AMOS C. TRIPLETT
LENOIR - Amos C. “A.C.” Triplett, 57, of Pleasant Hill Road, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital. Born April 16, 1943, in Watauga County, he was a son of Gladys Church Triplett of Lenoir and the late Walter Claude Triplett. Employed by Kincaid Furniture, he attended Morning Star Baptist Church and served in the U.S. Navy. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Doris Story Triplett; a son, Larry Triplett of Lenoir; three daughters, Sherry Gragg, Kim Triplett and Lisa Triplett of Lenoir; two brothers, Roger Triplett and Kenny Triplett of Lenoir; three sisters, Juanita Huskey of Granite Falls, Claudette Triplett of Greer, S.C., and Patricia Ritch of Lenoir; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Ronnie Thomas and Roger Beck at 2 p.m. Monday at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Marty Gragg, Rufus Hart, Jason Chester, Terry Triplett, Greg Triplett and Robert Sisk. The family will be at the funeral home from 3 to 5 p.m. today. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

LULA W. FRIESLAND
MORGANTON - Lula Bell Williams Friesland, 80, of Kela Drive, died Jan. 19, 2001, at her residence after a period of declinig health. Born April 16, 1920, in Haywood County, she was a daughter of the late Cleave and Francis Stalcup Williams. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thurman Reed; her second husband, Thomas Friesland; and a son, Charles Reed. Survivors include six sons, Richard Reed, Larry Reed, Gary Reed and Billy Reed of Morganton, Bobby Reed of Rutherfordton and Ervin Reed of St. Petersburg, Fla.; three daughters, Lydia Reed, Hilda Reinhardt and Darlene Staples of Morganton; a brother, Bill Williams of Troy, Mont.; a sister, Macie Rhodomer of Waynesville; 17 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Hall Hollifield and Danny Castle at 2 p.m. Monday at Sossoman Funeral Home. Entombment will be in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at her residence at other times.

JAMES A. AUSTIN
James Arthur Austin, 84, of First Street, NW, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born Oct. 25, 1916, in Alexander County, he was a son of the late Jonas P. and Omie Hall Austin. A member of Mount Pisgah Lutheran Church, he was owner of Comfort Chair, Fashion Trend Line and Style Craft Furniture. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of American Legion Post 48, The Exchange Club and Moose Lodge. He was preceded in death by his stepmother, Nellie Cline Austin; a daughter, Novella Jones; a son-in-law, the Rev. Richard Jones; and two brothers. Survivors include his wife, Ruth Hall Austin; two sons, Sterling Austin of Hickory and Stuart Austin of Apex; a daughter, Melany A. Blinson of Clayton; six brothers; six sisters; two grandsons, Scott Austin and Todd Austin of Hickory; two granddaughters, Valerie Riley and Lauie Rogers of Greenville, S.C.; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Tonnesen at 10 a.m. Monday at his church. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park with military graveside rites conducted by members of American Legion 48. The family will be at Hickory Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Mount Pisgah Lutheran Church, 9379 N.C. 127 North, Hickory, N.C. 28601.

WALTER K. POWELL
NEWTON - Walter Kenneth Powell, 72, of Macedonia Church Road, Vale, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory after a period of declining health. Born July 6, 1928, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late R.S. and Blanche Corbett Powell. A member of Plateau United Methodist Church, he was a farmer and owner and operator of Morningside Orchard in Vale for more than 40 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Whitworth Powell; two brothers; and three sisters. Survivors include two sons, Gray Powell and Greg Powell of Granite Falls; a daughter, Jeanne P. Brannock of Vale; two brothers, Summie Powell of Greensboro and Bob Powell of Oregon; and three grandchildren, Jordan Powell of Conover and Seth Brannock and Hannah Brannock of Vale. A graveside service will be conducted by the Revs. Paul McClure and Fred Thompson at 11 a.m. Monday in Plateau United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will be at his residence at other times. Memorials may be made to Plateau United Methodist Church, 4499 Plateau Road, Vale, N.C. 28168; The Worship Council, Hickory Community Chapel, 3240 Sixth Street Drive, NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601; or Hickory Soup Kitchen, P.O. Box 1431, Hickory, N.C. 28603. Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

