CHARLES A. MORETZ
Charles Aubrey Moretz, 71, of Thirtieth Street Court, NE, Conover, died May 14, 2001, at his residence.
Born Oct. 2, 1929, in Alexander County, he was a son of the late Arthur and Lela Honeycutt Moretz.
A member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church, he served on the church council. He retired from Moretz & Sipe Inc. as president and was a charter member of the St. Stephens Lions Club and a recipient of the Lions International Melvin Jones Award.
Survivors include his wife, Pauline Sipe Moretz; four sons and daughters-in-law, C. Anthony and Candy Moretz and Keith and Shelley Moretz of Hickory, George A. and Susan Moretz of Raleigh, and Kevin and Joni Moretz of Sherrills Ford; a daughter and son-in-law, Patrice and Jimmy Flythe of Raleigh; 13 grandchildren and one granddaughter-in-law, Chad and Misty Moretz, Nathan Moretz, Natalie Moretz, Kyle Moretz and Haley Moretz of Hickory, Brittany Moretz of Sherrills Ford, and Tripp Flythe, Christopher Flythe, George Flythe, Megan Moretz, Jordan Moretz, Paige Moretz and B.J. Moretz of Raleigh; and a great-grandchild, Trey Moretz of Hickory.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. James Zimmerman, Kris Hill and Harold Drum at 4 p.m. Wednesday at his church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Reggie Sloan, Gene Hahn, Don Johnson, Billy Price, Johnny Parsons, Max Miller, Mark Howell and Arnold Flowers.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of St. Stephens Lions Club.
The family will be at the church from 7 to 9 tonight and at the residence, 1510 Thirtieth Street Court, NE, of Conover, at other times.
Memorials may be made to Mount Zion Lutheran Church, Ministerial Scholarship Fund, 4420 County Home Road, Conover, N.C. 28613 or Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
PHOEBE D. DIERCKS
MORGANTON - Phoebe Duckworth Diercks, 74, of Willow Run, died May 13, 2001, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Born April 6, 1927, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late William J. and Annie Mae Brendle Duckworth.
A member of First United Methodist Church, she retired from the city of Morganton. She served on several city committees and worked in the box office at CoMMA after retiring. She also was a graduate of Morganton High School, Mars Hill Junior College and Wake Forest College.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Vivian D. Rusher.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Sheila D. and Redmond Dill and Lori D. and Richard Conway of Morganton; a sister, Teresa Rohr of Raleigh; four grandchildren, Snow Sherrill, Kurt Conway, Christie Conway and Cara Conway of Morganton; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The family will be at Sossoman Funeral Home from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday.
Memorials may be made to city of Morganton, Community Appearance Advisory Committee, P.O. Box 3448, Morganton, N.C. 28680.
MULLIE R. WILSON
MORGANTON - Mullie R. Wilson, 89, of Grace Heights, and formerly of Jenkins Road, died May 14, 2001, at the nursing home after a period of declining health.
Born Oct. 9, 1911, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Samuel and Sarah Elizabeth Crawley Walker.
She was a member of First Apostolic Church.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Joseph Dale; her second husband, James Henry Wilson; and four sisters, Louise Ross, Effie Carswell, Jessico Bollinger and Ruthie Walker.
Survivors include a sister, Vergie Klapper of Cola, S.C.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Alvin Baker at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sossoman Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Burke Memorial Park.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
MARY M. GRAHAM
TAYLORSVILLE - Mary Belle Miller Graham, 93, of Happy Plains Drive, died May 12, 2001, at Alexander Community Hospital after a period of declining health.
Born May 12, 1908, in Asheville, she was a daughter of the late Howard Clemmons and Josie King James.
A member of Mount Carmel Baptist Church, she was owner and operator of Belle's View Rest Home in Taylorsville and member of the Eastern Star. She also was North Carolina Small Business Person of the Year in 1977.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis Miller; a daughter, Catherine Connor; and five grandchildren, Diane Miller, John Howard Wellman, Jack Levone Miller, Steve Austin Connor and Thomas Roland Wellman.
Survivors include two daughters, Mary Lou Wellman and Sarah Francis Abbott of Taylorsville; a son-in-law, John Roland Wellman; 11 grandchildren, Glenn L. Wellman, Clayton B. Wellman, Emma Wellman Rankin, Larry Wellman, William G. Wellman, Kathy Wellman, Danny Connor, Richard Connor, Mary Francis Connor, Bobby Dean Abbott and David Abbott; 30 great-grandchildren; 25 great-great-grandchildren; and several friends, Mary Lee Sweat, Wilma Stokes and companion, Evelyn Mast.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Walter Singletary, Charles Parks and Sterling Howard at 3 p.m. Wednesday at her church.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Burial will be in Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will be at Adams Funeral Home from 7 to 8 tonight and at the residence of Mary Lou Wellman, 238 Radio Road, Taylorsville, at other times.
