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Miscellaneous Catawba County, North Carolina
Obituaries


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DOROTHY T. NEWTON
Dorothy Troth Newton, 74, of Hickory, died Jan. 22, 2001, at the Brian Center in Viewmont after a period of declining health. Born Aug. 13, 1926, in England, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Emma Troth. She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Hubert Newton; a brother, Dennis Troth; and two sisters, Phyllis Raymond and Edna Troth. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, David P. and Wanda Newton and Steven H. and Dottie Newton of Hickory; a daughter and son-in-law, Dianne N. and Charlie DeVinney of Morganton; five grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Truman Wilson and Pastor Mike Riley at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday at Catawba Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Randy Dover, Adam Caetta, Johnathon Ellis, Tim Walker, Truman Wilson and Rands Sebastain. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

EDNA W. WOERNER
MORGANTON - Edna Wynne Woerner, 87, of Ridgeside Terrace, died Jan. 21, 2001, at Grace Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Jan. 12, 1914, in Muskogee County, Okla., she was a daughter of the late Frank and Edna Davis McAfee. A member of First Presbyterian Church, where she was a former deacon and elder, she also was a member of the Presbyterian Women. A volunteer head librarian at the Morganton Library, she was a former president of the Friends of the Library. Among the first print recyclers in Morganton, she helped use the proceeds to build Cascade Park and fountains in Morganton. She was the chairwoman of the Downtown Revitalization Committee for a number of years and a charter member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club. She tutored with the literacy council and was a volunteer at Hillcrest School. She also was a member of Morganton Garden Club and Morganton Book Club, and she served on the board of directors of the Historic Burke Foundation and Historical Society. She was preceded in death by a brother, George McAfee. Survivors include her husband, Otto Woerner; a son and daughter-in-law, Drew and Tammy Woerner of Dunn; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Wendell Miller of Lincolnton; two brothers, Frank McAfee of Seattle, Wash., and Bob McAfee of Albuquerque, N.M.; two sisters, Mary Blake of Lewiston, Ind., and Grace Wynne of Bellevue, Wash.; seven grandchildren, Ric Woerner, Andy Woerner, Tom Woerner, James Woerner, Amanda Woerner, Brian Miller and Kim Miller; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Matt Brown at 11 a.m. today at her church. The family will remain at the church after the service. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, Structure Preservation Fund, 100 Silver Creek Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JAMES H. MEDDLIN
MORGANTON - James Harvey Meddlin, 64, of Morganton, died Jan. 21, 2001, at his residence. Born Aug. 6, 1936, he was a son of the late Harvey and Lonia Laws Meddlin. A member of Lake James Baptist Church, he retired as a lumberjack. Survivors include his caregiver, Lynn Clark of the home; and a number of nephews, nieces and cousins of Alexander County. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jim Rose and Jerrill Townsend at 3 p.m. Wednesday at his 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 Lake James Baptist Church, Powerhouse Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655. Kirksey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

HARDING L. CLARK Sr.
LENOIR - Harding Lihue Clark Sr., 79, of East Advent Circle, NW, died Jan. 21, 2001, in Hickory. Born Aug. 1, 1921, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Finley L. and Margaret Leola Clark Clark. A member of First Advent Christian Church, he retired from Broyhill Furniture Industry and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II, receiving the EAME Service Medal, a Bronze Service Star, Good Conduct Medal and World War II Victory Medal. Survivors include his wife, Willie Belle Brown Clark; two sons, Stuart Lee Clark and Harding Lihue Clark Jr. of Lenoir; two daughters and sons-in-law, Randee and Harold Davis of Hudson and Katherine and Harm Triplett of Lenoir; a brother, Mack Clark of Hudson; a sister, Margaret Hoyle of Lenoir; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Johnny Carpenter at 11 a.m. Wednesday at his church. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Barry Allen Clark, John Andrew Clark, Joshua Lihue Clark, William Chad Triplett, Jason L. Triplett and Russell Coffey. Honorary pallbearers will be his Sunday school class. The family will be at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to World War II Memorial Monument Fund, American Battle Monument Comm., Attn: GR 048, P.O. Box 96074, Washington, D.C. 20090-6074; or First Advent Christian Church, 1102 Old North Road, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

