OLLIEVEE B. MITCHAM
GRANITE FALLS - Ollievee Bolick Mitcham, 89, of Sunset Street, died Feb. 4, 2001, at Camelot-Manor Nursing Care Facility. Born Aug. 17, 1911, in Alexander County, she was a daughter of the late Charles and Mamie Austin Bolick. A member of Center Grove Baptist Church, where she was a Sunday school teacher for more than 40 years, she was a homemaker and foster grandparent for Western Carolina Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Mitcham; two sons, Fred Mitcham and Glenn Mitcham; two brothers, Arnold Bolick and Forrest Bolick; a sister, Rosalee Edwards; a grandson, Ronald Glenn Mitcham; and a great-grandson, Bruce Dixon Williams. Survivors include two sons, Wayne Mitcham of Florence, S.C., and Jerry Mitcham of Hickory; five daughters, Verda McRary of Hudson, Rachel Miller of Newton, and Violet Titus, Shirley Reid and Gaynell Bollinger of Granite Falls; a brother, Dexter Bolick of Hudson; two sisters, Lona Belle Cline of Lenoir and Lucille Mitcham of Hudson; 20 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Dan Redding and Charles Lethcoe at 2 p.m. Wednesday at her 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 her grandsons. The family will be at Mackie-High Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at the residence of Violet Titus, 2445 Granville Drive, Granite Falls, at other times. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645; or Center Grove Baptist Church, 3234 Deal Mill Road, Hudson, N.C. 28638.

NED PENNELL
TAYLORSVILLE - Ned Pennell, 63, of Rocky Face Church Road, died Feb. 4, 2001, at his residence after a period of declining health. Born April 7, 1937, in Alexander County, he was a son of the late Ray and Maebelle Herman Pennell. A member of Rocky Face Baptist Church, he retired from Clayton-Marcus. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Galloway Pennell; three brothers, James Pennell and two infants; and three sisters, Faye Childers, Norene Pennell and an infant. Survivors include a son, Jimmy D. Pennell of Wittenburg; a stepson, Christopher Barry Chappell of Kannapolis; three stepdaughters, Bronwyn Chappell Goodman and Carmen Lynn Chappell of Kannapolis and Glenda Chappell Bingle of Pisgah Forest; a brother, Odell Pennell of Taylorsville; three sisters, Lorene Barnes of Taylorsville, Catherine Barnette of Hiddenite and Blanche Donahue of Kannapolis; 10 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Ronald Brookshire and Buster Treadaway at 2 p.m. Wednesday 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 Adams Funeral Home from 7 to 9 tonight and at the residence of Lorene Barnes, 1181 Jay Burke Road, Taylorsville, at other times. Memorials may be made to American Lung Association, 3305-5 Sixteenth Ave., SE, Suite 115, Conover, N.C. 28613.

TONYA N. SMITH
LENOIR - Tonya Nicole Smith, 12, of Hickory Nut Ridge Road, Hudson, died Feb. 4, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital. Born Aug. 19, 1988, in Burke County, she was a daughter of Woody Smith of Hudson and Sandra H. and Tony Teague of the home. She was a member of Icard Church of God. Survivors, in addition to her parents, include a sister, Ashley Smith of Hudson; two stepsisters, Tonya Nicole Teague and Amanda Leigh Teague of Lenoir; paternal grandparents, Donald M. and Marilynn Smith Sr. of Hudson; maternal grandparents, Kenneth and Billie Sue Hollifield of Lenoir; paternal stepgrandparents, James and Georgia Brown of Haines City, Fla.; and paternal stepgrandfather, Boyd Teague of Lenoir. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Steve Sprinkle and Dennis Pitts at 2 p.m. Wednesday at her church. The body will be placed in the church one hour prior to the service. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Donnie Smith, Michael Hartzog, Mike Smith, Adam Wyke, Ralph Keaton and Thomas Bailey. The family will be at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Icard Church of God, P.O. Box 514, Icard, N.C. 28666.

