SKYLAR I. MILLWOOD
ROCK HILL, S.C. - Skylar Imagine Millwood, infant daughter of Matthew K. and Cassie Reid Millwood, of Saluda Road, died July 25, 2001, at Piedmont Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Charles K. Millwood and Tamara D. Millwood. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include a maternal grandfather and stepgrandmother, Colon and Anita Reid of Lenoir, N.C.; a maternal grandmother, Kim Land of Lenoir, N.C.; paternal greatgrandparents, Betty and Earl Ernandez of Rock Hill, and Boyce and Ann Millwood, and Betty and Lindsey McFadden of Rock Hill; maternal great-grandparents, Blaine and Iris Reid of Taylorsville, N.C.; a maternal great-grandmother, Linda Benfield of Lenoir, N.C.; a maternal great-grandfther, David Whisnant and stepgreat-grandmother, Joyce Whisnant of Lenoir, N.C. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Neil Walker at 6 tonight in Forest Hills Cemetery. The family will be at Greene Funeral Home, Northwest Chapel, one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Skylar Millwood Memorial Fund, c/o Greene Funeral Home Northwest Chapel, P.O. Box 37537, Rock Hill, S.C., 29732.

BRIAN L. RITCH Jr.
LENOIR - Brian Lewis Ritch Jr., infant son of Brian Lewis Ritch Sr. and Amanda Faye Setzer of Granite Falls, died July 24, 2001, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. He was born July 12, 2001, in Caldwell County. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a brother, Aaron Lee Setzer of Granite Falls; maternal grandparents, Ronald L. and Gwendolyn Setzer of Granite Falls; four uncles; and four aunts. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Paul R. Laws at 2 p.m. today in Boomer Advent Christian Church Cemetery. The family will be at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:30 today. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

THELMA R. HESTER
NEWTON - Thelma Fostina Robinson Hester, 91, of the Abernethy Center, died July 27, 2001, at the Abernethy Center. Born Nov. 17, 1909, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late John P. and Iona Smith Robinson. A member of North Newton Baptist Church, she retired as manager of the Gold Shop. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Lee Hester; five brothers; three sisters; and a grandchild, Shannon Hester. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas L. and Margaret Hester and Joseph P. and Patricia Hester of Claremont; a sister, Edna McGee of Newton; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Lloyd King at 4 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. Pallbearers will be David Hester, Mike Hester, Chris Hester, Doug Eckard, Johnny McGee and Wayne Robinson. The family will be at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to North Newton Baptist Church, 316 West Twenty-first St., Newton, N.C. 28658.

BETTY S. KNIGHT
GRANITE FALLS - Betty Starnes Knight, 66, of Dusty Lane, died July 26, 2001, at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro. Born Jan. 9, 1935, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Pleasant J. and Louise Sherrill Starnes. A member of Grace Chapel United Methodist Church, he retired from Century Furniture. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold Starnes and Knute Starnes. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth L. Knight; a son and daughter-in-law, Larry and Sandra Knight of Granite Falls; four daughters and sons-in-law, Becky and Steve Boxford, Kathy and Rick Starnes and Karen and Karl Schmertzler of Granite Falls and Judy and Will Schmertzler of Crozet, Va.; three brothers, Jimmy E. Starnes of Granite Falls, Ned J. Starnes of Hickory and Jerry L. Starnes of Gaffney, S.C.; and 10 grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Donald Ingle and Mitchell Wilson and Dr. Robert B. Evans Jr. at 3 p.m. Sunday at Dudley Shoals Baptist Church. Burial will be in Sunset Hills Cemetery. The family will be at Mackie-High Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to American Lung Association of North Carolina - Western Area, 3305-5 Sixteenth Ave., SE, Suite 115, Conover, N.C. 28613.

