Elk St. Newland, N.C. 28657.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Hughes family.

Martha Ann Lyons
Mrs. Martha Ann Lyons, 72, of Dunwoody, Ga., passed away Saturday, May 16, 2009.
She was a devoted wife for 48 years and a loving mother. Mrs. Lyons was a retired Registered Nurse. She was employed by Holy Innocents Episcopal School, where she had been employed for 19 years before her retirement.
Mrs. Lyons was a graduate from the University of North Carolina School of Nursing, class of 1959. She was a member of the Serving Together Women’s Circle at Dunwoody United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband, William R. “Bill” Lyons of Dunwoody, Ga.; son, William Eric Lyons of Cumming, Ga.; and her daughter and son-in-law, Laura and John Blomquist of Cumming, Ga.; a brother, Charles Crawford Poindexter and sister-in-law, Ginny Poindexter, of Beaufort, N.C.; a niece, Margaret Poindexter of Raleigh, N.C.; and granddaughters, Emily and Sarah Blomquist, both of Cumming, Ga.
A memorial service will be held Thursday morning at 11 a.m., May 21, 2009, at Midway Community Church in Alpharetta, Ga., with Pastor Dean Ropp officiating.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.byarsfuneralhome.com.
Byars Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Cumming, Ga., are in charge of the arrangements.

May 18, 2009

Ernest Stokes Hamilton
Mr. Ernest Stokes Hamilton, 80, of Boone, died April 18, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born July 17, 1928 in Charlotte, N.C., a son of the late Dr. E. Stokes Hamilton and Elizabeth Keerans Hamilton.
Mr. Hamilton was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. He was also a lifelong student, having attended Appalachian State University while in his 70’s.
Surviving are several cousins, including Don Keerans and wife, Joy Miller Keerans, of Richmond, Va., Lynne Omelchenko and family of Fredrick, Md., Scott Keerans and family of Richmond, Va. and Tom Keerans and family of Coaldale, Pa.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister; Florence Hamilton.
Services will be private.
Online condolences may be sent to the Hamilton family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Hamilton family.

Lynn Spencer Hughes
Mr. Lynn Spencer Hughes, 76, of Newland, passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2009.
He was born a son of the late Willburn and Laura Jane Keller Hughes.
Mr. Hughes was a member of the Newland Presbyterian Church where he served as Elder.
He graduated from Lees MacRae and East Tennessee State University.
He worked for the State of North Carolina for 32 years and last worked as Chief Juvenile Court Counselor for the 24th Judicial District. After retiring, he enjoyed being an auctioneer.
Mr. Hughes was a retired member of Newland Volunteer Fire Department, a member of the Linville Masonic Lodge #489, and a member of the OASIS Shrine Temple.
Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Bramblett Hughes; daughter, Sharon Nicholson and husband, Jimmy, of Pensacola, Fla.; son, Gregory Lynn Hughes of New Orleans, La.; two grandsons, Nick and Ted; sister-in-law, Leona Hughes; nieces, Nina Ferrando, Christine Vance and Irma Gravley; nephews, Gary Buchanan, David Hughes, Terry Hughes, Charles Burleson and Bernie Burleson.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Lyle Hughes, Clara Buchanan, and Estelle Carter; and a brother, Jack Hughes.
A memorial service will be held on Thursday, May 21, at 10:30 a.m. at the Newland Presbyterian Church. Rev. Terry Alexander will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 20, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Newland Presbyterian Church in memory of Lynn at 199 Elk St. Newland, N.C. 28657.
Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the Hughes family.

Jennie Dare Love
Miss Jennie Dare Love of Rush Branch Road, Sugar Grove, died Sunday morning, May 17, 2009, at the Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Nov. 1, 1910, in Sugar Grove to Dr. William Jackson Love and Vertie Trivette Love.
Miss Love was a graduate of Windy Gap Elementary School, Cove Creek High School, and Woman’s College of North Carolina, now UNC Greensboro. She taught at Cove Creek High School and served as librarian until the county schools consolidated. She taught one year at Beaver Creek High School in West Jefferson. Miss Love finished her career in education as librarian at Bethel and Mabel Elementary Schools until her retirement in 1972. Jennie touched many lives in her 39 years as an educator and librarian.
Survivors include five nephews, Jack Love of Boone, Douglas Love and wife, Becky, of Sugar Grove, Don Love of Durham, Charles Love of Wytheville, Va., and David Love and wife, Peggy, of Richmond, Va.; four nieces, Linda Love Adams and husband, Oliver, of Sugar Grove, Sharon Love Brown and husband, Roger, of Rockingham, Carol Love Hudson of Durham, and Nancy Love Ensminger and husband, Richard, of Blowing Rock. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Ruby Eller Love of Sugar Grove; a number of cousins and great-nieces and nephews; and her loving caregiver, Sarah Watson.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Franklin Howard Love, Clyde Jackson Love, and Charles Edward Love.
Private graveside services will be held at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family respectfully requests no food or flowers and suggests memorials be made to the Cove Creek Preservation and Development, in care of Amy Shelton at Post Office Box 344, Sugar Grove, N.C. 28679.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Love family.