Memorials may be made to Patient Fund, c/o Belle's View Rest Home, 360 Wood Road, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681.
MYRTLE L. BEACH
LENOIR - Myrtle Landen Beach, 89, of Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks, died May 13, 2001, at Lutheran Rest Home.
Born April 26, 1912, in Chinquapin, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Jefferson F. and Emily Quinn Landen.
A member of John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Salisbury, she retired from Hudson High School as school librarian and taught in Duplin County Schools and in Morganton. She also was a graduate of Queens College and UNC School of Library Science.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Judge Benjamen Beach.
Survivors include a nephew, Jeff Landen of Pink Hill; and a sister-in-law, Luvoise Landen of Chinquapin.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Revs. Marvin Lindsay and Gerrit Dawson at 11 a.m. today in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday at her church.
Memorials may be made to John Calvin Presbyterian Church, 1620 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, N.C. 28144.
Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
MARGARET McKINNEY
SPRUCE PINE - Margaret McKinney, 70, of Spruce Pine, died May 14, 2001. She was a daughter of the late Charlie and Annie Poteat Gaddy.
She was a member of Grassy Creek Presbyterian Church.
She was preceded in death by a grandson, David Hunter McKinney.
Survivors include three sons, David McKinney and Daniel McKinney of Spruce Pine and Mike McKinney of Waynesville; two daughters, Rebecca Teague of Spruce Pine and Julia Hamby of Hickory; two sisters, Mary Grace Randolph of Marion and Charlie Mae Gaddy of Morganton; and five granddaughters, Melissa, Angie, Casey, Haley and Kylie.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. B.G. McMahan and Mike Brazel at 2 p.m. Wednesday at her church.
The family will be at Webb Funeral Home from 6 to 8 tonight.
ERIC S. MINGUS
Eric Sean Mingus, 21, of Cemetery Loop Road, died May 13, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Born Aug. 11, 1979, in Catawba County, he was a son of Everette Dale Mingus of Hickory and Debbie Fogle Mingus of Conover.
He attended Tri-City Baptist Church and was an order picker at a local company.
He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Floyd Mingus; and maternal grandmother, Dorothy Fogle.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a brother, Michael Mingus of Maiden; a sister, Joy Mingus of Conover; paternal grandmother, Mabel Mingus of Hickory; maternal grandfather, the Rev. William Fogle of Hickory; maternal great-grandmother, Bernice Fogle of Palm Beach Garden, Fla.; a nephew, Austin Ennis of Conover; and a number of uncles, aunts and cousins.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Clay Holcomb and Byron Repass at noon Wednesday at Tri-City Baptist Church.
Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Tri-City Baptist Church, P.O. Box 40, Conover, N.C. 28613.
Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
VERA M. STANTON
Vera Margaret Stanton, 93, of Hickory, died May 13, 2001, at Brian Center in Hickory.
Born in Laurinburg, she was a daughter of the late Hannibal and Lillie Heustess Stanton.
A member of First United Methodist Church of Hickory for more than 50 years, she retired from the Catawba County Department of Social Services and was a member of Hickory Music Club.
She was preceded in death by a niece, Francis Gubbins.
Survivors include her nephew-in-law, Paul Gubbins of Pinehurst; two greatnephews, Douglas Gubbins of Charlotte and Paul Gubbins IV of Raleigh; a greatniece, Eleanor Moore of Tulsa, Okla.; six cousins, Richard Heustess of Houston, Texas, Robert McNab, Jewel Borke and Floyd Quarterman of Charleston, S.C., Elise Williams of Winnsboro, S.C., and Roland Heustess of Zephyrhills, Fla.; a godson, Tom Walton of Taylorsville; and friend, Betty Snyder of Hickory.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at her church.
Burial will be at 3 p.m. Wednesday in McCall Cemetery in Bennettsville, S.C.
The family will be at the church an hour prior to the service.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
DORTHIA S. WOODRUFF
VALDESE - Dorthia Marie Shives Woodruff, 73, of Old N.C. 18, Morganton, died May 13, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital after a period of declining health.
Born Feb. 24, 1928, in Surry County, she was a daughter of the late Marvin H. and Vassie Mae Marsh Shives.
A member of Poarch Chapel Missionary Methodist Church in Morganton, she retired from Drexel Heritage Furniture Plant No. 6.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Motley Sr.; and her second husband, Lloyd Woodruff.