FRANK KIRBY Jr.
GRANITE FALLS - Frank “June” Kirby Jr., 67, of Highland Avenue, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 22, 1933, in Caldwell County, he was a son of Antha Cook Kirby Campbell of Granite Falls and the late Clarence Victor Kirby. A member of Clover Baptist Church, he retired as a furniture worker. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include two brothers and sisters-in-law, Troy and Irene Kirby and Johnny and Gale Kirby of Granite Falls; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Libby K. and Robert Knight of Hudson and Hilda K. Benfield of Granite Falls; his fiance, Carolyn Bray of Sawmills; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. James Kilby and Marion Poythress at 3 p.m. today at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Dry Ponds Baptist Church Cemetery in Granite Falls. Pallbearers will be Steve Kirby, David Minton, Chad Kirby, Dennis Benfield, Andy Benfield and Lee Benfield. Mackie-High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

ERNEST L. THOMAS
NEWTON - Ernest Lee Thomas, 86, of North Davis Avenue, died Jan. 19, 2001, at his residence. Born Aug. 25, 1914, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Samuel A. and Pearl Mae Harrison Thomas. A member of North Newton Baptist Church, he retired from Clyde Fabrics. He was preceded in death by two brothers, O.D. Thomas and Ralph Thomas; and a grandson, Billy Wade Haynes. Survivors include his wife, Mae Prince Thomas; a daughter and son-in-law, Pearl T. and Charles Haynes of Newton; a brother, Harold Harrison Thomas of Akron, Ohio; two grandchildren, June Haynes Gunter and Melvin Lee Haynes of Newton; and two great-grandchildren, Justin Gunter and Stephanie Gunter. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Jim Fulbright at 2 p.m. Monday at Drum Funeral Home. Burial will be in Eastview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Junior Gunter, Justin Gunter, Melvin Haynes, Bobby Matthews, Ralph Matthews and Clinton Moore. The family will be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658; or Abernethy Center Adult Day Care, 102 Leonard Ave., Newton, N.C. 28658.

RUBY A. TOWNSEND
GRANITE FALLS - Ruby Andrews Townsend, 93, of Cajah's Mountain Road, Hudson, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. Born July 10, 1907, in Watauga County, she was a daughter of the late William M. and Monarkie Shook Andrews. A member of Harris Chapel Baptist Church, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Arvil Townsend Sr.; four brothers; and two sisters. Survivors include three sons, Sperlin Arvil Townsend of Hickory and Lester Lee Townsend and Troy A. Townsend Jr. of Hudson; six daughters, Anita Prestwood, Zelma Aldridge, Lois Herman and Christine Austin of Hudson, Carolyn Thorpe of Hickory and Rebecca Holman of Granite Falls; a brother, Max Andrews of Granite Falls; a sister, Eldie Berry of Lenior; 23 grandchildren; 39 great-grandchildren; and seven great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. J. Lynn Parsons at 7 tonight at her church. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the serivce. Memorials may be made to Harris Chapel Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1444 Cajah's Mountain Road, Hudson, N.C. 28638. Mackie-High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

HAZEL L. HEFNER
Hazel Lee Hefner, 67, of Cook Lane, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital after a period of declining health. Born June 26, 1933, in Alexander County, she was a daughter of Maggie Robinette Pennell of Hickory and the late Perry Lee Pennell. A member of Springs Road Baptist Church, she retired from Bruards Furniture. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband of 34 years, Charles R. Hefner; two daughters, Debbie Benge and Pamela Matheson of Hickory; a stepson, Tommy Hefner of Hickory; a brother, Johnny Pennell of Greensboro; four sisters, Bobbie Elder, Toni Carrigan, Sylvia Harrington and Brenda Bowman of Taylorsville; seven grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Tim Shook, Craig Childers and Jerry Chattam at 3 p.m. today at Hickory Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Larry Payne, Chris Clark, Jamie Clark, Aaron Younce, Seth Bowman and Leon Bowman. The family will be at the funeral home two hours prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.