AILEEN E. TALLENT
MORGANTON - Aileen Epley Tallent, 75, of Woodward Avenue, died Jan. 21, 2001, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Born Dec. 1, 1925, in Burke County, she was a daughter of Bonnie Duckworth Epley of Morganton and the late Oda Epley. A charter member of St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, she retired from Western Carolina Center in 1988 after 25 years of employment with the state of North Carolina. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Clyde Tallent; a son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and Stephanie Tallent of Morganton; a brother, Jerome Epley of Morganton; a sister, Helen Gayler of Morganton; and two granddaughters, Casey Tallent and Kaitlyn Tallent. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Tom Stinson-Wesley at 2 p.m. Wednesday at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Burke Memorial Park. The family will be at Sossoman Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at the residence, 107 Woodward Avenue, at other times. Memorials may be made to St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 201 Shady Rest Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655.

JERRIAL G. FOSTER
LINCOLNTON - Jerrial Grady Foster, 73, of the Brian Center in Lincolnton, died Jan. 22, 2001. Born Nov. 8, 1927, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Howard and Orie Myers Foster. A truck driver in the furniture industry, he served in the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by a son, Timothy Foster. Survivors include his wife, Virginia G. Foster; two sons, Al Foster of Bessemer City and Jerry Dean Foster of Kings Mountain; a stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Rickey R. and Renee Lanier of Vale; two brothers, Henry Foster of Kings Mountain and Charles Foster of Edenton, Ga.; a sister, Opal Woody of Kings Mountain; four grandchildren; and three stepgrandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. James Cook at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Cedar Grove Lutheran Church Cemetery. The family will be at Warlick Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church, P.O. Box 441, Lincolnton, N.C. 28093.

MAX A. MCGEE
LENOIR - Max Albert McGee, 60, of Severt Circle, died Jan. 21, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born Aug. 30, 1940, in Caldwell County, he was a son of Annie McGee of Gateway Nursing Home and the late Albert Finley McGee. He was employed in the furniture industry. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joann McGee; and a sister, Loretta Hartzog. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include three sons, Timothy Max McGee, Charles A. McGee and Roger D. Abernathy of Lenoir; and five grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ronnie Burgett at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home. Burial will be in Whitnel First Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Perry Blevins, Kenny McGee, Marty McGee, Foie McGee, Ronnie Decker and David Ellis. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

MILDRED B. TANZER
MORGANTON - Mildred B. Tanzer, 76, of Wesley Drive, died Jan. 22, 2001, at Grace Hospital. Born Nov. 24, 1924, in New York, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late William and Mollie Fried Bondy. A longtime member of the Pilot Club, she retired as treasurer at Freedom High School after 25 years of service. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Tanzer; and two sons, Kim Tanzer and Jody Tanzer. Survivors include three sons and two daughters-in-law, Jed and Sally Tanzer of West Palm Beach, Fla., Glenn and Joann Tanzer of Morganton and Guy Tanzer of Wake Forest; a daughter-in-law, Betty Harmon Tanzer Curtis of Morganton; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Molly Tanzer of West Palm Beach, Fla. The family will be at Sossoman Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 803, Morganton, N.C. 28680-0803; or Burke County Friends for Animals, P.O. Box 1884, Morganton, N.C. 28680-1884.

