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Miscellaneous Catawba County, North Carolina
Obituaries


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WILLIAM D. SAIN
FALLSTON - William Dennis Sain, 98, of Acre Rock Road, Lawndale, died Jan. 2, 2001, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Born May 18, 1902, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Jacob L. and Alpha Lenora Gantt Sain. A lifetime member of St. Peter's United Methodist Church, he was a member of the United Methodist Men and the adult men's Sunday school class. He held various offices in the church. He was self-employed as a farmer and carpenter. He was preceded in death by his wife, Cora Lily Upton Sain; four brothers, John D. Sain, Bert Sain, Warren Sain and Sam Sain; and seven sisters, Ezell Hicks, Valeria Sain Hoyle, Ora Lane, Elgie Mode, Constance Costner, Edith Houser and Helen Edmondson. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Harry and Helen Sain of Lawndale and Dr. Daniel D. Lavada Sain of South Daytona Beach, Fla.; two daughters, Julia Sain of Lawndale and Betty Sain Elmore of Shelby; eight grandchildren, Sandra Sparks, Denise Hogan, Carla Bivens, Danita Stokes, David Sain, Annette Wright, Roxanne Swafford and Christy Bowman; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Steve Kiser and Fred Hill at 11 a.m. today at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Peter's United Methodist Church, Building Fund or Cemetery Fund, c/o Gary Tillman, 6443 Fallston Road, Lawndale, N.C. 28090. Stamey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

RACHEL R. SETZER
ROANOKE, Va. - Rachel Rufty Setzer, 86, of Vinton, died Jan. 2001. She was a member of St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Craig M. Setzer; and a son, George F. Setzer. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Billy C. and Jean Setzer of Salem; three daughters and a son-in-law, Peggy S. Hefner of Richmond and Rachel J. “Anita” Setzer, Carolyn S. and L.A. “Bud” Ross of Vinton; a daughter-in-law, Jane S. Setzer of Greensboro, N.C.; two sisters, Cornet M. Moore and Mary Jo Lambert of Catawba, N.C.; a brother, Paul D. Rufty of Catawba, N.C.; 11 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Amy M. Oehischlaeger and Harold J. Uhl at 1 p.m. Friday at St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery in Vinton. The family will be at Oakey's Funeral Service in Vinton from noon to 2 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. today. Memorials may be made to St. Timothy Evangelical Lutheran Church.

LUCY P. ARNEY
LENOIR - Lucy Price Arney, 99, of Celia Creek Road, died Jan. 2, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice. Born Feb. 22, 1901, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Walter and Laura Austin Price. A member of Littlejohn's United Methodist Church, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, George E. Arney; four brothers; and six sisters. Survivors include two sons, Walter K. Arney and S. Wayne Arney of Lenoir; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Curtis Sides at 11 a.m. Friday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. Burial will be in Littlejohn's United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tom Arney, Chris Arney, Johnny Friesland, Todd Friesland, Fred Pickens and Parks Clontz. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

JOYCE N. VANDENBOSCH
Joyce Nichols Vandenbosch, 59, of Hickory, died Jan. 2, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Nov. 28, 1941, in Wilkes County, she was a daughter of the late Charlie and Dicie Lunsford Nichols. A member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, she was employed by the N.C. Lutheran Home in Hickory. She was preceded in death by a son, Brian Todd Vandenbosch; and a daughter, Vonda Jo Vandenbosch. Survivors include her husband, Victor John Vandenbosch; a daughter and son-in-law, Carmen and Gary Shelton of Hickory; four brothers, Charles Junior Nichols of Lancaster, S.C., Jerry Lee Nichols of Morivan Falls, Jimmy Dean Nichols of North Wilkesboro and Terry Wayne Nichols of Statesville; two sisters, Martha E. Mahaffey of Statesville and Dot Weathers of Hickory; a grandson, David Shelton of Hickory; and two granddaughters, Jessica Shelton and Shanna Shelton of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Philip Vos at 3 p.m. Saturday at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Gary Shelton, John Darden, Arthur Lawson, Jim Henderson, Jack Harris and Bruce Townsend. The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday and at the residence of her daughter, 99 Fourteenth St., SE, at other times. Memorials may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

MARY M. BEAL
LINCOLNTON - Mary Magdalene “Maggie” Beal, 78, of Maiden Highway, died Jan. 2, 2001, at her residence. Born Sept. 29, 1922, in Gaston County, she was a daughter of the late Burgess and Mary Hamby Poarch. A member of Centerview Baptist Church in Maiden, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Miles Mellon Beal; five brothers, Clinton Poarch, Joseph Poarch, Clyde Poarch, David Poarch and William Poarch; a sister, Catherine Poarch; and a grandchild, Michael Brown. Survivors include two sons, James M. Beal of Maiden and Mark M. Beal of Lincolnton; three daughters, Doris Beal Sisk, Edith Beal Robinson and Rachel Beal Hull of Lincolnton; four sisters, Alice Bone of Belmont, Ruth Canipe of Lincolnton, Peggie Tisch of Owens, Ky., and Sylvia Burgess of Blowing Rock; 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; four stepgrandchildren; and seven stepgreat-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Larry McCracken and Farrell Robinson 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. The family will be at E.F. Drum Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincoln County, P.O. Box 1526, Lincolnton, N.C. 28093.

