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Mary Herring
BLOOMFIELD, CONN. - Mrs. Mary B. Herring, 97, of 8-H Wedgewood Road, died Thursday, June 8, 2000, in Bloomfield.
Born in Lee County, S.C., she was the daughter of the late Archie and Minnie Baker. She was a homemaker. She was a member of Shiloh Baptist Church and Wilson-Woods Missionary Circle.
Surviving are three sons, Ben Herring Jr. and William Herring of Bloomfield and Thomas Herring Sr. of Shelby; three daughters, Lulabelle Baker of Shelby, Barbara Oates of Windsor, Conn. and Minnie Thomas of Bloomfield; 18 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Shiloh Baptist Church, with the Revs. Gary Baker and R.E. Devoe officiating. Burial will follow at Webb Memorial Lawns.
The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the service at the church.
Dockery's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Grace Hamrick
SHELBY - Mrs. Grace Rutledge Hamrick, of 308 Tremont Place, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at her home.
A native of Yadkinville, she was the daughter of the late William Edward and Lola Shore Rutledge. She was a 1941 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in journalism and was elected the first female president of the General Alumni Association for 1976-1977 and received the Alumni Distinguished Service award in 1983. She served two terms on the Board of Visitors, was a board member of Friends of the Library (Wilson and Davis), and served two terms on the UNC Center for Public Television and later on the Public TV Foundation boards. She also served many years on local and district committees of the John Motley Morehead Scholarship Foundation.
As a journalist, she was the editor of the Cleveland Times between 1942 and 1946 and again from 1960 to 1965. She was a columnist for The Shelby Star during the 1980s. She was co-author and editor of "The First Ladies of North Carolina." She was the author of "Miss Fay," a biography of Mrs. O. Max Gardner, and of "Miss Bess," a biography of Mrs. Clyde R. Hoey, both wives of Shelby's two governors. She also co-authored the history of the First Baptist Church of Shelby, where she was a member, and edited 50-year histories of the Shelby Kiwanis Club, Lions Club, Shelby Junior Charity League, Shelby Woman's Club, and Cleveland Federal Savings and Loan Association.
She was the first female awarded a Paul Harris Fellow by the Shelby Rotary Club and was Shelby's Woman of the Year in 1963. She was Cleveland County project chairman for the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the English landing on Roanoke Island, chairing the committee to landscape grounds at the Cleveland County Historical Museum, of which she was a charter member. She aided in the design of cubicles in the Hall of Fame and wrote biographies of all 25 named in the Hall.
She served on the board of Cleveland Memorial Hospital, Gardner-Webb Board of Advisors, as trustee of Cleveland Community College and was appointed by Gov. Robert Scott to the Governor's Advisory Committee on Comprehensive Health Planning. She also served on the N.C. Mental Health Committee.
She was a past member of the N.C. Museum of History Associates Board, which, along with the Cleveland County Committee, honored her with a "Footprint in Time" at the N.C. Museum of History in Raleigh. She was twice president of the Shelby Junior Charity League and twice chairman of the League's Debutante Ball. She was a member of the Historic Shelby Foundation, the Literario Book Club, Triple Deck and Round Dozen Bridge Clubs.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Rutledge.
She is survived by her husband, C. Rush Hamrick Jr. of Shelby; two sons and a daughter-in-law, C. Rush "Rusty" Hamrick of Isle of Palms, S.C., and Dr. Dale Rutledge and Cherrie Hamrick of Spartanburg, S.C.; two grandsons, C. Rush "Charley" Hamrick IV and George Blanton Hamrick; a step-granddaughter and stepgrandson-in-law, Allison Roof and Billy Rhodes; a stepgreat-grandson, Kenai River Rhodes; a brother, John Rutledge of Winston-Salem; a sister, Nelle McCauley of Greenville, S.C.; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Bill Rutledge of Yadkinville; and a brother-in-law, Gordon G. Hamrick of Shelby.
The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Shelby with Dr. Robert Canoy officiating.
Burial will follow at Sunset Cemetery.
The family will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 at the church.
Memorials may be sent to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, N.C. 28150 or to the charity of the donor's choice.
Palmer Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Christine Wellmon
SHELBY - Mrs. Christine Helmich Wellmon, 68, of 903 Blanton St., died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at her home.
Born October 26, 1931, in Germany, she was the daughter of the late Joseph and Elenore Helmich. She was a member of Norman's Grove Baptist Church. She was a homemaker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold James Wellmon.
She is survived by a son, Mark Anthony Lewis of Lumberton; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Cindy and Steve Collins of Lumberton, Nora and Douglas Draper of Grover, and Marilyn Hoyle of Shelby; two sisters, Ursula Bradley of Dallas, Texas, and Ilse Wiessenbacher of Austria; two grandsons, Daniel Collins of Lumberton and Rocky Brian Ashe of Shelby; a granddaughter, Christie Hoyle Fortenberry of Shelby; and two great-granddaughters, Victoria Fortenberry and Hanna Fortenberry, both of Shelby.