JESSE J. WALKER
VALDESE - Jesse James Walker, 55, of Pineburr Avenue, died Jan. 20, 2001, at his residence. Born May 25, 1945, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late John W. and Zelphia Stewart Walker. He was a materials processor at the Alba-Waldensian Pineburr Plant. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Gantt Walker; a son; two daughters, Ann Walker and Shelia Walker of Marion; a stepdaughter; a brother, Harvey Walker of Lenoir; two sisters, Barbara Hall and Willa Mae Hayes of Lenoir; and seven grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Donald Smith at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Service. Burial will be in Burke Memorial Park. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

BONNIE B. HOLDER
Bonnie Benson Holder, 86, of Hickory, died Jan. 21, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born Aug. 7, 1914, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late John P. and Martha Emma Harrison Benson. She retired from Shuford Mills. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Glenn Holder; and a number of brothers and sisters. Survivors include a sister, Eva Travis of Taylorsville; and a number of nephews and nieces. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Ronnie Johnston at 2 p.m. today in Catawba Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Sweetwater Baptist Church, 609 Twenty-first St., SE, Hickory, N.C. 28601; or Humane Society of Catawba County, P.O. Box 63, Hildebran, N.C. 28637. Catawba Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JOHN E. HICKS
CONOVER - John Emory Hicks, 82, of St. Paul's Church Road, Newton, died Jan. 23, 2001, at his residence. Born Aug. 13, 1918, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late John C. and Della Sigmon Hicks. A member of Old St. Paul's Lutheran Church, he served as a deacon and elder for a number of years. He retired from Newton Glove after 52 years. He was preceded in death by a son, Coyte James Hicks; and a stepmother, Anna Helton Hicks. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Elizabeth Deal Hicks; a son and daughter-in-law, Johnny L. and Janice Brown Hicks of Newton; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Fred E. and Willie Hicks and Harold M. and Mary Hicks of Newton; a sister, Inez Hicks Boyd of Newton; four grandchildren, Gary Lee Hicks of Newton, Janet Lea Hicks and James Kelly Hicks of Conover and Amy Diane Hicks Scaer of Newton; and six great-grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie Hicks, Jonathan Nathaniel Lee Hicks, Christopher Lee Hicks, Megan Nichole Hicks, Katey Elizabeth Hicks and Samantha Taylor Scaer. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. David E. Ridenhour and Richard Hefner at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Hicks, Kelly Hicks, Allen Deal, Tim Scaer, Charlie Hartsoe and Eric Hicks. Honorary pallbearers will be Chris Hicks and Jonathan Hicks. The family will be at Drum Funeral Home from 6:30 to 8 tonight. Memorials may be made to Old St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 2035 Old Conover Startown Road, Newton, N.C. 28658; or Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.

EDWIN E. CAVENDER
BLACKSHEAR, Ga. - Edwin Everett Cavender, 76, formerly of Hickory, N.C., died Jan. 23, 2001, at Waycross Health and Rehabilitation Center after a period of declining health. Born in Charleston, W.Va., he was a son of the late Walter and Verna Hudson Cavender. A Native American Indian, he formerly owned and operated a Texaco Gas Station in Hickory, N.C. A member of Disable American Veterans, he served in the U.S. Coast Guard. Survivors include two sons, Philip Cavender of Lexington, S.C., and Dwayne Baker of Conover, N.C.; four daughters, Verna Dixon of Blackshear, Tonya Cavender of Hickory, N.C., Monica Cavender of Taylorsville, N.C., and Mary Alice Llelwyn of Stowe, Ohio; two sisters, Macil McCormick of Charleston, W.Va., and Pat Hughes of Las Vegas, Nev.; seven grandchilden; and a number of nephews, nieces and other relatives. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in Waters Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of the U.S. Navy. The family will be at Smith Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.

