Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home

Mary Hester Murphy Munn, age 88, of Linville, North Carolina passed away on Wednesday, July 12, 2023 lovingly surrounded by her family, close friends, nurses and CNAs at Life Care Center in Banner Elk, NC, and the amazing team of AMOREM Hospice. Mary was born on June 6, 1935, in Natrona County, Wyoming, a daughter of the late Patrick Joseph Murphy and the late Hester Sullivan Murphy. Mary graduated from Natrona High School in Casper, Wyoming, and went on to receive her nursing degree from Loretto Heights School of Nursing at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. Soon after, she married the love of her life, John Munn, and became a devoted wife and mother. They moved eventually to...

Jack Efird Lowder, 81 years old, passed away peacefully at the home he built in Elk Park on Friday, June 23, 2023. He was surrounded by his family who loved and supported him. He was born on September 4, 1941, in Caretta, West Virginia. He was the firstborn of a set of twins to the late Cull and Martha (Taylor) Lowder. Jack grew up in Albemarle, NC along with his twin sister Joyce Ann and younger brother Hal Lowder. As a young man, he enjoyed being with friends and driving anything with wheels. Jack was always known for working hard. Among his many professions were military police for the U.S. Army, truck driver, house parent for Grandfather Home for Children and Crossnore Communities for...

Robert L. Hesse, a long time resident of Sarasota, died on May 16, 2023 at home. He was 93 years of age. Bob was born in Chicago and grew up in Park Ridge. He graduated from Kenyon College in 1952 and married his high school sweetheart Pat Rose. The couple moved to Philadelphia and Bob graduated from University of Pennsylvania Law School in 1955. Returning to Chicago, Bob joined a long established law firm and practiced Admiralty law for shipping on the Great Lakes. Bob and Pat had three children and Bob was elected to several public offices. In 1970 Bob moved his family to Florida and served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce and attorney for the Governor. Settling in Sarasota he...

Benny Stevens, age 62, of Roan Mountain, Tennessee passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at Sycamore Shoals Hospital in Elizabethton, TN. He was born on May 24, 1960 in Carter County, Tennessee, a son of the late Carl Lester Stevens and the late Lucille Odom Stevens. Benny retired from US Textiles in Newland after many years. He loved his kids and grandkids and being around home, spending time outside. He was preceded in death by his Father, Carl Lester Stevens; Mother, Lucille Stevens; Daughter, Tiffany Stevens; Brother, Donnie Stevens; . Benny leaves behind to cherish his memory Wife of 42 years, Gail Spangler Stevens; Daughter, Jessica (Logan) Buck of Roan Mountain, TN;...

Arthur Newton, age 80, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2023 at the Cranberry House. Arthur was born on August 2, 1942 in Gastonia, North Carolina, a son of the late Arthur Newton and the late Roxie Roper Newton. He was a member of the band Spontaines in the 60's where he played base. Arthur loved music and looked up to his idol, Elvis Presley. He was also a twin. He was preceded in death by his Mother, Roxie Marie Newton; Father, Arthur T Newton; and Wife Molly Biddix Newton. Arthur leaves behind to cherish his memory; Twin Sister, Roxie McNabb, NC; Four Sons, Eric Newton, David Newton, Paul Newton, and Brian Newton; Two Step-daughters, Carla Jackson, and Angie...

John M. (Jack) Melk, age 81, of Newland, North Carolina passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at the Life Care Center of Banner Elk surrounded by his family. Jack was born on April 3, 1941 in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of the late Melvin Melk and the late Mildred Schenkel Howard. He attended Xavier University and University of Cincinnati. After college he joined the United States Army Reserves. Jack worked as a Packaging Engineer for Proctor and Gamble for 36 years. He retired in 1996 to Savannah, Georgia where he and his wife Catherine lived for 8 years. They found their mountain home in 1999. He was a member of the Mountainside Lutheran Church in Linville. Jack enjoyed music,...

Our beloved dad, papa, brother, husband and friend, Billy "Waldo" Watson passed peacefully from this world to the next in the early morning hours of Saturday, December 3rd, 2022. After a 6 year battle with cancer that was fought until his last breath, Waldo is no longer restrained to his earthly body. Billy was a Vietnam veteran, and carried the scars with him all his adult life. A Grateful Dead fan from the start, he could tell the best stories about the days after the war, and the great times had with friends. He was an accomplished contractor, owner of Bill Watson Construction, and built many houses in the High Country. In his healthier days, he was an avid hiker, fisherman, and even...

