: OBITUARIES :
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JEFFERY DAVID THOMAS

Jeffery David Thomas, 52, of Micaville, passed away Saturday, May 9, 2009 at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Jack and Faye Wilson Thomas.

Surviving are a sister:  Frieda Riddle of Marion and brothers:  Jack Thomas of Marion and Bill Wheeler of Burnsville.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

GLADYS SILVERS

Gladys Silvers, 79, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord Friday, May 8, 2009, at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Floyd and Maude Buck Wheeler, and the wife of Claude J. Silvers who died in 2004.  She was also preceded in death by a son:  James Albert Silvers; and, brothers:  Charles and James Wheeler.

Surviving are 2 daughters:  Carole Pate of Burnsville and Lisa Autrey of Marion; 2 sons:  Michael Silvers of Burnsville and Marty Silvers and wife, Alicia, of Green Mountain; 4 grandchildren:  Todd Fox, Amanda and Nikki Silvers, and Zack Autrey; and, a great grandson:  Connor Jay Fox.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Monday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.

Burial will be in the Eddie McMahan Cemetery at Low Gap.

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

JEFF DAVID DOAN

Jeff David Doan, 89, died May 6, 2009 at Hospice in Rutherford County.  A native of Yancey County, he was the son of the late Sam P. and Myrtle Ball Doan.  He was also preceded in death by his wife of 72 years:  Lela Doan; a daughter:  Margaret Nell Doan; a brother:  Horace Doan and, sisters:  Mae Styles, Gelene Cole, Ada Penland and Nell Doan Rhinehart.  He was a World War II US Army Veteran.  Jeff retired as a supervisor with Burnsville Mohasco Corp.

Surviving are his brother:  Robert G. Doan and wife, Carol, of Burnsville; sons:  Jeff David Doan, Jr. and wife, Katrinka, and William Doan and wife, Jackie, all of Asheville; a daughter, with whom he made his home:  Lois Evelyn Gornto and husband, Norris, of Ellenboro; grandchildren:  Kendall Doan and wife, Karen, Tracy Gornto Bell and husband, Mike, Kristie Gornto Bogle, Johnny Doan and Wendy Gornto Bennett and husband, Todd; and, 8 great grandchildren:  Travis and Cassidy Bell, Dalton Doan, Hannah, Victoria and Olivia Bennett and Ben and Franklin Bogle.  Several nieces and nephews also survive.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Saturday in Pleasant Valley Baptist Church of which he was a life-long member.  Pastor Davy Shelton and Rev. David Easler will officiate.  Burial will be in the Doan Town Cemetery.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the church fellowship hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pleasant Valley Baptist Church, P. O. Box 576, Burnsville, NC 28714 or Hospice of Rutherford County, P. O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.

EARL F. McNEILL

Earl F. McNeill, 89, of Burnsville, passed away Monday, May 4, 2009, at Spruce Pine Brian Center.  Born June 14, 1919 in Lewiston, ID, he was a son of the late John and Mary Robinson McNeill, and the husband of Grace Miller McNeill who died in 1993.  Earl was a World War II U.S. Army veteran and a retired dairy farmer.

Surviving are his son and daughter-in-law:  John and Michelle McNeill; granddaughters:  Morgan and Paige McNeill; a sister-in-law:  Alma Cook; and, 2 nieces, all of Burnsville.

Funeral services will be held at 2PM Wednesday in Liberty Chapel FWB Church, of which he was a member, deacon and teacher of the men’s Sunday School class for many years.  The Revs. Dennis Autrey and John Stockton will officiate.  Burial will be in the Liberty Chapel FWB Church Cemetery with military graverites by Sgt. E. L. Randolph Chapter 57 DAV.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM Tuesday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home, where the body will remain until taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the services.  At other times the family will be at the home.

GEORGE STEVEN CRAIN

George Steven Crain, 59, of Sims Fork, went home, Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at his home.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Fonz and Katherine Phillips Crain.  He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Crain; brothers:  Luther, Alec, Arron and Eugene Crain; and sisters:  Lois and Marie Crain.  George was a master woodcrafter, mason, steelworker and a logger.  He loved restoring antique cars and motorcycles.

Surviving are his wife of 16 years:  Angie Presnell Crain; children:  Kasey Crain, Sally Crain and Danielle Crain all of the home; Shannon Crain of Bakersville, Richard Crain of Florida and Curtis McCaskey of High Point; brothers:  Ernest Crain of Abingdon, VA, Chester Crain of Saltville, VA, Nathan Crain of Burnsville, Dennis Crain of NV, Victor Williams of CO and Fred Crain of Barnardsville; sisters:  Sue Foster of Abingdon, Becca Crain of Asheville and Fonda Allen of Burnsville; and 6 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM Thursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Rev. Philip Garland will officiate.  Burial will be in the Crain Family Cemetery.

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

To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

JAMES STUART BAGWELL

James Stuart Bagwell, 57, of Pensacola, passed away unexpectedly Monday, April 27, 2009, on the mountain that he loved and spent most of his time.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of Dorothy Midgley and husband, Jack, of Riverside, RI, and the late Gilmer Bagwell.  He was property manager for the Cane River Club for 40 years, retired from Pensacola VFD after 20 years service, and served as a Yancey County Sheriff’s Department Reserve Deputy for over 35 years.  He assisted as a wildlife agent for 40 years.

