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Robert W. Williams Sr.
GASTONIA - Robert Wilton Williams Sr., 72, 524 Hawthorne Lane, died June 30, 2000, at home. He was a native of Robeson County, son of the late Dewey and Rilla Hewett Williams, husband of the late Dorothy McGirt Williams, president, chief executive officer and director of Gaston Federal Savings and Loan Association, which is now Gaston Federal Bank, vice chairman of the bank’s board of directors, graduated in 1950 with a bachelor of science in commerce from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, member of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, served in the Army during the Korean War, chief examiner of the Savings and Loans, administrator of the Savings and Loans Division of the Department of Commerce for the state of North Carolina, former chairman of the board and president of the Council of Community Financial Institutions in Washington, D.C., member of the board of directors of the Gastonia Downtown Development Corp., the Allocation Committee of the United Way of Gaston County Inc., the mayor’s blue ribbon task force, president of Gastonia’s Central City Association, chairman of a committee of representation of Norfolk-Southern Railway, the N.C. Department of Transportation, City of Gastonia, Superior Paving Co., the contractor for the railway project, other members of the Gastonia Central City Association, which facilitated the completion and dedication of the Long Avenue Railroad Relocation Project, served on Gastonia’s Uptown Revitalization Committee, director and treasurer of the Home Builders Association of Gaston County Inc., named Associate of the Year in 1983, served on the board of directors of the Gaston Chamber of Commerce, associate member of the Gaston Association of Realtors, president of the YMCA of Gaston County Inc., treasurer of two YMCA capital campaigns, member of advisory board of the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Clubs, chairman of the board of directors of the Gaston County Private Industry Council, member of the board of directors, the development and investment committees and treasurer of the Community Foundation of Gaston County, commissioned as Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Master Mason of the Saint Albans Lodge No. 114 in Lumberton, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, Knight Templar, Shriner, received the Gold Honor Award from the Western North Carolina York Rite College, life member and former trustee of the Gastonia Lodge No. 1634 of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Paul Harris fellow of Rotary International, member of the Gastonia Rotary Club and First Baptist Church.
SURVIVORS: Wife of 13 years, Linda Noble Williams; sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Karen Williams Jr., Surfside Beach, S.C., John David Williams, Gastonia; stepdaughter and spouse, Susan K. and Stanley C. Foster; mother-in-law, Louise Noble, Lumberton; sisters and brothers-in-law, Sarah W. Britt, Charles Noble, Lumberton, Doris W. and Max Bryan, Yorktown, Va.; sister-in-law and spouse, Carol N. and Edward Denove, Centerreach, N.Y.; grandchildren, Rene Boston, Rana Moore, Ryan and Lauren Foster; nieces and nephews and spouses, Sally B. and John Rich, Emerald Isle, H. Brooks Britt, Tapango, Calif., Luther Johnson, Illand, Fordham Britt, Lumberton, Cynthia B. and Lee Wheelehan, Smithfield, Va., Gordon and Debbie Bryan, Memphis, Mr. and Mrs. Lee Britt, Jackson
MEMORIAL SERVICE: 7 p.m. Monday, First Baptist Church
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Meadowbrook Cemetery, Lumberton, Rev. Joe Bounds, Dr. Leon Smith
VISITATION: 5-7 p.m. Monday, First Baptist Church, Gastonia; 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, First Baptist Church, Lumberton
ARRANGEMENTS: Greene Funeral Services, Southside Chapel
James C. Freeman
SHELBY - James Clarence Freeman, 76, 322-1 Patton Drive, died July 1, 2000, at Hospice at Wendover. He was a native of Great Falls, S.C., son of the late Clarence William and Bernice Stelle Freeman, retired letter carrier with the U.S. Postal Service after 26 years of service, Army veteran, served in World War II, 276th field armour battalion, received the American theater campaign medal, eamet campaign medal with five bronze service stars, good conduct medal and victory medal, member of Bethel Baptist Church, former deacon at Churchill Drive Baptist Church, former secretary of Churchill Drive Baptist Church for 43 years.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Olive Flora Carroll Freeman; daughters and sons-in-law, Debbie and Wayne Bridges, Pam and Steve Patton, Robin and Teddy Dover, Shelby; grandchildren and spouses, Jason and Stephanie Patterson, Jeremy Bridges and fiancee Laura Potts, Joshua and Katie Hamrick, Shelby, Leslie and Tommy Faulkenberry, Rock Hill, S.C.