WILLIAM J. SIMMONS
LENOIR - William Jones Simmons, 75, of Abernathy Street, died July 27, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice. Born March 26, 1926, in Sampson County, he was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Grady Simmons. A member and former usher of First Baptist Church of Lenoir, he also was a member of Lenoir Lions Club. He retired from A&P Tea Company after 35 years of service, he was a custodian at Central Advent Christian Church for 20 years and a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. Survivors include his wife, Mary Evelyn Bumgarner Simmons; a daughter and son-in-law, Ann and Doug Carolan of Columbia, S.C.; a brother, Robert Simmons of Charlotte; two sisters, Ruby Paige of Bedford, Va., and Jean Fann of Clinton; and two grandchildren, Tyler Carolan and Megan Carolan of Columbia, S.C. The funeral will be conducted by Dr. David V. Smith at 3 p.m. Sunday at his church. The family will be at the church from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; or First Baptist Church of Lenoir, 304 Main St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BLONNIE B. SIGMON
CONOVER - Blonnie Geneva Berry Sigmon, 89, of Rock Barn Road, died July 26, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born Feb. 7, 1912, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Osborne and Candace Howard Berry. A member of St. John's Lutheran Church, she retired from Clyde Fabrics. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Fred Sigmon; an infant son; an infant daughter; two brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Howard “Jack” and Elizabeth Sigmon of Maiden; two daughters and a son-in-law, Judy S. and Ronald Boston of Claremont and Violet Sims of Newton; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Craig Schultz at 1:30 p.m. Sunday 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 Brandon Boston, Duane Boston, Mitchell Boston, Wayne Payne, Rick Sigmon and Darrell Tramel. The family will be at Drum Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, Building Fund, 2126 St. John's Church Road, Conover, N.C. 28613.

RUBY M. CHAPMAN
MORGANTON - Ruby Grace McNeely Chapman, 58, of Summers Road, died July 26, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital. Born Jan. 23, 1943, in Morganton, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Joseph C. and Sue Emma McNeely. She was preceded in death by a son, William Lee Chapman II; and two brothers, Joseph McNeely and Paul McNeely. Survivors include her husband, William L. Chapman; a son and daughter-in-law, Sam and Rachelle Chapman of Morganton; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kathy and Bill Hagmann of Florida and Susan Chapman of Morganton; four brothers, James McNeely of Glen Alpine, Junior McNeely and Clyde McNeely of Morganton, and Thomas McNeely of Tennessee; two sisters, Mary Whisnant and Ada Norman of Morganton; and seven grandchildren, Johnathan Hagmann, Michael Hagmann, Jessica Hagmann, Jacob Hagmann, Lance Chapman, Nicholas Woody and Levi Woody. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ed Lawing at 1 p.m. Sunday 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 and at the residence, 1135 Summers Road, at other times. Memorials may be made to the Foothills Chapter of the North Carolina Kidney Foundation, P.O. Box 1258, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

ZADA B. REECE
MORGANTON - Zada Bennett Reece, 83, of Autumn Care in Drexel, formerly of Bryant Road in Drexel, died July 26, 2001, at Autumn Care after a period of declining health. Born Aug. 6, 1917, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late James W. and Maude Cline Bennett. She was a Christian. She was preceded in death by her husband, Rawleigh Edward Reece; and three sons, Wayne Bennett Reece, Jerry Reece and Joe Billy Reece. Survivors include three sons, Ray E. Reece Sr. and Jimmy M. Reece of Drexel and Harold Dean Reece of Morganton; two daughters, Wilma Reece Hunt of Greer, S.C., and Joyce Reece Black of Morganton; a sister, Marzelle Brinkley of Drexel; 18 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by Tom Nussbaum and Slade Blend at 3 p.m. Sunday 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 and at the residence of Ray E. Reece Sr., 104 Bryant Road, Drexel, at other times.

RUBY W. MILLWOOD
CONOVER - Ruby Williams Millwood, 79, of Heritage Village, Newton, died July 26, 2001, at the N.C. Lutheran Home West in Hickory. Born Jan. 18, 1922, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Martin W. and Eva Shydle Williams. A member of Temple Baptist Church in Hickory, she retired from Rose's department store. She was preceded in death by her husband, John H. Millwood; three brothers, M.J. Williams, Worth Williams and Gray H. Williams; and a sister, Rhoda Ellen Williams Sain. Survivors include a daughter, Judith K. Winkler of Hickory; a stepgranddaughter, Donna Millwood Williams of Claremont; and two stepgreat-grandchildren, Jeffery Williams and Matthew Williams of Claremont. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Fred Thompson at 4 p.m. Sunday at Drum Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 6:30 tonight in Spindale Cemetery in Spindale. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, Senior Citizens Program, 825 Lenoir-Rhyne Blvd., Hickory, N.C. 28602.