Heaven's gates opened and Jennie Belle Mathes was greeted with open arms by Jesus and her Mama and Papa welcomed her home on Sunday, May 29, 2022. Jennie Belle, age 93, was born on July 21, 1928 in Avery County, a daughter of the late Dover Bailey and the late Jennie Jackson Bailey. Jennie Belle was a member of the Beech Bottom Mennonite Church where she was a secretary treasurer for the church. She was family oriented, the mother of the church, and never met a stranger. Jennie Belle loved to cut up and joke with everyone. She enjoyed baking, gardening, and spending time with her family. She was preceded in death by her Father, Dover Bailey; Mother, Jennie Bailey; Daughter, Katherine...

William "Kelly" Johnson, age 81, of Montezuma, North Carolina passed away on Monday, April 18, 2022 at his residence surrounded by love and his family. Kelly was born on September 4, 1940 in Wilkes County, North Carolina, a son of the late Paul Jones Johnson and the late Juanita Wiles Johnson. Kelly leaves behind a multitude of people who love and cherish him including his beloved wife of 57 years, Sue Miles Johnson, his son Dr. Jamie Johnson (daughter-in-law Susan) of Montezuma, NC, his daughter Dr. Paula Johnson Swindle (son-in-law Dustin) of Hickory, NC, grandchildren Matthew Kelly Johnson and Abby Marie Johnson, brother Robert "Bob" Johnson (sister-in-law Sherry) of Winston-Salem,...

Rose Mary Arnett McCracken, age 60, of Bristol, Virginia passed away on Saturday, June 5, 2021. She was born on April 4, 1961 in Avery County, North Carolina, a daughter of the late Claude Cleveland Arnett and the late Dorothy Owens Arnett. She was a member of Ruth Street Church of God. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, James, Claude, Stevie, and Mike Arnett; sisters, Ruby Holtsclaw, Bonnie Arnett, Patricia Hefner and Tracy Huffman. Rose leaves behind to cherish her memory, husband, William Dee McCracken of Bristol, VA; Three Daughters, Jennifer Little Hatcher, and husband Billy of Bristol, VA, April Little of Bristol, VA, Shelly Leatherman of Nashville,...

Colonel Edwin Carraway "E.C." Newman II, an Air Force fighter pilot and test pilot, "slipped the surly bonds of earth" for the final time on April 7, 2021, at the age of 80 after a valiant fight with an aggressive form of multiple myeloma, attributed to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. E.C. was born in 1940 and raised in rural Sampson County, NC. In 1958, he graduated from Clinton High School, waved good-bye to the tobacco fields, and left the family farm for the U.S. Air Force Academy. In 1959, he played center in the first ever Air Force-Army football game, a 13-13 tie in Yankee Stadium. He graduated from the USAF Academy in 1962, the USAF Fighter Weapons School in 1969, the USAF Test...

Colonel Edwin Carraway "E.C." Newman II, an Air Force fighter pilot and test pilot, "slipped the surly bonds of earth" for the final time on April 7, 2021, at the age of 80 after a valiant fight with an aggressive form of multiple myeloma, attributed to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. E.C. was born in 1940 and raised in rural Sampson County, NC. In 1958, he graduated from Clinton High School, waved good-bye to the tobacco fields, and left the family farm for the U.S. Air Force Academy. In 1959, he played center in the first ever Air Force-Army football game, a 13-13 tie in Yankee Stadium. He graduated from the USAF Academy in 1962, the USAF Fighter Weapons School in 1969, the USAF Test...

Donald R. Baker of Banner Elk, NC, passed March 22, 2021. He was born September 28, 1936 to the late Max and Grace Baker of Marion, VA. He was educated at Lees-McRae College, UNC-Chapel Hill, and East Tennessee State University. He worked in the art department at Delmar Printing Company in Charlotte after college before returning to Lees-McRae in 1960 as Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs. He also served as Sports Information Director and was in charge of media services. In 1989, he was names Vice President of Informational Services and Athletic Director. He served as Tennis Coach from 1961-1990 with a record of 508-150. He directed the Bobcat Tennis Camp from 1975-1990. Honors...

David Blalock Harrison, age 78, of Linville, North Carolina passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021 at the Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville, NC. He was born on April 8, 1942 in Pinellas County, Florida, a son of the late Dr. Charles Elbert Harrison and the late Mary Blalock Harrison. He received degrees at the University of Florida and Florida State University. Mr. Harrison spent much of his career in the field of architecture, designing and refurbishing many homes and businesses in the St. Petersburg FL area. He also taught design at Converse College, Western Carolina University, the University of Washington, the University of Kentucky, and most recently at Appalachian State...

