Homer Franklin

Homer Franklin, 02-07
Homer Franklin, age 77 of Blue Ridge, GA, passed away Friday, February 4, 2011 at Fannin Regional Hospital. He was born April 4, 1933, in Pineola, NC to the late Jones Clingman Franklin and Carrie Elizabeth Townsend Franklin. He was a US Army Veteran and of the Methodist Faith. Mr. Franklin worked in the same location for over 40 years under three separate owners. He retired from Halls Department Store after a total of 43 years of service. He enjoyed wood working, gardening, and yard work. He was preceded in death by sisters; Amy Tresa Franklin and Margaret E. Walker, and brother, Paul Jones Franklin.
Survivors include: wife, Marjorie Franklin, Brothers, Robert H. Franklin, Mason Finley Franklin; local nephews, Leonard Walker, Larry Walker and John Walker. A host of nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held Monday, February 7, 2011 at 2:00 PM from the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Roy Clore and Rev. John Baker officiating. Interment will follow in the Crest Lawn Cemetery. The following gentlemen will serve as pallbearers: Leonard Walker, John Walker, Robert Gwynn, N.B. Gwynn, Jr., Gabriel Montgomery adn Van Quinn. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Sunday evening from 4 to 8 PM.Arrangements have been entrusted to the Henry-Cochran Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, GA. You may send condolences to the family and sign the guest register at www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.

Zada H. Townsend

Zada H. Townsend, age 85, of Banner Elk, died Wednesday evening, February 2, 2011, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Mrs. Townsend was born March 26, 1925 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Dolphus and Lena Holden Harmon. She was a homemaker and worked for many years in the central supply department at Cannon Memorial Hospital. Mrs. Townsend loved working in her flowers and making original greeting cards for her family and friends. She was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church.
Mrs. Townsend is survived by two sons, Larry Townsend of Banner Elk, and Jesse Townsend and wife Patricia of Hudson; two daughters, Dessie Davis of Marion, and Alma Johnson and husband Sherrill of Newland; three granddaughters, Melinda Johnson and husband Matt of Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina, Wendy Evans and husband Dwight of Banner Elk, and Hollie Burress and husband Casey of Granite Falls; four grandsons, Randy Davis of Connelly Springs, Steven Johnson and wife Nona of Charleston, South Carolina, Bradley Townsend and wife Ashley of Hickory, and Jonathan Townsend and wife LeAnn of Roan Mountain, Tennesee; one sister, Rosa Mae Jung and husband Raymond of Elizabethton, and three brothers, Earnest Harmon and wife Evalena, Kenneth Harmon and wife Elizabeth, and Ralph Harmon and wife Eunice, all of Banner Elk. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard F. Townsend; one daughter, Martha Ann Townsend; one great-granddaughter, and two brothers, Leroy and Dolphus Harmon, Jr.
Funeral services for Zada H. Townsend will be conducted Saturday morning, February 5, 2011, at 11:00 o'clock, at Holy Communion Lutheran Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 9:30 until 11:00 o'clock. Officiating will be The Reverend Dr. Larry Campbell. Burial will follow in Holy Communion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
The family will receive Saturday morning, from 9:30 until 11:00 o'clock, at the church, prior to the service.
Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made in the name of Zada Townsend to Holy Communion Lutheran Church, 1525 Clark's Creek Road, Banner Elk, North Carolina, 28604.