FUNERAL: 11:30 a.m. Monday, Bethel Baptist Church, Drs. Paul Sorrells, Pat Correll, Fred Towery; body will be placed in church 30 minutes before service ENTOMBMENT: Cleveland Memorial Park
VISITATION: 6-8 tonight, Clay-Barnette Funeral Home; other times at the home
MEMORIALS: Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby 28150 or Westwood Heights Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2550, Shelby 28151
Ronda H. Craig
LINCOLNTON - Ronda Hardin Craig, 85, 697 Elm Grove Road, died June 30, 2000, at home. He was a native of Catawba County, retired textile employee, Army veteran.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Ruby Lee Carpenter Craig; sons, Roy Craig, Mount Holly, Walter Craig, Maiden, Harold Craig, Gastonia; daughters, Mardesia Stallings, Iron Station, Carol Seagle, Lincolnton; 12 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren
FUNERAL: 11 a.m. Monday, Warlick Funeral Home, Rev. Joe Whitworth
BURIAL: Forest Lawn Cemetery
VISITATION: 7-8:30 tonight, funeral home
MEMORIALS: Hospice of Lincoln County, 107 N. Cedar St., Lincolnton 28092
Bruce T. Gillenwater
CHARLOTTE — Bruce Thomas Gillenwater, 48, 335 Fielding Road, died June 30, 2000, at Carolinas Medical Center. He was a native of Mecklenburg County, production manager for Time-Warner Cable.
SURVIVORS: Mother, Ruth C. Gillenwater, Charlotte; brothers, Tim Gillenwater, Charlotte, Radley Gillenwater, Stanley; sisters, Beth Walker, Lincolnton, Tammy Blanco, New Mexico
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Monday, Victory Grove Tabernacle, Lincolnton, Rev. F.M. Spargo; body will be placed in church 30 minutes before serivce
BURIAL: Church cemetery
VISITATION: 7-9 tonight, Warlick Funeral Home, Lincolnton
MEMORIALS: Victory Grove Tabernacle Church Cemetery Fund, 457 Victory Grove Church Road, Lincolnton 28092
Guy Smith
BELMONT - Guy "Smitty" Smith, 80, 103 Morning Glory Ave., died June 28, 2000, at the Veteran’s Administration Hospital, Salisbury. He was a native of Gaston County, son of the late Thurman and Eugenia Brevard Smith.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Carrie Knox Smith, Harrisburg, Pa.; daughters, Linda, Marilyn and Rita Smith, Sandra Watlington, Millie Bradley, Glenda Oliver, Lori Stewart, Harrisburg; sons, Fredrick and William Smith, Harrisburg, Jerry Smith, Gastonia, Michael Smith, Charlotte; sisters, Minnie Grier, Mentorie Clark, Belmont; brother, Joe Smith, Lincolnton; 26 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Monday, Mount Moriah Baptist Church, Rev. Kenneth Alexander
BURIAL: Henry’s Chapel Cemetery
VISITATION: 30 minutes before service, church
ARRANGEMENTS: Costner Funeral Home
Avery L. Wilkinson
BANNER ELK — Avery Lantz Wilkinson, 86, of the Banner Elk Life Care Center, formerly of Versuvius Furnace Road, Pumpkin Center, died June 30, 2000. He was a native of Lincoln County, son of the late Harland and Cloe Reel Wilkinson, retired farmer and saw mill operator.
SURVIVORS: Sons, Alvin K. and Raymond L. Wilkinson, Iron Station; daughter, Martha W. Bridges, Maiden; brothers, Robert L. and H.L. "Bill" Wilkinson, Denver; sisters, Edith Proctor, Maiden, Nell McAlister, Lincolnton, Frances Christopher, Iron Station, Ruth Barrier, Winston-Salem, Arlene Helton, Mooresville; seven grandchildren; six great-grandchildren preceded in death BY: Brothers, Marshall and Ernest Wilkinson; sisters, Peggy Hensley, Bonnie Miller, Ellen Burke
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Monday, New Hope United Methodist Church, Iron Station, Rev. Alvin Jones; body will be placed in church 30 minutes before service
BURIAL: Forest Lawn Cemetery, Lincolnton
VISITATION: 7-9 tonight, Warlick Funeral Home, Lincolnton
MEMORIALS: New Hope United Methodist Church, 5795 Old Plank Road, Iron Station 28080 or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 202, Lincolnton 28093
Juanita Padgett
MORGANTON — Juanita Lowdermilk Clark Padgett, 81, formerly of Valdese, died July 1, 2000, at Alexandria Place, Gastonia. She was a native of Burke County, daughter of the late William Cameron and Lillie Dale Fleming Lowdermilk, wife of the late Frank Sanford Clark, attended Valdese Elementary School, graduated from Frances Garrou High School, secretary at Valdese Manufacturing, member of First Baptist Church, active in the music program, Lovelady Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star, licensed cosmetologist, owner of a beauty salon, won the Florida State Championship in cosmetology, represented the state of Florida in the North America Club competition in New York City, National Coiffures Competition in Washington, D.C., placed third in the North, South and Central America Competition, manager and instructor at the St. Petersburg School of Cosmetology, St. Petersburg, Fla., member of First Baptist Church, Bessemer City.