JEANETTE W. SHARPE
Jeanette Whitener Sharpe, 65, of Dietz Road, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Oct. 15, 1935, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Monroe and Lena Whitener. She was a member of Faith United Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by a brother, Dewey Louis Whitener. Survivors include her husband, Larry Wayne Sharpe; two sons, Wayne Louis Sharpe of Hickory and Larry William Sharpe of Chapel Hill; a daughter, Jan Adams of Hickory; a twin sister, Lorette Gadfield of Hickory; and three grandchildren, Marc Parlier, Adam Parlier and Morgan Parlier. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Paul Cook at 2 p.m. Monday at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Faith United Church of Christ, 204 Nineteenth Ave., SW, Hickory, N.C. 28602.

EDNA L. HUFFMAN
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Edna Lindsay Huffman, 76, died Jan. 15, 2001, at the Medical University of South Carolina. Born March 8, 1924, in Burke County, she was a daughter of Robert Pinkney and Annie Dealie Young Lindsay. A member of Mountain View Baptist Church in Hickory, N.C., she was employed by the Burke County School System for 26 years. A teacher at Chesterfield Elementary for 13 years, she helped organize the fire department auxiliary. A “Pink Lady” volunteer at Grace Hospital in Morganton, N.C., she was a member of George Hildebrand Community Improvement Association and served as a Guardian Ad Litem. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Hughes Huffman. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, W. Alan Huffman of Connelly Springs, N.C., and Adam A. and Anita Huffman of Clayton, N.C.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ann H. and Steven Demiter of Connelly Springs, N.C., and Dr. Amy H. and Dr. John Ringwood of Charleston; two sisters, Edith L. Martin and Ruby L. Burgin of Hickory, N.C.; a half brother, Buford Lindsay of Connelly Springs, N.C.; seven grandchildren, Angie H. Clontz of Nebo, N.C., David Demiter, Jessica Demiter and Marc Demiter of Connelly Springs, N.C., Lorna Ringwood and Alison Ringwood of Charleston and Catherine Claire Huffman of Clayton, N.C.; three great-grandchildren, Jordan Clontz, Jackson Clontz and Jared Clontz of Nebo, N.C.; and a number of nephews, nieces, cousins and in-laws. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. today at her church. The family will remain at the church after the service. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, South Mountain Children's Homes or hospice. McAlister-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Obituary information courtesy of Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory, N.C.

CLYDE L. SIGMON
LINCOLNTON - Clyde Lee “Speedy” Sigmon, 72, of Boger City Rest Home, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Boger City Rest Home. Born Aug. 30, 1928, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late William D. and Mabel Irene Lavander. Survivors include two brothers, David Lavander of Lincolnton and William Lavander of Maiden; two sisters, Joyce Armstrong of Lincolnton and Drucilla Watson of Newton; three nephews; and three nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Coker at 3 p.m. today at E.F. Drum Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, 107 North Cedar St., Lincolnton, N.C. 28092.

MICHAEL L. BURNS
VALDESE - Michael Leroy “Mike” Burns, 49, of Doc Pugh Road, Connelly Springs, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born July 18, 1951, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Leroy and Margaret Stilwell Burns. He was a former employee of Hickory White Manufacturing. A scout master with the Boy Scouts, he served in the U.S. Army. Survivors include his wife, Betty Lowman Burns; two sons, Charles Michael “Chuck” Burns of West Virginia and Patrick Howard “Petrie” Burns of the home; an adopted son, Keith Acker of Connelly Springs; an adopted daughter, Deanna Lowman of Connelly Springs; a brother, Walter Ray Burns of Columbia, S.C.; a sister, Patsy Burns Bowman of Hickory; four nephews; and four nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Don Denton at 2 p.m. Monday at South Fork Baptist Church. The family will be at Heritage Funeral Service from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690.