David Blalock Harrison, age 78, of Linville, North Carolina passed away on Monday, March 1, 2021 at the Cannon Memorial Hospital in Linville, NC. He was born on April 8, 1942 in Pinellas County, Florida, a son of the late Dr. Charles Elbert Harrison and the late Mary Blalock Harrison. He received degrees at the University of Florida and Florida State University. Mr. Harrison spent much of his career in the field of architecture, designing and refurbishing many homes and businesses in the St. Petersburg FL area. He also taught design at Converse College, Western Carolina University, the University of Washington, the University of Kentucky, and most recently at Appalachian State...

Charles Ayden Butler, Jr., age 83, of Morganton, NC, passed away on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Jonas Ridge Rest Home in Newland, NC. He was born on February 5, 1937 in Burke County to the late Charles Ayden Butler, Sr. and Lilian Warner Butler. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Barbara Reckling Butler, of Columbia, SC, who passed away on July 26, 2017. They were married on August 30, 1997 and lived in Cayce, SC. Charlie was a graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne University. His career was made in the furniture business, where he worked for Vaughan Bassett, Fairfield Chair, and Lee Industries. Those left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Caroline...

On Tuesday, January 26th 2021, Dr. William Robinson Bagby of Montezuma North Carolina passed from our mortal realm of natural causes. Bill "Doc" Bagby was born July 22, 1925 to James Willis Bagby and Lucile Shuford Bagby in Johnson City, TN. He and his twin brother Robert Bagby were the youngest of six children. Bill grew up in Johnson City in eastern TN, and Avery County in western NC; mountain country that he loved fiercely his entire lifetime. Grandfather Mountain, NC, was his symbolic home. He lived his last 25 years in Montezuma, NC, in perfect view of that iconic peak of Blue Ridge Mountains. Bill joined the Army Air Corps with his twin brother Bob after HS graduation in 1943. They...

Fred Coleman Abernethy, age 86, of Banner Elk, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at his home. He was born on March 4, 1934 in Catawba County, North Carolina, a son of the late Fred Coleman Abernethy, Sr. and the late Alta Rix Setzer Abernethy. Fred was a NC State University graduate and began his career as an Registered Architect in 1965 He belonged to and was active in many organizations; Boy Scouts of America- Eagle Scout- Asst. Scout Master, American Institute of Architects, Catawba County Chamber of Commerce - Past President, Cooperative Christian Ministry - st President, Corinth United Church of Christ - Past President of Consistory, First Savings and Loan...

Patricia A Couch, age 70, of Crossnore, North Carolina passed away on Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at her residence in Crossnore, NC. She was born on June 28, 1950 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, a daughter of the late John Teague and the late Elsie Fink Huneycutt. She attended Central Piedmont Community College where she received her Dental Assistant Degree. She retired from Phillip Morris Industries. Patty loved her Shih Tzu's and football. Spending time with her family was the most treasured moments she had. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her Brother, John Teague. Patricia leaves behind to cherish her memory her: Husband, Johnny Couch of Crossnore,...

Obituary for Robert Emil Barinowski Jr. USAF-VET. Vietnam Robert Emil Barinowski Jr. of Banner Elk, NC left this life on "the best day of his life" October 27th, 2020 He was born in Augusta Georgia November 16th, 1930. He was a graduate of the Academy of Richmond County, attended Bob Jones University, and a graduate of Augusta Junior College as well as the University of Georgia. He was employed for a short time with his father's milling company of Augusta, GA. Bob went into the U.S. Air Force where he served for 20 years. He headed the Air Force Combat Control Team in Vietnam during 1968-69. He retired from the Air Staff at the Pentagon and went into business in Southern Maryland. He...

Jess Lee Ollis, age 75, of Charlotte, North Carolina passed away Thursday, May 21, 2020. Born January 22, 1945 in Avery County, North Carolina, Jess was the first son of the late Boyd Otis Ollis and the late Rosa Lee Carpenter Ollis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Joe Ollis, son-in-law Ron Brunnemer, and brother-in-law Ted Burleson. Jess leaves behind to cherish his memory, his wife of 35 years, Ira; Children, Genia Brunnemer and Zach (Bethany) Ollis; Siblings, Jack (Glenna) Ollis, Janice Ingram, Julia Burleson; Grandchildren, Jessica Brunnemer and Keith Brunnemer; Great-granddaughter Harper Lee Cawthorn; several Nieces, Nephews, Cousins, a grumpy...