LUCY M. STEELMAN
LENOIR - Lucy Mae Steelman, 86, of Laytown Road, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice. Born Nov. 1, 1914, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Herman F. and Rebecca Dillard Steelman. A member of Piney Grove Baptist Church, she was self-employed. She was preceded in death by five brothers. Survivors include two sisters, Naomi Swift of Lenoir and Regenia S. Lancy of Blowing Rock. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Lynn Hawkins at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. Burial will be in Piney Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Ty Bishop, Howard Williams, Roger Dula, Mike Dillard, Steve Dillard and James Hall. The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

FLORENCE B. JOHNSON
TAYLORSVILLE - Florence Helen Bennett Johnson, 77, of Stony Point, died Feb. 3, 2001, after a period of declining health. Born Sept. 7, 1923, in Iredell County, she was a daughter of the late Henry C. and Lucy Campbell Bennett. A member of Stony Point Baptist Church, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Johnson; and a number of brothers and sisters. Survivors include four sons, Ronald Lee Johnson of Lake Norman, Donald Ray Johnson and Woodrow Johnson of Statesville and Wilferd Johnson of Olin; six daughters, Peggy Parris, Florence Ann Rogers, Cathy Hartness, Cynthia Winebarger and Nancy Smith of Stony Point and Paulette Johnson Carrigan of Taylorsville; three sisters, Lucy Templeton of Winston-Salem, Nina Vanhoy of Union Grove and Viola Meadows of Statesville; 16 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a friend, Richard Hall. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Brent Kasey and Billy Smith and Dr. Ken Walters at 3 p.m. today at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Union Grove Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to John Paul Smith Leukemia Fund, c/o Stony Point Baptist Church, P.O. Box 198, Stony Point, N.C. 28678; or Hospice of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681. Adams Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

ROBERT C. YORK
STONY POINT - Robert Curtis York, 69, of Paddock Road, Union Grove, died Feb. 4, 2001, at Iredell Memorial Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Dec. 8, 1931, in Iredell County, he was a son of the late Issac C. and Jettie Day York. A member of Lewis Baptist Church, he retired from the furniture industry and served in the U.S. Army. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel Call York; two sons, Robert Curtis York Jr. and Perry Lee York; a daughter, Doris Marie York; four brothers, Haskel York, I.C. York, Harvey York and Paul York; four sisters, Minnie York, Pauline York, Irene Green and Marie Gregory; and a granddaughter, Brianna Paige VanZandt. Survivors include a son, Curtis York of Statesville; three daughters, Roseanne Brinkman and Rebekah Shumaker of Union Grove and Angela VanZandt of Lincolnton; a brother, Zach York of Millers Creek; four sisters, Ruth Gregory and Martha Souther of North Wilkesboro, Polly Cates of Clemmons and Loree Jarvis of Winston-Salem; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. A private graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. today in the veterans section of Oakwood Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10,000 of Hiddenite. The body will be at Chapman Funeral Home from 9 to 10 a.m. today. Memorials may be made to Cornerstone Christian Academy, 650 Clover St., Statesville, N.C. 28625.

JUSTICE A. CREWS Sr.
WINSTON-SALEM - Justice Ashburn Crews Sr., 86, of Winston-Salem, died Feb. 4, 2001, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Born April 16, 1914, in Forsyth County, he was a son of the late James M. and Louisa Victoria Matthews Crews. A member of Bunker Hill Primitive Baptist Church, he was a former member of the Winston-Salem Symphony Orchestra. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Griffin Crews; and a daughter, Judy Lane Atwood. Survivors include four sons and daughters-in-law, Lamar and Evazell Crews of Wilkesboro, Justice A. Bernie and Sherry Crews of Hickory, Daniel A. and Patsy Crews of Lexington and Robert W. Bobrow and Susan Crews of Pittsboro; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. The funeral will be conducted by Elder J.A. Langham at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home. Burial will be in Saints Delight Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 9 tonight.

