Obituaries

 

 

Mrs. Ruth Frances Huffman Ashley, age 82, died Sunday, June 24

Mrs. Ruth Frances Huffman Ashley, age 82, of Holly Mountain Farm Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of Chancie Eugene Ashley, was called home to be with the Lord Sunday, June 24, 2007 at her home.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday 2:00 p.m., June 27, 2007 at Fishing Creek Arbor Baptist Church with the Rev. David Wellborn officiating.  The body will be placed in the church at 1:30.  Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Ashley was born February 24, 1925 in Raleigh, County, West Virginia to Gaither F. and Della Mae Shepherd Huffman.  She was the owner of Igloo Ice Cream Sandwich Shop and a member of Fishing Creek Arbor Baptist Church.

She is survived by: one daughter, Linda Kay Call and husband, Harold of Wilkesboro; two sons, Robert “Bob” Ashley and wife Janice, James “Mike” Ashley and wife Karenelle all of North Wilkesboro; four sisters, Stella Miller of Millers Creek, Ruby Robinson and husband, Joe of Locust, NC, Barbara Whittington and husband, Clifford of Wilkesboro, Betty Sheets and husband Bill of Vale, NC; four brothers,     Don Huffman and wife, Audrey of Wayside, WV, Boyd Huffman and wife Rachel of Millers Creek, James P. Huffman and wife, Jan of Lytle Creek, CA, Bill Huffman and wife, Karen of Kopperston, WV; six grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; very special caregivers during her illness, Jean Church of Wilkesboro, Carol Lyons of North Wilkesboro, sister-in-law, Rachel Huffman of Millers Creek and Kathleen Call of Wilkesboro.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, 1907 West Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to Fishing Creek Arbor Baptist Church, 2446 Fishing Creek Arbor Road, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.

On line condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

 

 

 

 

Mr. William Sherrill “Bill” Bacorn, 71, died Saturday, June 23  

Mr. William Sherrill “Bill” Bacorn, 71, of 2231 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster passed away Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Springs Memorial Hospital.  He was born March 18, 1936 in West Virginia, a son of the late Leslie Aniel Bacorn and Mary Gay Bacorn.  Mr. Bacorn was an all-around handyman that loved to preach and was a self-taught musician.  He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend.  He was a member of the Christian Life Center.

            A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Bacorn was held Tuesday, June 26 at the Christian Life Center with the Rev. Norman G. Dobson officiating.  Graveside services will be held Wednesday, June 27, 2007 at 11:00 am at the Burkemont Baptist Church Cemetery in Morganton, NC.

            Mr. Bacorn is survived by his wife, Frankie Dunford Bacorn; five sons, Daniel McDonnell and his wife Kathy of Pataskala, Ohio, Steven McDonnell of Sanford, NC, Randall McDonnell and his wife Kay of Boiling Springs, NC, Jonathan McDonnell of Orlando, Florida, and Edward Bacorn and his wife Becky of Elizabeth, West Virginia; two daughters, Kelli McCall and her husband Gary of Morganton, NC and Susie Bacorn of Virginia; a brother, David Bacorn and his wife Beverly of High Point, NC; two sisters, Lou Ann Snyder and her husband Richard of Parkersburg, West Virginia and Sharon Goodnight-Whitlatch and her husband James of Mineral Wells, West Virginia; twenty grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by a son, Billy Joe Bacorn and a brother, Edward Bacorn.

           In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Christian Life Center, 2551 Great Falls Highway, Lancaster, SC  29720.

            Notes to the family may be sent via e-mail to lancasterfh@comporium.net and will be delivered to the family.

            Lancaster Funeral Home and Cremation Service served the family.

 

 

 

Mrs. Mable Oleene Gentry, age 69, died  Saturday, June 23

Mrs. Mable Oleene Gentry, age 69, of Austin Little Mountain Road passed away Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Forsyth Medical Center.  Mrs. Gentry was born November 13, 1937 in Wilkes County to Lonnie William and Berchie Tucker Billings. Mrs. Gentry was a homemaker and a member of Benham Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother William J. Billings and a sister Pauline Billings.

Survivors include her husband Eldon Gentry of the home; one son Eddie F. Gentry and his wife Ronda of Wilkesboro; two sisters, Nadine Faw of Ronda and Edna Yates and her husband Clayton of North Wilkesboro, and one granddaughter Meagan Leigh Gentry.

Funeral services for Mrs. Gentry were held Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at Benham Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Julius Blevins and Rev. Keith Lyons. Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Online condolences may be made at www.hodgesfuneralhomeinc.com

Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin served the Gentry family.

 

 

Mr. Billy Gene Bumgarner, age 65, died Wednesday, June 20

Mr. Billy Gene Bumgarner, age 65, of Staley Lane, North Wilkesboro died Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Saturday,  June 23, 2007 at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Millers Creek with the Rev. Keith Lyon and the Rev. Glenn Caudill officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Bumgarner was born February 20, 1942 in Ashe County to Rev. James Howard and Annie Hazel Yates Bumgarner.  He retired from Tyson Foods and was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church. 

