Virginia Ward Byrd, age 83, of Clark's Creek Road, Banner Elk, the Valle Crucis community, died Sunday afternoon, May 23, 2010 at her home. She was born August 11, 1926 in Watauga County to Aud and Lula Henson Ward. Mrs. Byrd was a member of Clark's Creek Baptist Church. She retired as a secretary from New River Light & Power Company. Mrs. Byrd is survived by one daughter, Mary Ellen Culler and husband Allen, and her grandson, Kevin Greene, all of Valle Crucis; one sister, Mary Louise McGuire of Wilkesboro; a number of nieces and nephews; and her special friend and caregiver, Kelly Guy of Valle Crucis. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Wade Byrd, and four brothers, Tom, Gilbert, Clint, and Hugh Ward. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday afternoon, May 26th at 2 o'clock at Clark's Creek Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. Bill Warren, Rev. Mike Townsend and Rev. Carter Moretz. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o'clock. Burial will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial & Tribute Processing Center, PO Box 2516, Glen Allen, Virginia 23058, to the Watauga County Unit of the American Cancer Society, PO Box 1903, Boone, NC 28607, or to a charity of the donor's choice. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 until 8:30 at Austin & Barnes. At other times, the family will be at the home of Mary Ellen Culler, 2714 Clark's Creek Road in Valle Crucis. Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Byrd family.

TOWNSEND FAMILY REUNION

The annual Townsend Family Reunion is scheduled for 25 July 2010. It will be held at the Holy Communion Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. We cordially invite anyone related to the family to attend. There will be a covered dish lunch after the church service and plenty of time to visit with one another, swap information or just learn about our family and some of the history of the area. Please mark your calendar and plan on attending.

Helen Townsend Coffey (January 3, 1931 - April 22, 2010)

Mrs. Helen Townsend Coffey, age 79, of 1462 Sampson Road, Boone, died Thursday, April 22, 2010, at Watauga Medical Center.
Mrs. Coffey was born January 3, 1931 in Avery County, a daughter of the late Lonnie and Blanche Townsend. She was a homemaker and a member Boone Baptist Church.
Mrs. Coffey is survived by two daughters, Ruby Winebarger and husband John of Lenoir, and Bonnie May and husband Mike of Boone; five sons, Jesse J. Coffey and wife Opal of Lenoir, Howard Coffey and wife Brenda of Boone, Lonnie Coffey and wife Linda of Mountain City, Tennessee, Harley Coffey and wife Laura, and Daniel Coffey and wife Edith, all of Boone; three sisters, Vanda Townsend, Peggy Minton, and Pansey Phillips, all of Lenoir; four brothers, John Townsend, Gaylord Townsend, Deck Townsend, and Henry Townsend, all of Lenoir, and one son-in-law, Rick Huffman of Boone. She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren, several step-grandchildren, and a number nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John William Coffey; one daughter, Verlene Huffman; two infant daughters; one granddaughter, Diana Coffey; three sisters, Rosie Andrews, Wilma Minton, and Lena Watson, and four brothers, Albert, Larkin, Spencer, and Frank Townsend.
Funeral services for Mrs. Helen Townsend Coffey will be conducted Monday afternoon, April 26, 2010, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Reverend Kenny Newberry and Mr. Daniel Coffey. Burial will follow in the Townsend Cemetery in Banner Elk.
The family will receive friends Sunday evening, from 6:00 until 8:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Coffey family, in care of Hampton Funeral Service, 683 Blowing Rock Road, Boone, North Carolina, 28607.
Online condolences may be sent to the Coffey family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.
Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Larry Dean Rainbolt

Mr. Larry Dean Rainbolt, age 57, of Hampton, walked into heaven Monday, March 1, 2010 from Johnson City Medical Center Hospital following an extended illness. Mr. Rainbolt was a native of Carter County and a son of Robert John “Tub” Rainbolt of Hampton and the late Christine Whitehead Rainbolt. He was a graduate of Hampton High School, attended Beck Mountain Baptist Church and had worked as a truck driver.

In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by one brother: Richard Len Rainbolt.