MARK TINSLEY
LINCOLNTON - Elder Mark Tinsley, 80, of South Generals Boulevard, died July 26, 2001, at Gaston Memorial Hospital. Born Dec. 12, 1920, in Jones County, Ga., he was a son of the late Mark and Mary Rivers Tinsley Sr. He was ordained as a minister in 1971, and pastored at Rooty Creek Primitive Baptist Church. A moderator of the Ocmulgee District Primitive Baptist Church, he was a member of Pine Grove Primitive Baptist Church. He retired from Vermont American after 25 years of service. He was preceded in death by two wives, Sarah Ussery Tinsley and Almeta Odom Tinsley; and two children, David Tinsley and Willie Gene Tinsley. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Mary A. and R.B. Roberts of Linconton; five stepsons, David Lee Odom of Shelby, Artee Odom of Morganton, Hiwatha Odom of Statesville, Alonzo Odom of Lincolnton and Howard Odom of Vale; six stepdaughters, Betty Sue Beasley, Brenda Corpening, Patricia Derr, Teresa Odom and Annette Werts of Vale and Ilene Mayfield of Lawndale; five sisters, Mattie Vinson of Iron Station, Sarah Vinson of Buffalo, N.Y., Lucy Phelps of Detroit, Mich., Bertha Clemons of Maiden and Gertrude Barr of Lincolnton; two daughters-in-law, Doris Tinsley of Iron Station and Geneva Tinsley of Denver, N.C.; eight grandchildren; 25 stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and 21 stepgreat-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by Elder James Benton at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Pine Grove Primitive Baptist Church. The family will be the church 30 minutes prior to the service and at the residence of Mary A. Roberts Springdale Park Road, at other times. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Ebony and White's Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

RANDY J. SHOOK
STATESVILLE - Randy Jones Shook, 47, of Hudspeth Road, Catawba, died July 26, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital after a brief illness. Born Nov. 27, 1953, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late James and Nellie Drum Shook. A member of Bethel Lutheran Church, he attended Catawba schools and was a maintenance supervisor with a local golf course. Survivors include his wife, Darline Stewart Shook; a son, Randy Shook of Catawba; a stepson and stepdaughter-in-law, Bobby and Cassi Mash of Claremont; a brother, Roger Shook of Catawba; and two sisters, Debby Allen of Shelby and Mary Hollar of Conover. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. Phil Honeycutt on Friday at Claremont United Methodist Church. Reavis Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

NOAH HAMBY
LENOIR - Noah “Allen” Hamby, 75, of Connelly Springs Road, Granite Falls, died July 26, 2001, at his residence. Born July 8, 1926, in Yadkin County, he was a son of the late Rev. Grady A. and Martha Ellen Richardson Hamby. A member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church, he was a deacon, Sunday school teacher, treasurer, trustee and choir member. A member of Baton Ruritan with 15 years of perfect attendance, he retired from Burlington Industries after 35 years of service. A member of North Catawba Fire Department, he served for 40 years including 21 years as an active fireman, four years as fire chief and 15 years on the board of directors. A U.S. Army Veteran of World War II, he served in the 102nd Infantry Division and the First Infantry Division. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith Greene Hamby; an infant son; two sisters, Edna R. McCracken and Maggie Hamby; and two nephews, Michael B. Hamby and Sammy McCracken. Survivors include his wife, Betty McAlister Hamby; a foster daughter and foster son-in-law, Carolyn and Tim Foster of Granite Falls; two brothers, William E. Hamby of Asheville and Howard B. Hamby of Granite Falls; a sister and brother-in-law, Mable and John Ingle of Horseshoe; a foster granddaughter, Kelly M. Foster of Granite Falls; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by Dr. Clifton Black and the Rev. John Brashear at 2 p.m. Sunday at his church. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Entombment with military rites will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Randy Swanson, Dennis Hopkins, Tony Campbell, George Greene, Tommy Wilkie and Richard Blevins. Honorary pallbearers will be members of North Catawba Fire Department, board members of North Catawba Fire Department and Baton Ruritan Club. The family will be at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home from 6:30 to 9:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; Mountain Grove Baptist Church, 2485 Connelly Springs Road, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CHARLIE N. CROTTS
LENOIR - Charlie N. “Ted” Crotts, 83, of Granite Falls, died July 26, 2001, at his residence. Born Nov. 15, 1917, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Doc and Pantha Roberts Crotts. A member of St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Lenoir, he retired from Lenoir Mirror and was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by two brothers, George Crotts and Clay Crotts; and two sisters, Nellie Poarch and Alice McGuire. Survivors include a son, Charlie N. Crotts Jr. of Lenoir; a daughter and son-in-law, Patsy and Kenneth Whittington of Lenoir; a sister, Dovie Presnell of Asheville; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Gilmer Miller at 3 p.m. Sunday at his church. Burial will be in Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be members of the St. Stephens congregational council The family will be at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home from 4 to 6 tonight. Memorials may be made to St. Stephens Lutheran Church, 1406 Harper Ave., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

