: OBITUARIES :
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BETTY WHITSON

Betty Jane Peterson Whitson, of Green Mountain, went to meet her Lord at her home on Friday, January 6, 2012.  She was welcomed by her husband, Ivan Whitson, her parents, Lola and Jim Peterson, sisters, Polly Garland and Jean Hayes, and brother, Dick Peterson.

 

Betty is survived by her son:  Ivan Blaine Whitson and wife, Grace, of Green Mountain; daughters:  Vickie Hoyle and husband, Wally, of Spruce Pine, Becky Whitson and husband, Mike, of Burnsville, Pansy Hensley and husband, Tommy, of Green Mountain, and Sally Price and husband, Steve, of Johnson City, TN; 9 grandchildren:  Alechia Shinn, Ivan Andrew Hoyle, Matthew Whitson, Kellie Chapman, Beth Sutherland, Marc Whitson, Adrian Whitson, Jonathan Hensley and Benjamin Price; a step granddaughter:  Heather Price Hughes; 9 great grandchildren:  Caleb Hoyle, Kendall Chapman, Mattie Shinn, Carter Hoyle, Eli Shinn, Addison Sutherland, Mylee Chapman, Eden Sutherland, and Braxton Whitson; 2 sisters:   Maggie Cardwell of Houston, TX and Margaret Yelton of Travelers Rest, SC; and, 3 brothers:  Monroe, Homer and Tommy Peterson, all of Travelers Rest, SC.

 

She was a lifelong member of North Bend Freewill Baptist Church of Green Mountain, and attended faithfully before becoming ill.  She taught varying age groups of Sunday School classes for many years.  Betty loved the Lord, her Church family, and her community.  She enjoyed more than anything to be able to help someone in some way.

 

For a great part of her life Betty and her family farmed for their living.  In 1965 she began working for WAMY Community Action and continued for 36 years.  She loved her job and helped many people during the course of those years.

 

Betty enjoyed traveling, and during the course of her life, she and her children traveled much of the United States and Canada.

 

Betty Whitson was a wonderful mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend.

  

Funeral services will be held at 8PM Sunday, January 8, 2012, in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  The Revs. Tommy Hensley, Roger Laws and Rodney Deyton will officiate.  Music will be provided by Debbie Deyton and Betty’s grandchildren.  A graveside service will be held at 11AM Monday in Peterson Hill Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 5 until 8PM Sunday, prior to the service at the funeral home, and at other times will be at her home.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

The family would like to express sincere appreciation to Betty’s lifelong friends, Kaye Smith, and Linda Hamby, for their wonderful care and help during her last days.

GEORGE R. GOODSON, SR.

George R. Goodson, Sr., 63, of Blue Rock Road, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2012 at his home.  A native of Sparta, TN, he was a son of the late George and Geraldine Goodson.  He was preceded in death by a son, George Ralph Goodson, Jr.; 2 grandchildren:  Jessica and Joshua Hare.  He had been a resident of Yancey County for the past 18 years.

 

Surviving are his wife of 41 years, Linda Ervin Goodson; children:  Paul Goodson of the home, Larry Stanley of Lebanon, TN, Lisa Duncan of Booneville, NC, Michael Merriman of Candler, Darryl Merriman of Fletcher and 2 grandchildren:  Tabitha and Patrick Merriman.

 

No services are planned.

GLADYS OGLE PETERSON

Gladys Ogle Peterson, 84, of Fairview Avenue, Asheville, died peacefully Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at John F. Keever Solace Center.  She was born December 11, 1927 to Dominion Ray and Herbert Ogle.  Gladys was also preceded in death by her first husband:  Garland Autrey, who passed away in 1973; 2 sisters:  Johnsie Robinson and Janet Bailey; a brother:  Corner Ogle; sister-in-law:  Cora Ogle; and, a brother-in-law:  Stanley Bailey.  She was a member of Mt. Mitchell Baptist Church.

 

Surviving are her husband of 34 years:  Virgil Peterson; a sister:  Ann Blevins and husband, Lewis, of Burnsville; 5 nieces:  Donna Honeycutt, Virginia Ann Long, Jean Calloway, Janice Marie Freck, Delphine Bryan; 2 nephews:  Randall Blevins and Dennis Bailey; and, a brother-in-law:  Herman Robinson of Asheville.

