: OBITUARIES :
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CLARA BYRD

Clara Byrd, 95, of the Bowditch Community passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2009 at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care.  A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Carl and Julia Hensley Boone and the wife of Clarence Byrd who died in 1985.  Clara taught in the Yancey County school system for 38 years and was a member of Bowditch Freewill Baptist Church.


Surviving are a daughter:  Judy Buchanan of Bakersville; 3 sons:  Bill Byrd of Marion, Richard Byrd and Mike Byrd of Burnsville; 7 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and a great-great grandson.


Funeral services will be held at 7 PM Thursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Revs. Joe Bennett and Ronnie Whitson will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Friday in the Micaville Cemetery.

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

JOSEPH "SCOOTER" PERRY PATE

Joseph “Scooter” Perry Pate, 33, of Lincoln Park Road passed away Sunday, July 12, 2009 at his home.   A native of Yancey County, he was a son of Arnold Paul Pate of Burnsville and the late Evelyn Gilbert Pate.

Surviving, in addition to his father, are a sister:  Phyllis Marie Silver and husband, Larry, 3 brothers:  Charles Gilbert, James Gilbert Boone and David Pate and a nephew: Jacob Silver, all of Burnsville.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Wednesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Pastor Chris Davis and Rev. Bill Whiteside will officiate. Burial will be in the Marietta Atkins Cemetery.

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

CARL GRINDSTAFF

God called another precious saint to his eternal home in heaven on Wednesday, July 8, 2009.  Carl Grindstaff, 91, answered this call after a short period of declining health.  Born June 27, 1918, he was a native and lifelong resident of the Halls Chapel community of Yancey County.  He was the son of the late Zeb and Minnie Young Grindstaff.  He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Lena Williams Grindstaff; an infant daughter; a son:  Harold Bolick; six sisters:  Hattie Lanning, Bertha Whetstine, Cordie Grindstaff, Julia Wilson, Nellie McKinney and Pearl Robinson; and ten brothers:  George, John, Arnold, Henry, Merval and infant twin, Bud, Fred, Troy and Paul. 

 

He was a retired construction supervisor, farmer and nurseryman most of his life.  He loved his farm and worked on it each day, which he was blessed to be able to do until a short time before he passed.  He was eternally thankful unto God for his good health and ability to do the things he loved for 91 years.

 

He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  His smiling face, gentle voice, kindness and great wisdom will be greatly missed by each member of his family.  He will also be missed for his true Christian and moral leadership, and for the example that was shown to even the youngest of family members, which his family believes is the highest honor that could be bestowed on a father.  A lot of people have been helped by his kindness and generosity, which he preferred not to talk about or be praised for.  

 

He is survived by a daughter:  Ruby Lee Gouge and husband, Bob, one grandson:  Robert Gouge and wife, Lori, three granddaughters:  Carlyn Pelton and husband, Michael, Sharon McIntosh and husband, Danny, Rebecca Autrey and husband, Charlie; one great-granddaughter:  Abigail Gouge; six great-grandsons:  Zeb Gouge, Benjamin Pelton, Nicholas Pelton, Ethan and Patrick Stafford and Evan Hall; and three step-great granddaughters all of Burnsville.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday in Halls Chapel Baptist Church of which he was a member and served as Chairman of the Deacon Board for many years.  The Revs. Ronnie Gouge, Paul Robinson and Holt Whitson, Jr. will officiate.  Burial will be in the Grindstaff Family Cemetery on Halls Chapel Road.


The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00 PM Friday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home where the body will remain until taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service.

DONALD MONROE MEADE

Don Meade, 57, of Spruce Pine, died Tuesday, July 7, 2009, at his home.  A former resident of Asheville, he was a retired employee of the City of Asheville Water Department.

 

Surviving are his wife: Deborah Hardin Meade; a daughter:  Angela Mae Meade and 4 sons:  Edward Allen Ray, Charles Donavon Meade, Jerry Lee Meade and Walter Wesley Meade, all of Spruce Pine; 5 grandchildren; 2 sisters:  Margaret Mashburn and Debbie Maynard, both of Asheville; and, 2 brothers:  Kenneth Meade of Clyde and Harold Meade of Marion.

 

A memorial sevice will be held at a later date.

MILDRED HENSLEY

Mildred Hensley, 68, of Patterson Branch went home to be with the Lord, Monday, July 6, 2009 at Mission Hospital.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Woodrow and Mary Fox Tipton.

 

Surviving are her husband:  Rev. Cecil Hensley; 3 daughters:  Teresa Wheeler and husband, Michael, Tracie Wilson and husband, Jeff, and Stacie Allen and husband, Michael; 8 grandchildren:  Jason, Carissa and Katie Howell, Jonathan Wilson, Celia Fox and husband, Jeremy, Landon, Michalie and Bianca Allen; 2 great-grandchildren:  Jaden Howell and Jackson Fox; a sister:  Marsha Tipton and two brothers:  Gene and Brown Tipton all of Burnsville.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Friday in Patterson Branch Freewill Baptist Church of which she was a member.  Revs. Jim Shoupe and Randy Sprinkle will officiate.  Burial will be in the Howell Cemetery on Patterson Branch.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Thursday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home where the body will remain until taken to the church to lie instate 30 minutes prior to the service.

