EDDIE J. HENDRIX
LENOIR - Eddie Joe Chuck Hendrix, 54, of Bush Place, died Jan. 29, 2001, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Born Dec. 3, 1946, in Caldwell County, he was a son of Amy S. Norwood Hendrix of the home and the late Joe Hardin Hendrix. A member of Laytown Mennonite Brethern Church, he was a disabled U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He was preceded in death by a brother, Wayne Morris Hendrix; and two foster sisters, Barbara Ann Clemmons and Patricia Norwood. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include three sons, Davian Corpening of Lenoir, James Brandon Hendrix of Morganton and Wesley Ervin Hendrix of Greensboro; a daughter, Sovouy Hendrix of Asheville; and a brother and two sisters-in-law, Warren H. and Barbara Jean Hendrix of Greensboro and Angela Thomas Hendrix of Lenoir. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Earl Yount, Robert White, Ronald Knight, Robert Hayes and Terry Bunt at 2 p.m. today at Ebony Funeral Service. Burial will be in Bushtown Community Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Sam Lipford, Ray Lipford, Tony Lipford, Tyrone Sturgis, Steve Coffey and Mike Conner. Honorary pallbearer will be Rocky Wright. The family will be at the funeral home from 1:30 to 1:55 p.m. today.

VIRGIL STYLES
SPRUCE PINE - Virgil Styles, 72, of Estatoe Acres, died Jan. 30, 2001, in a Spruce Pine Hospital. He was a son of the late Rass and Islean Boone Styles. He was preceded in death by two sons, Dennis Garfield and Ricky Van Styles; and a sister, Marie Boone. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Edna Renfro Styles; two daughters, Kathy Ann Styles Hefner and Sandy Styles Finger of Hickory; three sisters, Jean Biggerstaff and Ramona Lynn of Hickory and Francis Deyton of Connelly Springs; a brother, Gary Styles of Morganton; five grandchildren, Stephanie, Robert, Buzz, Ricky Jr. and Krysteen. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. R.M. Cassity, Lloyd Harris and Cephas Renfro at 2 p.m. Thursday at Crabtree Chapel Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Webb Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

ZOLLIE L. SHERRILL
Zollie L. Sherrill, 74, of Nineteenth Avenue, SW, died Jan. 28, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Oct. 10, 1926, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Baxter B. and Sallie Elizabeth Greer Sherrill. He retired from Southern Furniture. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Elizabeth Greer Sherrill. Survivors include a son, Jackie Lee Sherrill of Icard; a daughter and son-in-law, Rosa L. and Federico Renteria of Hickory; a brother, Joe Paul Sherrill of Hildebran; two nephews, Donald Oscar Noblitt of Long View and Michael Sherrill of Hildebran; a niece, Patricia N. Reese of Hickory; two granddaughters, Angel Denise Sherrill of Granite Falls and Shannon Nicole Sherrill of Hickory; and a great-grandson, Christian Vance Jolly of Granite Falls. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ernest Richards at 11 a.m. today at Hickory Funeral Home. Burial will be in Brookford City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Randy Reese, Alvin Cline, Randy Cline, Federico Renteria, Paul Propst and Josh Isacc.

FRANK BIHARI
MORGANTON - Frank Bihari, 82, of Lenoir Road, died Jan. 28, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Nov. 11, 1918, in Mercer County, N.J., he was a son of the late Charles and Mary Toth Bihari. He attended Morganton Seventh Day Adventist Church. He worked for several municipalities in the Unifour and was in the housing rehabilitation program for renovations to homes of low and moderate income families. He was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Bihari. Survivors include his wife, Thelma G. Shoupe Bihari; two stepsons, Gary Barkley of Detroit, Mich., and David Brackett of Boise, Ind.; a brother, Andy Bihari of Trenton, N.J.; 11 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted by Pastor Tim Sheridan at 2 p.m. Friday at his church. The family will remain at the church after the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

EVERETTE R. HILL
FOREST CITY - Everette Ruthan Hill, 61, of Seventh Avenue Court, SE, Hickory, died at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. Survivors include his mother, Ruth Young of Hickory; his wife, Patricia Hill; two sons, Marcus Hill of Conover and Corey Hill of Hickory; a daughter and son-in-law, Deborah and Fred Clark of Newton; a brother and sister-in-law, James and Jeanette Hill of Hickory; a sister and brother-in-law, Thelma and Paul Odom of Trenton, N.J.; two grandchildren, Corey Clark and Amber Clark of Hickory; and a number of other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Lenton D. Rhodes at 3 p.m. Thursday at Clinton Tabernacle A.M.E. Zion Church in Hickory. Burial will be in Southside Cemetery in Hickory. The family will be at the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Thompson Brothers Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