Mr. Ralph Russell (May 02, 1939 - January 2, 2011) Staff Sergeant William Ralph Russell, US Marine Corps, Ret., 71, of Reece Farm Road, Banner Elk, the Valle Crucis Community, died Sunday, January 2, 2010 at Charles George Veteran’s Hospital in Asheville. Born May 2, 1939 in Watauga County, he was a son of Herman and Eileen Jestes Russell. Ralph served two tours of duty in Viet Nam. He was a member of Holy Communion Lutheran Church. Mr. Russell is survived by his wife of 30 years, Edna Reece Russell; three sons, Michael Russell of Boomer, Greg Russell and wife, Shelly, of Creston, and Tim Russell and wife, April, of Fleetwood; daughter, Michele Hampton of Boone; two step-daughters, Sharon Catlin and husband, Paul, of Valle Crucis, and Shelia Spaulding of Vilas; step-son, Steve Arnett and wife, Penny, of Valle Crucis; four grandsons, Dylan, Holden, and Hunter Russell and Garrett Hampton; granddaughter, Skylar Russell; three step-grandchildren, Josh Wagner, Lance Corporal Jimmy Arnett, Jessica Arnett; one step-great-granddaughter, Sophia Arnett; and three sisters, Mozelle Compton and husband, Marshall, of Rock Hill, SC., Franzelle Meade and husband, Mike of Rock Hill, SC and Judy Overman, and husband, David, of Charlotte. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, infant twin Ray, R.L., and Ricky Russell. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, January 6, 2010 at 2 PM at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Dr. Larry Campbell. The family will receive friends one hour prior to services. Military graveside honors and burial will follow at the Jestes Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the Jestes Cemetery Fund, % Wade Fox, 264 Fairview Rd., Marion, NC 28752, or to the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 90, PO Box 2914, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the Russell family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Russell family.

Sarah Lois Pitts Townsend

Sarah Lois Pitts Townsend, 76, of Lenoir, passed away at her residence Tuesday, December 28, 2010, surrounded by her loving family.Mrs. Townsend was born in Watauga County to the late Oscar Pitts and Orpha Tester Pitts. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Earl Townsend; infant sons, Danny and Bobby Townsend; brothers, J.C. and Hubert Pitts; sisters, Helen Dotson, Martha Carney and Ethel Hayes. She was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, homemaker, seamstress and a member of Poarch's Chapel in Lenoir.Survivors include her sons, Ronnie Townsend and wife, Debbie, of Warner Robbins, GA, Mike Townsend, of Lenoir, Tim Townsend and wife, Patty, of Lenoir, and Terry Townsend, of Lenoir; a daughter, Susan Townsend Norris and husband, Curtis, of Sanford; sisters, Ruth Dotson, of Boone, and Ruby Soper, of Norfolk, VA; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.A funeral service for Mrs. Townsend will be held Friday, December 31, 2010, at 1 p.m. at Poplar Grove Baptist Church in Boone with Reverend David White and Reverend Curtis Norris officiating. The burial will follow at the Pitts Family Cemetery in Boone, NC. The family will receive friends Thursday, December 30, 2010, at Pendry's Funeral Home from 6 until 8 p.m.Serving as pallbearers will be Chris Townsend, Tommy Pitts, Shane Crawford, Chad Townsend, Caleb Crawford, Jeff Siddons, Samuel Norris and Jacob Martinez. Honorary pallbearers will be Frank Hayes and Brent Pitts.The Townsend family requests that memorials be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.Online condolences to the family may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.comPendry's Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Townsend family.

Vernon Townsend - JOHNSON CITY

Vernon Dale Townsend, 72, 129 Rockingham Road, Johnson City, passed away Friday, November 12, 2010, at his residence.

He was a native of Banner Elk, NC, and a son of the late Fred and Gladys Norwood Townsend. Mr. Townsend was a retired Lt. Col. in the U.S. Army, having served as a Medical Specialist during the Berlin Crisis and Vietnam Era.

After retirement he had worked at North Side Hospital as an Anesthesia Nurse Supervisor.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Headrick Townsend, in 1996; and a sister, Regina Sterling.

Survivors include a daughter, Monique Rothe and her husband, Michael, of Brandon, Florida; a sister, Lolita Puterbaugh and her husband, Neal, of Boiling Springs, SC; two grandsons, Jonathan Alexander Caskey and Roland Ivan Caskey; three nephews, Michael Scott Sterling, Murfreesboro, Russell Dean Sterling, Marietta, GA, and Edward Neal Puterbaugh, Hendersonville, NC.

The funeral service for Mr. Townsend will be conducted at 7:00 PM Monday, November 15, 2010, in the Woodall-Anderson and Dugger Funeral Home with Dr. Paull Dixon officiating.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Monday from 5:00 PM until service time.

Graveside service with full military honors will be held t 1:00 PM Tuesday, November 16, 2010, in the Roselawn Memory Gardens, Johnson City. Everyone attending is asked to meet at the cemetery by 12:50 PM for this service.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to the Toys for Tots, ℅ Staff Sgt. Shelby, 251 Donald May Road, Johnson City, TN 37615.