 

Funeral services will be held at 8 PM Friday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Rev. Tim Campbell will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at Noon Saturday in the Autrey Cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Friday prior to the service at the funeral home.

AARON MARTIN BRIGGS

Aaron Martin Briggs, 27, of Micaville, passed away Sunday, January 1, 2012, at his home.  A native of Yancey County, he was a son of the late Martin Briggs.  Aaron was the light of his family’s lives that went out too early.  He was loved by his family and now is talking with his Dad, for whom he grieved, until his death.  Aaron was a member of Claymound Baptist Church.

 

Surviving are his mother:  Anita Chrisawn Briggs Buchanan and her husband, Steve, of Burnsville; 2 sisters:  Alicia Kim Briggs of Barnardsville and Amber Briggs Nunes and husband, Matthew; and a nephew:  Matthew Martin (Little Man) Nunes, all of Burnsville; maternal grandparents:  Chuck and Joan Chrisawn of Micaville; paternal grandparents:  Robert and Molly Briggs of Green Mountain; his girlfriend:  Taylor Edwards of Burnsville; 2 aunts:  Amanda McCurry of Green Mountain and Nancy Williams and husband, Brian, of Newdale; and, 3 uncles:  Tommy Chrisawn and wife, Melissa, and Michael Chrisawn both of Micaville, and Jerry Briggs of Green Mountain.

 

Funeral services will be held at 8PM Friday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Revs. David Garland and Roger Hilemon will officiate.  A graveside service will be held at 11AM Saturday in the Double Island Baptist Church Cemetery.

 

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8PM Friday prior to the service at the funeral home.  At other times the family will be at the home of Chuck and Joan Chrisawn, 340 Double Island Road.

MARGARET HARLEM

Margaret Harlem, 78, formerly of Green Mountain, went home to be with the Lord, Monday, January 2, 2012 at Yancey House Assisted Living.  A native of Flushing, N.Y. she was a daughter of the late Charles and Margaret Buhl O’Keefe and the wife of James Harlem, Jr. who died in 1999.  Margaret was Past President of Bayard Cutting Arboretum of Long Island, NY.

 

Surviving are brothers Neal O’Keefe and wife Barbara of Bayside, NY, Howard O’Keefe and wife Rosemary of Bethpage, NY and Eugene O’Keefe of Perkasie, PA.

 

A funeral mass will be held at 12 Noon, Wednesday, January 11, 2012 in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, of which she was a member.  Burial will be in the Academy Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 PM Tuesday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.

JAMES LEE OWENS

James Lee ”Jim” Owens, 68, of Burnsville, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2011 at St. Joseph Hospital. A native of Yancey County, he was the son of Effie Ogle Silvers of Burnsville and the late, John Silvers.

 

He and his wife, Katherine, his best buddy, were married for 44 years.  A loving father of, Kimberly Hensley and husband Dale of Oxford, NC, James Owens and wife, Holly of Burnsville, Theressa Owens of Raleigh, NC and special son, Dustin Proffitt.  The love of his life were his grandchildren, John and Lillie Hensley and Landon Owens.

 

Surviving are sisters, Phyliss DeLorme and husband, Lee of Eugene Oregon, and DeLois Hall, brothers, Donald Joe Owens and wife Ina Dean, Doug Silvers and wife Bonnie all of Burnsville, and brother John David Silvers, of Columbia, SC, brothers-in law, Euranious Robinson and wife Willa Dean and Alton Robinson and wife, Jane, sisters-in-law, Gladys Giles and husband, John, Lola Stanley, Georgia Daigler and husband, Joe, and Wanda Proffitt and husband Bob.  Numerous nieces and nephews who each was loved in their special way.

 

Jim worked for Frontier Telecommunications and Predecessors for 44 years.  A faithful and involved member of Bolens Creek Baptist Church, he served as Deacon, Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent and Choir member.  He ministered at Brookside Rehabilitation and Care for over 20 years.

 

Funeral Services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday in the Bolens Creek Baptist Church.  Dr. Chris Morgan and Niles Howell will officiate.  Burial will be in the Miller Cemetery on Bolens Creek.

