LLOYD P. BEACH
Lloyd Paul Beach, 76, of Hildebran, died May 23, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Born Jan. 3, 1925, in Wilkes County, he was a son of the late John L. and Elsie Barnes Beach.
Retired from Alba Waldensian, he attended Longview Church of God. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in Germany.
He was preceded in death by a daughter, Jan Anita Beach; and a brother, Edward Beach.
Survivors include his wife, Juanita Berry Beach; a daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Edward H. Bailey of York, S.C.; a brother, Leonard Beach of Connelly Springs; four sisters, Vera Mae Lowe of Taylorsville, Sophrona Sharpe of Nashville, Tenn., Imagene Oshorne of Valdese and Hilda Holland of Walkertown; 12 nephews; and six nieces.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. C.L. Simmons and Garland Walker at 2 p.m. Saturday at Longview Church of God.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park with military graveside rites conducted by members of American Legion Post 48.
Pallbearers will be Michael Lazenby, Chuck Scronce, Michael Beach, Edward Bumgarner, Jon Mullinax and Edward Sharpe.
Honorary pallbearers will be Alan Beach, Jeff Lazenby, Bryan Lazenby, Carrie Sharpe, Bob Hildebran, Ervin Eggers, Colen Deal, Dean Reed, Kevin Reed, and members of the men's adult Sunday school class from Longview Church of God.
The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Longview Church of God, P.O. Box 4507, Hickory, N.C. 28603.
CATHY A. WIKE
MORGANTON - Cathy Ann Wike, 41, of Morganton, died May 23, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.
Born April 6, 1960, in Burke County, she was a daughter of Catherine Epley of Morganton and the late Clyde McNeely.
She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
She was preceded in death by a brother, Bobby J. McNeely.
Survivors, in addition to her mother, include her husband, Billy Wike; a stepfather, Claude Epley of Morganton; two daughters, Tiffany Epley and Tonya Hyatt of Morganton; a granddaughter, Caitlin Epley of Morganton; and a number of uncles, aunts and cousins.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. John Whisnant Jr. at 2 p.m. Saturday at Kirksey Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Forest Hill Cemetery.
The family will beat the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 2315 A Sunset Ave., Rocky Mount, N.C. 27804; FMC Burke County, 145 W. Parker Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655; or Burke County Friends for Animals, P.O. Box 1884, Morganton, N.C. 28680.
EFFIE G. SMITH
CONOVER - Effie Francis Green Smith, 95, of the Abernethy Center, formerly of Lowrance Road, Catawba, died May 23, 2001, at the Abernethy Center.
Survivors include a stepson, Doyle Smith of Canton, Ohio; a stepdaughter, Betty and Kenneth L. Murray of Catawba; a stepdaughter-in-law, Margaret R. Smith of Hendersonville; five stepgrandchildren, Rusty Smith of Matthews, Wendi Keith of Black Mountain, David Smith of Hendersonville, Michael Murray of Catawba and Cindy Beard of Newton; two stepgreat-grandchildren, Staci Beard and Caleb Murray; and a nephew, Robert Worley.
A graveside service will be held at 1 p.m. today in Holly Memorial Gardens in Charlottsville, Va.
A memorial service will held at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Abernethy Center.
Memorials may be made to The Abernethy Center, 102 Leonard Ave., Newton, N.C. 28658; or Horace M. Francis Scholarship, Office of University Advancement, Box 7227, Reynolda Station, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27109.
Drum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
TEXIE L. MARTIN
LINCOLNTON - Texie Geneva Lindsay Martin, 81, of Northbrook No. 3 School Road, Vale, died May 24, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Born Feb. 5, 1920, in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Jake and Martha Cook Lindsay.
She was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lannie D. Martin; a son, Donald D. Martin; a daughter, Linda M. Cornwell; a brother, Clyde Lindsay; a sister, Gladys York.
Survivors include a son, Charles L. Martin of Conover; two daughters, Margie M. Putnam of Newton and Doris M. Short of Vale; a brother, Howard Lindsay of Lenoir; seven sisters, Effie Stillwell of Hampton, Va., Ollie Lutz and Pauline Hoyle of Connelly Springs, Edna McGinnis and Ruby Smith of Hickory and Hazel Harris of Conover; 18 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Don Willis at 4 p.m. Sunday at Mount Vernon Baptist 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 Kenneth Martin, Shannon Martin, Glenn Short, Harold Short, Duane Thomas and Shaun Short.