Condolences may be made online at www.wadugger.com.

Edna Faye Townsend Henson (February 15, 1934 - September 15, 2010)
Mrs. Edna Faye Townsend Henson, age 76, of 976 Crackers Neck Road, Mountain City, a former resident of Watauga County, died Wednesday morning, September 15, 2010, at Watauga Medical Center.
Mrs. Henson was born February 15, 1934 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Enoch and Jospehine Hicks Church. She was a homemaker and a member and pianist for Rock Creek Baptist Church.
Mrs. Henson is survived by her husband, Brother Rector Henson of the home; three sons, Steve Townsend and wife Kathy of Mountain City, Danny Townsend and wife Eva of Sugar Grove, and Ronnie Townsend and wife Anna of Cape Carteret, North Carolina; two step-daughters, Judy Hawn and husband Don of Hickory, and Sue Ball and husband Kenny of Lawrenceville, Virginia; two grandsons, Joseph Townsend and wife Brittney, and Jesse Townsend, all of Trade, Tennessee; three granddaughters, Tabatha Townsend and Angie Ward, both of Vilas, and Miranda Townsend of Trade; two great-granddaughters, Savannah Ward and Autumn Ward, both of Vilas; one great-grandson, Todd Arnette of Vilas; five sisters, Anna Mae Miller, Betty Joe Lawrence, Janie Fox, Margie Brown, and Wanda Shelton, and four brothers, Charlie, Marion, Bill, and Dave Church. She is also survived by eight step-grandchildren, two step great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Junior Floyd Townsend.
Funeral services for Mrs. Edna Faye Townsend Henson will be conducted Friday afternoon, September 17, 2010, at 2:00 o'clock, at Rock Creek Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Brother Joel Cook, Brother Anthony Roark, and Brother Rick Hurley. Burial will follow in the Clark's Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times friends may call at the home of a son, Danny and Eva Townsend, 1199 U.S. Highway 321 North, Sugar Grove.
Online condolences may be sent to the Henson family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Henry Ford Townsend
Henry Ford Townsend, age 86, of 181 Hopson Road, Johnson City, passed away at his residence on Sunday, September 12, 2010 following a brief battle with cancer. A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Hobert Lee Townsend and Hattie Hodge Townsend. In addition to his parents, Ford was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Norma Fay Townsend, on November 17, 2007.Mr. Townsend was retired as a painter from the Veterans Administration, Mountain Home, TN. He served his country with the U.S. Navy during WWII from 1944-1946. Ford was an avid camper and enjoyed spending his winters in Frostproof, FL for several years following his retirement. He was of the Christian faith.

Mr. Townsend is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Tom and Kathy Townsend, Oliver Springs, TN, John and Mitzi Townsend, and Steve and Patti Townsend, all of Johnson City; eight grandchildren, J.P. Townsend, Johnson City, Karen Townsend Majchrzak and husband, Steve, Nashville, TN, Brian Townsend of the U.S. Air Force currently stationed in Las Vegas, NV, Michael Townsend, Jonesborough, Amy Townsend Wandel and husband, Brandon, Johnson City, Becky Townsend, Johnson City, Jill Coggins and Chad Hatley, Elizabethton, and Joey Coggins and wife, Deanne, Duncan, SC: seven great-grandchildren, Hunter Townsend, Johnson City, Zack and Savannah Coggins, Elizabethton, Austin, Abby, and Josie Coggins, Duncan, SC, and Helaiyna Reyes, Elizabethton; and two brothers and three sisters-in-law, Glen and Margaret Townsend, Elizabethton, Bob and Betty Townsend, and Marcella Townsend, all of Johnson City. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

The funeral service for Mr. Henry Ford Townsend will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, September 14, 2010 in the Sunset Chapel of Hathaway-Percy Funeral Home with Mr. Todd Wolfe, Minister, officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday from 5:00-7:00 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home or at the residence other times.

The graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday, September 15, 2010 in the Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Military honors will be provided by the American Legion Post #49 of Elizabethton.