Archived

Joanne Elizabeth Flaa
Joanne Elizabeth Flaa died May 18, 2009, in Boone, N.C., near her children.
After over 30 years of service as a special education teacher and administrator, she retired in Florida.
Survivors include her daughters, Mary Flaa and Susan Colby; son-in-law, Jeff Colby; grandchildren, Erin and Christian Colby; sister-in-law; nieces; nephews; and lifelong friends.
She was preceded in death by her sister and brother, Mary Lou Hennis and Robert Horne.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Joanne Flaa Memorial Scholarship in Special Education at Appalachian State University, Attn: Dolly Farrell, Director of Development, ASU Box 32038, Boone, N.C. 28608. Checks payable to the ASU Foundation with the scholarship name in the memo line. Please call 828-262-2804 if you need assistance making a gift.

Anna Lee Trivett Church Green
Mrs. Anna Lee Trivett Church Green, 88, of 90 Greenview Drive, Staunton, Va., a native and former resident of Ashe County, died Monday, May 25, 2009, at Augusta Medical Center in Staunton.
She was born April 21, 1921 in Ashe County, a daughter of the late Millard Baine Trivett and Mattie Mae Wilcox Trivett.
Mrs. Green was a homemaker and of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Ronda Gail Collier of King George, Va., and Elaine Minton and husband, Lloyd, of Miller Creek; three sons, Ronnie Lee Church and wife, Jo, of Staunton, Alton Gary Church, and Len Richard Church, both of King George; and one sister, Elree Parsons and husband, James, of Lenoir. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; one great great-grandchild; and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Worth Church; one daughter, Rejana Mae Portl; and one son, Worth Kerry Church.
Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, May 30, 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 the Rev. Rick Tomlinson. Burial will follow in Big Flat Baptist Church Cemetery in Ashe County.
The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Green family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Joseph Edward Mast
Mr. Joseph Edward Mast, 73, of Vero Beach, Fla., died Friday, April 17, 2009, at VNA Hospice House.
He was born March 13, 1936 in Boone, N.C., son of Leola Hodges Mast and Edward B. Mast. He was the grandson of Arthur Clyde Mast of Sugar Grove, N.C.
Mr. Mast worked in the Book Publishing Industry. He began his career at Kingsport Press, Kingsport, Tenn., then to New York to American Book Stratford Press and lastly to Webcraft Publishing in North Brunswick, N.J. He was a Mason belonging to the Snow Lodge #363 AF & AM in Boone, N.C. He belonged to the First Baptist Church of Boone, N.C., Highland Park, N.J. and Vero Beach, Fla.
Survivors include his son, Mitchell Graham Mast; daughter, Susanne Mast Murray and her husband, David; former wife, Jimmie Graham Mast; and two grandchildren, Cara Mast Murray and Sean Savino Murray.
He was predeceased by a son, Joseph E. Mast, Jr.
Memorial services will be conducted Saturday morning at 11 o’clock at the Chapel of the First Baptist Church. The family will receive friends Saturday morning prior to the service from 10-11 o’clock.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Source, P.O. Box 2458, Vero Beach, Fla. 32961.
Online condolences may be sent to the Mast family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Mast family.