VIOLA H. CARPENTER
Viola “Lovie” Herman Carpenter, 87, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born March 24, 1913, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Enoch and Mary Benfield Herman. A member of Viewmont Baptist Church, she worked for Hickory Paper Box for a number of years and retired from Carving Craft. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Cline Carpenter. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Sherman P. and Judy Carpenter of Hickory; two daughters and three sons-in-law, Betty C. and Jack Lutz and Geraldene C. and Bob Reed of Conover and Dan L. Waters of Hickory; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Barbara Pauline Herman and Perry L. and William Harbinson of Hickory; five grandsons, Jack L. Lutz, Kevin Carpenter and Brian Waters of Conover and Scott Carpenter of Goldsboro; four granddaughters, Kathy A. Young of Hickory, Debbie A. Frazier of Claremont, Amy W. Jackson of Newton and Ashley W. Dekkere of Birmingham, Ala.; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; three stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Albert Young at 2 p.m. Monday at Hickory Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home from 5 to 7 tonight.

EDWARD R. LACY
Edward Ray Lacy, 43, of Conover, died Jan. 18, 2001, at his residence. Born May 4, 1957, in Charleston, W.Va., he was a son of Kyle and Helen May Lacy of Hickory. He was employed at an auto body shop. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a son, Kyle Lacy of the home; a daughter, Melanie Lacy of Fort Lee, Va.; a sister, Joy Kempf of Hazlet, N.J.; and a maternal grandmother, Ethel May of Danville, W.Va. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Jack Harris at 2 p.m. today at Bass-Smith Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday in Madison Memory Gardens in Danville, W.Va.

MARSHALL L. THOMAS
Marshall Lee Thomas, 62, of Conover, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born April 28, 1938, in Newton, he was a son of Rosie Lee Cook Thomas of Conover and the late Van Christopher Thomas. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include two brothers and a sister-in-law, Clurie and Frankie Thomas and Bobby Thomas of Conover; and a sister, Faye Fisher of Newton. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Frasure at 2 p.m. Monday at Catawba Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at the funeral home from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Monday.

DOLORES A. BEAL
LINCOLNTON - Dolores Ann Beal, 34, of Shady Pines Lane, died Jan. 19, 2001. Born March 21, 1966, in Transylvania County, she was a daughter of Ann Herman of Lincolnton. She was a homemaker. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Daniel Beal; three sons, Matthew Boone, Joey Beal and Hunter Beal of the home; a stepfather, Everette Herman of Lincolnton; two brothers, Paul Pruitt of Cherryville and Tony Pruitt of Jacksonville, Fla.; and a sister, Tammy Rinck of Lincolnton. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Warlick Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday.

MARGARET S. RAMSEUR
LINCOLNTON - Margaret Lucy Shrum Ramseur, 85, of Maiden Highway, died Jan. 20, 2001. Born in Lincoln County, she was a daughter of the late Luther A. and Emma Hoffman Shrum. She was a homemaker. Survivors include two nieces, Barbara Blanton and Mary Bower of Lincolnton. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Deval Mason at 11 a.m. Monday at McKendree United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Warlick Funeral Home from 4 to 6 tonight. Memorials may be made to McKendree United Methodist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 426, Lincolnton, N.C. 28092.

