Obituaries

Mrs. Joyce Riggins Neely

Joyce Riggins Neely, age 74, of Charlotte, and formerly of Blowing Rock, died Friday, May 13 at Carolinas Medical Center in Raleigh.
Mrs. Neely was born September 17, 1930 in Charlotte, a daughter of the late Erskin and Ruby Todd Riggins. A Charlotte native, Mrs. Neely was a graduate of Berryhill High School. She was a longtime member of Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church in Blowing Rock and most recently attended First Presbyterian Church of Charlotte.
She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Henry M. Neely, Sr., two son, Henry (Hank) M. Neely, Jr. of Greenville, S.C. and James Todd Neely and his wife Leigh Ann of Belmont; and one daughter, Susan Neely Acker and her husband, George, of Pickens, South Carolina. In addition, Mrs. Neely was the loving grandmother of Trent N. Acker, Katherine N. Acker and Davis L. Acker.
A service of tribute to Mrs. Neely's life was held on Monday, May 16 in the Hankins & Whittington Dilworth Chapel in Charlotte with the Reverend Susan Roddey officiating. Private interment followed in Elmwood Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 393, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.
Hankins & Whittington Dilworth Chapel of Charlotte was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Betty Crater Manice

Mrs. Betty Howell Crater Manice, age 73, of Hound Ears Club, Blowing Rock, died Thursday, May 12 at her home.
Mrs Manice was born in Yadkin County on August 10, 1931, a daughter of the late Kesler Andrew and Marie Allgood Howell.
She was a graduate of South Fork High School in Winston-Salem, and was a former pianist and organist at the Reynolda Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Manice was a sales associate with Tanner Factory Store in Blowing Rock.
Prior to 1995 she was a Doncaster personal clothing consultant for over 20 years.
She was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Boone, where she served as a Deacon, worship and wedding committee member, acolyte sponsor, and church hostess.
She was a greeter/usher with the Appalachian Summer Program, and was a volunteer with the Blowing Rock Stage Company, Watauga Medical Center and the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center.
She will be remembered lovingly for her gracious hospitality, enjoyment and appreciation of music, art, and adding beauty to whatever her surroundings.
Mrs. Manice is survived by one daughter, Lynne Crater Juhan and husband, Gary, of Big Stone Gap, Virginia; two sons, D. Dwight "Sonny" Crater, Jr. and wife Deborah of Huntersville, and Bradley Howell Crater of Taos, New Mexico; four grandchildren, S. Cagle and Rachael G. Juhan of Big Stone Gap, Virginia and Madison S. Crater and Kevin Y. Marsh of Huntersville; two sisters, Helen VanHoy and husband Ted, and Daphne H. Chipman and husband Don all of Winston-Salem; three nieces; Beverly Williams, Angela Nunn and, and Lori Cortez, all of Winston-Salem; and two nephews, Andrew Beck and John Beck of Winston-Salem.
In addition to her parents, her first husband, D. Dwight Crater, and her second husband, Fraser W. Manice preceded her in death.
Memorial services were conducted on Monday, May 16 at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone. Officiating was Dr. Ron Bowie.
Memorials may be considered to First Presbyterian Church of Boone, 663 Howard Street, Boone, N.C. 28607 or to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.
Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is serving the Manice family.

Mrs. Katie Parks Loeding

Mrs. Katie Parks Loeding, age 98, of Appalachian Brian Estates, a former resident of Detroit, Michigan, died Sunday, May 15 at Glenbridge Health Care in Boone.
Mrs. Loeding was born August 4, 1906, in East Jordan, Michigan, a daughter of the late Archie and Laura Church Bashaw. She retired from Avon Cosmetics as city manager for Detroit, Michigan.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. Mary Nell Ash, of New Boston, Michigan and Ms. Claudia Clark of Blowing Rock; two granddaughters, Beth Clark of Blowing Rock and Linda Hamilton of New Boston, Michigan; and two grandsons, Michael Clark of Hastings, Michigan and Gregg Clark of Blowing Rock. She is also survived by six great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Claude W. Parks; her second husband, Maynard Loeding and a grandson, Ronnie Ash.
A memorial services will be held at a later date in Flat Rock, Michigan.
Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of the arrangements.