Honorary pallbearers will be Stephen Short, Chris Chavis, Joey Schronce and Chad Matthews.
The family will be at Warlick Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday and at the residence of Hugh and Margie Putnam, 3070 Startown Road, Newton, at other times.
AUDRA R. DAVIS
WAYNESVILLE - Audra Rena Davis, 18, of Bridle Path Drive, Vale, died May 22, 2001, in Catawba County.
Born March 7, 1983, in Clyde, she was a daughter of Edward J. and Patsy Burnette Davis.
Employed by CVS in Newton, she attended Grace Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hickory, Fred T. Foard and Catawba County Community College.
She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Donald Birchfield; and a cousin, Nathan Clubb.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, include a sister, Lara Davis of Vale; two maternal grandparents, the Rev. and Mrs. Vaughn Burnette of Canton; a paternal grandmother, Betty Birchfield of Waynesville; and a stepgrandmother, Doris Davis of Hickory.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Vaughn Burnette, Tom Church and David Crump at 2 p.m. Saturday at Full Gospel Holiness Church in Clyde.
Burial will be in Greenhill Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Byron Burnette, Christopher Burnette, Joshua Clubb, Benja Anderson, Mitchell Medford and Daniel Medford.
The family will be at Garrett Funeral Home from 6 to 8 tonight.
MARY B. HARBINSON
CONOVER - Mary Catherine Barringer Harbinson, 89, of Flesher's Fairview Health Care Center in Fairview, died May 23, 2001, at Flesher's Fairview Health Care Center.
Born Feb. 10, 1912, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late Alfred Tate and Bessie Setzer Barringer.
A member of Lutheran Church of the Nativity in Arden, she was a homemaker and a member of the Good Earth Garden Club.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry Fred Harbinson Sr.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Henry F. and Daphne K. Harbinson Jr. of Fairview; a sister, Ruby B. Whisnant of Hickory; and two grandchildren, Tracy Erin Harbinson and Erik Logan Harbinson.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Mark Fitzsimmons at 11:30 a.m. Saturday in Catawba Memorial Park.
The family will be at Drum Funeral Home from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday.
Memorials may be made to Lutheran Church of the Nativity, Building Fund, P.O. Box 208, Arden, N.C. 28704; or Mountain Area Hospice, P.O. Box 16, Asheville, N.C. 28802.
LLOYD E. ROCKETT
NEWTON - Lloyd Edwin “Ed” Rockett, 74, of Club House Drive, Conover, died May 24, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born Aug. 24, 1926, in Catawba County, he was a son of the late Guy and Myrtle Murray Rockett.
A member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Claremont, he was a Sunday school superintendent, church councilman, lay assistant, choir member. He also was a member of the church's men's group and chairman of the Christian education committee. A U.S. Air Force veteran of World War II, he retired from Amerada Hess Corporation.
Survivors include a wife, Helen B. Rockett; a son and daughter-in-law, Eddie and Kelli Rockett of Hickory; a brother, Durwood Rockett of Charlotte; a sister and brother-in-law, Betty J. and Lindsay Stafford of Conover; and a grandchild, David Rockett of Hickory.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Jim Cone at 11 a.m. Saturday at his church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Richard McGee, Bish Ballard, Joel Hollar, Mike Pannell, Wayne Hollar and Eddie Baldwin.
Honorary pallbearers will be Jim Sigmon, Randy Lutz, Larry Pannell, Bruce Pannell, Doug Yount and Gib Bolick.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658; or Mount Calvary Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 579, Claremont, N.C. 28610.
Willis Reynolds Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
COY BISHOP
LENOIR - Coy “Marcus” Bishop, 38, of Hartland Road, died May 23, 2001, at Lincoln Medical Center.
Born Feb. 14, 1963, in Abington, Va., he was a son of Coy S. and Carolyn Gentry Bishop of Lenoir.
A member of Whitnel First Baptist Church, he was employed by Appalachian Outdoor Advertising & Sign Co.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Linda Bishop; a daughter, Shelby Rayne Bishop of the home; a brother, Gregory Vance Bishop of Lenoir; and a sister, Darlene Bishop of Lenoir.