Mildred C. Nix
Mrs. Mildred Carnes Nix, 82, of 117 Hidden Valley Ridge Road, Fleetwood, died Thursday, May 14, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.
She was born Oct. 25, 1926, in Murray County, Ga., a daughter of the late Jack Carnes, Jr. and Mattie Morrison Carnes.
Mrs. Nix was a retired manager in the food service industry.
Survivors include one son, David Langston of Fleetwood; and two granddaughters, Davida Langston of Virginia Beach, Va., and Denise Nixon and husband, Tyson, of Liberty, N.C.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Nix.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, May 17, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating was the Reverend Robert Miller. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
Online condolences may be sent to the Nix family at the following: www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

William R. ‘Bill’ Payne
Mr. William R. "Bill" Payne, 89, of 117 Cathey Street, Belmont, N.C., a native of Watauga County, died Saturday, May 16, 2009, at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
He was born Dec. 17, 1919, in Watauga County, a son of the late William Thomas Payne and Bessie Watson Payne.
Mr. Payne was a retired superintendant and inspector for ITT-Grinnell, and served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Survivors include one son, Carl S. Greene and wife, Velma, of Deep Gap; one daughter, Debra Panel and husband, Larry, of Mount Holly; two granddaughters, Carlene Greene and husband, Ricky, of Fleetwood, and Susan Call and husband, Chuck, of Deep Gap; two grandsons, Hank Greene and wife, Kim, and Ricky Greene and wife, Lisa, all of Deep Gap; two sisters, Lillian Woolman and husband, Wayne, of Detroit, Mich., and Avalee Cottrell and husband, James, of Winston-Salem; and three brothers, Earnest Payne and wife, Lucy, of Lexington, Jimmy Payne and wife, Betty, of Asheville, and John Payne and wife, Sue, of Indian Trail. He is also survived by four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Denise Greene Payne; one sister, Ola Bell; and three brothers, Linny, Herby, and C.A. Payne.
Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, May 19, 2009, 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 Pastor Chuck Call. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Payne family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Lucille Suddreth
Mrs. Lucille Elizabeth Greer Suddreth, 82, of Happy Valley, passed away Thursday, May 14, 2009, after a brief illness at Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care.
She was born April 22, 1927 in Ashe County and was a member of Yadkin Baptist Church.
Survivors include sons, Douglas Suddreth and wife, Carron; Dennis Suddreth and wife, Ava; daughter, Deborah Ashley, all of Lenoir; grandchildren, Teresa Gardner and husband, John, of Greenville, S.C.; Joe Ashley and wife, Lisa, of Bakersfield, Calif.; Dr. Aaron Ashley of Ogden, Utah; Chassidy Triplette and husband, Chris, of Lenoir; Alicia Manning of Wilkesboro, N.C.; and Betsey Gabela and husband, Nilson, of Covington. La.; and nine great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her birth mother Vinia Greene; adoptive parents Will and Cornelia Greer; husband, Charles A. Suddreth; step-brother, Walter Greer; and son-in-law, Bob Ashley.
Services were held Saturday, May 16, 2009, at 12:00 p.m. at Yadkin Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Livingston officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
The family requests that memorials be made to Charles and Lucille Suddreth Memorial Scholarship, c/o Blue Ridge Electric, 219 NuWay Circle NE, Lenoir, N.C. 28645; Caldwell Hospice & Palliative Care, Special Project-Family/Patient Ice Maker, 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645; Caldwell Memorial Hospital Foundation, Special Project-ICU Family Waiting Room Furnishings, 321 Mulberry St. SW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645; Caldwell County Pathways, Special Project-Happy Valley Memorial Garden Park, 1909 Hickory Blvd., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Condolences may be placed online at www.dignitymemorial.com\2320
Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory, Lenoir, N.C. is assisting the family with arrangements.