JAQUAVIOUS S. MAYFIELD
LINCOLNTON - Jaquavious Shy-Heim Mayfield, infant son of Jamie Williams and Latisha Mayfield of Lincolnton, died Jan. 26, 2001, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. He was born Jan. 26, 2001, at Lincoln Medical Center. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a sister, Janiya Mayfield of the home; grandparents, Teresa Mayfield and Perry Maddox of Maiden; and great-grandmother, Margaret Mayfield of Lincolnton. The funeral was held Tuesday at Ebony & White's Funeral Service. Burial was in Herndon Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church Cemetery.

SAMUEL I. PARLIER
Samuel Isaac Parlier, 79, of Thirty-fourth Street, NW, died Jan. 29, 2001, at his daughter's residence after a period of declining health. Born April 17, 1921, in Iredell County, he was a son of the late Walter I. and Rosa Mae Hallman Parlier. A member of St. Andrews Lutheran, he retired as a maintenance supervisor for Plastic Packaging. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he was a former president of Longview Lions Club. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy Greene and Joan Kern. Survivors include his wife, Elizabeth Propst Parlier; a son, S. David Parlier of Watkinsville, Ga.; a daughter, Sheila P. Smith of Icard; three brothers, Paul Parlier, Tom Parlier and Wade Parlier of Maiden; two sisters, Katherine Sensenbach of Grand Island, Neb., and Janie Starnes of Hickory; a grandson, Randy Smith of Concord; three granddaughters, Amy Ellis of Murfreesboro, Tenn., Gretchen Parlier and Ashley Parlier of Boone; a great-grandson, Rance Smith of Concord; and a great-granddaughter, Chrissy Atkins of Concord. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Richard Fritz at 11 a.m. Thursday at his church. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at Hickory Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690; or St. Andrews Lutheran Church, 629 Eighth Street, NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601.

PEGGY R. LEDFORD
MAIDEN - Peggy Robinson Ledford, 51, of Water Plant Road, died Jan. 28, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born Oct. 15, 1948, in Mitchell County, she was a daughter of Albert and Lillian Ellis Robinson of Newton. A member of East First Street Baptist Church, she was a homemaker. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include her husband, Kenneth Ray Ledford; two sons, Jody Ledford of Newton and Grady Ledford of Spruce Pine; and a brother, Roger Robinson of Newton. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. G.E. Freeman at 6 tonight at her church. The family will remain at the church after the service. Burke Mortuaries is in charge of arrangements.

CLYDE J. SIGMON
Clyde Johnson Sigmon, 84, of N.C. 16 North, Claremont, died Jan. 30, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Feb. 28, 1916, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Cleo Sigmon Bolick. A member of St. Peter s Lutheran Church, he retired from Hardwood Furniture Company. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vertie Isenhour Sigmon; a daughter, Wilma Ruth; a brother, Dick Bolick; a half brother, Albert Bolick; and a sister, Nellie Bolick. Survivors include two sons, Tony Wayne Sigmon of Claremont and Kenneth Lee Sigmon Sr. of Conover; a half brother, Eugene Bolick of Claremont; eight grandchildren, Steve Sigmon Sr., of Roanoke, Va., Donnie Sigmon of Hickory, Kenneth Lee Sigmon and Paula Sigmon Pettrey of Newton, Debra Sigmon Duff of Vale and Cassie Sigmon, Chelsea Sigmon and Angela Eckard of Claremont; and eight great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Paul Birner at 11 a.m. Friday at his 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 Steve Sigmon Sr., Donnie Sigmon, Kenneth Lee Sigmon Jr., Bob Pettrey, Josh McDaniel and Shannon Eckard. The family will be at the church from 7 to 8:30 p.m. tonight. Memorials can be made to St. Peter s Lutheran Church, 6175 St. Peter s Church Road, Conover, N.C. 28613. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

JIMMIE L. COOK
Jimmie Lawrence Cook, 56, of Conover, died Jan. 28, 2001, at his residence. Born May 2, 1944, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Albert and Mary Ann Galloway Cook. He was preceded in death by a brother, Marshal Cook. Survivors include his wife, Kathleen Ingram Cook; two sons, Scott Dale Cook of Hildebran and Adam Keith Cook of Icard; five sisters, Carolyn Early of Stanley, Shirley Hunsucker of Claremont, Linda Medlin of Gastonia, Wanda Salas of San Angelo, Texas, and Patricia Huffman of Newton; and a grandson. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Mike Watkins at 11 a.m. Saturday at Catawba Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park.