DOROTHY R. BENNETT
MAIDEN - Dorothy Reeves Bennett, 80, of Bennett Trail, Calabash, died Jan. 20, 2001, at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Born Oct. 26, 1920, in Columbus County, she was a daughter of the late George P. and Annie Ithene Ward Bennett. A member of Beulah Baptist Church in Calabash, she was the former owner and operator of Bennett's Seafood Kitchen in Calabash. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Benjamin “R.B.” Bennett; three brothers; four sisters; and a great-granddaughter, Meagen Long. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Marvin and Betty Bennett and Eddie and Cheryl Bennett of Calabash and the Rev. Foyd and Shirley Bennett of Maiden; two sisters, Pauline Reeves Bryd and Ennis Reeves Whitley of Leland; nine grandchildren, Terry Bennett, Tammie Spencer, Dale Bennett, Linda Woodlief, Robbie Bennett, Edie Caudill, Sylvia Bellamy, Rachel Bryson and Teresa Long; and 15 great-grandchildren, Dusty Bennett, Mandy Woodlief, Wesley Bennett, Alex Bryson, Matthew Woodlief, Kyle Bennett, Miles Bennett, Amber Bennett, Ethan Long, Tabitha Bryson, Adam Bellamy, Brad Bellamy, Eric Caudill, Jessica Caudill and Curt Bryson. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Foyd Bennett and Michael Blevens at 11 a.m. Tuesday at her church. Burial will be in Manaly Bennett Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Shannon Woodlief, Matthew Woodlief, Alex Bryson, Greg Spencer, Michael Bellamy and Wesley Bennett. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Beulah Baptist Church, Building Fund, 500 Thomasboro Road, Calabash, N.C. 28467. Coble-Ward & Smith in Supply is in charge of arrangements. Obituary information courtesy of Burke Mortuaries.

NANCY A. HAAS
STONY POINT - Nancy Alma Haas, 88, of Fox Road, Lenoir, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice. Born Nov. 19, 1912, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Robert F. and Margaret Elizabeth Hollar Haas. A member of Union Baptist Church, she retired as a beautician. She was preceded in death by five brothers, Carl Haas, Henry Haas, Beve Haas, Gener Haas and Bruce Haas; and four sisters, Rosa Lee Postell, Ophra McCall, Cution Sipes and Esther Poarch. Survivors include a son, John Keith Hass of Lenoir; a brother, Jay E. Haas of Lenoir; two grandsons; a great-grandson; and a number of nephews and nieces. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Poarch at 2 p.m. today at her church. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Chapman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CLINT J. CARROLL
NORTH WILKESBORO - Clint Jones Carroll, 87, of Lee Mountain Road, Ferguson, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Born March 10, 1913, in Wilkes County, he was a son of the late George and Belle Rhymer Carroll. He was a member of Lewis Fork Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Mae Pennell Carroll. Survivors include a son, Blake Carroll of Ferguson; a daughter and son-in-law, Mary Ann and Jim Severt of Millers Creek; a brother, Dee Carroll of Hickory; a sister and brother-in-law, Faye and Thomas Puett of Hickory; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Mike Hamby and Jody Bewley at 1 p.m. today at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

ROBERT W. RAMSEY Jr.
Robert W. Ramsey Jr., 79, of Hickory, died Jan. 20, 2001, at N.C. Lutheran Nursing Home. Born July 22, 1921, in Burnsville, he was a son of the late Robert W. and Elizabeth Hall Ramsey Sr. A member of Viewmont Baptist Church, he was a Sunday school teacher, choir member and Sunday school superintendent. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he retired from General Electric and was a member of Hickory Civitan Club. He was preceded in death by six brothers and sisters, Ashton Ramsey, Edith Petrone, Fred Ramsey, Kathryn Mayo, June Ramsey and Bill Ramsey. Survivors include his wife, Helene Styles Ramsey; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert W. and Cheryl Ramsey III of Bethlehem; a brother, Phillip Ramsey of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; two sisters, Elizabeth Silver and Louise Ramsey of Burnsville; and a grandson, Scott Ramsey of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jim Davidson and Albert Young at 11 a.m. Tuesday at his church. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Ronnie Edwards, Kent Anglin, Doug Ramsey, Bill Powell, Paul Powell and Mike Silver. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association; or Viewmont Baptist Church, 1246 Second St., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