ALENE S. McMAHAN
MAIDEN - Alene Silvers McMahan, 73, of Brairwood Drive, died July 26, 2001, at her residence. Born Aug. 23, 1927, in Yancey County, she was a daughter of the late Julius A. and Mattie Robinson Silvers. A homemaker, she attended Liberty Tabernacle Church in Lincolnton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles McMahan; three brothers; and a sister. Survivors include two sons, William McMahan and Robert McMahan of Maiden; four daughters, Louise Evans and Carolyn Lowman of Maiden, Patricia Deaton of Connelly Springs and Martha Ross of Nicholsville, Ky.; a brother, the Rev. Kermon Silvers of Swannanoa; 20 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be coducted by the Rev. Raymond R. McHone at 2 p.m. Sunday at Goodin-Drum Funeral Home. Burial will be in Maiden City Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home from 5 to 6:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Liberty Tabernacle Church, P.O. Box 621, Lincolnton, N.C. 28093.

GEORGE H. EDMONDS
GREENSBORO - George Heston Edmonds, 80, of Pebble Drive, died July 26, 2001, at Beverly Health Care in Starmount. Born March 13, 1921, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late George Heston Sr. and Sadie Myers Edmonds. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. A 1943 graduate of St. Louis College of Pharmacy, he was a lifetime member of Friendship Sertoma Club and Greensboro Elks Lodge No. 602. A member of the National Association of Retail Druggists, he served in the U.S. Army. In 1950, he and his brother Marion opened the first shopping center based drug store in North Carolina at Summit shopping center. He and his brother operated as many as five drug stores in the Greensboro area for 44 years until their retirement in 1994. Survivors include his wife, Jacquelyn L. Edmonds; two sons, Jeffrey H. and Erika Edmonds of Austin, Texas, and James M. and Mary Edmonds of Hickory; two brothers, Marion Edmonds and Col. James Edmonds of Greensboro; three grandchildren, Danielle Kathleen Edmonds and Bryan George Edmonds of Austin, Texas, and Christine Elizabeth Edmonds of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by Dr. Steve Pressley at 2 p.m. Sunday at his church. Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will be at Forbis and Dick Funeral Home from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to American Kidney Association, 6110 Executive Blvd., Suite 1010, Rockville, Md. 20852.

AARON B. KIZIAH
LENOIR - Aaron Bond Kiziah, 27, of Wrightsville Beach, died July 27, 2001 in South Carolina as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Born Jan. 28, 1974, in Hickory, he was the son of Dr. Ron Kiziah of Hudson and Dianne Weeldreyer of Hickory. A member of St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hudson, he was a graduate of South Caldwell High School and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. He worked in the real estate mortgage industry. He was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Charlie Kiziah; and an uncle, Larry Kiziah. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a stepfather, Dennis Weeldreyer of Hickory, a stepmother, Shirley Kiziah of Hudson; a sister, Jennifer Kiziah of Hickory; a stepbrother, John Weeldreyer of Dallas, Texas; a stepsister, Laura Weeldreyer of Baltimore, Md.; three grandparents, Cecile Kiziah of Maiden and Howard and Edythe Tramble of Granite Falls; and a number of uncles, aunts, cousins, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Andrew S. Weisner at 2 p.m. Monday at his church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home from 4 to 6 tonight.

THELMA R. HESTER
NEWTON - Thelma Fostina Robinson Hester, 91, of the Abernethy Center, died July 27, 2001, at the Abernethy Center. Born Nov. 17, 1909, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late John P. and Iona Smith Robinson. A member of North Newton Baptist Church, she retired as manager of the Gold Shop. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Lee Hester; five brothers; three sisters; and a grandchild, Shannon Hester. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Thomas L. and Margaret Hester and Joseph P. and Patricia Hester of Claremont; a daughter, Iona Ann Hester Eckard of Conover; a sister, Edna McGee of Newton; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Lloyd King at 4 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. Pallbearers will be David Hester, Mike Hester, Chris Hester, Doug Eckard, Johnny McGee and Wayne Robinson. The family will be at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home from 6 to 7:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to North Newton Baptist Church, 316 West Twenty-first St., Newton, N.C. 28658.