LAWRENCE E. SHELL
LENOIR - Lawrence Edward Shell, 73, of Fairway Acres, died Jan. 30, 2001, at his residence. Born July 8, 1927, in Wilkes County, he was a son of the late Glenn and Anna Simmons Shell. A member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in the Stony Fork community, he worked at Harper s Furniture for 40 years. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Stoker Shell; three brothers, G.C. Shell, Aaron Shell and Arnold Shell; and three sisters, Wilma Wolfe, Ruth Wolfe and Louise Huffman. Survivors include a son, Larry Shell of Morganton; two daughters, Carole Shell Clark and Vicki Shell of Lenoir; two sisters, Pauline Triplett of Lenoir and Pansy Summerlin of Hudson; and three grandchildren, Lacey Clark, Chaz Shell and Thaddeus Shell. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Sam Craven at 2 p.m. today at Pendry s Lenoir Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mariah s Chapel Cemetery. Pallbearers are Mike White, Larry Absher, Glenn Kirby, John Graham, Randy Pennington, Jeff Bolick, Eddie Bolick and Bob McBryde. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 903 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

HUBERT E. HUFFMAN
Hubert E. Huffman, 85, of Twenty-ninth Avenue, NE, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born June 9, 1915, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Edward C. and H. Elizabeth Carpenter Huffman. A member of St. Paul s Lutheran Church, he was a furniture manufacturuer with Hy-Lan Furniture. He was preceded in death by a brother, Donald Huffman; and three sisters, Myrtle Huffman, Vivian Turnbow and Elizabeth Sulder. Survivors include his wife, Marie L. Crump Huffman; two sons, Tod Huffman of Reston, Va., and Christopher Huffman of Hickory; two daughters, Judy Dineen of Hickory and Pamela Sink of Virginia Beach, Va.; and a brother, Johnson Huffman of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by Pastor Jason Sigmon at 4 p.m. Friday at his church. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to St. Paul s Lutheran Church, 629 Second Ave., S.W., Hickory, N.C. 28602.

VERNA A. LAIL
Verna Lee Arney Lail, 62, of Connelly Springs, died Jan. 27, 2001, in Morganton. Born March 2, 1938, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Robert L. and Cora Lee Beshears Arney. A member of Icard Church of God, she was employed by B & K Hosiery Mill. She was preceded in death by a son, Larry Lenny Lail; two brothers, Fred Arney and James Arney; and two sisters, Betty Goins and Wilma Jane Arney. Survivors include a son; Randy Lail of South Mountain; two daughters, Anita Faye Lail of Valdese and Judy Ann Lail of Connelly Springs; three brothers, Calvin Arney of Granite Falls, Marshall Arney of Hickory and William Arney of Connelly Springs; two sisters, Dorothy Turner of Blythe, Calif., and Rebecca Bridges of Hildebran; four grandsons, Darrell Herman of Bethlehem, Jeffery Long Branch of Morganton and Richard Allen Branch and Randy Lee Lail of Hickory; four granddaughters, Ashley Nicole Lail of Connelly Springs, Brandy Ann Maynard of Hickory, April Michelle Branch of Boone and Denisia Lail of South Mountain; and two great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Harold Kanupp at 2 p.m. Saturday in Brookford City Cemetery. The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Saturday and at the residence of Rebecca Bridges, 2991 Bridges St., Hildebran, at other times.

IRIS M. JESSUP
WINSTON-SALEM - Iris Lee McCrary Jessup, 72, of Old Highway 52, Midway, died Jan. 31, 2001, at her residence after a period of declining health. Born March 9, 1928, in Davidson County, she was a daughter of Joseph M. and Mentie Kinney McCrary. A member of Bethesda United Methodist Church, she was a homemaker. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Walter H. and Delaney Jessup Jr. of Hickory; a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Todd Woods of Clemmons; five sisters, Ruth Deitz, Frances Townsend, Betty McCrary and Nancy McCrary of Lexington and Peggy Freedle of Welcome; five grandchildren, Clay Bradley Fillers of Charlotte, Todd Randall Woods Jr. of Boone, Michael David Smith of Raleigh and Andrew Thomas Smith and Nicholas Bradley Smith of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by Dr. James White at 11 a.m. Friday at her church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Davidson Funeral Home from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight and at her residence at other times. Memorials may be made to Davidson County Cancer Services, 503 West Center St., Lexington, N.C. 27292.