Survivors include two sons, John Motley Jr. of Morganton and Marvin Thomas Motley of Walnut Cove; a daughter, Rhonda Wells of Salisbury; a brother, David Shives of Tampa, Fla.; a sister, Nancy Tuttle of Salisbury; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Wally Smith, Fred Tyler and Steve Holtshouser at 11 a.m. Thursday at her church.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Burial will be at Trading Ford Baptist Church Cemetery in Salisbury.
The family will be at Heritage Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.
JUNE M. BASS
June Ruth Moore Bass, 74, of Newton, died May 15, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born June 2, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y., she was a daughter of the late James A. and Mary Marie Hartung Moore.
A member of Palm Tree United Methodist Church, she was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Leonard Bass.
Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Roger L. and Jennifer Bass and Charles L. and Katherine W. Bass II of Newton; a brother, James Moore of Dale City, Va.; a sister, Viola Moore Bass of Morganton; a grandson and granddaughter-in-law, Charles L. and Keista Davis Bass III of Newton; two granddaughters and a grandson-in-law, Miranda Bass of Newton and Lauren Bass and Jason Wright of Maiden; a great-grandson, Dustin Wright of Maiden; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Dean Hart and David Talbert at 4 p.m. Thursday at Startown First Baptist Church.
Burial will be in Palm Tree United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Bass, Joseph Bass, Marc Parham, James Bass, Dustin Bass and Josh Parham.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Startown First Baptist Church, Startown Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
HELEN B. SHAFFER
MORGANTON - Helen Buff Shaffer, 64, of Enola Road, died May 15, 2001, at Hospice Shytle House in Valdese after a period of declining health.
Born Feb. 9, 1937, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Clarence L. and Mary Bollinger Buff.
A member of Missionary Ridge Baptist Church, she retired from the Western Carolina Center.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Shaffer; a nephew, Brian Buff; and a niece, Deborah Walker Johnson.
Survivors include two sons, Chris Dale and Danny Buff of Morganton; three daughters, Teresa Hogan of Marion and Susan Dale and Jennifer Wright of Morganton; four brothers, Jack Buff, Clyde Buff and Vernon Buff of Morganton and Luther Buff of Valdese; two sisters, Clara Mae Walker and Barbara Walker of Morganton; seven grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Donald Lovelace at 11 a.m. Thursday 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 Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690.
ROSS T. EARL
Ross Taylor Earl, 19, of Tanglewood Drive, died May 13, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Born May 2, 1982, in Groton, Conn., he was a son of James T. and Carol Malloy Earl of Hickory.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a sister and brother-in-law, Jenna and Robert Spruill of Hickory; two paternal grandparents, Fred and Evelyn Earl of Homer, Ill.; and a grandfather, Lawrence H. Malloy Jr. of Quaker Hill, Conn.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Richard Schwant at 10 a.m. Friday in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
CHARLES A. MORETZ
Charles Aubrey Moretz, of Conover, died May 14, 2001, at his residence.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Paul Moretz and Conrad Moretz.
Survivors include three brothers, Bruce Moretz and Eugene Moretz of Hickory and Taylor Moretz of Georgia; and a sister, Fletta Price of Hickory.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. James Zimmerman, Kris Hill and Harold Drum at 4 p.m. today at Mount Zion Lutheran Church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
ANNIE L. RAYMER
STATESVILLE - Annie Lorene Lanier Raymer, 81, of Shiloh Road, died may 15, 2001, at Maple Leaf Health Care after a period of declining health.
Born Sept. 18, 1919, in Iredell County, she was a daughter of the late Marvin M. and Dora Haithcox Lanier.
A member of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, she sang in the church choir and helped with Bible school.
A retired seamstress, she also was a member of East Iredell Senior Group and the Golden Agers Club.
She was preceded in death by seven brothers, C. Ray Lanier, Clyde Lanier, Vestal Lanier, Foy Lanier, Flake Lanier, Ivey Lanier and Earl Lanier; and a sister, Ena L. Plyler.
Survivors include her husband, E. Gilbert Raymer; three sons and daughters-in-law, the Rev. G. Ray and Susan Raymer of Hickory, E. Jay and Rita Raymer and Wayne P. and Cathy Raymer of Statesville; five grandchildren, Matthew Raymer, Wendy R. Kastor, A. Neil Raymer, Lisa R. Fortenberry and Amanda Raymer; four great-grandchildren, Jackson Raymer, Taylor Kastor, Aaron Raymer and Allison Fortenberry; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ralph Lepley at 3 p.m. Thursday at her church.
Burial will be in St. Michaels' Cemetery in Troutman.
Pallbearers will be Matt Raymer, Michael Fortenberry, Brad Kastor, Joe Raymer, Harold Lanier, Vance Harkey, Sidney Lanier and Lowry Lanier.
The family will be at Nicholson Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at her residence at other times.
