ABSHER, Jessie

Mrs. Jessie Ellis Absher, age 58, of 1298 Air Bellows Gap Road, Sparta, died Saturday, June 2, in the Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta. She was the widow of Charles David Absher. She is survived by one daughter: Debbie Salmon of Sparta; one son: Ricky Absher of Sparta; three grandchildren: Jessica Price, Anna Mae Absher and Curtis Mullis; one great-grandchild: Johnny Ray Price; four brothers: Vance Ellis, Larry Ellis and Marvin Ellis all of McGrady and Howard Ellis of Hays; three sisters: Mary Tedder of Crickett, Jean Wood of Traphill and Joyce Fortner of Moravian Falls; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Monday, June 4, at 11 am at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in the Taylor Cemetery in Wilkes County. The family will receive friends Sunday evening, June 3, from 7-9 pm at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Contributions may be made to the family to help with burial expenses

ABSHER, Mazie

Mrs. Mazie Halsey Absher, age 57, of 582 Wolfe Road, Sparta, NC, died Saturday, January 20, 2001, in the Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital in Elkin, NC. She is survived by one son and daughter-in-law: Michael and Nita Absher of Lansing, NC; two daughters and sons-in-law: Debbie and Ronnie Simmons of Mt. Airy, NC and Kathy and Randy Sexton of Sparta, NC; three grandchildren; one step-grandson; three brothers: Glenn Halsey of Street, Maryland, Bobby Joe Halsey of High Point, NC and Billy Rector of Sparta, NC; one sister: Lois Crouse of Sparta, NC; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be conducted Tuesday, January 23, 2001, at 2:00 P.M. at the West Side Independent Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Smith and Rev. Russell Sheets officiating. Burial will follow in the New Salem Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services to lie in state. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7-9 PM at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta and at other times at the home at 582 Wolfe Road, Sparta, NC. Flowers will be appreciated or Memorial Contributions may be made to the West Side Independent Baptist Church, C/O Karin Nichols, P.O. Box 395, Sparta, NC 28675

ABSHER, Shye

Little Shye Nicole Absher, infant daughter of Jessica Absher of 411 Ballpark Road, Sparta, NC, died Monday, March 12, 2001, in the Forsyth Memorial Hospital in Sparta. She is survived by her mother of the home; two brothers: Joshua Dowell and Ethan Dowell both of the home; her maternal grandmother: Barbara Church of Sparta, NC and her maternal great-grandmother: Ona Lee Andrews of Missouri. Graveside Services will be conducted Thursday, March 15, 2001, at 12 PM at the Antioch Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Grandview Memorial is in charge of the arrangements.

ADKINS, Franklin

Franklin Delano Adkins, Sr., 64, of Galax, died May 18, 2001, in Wake Forest University Baptist Mecical Center, Winston-Salem, NC. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie Adkins; sons and daughter- in-law, Franklin Delano Adkins, Jr. and Amy of Galax and Jonah Lee Adkins of the home; daughter and son-in-law, Gerri Lea and Larry McFarland of Galax; sister, Virginia June Stevenson of Richlands; five grandchildren. Funeral was May 22 in Vaughan-Guynn Chapel with the Rev. Rick Cassell, Dale Felts and the Rev. Sam Blevins officiating.

ALEXANDER, Lester

Lester Alvis Alexander, 83, of Austinville, died Nov. 22, 2001, in Twin County Regional Hospital, Galax. He is survived by daughters and sons-in-law, Rita Geraldene Wilbanks of Greenville, SC, Joyce and Carroll Stone of Draper, Norma and Martin Alderman of Galax; sisters, Myrtle Hawkins of Arlington, TX, Alma Nixon of Radford; brother, Hubert Alexander of Lexington, NC; four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. Funeral was Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. in Vaughan-Guynn- McGrady Chapel. Entombment was in ighland Memory Gardens. Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association. ALLEN, Irene

COPPER HILL-Irene Fralin Allen, 88, passed away at her home Monday night December 3, 2001. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank L. Allen and a grandson, Kenneth L. Allen.

Surviving are a son and wife, Bobby L. and Roma Lee Allen of Floyd: a daughter, Betty A. Smith of Roanoke: two grandchildren, Randal Smith of Roanoke, and Donna Downs of Richmond: seven great-grandchildren; sister, Alma Fralin of Copper Hill.

Funeral services were held Thursday, December 6, at 11 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home, Floyd, with Reverend Elbert L. Naff and Reverend Dan Walker officiating. Interment was in the Radford Cemetery. ALLEY, Swanson

Swanson Eugene Alley, 66, of Austinville, the Flatwoods Community, died Saturday, May 26, 2001, in the Wythe County Community Hospital. He was born in Wythe County to Lee Vernon and Clara Dean Alley. Survivors include his wife, Hazel Bishop Alley of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Cindy Alley; a granddaughter; a sister, Hazel Stuart of Austinville; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Ann Alley of Carthage, Tenn., the Rev. Jerry and Linda Alley of Marion and the Revs. Bobby and Joyce Alley of Fort Chiswell; special friends, Buster and Odean Scott; 30 nieces and nephews; and 31 great-nieces and nephews. A funeral was held Tuesday at Reese Funeral Home with burial in the Sanders Cemetery. The Revs. Steve Board and Dale Akers officiated.