BILLY R. WHISNANT Sr.
CONOVER - Billy Ray Whisnant Sr., 62, of Highview Court, Claremont, died Jan. 2, 2000, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Born Nov. 6, 1938, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late B. Ray and Katherine Shouts Whisnant. A member of Fallstown Baptist Church in Troutman, he worked as a machinist for Southern Railway and had served in the U.S. Air Force. Survivors include his wife, Zella Keeter Whisnant; a son, Billy Whisnant Jr. of Claremont; and a sister, Mary Kanipe of Polkton. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Drum Funeral Home. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. David Talbert at 2 p.m. Friday in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Charlotte. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, 200 First Ave., NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601.

CLARENCE A. HOLDEN
LENOIR - Clarence A. Holden, 86, of Norwood St., SW, died Jan. 2, 2001, at The Frankie Home in Mount Pleasant, S.C. Born Sept. 19, 1914, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Doc A. and Elsie Marie Miller Holden. A member of Lenoir First Baptist Church, he was a deacon and Sunday school teacher. A charter member of Lenoir Optimist Club, he retired from Broyhill Furniture. A former grand master of Hibriten Masonic Lodge 262 A.F. and A.M., he was a member of the Shriner's Club and a former scout master. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was chairman of the Caldwell County Commissioners for eight years and chairman of the Caldwell County School Board. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Albert W. Holden and Robert L. Holden; and two sisters, Mary Belle Loizzi and Corinne Holden. Survivors include his wife, Toye Stallings Holden; a son, Alexander S. Holden of Lenoir; a daughter Sarah Anne Holden Summers of Mount Pleasant, S.C.; and three grandchildren, Alexander S. Holden II, Anna Katherine Summers and Laura Caroline Summers. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Fred D. Barnes at 2 p.m. Friday at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park with Masonic graveside rites. Pallbearers will be members of Hibriten Masonic Lodge 262. Honorary pallbearers will be Rodker Stallings, Harold Lawing, Joe Hartley and Hugh Almond. The family will be at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Scholarship Fund, 304 Main St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645; or Hawaii Baptist Academy, 21 Bates St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96817.

DALE R. HOVIS
Dale Richard Hovis, 53, of Newton, died Jan. 2, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born Jan. 21, 1947, in Catawba County, he was a son of Mary Lou Richard Crafton of Hickory and the late Wade S. Hovis. A member of St. Pauls Lutheran Church, ELCA, he was a member of the church choir, council, a Sunday school teacher and communion assistant. Chairman of St. Pauls Lutheran Church property committee, he was owner of Budget Auto Sales. A fomer board member and treasurer of Startown Volunteer Fire Department, he was a council member of Scout Troop 398. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Martha DeRhodes Hovis; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard S. and Christina Hovis of Newton; a daughter, Morgan Tricia Hovis of the home; a stepfather, Howard Crafton of Hickory; a father- and mother-in-law, Thomas and Doris DeRhodes of Florida; and a granddaughter, Grace Hovis of Newton. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Rick Carter at 10 a.m. Saturday at his church. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Startown Cemetery. The family remain at the church after the service. Memorials may be made to St. Pauls Lutheran Church, 3761 Startown Road, Newton, N.C. 28658; or Western North Via De Cristo, 1140 Thirty-seventh Avenue Drive, Hickory, N.C. 28601. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JESSICA C. EATON
NEWTON - Jessica Christine Eaton, 24, of Fidelity Street, Carrboro, died Jan. 1, 2001, at Kings Mountain Hospital. Born Aug. 24, 1976, in Charlotte, she was a daughter of Carl D. and Gwendolyn Brittain Eaton. A 1998 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she was an administrative assistant in the financial planning office at Duke University. She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Rufus C. and Christine Brittain; and her paternal grandparents, Arthur and Theda Eaton. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include a number of uncles and aunts, Larry and Judy Brittain, Steve Brittain, Max and Susie Brittain, Michael and Rita Brittain, Tom and Laura Eaton, Wayne and Tina Eaton, Bruce Eaton, Joe Eaton, Sue Eaton, Barbara and Phil Miller and Neil and Mae Sturgill. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Paul Birner at 11 a.m. today at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Mark Brittain, Jason Brittain, Daniel Travis, David Brittain, Greg Brittain, James Brittain, Greg Spears and Ken Daly. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 2994, Hickory, N.C. 28601.