PAUL M. CROUCH
LENOIR - Paul Mason Crouch, 68, of Twin Meadows Drive, Hudson, died July 27, 2001, at his residence. Born Aug. 5, 1932, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Clyde G. and Mary Coffey Crouch. A volunteer with Hudson Fire Department, he retired from Bernhardt Furniture. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Cole Crouch and Knolan Crouch; and a sister, Dorothy Riddle. Survivors include a son, Patrick Crouch of Lenoir; two daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and David Holt of Harrisburg and Chrystal and Richard Sain of Hudson; and two grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 6 tonight at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service and at the residence of Patrick Crouch at other times. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Home Health, 1966 B Morganton Blvd., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

JAMES R. REEVES
CONOVER - James Reb Reeves, 83, of Eleventh Avenue Drive, NE, Conover, died July 28, 2001 at the Brian Center East in Hickory. Born Feb. 14, 1918, in Alleghany County, he was a son of the late Wiley and Callie Church Reeves. A retired mechanic and welder, he was a former employee of Dehart Brothers Trucking Co., Gaines Motor Lines, Johnson Brothers and Timmerman Manufacturing. He was preceded in death by three brothers and two sisters. Survivors include wife Marie Atwood Reeves of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Dick Saine of Claremont; a brother, Jesse Clarence Reeves of Denver, N.C.; a sister, Bonnie Maines of Sparta; two sisters-in-law, Josephine Reeves of Laurel Springs and Jeanie Wagoner of Boiling Springs, S.C.; a grandaughter and grandson-in-law, Mandy and Tommy Burgess of Newton; and a great-grandson, Daly Burgess of Newton. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Billy Felts and Russell Mabe at 2 p.m. Monday at Bellview Baptist Church in Laurel Springs. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Cranberry Cemetery in Laurel Springs. The family will be at Drum Funeral Home from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658; or Cranberry Cemetery, c/o David F. Taylor, 1036 Peach Bottom Road, Laurel Springs, N.C. 28644.

WILLIAM P. TRAVIS
NEWTON - William Pinkney Travis, 72, of Coley Pond Road, died July 27, 2001, at the Brian Center in Viewmont. Born April 14, 1929, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Jonas and Ola Mae Campbell Travis. He retired from Clyde Fabrics. He was preceded in death by wife, Ellen Virginia Boston Travis; a brother; and three sisters. Survivors include two sons, Larry William Travis of Lincolnton and Bobby Lee Travis of Newton; two daughters, Shirley Travis Lindley of Newton and Mary Ellen Travis of Maiden; two brothers, Ray “Babe” Travis and Glenn Travis of Newton; a sister, Mary Benfield of Catawba; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Richard Drum at 11 a.m. Monday in Eastview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tony Travis, Jonas Travis, Todd Talbert, Keith Travis, Leonard Herman, Glenn Richard Travis and Darrell Benfield. The family will be at Drum Funeral Home in Conover from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.

MILES S. WHITENER
GEORGETOWN, S.C. - Miles Sinclair Whitener, 83, died July 27, 2001, at Georgetown Memorial Hospital. Born Jan. 31, 1918, in Hickory, N.C., he was a son of the late Ellis H. and Elizabeth Frye Whitener. A graduate of Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, N.C., he was a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. A naval aviator, he retired with the rank of commander. He was also a pilot for Andrews Wire Company in Andrews, S.C. A member of the Rotary Club of Georgetown, he was the founder of “Rotary Readers,” and former president of the Rotary Club of Andrews, S.C. He was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and the Georgetown Marine Institute for a number of years. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert H. Whitener; and a daughter, Virginia D. Whitener. Survivors include wife, Virginia Morrison Whitener of Georgetown; a son, Andrew H. Whitener of Macon, Ga.; and four grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. J. Ben Sloan at 4 p.m. Monday at Georgetown Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in Elmwood Cemetery Annex. Mayer Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MURDIS C. ABEE
VALDESE - Murdis Cook Abee, 75, of Connelly Springs, died July 28, 2001, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Born May 7, 1926, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late John A. and Augusta Sigmon Cook. A longtime member of Abee's Chapel Baptist Church, she was an active member of the North Carolina Foothills Walking and Rackin Horse Club. She was an active volunteer for charitable horse shows for Hospice and Shriner's Children's Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Cleveland E. Abee; and a number of brothers and sisters. Survivors include three sons, the Rev. Johnny Ray Abee and Wayne E. Abee of Harmony, and Ricky Alan Abee of Connelly Springs; a daughter, Janice A. Roseman of Salisbury; a sister, Aliene Morrison of Casar; a half sister, Effie VanHorn of Connelly Springs; 15 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Eugene Cantrell and Johnny Abee at 11 a.m. Monday at her church. Burial will be in Abee Family Cemetery. The family will be at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690; or Shriner's Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 56066, Charlotte, N.C. 28256.