ROGER JAMES OWENS

Roger James Owens, 76, of Charlotte, formerly of Burnsville, passed away suddenly Saturday, July 4, 2009 in Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.  A native of Nebraska, he was a son of the late James Phillip and Mary Elsie Spragens Owens.  He was also preceded in death by two sisters.  Roger served two years in the US Marine Corps and 20 years in the US Air Force before retiring.  A former employee of Brad Ragan, Inc., he was currently a newspaper home delivery carrier with The Charlotte Observer.  Roger enjoyed traveling and studying history.


Surviving are his wife of 50 years:   Peggy Edwards Owens; a son:  James Phillip “JP” Owens and wife, Cynthia Renea Owens of Burnsville; three sisters:  Edith Shreve and Lucille Owens of Kansas City and Jackie Tolliver of Smithton, MO; a sister-in-law:  Wanda Shepherd of Mars Hill and special nieces and nephews.


Funeral services will be held at 8:00 PM Wednesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Rev. David Bryant will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at 12 Noon Thursday in the WNC State Veterans Cemetery at Black Mountain. 


The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:00 PM Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home.  At other times, the family will be at the home of Bill and Glenda Stamey on Sam J. Byrd Road.

BLAINE PETERSON

Blaine Peterson, 66, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord Friday, July 3, 2009, in Mission Hospital.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of Lucille Elliott Peterson of Burnsville and the late Ike Peterson.  He was also preceded in death by his twin brother:  Wayne Peterson; and, a sister:  Peggy Peterson.  Blaine was a retired employee of the N. C. D.O.T. with 30 years of service.  He was Past Master of Burnsville Lodge No. 717 AF & AM.

 

Surviving, in addition to his mother, is  his wife of 49 years:  Rachel Fox Peterson; a son and daughter-in-law:  Bryan and Anita Peterson; granddaughter:  Jessica Peterson, all of Burnsville; 2 sisters:  Frances Ray of Burnsville and Elaine Brewer of Marion; 4 brothers:  Steve Peterson and wife, Sherry, of Burnsville, Edward Peterson and wife, Kathy, of Green Mountain, Donald Peterson of Thomasville, and Carmon Peterson of Archdale; and, a host of nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 4PM Sunday in West Burnsville Baptist Church, of which he was a member and deacon.  The Revs. Ricky Ray and Danny Hardin will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery with Masonic graverites conducted by Burnsville Lodge No. 717 AF & AM.

 

The family will receive friends from 2 until 4PM prior to the service at the church.

 

At other times the family will be at the home of Bryan and Anita Peterson at 164 Dogwood Circle, Burnsville, NC.

           

ROYCE EUGENE BENNETT

Royce Eugene Bennett, 57, of the Mine Fork Community passed away Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at his home.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of Howard Bennett of Burnsville and the late Tilda Ayers Bennett.  He was also preceded in death by a brother, Ed Bennett.  Royce was a retired employee of the N. C. Dept. of Transportation after 30 years of service.  He attended Mine Fork Freewill Baptist Church.


Surviving, in addition to his father, are his wife of 35 years:  Janice Fox Bennett; 2 sons:  Nathan Bennett and wife, Katie, and Jonathan Bennett; and 2 grandchildren:  Riley and Mia Bennett all of Burnsville.


Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Thursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  The Revs. Phillip Fox and Arnold Briggs will officiate. Burial will be in the John E. Fox Family Cemetery on Old Mine Fork Road.


The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 P.M. Wednesday at the funeral home, and at other times, will be at the home.
 

JACKIE PHILLIPS

Jackie Phillips, 65, of the Hardscrabble Community passed away Thursday, June 18, 2009 at his home.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Jap and Opal Proffitt Phillips.  Jackie was a US Army Veteran and was a carpenter and painter.

He is survived by his aunts:  Dorothy Hensley of Barnardsville, Audrey Davenport of Spruce Pine and Paralee Hensley of Burnsville and several cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Monday in the Proffitt Cemetery on Hardscrabble Road.

Memorials may be made to Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home to assist with funeral expenses.

GLADYS BOONE BARTLETT

Gladys Boone Bartlett, 80, of the Arbuckle Community, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2009, at the Brian Center in Spruce Pine.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mae Burleson Boone.  She was also preceded in death by her husband:  William Lee Bartlett, and a brother:  Lawrence Boone.  Gladys retired from Ellen Knitting Mills.

Surviving are her children:  Linda Carroway and husband, Dennis, of Burnsville, Bill Bartlett and wife, Karen, and Brenda Earley and husband, Lee, of Spruce Pine; 3 grandchildren:  Leslie Crowder and husband, Toby, of Burnsville, and Lydia and Danny Earley of Spruce Pine; 2 great grandchildren:  Emilee and Katy Crowder of Burnsville; 3 step-grandchildren; 2 step-great-grandchildren; 3 sisters:  Mildred Miller and husband, Charles, and Margaret Greene and husband, Chuck, of Burnsville and Ruby Putman of Spruce Pine; 2 brothers:  Ray Boone and wife, Edna, of Burnsville and Paul Boone and wife, Emma, of Newland; a sister-in-law:  Flora Ann Boone of Newland; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM Thursday in Liberty Hill Baptist Church of which she was a member.  The Rev. Toby Crowder will officiate.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

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

 

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