SURVIVORS: Son, Joseph Cameron Clark, Nevada; daughters, Carolyn C. Thompson, Mystic, Conn., Dorothy C. Stuan, Los Angeles; sister, Jane L. Cohn, Charlotte; grandchildren, Cameron and Ryder Thompson, Jenny Harrison, Jason Stuan; great-grandchildren, Andrew and Dustin Lawhon, Noah, Justin and Julie Rebecca Harrison preceded in death BY: Grandchild, Debra Jo Lawhon
GRAVESIDE SERVICE: Private
BURIAL: Burke Memorial Park
MEMORIALS: Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese 28690 or Education Fund for Andrew and Dustin Lawhon, c/o First Citizens Bank, Rutherford College 28671
ARRANGEMENTS: Sossoman Funeral Home
J.C. Armstrong
CHARLOTTE — J.C. Armstrong, 65, 9325 Eleanor Drive, died June 30, 2000, at Carolinas Medical Center. He was a native of Cramerton, retired from Burlington Mills.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Betty H. Armstrong; son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Joanne Armstrong, Charlotte; daughter, Deloris A. Bates, Charlotte; sister, Rosa Lee Armstrong, Cramerton; brother, Henry Armstrong, Cramerton; three grandchildren; three great-grandchildren
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Monday, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Belmont, Rev. Micheal Glenn
BURIAL: Church cemetery
VISITATION: One hour before service, church
ARRANGEMENTS: Grier Funeral Service
George P. Sinclair
YORK, S.C. — George Pressley Sinclair, 80, 590 Ramah Church Road, died July 1, 2000, at home. He was a native of York County, S.C., son of the late Franklin E. and Eliza McCarter Sinclair, retired self-employed painter, member and former deacon at Midway Baptist Church, Army veteran of World War II.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Oradellis Laws Sinclair; son, Stan Sinclair, Clover, S.C.; daughters, Brenda S. Wooten, Kings Mountain, Gayle S. Clinton, Clover; sisters, Ethel S. Beamguard, Alice S. McAfee, Clover, Ruth S. Love, Greenville, S.C.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Monday, Midway Baptist Church, Revs. L.H. Lovelace, Jamie Ellis
BURIAL: Lakeview Memory Gardens
VISITATION: 1:30-3 p.m. Monday, church
MEMORIALS: Midway Baptist Church Building Fund, 12984 W. Highway 55, York, S.C. 29745
ARRANGEMENTS: Bratton Funeral Home
James H. Shuford
GASTONIA - James H. "Jim" Shuford, 80, 903 Dallas-Bessemer City Highway, died July 5, 2000, at Gaston Memorial Hospital. He was the son of the late William Frank and Mary Effie Guffey Shuford, former owner and operator of Hillcrest Sundries, retired from Gamble Hardware, Bessemer City, World War II Army veteran, stationed with the 429th Signal Corps, captured by the Japanese and was a prisoner of war for three years, survivor of March of Bataan, received the American Defense Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with one bronze star, and the Philippine Defense Medal with one bronze star, member of American Legion Post 243, Bessemer City, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Absher-Flowers Post 9337, member of First United Methodist Church, Bessemer City.
SURVIVORS: Wife, Hazel Bowling Shuford; daughter and son-in-law, Runelle Shuford and Eddie Phillips, Auburn, Ala.; brothers, Plato, Frank and Billy Shuford, Bessemer City; sisters, Kathryn McClellan and Betty Broome, Bessemer City; grandchildren, Philip Bumgardner and Leigh Anne Hill, Anniston, Ala.