THURMAN R. ADAMS
MAIDEN - Thurman Rogers Adams, 29, of Foxwood Drive, died July 24, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital in Hickory. Born Sept. 18, 1972, in Lincoln County, he was the son of Sterling and Evelyn McClain Adams Sr. He was a shift supervisor at Pillowtex. He was preceded in death by a sister, Jane Adams. Surivors include his parents; two sons, Dimitri Austin and Deondre Khalil Adams of Newton; four sisters, Letitia McCullough of Maiden, Shelia Adams of Orlando, Fla., Irish Adams of Fayetteville and Ramona Adams of Atlanta, Ga.; and two brothers, Kim Adams of Rock Hill, S.C., and Sterling Adams Jr. of Orlando, Fla. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Emmanuel Covington at 3 p.m. Monday at Burke Mortuaries. Burial will be in Maiden City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Christopher Hayes, Walt Lee Allen II, Deon Chislom, Mark Linebarger, Kevin Holloway, Mike Linebarger, Casey Oates, Terry Thomas, Malik Rendleman and Rodney Forney. The family will be at Burke Mortuaries 1:30 to 3 p.m. Monday. Memorials may be made to Thurman Rogers Adams Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 3308, Mooresville, N.C. 28117.

J.C. RHONEY
J.C. Rhoney, 86, of J.C. Road in Vale, died July 27, 2001, at the Brian Center in Viewmont after a period of declining health. Born Sept. 26, 1914, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Ellis A. and Annie Lea Brittian Rhoney. He was a member of the Ebenezer United Methodist Church. He was preceded in death by four brothers; a sister; and a stepmother, Elizabeth Rhoney. Survivors include four brothers and two sisters-in-law, Willie Albert Rhoney of Vale, Arthur and Merle Rhoney of Lawndale, Harold Rhoney of Vale, and Ralph and Rebecca Rhoney of Vale; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Juanita Rhoney Hoyle of Connelly Springs, Kathleen Rhoney Shull and Marie R. and Bob Dedmon of Vale; 21 nieces and nephews; and a number of great-nieces and nephews. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Eugene Moore at 3 p.m. today at his church. Pallbearers will be Phillip Norman, Scott Hoyle, Gary Shull, Greg Shull, Dennis Rhoney, Dean Rhoney and Craig Rhoney. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 8840 Cooksville Road, Vale, N.C. 28168. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CLYDE N. CONNELLY
VALDESE - Clyde Nelson Connelly, 60, of Berryschool Avenue, Valdese, died July 25, 2001 at College Pines Nursing Center after an extended illness. Born March 1, 1941 in Burke County, he was a son of the late Ransom and Naomi Bradshaw Connelly. A member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, he worked in the furniture/finishing department at Crestline Furniture for 11 years. He was preceded in death by a brother, James D. Connelly, and a sister-in-law, Theresa Jackson-Connelly. Survivors include a son, Clyde Edward Brown of Charlotte; four daughters, Dorin Connelly-Gordon, Carletha Connelly-Miller and Regina Connelly of Washington, D.C., and Renee Corpening of Morganton; two sons-in-law, Joseph Gordon and Victor Miller Sr. of Washington, D.C.; three brothers, Howard Connelly and Ronald Connelly Sr. of Valdese and Harold Connelly of Bridgeport, Conn.; a brother-in-law, Randy Harris of Valdese; two sisters, Genevie Connelly of Hickory and Gladys Connelly-Harris of Valdese; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Connelly and Sarilla Connelly of Valdese; an uncle, David Connelly of Washington, D.C.; 12 grandchildren; and a number of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Kenneth Falls and Frances Tate at 3 p.m. today at his church. Burial will be in Connelly Family 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. Ebony and White Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

