All Obituaries

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...

Master Sergeant William Lester May, age 91 of Jefferson, died on Saturday, May 16, 2020 at his home. He was born on October 28, 1928 in Ashe County to Marvin and Grace Ragan May. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Clara Rupard May; sisters, Edna May, Nancy Pagan, and Mildred Green; brothers, Bradley May, Sam May, Walt May, and Bobby May. Master Sergeant May served our country for 21 years. Four of those years were spent in the Navy, the remainder in the Air Force. He loved...

  Jack Vernon Little, age 86 of West Jefferson, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2020 at Margate Health and Rehab. Mr. Little was born on May 4, 1934 in Tazewell County, Virginia to Lacy and Edna Sullivan Little. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of 48 years, Constance Joan Dixon Little; a sister, Virginia Granger; one brother, Edward Little and one grandchild, Erin Little. Jack graduated in 1952 from Lansing High School. He received a scholarship to Lees-McRae College...

Louise Shoemate Oaks, age 101 of Crumpler, died on Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at Margate Health and Rehab. Mrs. Oaks was born on June 5, 1918 in Ashe County to Robert Lee and Elvira Mullis Shoemate. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Harold Keyes and Cam Oaks; two sons, Harold Keyes and Bill Keyes; two brothers, Bower Shoemate and Bill Shoemate; and one sister, Grace Dillard. Mrs. Oaks is survived by two grandsons and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held on...

  Claude William Perkins, age 77 of Warrensville died Wednesday, May 13, 2020 at his home.  Mr. Perkins was born June 18, 1942 in Ashe County to the late William and Gertrude Jones Perkins.  In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his sister, Emily Greer.  He faithfully attended Appalachian Church.  He was a very special person and an irreplaceable husband.  Funeral services will be private.  Mr. Perkins is survived by, his wife,...

On May 12, 2020, Stella Veta Testerman (nee Owen); beloved wife of the late Lafayette "Guy" Testerman; devoted mother of Sue Smith and her husband Dick, Laveta O'Brien, Ronald Testerman and his wife Joyce, Roger Testerman and his wife Donna, and the late Darrell Testerman and his wife Brenda, and Richard Testerman; cherished grandmother of Deborah, Darrell Jr., David, Terri Lynn, Douglas, Valerie, Amy, Ryan, Dana, and the late Bryan and Dennis; dear sister of Violet Weaver....