A sign on the door of the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis reads, "In memory of Mr. H.W. Mast, the Mast General Store will close at 6 p.m. tonight." A funeral spray of white daisies and chrysanthemums smiles upon those entering the doors of the community store.
Saturday, our community lost one it's good guys. Not only did H.W. run the family store for many years, but he was active in not just the Valle, but in Watauga County as well.
You can read his obit here. And, you can read his family ties to the Mast Store here.
I passed the Valle Crucis Methodist Church on my way home this evening. He lived practically next door to the church and it was packed for his service.
Mr. Mast did not know me, but I knew him. You can't be from here and not have heard of the gentleman. One of my favorite memories is of the many times I would see he and his wife Mary walking at the VC Park. He would always smile or at least offer a nod of friendly recognition.
It would be a sad day in the Valle if not for the many wonderful memories H.W. spread like seeds throughout the area....
