Mr. John "Jack" Gillespie Orr, 76, of Banner Elk, N.C., died Nov. 15, 2009.

Jack was an active member of the Western New York Community, where he lived his whole life until moving here in 2002. He was president of the Niagara County Savings Bank and after retiring, became an interim CEO of the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. He served as a director or chairman of many various boards. While living in the High Country, he was involved as a member of the Building Committee for First Presbyterian Church in Boone. He also worked for, and loved, his association with Diamond Creek.

Mr. Orr was a graduate of the Nichols School and Amherst College. He had a life long love of golf, both as a player and serving as Tournament Director and Chairman of the Executive Committee for the Porter Cup Tournament in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

He is survived by his son, Jeffrey (Lee); daughter, Jennifer Coseglia; and step-daughter, Jennifer Molak (Chris); grandchildren, Lindsay, Eric, Jacquelyn, Patrick, Mackenzie, Jesse and Katie; brothers, James (Priscilla) and William (Donola); sister, Marla Mackenzie (John); sister-in-law, Alice Orr; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carol, in 1997.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at First Presbyterian Church in Boone, N.C. at 2:00 p.m., followed by a military burial in Lewiston, N.Y. on Wednesday, Nov. 25.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorial donations to First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 663 Howard Street, Boone, N.C. 28607 or Hospice of Avery County, 351 W. Mitchell Street, Newland, N.C. 28657.

Online condolences may be sent to the Orr family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Orr family.

Rev. A.W. Pitts, 95, of the Whittier community, went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009, at his residence.

A native of Blowing Rock, N.C., he had lived in Whittier for the past 50 years. He was the son of the late Monroe and Minnie Oxidine Pitts. He was a retired minister of the Church of God. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Marie Gasaway Pitts; five step-children, Donna Stephens and husband, Rick, of Sylva, Dwayne Woodard and wife, Debbie, of Bryson City, Michael Woodard and wife, Alisa, of Whittier, Angela DeHart and husband, Michael, of Clyde, Christopher Woodard and wife, Margaret, of Gainesville, Ga.; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Louise Loudermelt of Lenoir, N.C., Edith Fortune of Charlotte, Ellen Krolik of Erie, Pa.; and one brother, Roscoe Pitts of Blowing Rock.

Services will be held at 7 p.m. Friday at the Whittier Church of God. Rev. Ned Pressley will officiate with burial in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock, N.C. on Saturday at 2 p.m. with Dennis Pitts officiating the graveside service.

The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Friday at the church.

Crisp Funeral Home in Bryson City, and Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory are serving the Pitts family.

Dr. H. Lawrence "Larry" Bond, 73, of Hardin Road, Boone, died Tuesday afternoon, Nov. 17, 2009 at his home.

He was born Oct. 7, 1936 in Memphis, Tenn., a son of the late Freeman and Virginia Martin Bond.

Dr. Bond was a graduate of Duke University. He obtained both a Masters of Divinity and a Doctor of Philosophy. Dr. Bond was a professor of Renaissance History at Appalachian State University for 37 years. He was the Pastor of the Linville Falls Community Church for 26 years, and was an ordained Elder in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Larry was a proud member of the American Cusanus Society, and one of the world's foremost translators of ancient Latin texts. He spoke and wrote in 13 different languages. Larry was a friend to the homeless and downtrodden, and went out of his way to notice people behind the scenes. He was an advocate for civil rights, and participated in, and was arrested during the lunch counter sit-ins in Greensboro during the 1960's.

Surviving are two daughters, Stephanie Bond White and husband, Mike, of Newland, and Julianna Wilson Bond of Boone; two grandchildren, Carter Michael White and Kylie Jean White of Newland; and an extended family, community of colleagues and his church family at Linville Falls Community Church.

Services will be conducted Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Linville Falls Community Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 1 until 2 o'clock. Burial will follow in the Pisgah United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to the Linville Falls Community Church Building Fund, Post Office Box 46, Linville, N.C. 28646 or to the Caring House, 2625 Pickett Road, Durham, N.C. 27705.

The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6 o'clock until 8 o'clock at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be sent to the Bond family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Bond family.

Mrs. Mary Alice Griffin Hendrix, 91, formerly of Charlotte, N.C., went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Nov. 13, 2009, in Boone, N.C., after an extended illness.

She was born in Hickory, N.C., on April 3, 1918, to the late Oliver and Florence Griffin. She was married to Jack Hendrix, who preceded her in death in 1982.

Mrs. Hendrix was an outstanding sales person in the Men's Department of Belk Store in uptown Charlotte for many years, and won Salesperson of the Year award several times. She was a member of Westover Hills Presbyterian Church. Her greatest pride and joy was her family and her poodles, Beau and B.J.