LEROY BURNETTE
MORGANTON - Leroy “Buss” Burnette, 78, of Parklane Drive, died Jan. 3, 2001, after a period of declining health. Born Sept. 24, 1922, in McDowell County, he was a son of the late James and Beatrice Autry Burnette. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he worked at Drexel Furniture, Henredon Furniture and Grand Piano. He was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Sherrie Stafford and William “Boo Boo” Lowdermilk. Survivors include his wife, Sue Whisnant Burnette; four daughters and a son-in-law, Iris L. and Marshall DuBois and Diane Allman of Sarasota, Fla., Eva Lowdermilk of Morganton and Patsy Stoss of Hickory; a brother, Nathan Burnette of Marion; a sister, Sue Carswell of Lenoir; seven grandchildren, Shellie Jacobs, Marina Powell, Tim Lowdermilk, Amy Lowdermilk, Lee Stoss, Melissa Stoss and Davey Buchanan; and seven great-grandchildren, Amanda Stafford, Jessie Stafford, Cassitidy Lowdermilk, Marilyn Stoss, Cody Stoss, C.J. Powell and Justin Manceaux. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jeff Whisnant and Johnny Ray Powell at 2 p.m. Saturday at Sossoman Funeral Home. Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of Morganton Veterans Ceremonial Team. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at the residence of Eva Lowdermilk, 1105 Parkland Drive, at other times.

WILSON R. HAPPOLDT
MORGANTON - Wilson Rhudell Happoldt, 96, of West Concord Street, died Jan. 1, 2001, at Morganton Long Term Care. Born Oct. 26, 1904, in Burke County, he was a son of the late Claudia Happoldt Smyre. A member of Gaston Chapel A.M.E. Church, he retired as a clerk from Kincaid Grocery Store after 60 years of service. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he was a member of the Berry-Chambers-Wright American Legion Post 322. He was preceded in death by a brother, John Atwood Happoldt; and a sister, Wilhelmenia Happoldt. Survivors include a nephew, Forney B. Happoldt Sr. of Morganton; two nieces, Jewell Robinson of Tallahassee, Fla., and Bernice Horton of Washington, D.C.; four great-nephews; a great-great-nephew; three great-great-nieces; and a number of other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Ronald Knight and Herbert Carter at 1 p.m. today at his church. Burial will be in Olive Hill Cemetery. The family will be at the church from 12:30 to 12:55 p.m. today and at the residence of Forney and Maxine Happoldt Sr., 821 Vinearden Road, at other times. Memorials may be made to Gaston Chapel A.M.E. Church, Building Fund, 100 Bouchelle St., Morganton, N.C. 28655. Ebony Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

RICHARD C. DEAL
MORGANTON - Richard Cooper Deal, 73, of Playmore Beach Road, died Jan. 3, 2001, at his residence after a period of declining health. Born Aug. 24, 1927, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Walter H. and Florence Cooper Deal. A member of Conway's Chapel Baptist Church, he served as choir director. A Merchant Marine veteran of World War II, he retired as a self-employed painter. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Ralph Deal and William Deal. Survivors include his wife, Jessie McCall Deal; a daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca D. and David Shaw of Lenoir; and two sisters, Mildred Garrison of Morganton and Joanne Griffin of Drexel. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Bill Williams at 2 p.m. today at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Conway's Chapel Baptist Church, 3624 Spencer Lane, Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

GRACE W. SIGMON
Grace Whisnant Sigmon, 61, of Hickory, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born April 10, 1939, in Hickory, she was a daughter of Emma Thomas Whisnant of Hickory and the late Fallon Lee Whisnant. A member of Bethany Lutheran Church, she was a homemaker and formerly employed by Fallon Hosiery Mill. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Freddie H. Sigmon; a son, Allen Sigmon of Bethlehem; three daughters, Rene Sigmon of Bethlehem, Judy Gibson of Conover and Michele Sigmon of the home; a sister, Lorene Setzer of Caldwell County; a grandson, Lake Gibson of Conover; and two granddaughters, Courtney Gibson of Conover and Savannah Sigmon of Bethlehem. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Gregory B. Williams at 2 p.m. Saturday at her church. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Wayne Sigmon, Charles “Mickey” Sigmon, Eric Setzer, Tim Setzer, David Cook, Glen Sigmon, Wayne Sigmon Jr., Benji Hefner and Michael Tucker. The family will be at the church from 12:45 to 2 p.m. Saturday. Memorials may be made to Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, P.O. Box 601597, Charlotte, N.C. 28260-1597. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