Memorials may be made to Chapel Hill United Methodist Church Church, 119 Bethesda Road, Statesville, N.C. 28677; or Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, N.C. 28625.
JOHN A. COLES
LENOIR - John Allen Coles, 62, of W. Lenoir Drive, died May 12, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
Born Oct. 3, 1938, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late John H. and Ester Patterson Coles.
A member of Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, he was a trustee, a member of the United Methodist Men and a unit leader. Employeed by Harper Furniture for 29 years, he served in the U.S. Army.
Survivors include his wife, Janet S. Coles; a brother, Harold M. Coles of Lenoir; and five sisters, Ester C. Crump of New York, N.Y., Emma Jean Coles, Ruby C. McLean and Judy C. Hardy of Lenoir and the Rev. Jessie C. Keaton of Charlotte.
The funeral was conducted by the Revs. Miller Carter, Thomas Nixon, Earl Yount and Sherwood T. Davis at 2 p.m. Tuesday at his church.
Burial was in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, 426 Woodsway Lane, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Ebony Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
THOMAS ROBINSON Jr.
Thomas Robinson Jr., 83, of Eighth Street Lane, NE, died May 14, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health.
Born July 21, 1917, in Coeburn, Va., he was a son of the late Thomas and Pauline Hank Robinson.
He retired as field manager for Ford Motor Company.
Survivors include his wife, Gladys Riddle Robinson; two sons, Thomas Robinson III of Hickory and Philip Robinson of Ashland, Ky.; two daughters, Debra Tyler of Jacksonville, Fla., and Karen Cole of Louisville, Ky.; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday in Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Ky.
Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
TOMMYLYNN BURCHAM
MORGANTON - TommyLynn Burcham, infant daughter of Cynthia Dittman and Graham Burcham III, of Cherryville, died May 8, 2001, at Gaston Memorial Hospital in Gastonia.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, include two maternal grandparents, Thomas and Debra Ditman; two paternal grandparents, Roger and Mary Burcham Sr.; a great-grandfather, Tommy Miller; and two aunts, Nele Burcham and Amanda Dittman.
A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Richard Collins at 1 p.m. Thursday at Kirksey Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Masonic Home for Children, 600 College St., Oxford, N.C. 27566.
DORIS J. BRADSHAW
MORGANTON - Doris Mae Johnson Bradshaw, 65, of Berrytown Avenue, Valdese, died May 13, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital.
Born Nov. 17, 1936, in Burke County, she was a daughter of Beatrice Fullwood Johnson of Valdese and the late Leroy Johnson.
A member of Mount Zion Baptist Church in Valdese, she was a Sunday school superintendent, young adult Sunday school teacher, chairperson of the kitchen committee, president of the Senior Mission, a member of the Senior Choir, former church clerk and former instructor for the BTU. She retired as a supervisor from Burke Mills after 32 years of service. A former employee with Burke County Public Schools, Heritage Middle School and food service, she also was a member of Burke County NAACP and Community Watch Program. She was a board member of Building Bridges.
Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, James Bradshaw Sr.; a son and daughter-in-law, James and Andrea Bradshaw Jr. of Valdese; a daughter and son-in-law, Karen L. and Carlton Phillips of Riverdale, Md.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Roy C. and Barbara Johnson Sr. of Valdese and Alvin and Carolyn Johnson of Morganton; five sisters and two brothers-in-law, Vera J. and Charles Curry of Bethesda, Md., Margo J. Thombs, Genevive Johnson of Beltsville, Md., Thelma J. Graves of Rockville, Md., and Alice and Leonard Dixon of Lenoir; a half sister, Sarah Mae Hunter of Philadelphia, Pa.; three grandsons, Donte' Lamer Bradshaw of Valdese and Andre' Phillips and David James Phillips of Riverdale, Md.; three granddaughters, Lee Aneil Bradshaw and Adaisa R. Bradshaw of Valdese and Victoria Phillips of Riverdale, Md.; and a number of uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces and other relatives.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Kenneth B. Falls, Frances Tate, W.F. McIntosh Jr. and Myrtle Hawkins at 4 p.m. Thursday at her church.
Burial will be in Mount Zion Memorial Park.
The family will be at the church from 3 to 3:55 p.m. Thursday.
Memorials may be made to Building Bridges, P.O. Box 925, Valdese, N.C. 28690.
Ebony Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
STEPHEN E. BOLCH
Stephen Earl Bolch, 52, of Section House Road, died May 15, 2001, at his residence.
Born Sept. 22, 1948, in Catawba County, he was a son of Cassie Harris Bolch of the home and the late Cyril C. Bolch.
A member of Miller's Lutheran Church, he was a self-employed plumber and was a member of American Legion Post 48.