Mrs. Hendrix is survived by her daughters, Carol (Lee) Hinshaw of Boone, N.C. and Beverly (David) Rosenbaum of Charlotte, N.C.; and her sons, Ted (Diane) Hendrix of Charlotte, N.C. and Bob (Kate) Hendrix of Belmont, N.C.; eight grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Ann Richardson of Denver, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Boone, N.C., 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607, Habitat for Humanity of Watauga County, P.O. Box 33 DTS, Boone, N.C. 28607, or a charity of your choice.

Service was private.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Hospice of Boone, Seby Jones Cancer Center, Dr. Murrey and Staff, and especially to Ruth Miller, who took special care of our mother.

Mr. Craven C. Presson, 72, of Boone, died Saturday afternoon, Nov. 14, 2009.

He was born Jan. 2, 1937 in Union County, N.C., a son of the late Claude and Mattie Simpson Presson.

Mr. Presson was a retired employee of General Foods where he worked in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Jacksonville, Fla. He was a member of Boone United Methodist Church, and attended Wingate College. Mr. Presson served in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in England.

He is survived by his wife, Lily Williams Presson; his beloved dogs, Easter Ellen and Mattie James; and one sister, Wanda Stone and husband, Cecil, of Roanoke, Va. He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Sam and Wade Presson; and two sisters, Edith Bouleware and Audra Hasty.

A memorial service will be conducted Friday afternoon, Nov. 20, 2009, at 1:00 o'clock, at Boone United Methodist Church. Officiating will be the Rev. John Fitzgerald and Dr. George Naff.

The family will receive friends following the memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, N.C. 28607, or to Watauga Humane Society, PO Box 1835, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Presson family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Juanita Harrington Setzer, 73, of Claremont, N.C., passed away Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.

A memorial service will be held at a later date and announced by Alexander Funeral Service.

Mrs. Mary Jo Gross Smith, 78, of Dayton, Md., died Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, at her residence in Dayton, Md.

She was born and raised in Boone, N.C. She graduated from Boone High School and later attended Appalachian State College. At age 19 she relocated to Maryland and found work at the Glen L. Martin Aircraft Plant in Middle Rive, Md. It was at the Aircraft Plant that she met her husband, Robert, who was employed as a Government Inspector. Mrs. Smith stayed with the Glen L. Martin Company through many transformations, eventually retiring from Lockheed Martin as an Administrative Manager, in 1994.

Mrs. Smith and her husband moved to Laurel in 1966, buying a house in the Montpelier neighborhood (they were original owners of their house on Cedarbrook Lane). Mrs. Smith lived in the Montpelier home until 2003 when she moved to Dayton to be closer to her daughter.

She enjoyed shopping for designer clothes and was always "dressed up"; she also enjoyed the theater and had season tickets to the Morris A. Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore.

Mrs. Smith was the daughter of the late James and Fannie Fletcher Gross.

She is survived by her daughter, Peggy A. Smith of Dayton, Md.; and a sister, Peggy Lee Williams of State Road, N.C.

Mrs. Smith was also preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Brown and her husband, Robert Smith.

A "Celebration of her Life" will be held at a later date.

If desired, memorial donations may be made in her name to: The Alzheimer's Association, Greater Maryland Chapter, 1850 York Road, Suite D, Timonium, MD 21093 or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are being handled by Donaldson Funeral Home, P.A., 313 Talbott Avenue, Laurel, Md.

Mr. Larry F. Winkler, Sr., 62, of 130 Larry Winkler Road, Boone, died Monday morning, November 16, 2009, at his home.

He was born Jan. 18, 1947 in Watauga County, a son of the late Howard and Susie Price Winkler.

Mr. Winkler was the retired owner of Larry Winkler Construction and a member of the Assembly of God Church in Boone.

Mr. Winkler is survived by his wife, Carolyn P. Winkler of Todd; two sons, Larry Frank Winkler, Jr. and Bobby G. Winkler, both of Boone; one brother, Bobby H. Winkler of Boone; four grandsons, Cecil Winkler of the U.S. Army, Kentucky, Bobby Winkler and Adam Winkler, both of Valle Crucis, and Timothy Winkler of Pennsylvania; two granddaughters, Khrista F. Potter and husband, John, and Charlene Winkler, all of Todd; one great-granddaughter, Madelynn Potter of Todd; and one sister, Dorothy Presnell and husband, Grant, of Boone.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Brenda Presnell.

Funeral services for Mr. Larry F. Winkler, Sr. will be conducted Thursday evening, Nov. 19, 2009, at 8:30 p.m., at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 7:30 until 8:30. Officiating will be the Rev. Charles Bristle. Graveside services and burial will be conducted Friday morning at 11:00 o'clock, at Rutherwood Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Thursday evening, from 7:30 until 8:30, at the funeral home, prior to the service.