GEORGE W. METZGER
LENOIR - George Westerfield Metzger, 90, of Pennell Street, died Jan. 3, 2001, at his residence. Born March 3, 1910, in Mobile, Ala., he was a son of the late George A. and Willye Westerfield Metzger. He retired as an attorney for the federal government. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Graves Metzger; and two brothers, John Y. Metzger and August W. Metzger. Survivors include a son, Dr. G. Andrew Metzger of Lenoir; a daughter and son-in-law, Gerry and Edward Walsh of Atlanta, Ga.; a brother, William Joseph Metzger of Fairhope, Ala.; three sisteres, Annie Mary Metzger Strain, Elizabeth Metzger Anderson and Ella Juanita Metzger Summerlin of Mobile, Ala.; and four grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted by Father Tiva Maravilla at 10 a.m. today at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Fairhope, Ala. Burial will be in Fairhope Memory Gardens. Pallbearers will be Eric R. Anderson Jr., Adam Winters, John W. Metzger, George E. Metzger, John Yancey Metzger Jr. and William Joseph Metzger Jr. Honorary pallbearer will be David W. Strain Sr. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; or Caldwell Memorial Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 1890, Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

DON D. WATTS
STONY POINT - Don David Watts, 88, of South Center Street, Taylorsville, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born March 17, 1912, in Alexander County, he was a son of the late William Culberson and Maggie Thomas Watts. A member of Mount Herman Baptist Church, he retired as a farmer. Survivors include his wife, Esther Johnson Watts; two daughters, Rita Dejarnette and Gail Starnes of Taylorsville; three sisteres, Louise Johnson, Opal Harrington and Maude Teague of Taylorsville; four grandchildren, Adam Starnes and Bryn Starnes of Taylorsville and Dena Collie and Leja Childers of Wilmington; and a great-granddaughter, Anna Watts Collie of Wilmington. A graveside service will be conducted by the Revs. Paul Schronce and Terry White at 3 p.m. today at his church. The family will be at the residence at other times. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 3420 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215. Chapman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LUCILE M. MILLER
CONOVER - Lucile Meggs Miller, 76, of Conover, died Jan. 2, 2001, at Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, Calif. Born July 23, 1924, in Union County, she was a daughter of the late Henry and Anna Elizabeth Stewart Meggs. A member of Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ, she retired as a school teacher from Maiden High School. She also was a member of Delta Kappa Gamma and Catawba County Astronomy Club. She was preceded in death by her husband, Frank N. Miller Jr.; a son, Gary Miller; and a brother, Brice Meggs. Survivors include two sons, Steve Miller of California and Chuck Miller of Conover; a daughter, Anna B. Jacobs of Clearwater, Fla.; a sister, Margaret Stewart of Marshville; and seven grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Carroll Bartholomew at 3 p.m. Sunday at her church. Burial will be in Eastview Cemetery. The family will be at the church from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Drum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

FLORENCE F. MARTIN
LENOIR - Florence Fender Martin, 87, of Frank Martin Lane, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Grace Hospital. Born April 30, 1913, in Madison County, she was a daughter of the late Levi and Liza Jane Blankenship Fender. A member of West Lenoir Baptist Church, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, J. Frank Martin; a son, J.L. Martin; six brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include two sons, Blaine “Pepper” Martin and Harold D. Martin of Lenoir; a daughter, Annie Rae Hansberry of Nashville, Tenn.; two sisters, Annie Trantham and Fushia Poole of Marion; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Lynn Hawkins and Jeffrey Brendle at 2 p.m. Saturday at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church, 901 Seahorn St., NE, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

ELLEN KOSUTH-SCHWANZL
GASTONIA - Ellen Kosuth-Schwanzl, of Arden Oaks Drive, Lincolnton, died Dec. 29, 2000, at Lincoln Medical Center. Born in St. Louis, Mo., she was a daughter of the late Homer Largent and Leona Largent Stephen. She was a member of Safety Harbor Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Safety Harbor, Fla., and Crouse Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Crouse. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Emil J. Kosuth; her second husband, Wilbur Schwanzl; a stepfather, Alfred Stephen; three brothers, Cecil Stephen, Fred Stephen and Carl Stephen; and a sister, Dorothy Ross. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Joseph Kosuth and Cornelia Lauf-Kosuth of Rome, Italy; a daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Thomas Pfahlert of Lincolnton; two brothers, Lavern Stephen of Sacramento, Calif., and Gerald Stephen of Salinas, Calif.; six sisters, Wilma Robinson of Tucson, Ariz., Murlene Dafoe of Fort Myers, Fla., Joann Bass of Wilton, Calif., Charlene Simmons of Flushing, Mich., Darlene Aldridge of Columbiaville, Mich., and Deanna Shipman of Flint, Mich.; four grandchildren, Mark Pfahlert of Durham, Matthew and Nana Pfahlert of Hickory, Noema Kosuth and Klio Kosuth of Rome, Italy; and a great-grandson, David Pfahlert of New Hill. A memorial service will be conducted by Ronald Markle at 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 13 at Crouse Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. Burial will be Saturday in Toledo Memorial Park in Toledo, Ohio. Memorials may be made to Crouse Kingdom Hall, 3474 Crouse School Road, Crouse, N.C. 28033. Greene Funeral Service is in charge of local arrangements. Ansberg-West Funeral Home in Toledo is in charge of other arrangements.