The funeral will be conducted by Dr. Steve Parker and the Rev. Bud Jernigan 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 the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Tony Freeman, Don Harris, Jerry Gragg, J.D. Griffin, Blane Pennington Jr. and Kevin Walker.
Honorary pallbearers will be David Campbell, Nathan Winters, Keith McMillian, Gary Gentry and Terry Freeman.
The family will be at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Memorials may be made to Hartland Baptist Church, Building Fund, 3730 Hartland Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655.
GENNIE V. PRESSLEY
GRANITE FALLS - Gennie V. Pressley, 92, of Sunset Street, died May 24, 2001, at Camelot Manor Nursing Care in Granite Falls.
Born Feb. 27, 1909, in Union County, she was a daughter of the late Rochell and Martha Mills.
A Baptist, she retired from a cotton mill.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ernest Bright Pressley; and 13 brothers and sisters.
Survivors include a son, James William Pressley; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jonell and Calvin Ray Miller of Sawmills and Shirley A. and Gene Hunt of Belmont; seven grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by Dr. Duane Kuykendall and the Rev. Jim Lee at 3 p.m. Saturday at Mackie-High Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Goshen Cemetery in Belmont.
Pallbearers will be Darrell Peacock, Danny Peacock, Wayne Peacock, Keith Hunt, Jamie Smith and David Smith.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
WAYNE E. PRICE
Wayne Edward Price, 61, of Hickory, died May 24, 2001, at his residence.
Born June 18, 1939, in Catawba County, he was a son of Hayden E. and Hessie Brown Price of Hickory.
A member of Viewmont Baptist Church, he was co-director and secretary of the Sunday school department. Owner and operator of W.P. Creations, he was an honorary life member of Hickory Elk's Lodge and a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Burlene Curtis Price; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ginger and David Adam Dietrich of Bethlehem and Blenda and Tracy R. Starnes of Hickory; a brother, Phillip A. Price of Asheville; a sister and brother-in-law, Elvena and Ken R. Rogers of Charlotte; and a grandson, Joshua Hallock Dietrich of Bethlehem.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Layne E. Smith at 3 p.m. Saturday at his church.
Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be his cousins and nephews.
Honorary pallbearers will be members of Hickory Elks Lodge.
The family will be at Bass-Smith Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Viewmont Baptist Church, 1246 Second St., NE, Hickory, N.C. 28601; Hickory Elk's Lodge, Memorial Fund, 356 Main Ave., NW, Hickory, N.C. 28601; or Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, N.C. 28658.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
LENA T. VINES
LENOIR - Lena Mae Tucker Vines, 92, of God's Circle, died May 23, 2001, at Caldwell County Hospice.
Born May 14, 1909, in Lincoln County, she was a daughter of the late Joseph C. and Mary Sigmon Tucker.
A member of Globe Baptist Church, she was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Vines; three brothers, Philips Tucker, Arthur Tucker and Sylvester Tucker; and two sisters, Ora Bell Tucker and Lona Peeler.
Survivors include three sons, J.C. Vines and George “Sonny” Vines of Lenoir and Robert Vines of Collettsville; five daughters and three sons-in-law, Margie Walker, Mary Beane, Elizabeth and Ray Beane and Louise and Jeter Clark of Lenoir and Helen and Harold Enloe of Morganton; 26 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and six great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Bennett Helton at 2 p.m. Saturday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Mulberry Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Michael Beane, Gregg Craig, Brandon Vines, Greg Vines, Joey Vines and Kenny Vines.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
MERYL C. CORNE
GRANITE FALLS - Meryl Cline Corne, 80, of Liberty Street, died May 22, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital.
Born March 25, 1921, she was a daughter of the late John and Rosa Moretz Cline.
A Baptist, she retired from Ellis Hosiery.
She was preceded her husband, Memory Emlas “Nub” Corne; and two sisters, Lucy Kilgore and Lois Cline.
Survivors include two brothers and sisters-in-law, Paul and Marie Cline and James T. and Thelma Cline of Dante, Va.; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Louise White and Janice and William Cook of Hickory and Natalie and Frank Campbell of Dante, Va.; and four friends, Louise and G.W. Wilson of Hudson, Evelyn Shepherd of Hickory and Diane Hinson of Granite Falls.
The funeral will be conducted by Dr. Rick Crouse at 11 a.m. today at Mackie-High Funeral Home.
