Mr. Robbins

Mr. John E. “Jack” Robbins, age 82, of 205 Ox Run Ridge Drive, Blowing Rock, died Wednesday evening, November 22 at Blowing Rock Hospital.
Mr. Robbins was born July 1, 1924 in Blowing Rock, a son of the late Lloyd and Alma Benfield Robbins. He was a United States Navy veteran, having served in both the Korean War and World War II. After serving his country, he returned to Blowing Rock and became one of the best known and most respected builders of his time. Jack, along with his father, Lloyd, also a well known builder, built many of the older and first homes in Blowing Rock. Together, the two built such famed Blowing Rock landmarks as the “Seven Stories”, a private home on the rim of the John’s River Gorge in Mayview.
Mr. Robbins is survived by one daughter, Janet Campbell and husband Patrick of Blowing Rock; one grandson, Christopher Ryan Campbell of Blowing Rock, and two sisters, Alice Robbins Newton of High Point, and Eleanor Robbins Kiney and husband Terry, of St. Petersburg, Florida. He is also survived by five nieces and eight nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, June Lee Robbins; two sister, Jo Cessna, and Elizabeth Taylor, and two nieces and one nephew.
Military graveside services for Mr. Robbins will be conducted Saturday afternoon, December 2 at 1 p.m. at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. Officiating will be the Reverend Rhonda Gailes.
The family will receive friends Friday evening, December 1 from 6 until 8 p.m. at Hampton Funeral Service in Boone.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be considered to the Jo Cessna Scholarship Fund, in care of First Baptist Church of Blowing Rock, P.O. Box 3, Blowing Rock, N.C. 28605.
Hampton Funeral Service of Boone is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Fortune

Mrs. Elizabeth (Lib) Neill Fortune, age 87, of Blowing Rock, died Thursday, November 23.
She was born in Charlotte, N.C., the daughter of the late Buren S. Sr. and Bessie Neill. The Neill family soon moved to Kings Mountain, and after graduating from Meredith College, Mrs. Fortune married her Kings Mountain high school sweetheart, Jack Fortune. For almost sixty years, they were husband and wife. Jack and Lib settled in Hickory, raised a family and later retired to their dream home in Blowing Rock where they spent the remaining wonderful years of their lives. As their health declined, they were welcomed into their daughter’s home in Matthews.
Mrs. Fortune, a people person, truly loved her family, her friends and her church. Although her loving spirit will be sorely missed, she will never be forgotten.
Survivors include her younger brother, Robert H. Neill and his family of Charlotte; three devoted children, Jack Fortune, Jr. and his wife, Libby, and their children Bernard, Joey and Nickie of Salisbury; Susan F. Crossley and her son, Brad S. Crossley and his wife, Kristen, of Matthews; and W. Neill Fortune and his wife, Glenda, of Charlotte and their sons Dr. Brett E. Fortune and his wife, Dr. Rachel, of Columbus, Ohio and Scott S. Fortune and his wife, Jennifer, and their son Lukas of Charlotte; and many loving nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Jack B. Fortune; and her brothers, Buren S. Neill Jr. and David M. Neill.
A celebration of Lib Fortune’s life was held Monday, November 27, at the First United Methodist Church in Hickory with the Rev. George M. Freeman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the United Methodist Church of Hickory, N.C. or your favorite charity.
Bass-Smith Funeral services of Hickory was in charge of the arrangements.