The funeral will be today at 2 p.m. at Normans Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Cecil Buff officiating.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends after the service at the church.
Stamey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Jackie Clayton
SHELBY - Mr. Jackie Charles Clayton, 66, of Shelby, died Monday, June 12, 2000, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center.
Born May 26, 1934, in Greenville, S.C., he was the son of the late James Moody and Gladys Reid Clayton. He was a member of Grover Church of God and was a Mason with the Kings Mountain Lodge. He was retired from Hoechst-Celanese and was involved in the nursing home ministry in the church.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Allen Clayton and Jerry Clayton.
He is survived by his wife, Zolia Buchanan Clayton of the home; a son and daughter-in-law, Arnold and Dorrie Clayton of Grover; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jackie Renee Burke of Kings Mountain, Angela and Dennis Fiore of Florida and Stella and Kenneth Bush of Kings Mountain; three brothers, Paul Clayton and Bobby Clayton, both of Blacksburg, S.C., and Larry Clayton of Greer, S.C.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be Thursday at 11:30 a.m. at Armstrong Cemetery with the Revs. Larry Wells and Jerry Helms officiating.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Greene Funeral Service, Westside Chapel in Gastonia.
Memorials may be made to the Shriner's Organization, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, S.C. 29605.
Alexander Garcia
KINGS MOUNTAIN - Alexander Vicente Garcia, infant son of Vicente and Michelle Hicks Garcia, died Sunday, June 11, 2000, at his home.
A graveside service will be Thursday at 4 p.m. at Mountain Rest Cemetery with the Rev. Wayne Reese officiating.
The family will receive friends one hour before the service at Harris Funeral Home.
Earl McCraw
FOREST CITY - Mr. Earl Dean McCraw, 63, of Forest City, died Monday, June 12, 2000, at Rutherford Hospital.
The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Neil Murray officiating.
Burial will follow at Race Path Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends tonight from 6:30 to 8 at Harrelson Funeral Home.
Mary Franks
MT. HOLLY - Mrs. Mary Opal Swanson Franks, 86, of 1911 Lane Road, formerly of North Belmont, died Tuesday, June 13, 2000, at Rehabilitation & Health Center of Gastonia.
A native of Hayesville, she was the daughter of the late William A. and Elizabeth Prater Swanson. She was retired from Perfection Spinning, was a member of First Baptist Church in Lowell and was a member of the Eastern Star for 43 years.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Franks, and a son, Kenneth E. Franks.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Vickie Franks of Shelby; two sisters, Lois Russell of Lowell and Cordia Emory of Florence, S.C.; four grandchildren, Randy Franks, Tim Franks, Pat Franks and Joshua Franks.
The funeral will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Lowell with the Rev. Ken Cobb officiating.
Burial will follow at Gaston Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Carothers Funeral Home.
Arie Wray
HICKORY - Mrs. Arie Wray, 98, of 1125 Tenth St. Boulevard NW, died Thursday, June 8, 2000, at PellCare Nursing Home.
A native of Green County, Ga., she was the daughter of the late Peter Young and Hattie Marble. Retired for 30 years from Central Chair Factory, she was a furniture worker from 1961 to 1970. She was a member of Lawndale First Baptist Church, serving as a Sunday school teacher, a Bible school teacher, doing departmental work and working with the handicapped at U-Can Center. She was a member of Eastern Star Elizabeth Chapter No. 3 and Herion's of Jericho Saint Mary's Court No. 4.
In addition to her parents, she wass preceded in death by her husband, the Rev. Eddie Wray.
She is survived by two sons, George Thomas Wray and James Nathaniel Wray, both of Lawndale; a daughter-in-law, Lillie Mae Wray of Shelby; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Thelma Wray Antonie of Lawndale, Bernice Wray and Robert Lee Hector of Lawndale and Shirley Wray and Freddie B. Lacey of Layton, Utah; one sister, Charlee Young Adams of Pittsburgh; 41 grandchildren; 91 great-grandchildren; and 26 great-great grandchildren.
The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Lawndale First Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy D. Houze officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends Friday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Lawndale First Baptist Church.
Renee Copes
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - Mrs. Renee Copes, 24, of 31 Bietz St., died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at home.
The funeral will be Sunday at 3 p.m. at Genesis Chapel with the Rev. Samuel Raper officiating. Burial will follow at First Baptist Lawndale Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 30 minutes prior to the service at the chapel and at other times at the home of Arnetta Williams, 608 Leander St., Shelby.
Mrs. Blanche Eaker Magness
ALPHARETTA, GA. - Mrs. Blanche Eaker Magness, 87, of 13000 Freemanville Road, Ga., formerly of Shelby, died Saturday, June 3, 2000, in Mariner Health, NE Atlanta.
