Obituary of Bessie Killen Eldreth

Bessie K. Eldreth, age 103, of Phillips Drive, Boone, passed away Wednesday morning, December l4, 2016 at the Davant Rehab & Extended Care Facility in Blowing Rock. Born October 22, 1913 in Ashe County, she was a daughter of Romey and Flora Milan Killen. Mrs. Eldreth was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church. She sang ballads, acappella, and performed extensively throughout the eastern United States. Her many accomplishments included singing at the re-dedication of the Statue of Liberty in New York City and performing with Stella Stevens in the movie, American Heroine. She was honored with the North Carolina Heritage Award and has a display highlighting her culinary talents in the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC. Mrs. Eldreth is survived by four daughters, Grace Holman of Todd, Betty Cable & husband, George Lowell, of Boone, Virginia Bauguess & husband, Ray of Traphill, and Pat Reece and husband, Bill of Vilas; four sons, Fred Eldreth and wife, Jacqueline, of Creston, Carl Eldreth and wife, Libby, and Bobby Eldreth and wife, Wanda, all of Boone, and Denver Eldreth and wife, Kathy, of Sugar Grove; 40 grandchildren, 60 great-grandchildren and 32 great-great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Louise Moses of Princeton, W. VA, Jewell Dunn of Mountain City, TN, Ruby Simmons and husband, Wade, of King, and Jean Sawyer of Winston-Salem. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Edward Eldreth, daughter, Lorene Greene; sons, Clyde and Roger Lee Eldreth; 4 grandchildren; brothers, Joe and Woodrow Killen; and sisters, Clyde Eller, Rose Killen, Maude Eldreth, Frances Bare, Grace Eller and Georgia Eller. Funeral services for Bessie Eldreth will be Saturday afternoon, December 17, at 2 oclock at Tabernacle Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Gary Watson, Pastor Ray Greene and Pastor David Cooper. Burial will follow in the Howell Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday evening from 6 until 8 oclock at Austin & Barnes. At other times, friends may call at the home of Bobby and Wanda Eldreth, 319 Soc Houck Rd, Boone. Memorials may be sent to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 Online condolences may be shared at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Eldreth family.