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Jon M. Champion
SHELBY Jon Michael "Mike" Champion, 57, 3650 W. Dixon Blvd., died Nov. 8, 1999, at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte.
He was a native of Cleveland County, son of the late W. H. "Dub" Champion, Army veteran of Vietnam, member of Westview Baptist Church, self-employed in real estate.
SURVIVORS: Mother, Gladys Bland Champion, Shelby; wife, Elaine Blanton Champion; son and daughter-in-law, Jon Christopher and Kathy Champion, Savannah, Ga.; daughters and sons-in-law, Robin Champion and Robert Wright, Charlotte, Rebecca Champion and Lee Johnson, Shelby; sisters and brothers-in-law, Joy and Bob Ramsey, Asheville, Sue and Charles Camp, Shelby; grandchildren, Christian Davis, Jon Lawton Champion, Jonathan Tyler and William Christopher Green, Keilee Rhiannon Wright
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sunset Cemetery, Revs. Phil Bailey, Jimmy Greene, Dr. James Richardson
VISITATION: 5:30-7:30 tonight, Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home
MEMORIALS: Donors choice
Virgie B. Suggs
CHARLOTTE Virgie Benfield Suggs, 84, died Nov. 7, 1999.
She was a native of Mecklenburg County, daughter of the late W.J. and Maggie Mason Benfield, wife of the late Robert Lee Suggs, homemaker, member of Christ Presbyterian Church.
SURVIVORS: Sisters, Margaret Laws, Carrie Crosswell, Charlotte; nieces and nephews including, Toncie Ball, Gatlinburg, Tenn., Trille Mendenhall, Pat Haire, Geneva Canipe, Carolyn Baker, Gladys Hair, Bill Benfield, Charlotte, Joe L. Crosswell, Newport News, Va.; special doctor, Paul McMullan
FUNERAL: 7 p.m. tonight, Carothers Funeral Home, Mount Holly, Rev. Rod Love
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sharon Memorial Park, Charlotte
VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. tonight, funeral home
MEMORIALS: Leukemia Society of America, N.C. Chapter 5624 Executive Center Drive, Charlotte 28212 or Christ Presbyterian Church, 2461 Arty Ave., Charlotte 28208
Johnathan T. Bracebridge
ELLENBORO Johnathan Taylor Bracebridge, 607 Stroud Road, infant son of Billy and Crystal Bracebridge, died Nov. 7, 1999, at Mission Memorial Hospital, Asheville.
He was great-grandchild of the late Johnny Blanton and grandchild of the late Ricky Sentell.
SURVIVORS: In addition to parents; paternal grandparents, Kathy and Larry McFarland, Ellenboro; maternal grandparent, Kathy Sentell, Shelby; paternal great-grandparents, Lucy Blanton, Ellenboro, Plato and Aileen McFarland, Casar; maternal great-grandparents, Betty and David Carter, Polkville, Mary and Ryan Sentell, Cherryville
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 2 p.m today, Union Baptist Church Cemetery, Rev. Bill Ewing
ARRANGEMENTS: Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home
CHARLES E. MATTHEWS SR.
GASTONIA Charles Eugene Matthews Sr., 76, 4535 Crowders Crest Road, died Nov. 7, 1999, at home.
He was a native of Bryson City, son of the late Rufus and Ida Mae McFee Matthews, member of Laurel Woods Baptist Church, World War II Army veteran.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Marie Padgett Matthews; son and daughter-in-law, Charles Jr. and Judy Matthews, Gastonia; daughters and sons-in-law, Cindy and Whit Burnett, Atlanta, Sheila and Jeff Jacobs, Chicago, Debra Matthews, Dallas, Bill and Suzie Worley, Gastonia, Imogene and Ed Hancock, Belmont, Faye and Roland Black, Gastonia, Joy and Hoyt Hicks, Shelby, Joann Robinson, Gastonia; brother, Ed Matthews, Clover, S.C.; sister, Hilda Kinley, Gastonia; 12 grandchildren
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 11 a.m. today, Gaston Memorial Park, Rev. Sherman Branch
ARRANGEMENTS: Carothers Funeral Home, Gastonia
Evelyn M. Bennett
GASTONIA Evelyn Martin Bennett, 88, 310 Graham St., died Nov. 8, 1999, at Belaire Health Care Center.
She was a native of Gaston County, daughter of the late John and Sally Jenkins Martin, wife of the late Grady Otto Bennett, retired textile worker, member of Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church.
SURVIVORS: Daughters, Gay B. Shockley, Gastonia, Connie B. Ledford, Kings Mountain; son, Stonewall Bennett, Stanley; sisters, Billie M. McDaniel, Kings Mountain, Virginia M. Eubanks, Columbia, S.C., Edith M. Deal, Easton, Md.; eight grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Wednesday, McLean Funeral Directors, Gastonia, Rev. Hal Schwantes
BURIAL: Mountain Rest Cemetery, Kings Mountain
VISITATION: One hour before service, funeral home
MEMORIALS: Bradley Memorial United Methodist Church, 1425 W. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia 28052
Edwin R. Watkins Jr.
