Person Page - 4271

     Elster Howell Greene Sr. was buried at Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery (Deep Gap), Deep Gap, Watauga Co., North Carolina.¹ He married Zera Veonia Triplett, daughter of William Cicero Triplett and Susan Jane Foster.^1,2 Elster Howell Greene Sr. was born on September 27, 1898 at Watauga Co., North Carolina.¹ He died on May 27, 1965 at Deep Gap, Watauga Co., North Carolina, at age 66.¹

     Elster Howell “Hal” Greene Jr. was buried at Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery (Deep Gap), Deep Gap, Watauga Co., North Carolina.¹ He was born on November 6, 1927 at North Carolina.¹ He died on November 21, 2000 at Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 73.¹

     Max Gardner Greene was buried at Mount Zion Cemetery, Coshocton, Coshocton Co., Ohio.¹ He was born on March 8, 1929 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ He died on June 26, 1930 at Coshocton Co., Ohio, at age 1.¹

     Mary Sue Greene was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky.¹ Her married name was Watkins.¹ She married Lee J. Watkins.¹ Mary Sue Greene was born on October 30, 1930 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ She died on August 31, 1995 at Kentucky at age 64.¹

     Lee J. Watkins was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Paducah, McCracken Co., Kentucky.¹ He married Mary Sue Greene, daughter of Elster Howell Greene Sr. and Zera Veonia Triplett.¹ Lee J. Watkins was born in 1927.¹ He died in 2006.¹

     William Elbert “Bill” Greene William Elbert "Bill" Greene, 32° KCCH, was born to Elster and Zera Triplett Greene on September 3, 1933. The youngest of four children, he was born in Coshocton, Ohio. The family had moved there so Elster could begin farming the rich soils of Ohio. Due to the hardships of the Great Depression, the family returned to NC shortly after Bill was born, where he lived out the rest of his life in the Stony Fork community of Watauga County. There, he reared his three daughters, Kathy, Karen, and Darlene. Bill was brother to Elster Howell (Hal) Greene and Mary Sue Greene Watkins. He was preceded in death by his father Elster Howell, Sr and brother, Max Gardner Greene. fter graduation in 1951 from Mt Pleasant High School in Ferguson, NC, he attended the Nashville Auto Diesel School in Nashville, TN. In 1953 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became a mechanic working on all types of vehicles, including jets. Although his enlistment was during the Korean conflict, he never had to see combat. His last duty station was at James Connally Air Force Base in Waco, Tx. After returning to Boone, he started working at Winkler Motor Company. In 1962, he took a job with the NC Department of Transportation. In 1972, he was promoted to Maintenance Supervisor over Watauga, Avery and Caldwell Counties. He would be forced to take an early disability retirement shortly before his untimely death at the age of 47, on February 4, 1981. His mechanic abilities were well known throughout the state and many people would allow only him to work on their vehicles. Even strangers passing on the 421 mountain received his help, for which he never wanted payment. Having accepted Christ as his Savior, Bill was a life-long member of Stony Fork Baptist Church. His love of the Lord was evident in his character, good heart, and treatment of people. He was a Master Mason and Past Master of Ashler Masonic Lodge #373 in Deep Gap, NC. He was Initiated on January 26, 1955, Passed on February 2, 1955, and Raised on February 5, 1955, while on leave from the USAF. He was also an honorary member of Snow Lodge # 363 in Boone, NC. He was a member of the York Rite Bodies in North Wilkesboro, NC, member of the Oasis Temple of the Shrine, and a member of the Winston Salem Scottish Rite having been given the degree of 32° Knight Commander Court of Honor (KCCH). At the time of his death, he was also Worthy Patron of Mt Pleasant #67 Order of the Eastern Star. He was active in instruction of new members and spent many hours helping them learn their degree work. He often told his daughters "if you ever are in a strange place and need help, just ask for a Mason". Bill was also a member of The American Legion Post 130 in Boone, NC. Known for his sense of humor, Bill loved to play practical jokes on family and friends. His infectious laughter would resonate throughout the room. One of his best-loved jokes included the use of a "laughing box" played over the phone at various hours of the day and night to those who needed a good dose of fun. He loved children and they gravitated to him. Although he never got to be a part of his grandchildren's lives, he had five of them, William Elbert "Bill" Jones, Joshua Brant McMillan, Kenneth Howell Bowen, Kinsey Elizabeth Bowen, and William Nicholas Caudill. His love and laughter, mechanical abilities and the Masonic heritage lives on through them. His funeral services were attended by hundreds of people from several states. The family received friends on Friday, February 6th from 5:30 until well after 11:00 pm. Many stood in line to pay tribute to Bill and support his family. On Saturday, February 7th at 11:00 am, the sanctuary of Stony Fork Baptist Church was full with standing room only and even spilling out into the porch, stairs, and sidewalk of the church for his funeral service. The Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and Rev. Bill Warren officiated the service. His Masonic graveside service was attended by men representing numerous lodges that Bill had sat in. The outpouring of love and support given to his family was proof of the fine man Bill was. In Volume 1 of the Watauga County Heritage, the memorial tribute to him states "He was never too busy to help someone with car trouble, plow a neighbor's garden, or take time to be friends with a child".² He was buried at Stony Fork Baptist Church Cemetery (Deep Gap), Deep Gap, Watauga Co., North Carolina.² He was born on September 3, 1933 at Coshocton, Coshocton Co., Ohio.^1,2 He died on February 4, 1981 at Boone, Watauga Co., North Carolina, at age 47.^1,2