CLAUDE T. CHANDLER
LENOIR - Claude Thomas Chandler, 72, of Maple Grove Church Road, Collettsville, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born March 13, 1928, in Caldwell County, he was a son of Leathie Witherspoon Chandler of Lenoir and the late John Fredrick Chandler. A member of Worship Point Baptist Church, he retired from Dick Pennell Grading Company. He was preceded in death by a brother, Floyd Chandler. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Darlis Shoemake Beane Chandler; two sons, Claude Allan Chandler of Florida and Charles Thomas Chandler of the Baton community; a stepson, Luke Stone of Taylorsville; two stepdaughters, Judy Myers of Granite Falls and Reba Willard of Hudson; four sisters, Ann Shew, Virginia Herald and Betty Coffey of Lenoir and Bessy Jo Hoover of Salisbury; four grandchildren; seven stepgradchildren; and a number of great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Brian Gragg and Randy Gibson at 2 p.m. Friday at Pendry s Lenoir Funeral Home. Burial will be in Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Eddie Moretz, David Gragg, Todd Chapman, Robert Hobbs, Michael Shoemake, Dean Shoemake, Richard Blevins and Aaron Blevins. The family will be at the funeral home from noon to 2 p.m. Friday and at the residence of Claude and Darlis Chandler, 4389 Maple Grove Church Road, Collettsville; and Charlie Chandler, 5390 Meadow Lane Drive, Granite Falls, at other times.

VELMA A. TOWNSEND
POTTSTOWN, Pa. - Velma Annas Townsend, 72, of Corner Lane, Boyertown, died Jan. 26, 2001, at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center. Born March 30, 1928, in Caldwell County, N.C., she was a daughter of the late Robert G. and Gladys Sullivan Annas. She was a member of Hope Community Church in Gilbertsville. She was preceded in death by a brother, R.G. Annas Jr.; and two sisters, Mary Stoerrle and Donna Howell. Survivors include her husband, Weldon O. Townsend; two sons, John E. Townsend of Boyertown and Micheal W. Townsend of Pottstown; two daughters, Billie Sue Esterly of Wilmington, Del., and Robin Bartman of Boyertown; two brothers, Larry Annas of Hickory, N.C., and Hugh Annas of Lenoir, N.C.; three sisters, Shirley Cline of Conover, N.C., Shelba Turner of Lenoir, N.C., and Patti Smith of Danville, Va.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral was Monday at Catagnus Funeral Home. Burial was in Highland Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1 Plymouth Meeting, Suite 520, Plymouth Meeting, Pa. 19462.

OLIVE M. COLERIDGE
LINCOLNTON - Olive Myers Coleridge, 96, of Abernethy United Church of Christ Retirement Home in Newton, died Jan. 30, 2001. Born April 15, 1904, in Woodcliff Lake, N.J., she was a daughter of the late John M. and Lottie Zabriskie Myers. A homemaker, she was a buyer for Macy s Department Store in New York. She was preceded in death by her husband, Hollis Coleridge. Survivors include a nephew and niece-in-law, Pierre and Carol Moussard of Teaneck, N.J. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Al Mullin at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Abernethy United Church of Church of Christ Retirement Home in Newton. Inurnment will be in the Memorial Gardens of Abernethy United Church of Christ Retirement Home in Newton. Memorials may be made to the United Church of Christ, Benevolent Trust Fund, 100 Leonard Ave., Newton, N.C. 28658. Warlick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LILLIAN M. MILLER
LEXINGTON - Lillian Mae Miller, 77, of Piedmont Retirement Center, formerly of Lexington, died Jan. 30, 2001, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Born April 9, 1923, in North Cumberland County, Pa., she was a daughter of the late Daniel and Mary Ellen Beaver Reichenbach. She was a homemaker. Survivors include her husband, Paul J. Miller; two sons and daughters-in-law, Paul D. and Sandra Miller of Leesburg, Va., and Donald A. and Karen Miller of Hickory; a daughter and son-in-law, Kay L. and Ross Houchins of Clermont, Fla.; a sister, Laura E. McClammy of Pensacola, Fla.; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at First Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to First Evangelical Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 308, Lexington, N.C. 27293; or Piedmont Center Benevolent Fund, 100 Hedrick Drive, Thomasville, N.C. 27360. Davidson Funeral Home Inc. is in charge of arrangements.

