All Obituaries

Virginia “Jenny” Bare Blevins, age 75 of Jefferson, North Carolina, died Friday, June 5, 2020 at her home.  Mrs. Blevins was born in Ashe County, North Carolina on Saturday, August 5, 1944 to the late Cecil Oscar and Cleo Wyatt Bare.  In addition to her parents Jenny was also preceded in death by an infant sister and a son, Paul Blevins.  Mrs. Blevins was a member of Riverview Missionary Baptist Church.  She liked working on her computer and in her beauty shop...

Rev. Wayne Ray Roark, age 90 of Creston, died on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Rev. Roark was born on December 5, 1929 in Ashe County to Rommie and Hettie Price Roark. He was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother, Ruth Roark; his wife, Della Ray Roark; three infant sisters; one brother; two sons, Junior Price and Joe Price; and a daughter, Julie Price. Rev. Roark served the Lord as a minister and served as pastor of Middle Fork Baptist Church for over 50...

Elsie Miller Bowen, age 83 of West Jefferson, died Saturday, May 30, 2020 at Margate Health & Rehab Center.  Elsie was born August 22, 1936 in Ashe County to the late Carl and Bessie Faircloth Miller.  In addition to her parents she was also preceded in death by her sisters, Louise Osborne, Dorothy Parsons and Thelma Maye.  She was a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church and attended as long as her health allowed. Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Wednesday, June 3, 2020...

Walter Uriah Miller age 54 went to be with his Lord on Saturday, May 30, 2020 following a brave fight with cancer. Son, father, brother and faithful friend, he had a passion of music as a music maker and accomplished guitarist. In best of times, jamming with many local groups such as, “Cruizers” and “Footloose” as well as traveling the East Coast with Roanoke based band, “January Rose”. You will be forever loved, sadly missed, fondly remembered to all you...

James Thomas Jones, better known as Jimmy, age 78 of Lenior, North Carolina, died Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at Caldwell Hospice Home. Mr. Jones was born in Ashe County, North Carolina on Thursday, December 25, 1941 to the late Tom and Earsel “Ted” Pennington Jones.  In addition to his parents Jimmy is also preceded in death by his first wife, Louise and two brothers, Rodger and Bill Jones.  Jimmy enjoyed reading the newspaper and watching NASCAR Races in his spare...

Mary Maglene Billings Smith, age 76 of Burlington, North Carolina, formerly of Ashe County, died Sunday, May 24, 2020 at her home. Mrs. Smith was born in Grayson County, Virginia on Sunday, October 17, 1943 to the late Conley Ciciro and Myrtle Rose Billings.  In addition to her parents Mary was also preceded in death by all of her brothers and sisters. Mrs. Smith is survived by her husband, Paul Phillip Smith, two daughters, Patricia “Pat” Smith Jewell and Paula Annette...

Jerry Lynn Roark, age 70 of Creston, North Carolina, died Saturday, May 23, 2020 at his home. Mr. Roark was born in Johnson County, Tennessee on Tuesday, November 1, 1949 to the late Raymond Jonathan and Wilma Vergie Roark.  Jerry is also preceded in death by a grandson, David Lewis and a nephew, Kevin Mahala.  Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing and working in his garden.  He also liked to visit with friends and neighbors. Mr. Roark is survived by two daughters, Penny Roark...

Nancy Jo Love (born as Nancy Jo Jones), daughter of Nan and Jimmy Jones, passed away on May 22, 2020 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. A private ceremony will be held at Ashelawn Memorial Chapel and Gardens in Jefferson, NC.  Nancy Jo was born June 23, 1944 in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. She spent some time growing up in Kentucky and moved to Florida when she was a teenager. Nancy Jo was Miss Terry Parker High School in Jacksonville, Florida.  She attended Florida State...

Hazel Deane Graybeal Pennell, age 92, passed of natural causes and entered into her eternal home on Sunday, May 17, 2020.  Mrs. Pennell was a native of Ashe County, the third of four children born to Fred Carlton and Lois Brown Graybeal of Fig on March 27, 1928.  She was educated at Riverview High School and Draughn’s Business College in Knoxville, Tennessee, and worked in various business/bookkeeping positions, including Belk Department Store in West Jefferson in the late...

Allan Reinhold Gitter died peacefully on May 17, 2020 at home in Jefferson, NC. He was born August 26, 1936 in Yonkers, New York to German and Scottish immigrants, George and Katherine Gitter. From early on it was evident Allan possessed the spirit to excel. As a Boy Scout, he earned 62 merit badges and the John Brown award. He earned the coveted Eagle Scout award, and was Lodge Chief of the Order of the Arrow in 1954. While at RJ Reynolds High school he received multiple speech and...