GINGER M. SPROUSE
Ginger Michael Sprouse, 53, of Yale Street, Conover, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 19, 1948, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Charles Henry Michael and Juanita Cloer Duncan. A member of Tri-City Baptist Church, she was a substitute teacher for Catawba County Schools. Survivors include her husband, Ronald Dexter Sprouse; two daughters, Casandra Epley of Morganton and Betina Justice of Chattanooga, Tenn.; two brothers, Kevin Michael and Ray Michael of Morganton; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Mary Alice and Jackie Poteat and Chris and Rick Sprouse of Hickory and Donna Shook of Claremont; and two grandsons, Dakota Huffaker and Kenny Epley Jr. of Morganton. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Byron Repass at 4 p.m. Wednesday at her church. Burial will be in Conover City Cemetery. The family will be at the church from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Wednesday and at the residence of Chris and Rick Sprouse, 1861 Thirty-sixth St., NE, Hickory, at other times. Memorials may be made to Tri-City Baptist Church, 1409 N.C. 16 North, Conover, N.C. 28613. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

WADSELL C. GREENE
LENOIR - Wadsell Coy Greene, 90, of Gateway Nursing Center, died Feb. 3, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born Feb. 8, 1910, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Doctor O. Dock and Susan Samantha Harmon Greene. A member of Rufus Baptist Church, he retired as a furniture employee. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Addie Moore Greene; a brother; and three sisters. Survivors include his wife, Delcia Mary Mathis Greene; three sons, Dennis Greene and Wayne Greene of Lenoir and Larry Greene of Decatur, Ga.; three sisters, Catherine Colvard of Elizabethton, Tenn., Irene Triplett of Morris Town, Tenn., and Margaret Anderson of Lenoir; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Joe Helton at 2 p.m. today at his church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Tommy Greene, Greg Greene, David Greene, Ricky Greene, Rodney Greene, Dewayne Greene and Kenneth Greene. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Rufus Baptist Church, Cemetery Fund, 4370 Chantilly Drive, Granite Falls, N.C. 28630. Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

LAURA C. JONES
LENOIR - Laura Church Jones, 93, of Valway Road, NW, died Feb. 4, 2001, at Lenoir Health Care Center. Born Jan. 20, 1908, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Coy and Ida Nelson Church. A member of Blair's Fork Baptist Church, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, C.J. Jones; three brothers; and three sisters. Survivors include a brother, Willard F. Church of Lenoir; and a sister, Helen M. Greene of High Point. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Ed Greene at 2 p.m. today in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

EMMETT F. SMITH
Emmett Franklin Smith, 44, of Fourth Street, NE, died Feb. 2, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born June 19, 1956, in Hamilton County, Tenn., he was a son of Daisy Smith Litman of the home. Self-employed in janitorial work, he was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War. He also attended Cleveland School of Business. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include three sons, Adrian McGee of Atlanta, Ga., Donvel Smith of Chattanooga, Tenn., and Alan Mills of Durham; a daughter, Ashley Smith of Durham; a brother and sister-in-law, Al and Bobbie Smith of Chattanooga, Tenn.; a maternal grandmother, Helen Loritts Smith of the home; two friends, Virgie Stinson and Kamasha Stinson of Hickory; a cousin, Jasper Walton of Hickory; and a number of other relatives and friends. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. C.W. Lewis at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Thomas Chapel AME Zion Church. Burial will be in Washington Park Cemetery. The family will be at the church from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Allen Mitchell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

FRANCES P. CALLAWAY
VALDESE - Frances Payne Callaway, 71, of Callaway Drive, died Feb. 4, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital after a period of declining health. Born June 16, 1929, in Madison County, she was a daughter of the late Alton and Arie Crow Payne. She attended Lakeview Baptist Church in Valdese and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by a son, Fred Callaway; a brother, Carl Payne; and two sisters, Margie McDevitt and Jean Golden. Survivors include her husband, Ray Frank Callaway; a son and two daughters-in-law, Gene and Kathy Allan-Callaway of Morganton and Sandy Callaway of Atlanta, Ga.; a daughter and son-in-law, Pat and Bill Crutchfield of Drexel; two sisters, Betty Hensley of Asheville and Ruth Ramsey of Marshall; four grandchildren and grandchildren-in-law, Scott and Glynis Callaway, Kathy and Weili Wang and Tammy and Raymond Lopez of Atlanta, Ga., and Trisha Crutchfield of Drexel; four great-grandchildren, Kenneth Callaway, Kristin Callaway, Kylei Wang and Samantha Lopez of Atlanta, Ga.; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Lawrence Carroll and Mike Chandler at 2 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Service. Burial will be in Burke Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Lakeview Baptist Church, 4744 Lakeview Acres Road, Valdese, N.C. 28690.