Online condolences may be sent to the Winkler family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. B.J. DeBell, 81, of 249 East Ridge Drive, Boone, died Wednesday evening, Nov. 11, 2009, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She was born Dec. 9, 1927 in Paducah, Ky., a daughter of the late W.W. and Vada Dickson Cunningham.

Mrs. DeBell was the retired records manager with the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University, where she received several staff awards for excellence. She was an active member of Boone United Methodist Church and a Scout Leader for many years.

Survivors include one daughter, Kristine DeBell of Greensboro; two sons, Lee DeBell of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., and Steve DeBell and wife, Lisa, of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; two grandsons, Christopher DeBell of Port Saint Lucie, and Zachary DeBell of Tarpon Springs; and two granddaughters, Courtney DeBell of Port Saint Lucie, and Samantha DeBell of Tarpon Springs.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Al DeBell; and one brother, Bill Cunningham.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Nov. 15, 2009, at 3:00 o'clock, at Boone United Methodist Church. Officiating were Dr. George Naff and the Rev. John Fitzgerald. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boone United Methodist Church, 471 New Market Blvd., Boone, N.C. 28607, or to the American Cancer Society for Relay For Life, in care of Glenda Hodges, 810 Parkcrest Drive, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the DeBell family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Helen Ferrenberg, 97, of Sugar Grove, N.C., died peacefully Thursday, Nov.12, 2009, at Glenbridge Health & Rehab Center in Boone, N.C.

She was born on August 21, 1912 in Bucyrus, Ohio. She spent 63 years in Toledo, Ohio where she was a homemaker and part-time secretary. She retired to N. Fort Myers, Fla., with her husband Max in 1975. They were married 68 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband Max; parents, Elizabeth and Arthur Norton; and brothers Charles and Raymond.

Survivors include a daughter, Sue Miller and husband, Joe, of Sugar Grove, N.C.; a son, Bill, of Soddy Daisy, Tenn.; two grandsons and one great-granddaughter; and a sister, Phyllis, of Toledo, Ohio; along with several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Elizabeth's of the Hill Country Catholic Church, 249 Pilgrims Way, Boone N.C. 28607 or to Glenbridge Health Care and Rehab Center, 211 Milton Brown Heirs Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

A mass to commemorate her passing will be celebrated at St. Elizabeth's of the Hill Country Catholic Church, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at noon.

Online condolences may be sent to the Ferrenberg family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Ferrenberg family.

Mr. John Sydney Isaacs, of Davidson, N.C., died very unexpectedly on Nov. 14, 2009.

He was born April 5, 1937, in Little Sutton, England, the son of the late George Thomas Isaacs and Ruby Mildred Caldecott Isaacs.

He is survived by wife, Sarah Cook Isaacs; daughter, Caryn Asbury and husband, the late Colin Asbury of Ellesmere Port, England; son, Paul J. Isaacs and wife, Amy, of Cornelius, N.C.; son, Kevin M. Isaacs and wife, Lolita, of Hong Kong, China; stepson, Clarence "Chip" Swearngan, Jr. and partner, Tyrone R. Bartz, of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Emily, Tyla, Jazzlynn, and Ethan Isaacs; brother, Kenneth Isaacs and wife, Joan; brother, Gordon Isaacs and wife, Suzanne, all of England; brother-in-law, Wilbur F. Cook of Davidson; and a host of loving family and friends.

John served in the British Royal Engineers branch of the military, played on the Royal Air Force Association dart team and was an avid Liverpool football fan. He was transferred to the United States in 1988 by Alfred McAlpine Construction Company, which purchased Blythe Industries, and retired from Blythe Construction in 2002. John served as an Elder at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church and was a beloved member of the church choir.

John was always a gracious host, making multiple trips to the grocery store to assure that his guests never lacked food, drink, or entertaining conversation. John gave the very best hugs and kisses to everyone. He will be remembered as a loving and generous person who made all he met feel loved and special.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening, Nov. 18, 2009 at Harry & Bryant Company, 500 Providence Rd., Charlotte, N.C. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow at the church cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers are Charles Huffstetler, Paul Hibbert and Marcus Archer. Pallbearers are Eric Hefner, Brant Hart, Carl Lefler, Terry Dalton, Franklin Cook and Don Shue.

Memorials may be made to Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, 101 Sugar Creek Road West, Charlotte, N.C. 28213.

Harry & Bryant Company is serving the family.

Mr. Harry McGee, 88, of Elk Park, passed away on Friday, Nov. 13, 2009, at Johnson City Medical Center.

A lifelong native of Avery County, he was born on Sept. 6, 1921, a son of the late R.C. and Rathea Wilson McGee.

Mr. McGee graduated with his MS from Appalachian Teachers College. He retired after 15 years of serving as School Superintendent. He had taught in both elementary and high school along with serving as principle before he became Superintendent.