RUBY L. DALE
MORGANTON - Ruby L. Dale, 82, of Poteat Drive, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Grace Hospital after a brief illness. Born Feb. 14, 1918, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late John C. and Mary Williams Dale. She was a member of Salem United Methodist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Laddie P. Dale; a daughter, Libbie Abernathy; four brothers, George Dale, Ted Dale, Bud Dale and Grover Dale; and four sisters, Mattie Hipps, Becky Jenkins, Louise Duckworth and Effie Davis. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Willie G. and Bobbie Dale of Fort Worth, Texas, and David and Janette Dale and Lewis P. and Patsy Dale of Morganton; a daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Joey Carswell of Morganton; a sister, Ann Seitz of Morganton; eight grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Donald Freshour at 3 p.m. Tuesday at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Sossoman Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 1206 Salem Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655; or to a church of personal choice.

ALMA M. WOODS
LENOIR - Alma Marie Woods, 57, of Sheely Road, died Jan. 19, 2001, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Born June 3, 1943, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of Margaret Hallyburton Townsel of Lenoir and the late Fred Cleveland Townsel. A member of Hartland Missionary Methodist Church in Hartland, she was employed by Hickory Springs. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Thomas E. Woods; two sons, Wayne Junior Benge of Lincolnton and Franklin Columbus Benge of Lenoir; a daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Alan Greene of Lenoir; a stepson, Carl Edward Woods of Lenoir; three brothers, Claude McDonald Townsel and James Edward Townsel of Lenoir and Tony Granville Townsel of Granite Falls; a sister, Joyce Elrod of Lenoir; eight grandchildren; and a great-grandson. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Fred Tyler at 2 p.m. today at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.

EARL R. GREESON
CONOVER - Earl Roosevelt Greeson, 83, of First Street West, died Jan. 20, 2001, at the Brian Center East in Hickory. Born Aug. 16, 1917, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late John W. and Nannie Kilby Greeson. A member of North Newton Baptist Church in Newton, he was a former supervisor with Clyde Fabrics and retired from Drum Funeral Home in Conover. A U.S. Marine Corp veteran of World War II, he was a volunteer with the Newton-Conover Rescue Squad. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Ray Greeson, Willie Greeson and Walter Bradshaw; and a sister, Daisy Jones. Survivors include his wife, Macie Keever Greeson; two sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald and Kathy Greeson of Claremont and Dale and Nina Greeson Sr. of Conover; two daughters and sons-in-law, Carolyn and Ronald Spencer of North Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Janice and Rick Shull of Shelby; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. James Hester at 2 p.m. Tuesday at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Lance Spencer, Lionel Spencer, Garrett Spencer, Dale Greeson Jr., Scott Canipe and Greg Royal. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the men's Sunday school class from his church. The family will be at Drum Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to North Newton Baptist Church, 316 West Twenty-first St., Newton, N.C. 28658.

MARGARET A. WHISNANT
MORGANTON - Margaret Alice “Marge” Whisnant, 77, of Frank Whisnant Road, died Jan. 21, 2001, at Grace Heights after a period of declining health. Born May 27, 1923, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Frank D. and Alice Mincey Whisnant. A member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church, she was involved in the Mission Circle and a number of other church activities. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Worth Sherrill Whisnant and Harold Douglas Whisnant; and a sister, Ruth Ann Whisnant. Survivors include a brother and sister-in-law, Ned McClendon and Amanda Whisnant of Morganton; a sister, Mary Sue Powell of Morganton; four nephews and nieces-in-law, Worth and Frances Whisnant of Morganton, Donald and Laura Beth Whisnant of Fayetteville and Billy N. and Debbie Whisnant and Irie and Verlie Whisnant of Morganton; a niece and nephew-in-law, Norma W. and Robert Roberts of Morganton; and a number of great-nephews and great-nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. David Gay and April Abernethy at 3 p.m. Tuesday at her church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690; or Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 2239, N.C. 181, Morganton, N.C. 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WILLIAM E. CLARK
William Edward Clark, 50, of North Maple Lane, Icard, died Jan. 21, 2001, at his residence. Born June 6, 1950, in Covington, Va., he was a son of the late William Reed and Betsy Ann Wright Clark. Survivors include his wife, Debra Ann Clark; a stepdaughter, J.T. Taylor of Taylorsville; two sisters, Linda Harmon of Conover and Debbie Quinn of Connelly Springs; two uncles and an aunt, Harry and Dorothy Clark of Lebanon, Va., and Hollis Wright of Granite Falls; a nephew, David Hess of Flint, Mich.; a niece, Nicole Laws of Connelly Springs; and a great-nephew, Damarcus Laws of Connelly Springs. The family will be at the residence from 5 to 7 tonight. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

