: OBITUARIES :
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JOLENE WOODY FOXX

Jolene Woody Foxx, 68, of Hickory, passed away  Wednesday, December 2, 2009, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of Florence Presnell Woody of Newton and the late Wade D. Woody, who passed away November 2009.  Jolene was a member of Startown First Baptist Church and a loving wife and mother, who was devoted to her family.

 

Surviving, in addition to her mother, are her husband:  Robert Foxx, Sr.; daughters:  Roberta Foxx Callegari and husband, Lou, of Palm Coast, FL and Robin Foxx Whitener and husband, Tim, of Newton; a son:  Robert Lee Foxx, Jr. of Hickory; a sister:  Carolyn Crowder and husband, Gay, of Newton; a brother:  George Woody and wife, Marie, of Micaville; and, numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2PM Sunday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  The Rev. Royce Ball will officiate.  Burial will be in the Coy Foxx Family Cemetery on Banks Creek.

 

The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2PM prior to the service at the funeral home.

CHARLES STILES

Charles Stiles (Daddy Charles), 76, of Burnsville passed away Monday, November 30, 2009 at Mission Hospital surrounded by his family.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Latt and Edna Robertson Stiles and husband of Betty Fox Stiles who died in 1987.  He was also preceded in death by a son Rodney Stiles who died in 1978 and a sister Grace Hylemon.  He was a US Army Veteran, manager of Carolina Tire Store for 20 years, former Yancey County Commissioner and former manager of Toe River Campground. Daddy Charles was an avid fan of the NC State Wolfpack and Dallas Cowboys.  Charles was a member of West Burnsville Baptist Church.

 

Surviving are his wife, Nancy Hilemon Stiles; a daughter: Rhonda Peterson and husband, Larry; a granddaughter: Kim Simpson and husband, Darrin; a grandson: Chris Peterson and fiancee, Kasey Grindstaff; a granddaughter: Kaylee Peterson; a great grandson: Jaxon Simpson; a sister: Linda Proffitt and husband, Bobby; and, a brother: Cecil Stiles and wife, Betty all of Burnsville.

 

Funeral services will be held at 8 P. M. Wednesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Pastors Ricky Ray and Harold Bennett, Jr. and Rev. Rick Bennett will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at 11 A. M. Thursday in West Burnsville Church Cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 P. M. Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home, and at other times will be at the home of Rhonda Peterson.

WANDA LEE PATE SWANN

Wanda Lee Pate Swann, 87, of Asheville, died Saturday November 28, 2009 at home. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late J.R. “Bob” and Kittie Hensley Pate and the wife of Harold Swann who died in 2000. She was also preceded in death by a grand daughter Jackie Lell, sisters Jane Fender, Edith Foxx, Bessie McIntosh, Lucille Whitson and Ruth Pate; brothers Edd, Roy and Hugh Pate. Wanda was a retired employee of National Weather Records and an active precinct worker for 30 years. Her hobbies were her family and church.

 

She is survived by daughters; Debbie Clark and husband Robert; Diana Brinkley and husband Jack and a son James Harold Swann Jr. all of Asheville; a sister Hazel Swann of Burnsville and a brother James Robert Pate Jr. of North Augusta, SC; 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

 

A memorial services will be held at 11am Monday at Beverly Hills Baptist Church of which she was a lifelong member. The Revs. William King and Bill Snyder will officiate.

 

A graveside services will be held at 2 pm Monday in the J.R. Pate Cemetery in Burnsville.

 

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.

 

Memorials may be made to Beverly Hills Baptist Church, 777 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805 .

CHLOE ROLAND

Chloe Roland, 94, of Mountain View Road passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at The Oaks of Sweeten Creek.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Stonewall J. and Elizabeth Styles Brown and the wife of James Otis Roland who died in 1984.  She was also preceded in death by sisters:  Ruby Fox, Pauline Gibbs, Daisy Gardner and Mable Brown and brothers:  George and Charles Brown.

 

Surviving are her son:  Randy Roland and wife, Maria, of Weaverville, step-granddaughter:  Peggy Watson and husband, Chris, and step-great-grandson:  Nick Watson of Leicester and several nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Rev. Ricky Ray will officiate.  Burial will be in the West Burnsville Cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

KEVIN L. JUSTICE

Kevin L. Justice of Little Switzerland, passed Monday at the home of his parents, Vernon and Sue Justice.  A resident of Georgia for most of his life, he had made his home with his parents during his illness.  He was a cabinet maker.

 

Surviving in addition to his parents are a son: Bradley Justice of Warner Robins; 3 brothers:  Craig Justice of Warner Robins, Bryan Justice of Friendsville, TN and Lance Justice of Georgetown, SC; 5 nieces and 3 nephews.

 

Graveside services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in Parkway Memorial Gardens in Warner Robins, GA.  Brother Gene Stillwell will officiate.

 

Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 120 Executive Park, Bldg. 1, Asheville, NC 28801.

MARY NELL BLANKENSHIP ISEMAN

Mary Nell Blankenship Iseman, 77, of Black Mountain passed away Sunday, November 22, 2009 at her home.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Zeak and Sallie Lou Ray Blankenship.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Fredrick Iseman and sister, Maude Bright.  Mary enjoyed many hours of gardening and quilting after her retirement from Southern Bell.