Survivors, in addition to his mother, include two brothers, Wayne Bolch of Hickory and James “Jimmy” Bolch of Vale; two sisters, Sylvia Shull and Nancy Rogers of Hickory; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jason Sigmon and John N. Woodard at 3 p.m. Thursday at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Lee Rogers, Rick Davis, William Warren, John Warren, Roc Bolch and Marcus Dorsey.
The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Miller's Lutheran Church, Organ Fund, 2280 Twelfth Ave., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601.
HARRY L. KING
Dr. Harry Lee King, 57, of Hickory, died May 14, 2001, at University Hospital in Charlottesville, Va.
Born Sept. 20, 1943, in Summerset County, Md., he was a son of Amos C. King of Westover, Md., and the late Agnes Ogborn King.
Survivors, in addition to his father, include his wife, Rosemary Gerber King; three sons, Rodney King of Germany and Sidney King and Bradley King of Hickory; a daughter, La Dene King of Hickory; five brothers, Elmer King of Pennsylvania, Walter L. King of Hickory, Dan King of Ohio and Billy King and A.J. King of Westover, Md.; three sisters, Ruby King Dorsey and Miriam Dogen of Westover, Md., and Rosa King of Virginia; 21 nephews and nieces; and 12 great-nephews and great-nieces.
The funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Friday at St. Stephens Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod.
The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday.
Memorials may be made to Harry L. King Memorial Fund Medical Care for Children, 31 First Ave., SE, Hickory, N.C. 28602; or Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, Pa., 17501.
FRANCES S. PRICE
Frances Sherrill Price, 84, of Granite Falls, died May 15, 2001, at her residence.
Born Aug. 15, 1916, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late J.V. and Addie Cook Sherrill Sr.
A member of Philadelphia Lutheran Church, she was a member of the Womens Church Group and a former Sunday school teacher. She retired as an assistant vice president of the Bank of Granite and as a sales associate with Belk.
A charter member of Granite Falls BPW and Granite Book Club, she was a board member with South Caldwell Christian Ministries. The Frances Price BPW Senior Girl Award was given in her honor.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Paul J. Price Sr.
Survivors include a son, Paul J. Price Jr. of Granite Falls; two daughters and a son-in-law, Frances “Bunny” and Larry Wilson of Southern Pines and Susan Rhoney of Morganton; a brother, J.V. Sherrill Jr. of Newton; a sister, Allie Sue Phillips of Cameron; three grandsons, Jeremy Rhoney, Casey Smith and Jacob Smith of Morganton; three granddaughters, Laura Wilson of San Diego, Calif., Martha Frances Wilson of Southern Pines and Chanin Maynard Clemson, S.C.; a great-grandson, Noah Grant Maynard of Clemson, S.C.; and a great-granddaughter, Katelyn Brooks Rhoney of Morganton.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Terrell G. Long at 2 p.m. Friday at her church.
Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery in Granite Falls.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Rhoney, Jacob Smith, Casey Smith, Max Sherrill, Ervin Terrell Jr. and Stephen Maynard.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Philadelphia Lutheran Church, 52 Pinewood Road, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
DANNY C. DILLS
CONOVER - Danny Clain Dills, 48, of Hudson Chapel Road, Catawba, died May 15, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born Aug. 7, 1952, in Cherokee County, he was a son of Fannie Belle McClure Drum of Catawba and the late Jerry Clain Dills.
A long-distance truck driver for Clayton Marcus Furniture Company, he attended Island Ford Baptist Church in Stony Point and served in the U.S. Army.
He was preceded in death by two brothers; and a sister.
Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Joyce Travis Dills; a son, Jeffery Dills of Newton; a stepson, Tom Lee Page of Hildebran; two daughters, Crystal Michelle Dills of Hiddenite and Joy Williams of Tennessee; three sisters, Joan Dills of Catawba, Wilma Hardwick of Hickory and Darlene Drum of Newton; and two grandchildren, Tara Rockett and Whitney Owens.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Billy Wright at 11 a.m. Friday at Drum Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Island Ford Baptist Church Cemetery in Stony Point.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
MARGARET P. CRUTCHFIELD
LINCOLNTON - Margaret Price Crutchfield, 88, of Lakewood Care Center in Denver, N.C., died may 15, 2001, at Lakewood Care Center.
Born Jan. 28, 1913, in Union County, she was a daughter of the late Henry M. and Norrie Abernathy Price.
A member of Beth Haven Baptist Church, she was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John C. Crutchfield; two sons; and a great-great-granddaughter.
Survivors include a son, Laurence Cruthfield of Shallotte; and three daughters, Linda Horton of Denver, N.C., Sarah Gregg of Fayetteville and Helene Mettcalf of Gastonia.
The graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Mike Davis at 11 a.m. today in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Charlotte.
Memorials may be made to Carolina Piedmont Chapter of the Alzheimers Association, 3420 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215.
E.F. Drum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
MARTHA W. BARGER
Martha Weaver Barger, 61, of Twentieth Avenue, NE, died May 15, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Born April 23, 1940, in Burke County, she was a daughter of Irene Wilson Weaver of Hildebran and the late Norris Weaver.
A member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church, ELCA, and the Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, she was employed by Shurtape Tech.
She was preceded in death by her husband, John William Barger.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, John D. and Sandi Barger of Denver, N.C.; a daughter and son-in-law, Beverly and Wiley Bullock of Wake Forest; a brother and sister-in-law, Navid and Janet Weaver of Hildebran; three sisters and brothers-in-law, Gail and Billy Whitson of Lincolnton, Sheilda and Otis Bowling of Hickory and Teresa and Randall Bodford of Pacolet Mills, S.C.; a grandson, James Wiley Bullock III of Wake Forest; a granddaughter, Reah Grace Barger of Denver, N.C.; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Craig Saltzer at 3 p.m. Friday at her 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 Johnny Kanupp, Jeff Kanupp, Carl Baker, Donald Bumgarner, Alan Burgess and Linc Huffman.
Honorary pallbearers will be the members of St. Stephens Lutheran Church's WELCA.
The family will be at Hickory Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at the residence of Irene Weaver, 8991 Weaver Road, Hildebran, at other times.
Memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, ELCA, 2259 Twelfth Ave., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601.
VIOLET C. TEAGUE
Violet Coffey Teague, 88, of Hickory, died May 14, 2001, at the Brian Center Nursing Home in Viewmont.
Born Oct. 29, 1912, in Gragg, she was a daughter of the late Reuben Z. “Zack” and Mary Cordelia Gragg Coffey.
A member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church for 50 years, she was employed by Elliots Hosiery Mill for 40 years.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Thomas Millard Zuber; her second husband, John Alexander Berry; her third husband, Carl Vance Teague; a son, Millard Earl Zuber; and a sister, Ida Coffey.
Survivors include a son, Richard Zuber of Winston-Salem; a brother, Guy Coffey of Burke County; two sisters, Nettie Miller of College Pines and Elva Andrews of Ashford; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Homer Greene and Tom Huntsinger at 11 a.m. Friday at her church.
Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
JAMES A. REEP Sr.
LINCOLNTON - James Andrew Reep Sr., 87, of Killian Road, died May 16, 2001, at Brian Center in Lincolnton.
Born Sept. 14, 1913, in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late Jasper F. and Liza Jane Schronce Reep.
A member of Crowell Memorial United Methodist Church, he was a night watchman at Bassett Furniture Co.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Jettie Schronce Reep.
Survivors include a son, James A. Reep Jr. of Claremont; two daughters, Barbara Ritchie and Dare Lewis of Lincolnton; two sisters, Georgia Lowe of Maiden and Lillie Berryhill of Vale; eight grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Ed Benfield and Tom Rogers at 2 p.m. Friday at his church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will be at E.F. Drum Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Crowell Memorial United Methodist Church, 4018 Killian Road, Lincolnton, N.C. 28092.
EARLENE H. HOLLAR
CONOVER - Earlene Hefner Hollar, 74, of the Abernethy Center, formerly of N. N.C. 16 in Claremont, died May 15, 2001, at the Abernethy Center.
Born April 2, 1927, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Roscoe and Grace Munday Hefner.
A member of Bethel Lutheran Church, she retired from Pembrook Chair.
She was preceded in death by her husband, James Kermit Hollar; and two brothers, Wade Hefner and John Hefner.
Survivors include three sons, Larry E. Hefner, Kermit W. Hollar and Randy J. Hollar of Claremont; a daughter, Joyce H. McCray of Claremont; a brother, Alvin Hefner of Conover; three half brothers, Bob Hefner, J.D. Hefner and R.A. Hefner of Conover; a sister, Catherine Reitzel of Charlotte; two half sisters, Charlotte Canipe of Conover and Shirley Holden of Newton; six grandchildren, Kevin Hollar, Ricky McCray, Connie McCray, Brian Hefner, Tammy Tevepaugh and Alisa Carpenter; and four great-grandchildren, David Carpenter, Katie Carpenter, Christina Hefner and Miranda Cole.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Craig Schultz at 4 p.m. Friday at her 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 Kevin Hollar, Ricky McCray, Brian Hefner, Mark Carpenter, Charles Tevepaugh and Jimmy Reitzel.
The family will be at Drum Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Bethel Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 5759 Bolick Road, Claremont, N.C. 28610.