KATHERINE R. STURGIS
MAIDEN - Katherine Kaye Rose Sturgis, 46, of North Aspen Street, Lincolnton, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Cardinal Care Nursing in Lincolnton. Born Aug. 1, 1954, in Galax, Va., she was a daughter of Otha Martin Sage of Galax, Va., and Katherine Inez Vaughn of Charlotte. She was a dental assistant. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include two brothers, Randy Martin Sage of Charlotte and Michael James Sage of Maiden; a sister, Cheryl Ann May of Independence, Va.; two half brothers, Christopher Keith Sage of Independence, Va., and Cody Lee Sage, of Galax, Va.; and two neices, Savannah Inez May of Independence, Va., and Mikayla Katherine Sage of Maiden. The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Goodin-Drum Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Liberty Hill Methodist Church Cemetery in Galax, Va. The family will be at the funeral home from 6 to 8 tonight.

CLYDE J. SIGMON
Clyde Johnson Sigmon, 84, of N.C. 16 North, Claremont, died Jan. 30, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Feb. 28, 1916, he was a son of the late Cleo Sigmon Bolick. A member of St. Peter's Lutheran Church, he retired from Hardwood Furniture Company. He was preceded in death by his wife, Vertie Isenhour Sigmon; a daughter, Wilma Ruth; a brother, Dick Bolick; a half brother, Albert Bolick; and a sister, Nellie Bolick. Survivors include two sons, Tony Wayne Sigmon of Claremont and Kenneth Lee Sigmon Sr. of Conover; a half brother, Eugene Bolick of Claremont; eight grandchildren, Steve Sigmon Sr., of Roanoke, Va., Donnie Sigmon of Hickory, Kenneth Lee Sigmon and Pamela Sigmon Pettrey of Newton, Debra Sigmon Buff of Vale and Cassie Sigmon, Chelsea Sigmon and Angela Eckard of Claremont; and eight great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Paul Birner 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. Pallbearers will be Steve Sigmon Sr., Donnie Sigmon, Kenneth Lee Sigmon Jr., Bob Pettrey, Josh McDaniel and Shannon Eckard. Memorials can be made to St. Peter's Lutheran Church, 6175 St. Peter's Church Road, Conover, N.C. 28613. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

EVA M. WILLIAMS
MAIDEN - Eva Etta Marlowe Williams, 83, of the Wexford House, Denver, N.C., died Jan. 31, 2001, at the Brian Center East in Hickory. Born Oct. 31, 1917, in Lincoln County, she was a daughter of the late Noah L. and Della Crouch Marlowe. A member of Living Word Pentecostal Holiness Church, she retired from the textile industry. She was preceded in death by her husband, J.C. Williams; a son, Jerry Thomas Williams; a stepmother, Katie Marlowe; and a number of brothers and sisters. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Richard and Bonnie Williams of Newton; a daughter, Hilda Williams Dyson of Taylorsville; a daughter-in-law, Betty Williams of Newton; a brother, Jeffie Marlowe of Hickory; two sisters, Ola Marlowe Moore of Mooresville and Vera Marlowe Sigmon of Claremont; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Tom Ainsworth and Steve Dagenhardt at 2 p.m. today at her church. Burial will be in Maiden City Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Everett Williams, Coy Williams, Zelotes Williams, Larry Marlowe, Charles Moore Jr. and David Hendrex. Burke Mortuaries is in charge of arrangements.

MARGIE B. TILLEY
STONY POINT - Margie Louise Bunton Tilley, 70, of Brian Center, Statesville, formerly of Hiddenite, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Brian Center after a period of declining health. Born Aug. 10, 1930, in Alexander County, she was a daughter of the late Donnie G. and Laura Jane Connolly Bunton. A member of Pilgrim Baptist Church, she retired as a caregiver and nurses aide. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ed King Tilley; and two sisters, Rosa Lee Gwaltney and Bertha Clyde Lowder. Survivors include three sons, Otis Wayne Tilley, Ronald Eugene Tilley and Larry Donald Tilley of Hiddenite; a daughter, Edna Faye Stout of Hiddenite; 13 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jerry Gwaltney and Carl Teague at 2 p.m. Saturday at her church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Chapman Funeral Home from 7 to 9 tonight and at the residence of Otis Tilley, 10377 Cheatham Ford Road, Hiddenite, at other times.