ARNOLD O. COCHRAN
LENOIR - Arnold Oliver Cochran, 83, of Canyon Court, died Jan. 21, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born Sept. 6, 1917, Marlington, W.Va., he was a son of the late Henry and Anna Martin Cochran. A Baptist, he retired from Bernhardt Furniture Company. Survivors include his wife, Helen Louise Kirk Cochran; a son, James E. Cochran of Lenoir; two daughters, Phyllis A. Rookstool and Carolyn D. Thompson of Lenoir; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Van Proffitt at 2 p.m. Thursday at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Shannon Cochran, Ronnie Rookstool, Kevin Miller, Kenneth Moretz, Brad Watson and Tim Robbins. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

ELIZABETH B. LOWERY
NEWTON - Elizabeth Blanchard Lowery, 78, of Wilkinson Drive, Maiden, died Jan. 22, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born July 8, 1922, in Hendersonville, she was a daughter of the late Anthony and Emily Kyrkendall Blanchard. A member of Beth Haven Baptist Church in Denver, N.C., she was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, George Nelson Lowery; two daughters, Mary Louise Lowery of the home and Betty Jean Proctor of Bethlehem, Pa.; two brothers, Gerald David Blanchard and Calvin Blanchard of Granite Falls; two sisters, Evelyn Cardell and Mabel Blanchard of Newton; six grandchildren, Crystal Katchens, Michael Katchens, Kimberly Proctor, Jonathan Proctor, Lisa Lowery and Candice Katchens; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. David Mims at 2 p.m. Thursday at her church. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home from 6 to 8 tonight. Memorials may be made to Beth Haven Baptist Church, P.O. Box 156, Denver, N.C. 28037.

FRANK G. RASH
LINCOLNTON - Frank Gamble “Lefty” Rash, 76, of Sherwood Lane, Denver, died Jan. 23, 2001, at his residence. A fixer in the textile industry, he retired from Perfection Spinning Parkdale Mills after 38 years of service and was employed by Cross Country Campground. He was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Rash; and two sisters, Edna Pruitt and Nell Lineberger. Survivors include his wife, Myrtle Cloninger Rash; three sons and daughters-in-law, Ronald “Butch” and Pasty Rash of Belmont, Frank “Mike” and Sue Rash Jr. of Stanley and Mark and Shelly Rash of Denver, N.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Diane and James Rayfield of Maiden; a sister, Flossie Hensley of Hardin; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. James Peeler Jr. at 11 a.m. Thursday at Warlick Funeral Home. Burial will be in Gaston Memorial Park in Gastonia. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, 107 North Cedar St., Lincolnton, N.C. 28092.

SZUA SHONG
Szua Shong, 77, of Union Mill, died Jan. 22, 2001, at Hospice of Caldwell County. He was born Oct. 7, 1923, in Laos. Survivors include three sons, Hue T. Lee of Nebo, Cha Lee of Hickory and Chang Lee of Union Mill; and 25 grandchildren. A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at Catawba Funeral Home from 8 a.m. Friday to 2 p.m. Sunday.

BETTY L. ALLEN
Betty L. Allen, 79, of Hickory, died Jan. 23, 2001. Born Feb. 1, 1921, in Atlanta, Ga., she was a daughter of the late Leland G. and Margaret Frances Arndt Allen. A member of Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, she was a Sunday school teacher for more than 50 years and served on the church council. She was chairman of several committees on the church council, worked with the confirmation ministry and was a representative of her church as delegate to the assembly of synod. A graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College, she was a former part-time employee of the license bureau office. An employee of Hickory Merchants Association and the Credit Bureau of Hickory, she was executive vice-president, secretary and treasurer for 57 years. A supporter of Hickory League for Crippled and Polio, Sipes Orchard Home, High Hope of Hickory, the Hickory Historical Association, Hickory Museum of Art and the Hickory Police Station. Survivors include two cousins and a cousin-in-law, Doris Sides of Hickory, Haywood and Minta Allen of Newton; members of the Arndt family; and a number of friends including, Margaret Huggins, Lynn Lail, Kathy Reid and those of Giovannis restaurant in Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Robert Shoffner and Deborah Michaels at 3:30 p.m. today at her church. A wake celebration will be held at 5 p.m. today at Giovannis restaurant in Viewmont. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 9580, Hickory, N.C. 28630. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WALTER L. PARLIER
LENOIR - Walter Lee Parlier, 76, of Meadowood Street, died Jan. 23, 2001, at his residence. Born July 4, 1924, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late John E. and Amanda Brinkley Parlier. A member of Whitnel United Methodist Church, he was the former owner of Fairway Motor Sales in Hickory and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by four brothers, J. Hise Parlier, Fred Parlier, Finley Parlier and Glenn Parlier; and four sisters, Minnie Bell Lail, Hester Simmons, Estelle Mitchum and Tressie Annas. Survivors include his wife, Ethel Minton Parlier; a son and daughter-in-law, Tony R. and Lisa W. Parlier of Lenoir; a daughter, Terrie Lynn Parlier Jimison of Granite Falls; and two granddaughters, Lora Parlier of Lenoir and Holli Jimison of Granite Falls. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. David Lookadoo at 11 a.m. Friday at his church. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Jimmy Minton, Jack Kincaid, David Colvard, Bruce Hamby, Bill Minton and Junior Arnette. 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; or Whitnel United Methodist Church, 1373 Delwood Drive, SW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