BENNETT A. SMITH Sr.
MAIDEN - Bennett “Ben” Andrew Smith Sr., 74, of Fred Beard Road, died May 16, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born March 24, 1927, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Ralph R. and Vertie Schronce Smith.
A member of Living Word Pentecostal Holiness Church in Maiden, he was a home builder for Paul J. McRee Construction Company.
Survivors include his wife, Pansy Drum Smith; seven sons, Mike Smith, Tommy Smith, Bennett Smith Jr., Gary Smith, Randy Smith, Dwayne Smith and Terry Smith of Maiden; two brothers, Bud Smith of Maiden and Ralph Smith of Columbia, S.C.; three sisters, Georgia Jordan of Columbia, S.C., Joyce Punch of Newton and Eveleen Herron of Gastonia; and five grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Michael Ainsworth, Thomas Ainsworth and Garland Elliott at 11 a.m. Friday at his church.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Burial will be in Ivey Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery.
The family will be at Goodin-Drum Funeral Home from 6 to 8 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba County, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.
SARAH H. LANEY
LENOIR - Sarah Elizabeth “Lib” Haas Laney, 71, of Holly Hill Avenue, Hudson, died May 15, 2001, at the Shaire Center.
Born June 25, 1928, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late John Grover and Elizabeth Irene Presnell Haas.
A member of United Presbyterian Church, she was an honorary life member of the Women of the Church. A member of Lenoir Woman's Club, she retired from Broyhill Furniture Industries after 38 years of service.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Benjamin “Ben” Martin Laney; two brothers, Murl Haas and James W. “Bill” Haas; and a sister, Gladys H. Lutz.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Richard “Rick” L. and Mirum N. Laney of Hudson; a brother, Robert “Bob” Haas of Boone; a sister, Grace Jolly of North Wilkesboro; a grandchild; two great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Steve M. Austin at 2 p.m. Friday in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to United Presbyterian Church, 415 Pennell St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
ROLAND E. POPE
CONOVER - Roland Emanuel Pope, 85, of East Main Street, Claremont, died May 15, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born April 30, 1916, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Robert L. and Lula Joanna Brinkley Pope.
A member of Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Claremont, he taught the men's Bible class, and was a member of Methodist men's group.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he retired from the furniture industry.
He was preceded in death by a twin brother, Bobby Pope; and two sisters, Ruth Hallman and Ruby Miller.
Survivors include his wife, Edith Hoke Pope; a sister, Anna Bell Owens of Statesville; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Larry Melton at 3 p.m. Saturday at his church.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Burial will be in the church cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of American Legion Post 16.
The family will be at Drum Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 233, Claremont, N.C. 28610.
ARNOLD A. GOODE
VALDESE - Arnold Allen Goode, 75, of Oren Stephens Road, Hickory, died May 15, 2001, at his residence after a period of declining health.
Born Jan. 19, 1926, in Burke County, he was a son of the late Vollie “Bud” and Annie Allen Goode.
A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he retired as an auto mechanic.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mattie Raye Butler Goode.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Joe Bolick of Drexel and Bobbi and Jack Neaves Jr. of Hickory; five stepchildren and three stepchildren-in-law, Clara and Carl Garris, Frances and Alfred Davis and Rae and Rudy Smith of Roanoke Rapids, Charles Shuford of Connelly Springs and Lois Newton of Valdese; a sister, Lucille Goode of Taylorsville; an uncle, George Goode of Cleveland County; four grandchildren, Jonathan Neaves, Jack Neaves III, Sherry Rhyne and Russell Bolick; 20 stepgrandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a number of stepgreat-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Carson Mosley at 3 p.m. Friday at Providence Baptist Church.
Burial will be in Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church Cemetery in Rutherford College.
The family will be at Heritage Funeral Service from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 500 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, N.C.
EMMA C. BILLS
VALDESE - Emma Crow Bills, 93, of Valdese, formerly of Morganton, died May 15, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital after a period of declining health.
Born Feb. 23, 1908, in Lincoln County, she was a daughter of the late Pink and Margaret Ann Talent Crow.
A member of North Morganton Baptist Church, she retired as a florist.
She was preceded in death by three brothers, Jesse Bynum, Lee Crow and D. Pink Crow; and four sisters, Mittie Sain, Sarah Buff, Minnie Sain and Lydia Mull.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Vic Garrou of Valdese; a brother, Howard E. Crow of West Jefferson; three grandchildren, Noelle G. Jennings of Huntersville, Victor Garrou Jr. of Greensboro and Henry F. Garrou of Raleigh; and five great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Kenneth Baker and Bob Deviney at 11 a.m. today at her church.