WILLIAM A. ROCAP Jr.
William Allen Rocap Jr., 83, of Conover, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Nov. 8, 1917, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late William and Dorothy McCreary Sr. A member of Crossroads Community Church in Stanley, he retired as a chemist in the printing industry and from Meredith Corp., formerly of Newton. A former Boy Scout leader and Scout master, he was a member of Order of the Arrow. A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, he was a Naval Officer and served in Naval Reserve. A former teacher in graphic arts with Catawba Valley Community College, he served as an elder for more than 50 years in various Presbyterian churches. Survivors include his wife, Kathryn Marie Saybolt Rocap; a son, William Allen Rocap III; two daughters, Ruth Elaine Rocap of Greenville, S.C., and Elizabeth Rocap Thompson of Ridgeland, Wis.; five grandchildren, William Allen Rocap IV, Nathan Andrew Rocap, Eric Matthew Thompson, Ian Rolf Thompson and Kathryn Nell Benville Thompson; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ivan Davis at 2 p.m. Saturday at Catawba Funeral Home. Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Crossroads Community Church, 350 Hickory Hill Lane, Stanley, N.C. 28164.

DAN KEE Jr.
LINCOLNTON - Dan Kee Jr., 61, of Troy Manor Road, Huber Heights, Ohio, died Jan. 30, 2001, at Grandview Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Born in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Dan and Mary Ann Maddox Kee Sr. The owner of Expedited Transport, he attended Shiloh Baptist Church and served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ernest Kee; and a sister, Mary Bell Hunter. Survivors include his wife, Claradell Rollins Kee; a son, Darius T. Kee of Hubert Heights, Ohio; two daughters and sons-in-law, Mercedes O. and Dwayne Johnson of Trotwood, Ohio, and Aurelia M. and David Roberts of Huber Heights, Ohio; two brothers, Pellman Kee of Greensboro and Robert Kee of Eaton, N.J.; two sisters, Ella Morgan of Huber Heights, Ohio, and Nellie Moore of Greensboro; and four grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by Dr. Truman L. Martin at noon today at Maranatha Christian Fellowship. Burial will be in Dayton National Cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Marker & Heller Funeral Home, Huber Heights, Ohio, is in charge of arrangements. Ebony & White's Funeral Service is in charge of local arrangements.

RALPH B. BEACH
LENOIR - Ralph Bettis Beach, 63, of Rolands Chapel Road, Nebo, died Feb. 1, 2001, at his residence after a period of declining health. Born March 10, 1937, in Burke County, he was a son of the late John B. and Sarah Boyles Beach. A member of Nebo United Methodist Church, he worked for Fluor Daniels, AT&T and Duke Energy. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Gene Beach; and a sister, Evelyn LaFevers. Survivors include his wife, Doris Beach; a son, Stephen B. and Kimberly Beach of Six Mile, S.C.; two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda B. and Bill Williams of Lakeland, Fla., and Twyla B. and Steve Williams of Nebo; two grandchildren, Brandon Williams and Tyler Williams; three nephews, Doug LaFevers, Bob Beach Jr. and Randy Beach; three nieces, Frances Bailey, Lisa Beach and Joy Anderson; and a number of great-nephews and great-nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Nancy Krall at 2 p.m. Saturday at his church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Kirksey Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of McDowell County, 116 North Logan St., Marion, N.C. 28752.

MARJORIE B. BOWMAN
Marjorie Bean Bowman, 86, of the N.C. Lutheran Home, died Jan. 31, 2001, at the N.C. Lutheran Home after a period of declining health. Born July 13, 1914, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Eugene and Laura Badger Bean. A member of First United Methodist Church, she was a homemaker and retired as a registered nurse. She was preceded in death by her husband, Tally Otis Bowman. Survivors include two nephews, Charles Broyhill of Lenoir and Robert Lee Bobby Martin of Augusta, Ga.; three nieces and two nephews-in-law, Mary Laxton of Atlanta, Laura and Robert Ingle of Asheville and Martha A. and Donald Steppe of Yorktown, Va. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Paul Starnes at 3 p.m. today in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.v Pallbearers will be Josh Riley, Thomas Riley, Alex Bowman, Zack Bowman, Allen Clay and Stephen Clay. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 311 Third Ave., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MURL J. HAAS
LENOIR - Murl J. Haas, 85, of Main Street, Hudson, died Feb. 1, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born May 12, 1915, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late John G. and Essie Stallings Haas. A member of Hudson United Methodist church, he was active in church activities and the men's club. Retired from Thomasville Furniture Industries, he was a member of Hudson American Legion Post 392 and South Caldwell Boosters Club. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Haas; and a sister, Gladys Lutz. Survivors include his wife, Lois Hickman Haas; two sons, Jerry M. Haas of Hudson and John Tom Haas of Sacramento, Calif.; a daughter and son-in-law, Miriam and Richard Sain of Hudson; a brother, Robert Haas of Boone; two sisters, Grace Jolley of North Wilkesboro and Elizabeth Laney of Lenoir; seven grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by Dr. Timothy Brittain and the Rev. Gerald Collins 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 Hickman Family Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Richard M. Sain, David Haas, Garon Mabe, David Emmett, Rick Laney, Pete Loyzelle, Ken Carter and Skip Downs. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Warlick, Bill Madison, members of the Fiedlian Sunday school class, Hudson American Legion Post 392 and the Hudson Bench Gang. The family will be at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Memorials may be made to Hudson United Methodist Church, Refurbishing Fund, 383 Main St., Hudson, N.C. 28638.