ALLISON, Blanche

Blanche I. Allison, 82, of Hillsville, died Monday, Dec. 17, 2001, at Waddell Nursing Home, Galax. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Peggy and Glen Watson of Hillsville; three sons and daughters-in-law, Kenneth and Willa Dean Allison of Carrollton, Robert and Ruby Allison of Hillsville, and Wendell and Louise Allison of Dubin; two sisters, Ethel Farris of Hamilton and Ollie Montgomery of Pulaski; 13 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.A funeral was held Wednesday at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home with burial in the Allison Cemetery. The Revs. Mike Blouse and George Freeman officiated

ANDERSON, Dorothy

Mrs. Dorothy Boone Anderson, age 81, of 8632 US Highway 21 S, Glade Valley, NC, died Monday Morning, July 30th, 2001 in the Yadkin Nursing Center in Yadkinville, NC. She was the widow of Kelly Anderson. She is survived by one daughter: Mrs. Celia McCormick of Pilot Mtn., NC; four sons and two daughters-in-law: James Kenneth and Brenda Anderson of Hayden, Ala., Mack Anderson of Birmingham, Ala., John C. Anderson of Jonesville, NC and Joseph D. and Penny Anderson of Elkin, NC; and two sisters: Ida Bryant of Independence, Va. and Nancy Chamberlin of Naples, Fla. Nine grandchildren also survive. She was preceded in death by a daughter: Mazie Clarise Anderson. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home Chapel with a private committal service on Thursday at the Zion Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. Elder Don Richardson will officiate. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7-8 PM at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta. The family has requested no flowers.

ANDREWS, Bertrice

Mrs. Bertrice Mae Bennett Andrews, age 88, a resident of Sunbridge of Alleghany, died Thursday morning, March 8, 2001, at Sunbridge. She is survived by one son: Martin Junior Andrews, Sr. of Traphill, NC; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren;12 great-great-grandchildren; and one brother: Elgin Bennett of Glade Valley, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband: Buren Jasper Andrews and two sons: Franklin Andrews and J.B. Andrews, Sr. Funeral Services will be conducted Saturday, March 10, 2001, at 2:00 P.M. at the New Haven Church of the Brethren with burial to follow in the Church Cemetery. The body will be placed in the Church 30 minutes prior to the Services to lie in state. Rev. Fred E. Jennings and Rev. Bobby Dameron will officiate. The family will receive friends Friday evening, March 9, 2001, from 7-9 PM at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta and at other times at the home of the son, Martin Junior Andrews, Sr., Hanks Street, Traphill, NC.

ANDREWS, Frances

Ms. Frances Todd Andrews, age 59, of 207 Duncan Street, Sparta, NC, died Friday morning, March 16, 2001, at her home. She is survived by two daughters and a son-in-law: Vickie and Mike Parlier of Sparta, NC, and Denise Andrews Phillips of Sparta, NC; two grandchildren: Michael Todd Parlier and Justin Taylor Parlier both of Sparta, NC; two sisters: Juanita Bauguess of Elkin, NC and Christine Dancy of Nashville, NC; and her Fianc‚‚: George Miles of Glade Valley, NC. Funeral Services will be conducted Sunday, March 18, 2001, at 2:00 PM at the Sparta First Baptist Church with burial to follow in the Crab Creek Cemetery. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the services to lie in state. Dr. Jim Pollard will officiate. The family will receive friends Saturday evening, March 17, 2001, from 7-9 PM at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta. Flowers will be appreciated or Memorial Contributions may be made to the Crab Creek Cemetery Fund, C/O Rudolph Edwards, 196 Miracle Valley Lane, Ennice, NC 28623. The family will be at Ms. Andrews Home at 207 Duncan Street, Sparta.

ANDREWS, Odell

Mr. Odell Kelly Andrews, age 76, of 301 Combs St., Sparta, N.C., died Tuesday morning, June 12, at the Alleghany Memorial Hospital in Sparta. He is survived by his wife: Marie Perkins Andrews of the home; one son and daughter-in-law: Rev. Larry and Sue Andrews of Hamptonville, N.C.; one grandson: Marvin Andrews of Hamptonville; one brother: Eugene Andrews of Galax, Va.; and one sister: Emma Lou Gobeli of Baltimore, Maryland. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Grandview Memorial Chapel with burial in the Crab Creek Cemetery. The Rev. Fred Jennings will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta.