Surviving, in addition to his mother, are his wife, Sandra R. Bagwell; 4 sons:  Kevin Bagwell and wife, Stephanie, Travis Bagwell and wife, Kim, Greg Bagwell and wife, Kim, and Alan Bagwell, all of Burnsville; a step-daughter:  Kristi Condy and husband, Geoff, of Mayo, FL; a brother:  Ronald Bagwell and wife, Kathy, of Riverside, RI; 3 nieces:  Lisa, Erin and Amanda; and, grandchildren:  Andy, Dalton, Dylan, Deanna, Stormy, Montana, Jasmine and Addisyn.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Friday in the Pensacola United Methodist Church, of which he was a member.  The Revs. A. J. Moore, Bradley Boone and Ray Strickland will officiate.

The family will receive friends from 12 Noon until 2 PM prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Concord Baptist Church, P. O. Box 716, Burnsville, NC 28714, or Pensacola United Methodist Church, 9255 State Hwy. 197 South, Burnsville, NC 28714.

JAMES KENNETH ROBERTSON

James Kenneth Robertson, 89, of Robertson Street passed away Sunday, April 26, 2009, at his home after a lengthy illness.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late W. Z. and Sally Lou Banks Robertson.  He was also preceded in death by his wife, Vinita Penland Robertson, his son, Bascom Dudley Robertson, and his brothers:  Merritt and Lee Ray Robertson.  A World War II U. S. Marine Raiders Veteran, he saw conflicts in the Pacific while serving with the 1st Marine War Dog Platoon, 2nd Marine Raider Regiment.

Kenneth was the oldest member of the Burnsville Volunteer Fire Department, avid outdoorsman, active in the Yancey County Republican Party and a member of Burnsville First Baptist Church.  He was retired from B.B. Penland and Son Lumber Company. 

Surviving are his daughter-in-law:  Sandra Bell Robertson of Burnsville and West Union, SC and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at Noon Wednesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Revs. Richard Muri and Joe Bennett will officiate.  Burial will be in the Robertson Cemetery at West Burnsville with military graverites conducted by the U. S. Marine Corp.  Pallbearers will be members of the Burnsville VFD.

An hour of quiet prayer and reflections will precede the service at the funeral home.  Friends are welcome to gather at the home on Robertson Street immediately following the burial.

Memorials may be made to Burnsville VFD, P. O. Box 461, Burnsville, NC 28714 or Yancey County Humane Society, P. O. Box 1016, Burnsville, NC 28714.

ETHEL McCRACKEN

Ethel Rose McCracken, 96, of Plum Branch, went home to be with the Lord Friday, April 24, 2009, at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care.  A native of Yancey County she was a daughter of the late Henry and Pansy Boone McCracken, and was also preceded in death by sisters:  Gladys Robinson and Della Dale, and, brothers:  Willie and Jay McCracken. 

Surviving are a sister:  Jewell Hughes; a brother:  Elzie McCracken, both of Burnsville; and, several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 7 PM Sunday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Revs.  Perry Robinson and Dwight Boone, Jr. will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Monday in the Boone Cemetery on Plum Branch. 

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, and at other times will be at the home of Jewel Hughes.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to The Yancey House, Brookside Rehabilitation and Care and Hospice of Yancey County.

AXIE LEE FOX ELKINS

Axie Lee Fox Elkins, 85, of Bakers Creek passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2009 at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Lubirgia Deyton Fox.  She was also preceded in death by her husband, Baccus Elkins who died in 1997; infant children:  Jay Brian and Marlene; two sisters:  Gladys Cordell, Myrtle Robinson and a brother:  Johnnie Fox.  Axie attended Bakers Creek Baptist Church.

Surviving are her children:  Gene Elkins and wife, Nancy, of The Villages, Fl, Hoyt Elkins and wife, Shirley, of Morganton, Larry Elkins and wife, Tina, of Burnsville, Camilee McIntosh and husband, Jerry, of Burnsville and Rhonda Fox and husband, Jeff, of Mars Hill; 3 sisters:  Cora Elkins, Eula Walker and Maphra Robinson all of Burnsville; 12 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 8 PM Friday in the chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Revs. Howard Wilson, Royce Ball and Raymond Phillips will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Saturday in the Robinson Cemetery on Bakers Creek.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Friday prior to the service at the funeral home.  At other times, the family will be at the home of Larry Elkins on Bakers Creek.

The family wants to extend a heartfelt thanks to her sister, Eula Walker, for her loving care and companionship.

HATTIE WILSON BLEVINS

Hattie Wilson Blevins, 90, of Burnsville, went home to be with the Lord Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital.  A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Nelson and Lula Creson Wilson, and the wife of Rom Blevins who died in 1995. She was also preceded in death by sisters:  Orie, Etta Mae, Elsie, Madge and Alice; and, brothers:  Marshall, Herland and John.

Surviving are two daughters:  Jean Phillips and Doris Holcombe and husband, Edd, of Burnsville; three sons: Bill Blevins and wife, Sylvia, of Taylorsville, Jim (Bob) Blevins and wife, Julia, of Burnsville, and Jack Blevins and wife, Dee, of Newland;  twin brother:  Walter Wilson; sister: Rosa McPeters, both of Burnsville; 14 grandchildren; and, 14 great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 3 PM Monday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home with Pastor Pete Peterson officiating. Burial will be in the Carroway Cemetery.

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

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

 

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