HARLEY L. LEDFORD
VALDESE - Harley Lee Ledford, 43, of Highridge Drive, Morganton, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Grace Hospital. Born March 22, 1957, in Haywood County, he was a son of the late Ernest and Viola Black Ledford. He was a member of Faith Freewill Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Frances Coleman Ledford; four brothers, Ronnie Ledford of Connelly Springs, Terry Ledford of Hendersonville and Gene Ledford and Dale Ledford of Icard; and a number of nephews, nieces, great-nephews and great-nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Rocky Reese and Charles Lewis at 2 p.m. Saturday 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 Heritage Funeral Service from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

MARY S. FULBRIGHT
NEWTON - Mary Willis Havner Stallings Fulbright, 81, of N.C. 10 West, Vale, died Feb. 1, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. Born Jan. 25, 1920, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Ervin E. and Lilly Manerva Willis Havner. She retired from the textile industry. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Frank James Stallings; her second husband, Robert Lee Fulbright; two brothers, Joe Havner and Carroll Havner; and a sister, Ida Jane H. Buff. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry and Donna Stallings of the home and David and Debra Stallings of Newton; two brothers, Dwight Havner and Glenn Havner of Vale; a sister, Sue Sigmon of Vale; six grandchildren; and a great-grandchild. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. William Kanupp and Jerry Peterson at 3 p.m. Saturday at Corinth Baptist Church in Vale. 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 Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Corinth Baptist Church, 7929 N.C. 10 West, Vale, N.C. 28168.

BOBBIE B. FOWLER
STONY POINT - Bobbie Brown Fowler, 69, of North Thomas Lane, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Davis Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born March 5, 1931, in Quitman, Miss., she was a daughter of the late James P. and Catherine Truelove Davis Brown. A member of Thomas St. Church of God, she retired as a waitress. She was preceded in death by three sisters. Survivors include her husband, James Jim Fowler; six sons, Bill Wall, Jerry Wall and Steve Wall of Florida, Scott Wall of Stony Point, Thomas Fowler of Jacksonville and Tim Codding of Statesville; three daughters, Shelley W. Cox of Thomasville, Linda Wall Miller of Salisbury and Tammy C. Smith of Stony Point; three stepdaughters, Sandi, Marie and Laura; a brother, James Brown of Washington; two sisters, Polly Eccles of Oregon and Katie Friend of Washington; 27 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Scott Whiteside, Chuck Hager and Billy Smith at 2:30 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. The family will be at Chapman Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday and at her residence at other times. Memorials may be made to Thomas St. Church of God, P.O. Box 133, Stony Point, N.C. 28678.

MARGARET W. SHERRILL
GRANITE FALLS - Margaret Woosley Sherrill, 77, died Jan. 30, 2001, at the Abernethy Center, Newton. Born Aug. 1, 1923, in Rowan County, she was a daughter of the late Rev. Marcus B. and Lucille Warlick Woosley. A member of First United Methodist Church, she served as choir director for 17 years and was an active member of Circle No. 4. A Spanish teacher in Wilson and Greensboro in 1944, she became an English teacher at Granite Falls Elementary School in 1958. A Spanish teacher at Hickory High School, she served as chairwoman of the foreign language department. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter; and a sister, Rebecca Teague Woosley. Survivors include her husband, J.V. Bunt Sherrill; a daughter and son-in-law, Barbara S. and William Jeffrey Price; a brother and sister-in-law, Marcus H. and Helen Woosley; two grandchildren, Amanda Leigh Price and Derek Scott Price; two nephews; two nieces; and other relatives and friends. A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Thomas R. Hunter at 2 p.m. Saturday at Mackie-High Funeral Home. Burial will be in Pinecrest Cemetery in Granite Falls. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 412, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630.