GLENN H. BROOKS
NEWTON - Glenn Harding Brooks, 79, of West Twelfth Street, died Feb. 5, 2001, at his residence. Born Feb. 19, 1921, in Glade Springs, Va., he was a son of the late Victor and Lucy Eller Brooks. A member of First United Methodist Church, he was a brick mason and a U.S. Army veteran who served in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe in World War II. He was preceded in death by a son, Robert Brooks; a brother; and a sister. Survivors include his wife, Phyllis White Brooks; two sons and daughters-in-law, Wayne and Harriet Brooks of Albermarle and Dean and Wanda Brooks of Maiden; a sister, Dorothy Hefner of Newton; and a number of grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Dan Martin and Renee Lewis at 2 p.m. Wednesday at his church. Burial will be in Eastview Cemetery with military graveside rites conducted by members of American Legion Post 16. The family will be at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 926, Newton, N.C. 28658; or Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.

MARTIN L. McREE
CONOVER - Martin Luther McRee, 83, of Conover, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born Oct. 28, 1917, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Robert L. and Lottie Yount McRee. A member of Concordia Lutheran Church, he retired as branch manager and board member from First Federal Saving and Loan. A member of the Carolina Collector's Club and the Lutheran Laymen's League, he was a U.S. Army veteran who fought in the European Theater during World War II. He was preceded in death by a daughter, Amy Carol McRee Campbell Hall; a brother, Elmer McRee; and a sister, Helen Marie McRee. Survivors include his wife, Carol Fentress McRee; a son, Timothy Martin McRee of Conover; a brother, Rudy McRee of Conover; six grandchildren, Bonnie White, Chrissie Campbell, Henry McRee, Christian McRee, Hannah Hall and Nathan Hall; and a great-grandchild, Madison Leigh White. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Donald Oldenburg at 5 p.m. Thursday at his church. Burial will be in Conover City Cemetery at 11 a.m. Friday with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 16. Honorary pallbearers will be Concordia Lutheran Laymen's League and Concordia Thursday morning Bible class members. The family will remain at the church until 7 p.m. Thursday. Memorials may be made to Concordia Lutheran Church, 216 Fifth Ave., SE, Conover, N.C. 28613. Drum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

CALLIE D. CRAWLEY
MORGANTON - Callie Elizabeth Dale Crawley, 97, of Britthaven of Morganton, formerly of Jenkins Road, died Feb. 4, 2001, at Britthaven after a period of declining health. Born Jan. 26, 1904, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Lester and Lula Smith Dale. A member of Grace Baptist Church, she was preceded in death by her husband, Charlie Crawley; four brothers; two sisters; and two grandsons, Gorman Crawley and Lawrence Crawley. Survivors include two sons, Phifer Crawley and Lee Crawley of Morganton; a daughter, Marie Russell of Morganton; a sister, Ruth Crawley of Morganton; five grandchildren, Judy Fisher, Becky Chapman, Charlie Crawley, Tracey Kincaid and Larry Lane of Morganton; seven great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Marty Bess at 2 p.m. today at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Mull's Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will be at the residence of Marie Russell, 5412 Jenkins Road, at other times. Memorials may be made to Grace Baptist Church, 112 Paul Shuping Ave., Morganton, N.C. 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

DORIS K. CAVIN
Doris Keever Cavin, 76, of Thirty-first Avenue, NW, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born June 29, 1924, in Alexander County, she was a daughter of the late Thomas F. and Bertha Fox Keever. A member of First Baptist Church, she retired from the textile industry and was a member of AARP and Westmont Senior Citizens' Club. She was preceded in death by a brother, Bill Keever. Survivors include a son, Craig Cavin of Hickory; a daughter, Sherry Cavin Terpening of Virginia Beach, Va.; four sisters, Betty Jean Roper of Conover, Janice McKeel of Hiddenite, Bernice Johnson of Taylorsville and Barbara Freeman of Huntersville; a grandson, Brandon Cavin of Hickory; and a granddaughter, Brandy Cavin of Hickory. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Pat Pierce and Dr. Bill Leathers at 2 p.m. Wednesday at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.