NELLIE D. FREELAND
Nellie Mae Drum Freeland, 88, of Hickory, died at her residence after a brief period of declining health. Born May 12, 1912, in Alexander County, she was a daughter of the late Lee Odom and Minnie Lowrance Drum. She was preceded in death by her husband, Emory Eugene Freeland. Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Ruby Baker and Bill Bowman of Hickory; two brothers, J.D. Drum of Statesville and Carl Drum of Lincolnton; a sister, Thelma Shell of Hickory; three grandsons, Mike Bowman and Don Bowman of Hickory and Dr. Mark Bowman of Greenville; and a great-grandson, Alex Bowman of Greenville. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Bobby Sherrill and Randy Setzer at 2 p.m. Saturday at Catawba Funeral Home. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Dr. Mark Bowman, Mike Bowman, Don Bowman and Alex Bowman. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service and at the residence of Bill and Ruby Bowman at other times. Memorials may be made to Christ United Baptist Church, 1131 Thirty-third St., SW, Hickory, N.C. 28602; or Crossroads Baptist Church, 2655 South N.C. 127, Hickory, N.C. 28602.

BARBARA D. PRESSLY
STONY POINT - Barbara Jean Deal Pressly, 66, of Grayhouse Road, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. Born May 26, 1934, in Pinellas County, Fla., she was a daughter of the late Louis C. and Katherine Estelle Benton Deal Sr. A member of New Sterling ARP Church, she retired as a poultry farmer and as records clerk for Piedmont Health Care. She was a former school bus driver for Iredell County schools. She was preceded in death by a brother, Louis Calvin Deal Jr.; and a granddaughter, Sara Elizabeth McClure. Survivors include her husband, James C. Pressly; two daughters and a son-in-law, Barbara McClure and Kathryn and Roger Stewart of Stony Point; two brothers, John Deal Sr. of Petersburg, Fla., and Dr. Charles Deal of Tallahassee, Fla.; a sister, Frances Power of St. Petersburg, Fla.; and four grandchildren, Roger Stewart Jr., James McClure, John McClure and Charles McClure. A graveside service will be conducted by Dr. Earl Linderman at 2 p.m. Saturday at her church. The family will be at her residence at other times. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 1820 East Seventh St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204. Chapman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MARY J. KOONE
CONOVER - Mary Johnson Koone, 77, of Long Island Road, Catawba, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born June 19, 1923, in Alabama City, Ala., she was a daughter of the late E.J. and Annie Maude Coker Demedicis. A member of Hopewell United Methodist Church, she retired from Southern Bell. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Alton M. Johnson; and a number of brothers and sisters. Survivors include her husband, Joseph W. Koone; two sons and daughters-in-law, Alton and Patricia Johnson of Catawba and Joseph and Betty Johnson of Terrell; three stepdaughters and two stepsons-in-law, Joanne and Randy Myers and Debroh and Dan Coon of Charlotte and Betty Carole Brown of Hickory; four grandsons; two stepgrandsons; two stepgranddaughters; a great-granddaughter; and a stepgreat-grandson. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Bryon Alexander at 2 p.m. today in Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joseph P. Johnson Jr., Kendall Lee Johnson, Benjamin D. Johnson, Alton Matthew Johnson, Randy Myers and Eddie Sines. The family will remain at the church after the service. Memorials may be made to Hopewell United Methodist Church, 2211 Hopewell Church Road, Sherrills Ford, N.C. 28673. Drum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

COLLETTE P. CANTOR
LENOIR - Collette Palmer Cantor, 73, of Wedgewood Place, SE, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born March 18, 1927, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Sampson F. and Dora Bishop Cantor. A member of Cedar Rock Baptist Church, he retired from Lenoir Police Department and served in the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Richard Cantor, Arvil Cantor, Warren Cantor, William Cantor and Vernon Cantor. Survivors include his wife, Estelle Shell Cantor; four daughters, Brenda Mosteller of Raleigh, Susan Hunsucker of Panama City, Fla., Catherine Brooks of Charlotte and Carol Landau of Huntersville; a brother, Vaughn H. Cantor of Wichita, Kan.; a sister, Margaret Deal of Lenoir; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jim Robbins and Bill Bentley at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be his nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be the Rev. Raymond Correll and Earl Marlowe. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