NORMA N. BOSTON
CONOVER - Norma Nash Boston, 74, of Yoder Farm Road, Hickory, died Jan. 31, 2001, at Pell Care Nursing Center after a period of declining health. Born Oct. 7, 1926, in Appalachia, Va., she was a daughter of the late George and Verna Culberton Nash. She was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by seven brothers; and three sisters. Survivors include her husband, Ray H. Boston Sr.; a son, Ray H. Boston Jr. of Hickory; a brother, Conley Nash of Bristol, Tenn.; and a niece and nephew-in-law, Kathy N. and Stephen Faulkner of Maiden. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Glenn Miller at 11 a.m. Saturday at Drum Funeral Home. Burial will be in Conover City Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at the residence of Ray H. Boston Jr. 1811 Yoder Farm Road, Hickory, at other times.

CURTIS E. LEE
THOMASVILLE - Curtis Edward Lee, died Jan. 27, 2001, in Richmond, Va. He was born in Thomasville. A retired government teacher for the Greensville County school system after 30 years of service, he coached football and track for more than 20 years. An adjunct instructor in psychology at Southside Virginia Community College, he taught government class in the School-After-School Program in the Greensville County school system. An active community leader, he served on the Community Youth Center board of directors, Greensville Zoning Board of Appeals, Greensville County Draft board, Crater Planning Commission, Greensville County Highway Safety Commission, Extravanza 2000 committee, Greensville County Transportation committee, Family YMCA of Emporia-Greensville committee, Greensville-Emporia Coalition for Delaying Parenthood in Youth committee, Citizens United to Preserve Greensville committee, the Greensville County Training School committee, Concerned Citizens committee, Neighborhood Watch committee, Greensville County Retired Teachers Association, Greensville County Credit Union, and the Virginia High School Coaches Association. He also was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Livingston College Alumni and Phi Beta Sigma fraternity. Survivors include his wife, Margaret Telfair Lee; two daughters, Tonya Lee Holt of Rochester, Minn., and Kimberly Devon of Richmond, Va.; a son-in-law, Robert Holt; a brother, Harold Lee of E. St. Louis, Ill.; two brothers-in-law, Charles Shavis and Robert Russell; three sisters, Edna Jean Shavis and Linda Lee of Thomasville, and Carolyn Russell of Hickory; and a number of other relatives and friends. The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Royal Baptist Church in Emporia, Va. Another funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Faye Herbi at 2 p.m. Sunday at Central United Methodist Church in Thomasville. Burial will be in Carolina Biblical Gardens in Jamestown. The family will be at Pearson Funeral Home in Emporia, Va., from 6 to 8 tonight. S.E. Thomas Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

EULA P. SMITH
LENOIR - Eula Pope Smith, 80, of Granite Falls, died Jan. 31, 2001, at College Pines Nursing Center. Born Feb. 15, 1920, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of John W. and Sallie Cloer Pope. A member of Mountain Grove Baptist Church, she retired from Waldensian Hosiery Mill. She was preceded in death by her husband, James H. Dimp Smith; four brothers, Ralph Pope, Andy Pope, James Pope and John Buster Pope; and three sisters, Maggie Saunders, Marie Simmerson and Rosabelle Austin. Survivors include a son, James Randolph Smith of Granite Falls. The graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. John Breshear at 11 a.m. Satuday in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

VIVIAN R. KNOX
SHELBY - Vivian Ross Knox, 36, of Grover, died Jan. 28, 2001, at her residence. She was the daughter of J.R. and Lena Little Ross of Shelby. A member of Ramsuer Baptist Church, she was a former chairwoman of the kitchen committee. A former teacher at the Cleveland County Girls Club, she was a co-manager at the One Stop store in Shelby and also worked at the Canteen at Copeland for 10 years. She was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby Dean Ross; a sister, Debra Ann Ross; her paternal grandfather, Bert Ross; and her maternal grandparents, Neach and Gertie Wilson Little. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include her husband, Johnny Glenn Knox of Ashland, Ky.; three daughters, Maricara Nicole Knox, Melody Jade Knox and Melisha Page Knox of the home; a brother, Rodney Ross of Boiling Springs; three sisters, Tammy Ross Streeter of Waco and Tereasa Ross Watson and Darlene Ross Epps of Kings Mountain; and her grandmother, Dora Johnson Ross of Shelby. The funeral was conducted by the Rev. Billy Ramsuer Thursday at Ramseur Baptist Church. Burial was in Webb Memorial Lawns. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.