Harry was a member of Elk Park Christian Church where he served as an Elder, Deacon, and Chairman of the Board. He served in World War II for the United States Army.

Mr. McGee was on the Board of Directors for Mountain Electric Corporation, District 8, for 22 years. He served as Chairman of the Board for 17 years. He was a member of several civic clubs and organizations. He enjoyed fishing, his tools, and collecting Griswold Pans.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers and two sisters.

Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Geraldine "Jerri" Smith McGee; his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Joe Banner; his grandson, Joseph Banner and wife Christinia; one great-granddaughter, Sophia Banner, all of Newland; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Linda Ferguson.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, Nov. 16, 2009, at 2 p.m. in the Elk Park Christian Church with the Rev. Whetzel and the Rev. Palma Bennett officiating. Interment will follow in the Minneapolis Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Harry's five brothers-in-law, D.L. McKinney, Bill Bowers, Bruce Buchanan, Jim Smith, and Perry Lawing; nephew, Tim McGee; special friends, Mike Smith and Salvador Silva. The Board of Directors of Mountain Electric Corporation will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Harry's memory to the Elk Park Christian Church at P.O. Box 158, Elk Park, N.C. 28622.

Words of comfort and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.rsfh.net.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland is serving the McGee family.

Mrs. Ella May Shipley Schell, 83, of Howard Winkler Road, Boone, died Tuesday evening, Nov.10, 2009, at Watauga Medical Center.

She was born March 10, 1926, a daughter of the late John William Shipley, Jr., and Elizabeth Jeanette Counabaugh Schell.

Mrs. Schell was a retired spot welder.

Surviving are two daughters, Pamela Schell Parlier and husband, Will, of Boone, and Jeanette Grace Schell Wiseman of Dagsboro, Dela.; three grandchildren, Roger Thomas Falsis, Shannonrae Parlier Mathis and William Zain Parlier, III; one great-grandson, Brian Keith Cosby, Jr.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Mary Priscilla Schell; and one great-granddaughter, Ashley Marie Cosby.

Services will be conducted Friday afternoon, Nov. 20, 2009, at 1:30 at the Baltimore National Cemetery.

Online condolences may be sent to the Schell family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Schell family.

Mr. Rodney A. Triplett, 85, of 668 Dogwood Road, Boone, died Thursday morning, Nov. 12, 2009, at Life Care Center in Banner Elk.

He was born August 26, 1924 in Watauga County, a son of the late Harley Bloom Triplett and Willie Lea Cook Triplett.

Mr. Triplett was the retired owner of Triplett Plumbing Company and attended Bibleway Baptist Church. He served in the United States Navy during World War II.

He is survived by his wife, Leota Goulds Triplett of the home; two sons, Larry Triplett and wife, Sheila, and Sidney Triplett and wife, Gayle, all of Boone; two daughters, Rebecca Thompson and husband, Don, and Roberta Pitts and husband, Ron, all of Boone; three sisters, Dare Triplett Elliot and husband, Huey, of Fleetwood, Ruby Parlier of Hickory, and Marie Triplett Teague of Boone; and one brother, Lee Triplett and wife, Shirley, of Boone. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Donald Triplett and Romey Triplett; and one sister, Maude Triplett Shore.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Nov. 15, 2009, at 3:30 p.m., at Bibleway Baptist Church. Officiating was the Rev. Michael Greene. Burial followed in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

Online condolences may be sent to the Triplett family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Marie Rogers Wilson, 88, of 192 Orchard Street, Boone, died Wednesday evening, Nov. 11, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

She was born July 9, 1921 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Simon Sylvanus Rogers and Ida Vandyke Rogers Greene.

Mrs. Wilson was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church of Boone.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Wilson of the home; one daughter, Nancy Lee Marsh and husband, Bill, of Knoxville, Tenn. and Osteen, Fla.; two grandsons, Shawn Marsh and wife, Tami, and Stacy Marsh, all of Glasgow, Ky.; two granddaughters, Donna Burns and husband, Doug, of Atlanta, Ga., and Vicky Marsh of Paducah, Ky.; and one step-son, Danny Wilson of Charlotte. She is also survived by two step-grandchildren, three great-granddaughters, two great-grandsons, and a number of nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Earl R. Miller; her second husband, John Finley Bingham; one sister, Blanche "Bucky" Rogers; two brothers, Turner Rogers and his wife, Madge, and Vilas Rogers and his wife, Vivian; one step-daughter, Judi Bishop; and one niece, Glenda Williamson.

Services were conducted Sunday afternoon, Nov. 15, 2009, at 2:00 o'clock, at First Baptist Church of Boone. Officiating was the Rev. Roy Dobyns. Burial followed in the Mast Cemetery in Sugar Grove. The family received friends Sunday afternoon, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock, at the church, prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 375 West King Street, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Online condolences may be sent to the Wilson family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.