Burial will be in Catawba Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
DANNIE G. JOSEY
MAIDEN - Dannie Caldwell Griggs Josey, 98, of Anderson Mountain Road, died May 22, 2001, at her residence.
Born July 13, 1902, in Catawba County, she was a daughter of the late David C. and Ida McGee Caldwell.
A member of Mount Anderson Baptist Church, she was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, Andrew Griggs; her second husband, George M. Josey; a brother, Dosie Caldwell; a twin sister, Cora Jones; and two half sisters, Rhoda Drum and Nancy Crouse.
Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Bertie E. and Helen Caldwell of Kansas City, Kan.; a daughter, Gertie Caldwell of Maiden; five grandchildren, Peggy Sue Darling of Maiden and David Caldwell, Brent Caldwell, Joe Caldwell and Kelly Caldwell of Kansas; nine stepgrandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and three stepgreat-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Charles Ingle and Rick Jackson at 4 p.m. Sunday at her church.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Joe Caldwell, Kelly Caldwell, Melvin Caldwell, Joel Josey, Charles Wilkinson and Stefan Powers.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to Mount Anderson Baptist Church, Building Fund, 4836 S. N.C. 16, Maiden, N.C. 28650.
Burke Mortuaries is in charge of arrangements.
JACK E. NIVENS
CHARLOTTE - Jack Edwin Nivens, 67, of Charlotte, died May 23, 2001, at his residence.
Born April 19, 1934, he was a son of the late Walter and Camie Nivens.
A member of Providence United Methodist Church, he was a former member of the Park Road Optimist Club. Owner and operator of Nivens Construction Company, he was associated with R.A.M. Realty and involved with the Salvation Army Boys Club Council for 30 years.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Patterson Nivens; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Jack E. and Cathy Nivens Jr. of Concord and Mark Shade Nivens of Charlotte; a daughter, Karen Nivens of Charlotte; a brother, Scott A. Nivens of Surfside, S.C.; two granddaughters, Camie Lee Scott of Charlotte and Mary Catherine Nivens of Concord; a friend, Charles A. Williams III; and a number of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
A graveside service will be conducted by Majors Peggy Stutts and Mrs. Fred Musgrave at 11 a.m. Saturday in Elmwood Cemetery.
The family will be at Hankins & Whittington Dilworth Chapel from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Salvation Army Boys Club, P.O. Box 31443, Charlotte, N.C. 28231; or Hospice of Charlotte, 1420 E. Seventh St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204.
T.L. BARRETT
T.L. Barrett, 85, of Amos-Bridges Road/Barrett Landing, Sanford, died May 23, 2001, at his residence.
Born in Shelby, he was a son of the late Thomas and Anna Johnson Barrett.
A member of Hickory Seventh Day Adventist Church for 50 years, he retired as a commercial sheetrock hanger.
Survivors include his wife, Ollie Dale Barrett; a son, Gene Barrett of Sanford; a sister, Ulla Mae Martin of Brookford; five grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Thursday in Brookford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to First Health/Hospice, P.O. Box 1181, Sanford, N.C. 27331; or Carolina Piedmont Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, 3420 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, N.C. 28215.
Fry & Prickett Funeral Home in Carthage is in charge of arrangements.
Obituary information courtesy of Hickory Funeral Home.
ROBERT E. HENDERSON Sr.
Robert E. Henderson Sr., 56, died May 15, 2001.
Born Aug. 13, 1914, he was a son of Elizabeth Coleman of New York.
Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Doris Henderson of Hickory; two sons; two sisters; and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Monday at Catawba Memorial Park.
Catawba Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
RICHARD T. BREEDEN Jr.
MORGANTON - Richard Thomas “Tom” Breeden Jr., 69, of Hillside Lane, died May 23, 2001, at Grace Hospital.
Born Dec. 22, 1931, in Burke County, he was a son of the late Richard T. “Dick” and Patsy McCarthy Breeden Sr.
A member of First United Methodist Church, he retired as owner and operator of Breeden Poultry. A former member and president of the North Carolina Poultry Processors Association, he was also a member of Linville Country Club and Mimosa Hills Golf and Country Club.
He served on the board of trustees at Brevard College, Garnder-Webb University and Western Piedmont Community College. A life member of the Educational Foundation at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was honored by having the Breeden Engineering Technology Center at Western Piedmont Community College named after he and his wife.
