Gloria Melissa Grill Pons
VALDESE -- Gloria Melissa Grill Pons, 75, of 604 Laurel St., died Sunday, Sept. 23, 2001, at her residence.
Born May 1, 1926, she was a daughter to the late Philip Stephen and Melissa Wacaster Grill. She was devoted to the well-being of her family, church and community. She enjoyed being in the kitchen and spending a great deal of time there, collecting recipes and cooking delicious food for family and friends. Their home was always a stopping off place for food and fellowship.
Mrs. Pons was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Valdese where she provided a ministry of love. Through the years, she participated in the life of her church by being a member of the United Methodist Women, serving as a trustee, and participating in many other church activities.
For more than 30 years, she enjoyed being a school teacher in Burke County. She taught at Valdese High School, Morganton High School and East Burke High School. She loved recounting past school days with "all" her students. She also served as a member of the Burke County Library Board.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Maj. Henry S. Grill and John Grill, and a sister, Doris Grill.
Surviving are her life-long friend and husband, Frank Harvey Pons of the home; devoted family members which include sons, Harvey Pons and his wife, Mary Carol, of Statesville, and Tim Pons and his wife, Pat, of Valdese; a daughter, Jennifer Boggs and her husband, Dan, of Valdese; a brother, Dr. George P. Grill of Greensboro; loving grandchildren, Beth, Jeff, Brad, and Andrew Boggs, Lauren Pons, and Timmy and Taylor Pons; many friends and the supportive congregation of the First United Methodist Church. Throughout her illness with cancer, she received many beautiful flowers, cards, thoughts and prayers that she greatly appreciated.
A memorial will be held Wednesday at the First United Methodist Church in Valdese with the Rev. Jeff Johnson officiating. Entombment will follow in the Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. Tuesday at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese.
Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 217 St. Germain Ave., Valdese, N.C. 28690.
Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese, is assisting the Pons family.
Bobby G. Abernathy
RALEIGH -- Bobby Grey Abernathy, 35, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001, at Valdese General Hospital after an automobile accident.
Born Aug. 6, 1966, in Burke County, he was a son of Zane Grey Abernathy, Sr. of Morganton, and Ella Abernathy of Cary.
In addition to his parents, surviving are his step-mother, Nancy Ross Abernathy of Morganton; a sister, Julie Abernathy of Raleigh; a brother, Zane G. Abernathy, Jr. of Morganton; a nephew, Michael Ray Herdon of Raleigh; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held 3 p.m. today at Fairview Cemetery with the Rev. Ralph Gouge officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund for New York, and Washington, D.C., P.O. Box 1329, Hickory, N.C. 28601 or to the charity of one's choice.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Thomas Blackburn, Jr.
MARION -- Thomas Leon Blackburn, Jr., 62, of N.C. 221 South, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001, at Mission St. Joseph's Hospital, Asheville.
Born in Avery County on Nov. 11, 1938, he a son of the late Thomas L. Blackburn, Sr. and Ruby Baynard Blackburn.
He was a graduate of Appalachian State University and served in the United States Marine Corps.
He worked for the Pepsi-Cola Company as a School/Business Development Representative and was a member of Marion First Presbyterian Church.
Surviving are his wife, Phyllis Wise Blackburn; a son, Jon Thomas Blackburn and wife, Lisa, of Marion; a brother, John Michael Blackburn of Linville; sisters-in-law, Roberta Aldridge and Leota Coffey, both of Crossnore, and Gay Franklin of Marion; brothers-in-law, Ben Wise, Tom Wise and Lowell Wise, all of Newland, Earle Wise of Marshall, and Milton Wise of Seneca, S.C.; aunt, Ann Mull of Brevard; and uncle, Paul Baynard of Brevard.
The memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, at Marion First Presbyterian Church, with the Revs. George Hutchins and Tyler Martin officiating.
Memorials may be made to the McDowell High School Athletic Booster Club, P.O. Box 1113, Marion, N.C. 28752, or to Marion First Presbyterian Church, 79 West Fort St., Marion, N.C. 28752.
Kirksey Funeral Home, Marion, is serving the Blackburn family.
Harry L. Curtis
CHARLOTTE -- Harry L. Curtis, 82, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2001, at Presbyterian Hospital.
Born Sept. 12, 1919, in Morganton, he was the son of the late Henry Curtis and Estelle Fleming Curtis.
He served in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific and Germany during World War II, attaining the rank of major and later attained the rank of colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves.
He began his career in the machinery business with North Carolina Equipment Company following World War II and then served as senior vice president of A.E. Finley and Associates Inc., until his retirement in 1991.
He was an active member of Mouzon United Methodist Church and a charter member of Carmel Country Club.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Marguerite Curtis, in 1986 and by his second wife, Rebecca Crowell Curtis, in 1999.
Surviving are a daughter, Harriet C. Forbes and her husband, Ted, of Chapin, S.C.; two grandsons, Bryon Forbes of Greenville, S.C., and Scott Forbes of Chapin, S.C.; and his niece and care-giver, Jane Benton.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Monday at Mouzon United Methodist Church with the Rev. Craig Langston officiating. Interment will follow in Sharon Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Bob Austin, Walter Byrd, Harold Deal, Russell Fleming Bill Marvin, Claude Plumlee, Sam Smith and Phil Williams. Honorary pallbearers will be C.R. Goodwin and Walter Smith.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 9 p.m. today at the Harry and Bryant Chapel, 500 Providence Road, Charlotte.