BARBARA F. JOHNSON
STONY POINT - Barbara Ferguson Johnson, 72, of Parker Lake Loop in Statesville, died July 28, 2001, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte after a brief illness. Born Nov. 2, 1928, in Alexander County, she was a daughter of the late Reg and Allie Robinette Ferguson. A member of New Amity ARP Church, she retired as a cutting room clerk at Beauty Maid mills. She was preceded in death by a brother, Guy W. Ferguson. Survivors include husband William P. Johnson of the home; two sons, W. Michael Johnson and Jeffery G. Johnson of Statesville; a daughter, Elizabeth “Libby” J. LeFever of Statesville; a brother, Joe E. Ferguson of Taylorsville; a sister, Sandra Ferguson Pressley of Statesville; three grandchildren and two grandchildren-in-law, Bryan K. and Kimberly LeFever, Ashlee L. and Michael Robinette and Meghan Johnson of Statesville; three great-grandchildren, Taylor LeFever, Morgan LeFever and Jaden LeFever of Statesville; and six nieces and nephews. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ben Wingard at 11 a.m. Monday at New Amity ARP Church in Scotts. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will be at Chapman Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. today and at the home at other times. Memorials may be made to New Amity ARP Church, 150 New Amity Road, Statesville, N.C. 28677; or American Heart Association, attention Margo J. Mosley, 129 Hillsboro Road, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681.

WILLARD E. STRAIGHT
CONOVER — Willard “Will” Edward Straight, 71, of C Avenue SE, Hickory, died July 30, 2001, at Brian Center West following a brief illness. Born July 18, 1930, in Fort Wayne, Ind., he was a son of the late Reese and Blanche Burke Straight. An organist and choir director at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Conover since 1988, he had been a guest organist and choir director in many churches in the New York area, and served three years at Incarnation Lutheran Church. He was an assistant conductor and vocal coach of the Little Orchestra Society of New York. As a concert pianist, he performed for more than 30 years throughout the United States, Canada, South America and Europe. He was featured as a soloist with the Chicago Symphony, Grant Park Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Oklahoma City Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony, Toronto C.B.C. Symphony and others, and performed with various artists. A graduate of the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kan., he received his master’s degree of music from Chicago Musical College. He was a member of the National Honor Society, the American Federation of Musicians and other groups. He taught music workshops at colleges and universities, and spent many hours teaching private piano, organ, composition and voice lessons. Published works include “The Athenian Touch,” “Development for Orchestra,” “Arie Antiche Italiane,” “Masterpieces of Russian Opera,” “Highlights from 'THESEE’” and “Excerpts from 'ALCESTE’”. Survivors include a cousin, Letitia B. Johnston of Kettering, Ohio. The funeral will be conducted at a later date. Memorials may be made to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 439 Seventh Street Place, SW, Conover, N.C. 28613. Drum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BEULAH C. PARLIER
GRANITE FALLS — Beulah Cook Parlier, 72, of Campground Road, died July 30, 2001, at her residence. Born Aug. 2, 1928, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Lenoir B. and Flossie Powell Cook. A member of Granite Falls Church of God, she retired from Shuford Mills. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Luther Cook and Howard Cook; and a granddaughter, Tammy Haas. Survivors include her husband, Dean Parlier; four sons, Johnny Parlier of Hickory, Danny Parlier of Hudson, and Chris Parlier and Ronnie Parlier of Granite Falls; a daughter, Arlene Haas of Collettsville; two brothers, Earl Cook and Hubert Cook of Granite Falls; three sisters, Doris Pruitt of Hudson, and Lola Dale and Evelyn Phillips of Granite Falls; 13 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Barney Cook and Wayne White at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Mackie-High Funeral Home. Burial will be in Sunset Hills Cemetery. Pallbearers will be her grandsons. The family will be at the funeral home at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday.