Survivors include his wife, Frances Pearson Breeden; a son and daughter-in-law, Richard T. and Kathy Breeden III of Morganton; two daughters and a son-in-law, Patrice Breeden Best and Frances Joella Breeden and Mike Fulenwider of Morganton; a sister and brother-in-law, Sara “Sis” and Bob Erwin of Morganton; six grandchildren, James Marcellus Best, Thomas Wesley Best, Kathryn Elizabeth Breeden, Beatrice Caroline “Bea” Breeden, Frances Joella “Elle” Fulenwider and Virginia Sara Patrice Fulenwider; and a cousin, Charles Graham of Glen Alpine.
A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. today in Burke Memorial Park.
A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Robert E. Roach at 11 a.m. today at his church.
The family will remain at the church after the memorial service.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King St., Morganton, N.C. 28655; or Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690.
Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
OTIS W. SIPE
TAYLORSVILLE - Otis W. Sipe, 87, of Catawba, died May 24, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born Sept. 19, 1913, in Alexander County, he was a son of the late Cicero and Mary Jane Fox Sipe.
A member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Myrtle Beach, S.C., he retired from Carolina Foam and was the former owner of Sandy Ridge Trailer Court in Hickory and Playmore Beach in Caldwell County.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Annie Echerd Sipe; a son, Edward Echerd; twin daughters; a brother, James Sipe; a sister, Sue S. Hammer; and six grandchildren, Dennis Eckard, Steve Eckard, Robert Eckard, Sylvia Hefner, Richard Setzer and Franklin Sipe.
Survivors include his wife, Mary Queen Sipe; four sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy and Dean Sipe of Conover, Bernard and Ruth Eckard of Hickory, Dr. Robert “Jack” and Betty Echerd of Greensboro and Tim and Linda Beard of Conover; five daughters and four sons-in-law, Helen E. and James Hefner of Bethlehem, Lucille E. and Hurby Bowman and Arline E. and Vernon Hall of Hickory, Kathy and Bill Ihrie and Sharon Haas of Newton; a daughter-in-law and her spouse, Pat and Edward Echerd of High Point; two sisters, Bessie Robinson of Hickory and Norene Sipe of Taylorsville; 22 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and 14 great-great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Larry Swidzinski at 2 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Taylorsville.
Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service.
Memorials may be made to American Diabetes Association, 1660 Duke St., Alexandria, Va. 22314.
Alexander Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
ADRIANNA B. HALL
MORGANTON - Adrianna Bailey Hall, 56, of Sanford Drive, died May 23, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital in Hickory after a period of declining health.
Born May 5, 1945, in Person County, she was a daughter of the late Ernest and Mussette Montague Bailey.
A member of First Baptist Church, she was a teacher for the Dorcas Sunday school class. She was a parental education with Family Connections for Burke County Public Schools.
Survivors include her husband, Bill Hall; two sons, Jonathan Hall of Raleigh and Michael Hall of the home; and a daughter, Kathryn Hall of the home.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Thomas A. Bland Jr. and Fred Schuszler at 6 p.m. Sunday at her church.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. David Canady at 2 p.m. Monday in Burchwood Cemetery in Roxboro.
The family will be at the church one hour prior to the service and at her residence at other times.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, Scholarship Fund, P.O. Drawer 459, Morganton, N.C. 28680-0459; or Family Connections, P.O. Drawer 989, Morganton, N.C. 28680-0989.
Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
ROY C. PETTY
Roy Claude “R.C.” Petty, 58, of Ninth Street, SW, died May 23, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health.
Born Feb. 19, 1943, in Allegany County, he was a son of the late Cicero Hardin and Susie Marie Burleson Petty.
He was employed by Cantrell Roofing Co.
Survivors include a son, Scott Ray Petty of Hickory; two daughters, Claudia Rae Petty Massey of Valdese and Regina Denise Petty Williams of Hickory; three brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack D. and Jo Anne Petty, Eugene and Pat Petty and Johnny L. and Becky Petty of Hickory; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Shirley and Ralph Weaver and Carolyn and James Weaver of Hickory; and six grandchildren.
A memorial service will be conducted by the Rev. Harold Whitener at 3:30 p.m. today at Hickory Funeral Home.
The family will be at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.