RUBY W. JONES
MORGANTON - Ruby Webb Jones, 95, of Grace Ridge, died Jan. 24, 2001. Born Feb. 27, 1905, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Reubin S. and Bessie Arney Webb. She was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Morganton. She was preceded in death by her husband, William James Jones. Survivors include a sister, Grace Chapman of Norfolk, Va.; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Bob Divinney at 11 a.m. Friday at Kirksey Funeral Home. A private burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

DOROTHY C. HORD
FALLSTON - Dorothy Anne Cline Hord, 74, of Hord Road, Lawndale, died Jan. 24, 2001, at her residence. Born Dec. 8, 1926, in Cleveland County, she was the daughter of the late Edward and Ruby Lattimore Cline. A member of Lawndale Baptist Church, she was active in civic and community organizations in Cleveland County and the Shelby area. One of the first 100 women admitted to Wake Forest University, she became one of their first cheerleaders. Later she was a journalist for the Shelby Star and taught at Piedmont High School before becoming a homemaker and serving community churches as choir director. She was preceded in death by a sister, Dorcas White. daughter-in-law, Ed and Jean Hord of Charlotte; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Anne Walker of Charlotte, Ellen and Rick Wease of Lawndale, and Jean and Dave Roberts of Boone; eight grandchildren, Tyler Hord, Chuck Wease, Ricky Wease and Kimberly Wease, Max Borders, Abby Walker, Ivey Mauney and Davis Roberts; and three great-grandchildren, Andrew Wease, Kaitlyn Wease and Caleb Wease. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Paul Williams and John Bridges at 2 p.m. Friday at her church. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park. The family will be at Stamey Funeral Home from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Hord Scholarship Fund, c/o Lawndale Baptist church, P.O. Box 126, Lawndale, N.C. 28090.

RODNEY E. BRANCH
MORGANTON - Rodney E. Branch, 34, of Branstorm Orchard Street, died Jan. 23, 2000, at Grace Hospital. Born May 14, 1966, in Caldwell County, he was the son of Jacqueline Alexander Branch of Morganton and the late Richard Edgar Branch. A member of the Drexel Christian Center, he was a former employee of Drexel-Heritage Furnishings and Alray Tire Center Inc. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Brenda Triplett Branch of Morganton; a son, Rodney Branch II of Morganton; a daughter, Misty Branch of Morganton; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Troy Branch and Greg and Lea-Ann Branch of Morganton; a paternal grandmother, Zelma Branch Allen of Morganton; maternal grandparents, Leroy and Estelle Alexander of Morganton; a maternal great-grandmother Alice Wortman of Morganton; father- and mother-in-law, David and Cathy Triplett of Drexel; a brother-in-law, Odell Triplett of Morganton; four nieces; and a nephew. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Jeff Davis at 2 p.m. Friday at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will follow at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will be at Sossoman Funeral Home from from 7 to 8 tonight and at the residence of David and Caity Triplett, 1737 Butler Hill Road, Drexel; or Jacqueline Branch, 3701 Don Johnson Road, at other times.