SYBIL B. GOODCHILD
MORGANTON — Sybil Burch Goodchild, 85, of Edgewood Circle, died July 29, 2001, at Britthaven Nursing Home following a brief illness. Born April 19, 1916, in Tallahassee, Fla., she was a daughter of the late Fredrick A. and Annie Eloise Stanton Burch. A member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, she retired from the Florida Department of Education. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert T. Goodchild. Survivors include two sons, Jerald P. Goodchild of Hendersonville, Tenn., and Robert C. Goodchild of Phoenix, Ariz.; a sister, Carolyn Jenkins of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; and two grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Lawrence A. Britt and Canon Scott Oxford at 3 p.m. Wednesday at her church. Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MARY R. STALLINGS
Mary Rudisill Stallings, 85, of L & S Drive, Vale, died July 30, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Dec. 28, 1915, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Russell and Winnie Huffman Rudisill. A member of Corinth Baptist Church, she retired from the hosiery industry. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vance Stallings; four brothers, Eugene Rudisill, James Rudisill, Tom Rudisill and Charles Fonzo Rudisill; and a sister, Marjorie Evans. Survivors include two sons, Dwight Stallings and Gary Stallings of Vale; six daughters, Frances Myers of Ocean Isle, Frankie Irene Stallings of Gastonia, and Evelyn Poovey, Wanda Leonhardt, Lillian Richardson and Diane Kerley of Vale; a brother, Marshall Rudisill of Hickory; and a sister, Lula Stallings of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. William Kanupp at 11 a.m. Wednesday 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 Ray Myers Jr., Tommy F. Poovey, Brian Leonhardt, Rodney Stallings, Derrick Leonhardt and Jim Speagle. The family will be at the church from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Corinth Baptist Church, Building Fund, 7929 West N.C. 10, Vale, N.C. 28168. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BYRON H. WEBER
BOONE — Byron H. Weber, 67, of Silverwood Drive, died July 30, 2001, at his residence. Born Feb. 23, 1934, in Quincy, Mass., he was a son of the late Byron H. and Mildred Waldron Weber. He attended Fosoce Chrisitan Church, and was a retired state bank examiner for Massachusetts and a former banker, having served as treasurer of Newton Corporative Bank in Newton, Mass. He was past president of the Hanover, Mass., Rotary Club. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mildred Mattson. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Wood Weber; a son and daughter-in-law, Scott and Stephanie Weber of Newton; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Susan Weber of Boone, Pamela and Tom Matheson of Vilas, and Christine and John Aronis and Patricia Weber of Newton; a brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Arlene Weber of Hanson, Mass.; 10 grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by Pastor Kenneth Caswell at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Hampton Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 9 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

JULIUS G. SMITH
Julius Gardner Smith, 81, of Hudson, died July 30, 2001, following a period of declining health. Born April 8, 1920, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Julius A. and Mary Austin Smith. A U.S. Army veteran, he was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He was a retired machine operator in the furniture business. He was preceded in death by his wife, Annie Hewitt Smith; and two brothers, Harles Smith and Junior Smith. Survivors include a sister, Aline Lovins of Lenoir; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Rick Mills at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Catawba Funeral Home. The body will be placed in the chapel one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Eastview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be his great-nephews.

KATIE D. HOLLAR
Katie Duncan Hollar, 77, of Hickory, died July 30, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born July 14, 1924, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Leroy L. and Ora Jane Kanupp Duncan. A member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, she was a homemaker and member of Woodmen of the World. She was preceded in death by a daughter; three brothers; and a sister. Survivors include her husband, Charles Hollar Sr.; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Ricky Hollar of the home and Charles and Barbara Hollar Jr. of Maiden; two daughters and a son-in-law, Kathy Wallace and Velvet and Ed Carroll of Hickory; three brothers, Frank Duncan, John Duncan and James Duncan of Hickory; two grandsons, Stephen Carroll and Phillip Carroll of Hickory; and a granddaughter, Michelle Carroll of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Richard Fritz at 3 p.m. Wednesday at her church. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Honorary pallbearers will be members of Woodmen of the World. The family will be at Hickory Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

IVA R. LUKE
Iva Marie Resol Luke, 56, of Conover, died July 29, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital following a period of declining health. Born Oct. 13, 1944, in Wadsworth, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Ramadan and Lucile Resol. Of Pentecostal faith, she retired from Bassett Furniture. Survivors include her husband, Harry Levi Luke; a brother, Thomas Resol of Taylorsville; two half brothers, Robert Franko of Redlands, Calif., and William Fouts of Big Prarie, Ohio; and a half sister, Ruby Dentino of Hickory. A graveside service will be conducted by Pastor Janice Brown at 2 p.m. Thursday at Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at Catawba Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.