Robert Branson

Robert Wayne Branson, 72, of Lenoir passed away Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at Caldwell Memorial Hospital after an extended illness.

Mr. Branson was born in Abingdon, Va. to the late Jake Branson and Pearl Shelly Branson Teets. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Jimmy Branson and Carl Teets. He was a retired master woodcarver for Bernhardt Furniture for 28 years.

Survivors include his wife, Annie Miller Philyaw of the home; his sons, Bobby Joe Branson and Michael Wayne Branson, both of Granite Falls; step-son, Jeff Philyaw and his wife Tina of Lenoir; his daughters, Julie Darlene Blakely of Mt. Holly, Rita Branson of Granite Falls, Angela Seekamp and husband Mark of Rock Vale, Tenn., Diane Honeycutt and husband Todd of Elk Park, Melody Branson of Banner Elk; step-daughter, Cindy Hamby and husband Kevin of Lenoir; his step-mother, Mary Branson; brothers, Joe Branson of Newport News, Va. and Johnny Branson of Abingdon, Va.; sisters, Heidi Oliver of Covina, Calif. and Wynonie Harnish of Phoenix, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 2010 at Pendry’s Chapel with the Rev. Gene Stines and the Rev. Don Stines officiating. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at Pendry’s Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.

Pendry’s Funeral Home is assisting the Branson family with arrangements.

Guy Beane

Mr. Guy Carroll Beane, 72, of Granite Falls, died Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

Born March 12, 1937 in Burke County, Mr. Beane was a son of the late Guy Pinkney and Mary Elizabeth Smith Beane and the husband of the late Verna Cannon Beane. Other than his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Floyd Eugene Beane, Darrell Robert Beane and Michael Ray Beane.

Mr. Beane was a member of Baton United Methodist Church and a retired road maintenance supervisor with the NC Department of Transportation. He enjoyed collecting, restoring, trading and selling antique tractors and was a member of the Foothills Antique Power Association.

He is survived by his son, Michael “Mike” Beane of Granite Falls, one brother, Randall Beane and wife Billie of Boone and one sister, Linda Church and husband Ralph of Hudson.

The funeral will be held 2 p.m. Monday, February 8, 2010 at Baton United Methodist Church with the Rev. Leo Fair officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m., one hour prior to the service at the church and at the home of Nathan Beane, 1340 Hamby Street, Granite Falls, south of Cajah’s Mtn. off Connelly Springs Road, from 2 until 4 PM Sunday, February 7.

Memorials may be made to Baton United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, 1034 Dry Ponds Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630 or to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be sent to the Beane Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com.

Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Beane Family.

Opal Beach

Opal Jean Frye Beach of Lenoir, N.C. died surrounded by her family Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Arbor Acres in Winston-Salem, N.C.

She was born October 18, 1925 in Hickory, N.C. to the late Perry Oscar Frye and Bess Deal Frye. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Davis Beach; brothers, Max Frye and Harold Frye, and a nephew, Alan Morrison.

Mrs. Beach was a graduate of Oak Hill High School. After attending business school during the early 1940s, she was employed as Secretary to the U.S. Postal Inspector in Lenoir and later as an assistant in the Broyhill Furniture Offices.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lenoir, where she was also a member of the choir. She was a sustaining member of the Lenoir Service League. Mrs. Beach enjoyed golf, needlepoint, knitting, bridge, sewing and especially traveling, particularly with her family.

She is survived by her three daughters, Tamra Beach Starnes and husband Thomas M. Starnes of Morganton, N.C., Lana Beach Donovan and husband Robert V. Donovan of Linville, N.C., Jill Beach McNeely and husband Wayne E. McNeely of Winston-Salem, N.C.; grandsons William Vanderbloemen and wife Adrienne of Houston, Texas; Brian Vanderbloemen of Washington, D.C.; Thomas Vanderbloemen and wife Sara of Greenville, S.C.; Grayson Smith of Charlotte, N.C.; granddaughters Laney Smith of Charlotte, N.C.; Rebecca McNeely of Winston-Salem, N.C. and Elizabeth McNeely Steinour and husband Nicholas of Durham, N.C.; great-grandchildren Matthew, Mary, Sarah Catherine, Emma Grace and Macy Vanderbloemen of Houston, Texas and Sutton and Sam Vanderbloemen of Greenville, S.C. Mrs. Beach is also survived by her sisters, Ebba Jo Frye Morrison of Shallotte, N.C.; Barbara Frye Hicks and Janet Frye Conway of Lenoir and her brother Don Frye and wife Brenda of Taylorsville, N.C. A number of nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive Mrs. Beach.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, February 6 at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church of Lenoir, with Dr. David Smith and the Rev. William Vanderbloemen officiating.

The family will greet friends at the church after the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to: The First Baptist Church of Lenoir Music Ministry Fund, 304 Main St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645; Arbor Acres, 1240 Arbor Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27104 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Dr., Charlotte, NC 28215.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Leonard Barnett

Mr. Leonard Barnett, 79, formerly of Lenoir, died Friday, February 5, 2010 at Levine and Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir.

Sarah Morrow

Mrs. Sarah Tester Morrow, 72, of Lenoir, died Thursday, February 4, 2010 in Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir.

Dorothy Craig

Mrs. Dorothy Kiziah Craig, 69, of Lenoir, died Friday, February 5, 2010 in Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be announced by Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir.

Hazel Holden

Hazel Frances Holden, 86, of Harper Avenue, Lenoir died Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Gateway Nursing Center.

She was born September 22, 1923 in Caldwell County to the late Walter T. and Ollie McCrary Holden. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Roy E. Holden.

Miss Holden operated Hazel’s Grocery Store from her home on Spruce Street for more than 20 years prior to joining Caldwell Memorial Hospital in housekeeping. She was also a member of College Avenue Baptist Church.

Survivors include one sister-in-law, Audrey B. Holden of Lenoir; one nephew, Jerry E. Holden of Lenoir; and three nieces, Betsy R. Hayes, Beverly H. Clark and Crystal H. Greene, all of Lenoir. Special family and friends include Brenda Cline, Mary Helen (“Mert”) Cline, and John McRary.

Funeral services will be held Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Ernest Bowes. Interment will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jason Holden, Ned Hayes, Pete Clark, Jerry Greene, and Kevin Lewis.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, NC 28645; South Lenoir Church of God, 1786 Hickory Blvd., Lenoir, NC 28645; or College Avenue Baptist Church, 1201 College Ave. SW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Clinton Coffey

Clinton Coffey, 87, of Lenoir passed away Thursday, February 4, 2010 at Gateway Nursing Home.

Mr. Coffey was born in Avery County to the late Thomas Newton Coffey and Ella Mae Loudermilk Coffey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Callie Smith Coffey and a daughter, Sherry Coffey.

Survivors include his son, Jerry Smith and wife Elaine of Sugar Grove; daughters, Nancy Greer and husband Gary of Lenoir and Shelia Auton and husband Eddie of Rock Hill, SC; two grandchildren, Kelly Blinson of Charlotte and Reanna Smith of Raleigh.

A private graveside service will be held Sunday, February 7, 2010 with Gary Greer officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Pendry’s Funeral home is assisting the Coffey family with arrangements.

Online condolences may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.