HORTENCE H. RUTHERFORD
VALDESE - Hortence Hatch Rutherford, 88, of Rutherford College, died May 23, 2001, at Hospice Shytle House in Valdese after a period of declining health.
Born Oct. 9, 1912, in Wake County, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Peter R. and Lalla Rookh Spivey Hatch.
A member of Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, she was a former secretary of the Wesleyan Circle of the Church and a volunteer for the American Red Cross.
The first nurse hired by Valdese General Hospital when it opened in 1939, she retired from the hospital in 1974.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Eubert Rutherford; and four half brothers, James Freeman Hatch, Hurst Bunn Hatch, Peter Roderick Hatch and William Hardaway Hatch.
Survivors include two daughters and sons-in-law, Lillian and Bill Coffey of Rutherford College and Martha and Dewey Fox of Morganton; five grandchildren and two grandchildren-in-law, Kellie Clay, Neal Coffey, Mark and Angie Coffey, Robert and Donna Watson and Brett Watson; six great-grandchildren, Jordon Clay, Bryant Clay, Whitney Coffey, Sydney Coffey, Ashley Watson and Micheal Watson; a cousin, David W. Spivey of Washington, N.C.; and two friends, Frank Goode and John-Palmer Smith.
The funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday at her church.
The family will be at Heritage Funeral Service from 6:30 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 127, Rutherford College, N.C. 28671; or Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, N.C. 28690.
EDNA P. MILLER
LENOIR - Edna Powell Miller, 93, of Gateway Nursing Center, died May 22, 2001, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
Born Jan. 6, 1908, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Charles J. and Ada Siddie Stallings Powell.
A member of First Baptist Church of Lenoir, she retired as a teacher with the Caldwell County School System.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl P. Miller; and two sisters, Asilee Powell and Pauline Powell.
Survivors include four sons, Jerry P. Miller of Cajah's Mountain, Robert Miller of Drexel, Eric B. Miller and Brent Miller of Lenoir; two brothers, Ned Powell of Salisbury and Jack Powell of Raleigh; a sister, Helen P. Bradford of Lenoir; 10 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
A graveside service will be conducted by Dr. David Smith at 11 a.m. today in Blue Ridge Memorial Park.
Pallbearers will be Brian Miller, Chris Miller, Kevin Miller, Shawn Miller, Todd Miller and Neil Martin.
Memorials may be made to Lenoir First Baptist Church, 304 Main St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; or Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, CNA Scholarship Fund, 2855 Hickory Blvd., Hudson, N.C. 28638.
Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
NAOMI C. BARNES
STONY POINT - Naomi Chapman Barnes, 83, of Taylorsville Highway, Statesville, died May 23, 2001, at Valley Nursing Center.
Born May 13, 1917, in Alexander County, she was a daughter of the late Walter S. and Lucy Costner Chapman.
A member of Monticello Baptist Church, she served as a Sunday school teacher, WMU director and church clerk. She retired as a textile worker.
She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Alva Josey; four brothers, Fred Chapman, Gene Chapman, Frank Chapman and James Hugo Chapman; and three sisters, Nellie Kilpatrick, Lottie Leonard and Ina Steel.
Survivors include her husband, Sherrill Barnes; a son, Alvin Leon Josey of Florence, S.C.; a daughter, Patsy Lytton of Statesville; two stepdaughters and a stepson-in-law, Judy Barnes and Brenda and Alfred Bostic of Laurens, S.C.; seven grandchildren and four grandchildren-in-law, David and Rhonda Lytton, Tina and Scott Johnson and Cindy and Rusty Chapman of Statesville, Mark and Suzan Josey and Robin and Mel Allen of Florence, S.C., Darrin Scott Josey of Lafayette, La., and Lynn Kennedy of Laurens, S.C.; eight great-grandchildren, Crystal Lytton, Stephanie Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Shane Cashion, Kaylyn Chapman and Cody Chapman of Statesville and Serena Josey and Alita Josey of Florence, S.C.
A graveside service will be conducted by the Rev. Michael Pharr at 11 a.m. Saturday in Mount Nebo Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will be at Chapman Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight and at her residence at other times.
Memorials may be made to Monticello Baptist Church, 3603 Taylorsville Highway, Statesville, N.C. 28677.
DANIEL F. LEDFORD
NEWTON - Daniel Forrest "Dan" Ledford, 41, of Cook Lane, Hickory, died May 26, 2001, at his residence.