 

Surviving are two daughters:  Sally Jean Peterson and Janet Hughes and husband, Jim; 3 grandchildren:  Robby Wallen, Dewayne and Lindsay Stephens all of Buncombe County; a step-daughter: Signe Smale and husband, Bruce of CA; a sister:  Agnes Jeffries of TN and her beloved dog, “Tennie”.

 

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in Holcombe Cemetery.  Rev. Bob Coleman will officiate.

 

The family will receive friends from 1 until 1:45 p.m. at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home prior to the graveside service.

ROBERT WADE AUSTIN

 Robert Wade Austin, 74, of Bald Creek, passed away Saturday November 14, 2009 at the Charles George VA Medical Center in Asheville. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late Jeter and Lizzie Hensley Austin. and was also preceded in death by sisters Frances Elkins, Eula Jean Moore and Ann Banks and brothers Talmadge  and Charlie Wint Austin. He was a Korean War Navy veteran and a member of Bald Creek Lodge #397 AF&AM, and an avid trout fisherman. Wade was a man who loved his family to the extreme and was a proud father and a very proud Pop.

  

Surviving are his wife Johnnie Morrow Austin, children; Joe Austin and Rachel; Kenitra Higgins and Dennis; and Bill Austin all of Burnsville, and Scott Austin and Cynthia of Green Mountain;  7 grandchildren; Jeremiah and Ashley Styles; Maria, Nathan, Andy and Lochlin Austin and Briana Higgins. 2 great grandchildren; Jaden Styles and Hunter Isaacs, and, numerous loving nieces and nephews.

  

Funeral services will be held at 8:00 pm Monday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with the Rev. Stacey Elkins officiating. Masonic Grave rites will be conducted by Bald Creek Lodge following the funeral service.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00pm Monday prior to the service.

 

Military grave rites will be conducted by Sgt. E. L. Randolph Chapter 57 DAV at 11:00 am Tuesday in the Wade Austin Family Cemetery.

THOMAS "TOMMY" HARDIN SAMS

Thomas “Tommy” Hardin Sams, 62, went to be with his family in Heaven, Thursday, November 12, 2009.  He was a son of Kathleen B. Young and the late T. F. Sams.  He was also preceded in death by his step-father:  J. Hiram Young.

 

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his step-mother:  Faye Murphy Sams; siblings and their spouses:  Renee S. Aylward and husband, Alastair, Annette Hensley and husband, Dennis, Sherry Lee Chandler and husband, Kenneth, Larry B. Sams, and wife, Regina, Eric Sams and wife, Ginger, and John B. Young and wife, Denise; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends; all of whom Tommy has blessed with his big smile and unwavering wit and joy of experiencing life’s little pleasures.

 

Tommy’s every-day-life family that shared a home for special-needs adults with him includes his best friend Joel Embler, as well as, Jackie, Karen, Paul, and Jimmy.  He was also blessed with a much bigger caring family of clients and care providers who shared his home, school, and work, which was made possible by Blue Ridge Homes.  All of whom were an integral part of Tommy’s daily life, love, health, and general well being; with special acknowledgment given to Paula Nibarger for her enduring dedication to Tommy and his care.

 

Tommy’s other family is all his brothers and sisters in Christ who attended Woodland Hills Baptist Church with him and who were also with him and his family as Tommy left this earth for his heavenly home and family of saints.

 

A family service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with burial in Bowditch Cemetery.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, November 19, 2009 at Woodland Hills Baptist Church officiated by ministers Eric Sams, his brother, and Cameron Smith, his nephew.  The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to CarePartners Hospice, P.O. Box 5779, Asheville, NC 28813; or to Blue Ridge Homes, 119 Tunnel Road, Suite E, Asheville, NC 28805.

AVEN W. McDOWELL

Aven W. McDowell, 62, of Weaverville, departed this life, November 3, 2009 at St. Joseph Hospital.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Jay and Leta Hughes McDowell.  He retired from the N.C. Dept. of Transportation after 32 years of service.  Aven had a passion for youth sports with his sons, neighborhood kids and granddaughters.

 

Surviving are his wife of 41 years:   Dana Proffitt McDowell; sons:  Mark McDowell and wife, Kathleen, of Weaverville and Casey McDowell of Arden; 2 granddaughters:  Kenzie and Syna McDowell; a sister:  Sue Banks and husband, Duncan, of Hendersonville and a brother:  Wayne McDowell and wife, Janice, of Johnson City, TN.

 

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Rev. David Banks will officiate.

 

The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

 

Memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, 7020 AC Skinner Parkway, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256 or Samaritan’s Purse, P. O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

DELLA BERRY

Della Berry, 93, of Bailey Branch went home to be with the Lord, Monday, November 2, 2009 at Spruce Pine Brian Center.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas and Roxie Miller Bryant and wife of Charlie Berry who died in 1970.  Della was a member of Byrd Branch Baptist Church.


Surviving are 4 daughters: 
Neva, June, Lillian and husband, Dolph, and Mildred and husband, S. W.; 3 sons:  Gene Berry and wife, Mattie, and Ted Berry and wife, Wanda, all of Burnsville, Ray Berry and wife, Betsy, of Hickory; a brother:  Hansel Bryant of Valdese; 18 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 8:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Rev. Ray Wilson will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday in the Jack Silvers Family Cemetery on Bailey Branch.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday prior to the service at the funeral home, and at other times will be at the fellowship building at Byrd Branch Church.

 

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