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.