: OBITUARIES :
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SHIRLEY DEYTON
Shirley Deyton, 73, of the Mine Fork Community, passed away Saturday February 2, 2013 at her home. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Solon and Irene Fox McIntosh. She was also preceded in death by a brother James McIntosh. Shirley was a retired employee of Glen Raven Mills and a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, granny and friend.
Surviving are her husband of 55 years; Bill Deyton, a son; Terrell Deyton and wife Judy; and a grandson; Kodie and wife Brandy all of Burnsville, a granddaughter: Laceysta Worley of Bristol, TN, 3 great grandchildren and a sister Betty Shepherd and husband Wayne of Asheville.
Funeral services will be held at 8 PM Monday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Bud Edwards and David Wilcox will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11AM Tuesday in the Holcombe Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Monday, prior to the service at the funeral home.
EUGENE "SHOTGUN" BODFORD
Gene “Shotgun” Bodford, 78, of Bill Allen Branch went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at his home. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Will and Ethel Hughes Bodford. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Dixie Bodford Lane. Gene loved his children and grandchildren and working in his garage.
Surviving are his wife, Mary Riddle Bodford; a son: William Riddle of Spruce Pine; a daughter: Teresa Bodford Hensley and husband, Chris, of Burnsville; 6 grandchildren; 1 great grandchild; a brother: Henry Bodford and wife, Hazel; 4 nephews and 1 niece.
Funeral services will be held at 8 PM Friday in Victory Baptist Church. Rev. Scot Garland will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 11 AM Saturday in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM prior to the service at the church.
DOROTHY HENSHAW BUKER
Dorothy Henshaw Buker passed away peacefully at her home in Burnsville, North Carolina on January 30, 2013 after a brief battle with cancer. She was 85. Born September 26, 1927 in Jacksonville, Florida, the daughter of Arthur and Ethel Henshaw, she was two when the family moved to Miami where “Dottie” grew up and spent most of her life. She liked to say she grew up in the depression but never knew she was poor, and that she was the luckiest gal alive.
After graduating from Miami’s Andrew Jackson High in 1945, Dottie entered the Florida State College for Women in Tallahassee (now Florida State University). After a year at Florida State, Dottie and a couple of her high school girl friends transferred to the Richmond Professional Institute of the College of William & Mary in Virginia (now part of Virginia Commonwealth University) where she subsequently graduated with a degree in design.
In 1950 Dottie married Charles E. Buker, Jr., a 1944 graduate of Jackson High School, who was then attending the University of Miami Law School. Together they had three boys and were married almost 50 years until Charlie passed away in 2000. Charlie and Dottie had a wonderful and full life, raising their boys, traveling the country by motor home and playing tennis at the Royal Palm Tennis Club in Miami (of which they were founding members). Charlie was a banker, and he and Dottie attended many banking conventions over the years, at which Dottie would, in stark contrast to the staid and stuffy reputation of the banking industry, often read the palms of fellow bank executives and convention goers. They were a colorful pair.
Dottie was happy, independent, fearless and inexhaustibly energetic. She loved life and lived it to the fullest, adding joy and sunshine to the many whose lives she touched. There was no task she wouldn’t tackle, and she was afraid of little - if she saw a snake, she ran … to get the shovel so she could immediately eliminate it!
Dottie was also athletic. At 14 she was on the cover of the photo section of the Miami Herald as the pre-tournament favorite to win the Girls division of the City of Miami Archery Championship. She finished second. She learned to play tennis in her mid 30s and was still playing at age 80, with a den full of trophies in her home. She was an avid member of the Burnsville “Exercise Mafia”, regularly attending the weekly get togethers until shortly before her death.
Dottie and Charlie bought property in Burnsville, North Carolina in the early 1980’s and began a new and what turned out to be fulfilling chapter of their lives. In their retirement years, they embraced Burnsville, joining their many friends from Florida who had also located there and making new friends within the local community. After Charlie passed away in 2000, Dottie became even more involved in the community, earning the Planning and Economic Development Commission’s Volunteer of the Year Award in 2001. The public service recognitions of which she is most proud, however, came just in the past 15 months, after her 84th birthday: Grand Marshall of the Burnsville Christmas parade, Yancey County Volunteer of the Year, and recipient of the Yancey County Outstanding Achievement Award for Citizenship. Dottie volunteered for many years at the annual Burnsville (Mt Mitchell) Crafts Fair and devoted countless hours to the annual Humane Society Flea Market. She was on numerous town committees associated with beautifying and promoting Burnsville. Dottie often said how much she loved Burnsville and its people and how well everyone treated her. She bragged about Burnsville’s accomplishments regularly.