He is survived by: two daughters, Crystal Call and husband, Marty, Melissa Sheeler and husband, David all of North Wilkesboro; two sons, Charles Bumgarner and wife Tammy of Roaring River, Christopher Bumgarner of the home; one sister, Evangeline Murdock of Piney Flats, TN; one brother,      Bobby Bryant Bumgarner of North Wilkesboro; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28210.

On line condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

 

 

 

Mrs. Frankie Lankford Welborn, age 71, died Sunday, June 24

Mrs. Frankie Lankford Welborn, age 71, Somers Road, Ronda, widow of Albert Hugh Welborn died Sunday, June 24, 2007 at her home.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 26, at Temple Hill United Methodist Church with the Rev. Mike Fongemy, Mr. Todd Welborn and Mr. Scotty Johnson officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

 Mrs. Welborn was born in Wilkes County, October 12, 1935, to Howard and Annabelle Colston Lankford. She was a member of Temple Hill United Methodist Church.

Mrs. Welborn is survived by one daughter, Dawn Johnson and husband Scotty of Ronda, three sons, Kelly Welborn and wife Amanda of Roaring River,  Frank "Tony" Welborn and wife Kim of North Wilkesboro,  Todd Welborn of Elkin, three sisters, Hope Brooks of Ronda,  Glenda Yokley of Winston-Salem and  Joyce Johnson of High Point and one brother, F. H. Lankford of Georgia, and eight grandchildren, Nicole Johnson, Chas Johnson, Ryan Welborn, Kyle Welborn, Mitchell Welborn, Anthony Jacob Welborn, Stephanie Welborn, and Hannah Welborn.          

The family will receive at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6 until 8 Monday, June 25, 2007.

Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Donor's Choice.

 

 

 

 

Mr. Thomas "Tommy" Franklin Hall, Jr., age 45, died Friday, June 22

Mr. Thomas "Tommy" Franklin Hall, Jr., age 45, of Sparta Road, McGrady died Friday, June 22, 2007 at Annie Penn Hospital in Reidsville.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 25 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Tim Pruitt officiating.  Burial with military honors by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 was in Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Hall was born in Wilmington, Delaware, October 16, 1961, to Thomas Franklin Hall, Sr. and Nancy Fisher Hall.  He was employed at Multivac based in Kansas City, Missouri.

Mr. Hall is survived by his wife, Wanda Flinchum Hall of the home, one son, Sean Thomas Hall of the home, his father and step mother, Thomas "Tom" Franklin Hall Sr. and Edna Hayes Hall of Millers Creek, his mother, Nancy Hall Winfrey of Winston-Salem, and one sister, Dawn Marie Hall of Walnut Cove.

Memorials may be made to the Leukemia Foundation, 5950 Fairview Road, Suite 250, Charlotte, NC  28210.

Pallbearers were Ronnie Flinchum, Linnie Flinchum, Cody Brown, Billy Smith, B. J. Smith, Alan Hall, Donnie Hall, Jerry Elledge.

 

 

 

Mrs. Mary V. Whittington Beshears, age 84, died Friday, June 22

Mrs. Mary V. Whittington Beshears, age 84, of US Hwy 421, Deep Gap, widow of William Frank Beshears died Friday, June 22, 2007 at Watauga Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Monday, June 25 at Stony Fork Baptist Church in Deep Gap with the Rev. Vernon Eller and the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn officiating.  Burial was in Yellow Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Beshears was born in Wilkes County, February 8, 1923, to Leonard and Ophelia Walsh Whittington.  She was a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church.  Mrs. Beshears was the former assistant mail clerk at the Deep Gap Post Office.

Mrs. Beshears is survived by one daughter, Wanda Beshears of the home, two sons, Randall Beshears of the home, William Ray Beshears and wife, Evelyn of Warrensville, one sister, Dollie McNeil and husband, Allie of Boone, one brother, Clyde Wayne Parsons and friend, Reba Woodall of North Wilkesboro, one grandchild, Renee Hamby and husband, Doug, two great grandchildren, Josh Hamby,                 Candice Ward and husband, Chris and one great, great grandchild, Molly Ward.

Memorials may be made to Yellow Hill Baptist Church, 5160 Summit Road, Purlear, NC  28665; Stony Fork Baptist Church, C/O Betty Triplett, 414 Stony Fork Road, Deep Gap, NC  28618; or to Lions Club, C/O John Dinkins, 132 Appalachian Street, Boone, NC 28607.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

 

 

 

 Mrs. Ocie Linkous Clark, age 81, died Friday, June 22

Mrs. Ocie Linkous Clark, age 81, wife of Rev. J. Harvey Clark, of Brown Berry Road, North Wilkesboro went to be with the Lord on Friday, June 22,

2007 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 24, 4:00 at Baptist Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Darrell Tate and the Rev. Carl Williams officiating.  Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park.