LARRY M. SCRUGGS
LENOIR - Larry Monroe Scruggs, 64, of Walker Circle, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice. Born Dec. 23, 1936, in Gaston County, he was a son of the late Hoyle Eddleman Scruggs and Lou Ellen Sizemore Scruggs Walsh. A member of New Beginning Missionary Baptist Church, he was founder of Valley Trucking. He was preceded in death by his wife, Callie Scruggs; and a sister, Dolly Scruggs. Survivors include two sons, Larry Keith Scruggs and Michael Lynn Anderson of Lenoir; two daughters, Cindy Scruggs Hooks of Lenoir and Cathy Scruggs Franklin of Morganton; a sister, Kaye Scruggs Deal of Morganton; and six grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Daniel Buchanan, Raymond Coffey and Richard Yount at 2 p.m. today at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Pallbearers will be Ricky Triplett, Chuck Triplett, Darin Triplett, Richard Deal, Stephen Pritchard and Jordan Pritchard. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

PHILIP H. BRACEWELL Sr.
Philip Hubert Bracewell Sr., 82, died Jan. 5, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Dec. 5, 1918, in Atlanta, Ga., he was a son of the late James E. and Aline McAdams Bracewell. A World War II veteran, he served as an officer, a 2nd lieutenant in the U.S Air Corps, in the European Theatre. Founder and owner of Bracewell Furniture in Conover, he was a member of the North Carolina Wildlife Federation's Hall of Fame. He was awarded the Governor's Conservation Achievement Award for his participation in the Wildlife Federation as a member and trustee. He organized the Northwest chapter of Ducks Unlimited and was a charter member of Trout Unlimited in North Carolina. He held numerous positions and received numerous awards on regional and national levels of these organizations. A Boy Scout commissioner, he also was a member of the Duke Power Energy Commission and North Carolina Sedimentation Control Commissioner. A founding trustee of the North Carolina Nature Conservancy, he was a member of the board of trustees for Catawba Science Center. He was preceded in death by a great-grandson. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Sara Peeler Bracewell; a son, Philip H. Bracewell Jr. of Hickory; three daughters, Patricia Clayton of Fayetteville, Barbara Hebert of Woodbridge, Va., and Carol Bracewell of Hickory; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted be the Rev. Robert Thompson at 2 p.m. Sunday at Corinth Reformed United Church of Christ. The family will remain at the church after the service. Memorials be made to the Trout Unlimited/Phil Bracewell Educational Foundation Fund, c/o N.C. Community Foundation, P.O. Box 2851, Hickory N.C. 28603; or Corinth Reformed United Church of Christ, Good Samaritan Fund, 150 Sixteenth Ave., NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

HERMAN E. EDWARDS
Chief Petty Officer Herman Eugene Edwards, 49, of Chesapeake, Va., died Jan. 3, 2001, at Portsmouth Naval Hospital. Born Oct. 8, 1951, in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late Clyde M. and Ava Dellinger Edwards. He was retired from the U.S. Navy. Survivors include a son, Kevin Edwards of Durham; a daughter, Tammy Jackson of Wilmington; four brothers, Tommy Edwards of Larens, S.C., Clyde Edwards Jr. of Greenville, S.C., Leroy Edwards of Cherryville and David Edwards of Greenwood, S.C.; and a grandson, Brandon Edwards of Durham. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. John Woodard and Chaplain Joe Edwards at 3 p.m. today at Bass-Smith Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mount Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of American Legion Post 48. Pallbearers will be the members of the U.S. Navy. The family will be at the funeral home from 1:30 to 3 p.m. today. Memorials may be made to Sipe's Orchard Home, 4431 County Home Road, Conover, N.C. 28613.

DIANNE L. EASTER
LINCOLNTON - Dianne Luckey Easter, 43, of Old Plank Road, Stanley, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Lincoln Medical Center. Born Jan. 20, 1957, in Gaston County, she was a daughter of the late Harry and Nellie Johnston Luckey. A member of Gold Hill Missionary Baptist Church, she was the former office assistant at Duke Power. Survivors include a son, Derrick J. Easter of the home; a daughter, LaShanna Easter of the home; a grandchild, Amari Easter of the home; and a number of uncles and aunts. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Franklin E. Lowery at 2 p.m. today at her church. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Ebony & White's Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