WILBUR L. ABERNATHY
BESSEMER CITY - Wilbur Lee Abernathy, 59, of Squirrel Drive, died Jan. 22, 2001, in Swannanoa. Born in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late John H. and Pauline Cable Abernathy. A member of Sunnyside Baptist Church, he was employed by Schwartz Steel and served in the National Guard. Survivors include his wife, Raelynn C. Abernathy; two sons, John Lee Abernathy of Bessemer City and Jeff Abernathy of Hickory; and a sister, Joyce Dellinger of Lincolnton. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Carroll Brackett and Ron Kinsey at 2 p.m. today at his church. Burial will be in Westview Gardens. Pallbearers will be Mark Cagle, Donnie Robinson, Jerry Bridges, Larry Carver, Jody Weaver and Teddy Dellinger. Sisk-Butler Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

HOWARD L. LEMMONS
FALLSTON - Howard Lee Lemmons, 76, of Big Hill Road, died Jan. 23, 2001, at Grace Hospital in Morganton. Born April 26, 1924, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Whitford Lemmons and Nellie Anthony Lemmons Glover. A member of Bingham Memorial Evangelical Methodist Church, he retired from Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company after 31 years of service. He was preceded in death by his stepfather, the Rev. John Glover; three brothers, the Rev. Virgil Glover, Oliver Glover and J.P. Glover; and two sisters, Edna Lloyd and Katie Earwood. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Edna Tallent Lemmons; a son and daughter-in-law, Beauford R. and Kathy Lemmons of Hickory; a daughter and a son-in-law, Melanie and Dean Arndt of Lawndale; another son-in-law, Ronnie Mellon of Lawndale; a sister, Marie Towery of Lawndale; two grandsons, Chris Lemmons and Andrew Mellon; three granddaughters and two grandsons-in-law, Wendy and Eric Bailey, Amy and Jason Costner and Angela Mellon; and a great-granddaughter, Karman Bailey. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Kenneth Frady and Scott Pacifico at 3 p.m. today at Stamey Funeral Home. Burial will be in Olive Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.

MILDRED S. MORRISON
FALLSTON - Mildred Sweezy Morrison, 79, of Barbee Road, died Jan. 23, 2001, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Born May 22, 1921, in Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late John J. and Zunnie Deadaro Brackett Sweezy. A member of Lawndale United Methodist Church, she retired from Cleveland Mills after 35 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Owen Morrison; two brothers, Roy F. Sweezy and Clyde W. Sweezy; and a sister, Evelyn S. Skinner. Survivors include three daughters and two sons-in-law, Delores and Charles Wagley of Lawndale, Jane and Dean Wright of Shelby and Jean Morrison of Hickory; two sisters-in-law, Jessie Sweezy of Shelby and Elizabeth Sweezy of Charlotte; three grandsons and two granddaughters-in-law, Jamey and Lynn Hawkins, Steve and Heather Minnix and Lee Hawkins and his fiancee, Laurel Beecher; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Amy and Charles Hamilton; six great-grandchildren, Natalie Hamilton, Ben Hamilton, Jaye Hawkins, Josh Hawkins, Brianna Hawkins and Madeline Hawkins; and friends, Dorothy Lee of Lawndale, Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Jones of Rutherfordton and Dr. Surendra Sidhu of Shelby. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ben Davis and Fred Towery at 7:45 tonight at Stamey Funeral Home. The family will be at the funeral home from 6:30 to 7:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Life Enrichment Center, 1270 Fallston Road, Shelby, N.C. 28150.