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. today, First United Methodist Church, Bessemer City, Rev. Randolph Harry
BURIAL: Gaston Memorial Park
MEMORIALS: First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 95, Bessemer City, 28016
ARRANGEMENTS: Sisk-Butler Funeral Home, Bessemer City
Talmadge D. Queen
SHELBY - Talmadge Dwight Queen, 77, 3425 Fallston Road, died July 6, 2000, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. He was a native of Cleveland County, son of the late Charles Lee Queen and Margaret Ann Ellen Wright, husband of the late Alma Pearl Turner, retired truck driver, member of American Legion Post 82, Senior Water Aerobics Class, Mulls Memorial Baptist Church, Senior Men’s Sunday School class, Army veteran of World War II, European Theater.
SURVIVORS: Daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl Queen and Steve Sisk, Shelby; sisters, Alene Queen Lang, Atlanta, Linda Franklin, Cherryville; brother, Herbert Queen, Grover preceded in death BY: Son, Steven Dwight Queen; brother, Sherrill Queen
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Sunday, Mulls Memorial Baptist Church, Rev. Irvin Price, body will be placed in church 30 minutes before service
BURIAL: Church cemetery
VISITATION: 7-9 tonight, Lutz-Austell Funeral Home, other times at the home of Steve and Cheryl Sisk, 1306 Spurlin St., Shelby
MEMORIALS: Mulls Memorial Baptist Church, 3299 Fallston Road, Shelby 28150
Bettie M. Farris
SHELBY - Bettie Morehead Farris, 67, 905 Meadowbrook Lane, died July 6, 2000, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. She was a native of Cleveland County, daughter of the late Lawrence Evans Morehead, a homemaker, member of Central United Methodist Church.
SURVIVORS: Husband, James "Bubber" Farris; daughters and sons-in-law, Cynthia Farris-Kelly and Jim Kelly, Greenville, S.C., Jeanne Farris and Wissam Karout, Charlotte; mother, Mary Ella Dover Morehead, Shelby; sister and brother-in-law, Jane and Emmett Matthews, Shelby; grandchildren, Josie, Alia and Alex Karout
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Sunday, Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home, Dr. Joe Reeves
BURIAL: Sunset Cemetery
VISITATION: 6-7:30 tonight, funeral home
MEMORIALS: Charity of donor’s choice
DOROTHY SMITH QUEEN
DALLAS — Dorothy Smith Queen, 81, 205 W. Church St., died July 4, 2000, at home. She was a native of Gaston County, wife of the late Paul Daniel Queen Sr., daughter of the late Wade Oscar and Ada Abernethy Smith, worked in alterations for 40 years with Bou Cleaners, Gastonia, Shelton Cleaners, Dallas, long-time member of Dallas Baptist Church, long-time resident of the Mill Creek area in Lake Wylie, S.C.
SURVIVORS: Son, Paul Daniel Queen Jr., Raleigh; sisters, Ruby Smith Kelman, Lincolnton, Faye Smith Lineberger, Morganton; grandchildren, Brian Queen, Greenville, Jason and Matthew Queen, Raleigh; nieces and nephews preceded in death BY: Daughter-in-law, Deborah Peterson Queen
FUNERAL: 2 p.m. Sunday, Dallas Baptist Church, Rev. Tom Lineberger, Barron Lee
BURIAL: Long Creek Baptist Church cemetery
VISITATION: 7-8:30 tonight, McLean Funeral Directors, Gastonia
MEMORIALS: Dallas Baptist Church Flower Fund, 402 W. Trade St., Dallas 28034
GRADY D. FARRIS SR.
CONCORD — Grady Durden Farris Sr., 69, 1443 Caro Mar Place, died July 7, 2000, at NorthEast Medical Center. He was a native of Anniston, Ala., son of the late Nellie Baines and George Wesley Farris, servo test technician for Kaiser Fluid Technologies, attended Pitts Baptist Church.
SURVIVORS: Wife of 50 years, Geraldine "Jerrie" Farris; son, Grady D. Farris Jr., Concord; daughter, Wanda F. Vaughn, Winston-Salem; sister, Bobbie F. Morgan, Charlotte; three sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law; mother-in-law, Mabel Tate Hilton, Mount Holly; grandchildren, Candice, Grady D. "Sonny" III, Michael and Marie Lynn Farris, Kesha L. Combs, Tammie H. Goforth, Brandon S., Jason A. and Lisa L. Vaughn; eight great-grandchildren
FUNERAL: 3 p.m. Sunday, Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord, Revs. Scott Davis, Tom Gibbs
BURIAL: Forest Lawn Cemetery West, Charlotte
VISITATION: 7-9 tonight, funeral home
PALLBEARERS: Grady D. "Sonny" III and Michael Farris, Scott Meek, Danny Goforth, Darren Sarvis, Brandon S. Vaughn