Rejana Mae Church Portl
Mrs. Rejana Mae Church Portl, 62, of 90 Greenview Drive, Staunton, Va., died Tuesday, May 26, 2009, at her home.
She was born Oct. 31, 1946, a daughter of the late Worth Church and Anna Lee Trivett Church Green.
Mrs. Portl is survived by one son, Steven Douglas Elliott of Fredericksburg, Va.; two daughters, Tracy Lynn Reid of Lenoir, and Jana Portl of Silver City, New Mexico; one step-son, Lawrence F. Portl of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; one step-daughter, Shannon Portl of Silver City, New Mexico; three brothers, Ronnie L. Church of Staunton, Va., Alton G. Church and Len Richard Church, both of King George, Va.; and two sisters, Rhonda Gail Collier of King George, and Rena Elaine Minter of Miller's Creek. She is also survived by six grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Frederick Portl, Sr.; one brother, Worth Kerry Church, and her father and mother, Worth Church and Anna Trivett Church Green.
In conjunction with Rejana's mother's funeral, Anna Trivett Green, services will be conducted Saturday afternoon, May 30, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be the Rev. Rick Tomlinson.
The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Portl family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Charlie Swift
Mr. Charlie Swift, 72, of Augusta, Ga., died Tuesday morning, May 26, 2009, in Chattanooga, Tenn.
He was born in Watauga County and had been a resident of Augusta for over 45 years.
Mr. Swift was retired from Kimberly Clark. He enjoyed golfing, fishing, growing tomatoes and going to flea markets.
Survivors include three sons, Gregg Swift and wife, Lisa, of Chattanooga, Tenn., Bradley Swift of Arkansas, and Joey Swift and wife, Tammy, of California; five brothers, Bill Swift and wife, Erma, of New Castle, Ind.; Henry Swift and wife, Barbara, of Middletown, Ind.; Edd Swift and wife, Peggy, of Albany, Ga.; Jim Swift and wife, Jerrie, of Augusta, Ga.; and Norman Swift of Boone; and one sister, Mary Norris and husband, Elmer, of Zionville. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Rachel and Rebecca Swift of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Dewey and Auriola Harmon Swift; three brothers, Roby, Robert and Carl Swift; one sister, Francis Bunton; and his ex-wife, Pat Harrell Swift.
Services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock at Elliott Funeral Home Chapel in Augusta, Ga. Burial will follow in Augusta, Ga.
The family will receive friends Saturday afternoon from 12:00-1:00 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
Elliott Funeral Home in Augusta, Ga. is in charge of the arrangements.

May 27, 2009

James Randall ‘Sonny’ Foster
Mr. James. Randall “Sonny” Foster, 78, of Cape Carteret, N.C., passed away on Sunday, May 24, 2009, at Crystal Bluffs Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.
A proud native of Blowing Rock, N.C., Sonny made friends wherever he went. He never met a stranger. He was an accomplished stonemason, gardener, wine connoisseur, landscaper and proud veteran of the U.S. Air Force, having served during the Korean Conflict. He and Ruth fulfilled a lifelong dream of retiring to the coast when they moved to Cape Carteret in 2002. His smile and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
A cherished uncle, he is survived by nieces, Pat Greene of Marion, Mary Lee Cuthrell of Morehead City, Selena Bolick of Morehead City, and Cindy Hudson of Vass; two great-nieces and nephews; and many, many friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth Harmon Foster; his father and mother, Randall J. and Selma Robbins Foster; and two sisters, Selma Lee Bolick and Kathleen F. Pitts.
Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2009, at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.
The family will receive friends at Brooks Funeral Home on Thursday, May 28, 2009, from 6-8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crystal Bluffs James Foster Garden Fund, 4010 Bridges Street, Morehead City, N.C. 28557.
Access online obituary and internet condolences through brooksfuneralhomeandcrematory.com.
Brooks Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., in Morehead City, N.C., are in charge of the arrangements.

Susan Bostian Green
Susan Bostian Green of Lenoir, N.C., passed away May 23, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center.
She was born July 18, 1955, in San Benito, Texas, the daughter of Audy Lee Bostian and the late Susan Kyle Bostian of China Grove, N.C.
A graduate of Appalachian State University, Susan was the owner of Violets and Martinis Boutique in Hickory, N.C. She was a creative and gifted life force who was beloved by family and friends.
Surviving family members include her husband, Bob Green; daughter, Jennifer Rudisill of Charlotte, N.C.; stepson, Austin Green of Charlotte, N.C.; stepdaughter, Summer Green of Florence, S.C.; brothers, Rick Bostian of San Francisco, Calif. and Rusty Bostian of Kannapolis, N.C.; niece, Ashley Bostian and nephew, Ryan Bostian, both of Kannapolis, N.C. Also surviving are three grandchildren and a host of extended family and friends.
A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2009, at Westglow Resort and Spa in Blowing Rock, N.C., 828-295-4463. Additional information and a location to leave written remembrances are available at www.susanbostiangreen.com.
In honor of Susan, the family asks that you consider becoming an organ donor to save a life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the National Foundation for Transplants, www.transplants.org, (800) 489-3863.

