Wayne Holtsclaw, 88, of Roan Mountain, passed away on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at his home following an extended illness. He was born in Carter County and was the son of the late Will and Minnie Johnson Holtsclaw. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Howard, Robert, Rome, James and Herman Holtsclaw, and three sisters, Florence Barnett, Nellie Hall and Sallie Freeman.
Mr. Holtsclaw was a veteran of the United States Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict. He was the owner and operator of Holtsclaw Lumber and Sawmill for 50 plus years and also was a mailman. He was a board member of Carter County Bank for 50 plus years and a County Commissioner for 43 years, and also served the county as a Justice of the Peace. He and his wife, Willie, were married in Tennessee in 1948. He was a Freemason and a member of Roan Mountain Masonic Lodge #566 A&FM.
Mr. Holtsclaw donated the land for the Roan Mountain location of the Carter County Emergency Rescue Squad and for the helipad in Roan Mountain. He attended Eastside Freewill Baptist Church.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Willie Street Holtsclaw, of the home; a daughter, Teresa Crowe, Roan Mountain; three grandchildren, Jasmine Bowman, Jordan Lovelace and Sharayah Reece; seven great-grandchildren; and a good friend and caregiver, Ann McMahan. Several nieces and nephews also survive.
A service to honor the life of Mr. Holtsclaw will be conducted at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 30, in the Rhododendron Chapel, Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, with Rev. Justin Deaton officiating. Music will be under the direction of Kenny and Kathy Lethcoe and Sandy Carr. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, prior to the service, and at the home at other times. The graveside service and interment will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 31, at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Daniel Bowman, Jordan Lovelace, Phillip Reece, Topsy McMahan and Wade Jarrett. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet the family at the funeral home at 10 a.m. Thursday to go in procession to the cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to all their many friends and neighbors for all the love and care shown to them during Mr. Holtsclaw’s illness. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website, www.tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Roan Mountain, is serving the Holtsclaw family. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917. Office: (423) 772-3928.