Obituaries

Feb 22, 2019

Carris Roe Church, age 69 of Fleetwood, died Friday, February 22, 2019 at his home.  Mr. Church was born December 29, 1949 in Watauga County to the late William and Blanche Cheek Church. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by sisters, Margie Warrell and Genna Gay Wilcox.  Carris enjoyed wheeling and dealing.  He loved...

Feb 20, 2019

Judith Renee Powers Kilby, age 69 of Lansing, passed away Wednesday, February 20, 2019 at Forsyth Medical Center. Mrs. Kilby was born in Ashe County on July 5, 1949 to the late John Staley Powers and Lorene Powers Eller. Mrs. Kilby was of the Presbyterian faith. She was a long time employee of Dr. Summey and Dr. Rector in...

Feb 20, 2019

Mr. Robert L. Cox, age 100 of Warrensville, passed away on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. Mr. Cox was born on March 22, 1918 in Ashe County to Jess and Polly Farmer Cox. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Rhea Taylor Cox; a son, Charles Cox; sisters, Pauline Gilley, Omegene Payne, and Bertha Blevins; brothers; Woodrow...

Feb 15, 2019

Ernest J. O'Banion, Jr. of West Jefferson, NC passed at his home on February 15, 2019.

Ernest was born to Effie Zell and Ernest J. O'Banion, Sr. on January 31, 1931.

A native of Pelzer, SC, Ernest discovered the hospitality business as a career while working in food service during his service in the US...

Feb 13, 2019

Scott Turnmyre age 59 of Crumpler, passed away Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at Ashe Memorial Hospital. Ronald Scott Turnmyre was born on Saturday, May 30, 1959 in Caldwell County to the late Ralph James and Mary Edna Whisnant Turnmyre. Scott graduated from Alexander County High School and Lenoir Rhyne College with a degree in Music Education. He served in...

Feb 13, 2019

Quintin Wayne Dickens, age 56 of Lansing, NC died Wednesday, February 13, 2019 at his home.  Mr. Dickens was born September 20, 1962 in Chester County, PA to Billy and Annie Blevins Dickens.  He was preceded in death by his mother and sister, Vadia Ann.

Quintin was a lifetime mechanic and was always a help to anyone...

Feb 12, 2019

Mary Katherine (Kate) Graybeal Rice, age 93 of Greenwood, SC, wife of Dr. William T. Rice, died February 12, 2019 after a brief illness.

She was born on November 17, 1925 in the Little Laurel community of Creston, NC to the late Arthur Garfield and Nancy McCoy Graybeal. Kate loved the mountains and people of Ashe County,...

Feb 7, 2019

Johnny Dale Denny, age 64 of Warrensville, went to his Heavenly home Thursday, February 7, 2019 at his residence following a period of declining health.

Johnny was born December 12, 1954 in Ashe County to the late Rev. Jessie James Denny and Carrie Bell Denny. Johnny was co-owner of Denny Brothers Logging along with his brother Ed...

Feb 6, 2019

John Kenneth Howell, age 79 of Jefferson, died Wednesday evening, February 6, 2019 at Margate Health and Rehab.  Mr. Howell was born Wednesday, April 12, 1939 in Ashe County to the late Wiley and Ola Pennington Howell.  In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by a grandson, Sean Cerda, brother, Joe Howell, sister, Barbara Richardson,...

Feb 5, 2019

Robertine Phipps Francis, age 93, passed away February 5, 2019 at her home.  Mrs. Francis was born February 27, 1925 in Ashe County to the late James Robert and Lessie Dickson Phipps.  She was married to the late Colonel Elijah Francis.

Mrs. Francis is survived by her son, Ronald P. Francis and wife Glenda of Danville, VA,...

Feb 1, 2019

Barbara Ann Dexter Gupton, age 79, of Jefferson went to be with the Lord on February 1, 2019.  Mrs. Gupton was born June 30, 1939 in Pearl River, NY to the late Russell and Mary Rassaert Dexter.  She is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband James Cabot Gupton and her son Russell Gupton. Bobbie graduated from Oglethorpe...

Feb 1, 2019

Thomas William Medley, better known as Tommy, age 63 of Deep Gap, died Friday, February 1, 2019 at his home.  Tommy was born September 28, 1955 in Ashe County to the late Pete and Louise Taylor Medley.  In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his brother, Mike Medley.

Graveside services will be...

Jan 31, 2019

Richard Henry McGrady age 82, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, January 31, 2019.  He was born April 5, 1936 in Grayson County, VA to Robert Oscar and Flossie Mae Davis McGrady.  He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister Geneva McGrady Johnson and a brother Kyle McGrady.  Richard retired from Sprague Electric (United...

Jan 30, 2019

Mrs. Mary Ellen Osborne Eller, age 80 of Jefferson, formerly of Adelphi, MD, died on Wednesday, January 30, 2019 at Ashe Assisted Living. Mrs. Eller was born on August 19, 1938 in Ashe County to Ottis Osborne and Gail McCoy Osborne Price. She was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Teddy Allen Eller.

Jan 28, 2019

James Haden Rash, age 79 of Jefferson, passed away Monday, January 28, 2019 at Ashe Memorial Hospital.  Mr. Rash was born November 24, 1939 in Ashe County to Daniel Joseph and Virgie Snyder Rash.  He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Mary Jean Loggins.  Mr. Rash worked in Pennsylvania and Maryland where he spent much of...

Jan 21, 2019

Rose Ann Campbell Calhoun, age 75 of West Jefferson, died Monday, January 21, 2019 at Margate Health and Rehab.  Mrs. Calhoun was born March 28, 1943 in Ashe County to the late Paul and Hattie Francis Campbell.  In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her brother, Dallas Campbell.

Mrs. Calhoun retired from...

Jan 21, 2019

Mrs. Ida Belle McNeill Brown, age 81 of Jefferson, died on Monday, January 21, 2019 at her home. Mrs. Brown was born on November 6, 1937 in Ashe County to Thomas Thurman and Bessie Miller McNeill. She was preceded in death by her parents; three brothers, Don McNeill, Garl McNeill, and Wade McNeill; four sisters; Clyde Black, Mary Prestwood,...

Jan 20, 2019

Dorothy Irene Keller, 80 years died Sunday, January 20, 2019 at Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC.

Dorothy was born March 12, 1938 near North English, Iowa, a twin daughter of  John G. and Gladys U. (VanDee Kerkove) Keller.

She graduated from St. Elizabeth’s Catholic High School in Harper, Iowa...