By Jeff Eason
The joy of the holiday season was tempered last month for employees and regular customers of Woodlands Barbecue. The unexpected death of longtime bartender and manager Terrie Whitt was a severe emotional blow to everyone who knew the vivacious 45-year-old woman.
Whitt was killed December 27th when her Subaru Forrester was struck head-on by a vehicle traveling in the opposite direction on U.S. 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock. Whitt was traveling toward Blowing Rock a little before 4 p.m. when Thomas Younce’s Lexus SUV inexplicably crossed the centerline and struck her vehicle. Both drivers were killed in the wreck.
Whitt’s only passenger was her dog, which was uninjured in the accident.
“Terrie’s been with us for fifteen years,” said Jim Houston, co-owner of Woodlands. “We decided to hold a benefit for her kids. There will be live music all day from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and all of the wait staff and all the musicians will donate their tips to Terrie’s family.”
Houston added that a portion of the restaurant’s proceeds from that day will also go into the donation.
Terrie Whitt is survived by her two sons, Steve Whitt, 11, and Michael Whitt, 9, both of whom live in Boone. Money raised at Monday’s event will go into a special account for Steve and Michael Whitt set up at First Citizens Bank. Folks wishing to donate to the account but can’t make it to Woodlands on January 21st can make a donation at First Citizens Bank’s Boone and Blowing Rock locations.
“She’s the best mom I’ve ever known,” said Whitt’s friend and co-worker Sissy Haskett. “She never made her boys want for anything. She had a way about her that made everybody smile. She was just an awesome person.”
Live music will be performed throughout the day and the musicians will donate their tips to the fund for Terrie’s sons. Musicians who have already committed to donating their time and talent include Boss Hawg, Phil Stinson, Gene Goforth and Klee Lyles. Other musicians will be added to the schedule in the coming days.
“Everybody is pitching in to make this a special event,” said Houston. “We just want everyone to know how much we think of Terrie and her family.”