BOBBY F. MORRISON
Bobby Franklin Morrison, 53, of Catawba Valley Boulevard, died Jan. 24, 2001, at his residence. Born May 30, 1947, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Roy W. and Elizabeth Crowder Morrison. A shipping supervisor with Karolina Polymers, he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and Catawba County Shriners Club. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lucille Hutchins; and grandparents, F.K. and Brazzie Crowder. Survivors include his wife, Mae B. Morrison; two brothers, Roy “Son” Morrison of Forest City and Ralph Morrison of Blacksburg, S.C.; two sisters, Carolyn Young of Hickory and Peggie Sheppard of Newton; a god daughter, Elizabeth Carol Franckhauser of Hickory; and a number of nephews and nieces. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Ernie Richards at 7 p.m. Friday at Bass-Smith Funeral Home. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Catawba County Shriners Club, 1418 West N.C. 10, Newton, N.C. 28658.

JIMMIE T. FOX
TAYLORSVILLE - Jimmie Thomas Fox, 72, of Taylorsville, died Jan. 24, 2001, at Alexander Community Hospital. Born June 3, 1928, in Alexander County, he was the son of the late Will O. and Rebecca Jane Hendrix Fox. A member of Liledoun Baptist Church, he was a farmer and known for his prize winning produce and pumpkins at the Alexander County Fair. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was the owner of Sanitary Pick Up in Alexander County from 1966 to 1988. He was preceded in death by two brother, Otis Fox and Darrell Fox; and three sisters, Maggie Pope, Willa Mae Rufty and Anna Mae Fox. Survivors include his wife, Blanche Fox; three sons, Lonnie Thomas Fox, Steve Wayne Fox, and Alan Dale Fox of Taylorsville; three daughters, Marcia Barnes, Anna Mae Wallace and Darlene May of Taylorsville; thirteen grandchildren, Theresa Wallace, Amanda Wallace, Mia Fox, Lee Fox, Angel Fox, Vanna May, Monica May, John Fox, Aimee Fox, Frances Fox, Sara Fox, Monica Fox and Lillian Fox; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral service will be conducted by the Revs. James Bumgarner and Cliff Tolosa at 2 p.m. Saturday at his church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association, 1660 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. 22314; or Liledoun Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 475, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681. Alexander Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

WILLIAM D. CHESTER
LENOIR - William Daniel “Buck” Chester, 79, of Woodridge Drive, died Jan. 24, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice. Born Aug. 25, 1921, in Danville, Va., he was a son of the late William A. and Alice McLean Chester. A member of Berea Baptist Church, he retired as a supervisor from Bernhardt Furniture and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Marie M. Chester; four brothers, Jim Chester, George Chester, Joe Chester and Junior Chester; and a sister, Christine Moore. Survivors include two daughters, Shirley Poarch of Lenoir and Brenda Childers of Charlotte; a brother, Zeb Chester of Lenoir; a sister, Lucy Brown of Lenoir; three grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Wayne Borders at 2 p.m. Friday at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Danny Chester, Johnny Chester, Steve Chester, Jeff Chester, Tony Chester and Jerry Brown. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

LETTIE B. BRIDGES
Lettie Louise Bass Bridges, 96, of Hickory, died Jan. 23, 2001, at Brian Center East. Born Dec. 12, 1904, in Asheville, she was a daughter of the late Robert and Addie Edney Bass. A member of St. Thomas Church of God in Stony Point, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Fred Bridges; two sons, John Fred Bridges Jr. and Robert Eulan Bridges; and a granddaughter, Kimberle Ann Isenhour. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, John Wilburn and Nell Bridges of Hickory and Jack E. Bridges Sr. of Statesville; two daughters and a son-in-law, Sue Bridges Isenhour and Joanne and William Ekard of Hickory; daughter-in-law, Ruby Schronce Bridges of Hickory; a granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Rachel and Harry Reep of Conover; and a number of other grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Billy Smith at 2 p.m. today at Bass-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.

