Mrs. Stella Howell Houck, age 89, of West Jefferson passed away Thursday evening, March 22, 2012 at Margate Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 25, 2012 3:00pm at Bald Mountain Baptist Church with Rev. Lawrence Goodman officiating. Burial will follow in the Bald Mountain Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:30-3:00pm on Sunday, March 25, 2012 at Bald Mountain Baptist Church. Mrs. Houck was born in Ashe County on February 16, 1923 to the late Coy and Mamie Howell. She was a faithful, lifelong member at Bald Mountain Baptist Church until illness prevented her from attending. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Dent Houck; two infant daughters, Betty Sue and Norma Mae; her first husband, Grant Hopkins who gave his life in service during World War II; one brother, Dave Howell; and two sisters, Ivalee Holman and Mable Mabe. Mrs. Houck is survived by two sons, Allen Hopkins and wife Linda of West Jefferson and Dentise Houck and wife Pauline of West Jefferson; two daughters, Linda Stone of Rural Hall, North Carolina, and Ala Miller; four sisters, Faye Caudill, Lettie Gentry and husband Tobe, Esta Goodman and husband Willard, Lois Baldwin and husband Darrell; two brothers, Henry Howell and wife Shirley, and Jackie Howell; seven grandchildren; Patty Hopkins Seagle, Tim Hopkins, Tony Hopkins, Wayne Lunceford, Michelle Stone Howell, Charlotte Stone Howell, and Michael Houck; also several great and great-great grandchildren. Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to Bald Mountain Cemetery or building fund, 1435 Bald Mountain Road, West Jefferson, NC 28694. You may give the family your condolences at our website www.boonefuneralhome.com. Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.