DAVID L. FRANKLIN
David Lee Franklin, 49, of First Street Drive, SW, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born April 24, 1951, in Catawba County, he was a son of Myrtle Laney Franklin of Hickory and the late Paul Franklin. A member of Brookford Baptist Church, he was a delivery salesman with American Pharmaceuticals and formerly worked with Catawba County Sherrifs Department, Brookford Police and Maiden Police Department. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Paulette Franklin; a daughter, Cynthia Franklin of Hickory; two brothers, William Glenn Franklin of Vale and John Eric Franklin of Hickory; a sister, Carolyn Sue Leonard of Sherrills Ford; a number of uncles and aunts; and four nephews. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. J.W. Laney at 7 tonight at Bass-Smith Funeral Home. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

MARJORIE B. AUTON
BLUEWELL, W.Va. - Marjorie Belcher Auton, 68, of Thirty-eighth Street Drive, NE, Hickory, N.C., and formerly of Princeton, died Jan. 20, 2001, after a period of declining health. Born Dec. 21, 1932, in Mercer County, she was a daughter of the late Roy and Beulah Yost Belcher Carver. A Baptist, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Auton; and two brothers, Bobby Belcher and Tommy Belcher. Survivors include four sons, John Wallace and David Wallace of White River Junction, Vt., and Steve Wallace and Mark Wallace of Conover, N.C.; three daughters, Joan Wallace of Hickory, N.C., Elane Knight of Conover, N.C., and Sandra Bagamery of Beaver, Pa.; seven grandchildren, Jonathan Bagamery, Michael Bagamery and Teresa Bagamery of Beaver, Pa.; Nancy McKinney, Adam Wallace and Zack Wallace of Conover, N.C., and Steven Wallace of Hickory, N.C.; and two great-grandchildren, Magen and Gage of Conover, N.C. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ernest Martin at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Cravens-Shires Funeral Home. Burial will be in Belcher Cemetery in Bluewell. The family will be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 tonight.

OWENS RECTOR
MORGANTON - Owens Rector, 88, of Bravard Drive, Rutherford College, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Nov. 20, 1912, in Burke County, he was a son of the late Julius Lee Rector and Bedie Ramsey Rector Berry. He was a member of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucy Irene Griffin Rector; and three brothers, Horace Rector, Carl Berry and Cecil Berry. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Bobby and Lili Ann Rector and J.L. and Bennie Rector of Rutherford College; a brother, Jack Berry of Rutherford College; a sister, Constance Benfield of Pensacola, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Josephine Griffin of Rutherford College; seven grandchildren, J.L. Rector Jr., Karen Seagle, Candis Hildebran, Merri Rudisill, Robert W. Rector, Tammy Ramos and Jamie Nichols; seven great-grandchildren, Angie Barlowe, Josh Rector, Brandon Rector, Tuesday Spencer, Jessica Hildebran, Deana Hildebran and Landon Rudisill; and three great-great-grandchildren, Miranda Ramos, Nicholas Nichols and Hali Barlowe. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Dick Campbell at 2 p.m. today at his church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service and at the residence of J.L. Rector, 211 Bravard Drive, Rutherford College, at other times. Memorials may be made to Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 127, Rutherford College, N.C. 28671. Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