Mr. Rainbolt is survived by a son and daughter-in-law: Larry Daniel and Kelly Rainbolt, Roan Mountain, one daughter: Michelle Lynn Rainbolt Peterson, Elizabethton, a special granddaughter, Addison Lane Rainbolt, Roan Mountain and five other grandchildren; Michael, Hannah, Phillip, Emily and Gracie; six sisters and five brothers-in-law: Phyllis and Rev. Ronnie Campbell, Hampton, Shirley and James Greer, Kingsport, Betsy and Nick Simerly, Hampton, Thelma and Jeff Simerly, Roan Mountain, Christy Rainbolt, Orlando FL, Amanda and Jamie Baker, Elizabethton, two brothers and one sister-in-law: Robert John Rainbolt, Lester and Lisa Rainbolt, all of Hampton, his caregiver, Carrie and special friend, Mike Harrell, Hampton. Several nieces and nephews also survive.

The Celebration of Life service for Mr. Rainbolt will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 3rd in the Tetrick Funeral Home Chapel of Peace with Rev. Ronnie Campbell officiating. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 p.m. Wednesday in the chapel prior to the service. Friends may also call at the residence of his father, Robert John “Tub” Rainbolt.

The family would like to extend a special “thank you” to the staff of the 5500 wing of Johnson City Medical Center Hospital for the care given to Mr. Rainbolt during his illness.

James Edward Townsend

JAMES EDWARD TOWNSEND, 42, of Hudson passed away Friday, February 26, 2010 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.Mr. Townsend was born in Caldwell County to the late Wilburn Eugene Townsend and his mother Annie Pauline Rash of Taylorsville. Mr. Townsend was a tree farmer.James is also survived by his wife Melinda Smith Townsend of the home, two daughters; Ashley Townsend of the home and Amanda Townsend of the home, one granddaughter, two brothers; Terry Townsend of Lenoir and Douglas Townsend of Granite Falls. Graveside services will be held Monday, March 1, 2010 at Ford Family Cemetery at 2:00 pm with the Reverend Keith Gilliam officiating.Online condolences to the Townsend family may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.comPendry's Funeral Home is assisting the Townsend family with arrangements.

Prayer Request for Family Members

Please keep Clay and Clara Townsend Greene of Burlington, NC in your prayers. The have both been sick for some time. Also the family request that you add them to your church's Pray List. They are both special people not only to their immediate family but also to all of us that know and love them. We pray for their speedy recovery.

Ola Dancy Fox

Mrs. Ola D. Fox Posted Date: November 9, 2009 (December 07, 1924 - November 9, 2009) Mrs. Ola Minnie Dancy Fox, age 84, of Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, died Monday morning, November 9, 2009 at Glenbridge Health Care & Rehabilitation. Born December 7, 1924 in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late Iris and Dora Sherril Dancy. Mrs. Fox was a member of Brushy Fork Baptist Church and was a retired garment inspector for Shadowline. Surviving are: her husband Elmer Wendell Fox, Sr., one son Wendell Fox and wife Wanda of Deep Gap, four grandchildren; Rick Finger and wife Katy of New York City, Randy Finger and wife Lisa of Raleigh, Brittany Fox and Shannon Fox of Deep Gap, and one sister in law; Iva Lee Dancy of Vilas. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter; Janice Fox Finger; six sisters; Mary Shelton, Daisy Snyder, Sofie Potter, Fairy Wilson, Myrtle Stewert and Belle Reece and seven brothers; Bruce, Conley, Conard, Ed, Archie, Stanley and Howard Dancy. Funeral services for Mrs. Ola Minnie Dancy Fox will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 3 o’clock at Brushy Fork Baptist Church. Officiating will be Rev. Andy McFarland. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1 o’clock until 2:30. At other friends may call at the home of Wendell and Wanda Fox, 210 Rocky Point Acres, Deep Gap, NC. Burial will follow in the Fox Family Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gideons International, Boone Camp, Post Office Box 3602, Boone, NC 28607 or to Brushy Fork Baptist Church, 3915 US Hwy 421 North, Vilas, NC 28692. Online condolences may be sent to the Fox family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Fox family.