Dr. John R. Marchese
Dr. John R. Marchese, 73, of 365 Scene A Rama Drive, Boone, died Sunday evening, May 24, 2009, at his home.
He was born March 24, 1936 at St. Jerome's Hospital in Batavia, N.Y,, the 8th child of Sicilian immigrants Salvatore and Angela Gugino Marchese.
After graduating from Batavia High School in 1953, Dr. Marchese obtained his undergraduate degree from Georgetown University in 1957. He went on to attend Georgetown University Medical School, gaining membership to Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and graduating in 1961. He completed his internship in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics in 1962 at UNC-Chapel Hill and his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University Hospitals of Cleveland in 1966. He was board certified in OB/GYN in 1968 as Diplomate, American Board of OB/GYN and Fellow, American College of OB/GYN.
Dr. Marchese served as a Captain in the Medical Corp. of the U.S. Army, being stationed at U.S. Army Aviation Center in Ft. Rucker, Ala. from 1966 to 1968, where he performed approximately 550 deliveries. After his military discharge, he located to the Bethesda, Maryland/Washington, DC area, where he practiced obstetrics and gynecology and was on the teaching staff at Georgetown University Medical School.
In 1970, Dr. Marchese moved to Boone and established his private practice, being the first Board certified OB/GYN in seven surrounding counties. His hard work, love and dedication quickly endeared him to his patients.
He was a life member of the North Carolina Medical Society. He helped establish the Area Health Education Center at Watauga Hospital, serving as Medical Director from 1975 to 1989. He served as clinical instructor at Bowman Gray School of Medicine from 1975 to 1984. He has served the Watauga County Medical Center medical staff as secretary, vice-chief and chief of staff. He served as president of the Watauga County Medical Society. He helped establish the Obstetrical care clinic of the Watauga County Health Department. During his career, Dr. Marchese has delivered approximately 8000 babies. He was an advocate for the unborn and as such, in 1972, he testified to the North Carolina Senate Health Committee against the passage of "abortion on demand".
Dr. Marchese was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, having served as head of Building Committee.
Survivors include his loving wife and best friend, Deniece R. Marchese; two sons, Christopher Marchese and wife, Lisa, of Raleigh, and Matthew Marchese and wife, Mandy, and their children Josie and Logan, all of Charlotte; his former wife, Barbara Lawrence of Boone; two brothers, Dr. Russell Marchese and wife, Josephine, of Ormond Beach, Fla., and Salvatore Marchese and wife, Joyce, of Batavia, N.Y.; two sisters, Marie Gilmartin of Batavia, N.Y., and Elaine Scappa and husband, Angelo, of Las Vegas, Nev.; and his in-laws, Bill and Madeline Rucker of Boone, Harold Hayes of Boone, Denette Isaacs of Vilas, and Tim and Delora Hodges of Vilas. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and many, many friends.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Joseph Marchese; and two sisters, Rose LaRussa and Florence Acitelli.
A Funeral Mass will be conducted Friday morning, May 29, 2009, at 10:00 o'clock, at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Officiating will be Father Ray Hubert. A private interment will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens. A celebration of life service will be conducted Friday afternoon, at 4:00 o'clock, at Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Bud Russell.
Friends may call anytime Wednesday and Thursday, at the funeral home, to pay respects to Dr. Marchese and sign the guest register.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to the John R. Marchese, MD Birthing Center, in care of Appalachian Regional Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 2600, Boone, N.C. 28607, or to Hope Pregnancy Center, PO Box 3316, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Marchese family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
The family has respectfully requested no food.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Dr. Charles Russell Neale Jr.
Dr. Charles Russell Neale, Jr., 82, formerly of 49 Sheffield Circle, Asheville, passed away Friday, May 22, 2009, at Deerfield Skilled Nursing Center.
A native of Massachusetts, he was the son of late Charles Russell Neale, Sr. and Alleda Florence Guyton Neale.
Mr. Neale resided in Salt Lake City, Utah for many years, moving to Boone, N.C. in 1978. In 2001, he and his wife, Nancy, moved to Asheville, where they have lived at Deerfield Retirement Community. Russ was a clinical psychologist in private practice both in Utah and in North Carolina, and was on staff at the mental health center in Watauga County in the 1980s.
Surviving is his loving wife of 50 years, Nancy Kester Neale; daughters, Leda Neale of Asheville and Erica Neale of Black Mountain; son, Graham Neale and his wife Diana, of Bozeman, Montana; and grandchildren, Isabella Yeager and Kester Neale.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 28, in the St. Giles Chapel at Deerfield Retirement Community, with the Rev. E. Morgan Gardner officiating. Interment will follow in the Deerfield Memorial Garden. The family will receive friends at the chapel after the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (1-800-708-7644), or the National Parkinson's Foundation (1-800-327-4545).
An online register is available at www.ashevillemortuaryservices.com

