Obituary of Gary L. Graybeal

Gary Len Graybeal, 54, of Brownwood Road, Deep Gap, died Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011 at Watauga Medical Center. Gary was born October 20, 1956 in Watauga County to Roy Lee and Sarah Wellborn Graybeal. He was an employee of the landscaping department at ASU. Gary was a man with a very big heart who loved his family most and enjoyed fishing and tending his flower gardens. He is survived by his wife, Nina Bower Graybeal; son, Jonathan Graybeal of Boone, and girlfriend, Joanna Betts; step-daughter, Sonja Greene of Parlier, and fianc�, Otis Watson, and step-grandchildren, Donavon and Marcus Rominger; two brothers, R. D. Graybeal and wife, Martha, of Deep Gap, and children, Catherine and Bobby, and Wayne Graybeal and wife, Linda, of Boone, and children, Brent, Jeff and Carrie; four sisters, Joyce Baker and husband Arvil, of Fleetwood, and children, Teresa and Jerry, Betty Upchurch of Boone and children, Kim, Sheri, Missy, Andrea and David, Donna Huffstetler and husband, Gary, of Lenoir, and children, Michelle and Anna, and Faye Hicks of Lenoir, and children, Debbie, Jimmy and Connie; his mother and father-in-law, John and Loraine Bower of Glendale Springs.; and two brothers-in-law, Danny Bower and family, of Glendale Springs, and Tracy Bower and family, of Millers Creek. A number of aunts, uncles, great nieces and great nephews also survive. Memorial services will be conducted Wednesday evening, Sept. 7, 2011 at 7 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 5 until 7 o'clock, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Memorial and Honors Program, 222 South Church St., Suite 336M, Charlotte, NC 28202 or to the Graybeal family. Online condolences may be sent to the Graybeal family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Graybeal family.