A native of Cleveland County, she was the daughter of the late Clyde and Docia Falls Eaker. She was co-owner of Magness Market and Magness Produce and was a member of Extension Department of First Baptist Church and TEL Sunday school Class of First Baptist Church of Shelby.
In addition to her parents, she was the preceded in death by her husband, James Everette Magness Sr. and two sisters, Evelyn Reid and Polly E. Walker.
She is survived by a son, James Everette Magness Jr. of the home; two nieces, Jean W. Ledbetter and Brenda Mitchem, both of Shelby; three grandchildren, James E. Magness II, Bebe Daher and David Butler Jr., all of Atlanta, Ga.; two great-grandchildren, David Butler III and Brannon Williams, both of Atlanta, Ga.
The funeral was Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Lutz-Austell Funeral Home Chapel with the Dr. Robert Canoy officiating.
Burial followed at Sunset Cemetery.
The family received friends Tuesday at Lutz-Austell Funeral Home and other times at the home of Jean W. Ledbetter, 400 W. Sumter Street, Shelby, NC. 28150.
Douglas Harton Sr.
FOREST CITY - Mr. Douglas Henry Harton Sr., 76, of 108 Furman Drive, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000, at his home.
The funeral will be today at 4 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church with the Rev. Bob Clinard and Dr. Phillip W. Dunford officiating.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
The family received friends Wednesday at the Padgett & King Mortuary.
Joe Houey
LAURELTON, N.Y. - Mr. Joe Nathan Houey, 57, of 134-35 231st St., died Saturday, June 3, 2000, at his home.
A native of Gaffney, S.C., he was the son of Lorene Oglesby Houey and the late J.D. Houey. He was a former member of Concord Baptist Church and a member of the National Guard Reserve of New York. He left Gaffney 33 years ago to make his home in New York. He was a Deacon at Mt. Cella Baptist Church and was employed as a truck driver for the A & P Shop Well Co.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Catherine Littlejohn Houey of the home; three children, Jonathan Darnell Houey, Gabriel Houey and Joshua R. Houey, all of Laurelton; three reared in the home as children, Hattie Dukes, Faith Dukes and Tasha Dukes, all of New York; three brothers, Willie Dean Houey and Leonard Houey, both of Gaffney and Emanuel Houey of Sheby; five sisters, Brenda McLaughlin of Columbia, S.C., Patricia Manning, Annie Houey, Sandra Houey and Shelia Byers, all of Gaffney.; and three grandchildren, Jonathan Deshawn Houey, Jaquan Dominique Houey and Jaleke Houey.
The funeral will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at Concord Baptist Church with the Revs. Michael Bridges and Vance Sarratt and Dr. J.W. Sanders Sr. officiating.
The body will be placed in the church one hour before the service.
Honorary pallbearers for the service will be Homer McGill, Carl Ray Bridges, James Sarratt, Madison Watts and Micky Leach. Active pallbearers will be Michal Houey, Harold Houey, Tirash Houey, James Kinley, Rodrick Byers, Terence Houey, Lorenzo Houey and Denard Houey.
Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
The family will be at the home of his mother, Mrs. Lorene O. Houey, 210 Estelle Road, Gaffney.
Foster Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Caroline Waddell
GASTONIA - Caroline Nicole Waddell, infant daughter of Christopher Lee Waddell and Mary Caroline Little, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000, at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
A graveside service will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Evergreen Cemetery in Belmont.
McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia is in charge of arrangements.
Ronnie Horn
GAFFNEY, S.C. - Mr. Ronnie Lee Horn, 52, of 2654 Cherokee Ave., died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at his home.
The funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Frederick Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Gene Phillips officiating.
The family will receive friends tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 at White Columns Funeral Home in Gaffney.
Christopher Crump
SHELBY - Mr. Christopher Crump, 27, of 155 Ridgewood St., died Wednesday, June 7, 2000.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Clay-Barnette Funeral Home.
"Bill" Fitzgerald
BLACKSBURG, S.C. - Mr. Wilburn "Bill" Fitzgerald, 60, of 137 Pinegrove Road, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000, at his home.
A graveside service will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with the Revs. James Price and Brian Harris officiating.
The family will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 at White Columns Funeral Home in Blacksburg.
Kenneth Lawing
RUTHERFORDTON - Mr. Kenneth Edward Lawing, 51, of 144 Broken Limb Road, died Tuesday, June 6, 2000.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home.
Clyde Pruett
MORGANTON - Mr. Clyde Junior Pruett, 61, of 807-A Vinearden Road, died Wednesday, June 7, 2000, at Grace Hospital.
The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Pisgah Baptist Church with the Revs. Chris Sanford, Earl Cross and Johnny Powell officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service.
The family will receive friends Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stamey Funeral Home.