GASTONIA Edwin Randle Watkins Jr., 27, 803 Marve St., died Nov. 10, 1999, at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
He was a native of Gaston County, brother of the late Hope Larue.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Dawn Sullivan Watkins; daughter, Brandy Lynn Watkins, Gastonia; stepdaughter, Britiany Nicole Sullivan, Concord; father and stepmother, Edwin Randle Sr. and Betty Watkins, Gastonia; mother, Meritha Ann Gilreath Watkins, Dallas; brothers, Ronnie Watkins, McMinnville, Tenn., Wayne Thompson, Dallas; sisters, Linda Watkins, Gastonia, Brenda Nations, Cherryville; stepsisters, Teresa Frady, Clarmont, Ga., Donna Cowart, Lowell; 17 nieces and nephews
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Sunday, Greene Funeral Service, Southside Chapel, Revs. Johnny Gilreath, Bill Coleman
BURIAL: Hollywood Cemetery
VISITATION: 7-9 tonight, funeral home, other times at the homes of Edwin Watkins Sr., 2639 Springbrook Circle and Ann Watkins, 608 John Howard Lane, Dallas
PALLBEARERS: Carey Simpson, Eric Friday, Ladd Gilreath, Micheal Bingham, John McClure, Kyle McGregor
Henry L. Skipper
SHELBY Henry Lynn Skipper, 72, 1023 North Post Road, died Nov. 11, 1999, at home.
He was a native of Mecklenburg County, son of the late Henry Lester and Bessie Griffin Skipper, retired truck driver from Carolina Freight, member of American Legion, Elizabeth Baptist Church, Navy veteran.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Nellie Florence McSwain Skipper; son and daughter-in-law, Henry Lynn and Rita Skipper Jr., Haverton, Pa.; daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra and Garry Yven, Charlotte, Jill and Gerald Fay, Raleigh, Lisa and Patrick Fry, Mooresville, Linda Jane Skipper, Dallas, Texas; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harry Joe and Sue Skipper, Charlotte, Luther Van and Joann Skipper, Lincolnton; sister, Hazel Lee, Austell, Ga.; nine grandchildren
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. today, Clay-Barnette Funeral Home, Rev. Terry Jordan
BURIAL: Cleveland Memorial Park
MEMORIALS: American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 394, Shelby 28151 or Elizabeth Baptist Church, 301 N. Post Road, Shelby 28150
Gladys J. Cabe
GASTONIA Gladys Evelyn Jenkins Cabe, 79, 1617 E. Cole St., died Nov. 11, 1999, at home.
She was a native of Gaston County, daughter of the late Norman J. and Ocie Black Jenkins, sister of the late Clifford and Steven Jenkins, Monica Jenkins Young, Ruby Hoffman, lifelong member of Flint Groves Baptist Church, taught Sunday school and Training Union, retired from American Efird.
SURVIVORS: Husband, Charles L. Cabe; daughters and sons-in-law, Judy and Thomas McGee, Janice and John Lay, Gastonia; brothers, Ellis Jenkins, Gastonia, Robert Jenkins, Cliffside; grandson and spouse, Barry and Jeanette Whisnant; grandson and fiancee, Brian Lay and Sharon Bowen; granddaughters, Ann M. Whisnant, Alice McGee; great-grandchildren, Justin Whisnant, Morgan Bowen
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Sunday, Flint Groves Baptist Church, Rev. Richard Hicks
BURIAL: Gaston Memorial Park
VISITATION: 6-8 tonight, the church, other times at the home of Janice Lay, 1116 Bridgewood Lane
PALLBEARERS: Roy Ammons, Gene Brown, John Campbell, David Denton, Seabe Dills, Leonard Hedgepath
MEMORIALS: Hospice of Gaston County, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia 28053
ARRANGEMENTS: Greene Funeral Service, Southside Chapel
James W. Hensley
BOGER CITY James William "Satch" Hensley, 73, 1428 Little Valley Lane, died Nov. 10, 1999, at Lincoln Medical Center, Lincolnton.
He was a native of Martinsville, Va., son of the late Dillard Haskell and Geneva Padgett Hensley, husband of the late Thelma Truelove Hensley, attended Boger City Freewill Baptist Church, former driver for Main Street Cab Co., Mount Holly, former employee of Burlington Industries.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Dillard Haskell and James William Hensley Jr., Mount Holly; daughters, Patsy Harkey, Frankie Lineberger, Mount Holly, Susan Hullette, Lincolnton; sister, Erlene Price, Burlington; eight grandchildren; three great-grandchildren
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. today, Landmark Baptist Church, Gastonia, Revs. Carroll Hennessee, Brian Williams
BURIAL: Armstrong Cemetery
PALLBEARERS: Randy Boone, Bryan Harkey, James Hensley Jr., Jerry Hullette, Bill Lineberger, Mark Rankin
ARRANGEMENTS: Greene Funeral Service, Westside Chapel, Gastonia
Leatrice M. Farrish
RED SPRINGS Leatrice McNair Farrish, 65, died Nov. 11, 1999, at Southeastern Regional Medical Center, Lumberton.
She was a native of Kings Mountain, Lincoln Academy Community, daughter of the late Frazier and Hattie B. McNair, member of First Congregational United Church of Christ, Lincoln Academy Community, organist, choir member, taught at Compact High School, Kings Mountain, retired educator from Red Springs city school system, graduate of Lincoln Academy and Shaw University, former member of Zeta Mu Omega Chapter, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
SURVIVORS: Sister, Jo Ann McNair, Baltimore; brother, Marshall McNair, Charlotte; niece, Nicole McNair, Atlanta; nephew, John McNair, Los Angeles.; uncle, Edward McNair, Chestertown, Md.; cousin, Janet McNair, Baltimore; sister-in-law, Delores McNair, Charlotte, Anne McNair, Nashville, Tenn.; aunt-in-law, Reola McNair, Kings Mountain; close friends, Thelma Greene, Mary Black, Red Springs
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 1 p.m. today, Westview Cemetery, Bessemer City, Dr. Lynn McDowell
VISITATION: 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. today, Martins Funeral Home, Gastonia