     Lennis Guy Triplett was buried at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, 239 Champion Mount Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ He married Vera Lou Ellis.¹ Lennis Guy Triplett was born on March 29, 1907 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ He died on January 15, 1996 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 88.¹

     Vera Lou Ellis was buried at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, 239 Champion Mount Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ Her married name was Triplett.¹ She married Lennis Guy Triplett, son of William Cicero Triplett and Susan Jane Foster.¹ Vera Lou Ellis was born on November 16, 1910 at North Carolina.¹ She died on May 9, 1990 at North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 79.¹

     Hazel Sue Triplett was buried at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, 239 Champion Mount Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ She was born on April 9, 1938 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.¹ She died on March 11, 2002 at Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., North Carolina, at age 63.¹

     Vada Mae Triplett was buried at Mountlawn Memorial Park, 196 Fan Key Road, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.^1,2 She Mrs. Vada Triplett Foster, age 96, of Wilkesboro, NC died August 1, 2005 at the Lutheran Home East in Hickory after an extended period of declining health. Mrs. Foster was born May 20, 1909, in Wilkes County to the late William Cicero and Susan Jane Triplett. She was a longtime member of Wilkesboro Baptist Church. Mrs. Foster was a loving wife and mother who dedicated her life to her family and their lives. She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Foster, her parents, and all of her siblings, including four sisters, Belva T. Bumgarner, Veoria T. Walsh, Zera T. Greene, and Hazel Laverne Triplett; five brothers, Cartas Triplett, Arlon Triplett, Alta Triplett, Lennis Triplett, and Raeford Triplett. Surviving are a daughter, Kaye Foster Mann and husband, Charles of Oak Island, NC and a son, John Thomas Foster and wife, Sandra of Hickory, NC. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Chip Mann and wife, Tracy of Stella, Shane Foster of Brevard, John Mann and wife, Suzanne of Winston Salem, Patrick Foster and wife, Robin of Austin, TX, Bradley Mann and wife, Lori of Mebane and the only granddaughter, Kelly Valdespino and husband, Bill of Raleigh. Mrs. Foster has ten great-grandchildren, Sarah and Kristen Mann, Hannah and Tucker Foster, Ashton and Alexis Mann, Kate Foster, Nic and Vada Valdespino, and Tyler Mann. Also surviving are two sisters in law, Mrs. Edith Triplett, and Mrs. Frances Hendren. A graveside service of celebration of life will be held at Mountlawn Memorial Park.² Her married name was Foster.² She married John William Foster.² Vada Mae Triplett was born on May 20, 1909 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.^1,2 She died on August 1, 2005 at Hickory, North Carolina, at age 96.^1,2

     John William Foster was buried at Mountlawn Memorial Park, 196 Fan Key Road, North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.² He married Vada Mae Triplett, daughter of William Cicero Triplett and Susan Jane Foster.¹ John William Foster was born on May 7, 1913 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.² He died on December 9, 1967 at North Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 54.²

     Hazel Laverne Triplett was buried at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, 239 Champion Mount Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.² She was born on December 1, 1913 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.² She died on September 23, 1915 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 1.²

     Raeford Lonnie Triplett was buried at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery, 239 Champion Mount Pleasant Road, Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co., North Carolina.² He was born on December 1, 1910 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina.² He married Ruth Irene Eller in 1940.² Raeford Lonnie Triplett died on March 16, 2000 at Wilkes Co., North Carolina, at age 89.²