George C. Thomas
Mr. George C. Thomas, 81, of Concord, N.C., a former resident of Boone, died Friday evening, May 15, 2009, at his residence.
He was born Sept. 11, 1927 in Watauga County, a son of the late Clint and Myrtle Penley Thomas.
Mr. Thomas was a retired letter carrier out of Zionville, N.C. He was a member of Greenway Baptist Church in Boone until moving to Concord, N.C. where he joined Pitts Baptist Church.
He served two terms on the board of directors of the state Baptist paper, the Biblical Recorder. He was District Governor of the Lions International from 1976-1977 and a life member of NC Lions Foundation for the Blind. He was a March of Dimes volunteer for 35 years and received the highest honor from the state of North Carolina, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine for volunteerism by Governor James B. Hunt.
Survivors include his wife of over 60 years, Jackie Wilkinson Thomas; two sons, Dr. Randall Thomas and wife, Cheryl, of Concord, and their two daughters, Lauren Thomas of Grove City, Pa., and Susan Thomas of Concord; Mr. Duane Thomas and his two daughters, Sarah and Jessica of Arden, N.C.; one foster son, Bob Greer and wife, Judy, of Boone, and their daughters Ladonna Shore and husband, J.C., of Blowing Rock, and their daughter Ashley; Robin G. Simpson of Gainesville, Fla., and her children Ryan and Brittany Harris; one step-sister, Barbara Jeanette Lawrence of Zionville. Mr. Thomas is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Services will be conducted Wednesday morning, May 20, 2009, at 11:00 o'clock, at Greenway Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 10:00 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Dr. David Luster and the Rev. Harold Bennett. Burial will follow in Zionville Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, from 7 until 9:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Greenway Baptist Church, 880 Greenway Road, Boone, N.C., Pitts Baptist Church, 140 Pitts School Road NW, Concord, N.C. 28027, or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the Thomas family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

David A. White Sr.
Mr. David A. White, Sr., 77, of Charlotte, N.C., died May 14, 2009, at Presbyterian Hospital.
He was born Oct. 17, 193l in Charlotte, the son of the late Cardon Armfield and Lelia Elizabeth Thomas White.
Mr. White was a graduate of Harding High School, served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, was a member of the American Legion Post, and was associated with American Schlafhorst Co. 28 years retiring as a Supervisor. He loved fishing, golfing, hunting, woodwork and using his computer.
Surviving are his wife of 53 years, Reba Greene White; son, Darryl White of Charlotte; brothers, Garvin White and wife, Cheryl, of Huntersville, N.C. and Ernest White and wife, Kathy, of Matthews, N.C.; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, David White, Jr.
A service to celebrate his life was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, in the Chapel of Forest Lawn West Funeral Home. Visitation was held from 1:00-2:00 p.m. Saturday prior to the service at the funeral home.
Interment followed in Forest Lawn West Cemetery with military rites.
The family would like to thank Dr. Carmine Dalto and the nurses and staff of Harris Hospice at Presbyterian Hospital for their kindness and loving care for David and his family.
Please make memorials to the American Lung Assn., 5315 Greenbrook Dr., Charlotte, N.C. 28205.
Forest Lawn West Funeral & Cremation Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Edward Richard Zsorey
Mr. Edward Richard Zsorey, 68, of Tallahassee, Fla., entered into the arms of Our Lord on May 1, 2009, in Tallahassee.
He was born in Perth Amboy, N.J. He graduated from Miami-Edison Senior High School in 1959. Upon graduation, Ed attended Embry-Riddle Aviation School in Miami, Fla. He was called into duty and served proudly in the United States Army from 1963 until 1965, the 16th Artillery, Sixth Army at Ft. Lewis, Wash. He was a Vietnam veteran and after an honorable discharge from active duty, served in the reserves until 1969.
Upon marriage, Ed and wife, Righton, "Sugar" resided in Pembroke Lakes, Fla. He was a longtime employee and service manager at Lehman Buick in Dade-Broward counties, in Florida. Ed and Sugar relocated to Tallahassee in 1986 and spent a portion of their time in Boone. Ed was an avid fisherman and loved the beauty and serenity of the mountains of North Carolina. His ultimate desire was to reside in Boone with his friends who were most like family. He always was available to share his mechanical expertise with his friends. His kind nature and quick wit endeared him to his friends and family.
Survivors include his wife of 33 wonderful years, Sugar Zsorey; his brother-in-law, David H. Coldwell and wife, Mary Elizabeth; two dear nephews, Grant David Coldwell and his wife, Amanda, and Christopher Michael Coldwell; and many cousins.
He was preceded in death by mother and father, Elizabeth and Steve Zsorey; and many close aunts and uncles.
The family will receive friends Thursday afternoon, from 2:00 until 3:00 o'clock, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Chapel, prior to the service. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 2:00 until 3:00 o'clock.
Services will be conducted Thursday afternoon, May 21, 2009, at 3:00 o'clock, at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens Chapel. Officiating will be Pastor Lance Hostetter.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Foscoe Christian Church Building Fund, 8834 NC Highway 105 South, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the Watauga Humane Society, 200 Casey Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Zsorey family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.