: OBITUARIES :
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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.
LEE ROY HYLEMON
Lee Roy Hylemon, 70, of Silvers Gap Road, went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, April 14, 2009, at Mission Hospital. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Carl and Katherine Morrow Hilemon. He was also preceded in death by a brother: Sammie Hilemon. Lee Roy was a U.S. Army Veteran, worked with the N. C. Department of Corrections for 17 years, and was an avid farmer.
Surviving are his wife of 46 years: Juanita Barnett Hylemon; a daughter: Michelle Grindstaff and husband, Bradley, a son: Joey Hylemon and wife, Lesa, all of Burnsville; 2 granddaughters: Laura Hylemon and Kasey Grindstaff; a grandson: Bobby Hylemon; a step granddaughter: Casey McMahan; 2 great grandchildren: Adrian Mathis and Olivia Hylemon; a step great granddaughter: Autaum House; a sister: Nancy Stiles and husband, Charles, of Burnsville; and, 2 brothers: Ernest Grady Hilemon and wife, Nancy, of Erwin, TN, and Ronald Hilemon and wife, Kathy, of Burnsville.
Funeral services will be held at 2PM Thursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. The Revs. Jerry Shelton and Marty Parrott will officiate. Burial will be in the Sam Hilemon Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
MARJORIE A. HALL
Marjorie A. Hall, 75, of Spruce Pine, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at the Brian Center of Spruce Pine. A native of Yancey County, she was the daughter of the late Vonno and Helen Banks Anglin. She was also preceded in death by a brother: Vonno Anglin, Jr. Surviving are her husband: L. B. Hall; daughters: Helen Sue Hall of Spruce Pine and Angela Ruth Hall Dydasco of Huntington, Indiana; 2 grandchildren: Charleston and Drayton Dydasco. No services are planned at this time.
ARTIE LEE BOONE
Artie Lee Boone, 61, of the Bakers Creek Community went home to be with the Lord, Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Jack and Pansy Arrowood McLaughlin and the wife of Tom Boone who died in 2005. She was also preceded in death by a brother: Homer McLaughlin. Artie Lee was a deputy at Yancey County Register of Deeds. She was a life-long member of Bakers Creek Baptist Church.
Surviving are her daughter: Susie Bryant and husband, Kelly; grandchildren: Brandi and Luke Bryant all of Burnsville; a sister: Moletia Calhoun of Rutherfordton; 3 brothers: Charles McLaughlin of Forest City, Mac McLaughlin of Commerce, TX and Robert McLaughlin of Hickory. Funeral services will be held at 8:00 PM Thursday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Royce Ball will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday in the McLaughlin Cemetery on Bakers Creek. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00 PM Thursday prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714 or Bakers Creek Baptist Church, 1781 Bakers Creek Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
ALTHA BRYANT
Altha Bryant, 83, of the Big Creek Community, went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, April 12, 2009, at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late George and Hattie Adkins Woody. She was the wife of Howard Bryant who passed away in 1994. Altha was a member of Big Creek Freewill Baptist Church. She was also preceded in death by 2 sisters: Lelia Holloway and Annie Ward and 2 brothers: Melvin and Sam Woody. Surviving are her son: Kevin Bryant and wife, Lisa, a grandson: Allen Bryant all of Green Mountain; a sister: Edna Cannon of Newdale; a brother: George Woody of Trenton, MI and special nieces: Judy Fox and Janice Briggs. Funeral services will be held at 8:00 PM Wednesday in the chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Revs. Marvin Hensley, Russell Hughes and J. D. Price will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday in the Adkins Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:00 PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
GARRETT DIXON “DICK” BAILEY
Garrett Dixon “Dick” Bailey, 81, died unexpectedly at his home on the morning of Good Friday, April 10, 2009. Born at his parents’ home in Burnsville, except for education and military service, Mr. Bailey lived his entire life in Yancey County. He is survived by his wife of fifty-two years: the former Mary Bowman of Huntington, WV; his daughter: Elizabeth Williams, who resides in Madison County, and his son: Todd Bailey of Burnsville. In addition to his immediate family, he is survived by his youngest sister: Lucy B. Gardner of Carnesville, GA, and numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnephews, with whom he enjoyed visiting at the annual Bailey Reunions each summer, explaining their descent from ancestors including “Yellow Jacket” John Bailey, whose land established the county seat of Burnsville in Yancey County. Mr. Bailey’s parents: Garrett Dewease Bailey and Lala Dixon Bailey, predeceased him, as did his sisters: Martha Siler Kilpatrick, Mary D. Pate, and Buena Ellen Wilson. He was a graduate in political science from Berea College and received his law degree from Wake Forest College, where he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity. He was a veteran of service during World War II with the Coast Guard, and during the Korean Conflict he served as a First Lieutenant with the legal department of the Army. He began his practice in association with William E. Anglin and practiced in the same building for over fifty years. At various points he enjoyed professional associations with Gerald Wilson, Staunton Norris, Warren Hughes and, finally with his son, working his last full day last Thursday. He was interested in the careers of colleagues who did not work with him, many of whom were wards in what came to be known as “Dick’s mentor program”. Mr. Bailey served several years on the State Bar Disciplinary Commission and two terms as Councilor for the 24th District Bar. He was inducted into the State Bar Association’s General Practice Hall of Fame in 1998. Like his father, also an attorney, Mr. Bailey participated politically through the Republican Party and served in the 60’s as a GOP leader for what was then the 11th Congressional District. He enjoyed arguing politics with his Democrat friends as much or more as working with his Republican associates, and in fact his career was undoubtedly aided by his enjoyment in arguing almost any side of any matter. His early civic participation included membership in the Lions Club and through the years he participated in many civic ventures. In more recent years his attention was focused almost exclusively on his church and the Parkway Playhouse. As a young man he acted on the stage of the Parkway Playhouse in its first year of production, and later served on the board of directors of that institution, now in its sixty-third year, from which he retired in 2002 as Director Emeritus. He served numerous terms as a deacon in the First Baptist Church, still serving in that capacity when he died. With many other beloved church leaders he worked to build a new church dedicated in 1969 and through last Sunday he taught the adult men’s class, which was named “the Dick Bailey Sunday School Class”. Mr. Bailey’s professional career spanned almost fifty-eight years, and in addition to an office practice with real estate, probate, and other matters, he actively engaged in trial work in civil and criminal proceedings principally in many of the state and federal courts in Western North Carolina, as well as appellate proceedings. In the tradition of a mountain lawyer, as his practice narrowed in later years, his stories and tales lengthened, and he enjoyed talking about all matters of historical interest. Mr. Bailey will be missed by his family who thank all his friends and colleagues for their respect and support of him. A memorial service will be conducted at the First Baptist Church in Burnsville at Noon on Monday, April 13, 2009, with the Reverend Richard L. Muri officiating. The family will receive friends in the church sanctuary from 10:00 A.M. until shortly before the service. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorial contributions to the First Baptist Church of Burnsville, P. O. Box 425, Burnsville, NC 28714, or the Parkway Playhouse, P. O. Box 1532, Burnsville, NC 28714, or any other favored charity in need of support.
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