Obituary of Johnson L. Wellborn

Johnson L. Wellborn, age 85, of Joe Greer Road, Deep Gap, died Sunday morning, March 29, 2009 at his home. He was born February 3, 1924 in Watauga County to John Sherman and Nancy Greene Wellborn. Johnson was a member of Grace Lutheran Church where he was a member of the choir and served on the Church Council. He co-founded Watauga Building Supply in 1964 and was active in the business until his retirement in 1988. A 60 year Mason, he was a member of Ashler Lodge #373, the Scottish Rite and the Appalachian Shrine Club. Johnson loved restoring and driving his Model A automobiles. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during WWII. Mr. Wellborn is survived by; his wife of 60 years, Kathleen Miller Wellborn, his daughter, Vickie Shaki and husband, Abraham, of Fleetwood, his son, Kevin Wellborn and wife Jane, of Boone, three grandchildren, Aaron and Abby Shaki and Katie Wellborn, and two sisters, Jennie Wellborn Hollars of Wilkesboro and Carolyn Greene Austin of Boone. A number of nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Norma Wellborn Parker and three brothers, Russell, Newland and Edward Wellborn, Sr. Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock at Grace Lutheran Church in Boone, officiated by Rev. Dr. Timothy Smith, Pastor John Bollinger and Pastor Sarah Lang. The family will receive friends Tuesday morning from 10 until 11 o'clock, one hour prior to services, at the church. Masonic graveside rites and burial will follow in the Gap Creek Cemetery. The family respectfully requests no food or flowers, and suggests memorials to Watauga Medical Center Home Health, 155 Furman Road, Boone, to High Country Health Care Systems Hospice, 400 Shadowline Dr., Suite 100-B, Boone or to the Grace Lutheran Church Building Fund, 115 East King Street, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the family at austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Wellborn family.