VIOLA H. CARPENTER
Viola “Lovie” Herman Carpenter, 87, of Hickory, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born March 24, 1913, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph Enoch and Mary Benfield Herman. A member of Viewmont Baptist Church, she worked for Hickory Paper Box for a number of years and retired from Carving Craft. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ray Cline Carpenter; two daughters, Thelma Carpenter Waters and Dorothy Mae Carpenter; and five brothers, Plez Herman, Clifton Herman, I.V. Herman, Jennings Herman and Warren Herman. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Sherman P. and Judy Carpenter of Hickory; two daughters and three sons-in-law, Betty C. and Jack Lutz and Geraldene C. and Bob Reed of Conover and Dan L. Waters of Hickory; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Barbara Pauline Herman and Perry L. and William Harbinson of Hickory; five grandsons, Jack L. Lutz, Kevin Carpenter and Brian Waters of Conover, Scott Carpenter of Goldsboro and Alan R. Lutz of Hickory; four granddaughters, Kathy A. Young of Hickory, Debbie A. Frazier of Claremont, Amy W. Jackson of Newton and Ashley W. Dekkere of Birmingham, Ala.; 13 great-grandchildren; a great-great-grandchild; three stepgrandchildren; two stepgreat-grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Albert Young at 2 p.m. today at Hickory Funeral Home. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Scott Carpenter, Kevin Carpenter, Jeffrey Young, Brian Waters, Jack L. Lutz Jr. and Alan Lutz. Memorials may be made to N.C. Lutheran Home, 1265 Twenty-first Street, NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601.

HENRY M. WELLMAN
WINSTON-SALEM - Henry Marvin Wellman Jr., 83, of Advance, died Jan. 20, 2001, at Forsyth Medical Center. Born Feb. 8, 1917, in Rhodhiss, he was a son of the late Henry M. and Winnie Wilson Wellman. A member of Clemmons Moravian Church, he attended Duke University in Durham and graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran of World War II, he landed at Guadalcanal and served two additional campaigns in the Pacific. He served 30 years, with active duty in Chile, Japan and the Pentagon, and retired as colonel and commanding officer of Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Base. He retired in 1983 from Sears, Roebuck and Co. after 18 years as an executive at corporate headquarters in Chicago, Ill. He served as docent at Reynolda House and helped found the local chapter of the Chaine de Rotisseurs. Surivors include his wife, Martha Moretz Wellman; two sons and daughters-in-law, Henry M. and Karen Lind Wellman III and Vincent A. and Margaret Walsh Wellman of Ann Arbor, Mich.; a daughter and son-in-law, Jane W. and Tate Egger of Seattle, Wash.; a brother, John Wilson Wellman of Chester, Pa.; a sister, Sara Wellman Hamrick of Kannapolis; and six grandchildren, Lt. Deke Egger, USN, Graham Egger, Ned Wellman, Daniel Wellman, Laura Wellman and Patrick Wellman. A memorial service will be conducted by the Revs. Ray Burke and Jon Peterson at 11 a.m. Tuesday at his church. Burial will be in Arlington National Cemetery. The family will be at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to Human Service Alliance, 3983 Old Greensboro Road, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101.

CHARLES R. NEFF Jr.
NORTH WILKESBORO - Charles Robert Neff Jr., 45, of North Cricket Drive, died Jan. 19, 2001, at his residence. Born Feb. 21, 1955, in Caldwell County, he was a son of Dorothy Neff Isenhour of Hickory and the late Charles Robert Neff Sr. He was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Neff McMillan. Survivors include his wife, Angela Bare Neff; two sons, Bobby D. Neff of Lenoir and Charles McMillen of Maiden; two daughters, Tracy Burgen and Toni Davis of Lenoir; five grandchildren; and aunt, Effie Ervin. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Dan Boughman at 1 p.m. today in Harper Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.