Jackie Greer Westheimer
Mr. Jackie Greer Westheimer, 75, husband of the late Maude Fae Westheimer, died May 25, 2009, at Glenbridge Health and Rehab Center in Boone.
"Jack" was born July 26, 1933, to Jennie Greer Westheimer and Irwin Rund Westheimer.
Mr. Westheimer served in the United States Navy during the Korean war on the U.S.S. Bennington and was a member of VFW Post 7031 in Boone.
Survivors include two sons, Stephen Anthony Westheimer of Sarasota, Fla., and Ronald Paxton Westheimer of Atlanta, Ga. He is also survived by grandsons Brian, Travis, and Eric of Sarasota, Fla.; brothers, Royce Westheimer of Oregon, Bill Westheimer of Mississippi; and sister, Jeanne Cardice of Texas; as well as cousin John Kent Coleman of West Jefferson.
A memorial service will be planned for a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to his VFW Post 7031, P.O. Box 1125, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Pendry's Funeral Home of Lenoir is in charge of the arrangements.

May 25, 2009
Ruel Elvis Bursey
Mr. Ruel Elvis Bursey, 93, of Clyde Townsend Road, Boone, died Tuesday night, May 19, 2009 at Watauga Medical Center.
He was born Oct. 23, 1915 in Benton County, Tenn., a son of the late Ruel and Georgia Wilson Bursey.
Mr. Bursey was a member of Oak-Crest Church of God in Muskegon, Mich. and attended Grace Highlands Presbyterian Church in Boone. He was a veteran of World War II, and was a retired mechanic from Continental Motor Company.
Surviving are one daughter, Rose Guthrie of Boone; one son, Charles Bursey of Hermitage, Pa.; one grandson, Brent Bursey and wife, Julie, of Chantilly, Va.; and one granddaughter, Laura Elnitski of Gaithersburg, Md.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Vera Patterson Bursey; one son-in-law, Bill Guthrie; and one daughter-in-law, Shirley Bursey.
Services were conducted Friday evening at 7 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Officiating was the Rev. Scott Fuller. The family received friends Friday evening one hour prior to the service from 6 o’clock until 7 o’clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Graveside services and burial will be Monday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Springville, Tenn.
Online condolences may be sent to the Bursey family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bursey family.

