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.