IDELL S. ALEXANDER
LENOIR - Idell Shook Alexander, 90, of Lincoln Lane, SW, died Feb. 3, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice. Born Oct. 9, 1910, in Taylorsville, she was a daughter of the late Lawrence I. and Bessie Johnson Shook. A member of Central Baptist Church and the Sunshiners, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Willis J. Alexander; a daughter, Wilma A. Soderberg; a brother, Cranford Shook; and two sisters, Melzie Childers and Blanche Brown. Survivors include a son, Robert J. Alexander of Lenoir; three daughters, Hilda A. Poole of Lake Wylie, S.C., Sylvia A. Anderson of Lenoir and Phyllis A. Villanueva of Bonneau, S.C.; a brother, Warren Shook of Lenoir; three sisters, Mildred S. Hartsoe and Vernice S. Sanders of Granite Falls and Dorothy S. Whittington of High Point; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. John Jernigan and Dr. D. Rick Crouse at 3 p.m. today at her 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 Tony Soderberg, Shawn Alexander, Todd Anderson, Scott Poole, Doug Kemp and James Earp. Memorials may be made to Central Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1444 Norwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; or Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

BERTHA W. VANDERBILT
Bertha Warren Vanderbilt, 82, of Abbey's Living Center, Warren, Mich., died Feb. 5, 2001, at Abbey's Living Center after a period of declining health. Born Aug. 10, 1918, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late John and Bessie Hefner Warren. A member of Liberty Baptist Church, she retired as an owner of a restaurant. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy Vanderbilt; six brothers, Holbert Warren, Dermon Warren, Cletus Warren, Rantford Warren, John Warren and Vernon Warren; and a sister, Lena Whitener. Survivors include two sons, Louis Warren of Warren, Mich., and David Sassler of High Point; six grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be conducted by Pastor Gene Gouge at 2 p.m. Thursday 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 Hickory Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Liberty Baptist Church, 2300 Liberty Church Road, Hickory, N.C. 28602.

BERTHA H. THOMPSON
LENOIR - Bertha Hincher Thompson, 88, of Atlanta, Ga., formerly of Lenoir, died Feb. 4, 2001, in the hospice section of Dekalb Medical Center in Atlanta, Ga. Born in North Wilkesboro, she was a member of Forest Hills Baptist Church and a former member of Lower Creek Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy E. Thompson; a brother, Granville Hincher; and two sisters, Blanche Byrd and Marzelle Taylor. Survivors include three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Elizabeth Thompson of Atlanta, Ga., Earl and Sylvia Thompson of Glastonbury, Conn., and Don and Elizabeth Thompson of Raleigh; 11 grandchildren, Roy Thompson, Ashley Thompson, Amy Thompson, Brian Thompson, Matthew Thompson, Robert Thompson, Allison Thompson, Peter Thompson, Debbie Howard, Elizabeth Kertscher and Meredith Greer; seven great-grandchildren, Rebecca Thompson, Olivia Thompson, Heather Howard, Blake Howard, Anna Jones, Meredith Jones and Forrest Meyer; a brother, Rom Hincher of North Wilkesboro; and a number of nephews and nieces. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home. The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Friday. Memorials may be made to Personal Care Center of Mount Vernon Towers, 300 Johnson Ferry Road, Atlanta, Ga. 30328.

LULA M. MULL
MORGANTON - Lula Mitchell Mull, 95, of Robey Williams Road, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Autumn Care of Drexel. Born Aug. 17, 1905, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Pink and Mary Jane Mitchell. A member of Brookwood Baptist Church, she retired from Grace Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lloyd Mull; a son, Robert Mull; six brothers; and two sisters. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Charles and JoAnn Mull of Morganton; two sisters, Hester Mitchell Burns of Valdese and Ruth Elizabeth Peacock of Statesville; and a grandson, Charles Mull Jr. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Earl Cross at 11 a.m. today at Kirksey Funeral Home. Burial will be in Burke Memorial Park. The family will be at the residence of Charles Mull. Memorials may be made to Brookwood Baptist Church, 210 Brickwood Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655.