ANDREWS, Raymon

SPARTA - Mr. Raymon Ford Andrews, 85, of 271 Deerhaven Road died Thursday morning, May 31, 2001, at his home. He is survived by a son, Robert Andrews of Sparta; five daughters, Betty Greene of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Barbara Church, Margaret Bowles, Patsy Jarrett and Shirley Childress, all of Sparta; two sisters, Clyde Greene of Sparta and Helen White of Dobson; 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Emma Lee Wagoner Andrews. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday, June 2, 2001, at 2 p.m. at the Grandview Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow in the Crab Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Fred E. Jennings and Elder Don Richardson officiating. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 Friday evening, June 1, 2001, at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta. The family will be at the home of Robert and Pam Andrews, 718 Highway 18S, Sparta. Flowers will be appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the Alleghany Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1596, Sparta, NC 28675.

ARMENTROUT, Marjorie

Mrs. Marjorie Choate Armentrout died August 31, 2001, at the Hugh Chatham Nursing Center. Mrs. Armentrout was born September 7, 1913, in Alleghany County to the late Tom and Lula Cheek Choate. She attended Mars Hill College, Stetson University, and Appalachian State University. She was a music teacher in Alleghany County until her retirement, and also taught private piano and organ lessons in her home. Mrs. Armentrout had devoted over 50 years to playing both the organ and piano at the First Baptist Church in Sparta where she was a member. She was a member of the Sparta Woman Club, the National Society DAR, the National Society Colonial Dames, the National Huguenot Society, Delta Kappa Gamma, the North Carolina Retired School Personnel Association, and the Alleghany Unit of Retired School Personnel. Surviving are two sons and daughters-in-law, Tom and Norma Richardson and Max and Judy Armentrout; two grandchildren, Debbie Richardson and Tommy Richardson; and one great-granddaughter, Tiffany Richardson. Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 3rd at 11:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Sparta. Interment will follow at the Sparta Cemetery. The body will be placed in the Church 30 minutes prior to the funeral services to lie-in-state. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday night at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home. The family may be contacted at the home of Tom and Norma Richardson, 121 Mapleview Drive, Sparta. Flowers will be appreciated or donations may be made to a charity of the donor choice.

ASHWORTH, Alma

Mrs. Alma Simmons Ashworth, age 79, of 157 North Cricket Drive, North Wilkesboro, N.C., died Saturday afternoon, January 13, at her home. She is survived by her husband: Dwight Ashworth of the home; two sons and daughters-in-law: Raymond and Barbara Burkentine of Sugar Grove,Virginia, W.L. and Elizabeth Simmons of Wytheville, VA; two daughters and a son-in-law, Della Richardson of North Wilkesboro, Georgia and Kenneth Billings of Glade Valley, NC; two sisters: Myrtle Smith and Anna Lee Copeland, both of North Wilkesboro; 14 grandchildren eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at the Grandview Memorial Chapel with burial in the Saddle Mountain Cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta. Flowers will be appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes County or Respite Care of Wilkes County.

ATWOOD, Elgin

Mr. Elgin Atwood, age 70, of 380 Duncan Ridge Road, Sparta, died Tuesday evening, February 20, 2001, at his home. He is survived by his wife: Lillie Cox Atwood of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law: Betty and Bobby Maines of Sparta, and Dianne and Rick Proffit of Laurel Springs; four grandchildren: Mitch Atwood of Greensboro, Hunter Maines of Sparta, Brian Proffit of Tennessee and Brooke Proffit of Chapel Hill, NC; one brother: Kenneth Atwood of Hillsville, Va.; one sister: Myrtle Michael of Maryland; and mother-in-law: Kate Cox of Sparta. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday afternoon, February 22, 2001, at 2:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Home Union Baptist Church with burial in the Church Cemetery. The body will be placed in the Church 30 minutes prior to the funeral services to lie-in-state. Elder Dale Greene and Elder Dan Edwards will officiate. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening, February 21, 2001, at the Grandview Memorial Funeral Home in Sparta. Flowers are appreciated or memorial may be made to Hospice of Alleghany P.O. Box 1287, Sparta, NC 28675 or to the Pleasant Home Union Baptist Church, C/O Rex Todd, 1538 Pleasant Home Road, Sparta, NC 28675.

AUSTIN, Bobby

Bobby Joe Austin, 28, of Mouth of Wilson, died Sunday, Dec. 23, 2001, at his home.He was born Jan. 30, 1973, of Sparta, N.C., to Bobby Greek Austin and Kayrus Yvonne Cox.Survivors include his father, Bob Austin and wife, Patsy of Mouth of Wilson; his mother, Kayrus C. Henderson of Ivanhoe; a half brother, Tony Conklin of Fries; a half sister, Ann Miller of Independence; a stepsister, Vicky Flannagan of Warrensville, N.C.; his paternal grandfather, Don Austin of Mouth of Wilson; and several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. A funeral was held Thursday at Reins- Sturdivant Funeral Home, Independence, with burial in the Piney Creek Cemetery, Piney Creek, N.C. The Revs. Rex Hall and Douglas Halsey officiated.