Dottie loved her garden. Her voicemail chimed, “I can’t answer the phone right now as I am probably out in the garden.” Dottie parlayed her love of flowers and gardening into her bent for public service, helping design the landscape for the historic Yancey County Library (aka Yancey Collegiate Institute) and personally planting bulbs and flowers all around the Burnsville town square this past fall.
Dottie’s most recent holiday card remarked how she was the luckiest girl in the world, struck by lightning when she married Charlie and then struck by lightning a second time after Charlie died when she met her beloved companion of the last 12 years, Ken Hoke. Together Ken and Dottie decorated and put the finishing touches on Ken’s lovely log home out near Mt Mitchell. They were completely devoted to each other, traveling abroad, working on local projects, entertaining friends and family and facing life’s challenges, always at each other’s side.
Dottie is survived by her devoted companion Kenneth Hoke of Burnsville, brother Robert Henshaw of Boiling Springs, SC, brother Donald Henshaw and his wife Shirley of Burnsville, NC, son Charles III (Chuck) of Atlanta, his wife Margaret and their children Charles and Meg, son Terrance Arthur (Terry) of Ft Lauderdale, his wife Valerie and their children Kelley and Dustin, son Gregory Willis (Greg) of Port St. Lucie, Fl, and his son Gregory, Jr. (GJ), along with numerous nephews and cousins.
Dottie was predeceased by her mother Ethel Levoy Henshaw Buehler, her father Arthur Henshaw and her husband of nearly 50 years, Charles E. (Charlie) Buker, Jr.
A memorial service to celebrate the life of this wonderful mother, wife, companion, friend, volunteer and citizen will be held this summer in Burnsville at a date and location to be later announced.
In lieu of flowers, Dottie asked that donations be made to Yancey County Hospice (856 George’s Fork Rd, Burnsville, NC 28714), a blessing to Dottie and her family in her final days.
KATHLEEN BRIGGS FAIRCHILD
Kathleen Briggs Fairchild, 75, of Burnsville passed away Sunday, January 27, 2013. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late George and Dora Beaver Briggs and the wife of Frank Fairchild who died in 1986. She was also preceded in death by brothers: Ralph, Arnold and Les; and sisters: Addie and Esther. Kathleen was a retired employee of Hampshire Hosiery Mill in Spruce Pine. She was a loving mother and grandmother and enjoyed gardening and quilting.
Surviving are a son: Joey Fairchild of Burnsville; 2 daughters: Laura Fairchild of Burnsville and Lisa Vargas of Marion; 2 grandchildren: Dylan Fairchild and Selena Vargas; 3 brothers: Frank, Robert and Rex Briggs and 2 sisters: Louise Griffith and Bonnie Byrd.
A memorial service will be held at 3 PM Sunday, February 3, 2013 in the Newdale Presbyterian Church. Revs. Billy Mitchell and Brian and Judy Weger will officiate. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Mitchell County, 236 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777 or Newdale Presbyterian Church, 71 Newdale Church Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
GENE HOWELL
Gene Howell, 82, of Clyde, left us on Tuesday, January 22, 2013 at Med West Hospital in Clyde. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Harley and Pearl Adkins Howell and the husband of Eula Jane “Jennie” Hensley Howell who died in 2009. He was also preceded in death by a brother, Frank Howell. He proudly served in the US Army before moving to California and later returning to the mountains to open and operate Maggie Valley ESSO for over 20 years. He was past president of Maggie Valley Kiwanis Club and an active member of Waynesville Elks Lodge. Gene was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather and a friend to all.
Surviving are a son: Gary Howell and wife, Renee, of Asheville; a daughter: Tammy Brown of Maggie Valley; 3 grandchildren: Katie and Buck Brown and Ashley Howell; a great granddaughter: Elizabeth Brown; 2 brothers: Lawrence Howell and Bill Howell of Green Mountain and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at 7 PM Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Maggie Valley United Methodist Church. Revs. Richard Buff and Erma Bond will officiate.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Elks Club Christmas For Kids, Attn: Robin Justice, P. O. Box 825, Waynesville, NC 28786.
Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is assisting the Howell family.
JUANITA JOHNSON WILSON
Juanita Johnson Wilson, age 85, of Newdale, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 20, 2013. A native of Mine Creek in Bakersville, she was the daughter of the late Jesse Wiltson and Minnie Davis Johnson. She was also preceded in death by a sister: Mae Silvers, and five brothers: Charlie, Roy, Arlen, Harvey and Carl.
She was a faithful helpmate and companion as she and her husband, Charles, ran Wilson’s Trout Farm in the Glen Ayre community of Mitchell County. At the time of her death, they were helping their family run Living Waters Campground at Glen Ayre.