ANNIE B. ABEE
VALDESE - Annie Stamey Buff Abee, 92, of Drexel, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Autumn Care Nursing Center after a period of declining health. Born March 30, 1909, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Marvin and Jeanettie Poteat Stamey. A member of Connelly Springs Freewill Baptist Church, she was an honorary grandmother of the church youth group. She was preceded in death by two sons, William Earl Buff and Marvin Bud Buff; two daughters, Elouise Messer and Eula Mae Costner; a brother; and three sisters. Survivors include a son, Ray Buff of Glen Alpine; four daughters, Minnie Benfield and Lois Benfield of Morganton, Kathleen Kitten Buff of Drexel and Jeanette Nichols of Robinsville; four brothers, Alfred Stamey and Andrew Stamey of Glen Alpine, David Stamey of Drexel and Harold Stamey of Morganton; two sisters, Catherine Hatley and Eliza Mae Carswell of Drexel; 17 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and a number of stepgrandchildren and stepgreat-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Pat Buchanan at 2 p.m. today at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Heritage Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

DOROTHY H. MORRISON
TAYLORSVILLE - Dorothy Hice Morrison, 70, of Rink Dam Road, died Feb. 5, 2001, at her residence. Born March 2, 1930, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Frank and Vena Minton Hice. A member of Rocky Springs United Methodist Church, she attended Friendship Lutheran Church and was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lewis Thomas Morrison; and a brother. Survivors include two sons and daughters-in-law, Arthur T. and Glenda Morrison of Lexington and Grady R. and Pat Morrison of Taylorsville; a daughter and son-in-law, Joann and Jimmy Crawford of Taylorsville; a brother, Charles Hice of Canton, Ohio; a sister, Christine Craig of Lenoir; four grandchildren, Jennifer Nicholson, Michael Crawford, Frances Whisnant and Jean Hawkins; and four great-grandchildren, Brittney Nicholson, Brooks Nicholson, Patrick Donahue and Angela Johnson. A graveside service was held Tuesday in Rocky Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will be at the residence of Joann Crawford, 211 Blackberry Lane, Taylorsville, at other times. Memorials may be made to Rocky Springs United Methodist Church, 4161 Rocky Springs Road, Hiddenite, N.C. 28636. Adams Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

BLANCH W. CLINE
MORGANTON - Blanch W. Cline, 98, of Drexel, died Feb. 6, 2001, at Autumn Care of Drexel. Born Aug. 22, 1902, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late William P. and Ida Boyles Walker. She was preceded in death by her husband, Joseph Eli Cline; a son, Max Robert Cline; two daughters, Barbara Cline Watts and Francis K. Cline; five brothers; and three sisters. Survivors include six sons, William E. Cline, Joseph Vernon Cline and Glenn Norman Cline of Drexel, and Ned Winford Cline, Joe Ben Cline and Frank Ray Cline of Morganton; 13 grandchildren, Billie K. Witkus, Renee C. Perrou, Diane Hennessee, Richard A. Cline, Glenda Creed Smith, Lisa Hood, Calvin Cline, Perry Cline, Joe Cline, Becky Carroway, Melinda Cline, Bobby Watts and Allison Verbegila; and a number of great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Carl Story and Carl Street at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethel United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Kirksey Funeral Home from 6 to 8 tonight. Memorials may be made to Bethel United Methodist Church, 1328 Bethel Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655.

FRED J. SHERRILL
MAIDEN - Fred Jonas Sherrill, 83, of North N.C. 16, Denver, died Feb. 6, 2001, at his residence. Born Feb. 22, 1917, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Charlie L. and Cora Lockman Sherrill. A member of Bethel United Methodist Church in Denver, he retired from Clyde Fabrics. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Sherrill; four sisters, Jessie Harwell, Azailee Sherrill, Shasta Faulkner and Vennie Johnson; and a grandson, Ashley Sherrill. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Grace Caldwell Sherrill; two sons, Fred Junior Sherrill of Newton and Kenneth Ray Sherrill of Catawba; two daughters, Hazelene Sherrill Sigmon of Mount Holly and Sue Carolyn Sherrill of Charlotte; two brothers, Blain Sherrill of Claremont and Marshall Sherrill of Catawba; four grandchildren; a great-granddaughter; and a stepgreat-grandson. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Ted Hendrix at 2:30 p.m. Thursday 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. Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 3109 Poplarwood Court, Suite 125, Raleigh, N.C. 27604-1043.