Robert True ‘Bob’ Cook
Mr. Robert True “Bob” Cook passed away May 21, 2009 at Cannon Memorial Hospital, Linville, N.C.
He was born in Worcester, Mass., the son of Stanley Dyer Cook and Florence True Cook.
During World War II, Mr. Cook served as a radarman on the destroyer Collette in the 3rd and 5th Pacific fleets. He attended Brown University, graduating in 1950.
At the National Bureau of Standards (now the national Institute for Standards and Technology), he was a writer, information officer, and especially enjoyed supervising the Bureau’s exhibits and conference programs. He retired as acting chief of the bureau’s Office of Technical Information.
A resident of Linville Land Harbor since 1981, Bob was a founding member of the Land Harbor Mountain Mixers square dance club, a golfer and a bridge player.
Survivors include his wife Ann, of Linville Land Harbor; his daughter, Sue Trainor of Columbia, Md.; son, Rodney of Rossville, Ga.; and grandchildren, Cameron Trainor of Aurora, Colo., and Matthew, Melissa, and Michael Cook of Rossville.
His sister, Peggy Blakey of Santa Barbara California, and brother Stanley of Brockton, Mass., preceded him in death.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Avery County EMS, 456 A Street, Newland, N.C. 28657 or to Mountainhome Music, PO Box 572, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Cook family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Cook family.

Melvin H. Gruensfelder
Mr. Melvin Henry Gruensfelder, 89, of Valdese, died Thursday, May 21, 2009, at Shaire Center of Lenoir, following a period of declining health.
He was born on Sept. 25, 1919, in San Jose, Ill., to the late Henry Gruensfelder and Emma Victoria Koeneke Gruensfelder.
Mr. Gruensfelder was a United States Army veteran serving during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He retired in 1987 as a professor of HPER at Appalachian State University. He was a member of the Boone First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his children, Jean Brown and husband, Charles, of Melbourne, Fla., Thomas Ray Gruensfelder of Dothan, Ala., and Dr. Paula Reynolds and husband, Jim, of Valdese; two grandchildren, Tamara Levi and husband, Jason, and Daniel Brown. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife, Willie Jo Garrett Gruensfelder.
The family will receive friends Thursday May 28, 2009 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese.
Other services will be held in Hogansville, Ga.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ed Turner Scholarship or the Erick Degroat Scholarship, c/o A.S.U. Foundation, A.S.U. Box 32014, Boone, N.C. 28608, or online at give.appstate.edu.
An online guestbook and obituary is available at www.heritagefuneralservcies.com.
Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory is serving the family.

Mary Brown James
Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Brown James, 87, of Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of John Beckly James, died Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at Forsyth Medical Center.
She was born in Wilkes County, Jan. 4, 1922, to John Quince and Ona Belle Blackburn Brown.
Mrs. James was a member of Hinshaw Street Baptist Church. She was a homemaker, substitute school teacher, and a seamstress.
Survivors include 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, S.C. and Aurelia Delp and husband, Bobby, of Millers Creek; five grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
Services were conducted at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 24, at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Pastor Martha Ellis officiating. Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park. The family received friends at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6:30 until 8:30 Saturday night.
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.
Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. John Marchese
Dr. John Marchese, a prominent local obstetrician, died Sunday at age 73.
Marchese was the only specialist of nine doctors at the Watauga Hospital when he arrived in 1970, subsequently delivering about 8,000 infants in his 36-year career.
He also provided gynecological services at Northwestern Obstetrics & Gynecology in Boone.
Marchese was born in Batvia, NY. He attended Georgetown University and received his MS from Georgetown’s School of Medicine, where he did his postdoctoral training.
He completed his Medical-Pediatric Internship while at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and returned north for his residency in Obstetrics & Gynecology at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
In the late 1960s, he served for two years as a Medical Officer in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Rucker, Alabama.
Marchese was an advocate for improving medical technology at the hospital, particularly in the field of obstetrics.
He also focused on high-risk pregnancies, prenatal conditions, and overall health of birthing mothers.
Marchese served as Medical Director for the Area Health Education Center for 18 years, and also served on the advisory board for the educational and training program.
“I like what I do and I like people,” he said in a 2006 interview with the Mountain Times. “It is important to treat others with the same respect that you want to be treated . . . I learned a long time ago that there are three essential ingredients to building a practice and being an asset: availability–you’ve got to be there; affability–you’ve got to treat people decent and with respect; and ability–you’ve got to practice good standards.”
Funeral plans are incomplete as of press time.