Juanita was a faithful member of Liberty Covenant Church in Micaville and had a passion for serving others wherever she went. She loved flowers, gardening, being outdoors and spending time with her family and friends. She was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother who will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Surviving are her loving husband of 67 years, Robert Charles Wilson; one daughter: Janet Wyatt and husband, Frank; grandchildren: Joshua Wyatt and wife, Felicia, and Robert Micah Wyatt; and one great grandchild, Andrew Wyatt, all of Newdale. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, January 23, 2013 in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Frank Wyatt will officiate. Burial will be in the Faith Fellowship Cemetery in Newdale.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family wishes to express their deepest appreciation to Hospice of Yancey County. They were truly awesome as they not only wonderfully cared for Juanita, but showed tremendous compassion and understanding for all the family. May God bless each member of this very special group.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714 or Gideons International, P. O. Box 264, Burnsville, NC 28714.
KEITH L. HIGGINS
Keith L. Higgins, 79, of Burnsville, passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013, at Brookside Rehabilitation & Care. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Clyde and Pearl Hylemon Higgins. He was also preceded in death by a daughter: Kathy Higgins. Keith was a retired employee of the N. C. Department of Corrections.
Surviving are his wife: Katherine Fox Higgins of Burnsville; his children: Kay Silvers of Nebo, Rita Higgins and Billy Clyde Higgins of Burnsville, and Diane Waterman of Fletcher; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and, a sister: Zetta Higgins of Canton.
Funeral services will be held at 8PM Tuesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Keith Blankenship will officiate. A graveside service will be held at 10AM Wednesday in the Keith Higgins Family Cemetery on Langford Branch.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM Tuesday, prior to the service at the funeral home.
ELIZABETH HUNT STALLINGS
Elizabeth Hunt Stallings, 90, of Spindale, died Saturday, January 19, 2013. She was a daughter of the late Rev. D. J. and Geneva Gardin Hunt, and was also preceded in death by her husband: William J. Stallings, Sr.; and, a son: William J. Stallings, Jr. Elizabeth was a 1943 graduate of Rutherford Hospital School of Nursing and was employed at the hospital for many years as Director of Nursing and as an administrative assistant. She was a member, elder and Clerk of Session at Spindale Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are a son: John Stallings and wife, Melanie, of Burnsville; a daughter: Sarah Kirk and husband, Bill; 4 grandchildren; and, 5 great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 3PM Monday, January 21, 2013, at Crowes Funeral Chapel in Rutherfordton. Rev. William L. Kirk will officiate. Burial will follow at Eternal Hills.
The family will receive friends from 1 until 3PM prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Spindale Presbyterian Church, P. O. Box 225, Spindale, NC, to the Spindale Public Library, or to the Yancey County Library in Burnsville, NC.
Online condolences may be made to www.crowemortuary.com.
RALPH GRIFFITH
Ralph Griffith, 93, of Burnsville passed away Thursday, January 17, 2013 at Asheville VA Medical Center. A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Dolph and Nora Harris Griffith and the husband of Vera Hughes Griffith who died in 2008. He was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Kimberly Hallman; a sister, Reba Bean; and a brother, Edgar Griffith. He was a World War II Army Veteran. Ralph was a member of West Burnsville Baptist Church.
Surviving are a daughter: Louetta Stamey and husband, Keith, of Asheville; 2 sons: Jerry Griffith and wife, Dianne, of Asheville and David Griffith and wife, Linda, of Burnsville; a sister: Grace Silver of Burnsville; a brother: Jack Griffith of Granite Falls; 10 grandchildren; 20 great grandchildren; and a special friend: Frances McCurry.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Saturday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Pastor Charlie Carroway will officiate. Burial will be in the Hughes Cemetery at Pleasant Gap.
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 his son, David Griffith, 3695 Bolens Creek Road.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.
DOROTHY FOX
Dorothy Fox, 85, of the Fox Creek Community went to be with the Lord Wednesday, January 16, 2013 at Madison Health and Rehab after a short illness. A native of Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Pierson and Jaylina McKinney Chandler and the wife of George Louis Fox who died in 2003. She was also preceded in death by 7 brothers and sisters and two great grandchildren.
Surviving are two daughters: Mary Griffin and husband, Richard, of Parrottsville, TN and Elaine Cooper and husband, Robert, of Green Mountain; 3 sons: Eddie Bert Foxx and wife, Pat, of Asheville, Roger Fox and wife, Margaret, of Burnsville, Jeff Fox and wife, Rhonda, of Burnsville; 16 grandchildren; 33 great grandchildren and 7 great-great-grandchildren; a sister: Carolyn Shepherd and husband, Bobby, of Burnsville and a brother, Donald Chandler and wife, Marietta, of Weaverville.
Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Sunday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Rev. Rotha Wilson will officiate. Burial will be in the Fox Creek Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Saturday at the funeral home.
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