OWEN W. LORITTS Jr.
NEWTON - Owen Waddell “Bill” Loritts Jr., 71, of Second Street Place, SW, Conover, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born Aug. 30, 1929, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Owen Loritts Sr. and Katie Abernathy Loritts Graham. A member of Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, he was a former member of the usher board and steward board. He retired from Steel Rulane Gas. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard M. Loritts and Eugene Loritts; and a sister, Elizabeth Loritts. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Durwin and Rosalind Loritts of Conover and Cedric and Linda Loritts of Newton; a daughter, Beverly Loritts of the home; a foster daughter, Delia McGill of Newton; a brother and sister-in-law, Nathaniel and Lucille Loritts of Long Beach, Calif.; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Yvonne and John Wood and Cecile Slaughter of Newton and Janice and Thomas Tillman of Conover; a stepbrother, William “Bill” Graham Jr. of Hickory; a stepsister, Lola Caldwell of Mooresville; six sisters-in-law; four brothers-in-law; two friends, Brenda Rinehardt of Conover and Yates Deal of Hickory; three grandchildren; two foster grandchildren; and a number of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. C.W. Lewis at 3 p.m. Tuesday at his church. Burial will be in Washington Park Cemetery. The family will be at the church from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday. Allen Mitchell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WILLIAM S. MILLER
William Starnes Miller, 70, of Hickory, died Jan. 4, 2001, at his residence. Born Jan. 15, 1930, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Jones W. and Ila Starnes Miller Sr. A member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, he retired as co-owner of Hickory Plumbing and Heating Co. He served in the U.S. Air Force. He was preceded in death by a brother, J.W. Miller Jr.; and two sisters, Maude Fleetwood and Margaret Daems. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, William S. and Janet Miller of Mooresville; a daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Bill Murdock of Asheville; three brothers, Paul Miller, Melford Miller and Rhen Miller of Hickory; a sister, Doris Bolick of Hickory; and a granddaughter, Katelyn Miller of Mooresville. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Walter Hitchcock at 2 p.m. Sunday in Catawba Memorial Park. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 6 to 7:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Eblen Foundation, 304 Summit St., Asheville, N.C. 28806.

BILLIE J. PEARSON
NORFOLK, Va. - Billie Jean Pearson, 56, of East McGinnis Circle, died Jan. 4, 2001, at Sentara Bayside Hospital. Born in Claremont, N.C., she was a daughter of Rena Murden of Norfolk. A member of Aldersgate United Methodist Church, she was a school bus driver for the city of Norfolk and a member of Moose Lodge 39. Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband of 41 years, Raiford Pearson; a son and daughter-in-law, Raiford and Diane Pearson Jr. of Norfolk; a daughter, Josey Connolly of Virginia Beach; a sister, Charlcie B. Teague of Hickory, N.C.; a brother-in-law, Frank E. Pearson of Alabama; a sister-in-law, Rachel of Florida; four grandchildren, William John Connolly Jr., Cristina Ann Pearson, Raiford Pearson III and Bobby Pearson; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Celeste Heath at 11 a.m. Monday at Woodlawn Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial will be in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. The family will be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday.

SIDNEY D. POWELL
VALDESE - Sidney D. Powell, 87, of Icard, died Jan. 4, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital. Born Feb. 18, 1913, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late John and Alice Huffman Powell. A member of Hildebran First Baptist Church, he retired as a maintainance foreman at Icard Cordage Mill. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dovie Young Powell; and his grandparents, Isaac and Jane Powell. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Cecil A. and Wilma Powell of Icard and Norman Powell of Lenoir; a daughter and son-in-law, Judy and Kenneth Cline of Icard; a sister, Maebelle Luckadoo of Casar; six grandchildren, Renee Hollaway, Kimberly Clark, Andy Cline, Alice Sanders, Julie Flack and Samuel Powell; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ron Arndt at 2 p.m. today at his residence. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. Heritage Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

KELSIE J. LOWE
MAIDEN - Kelsie James Lowe, 67, of Stubbs Place, died Jan. 5, 2001, at Brian Center East in Hickory, died Jan. 5, 2001, after a period of declining health. Born Jan. 21, 1933, in Swain County, he was a son of the late Steven and Zonia Lowe. A member of Victory Baptist Church, he was a supervisor at Carolina Mills. He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War. He was preceded in death by three brothers; and a sister. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Ramsey Lowe; two sons, Ronny Lowe and Richard Lowe of Maiden; two daughters, Debbie Lowe Wells of Harriman, Tenn., and Angie Lowe Eaker of Maiden; 11 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Lonny Ramsey and Ronnie Keener at 3 p.m. Sunday at his 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 Burke Mortuaries from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