HOWARD C. MATHES
LENOIR - Howard Clifton Mathes, 69, of Vera Court, Newton, died Feb. 2, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital. Born Jan. 12, 1932, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Russell and Mamie Moore Mathes Sr. He was employed in the rubbing and shipping department at Bernhardt Plant 3 in Lenoir for 10 years, and he served in the U.S. Navy. He was preceded in death by a son, Johnny Mathes; an infant daughter; a brother, Russell Mathes Jr.; and a sister, Annie Mae Mathes. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Ronnie H. and Jean Mathes and Russell Mathes of Lenoir; four daughters and two sons-in-law, Joan Carolyn Smith of Lenoir, Bernice and Terry Price and Deanna Saner of Hickory and Darnell M. and Glenn McQuary of Newton; two brothers, Edward Mathes and Grady Mathes of Collettsville; a sister, Maggie M. Corpening of Lenoir; an uncle, Howard Moore of Morganton; an aunt, Flora Suddreth of Morganton; cousin, Oscar Whittington of Lenoir; 15 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Thomas Nixon at 3 p.m. today at Ebony Funeral Services. Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park. The family will be at the funeral home an hour prior to the service.

MARY F. WHITE
LENOIR - Mary Frances White, 72, of Corpening Place, NW, died Feb. 1, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 3, 1929, she was a daughter of the late Robert White and Mildred Camp White Horton. A member of Westend Mennonite Brethern Church, she retired as a domestic worker. She was preceded in death by a son, Kevin White; two daughters, Helen Elizabeth White and Karen White; two brothers, Charles White and Leonard White; a sister, Katherine W. Thomas; and a grandson, Marcus A. White. Survivors include four sons, Audie L. White of Portsmouth, Va., Jeffrey G. White of the home, Joseph Summers of Wilkesboro and Marlon T. White of Brooklyn, N.Y.; three daughters, Shelia J. Jimenez of Chesapeake, Va., Deborah K. Dixon of Omaha, Neb., and Charressia L. White of Buffalo, N.Y.; a sister, Audrey H. Hartso of Omaha, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Jimmie Norwood Sr., Larry Smith, James A. Wilfong and Jervis Parson at 11 a.m. today at Ebony Funeral Services . Burial will be in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

JOHN B. WATERS
VALDESE - John Burke Waters, 55, of Alpine Street, Rutherford College, died Feb. 6, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital after a period of declining health. Born Nov. 21, 1945, in York, S.C., he was a son of the late Fred O. and Mary Lee Waters. A U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War, he received a Bronze Star for his service in the 1st Air Calvary. He also was a member of East Burke Investment Club and the Rutherford College planning board of directors. He was preceded in death by a brother, Fred Waters Jr.; and a sister, Judy Waters. Survivors include his wife, Patricia Robinson Waters; two sons and a daughter-in-law, John K. and Heather Waters of Rutherford College and Benji Waters of the home; two brothers, Bill Waters of Greenhill and Ned Waters of Marietta, Ga.; two sisters, Nancy Cauthen of Mount Holly and Kathy Lattimore of Rutherfordton; and two grandchildren, Avery Burke Waters and Gracie Kathryn Waters of Rutherford College. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. David Stikeleather at 11 a.m. Thursday at Rutherford College First Baptist Church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in Mountain View Cemetery, Rutherford College. The family will be at Heritage Funeral Service from 7 to 8:30 tonight. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690.

OLA H. PUTNAM
FALLSTON - Ola Hamrick Putnam, 88, of Sperling Drive, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Born Feb. 12, 1912, in Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late Johnny and Ella Stockton Hamrick. A member and former Sunday school teacher at New Prospect Baptist Church, she retired from Universal Manufacturing. She was preceded in death by three brothers; seven sisters; and a granddaughter, Kay Putnam Stamey. Survivors include her husband of 61 years, Marion Alonzo Putnam; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert L. and Deloris Putnam of Shelby; a daughter and son-in-law, Grace and Dale Brackett of Shelby; two grandsons, Bobby Putnam and Michael Brackett; two stepgrandsons, Tommy Burnett and Bobby Burnett; a stepgranddaughter, Wendy Lowery; a great-grandson, Matthew Stamey; and three stepgreat-grandsons, Brent Lowery, Tommy Lee Brown and Jason Lowery. The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Tim Tapp and Jake Thornburg at 3 p.m. today at her church. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Stamey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