Pamela J. Suddreth
Miss Pamela J. Suddreth, 53, of 96 Sparrowhadk Way, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, England, formerly of Boone, died May 16, 2009, at Hichingbrooke Hospital, in England.
A native of Miami, Fla., Miss Suddreth was the daughter of Paul M. Suddreth and the late Jean W. Suddreth.
She was a Transportation Manager for the United States Government, and had served in the United States Marine Corps. Miss Suddreth had also resided in Panama, Italy and Germany.
Survivors include her father, Paul Suddreth of Boone; two sisters, Laura Suddreth of Roanoke, Tex., and Terri Suddreth of Boone; one brother, Tom Suddreth of Lenoir; one niece, Lauren Hall and husband, David, of Fort Meade, Md.; and one great-niece, Victoria Elizabeth Hall, of Fort Meade.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Jean W. Suddreth; and a niece, Ashley Dawn Suddreth.
Services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Tuesday at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Kenny Newberry officiating. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clcok. Interment will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m., one hour prior to the service.
Online condolences may be sent to the Suddreth family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Vernon E. Townsend
Mr. Vernon E. Townsend, 67, of 9860 Highway 88 East, Laurel Springs, died Thursday morning, May 21, 2009, at Ashe Memorial Hospital.
He was born April 1, 1942 in Avery County, a son of the late Joe Sidney Townsend and Geneva Teaster Townsend. Mr. Townsend was a retired truck driver and a partner in Townsend Logging.
Survivors include six sisters, Celia Norwood of Hendersonville, Lucy Sword and Mildred Ramsey and husband, Fred, all of Banner Elk, Barbara Ann Ward and husband, Cecil, Deep Gap, Ethel Norwood and husband, Junior, of Newland, and Mary Townsend and husband, Junior, of Piney Creek; two brothers, Floyd Townsend and wife, Edna Earl, of Banner Elk, and Jimmy Townsend and wife, Ruby, of Laurel Springs; and three sisters-in-law, Margaret Townsend of Banner Elk, Earlene Brown of Boone, and Ruth Townsend of Laurel Springs. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Buster Lewis Townsend, Kenneth Marvin Townsend, and Dayton Junior Townsend; and two brothers-in-law, J.B. Norwood, and Jim Sword.
Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, May 24, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at Banner Elk Seventh Day Adventist Church. Officiating was Pastor Charles Hindman. Burial followed in the Townsend Family Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215-3220.
Online condolences may be sent to the Townsend family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com. Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Charles Milford Williams
Mr. Charles Milford Williams, 79, of U.S. Hwy. 421 North, Vilas, died Thursday evening, May 21, 2009, at his home.
He was born Dec. 7, 1929, in Santa Ana, Calif., to Melvin and Lillie Sexton Williams.
Mr. Williams was retired from the U.S. Navy as an aircraft Avionics Technician. He served during the Korean Conflict and the Viet Nam War. He was an artist in color pencil medium. His art has been displayed in local businesses including the Seby C. Jones Cancer Center and the Cove Creek Community Senior Center.
Survivors include five sons, Allen Williams and wife, Theresa, of Rudner, Ohio, Dale Williams of Little Rock, Ark., Leslie Marich of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Chris Williams and wife, Jamey, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Tim Williams and wife, Susan, of Valrico, Fla. Eleven grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren also survive.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Hodges Williams; and a great-great-grandson, Phoenix Rylan Pierce.
Memorial services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, May 26, 2009, at 1 o’clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. A private entombment will be at the Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens Mausoleum.
The family suggests memorials to High Country Health Care Systems 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 Williams.