ZOLA R. HESTER
Zola Romines Hester, 89, of Pleasant Hill Road, died Jan. 4, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Aug. 20, 1911, in Cocke County, Tenn., she was a daughter of the late Samuel J. and Racheal Philips Romines. A member of Flemings Chapel Baptist Church, she retired as a textile worker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Samuel Jeffrey Hester; a brother, Joseph Romines; and five sisters, Muriel Brown, Edna Turner, Rachel Wilson, Mary Lacy and Helen Hartsell. Survivors include a son, Gerald Hester of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; a daughter, Joyce Winkler of Lenoir; a stepmother, Ellen Queen Romines of Hickory; a brother, Bobby Romines of Hickory; three sisters, Arlecy Hopkins of Akron, Ohio, Ollie Hester of Mount Holly and Doris Carter of Anderson, S.C.; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Hugh Whitfield, Stanley Townsend, Dale Matheson and Steve Brown at 2 p.m. Monday at First Freewill Baptist Church in Mount Holly. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Hillcrest Gardens in Mount Holly. Pallbearers will be Daniel Winkler, Christopher Eagle, Tommy Hester, John Bayless, Boyd Jones and Melvin Dickerson. The family will be at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home from 4 to 5:30 p.m. today and at Greene's Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 3291, Morganton, N.C. 28655; or American Heart Association, Memorial & Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, Va. 23058-5216.

EARNEST RUTHERFORD
MORGANTON - Earnest “Bub” Rutherford, 94, of East Union Street, died Jan. 3, 2001, at Grace Hospital. Born March 10, 1906, in Burke County, he was a son of the late Julius “Dame” and Margaret Conley Rutherford. A member of Slades Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, he was a former trustee. He retired as a truck driver for the sanitation department with the city of Morganton after 30 years of service. He was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by his wife, Nanier Collette Chambers Rutherford; three brothers, Albert Conley, Tommy Rutherford and George Rutherford; two sons, Robbie Chambers and William Chambers; and two daughters, Earnestine Rutherford Hawkins and Betty Sue Chambers. Survivors include two sons, Wallace Chambers and Robert Chambers of Plainfield, N.J.; two daughters, Nadine Chambers Ervin of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Hettie Chambers Happoldt of Norfolk, Va.; a sister, Pearl C. Harbison of Morganton; a grandson, Ernest Fitzgerald Rutherford of Stamford, Conn.; six granddaughters, Nanier Caldwell, Tina Hawkins, Andera Caldwell, Paula Wilkins, Camey Ervin and Lisa Cannon of Morganton; 16 great-grandchildren; stepgrandchildren; a son-in-law, Marshall Hawkins of Morganton; a nephew, Frank Rutherford; a number of other nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Darryl Jackson, Minnie Bryant and Helen Rutherford at 2 p.m. today at his church. Burial will be in Rutherford Family Cemetery. The family will be at the church from 1 to 1:55 p.m. today. Memorials may be made to Slades Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, Building Fund, c/o Laura Brown, P.O. Box 2385, Morganton, N.C. 28680-2385. Ebony Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

HOWARD L. LAFFFON Sr.
Howard Lafayette Laffon Sr., 79, of Thirty-fifth Street Place, NE, Conover, died Jan. 5, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born Aug. 5, 1921, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Oscar and Ivey Myrtle Sigmon Laffon. A member of Old St. Pauls Lutheran Church, he was a self-employed carpenter and a U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by a brother, Odell Laffon; and a sister, Rachel Laffon Marshall. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Hunt Laffon; two sons, Howard L. Laffon Jr. and Charles Hunt of Hickory; two brothers, Eugene Laffon of Conover and Marshall Laffon of Holden Beach; three sisters, Rosie Heavner of Conover, Gerry Witherspoon and Dian Dill of Newton; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Dave Ridenhour at 2 p.m. Sunday at his church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Old St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 2035 Old Conover-Startown Road, Newton, N.C. 28658. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BLANCHE E. HOLDEN
LENOIR - Blanche Elizabeth Holden, 98, of Walt Arney Road, SW, died Jan. 5, 2001, at Lenoir Health Care. Born July 11, 1902, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late John and Nina Campbell Holden. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by three brothers; and four sisters. Survivors include a number of nephews and nieces. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Jim Ritch at 4 p.m. today in Belleview Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JAMES R. STANGIS
MORGANTON - James Richard Stangis, 63, of Fox Creek Drive, died Jan. 4, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital. Born Sept. 7, 1937, in Wayne County, Mich., he was a son of the late Anthony and Anna Zidek Stangis. A member of M.A.R.S.P., he retired as a teacher from Livonia Public School System in Livonia, Mich. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Amanda Savageau. Survivors include his wife, Hazel Tallent Stangis; a son, Craig Stangis of Denver, Colo.; two daughters, Cherie Josefosky of Fenndale, Mich., and Jacqueline Savageau of Oak Park, Mich.; two stepdaughters, Sheila David of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Lila Lawler of Riva, Md.; two brothers, Anthony Stangis of Warren, Mich., and Dell Kozikowski of Walled Lake, Mich.; two grandchildren, Keeghan Savageau and Aidianne Savageau; and stepgrandchildren, Daniel Lawler and Jessica Lawler. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Matthew Brown at 3 p.m. today at Kirksey Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pisgah Baptist Church Cemetery in Caldwell County. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service and at his residence at other times. Memorials may be made to Burke County Humane Society.


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