JOHNNY R. HEWITT
INDIAN TRAIL - Johnny Robert Hewitt, 71, of Stallings, died Jan. 22, 2001, at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. Born Sept. 9, 1929, in Claremont, he was a son of the late John A. and Nell Hewitt. He retired as a telephone engineer with Alltel after 24 years of service. A founding member of Indian Trail Athletic Association, he served as a coach for a number years. Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Beverly Hewitt; a son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Lana Hewitt of Indian Trail; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kelly and Paul Nickell of Westfield and Marsha Wertz of San Antonio, Texas; a brother, William Hewitt of Troy; two sisters, Jo Marilyn Hewitt of Claremont and Gayle Wilfong of Longwood, Fla.; an aunt, Polly Cloninger of Claremont; and six grandchildren, Taylor Hewitt, Travis Hewitt, Alli Nickell, Laith Nickell, Heather Wertz and Rebecca Wertz. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. John Propst at 3 p.m. today at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Forest Lawn East Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Don Moore, Mike Foster, Robert Young, Jim Houser, Barry Deal and Terry Lette. Honorary pallbearers will be Lee Suther, Richard Reddecliff, Jerry Smith, Dave Chafin, Steve Jehele, Tom Jackson, Jim Campbell, Steve Miller and Jack Miller. Memorials may be made to Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church, 8600 Potter Road, Matthews, N.C. 28104. Heritage Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

DONALD R. KNOLLMEYER
Donald Richard Knollmeyer, 88, of Hickory, died Jan. 23, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Oct. 11, 1912, in Pittsfield, Mass, he was a son of the late Louis F. and Kathryn Ryan Knollmeyer. A member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church, he retired as a finance manager from General Electric in 1972. A former treasurer of the American Red Cross, he was the former president of the General Electric Stanley Club. He was preceded in death by a brother, Paul Knollmeyer. Survivors include his wife, Margaret C. Knollmeyer; three sons, Donald W. Knollmeyer, Alan C. Knollmeyer and Marc M. Knollmeyer of Charlotte; three daughters, Bonny Loescher of Branalea, Ontario, Canada, Elaine Jotz of Ponce Inlet, Fla., and Donna Whitener of Hickory; two brothers, Louis Knollmeyer and Roger A. Knollmeyer of Cape Cod, Mass.; two sisters, Elaine G. Knollmeyer and Isabel Knollmeyer of Pittsfield, Mass.; 14 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The funeral mass will be conducted by the Rev. Bill Tanguay at 10:30 a.m. Friday at his church. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Capital Fund, 921 Second St., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

RAMON CHAPARRO
MAIDEN - Ramon Chaparro, 29, of East Bandys Cross Road, Catawba, died Jan. 23, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital in Hickory. Born Oct. 1, 1972, in El Paso, Texas, he was a son of Ramon Chaparro of El Paso, Texas, and the late Maria Dejesus Chaparro. He was a supervisor for Carolina Roofing Co. Survivors, in addition to his father, include his wife, Linda Garrison Chaparro; a son, Vincente Chaparro of El Paso, Texas; two brothers, Andres Chaparro of El Paso, Texas, and Rogello Chaparro of Bakersfield, Calif.; and five sisters, Amelia Kennedy of Catawba, Evangalina Mendez of Conover, Maria Dejesus Chaparro of Claremont, Alejanda Chaparro of Denver, N.C., and Virginia Chaparro of El Paso, Texas. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Dean Kelly at 10 a.m. Friday at Shiloh United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Burke Mortuaries is in charge of arrangements.

CHARLES N. GREENE
LENOIR - Charles Nathaniel Greene, 68, of Hill Street, NW, died Jan. 21, 2001, at his residence after a period of declining health. Born Sept. 24, 1932, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Samuel and Ollie Baker Greene Sr. A member of Mount Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church, he retired as a mechanic from Lenoir Furniture Co. He was preceded in death by a brother, Clifton Ernest Greene. Survivors include a son, Andre M. Greene of Morganton; two daughters, Anna R. Dell'era of France and Tammy L. Greene of Lenoir; a brother, Samuel Greene of the home; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchildren; a niece; and a number of cousins, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jimmie Norwood Sr., Earl Yount and Miller Carter at 4 p.m. Friday at Ebony Funeral Service. Burial will be private. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.


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