Burial will be in Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to North Morganton Baptist Church, 111 View St., Morganton, N.C. 28655.
Heritage Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
MARY S. BERRY
VALDESE - Mary Stilwell Berry, 69, of Rutherford College, died May 15, 2001, at Hospice Shytle House in Valdese after a period of declining health.
Born July 28, 1931, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Lola Beck Stilwell.
A member of First Baptist Church in Rutherford College, she retired as a pharmacy technician from Grace Hospital after 18 years of service. She also was a member of American Legion Post 234 Auxiliary and the Woman of the Moose.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Carl C. Berry.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Barbara Berry of Rutherford College; a daughter and son-in-law, Carla and Garry Hamby of Drexel; a brother, Ralph Stilwell of Valdese; three sisters, Gladys Deal and Ruth Lingerfelt of Valdese and Norma Seagle of Rutherford College; four grandchildren, Paula Shuping of Valdese, Kristina Sutton of Raleigh, Clinton Berry of Rutherford College and Brian Shuping of Drexel; two stepgrandchildren, Meredith Hamby and Nicholas Hamby of Drexel; and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Taylor Hamby and Kelsey Hamby of Drexel.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. David Stikeleather at 3 p.m. today at her church.
Burial will be in Burke Memorial Park.
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 First Baptist Church, Malcom Boulevard, Rutherford College, N.C. 28687.
Heritage Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
GEORGIA C. BRANCH
LENOIR - Georgia Cannon Branch, 92, of Beverly Circle, NE, died May 15, 2001, at the Shaire Center.
Born April 21, 1909, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late John W. and Edith Williams Cannon.
A member of College Avenue Baptist Church, she retired from Hibriten Chair, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxillary No. 721.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jackson A. Branch Sr.; and three brothers, Eldridge Cannon, Carroll Cannon and Archie Cannon.
Survivors include three sons, Jack A. Branch Jr. of North Wilkesboro, Morris Lee Branch of Knoxville, Tenn., and Larry C. Branch of Lenoir; a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Lowell Short of San Jose, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by Dr. C. David Boan and the Rev. Fred Barnes at 11 a.m. Friday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Hartland Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Chris Branch, Jim Branch, J.T. Cannon, Barney Drum, Steven Short and David Short.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to College Avenue Baptist Church, Senior Bus Fund, 1201 College Ave., SW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
WALTER E. ABERNATHY
LENOIR - Walter Edward Abernathy, 79, of Finley Avenue, NW, died May 13, 2001, at his residence.
Born Sept. 29, 1921, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Lonnie P. and Mabel Foster Abernathy.
A member of Smith Memorial United Methodist Church, he retired from the finishing room of Lenoir Furniture Company after 38 years of service and served in the U.S. Army.
She was preceded in death by his wife, Bessie Lee Michaux Abernathy; three brothers, Charles Mason Abernathy, Fred Eugene Abernathy and Harold Foster Abernathy; and two sisters, Margurete A. Henry and Mary Ann Abernathy.
Survivors include two sons, William Franklin Abernathy of Washington, D.C., and Edward Junior Abernathy of Lenoir; three daughters, Mary Ann Abernathy of Washington, D.C., Shirley May Abernathy and Helen Byrd of Lenoir; a brother, Robert Lemond Abernathy of Lenoir; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Miller Carter at 2 p.m. today at his church.
Burial will be in Belleview Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be members of the United Methodist Men.
The family will be at the church from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. today.
Ebony Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
HOMER W. CANTER
STONY POINT - Homer Waitsel Canter, 72, of Country Road, Taylorsville, died May 16, 2001, at Veterans Affairs Hospital in Salisbury after a period of declining health.
Born Sept. 6, 1928, in Alexander County, he was a son of the late Floyd and Vercie Bowles Canter.
A member of Calvary Baptist Church, he retired as an electrician and plumber. A U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War, he was a member of Disabled American Veterans Chapter 84 in Taylorsville.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Atwell Canter and Ted Canter; and a sister, Myrtle Kerley.
Survivors include his wife, Betty Walker Canter; a son and daughter-in-law, Danny and Linda Canter of Taylorsville; two daughters and a son-in-law, Bobbie and Jerry Pennell of Taylorsville and Brenda Bruce of Charlotte; three stepdaughters, Debbie Murphy Campbell of Mooresville and Jeannie Murphy Simmons and Lori Murphy Bolick of Taylorsville; two sisters, Vinna Joines and Willie Bowles of Taylorsville; 17 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Revs. Steve Dagenhart, Lester Carson and Ronald Brookshire at 4 p.m. today in the Taylorsville Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of DAV Chapter 84.
The family will be at his residence at other times.
Memorials may be made to DAV Chapter 84, 582 Carrigan Road, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681.
Chapman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