Born Feb. 24, 1960, in Lincoln County, he was a son of the late Homer L. and Mary Ruth Hullet Ledford.
A former resident of Sipe's Orchard Home in Conover, he attended Lenoir-Rhyne College. A real estate broker with Century 21 LA Properties in Hickory, he served 10 years in the U.S. Army as a paratrooper and attained the rank of staff sergeant. A former member of Mount Zion Lutheran Church in Conover, he was a former employee of Sarstedt Inc.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Roger Ledford and an infant brother, and a sister, Janice Leford Hardin.
Survivors include his wife, Susan Taylor Ledford of Newton; a son, Daniel Forrest Ledford II of Newton; a daughter, Samantha Brooke Ledford of Newton; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Michael and Dawn Ledford of Newton and Timothy Ledford of Vale; four sisters, Vickie Munday and Judy Sipe of Maiden, Pam Daniel of Gastonia, and Gail Ledford of Vale; and two nephews, Janson Ledford and Brandon Ledford.
A graveside service, with military rites conducted by members of American Legion Post 16 of Newton, will be conducted by Dr. Mark R. Sills at 1 p.m. Tuesday in Mount Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers will be Michael Ledford, Timothy Ledford, John Taylor, Frank Taylor, Shane Presley, Chris Tally and Ronnie Daniel.
The family will be at Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Sipe's Orchard Home, 4431 County Home Road, Conover, N.C. 28613.
HELEN P. St. JOHN
MORGANTON - Helen Painter St. John, 82, of Windy Hill Drive, Valdese, died May 26, 2001, at Mission St. Joseph's Hospital in Asheville after a period of declining health.
Born Dec. 16, 1918, in Avery County, she was a daughter of the late Samuel R. and Myra Anna Smith Painter.
A member of Bible Baptist Church in Morganton, she was preceded in death by her husband, Frank Jesse St. John Sr.; a daughter, Betty Jean Clark; a granddaughter, Marlene Silver; a great-granddaughter, Amanda Silver; a brother; and two sisters.
Survivors include two sons, Frank Jesse St. John Jr. of Valdese and the Rev. Douglas St. John of Morganton; three daughters, Frances Harmon of Drexel, and Carolyn Ollis and Mary Saulman of Morganton; 14 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Ricky Watkins and Douglas St. John at 4 p.m. Tuesday 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 the church from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
JAMES E. PARKER
LINCOLNTON - James Edward Parker, 47, of Modern Estates Road, died May 26, 2001.
Born in Lincoln County, he was a son of Ellery E. and Carolyn Canipe Parker of Lincolnton.
He was a manager of Big Lots in Lincolnton.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a son, Eric Eugene Parker of Lincolnton; a daughter, Allison Leigh Parker of Lincolnton; and two sisters, Cynthia Dianne Gilbert of Lincolnton and Kathy Lynn Farley of Cecilia, Ky.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Scott Slaughter at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Gainsville Baptist Church.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Burial will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery.
The family will be at Warlick Funeral Home fron 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Gainsville Baptist Church, Organ Fund, 270 Gainsville Church Road, Lincolnton, N.C. 28092.
JESSIE R. STRINGFIELD
Jessie Ray Stringfield, 69, of Granite Falls, died May 26, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born Jan. 13, 1932, in Maryville, Tenn., he was a son of the late Lonzy and Lillie Lance Stringfield.
A member of Rhodhiss Church of God, he served in the U.S. Army and was employed by the town of Granite Falls and Hutton Bourbonnais Company.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Kenneth Stringfield and Frank Stringfield, and a twin sister, Faye Myers.
Survivors include his wife, Merle Terry Stringfield; four sons and a daughter-in-law, Eulis R. "Doc” and Sandy Stringfield of Rhodhiss, and Dennis Charles Stringfield, Stephen Wayne Stringfield and Lyndon Berry Stringfield of Maryville, Tenn.; two daughters and a son-in-law, Flora Ann and Billy Richardson and Barbara June Webb of Maryville, Tenn.; two stepsons and stepdaughters-in-law, Ernie L. and Margaret B. Melton of Hickory and Bud and Jeannette Cunningham of Statesville; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Toni Stringfield and Junior and Sue Stringfield of Detroit, Mich.; five sisters and brothers-in-law, Mary Joe and David Edmonds of Lososos, Calif., May and George Swanson of Granite Falls, and Reba and C.J. Stennett, Barbara and Ralph Teffeller and Opal and Jimmy Rogers of Maryville, Tenn.; 16 grandchildren; eight stepgrandchildren; six great-grandchildren; 14 stepgreat-grandchildren; and a number of nephews and nieces.