Mrs. Clark was born in Danville, VA, August 20, 1925, to Clarence and Eva Cochran Linkous.  She was a member of Baptist Home Baptist Church.  Mrs. Clark was a poet, artist, Bible teacher, and librarian.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Clark was preceded in death by a brother, Gilbert Linkous.

In addition to her husband of 59 years, Mrs. Clark is survived by one daughter, Mary Ruth Sebastian and husband, Bill of North Wilkesboro, two sons, David Clark and wife, Jane of Greensboro,                 Phillip Clark and wife, Gloria of Matthews, one brother, Harold Dean Linkous and wife, Jolyn of Floyd, VA, and three grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Baptist Home Baptist Church, 2367 Sparta Road, North Wilkesboro, NC  28659 or to Samaritan's Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.

 

 

 

Mrs. Maurine Sheets, age 90, died Wednesday, June 20

Mrs. Maurine Sheets, age 90, widow of Vaughn Sheets of Boone Trail, North Wilkesboro, died Wednesday, June 20, 2007 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.  Mrs. Sheets was born August 20, 1916 in  Ashe County to William and Missouri Woodie Miller. 

            Surviving are two sons, Paul Sheets and wife, Carol of Baltimore, MD, Wayne Sheets and wife Daphne of North Wilkesboro; one daughter, Martha Whittington of Wilkesboro; four sisters, Alta Roseman  of China Grove, Clara Miller and husband Reo of West Jefferson, Evon Johnson and husband Tom of Laurel Springs, Christine Johnson and husband Jack of Baltimore, MD; five grandchildren; ten great grandchildren.

            Funeral services were held Saturday, June 23, 2007 at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Steve Faw and the Rev. Julius Blevins officiating.  Burial was in Peak Creek Cemetery in Laurel Springs.

 In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, 1907 West Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to Peak Creek Cemetery, c/o Dympse Bowlin, Jr.,  1078 Peak Creek Church Road, Laurel Springs, NC 28644.

 

 

George Casstevens, age 66, died Thursday, June 21

George Casstevens, 66, a native of Yadkin Co., NC, long-time resident of Winston-Salem, and four and a half year long resident of Candler, NC went home to be with Jesus and was released from his long physical battle on Thursday, June 21, 2007.

A son of Catherine Crissman Casstevens, and the late George Casstevens, he was a multi-talented man: a baseball player, natural teacher, farmer, and computer executive, first at Integon and later for Lowe’s. As an officer in the Lowe’s company, he managed the corporate computing center in North Wilkesboro until his retirement. Following that, he worked as an ATM technician in Winston-Salem and in Asheville.

Most importantly, George lived everyday with the integrity, wisdom and compassion of a Christian man. He had a special gift to reach out with humor and understanding to others, and was able to bring the best out in them. He knew how to give and receive love and tenderness. He loved discovering new places and making beautiful memories. He served his Lord and his church family as a trustee at both Mt. Carmel United Methodist Church, of Winston-Salem, and at Montmorenci United Methodist Church, of Candler. His life is an example of generosity, constancy, perseverance, and faith in action.

In addition to his mother, George is survived by his wife, Stephanie; his son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Paula Casstevens, all of Yadkinville; his sister and brother-in-law, Frances and Jerry Wells; and niece and nephew, Jennifer and Shane Wells, all of Winston-Salem.

A funeral service was held  Sunday at Montmorenci United Methodist Church, of Candler, with the Revs. A. Frank Gordon and Lee Ellis officiating. Interment followed at Pisgah View Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Montmorenci United Methodist Church Handicapped Access Fund, P.O. Box 610, Candler, NC 28715.

Groce Funeral Home on Patton Ave. assisted the family.

The on-line register is available at www.grocefuneralhome.com.

 

 

 

Mrs. Marie Lankford Parish, age 84, died Thursday, June 21

Mrs. Marie Lankford Parish, age 84, of Crysel Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of Donald Lankford and Frank Parish died Thursday, June 21, 2007 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Friday, June 22, 2:00 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Joel Blevins officiating.  Burial was in Welcome Home Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mrs. Parish was born in Wilkes County, May 11, 1923, to Rev. Troy and Mattie Cleary Blevins.  She was a member of Welcome Home Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents and husbands, Mrs. Parish was preceded in death by five sisters, Margie Walls, Annie Caudill, Mary Caudill, Della Blevins, Nomi Johnson, and five brothers, Reid Blevins, Don Blevins, Luther Blevins, Frank Blevins, Fred Blevins.

Mrs. Parish is survived by one daughter, Vickie L. Hall and husband, Horace of North Wilkesboro,  one brother, Robert Blevins and wife, Margaret of Hays, one grandchild, Heather Hamby of Millers Creek, two great grandchildren, Dawton Hamby, and Sarah Elizabeth Hamby both of Millers Creek.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be made at www.reinssturdivant.com.