 

The family will receive friends from 5 PM until 8 PM Monday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. 

 

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to M-Y Meds, P. O. Box 892, Spruce Pine, NC 28777.

LANE HARRIS

Lane Harris, 72, of Burnsville, passed away Saturday, December 31, 2011 at Brookside Rehab and Care. A native of Yancey county, he was the son of the late Sol and Lena Penland Harris. He was also preceded in death by brothers: Harold and Charles Harris; sisters: Marjorie Taylor and Lois Hensley. He was a member of the Bolens Creek Baptist Church.

 

Surviving are a daughter: Lisa Harris of Asheville; a sister: Vernell Evans of Burnsville, and several nieces and nephews.

 

Funeral services will be held at 2 P.M. Tuesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home. Niles Howell will officiate. Burial will be in the Carroway Cemetery.

 

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

RHEBA AYERS

Rheba Hughes Ayers of Red Hill went home to be with Jesus Wednesday, December 14,  She died surrounded by her family at the home of her son, Dorne Ayers, in San Diego. She was 81.

 

Though small in stature, Rheba was a giant of compassion. Kindhearted, thoughtful and meticulous in all her endeavors, she modeled Psalms 31:10-28. During her latter years failing health limited her mobility but never her determination.

 

Rev. Dorne Ayers and wife Rita, grandsons Jeremiah Ayers of California City and Dr. John Ayers of Boston, and sister Ada Bell Westall of Burnsville survive. She was a native of Yancey County, the daughter of late Herbert and Leona Fox Hughes. Her loving husband Charles Ayers and son Lew Ayers preceded her in death.

 

The family will receive friends beginning at 6 pm Tuesday, December 27th and services will be held at 1 pm Wednesday, December 28th at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. In addition to her son, Revs. David Garland and Ronnie Gouge will officiate.

FOYE CROWDER WILSON

Foye Wilson, 94, of the Bald Mountain Community, went home to be with the Lord, Friday, December 23, 2011 at her home.  A native of Madison County, she was a daughter of the late Lewis and Annie English Crowder and the wife of Woodrow Wilson who died in 1986.  She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Bernice Edwards and sons Ernest and Lawrence Wilson.

 

Surviving are five daughters: Jewell Pierce of Livingston, TN, Wilma Johnson and Wanda Johnson of Gainesboro, TN, Carol Crissone and Betty King of Burnsville; 4 sons: Charles Michael Wilson and Woodrow Wilson, Jr. of Burnsville, Roger Wilson of Asheville and Ray Wilson of Cookeville, TN, 22 grandchildren and 35 great grandchildren.

 

 Funeral services will be held at 2 P. M. Tuesday in the Chapel of Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.  Rev. Clifton McCurry will officiate.  Burial will be in the McCurry Cemetery on Jims Creek.

 

The family will receive friends from 12 Noon until 2 P. M. prior to the service at the funeral home.

JOSEPH HAROLD BLACK

Joseph Harold Black, 65, of Burnsville passed away Friday, December 23, 2011 at his home.  A native of Mitchell County, he was a son of the late Hardy and Pauline Owens Black.  He was also preceded in death by a sister:  Bertha Black and a brother:  Hardy Black, Jr.  Harold was a highly decorated US Army Vietnam War Veteran.  He was a successful contractor and avid car and motorcycle enthusiast.

 

Surviving are a son: Ty Black and wife, Barbara, of Burnsville, 2 brothers:  Ott Black and special friend, Diana Wheeler, and nephew, Jamey Black all of Weaverville and Jackson Black of South Carolina; 3 sisters:  Nina and Darlene Harding and Martha Hoyle and husband, Robert, all of Weaverville and several nieces and nephews; the mother of his son:  Beverly Alexander and husband, Troy, of Alexander and extended family:  Chuck Deweese and wife, Tonya, of Candler, Dewayne Fender and wife, Krystal, Jason Smith and wife, Lisa of Weaverville and Joe Murphy and wife, Patsy, of Burnsville

 

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Monday at Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Yancey County, 856 Georges Fork Road, Burnsville, NC 28714.

 

Burial will be in the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery at Black Mountain at a later date.   

 

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