The funeral will be conducted by the Rev. Charles Atkins at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Bass-Smith Funeral Home.
Burial, with military rites conducted by members of American 48, will be in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Granite Falls.
Pallbearers will be Chris Melton, Terry Melton, Julius Cunningham, Ashley Cunningham, Jimmy Cunningham, Bruce Stringfield, Jason Stringfield and Michael Stringfield.
The family will be at the funeral home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
EVIE L. CRAIG
LENOIR - Evie L. Craig, 71, of Nancy's Place, Granite Falls, died May 26, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Born June 7, 1929, in Caldwell County, she was a daughter of the late Ivey E. and Pearl St. John Kincaid.
A member of Ambassador Baptist Church, she was a homemaker.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Lawrence Craig, and two brothers, Carroll Kincaid and Eugene Kincaid.
Survivors include a son, Earl Allen Craig of Icard; five daughters and two sons-in-law, Rebecca Jane and Alvin Hames of Hudson, Kathy Gilbert and Patricia Ellis of Granite Falls, Donna Hames of Rhodhiss and Darlene and Ricky Laws of Hildebran; four sisters, Nell Kincaid, Betty Clark and Colean Shell of Lenoir and Johnsie Holman of Hudson; 15 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by the Revs. Robert Setzer and Daniel Buchanan at 11 a.m. Tuesday 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 Chad Hames, Hank Craig, Jerry Craig, David Craig, Joey Ellis and Alvin Hames.
Honorary pallbearer will be Ricky Laws.
The family will be at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645 or American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 3291, Morganton, N.C. 28680.
HELEN P. VERBYLA
LENOIR - Helen P. Verbyla, 89, of Crawford Parkway, Portsmouth, Va., died May 24, 2001, at Bon Secour Nursing Center in Suffolk, Va.
The family will be at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.
ETHEL F. WALKER
LINCOLNTON - Ethel Irene Fortenberry Walker, 82, of N.C. 182, died May 27, 2001.
Born in Burke County, she was a daughter of the late Clem and Nora Bradshaw Fortenberry.
She was a homemaker.
Survivors include her husband, Joseph P. Walker; two sons and daughters-in-law, Larry E. and Colette Walker of Bessemer City and Arnold M. and Darcel Walker of Gastonia; a daughter, Nancy Carolyn Walker of Huntersville; two brothers, Jessie Fortenberry and Johnny Fortenberry of Hickory; a sister, Minnie Lowman Lail of Hickory; and three grandchildren.
The funeral will be conducted by Dr. J. Dixon Free at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church in Lincolnton.
The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Burial will be in Wilkies Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Burke County.
The family will be at Warlick Funeral Home from 7 to 8:30 tonight.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 201 Robin Road, Lincolnton, N.C. 28092 or Wilkies Grove Baptist Church, Wilkies Grove Church Road, Hickory, N.C. 28602.
OBIE J. COBB
Obie Jackson Cobb, 63, of Cedar Springs Drive, died May 25, 2001, at Catawba Memorial Hospital.
Born Oct. 13, 1937, in Burke County, he was a son of Rosa Cook Cobb and the late Robert Bradford Cobb.
A member of Hickory Seventh Day Adventist Church, he retired as a foreman with General Motors in Flint, Mich.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, William Harrison Cobb and Jerry Dean Cobb.
Survivors, in addition to his mother, include two sons, Robert Cobb and Jeffrey Cobb of Flint, Mich.; two daughters, Tina Cobb Smith and Jacqueline Cobb Winters of Flint, Mich.; three brothers, Robert Joe Cobb of Vale, Richard Jacob Cobb of Hildebran and Michael Bruce Cobb of Fletcher; a sister, Nancy Cobb Eckard of Newton; 10 grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter.
A graveside service will be conducted by Pastor Ken Ford at 2 p.m. today in Cedar Springs Farm Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, P.O. Box 2636, Chapel Hill, N.C. 27515.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