Memorials may be made to Mouzon United Methodist Church, 3100 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, N.C. 28209 or Hospice of Charlotte, 1420 E. 7th St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204.
Harry and Bryant Company is serving the family of Mr. Curtis.
Lib F. Joyner
HICKORY -- Ora Elizabeth "Lib" Friday Joyner, 90, of Kingston Residence, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001, at her home.
Born Dec. 2, 1910, in Hickory, she was a daughter of John Lee Friday and Ora Bumgarner Friday. She graduated from Hickory High School and Lenoir-Rhyne College in 1933. She married her school sweetheart Archie Joyner in June 1935. They lived in the suburbs of Camden, N.J., and Chicago, Ill., before retiring to Waynesville, N.C., later returning to Hickory. Lib spent most of her adult life teaching preschool and reading to adults and seniors. She was quite active in the Episcopal Church and the Daughters of the King.
Surviving are brothers, Garth Friday of Goose Creek, S.C., and John Friday of Hempstead, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Elizabeth Guigou Friday of Hickory; a son, Lee Joyner of Wheaton, Ill.; a daughter, Mary Pryde of Norco, Calif.; and four grandchildren.
The memorial service will be held 2 p.m. today at Grace Episcopal Church in the Mountains in Waynesville, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Albans Episcopal Church in Hickory, or Grace Episcopal Church in Waynesville, N.C.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Joyner.
Charles M. Lominac
RUTHERFORD COLLEGE -- Charles M. Lominac, 91, formerly of Buncombe County, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2001, at College Pines Nursing Center, Valdese, after a period of declining health.
Mr. Lominac was born Jan. 24, 1910, in Buncombe County, to the late Melvin A. and Emma Ryner Lominac. He was a member of Weaverville First Baptist Church, a U.S. Army Air Corp Veteran of World War II, and a retired educator, having served as a teacher and principle with the Buncombe County, School System.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Dollie Freeman Lominac.
Surviving are a son, Tom Lominac of Buena Vista, Va.; two daughters, Ruth L. Willis and husband, Michael, of Canton, N.C. and Jane L. Jensen and husband, Richard, of Rutherford College; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The funeral will be held 3 p.m. today at Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, Rutherford College with the Rev. Dave Hamlyn officiating. The graveside service will be held 10 a.m. Monday at Shepherd Memorial Park, Hendersonville, N.C.
The family will receive friends from 2 until 3 p.m. today at Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church.
Memorials may be made to Abernethy Memorial United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 127, Rutherford College, N.C. 28671.
Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese, is assisting the Lominac family.
Grady Pruett
VALE -- Grady Pruette, 72, of 1636 N. Brook #3 School Road, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Local survivors include a sister, Clara Glenn of Rutherford College.
The funeral will be at 3 p.m. Monday, at Zion Hill Baptist Church.
The family will receive from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Stamey Funeral Home.
Roy R. Thombs
WALDORF, Md. -- Roy Rogers Thombs, 57, died Monday, Sept. 17, 2001.
Born July 14, 1944, in Rutherfordton, N.C., he was a son to Lillian Thombs Washington and the late Herbert Loister "H.L." Thombs.
He was a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War and worked in auto retail sales as a sales clerk.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Gene, and a sister, Annie Marie.
In addition to his mother, surviving are his wife, Mary Thombs of the home; his step-mother, Mildred Richardson; his step-grandmother, Maude Conley; three daughters, Amanda DeLoatch, Tiffany Willis and Karen Martin; a son, Roy L. Thombs; two step-daughters, Dethra Credle and Valarie Johnson; six brothers, Alvin Thombs, Harvey Washington, Thomas Washington, Matthew Washington, Sylvester Washington and Calvin Washington; a sister, Savannah Thombs; a son-in-law, Darryl Credle; 10 grandchildren; and a host of nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Monday at St. John Holiness Church with the District Elder Gilbert Gooden, Elder James McCorkle and the Rev. W.F. McIntosh Jr. officiating.
Burial will be in Union Hill Methodist Church Cemetery, Union Mills.
The family will receive friends from 9 until 10:55 a.m. Monday at the church.
Ebony Funeral Services of Morganton, is assisting the Thombs family.
Roger D. Weatherman
NEWTON -- Roger Dale Weatherman, 56, of Wyoming Street, died Friday, Sept. 21, 2001, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, following an extended illness.
Born April 16, 1945, in Avery County, he was a son of Florence Phillips Weatherman of Jonas Ridge and the late Webb Weatherman.
He was an employee of Pet Dairy for 18 years when he retired in 1998 due to failing health. He also attended the Pineola Church of God.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his sons, Timothy Dale Weatherman and Roger Allen Weatherman.
In addition to his mother, surviving are his wife, Kathy Biggs Weatherman of the home; a son, Dan Weatherman and wife, Kelly, of Harrisburg, N.C.; a daughter, Jeanie-Marie Weatherman of the home; a daughter-in-law, Christy Brittain of Newton; grandchildren, Andrew Weatherman and Ariel Weatherman; a brother, Webb Weatherman, Jr. of Sumter, S.C.; and a sister, Louise Stamey of Jonas Ridge.
The funeral was held Saturday at Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Mike Carswell officiating.
Burial will be at 3 p.m. today in Jonas Ridge Cemetery.
The family will be at his residence, 2196 Wyoming St., Newton, N.C., or at the residence of his mother, Florence Weatherman, 8769 Buckeye Hollow, Jonas Ridge.
Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.
Gladys Berry