ROBERT L. LAWS Jr.
LENOIR - Robert Bob Lee Laws Jr., 74, of Powell Circle, died Feb. 5, 2001, at his residence. Born Jan. 20, 1927, in Virginia, he was a son of the late Robert Lee Laws Sr. and Minnie Proffit. A member of Nazareth Advent Christian Church, he retired from Caldwell Floor Covering. A merchant mariner, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard. He was preceded in death by two brothers, John Laws and Thomas Laws. Survivors include his wife, Pansy Mae Phillips Laws; three sons, Robert Lee Laws III of Riverside, Calif., Rex Laws of Basking Ridge, N.J., and Ricky Laws of Lenoir; two daughters, Robin Laws Byrd and Rena Laws of Lenoir; a stepson, Clyde Greene Jr. of Lenoir; a stepdaughter, Barbara White of Lenoir; a sister, Bernice Laws Cunningham of Granite Falls; and eight grandchildren. A graveside service was held Tuesday in his church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645. Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

DIAMOND M. CLARKE
LENOIR - Diamond Marvin Clarke, 90, of Old North Road, NW, died Feb. 5, 2001, at Lenoir Healthcare Center. Born Feb. 21, 1910, in Caldwell County, he was a son of the late Hugh David Lee and Mary E. Palmer Clarke. A member of First Presbyterian Church of Lenoir, he retired from the U.S. Post Office after 36 years of service and was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Joseph Lee Clarke, Hernden Clarke, Colon Clarke, Spencer B. Clarke, Shuford Clarke and Clarence W. Clarke; and two sisters, Beadie Clarke Greene and Gussie Marie Clarke. Survivors include his wife, Jeannette Rector Clarke; two sons, Spencer Lee Clarke of Stevensville, Md., and Kay D. Clarke of Greensboro; a daughter and son-in-law, Judith C. and Billy Lovins of Hudson; 11 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Johnny Carpenter at 3 p.m. Thursday in Belleview Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Kevin Clarke, Mark Oliver, Steve Oliver, Adam Summerset, Corey Summerset and Gus Godwin. The family will be at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.

LEE A. MURRIEL
LINCOLNTON - Lee Andy Murriel, 73, of Brian Center, Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, formerly of Lincolnton, died Feb. 3, 2001, at Presbyterian Hospital. Born June 4, 1927, in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late Cora Murriel. A member of Gold Hill Missionary Baptist Church, he retired from Hudson Poultry. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Arthur Morrison and Theotis Lindsey. Survivors include a brother, Robert Lindsey of Richmond, Va.; two sisters, Pearl Ferguson and Florence Black of Charlotte; five nephews; and two nieces. The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Franklin Lowery at 2 p.m. today at his church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at the church 30 minutes prior to the service and at the residence of Pearl Ferguson, 2021 Garnett Place, Charlotte, at other times. Ebony & White's Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

ELSIE M. HERMAN
GRANITE FALLS - Elsie Mary Herman, 59, of Wilson Street, NW, Lenoir, died Feb. 6, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital. Born Feb. 20, 1941, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late John H. and Elizabeth Austin Herman. A member of Friendship Baptist Church in Hudson, she was a homemaker. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Guy Rayfield Herman and Bill Herman. Survivors include five brothers, Tony R. Herman and Boyd Herman of Hudson, Maynard Herman, Lloyd Herman and Adam Herman of Lenoir; and a number of nephews and nieces. A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. J. Lynn Parsons at 3 p.m. Thursday in her church cemetery. The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service. Mackie-High Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

ADAM J. PLUMLEY
LENOIR - Adam Jacob Plumley, three weeks old, of Old Shelby Road, Hickory, died Feb. 4, 2001, at his residence. Born Jan. 11, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital, he was a son of Willie E. and Melissa Duncan Plumley Jr. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include paternal grandparents, Willie and Charlotte Plumley Sr. of Hickory; maternal grandparents, Greg and Jennifer Duncan of Granite Falls; paternal great-grandparents, Clarence and Helen Plumley of Mount Hope, W.Va.; and maternal great-grandparents, Howard and Gail Beane Elrod of Lenoir. The graveside service was Tuesday in Mountain Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.