Austin Johnson
CONNELLY SPRINGS - Austin Cheyane Johnson, 6-month-old infant son of Sara Irene Johnson and James Edgins, died Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2001.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by: his maternal grandmother, Lily Johnson, and step-grandfather, Martin Jimenez, both of Connelly Springs; maternal great-grandmother, Helen Johnson, and step-great-grandfather, Horace Butler, both of Hickory; paternal grandmother, Amy Edgins of Old Fort; paternal grandfather, Daniel Shelton of Madison County, N.C.; aunts, Elizabeth Johnson and Wynona Johnson, both of Connelly Springs.
The graveside funeral will be held at 3 p.m. today, at Wilkies Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Steve H. Matthews officiating.
The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m. today, at Family Funeral Care, Kirksey Chapel, in Valdese.
Ralph Todd
MORGANTON - Ralph Todd, 82, of Britthaven, died Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2001, at the nursing home following a lengthy illness.
Born May 31, 1919, in Billings, Mont., he was a son of the late Andrew Jackson Todd and Jesse French Todd.
He was a member of First Church of God and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Surviving are: his wife, Opal Elizabeth Fulks Todd of the home; sons, Ralph Levon Todd and wife, Shirley, of Bentonville, Ark., and Gerald Alvin Todd and wife, Doris, of Colorado Springs, Colo.; a daughter, Velma Mozingo and husband, Duane, of Hickory; three brothers; two sisters; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home, with the Rev. Neville Mozingo officiating.
Florence Fine
PLEASANT GARDEN - Florence Barber Fine, 84, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001, at Wesley Long Nursing Center.
Born in Morganton, Ms. Fine was a member of Florida Street Baptist Church.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who was loved by all and will be missed by many.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Elwood H. Fine.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Rebecca "Becky" F. Underwood and Bill of Pleasant Garden; son, Rodney C. Fine of Texas; sisters, Pearl Mabe, Sara Barber and Viola Brandon, all of Morganton, and Lilly Wiles of Hickory, grandsons, Mike Underwood and his wife, LeAnn of Climax and Chris Fine of Texas; granddaughter, Amanda Cook and her husband, Chris of Greensboro; and three great-grandsons.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hanes-Lineberry Vanstory Chapel.
Burial will follow at Guilford Memorial Park on High Point Road, in Greensboro.
The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. today, at the funeral home and other times, at the residence of Bill and Becky Underwood, 3809 Fieldview Road in Pleasant Garden.
Memorial contributions may be made to The American Red Cross, 1501 Yanceyville St., Greensboro, N.C. 27405.
Hanes-Lineberry Vanstory Chapel of Pleasant Garden, is assisting the Fine family.
Walter Ray Johnson
MORGANTON - Walter Ray Johnson, 49, of 3510 Smith Road, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001 at Duke Medical Center in Durham, following a brief illness.
Born Dec. 13, 1951, in Burke County, he was the son of Ruby Johnson Pearson of Morganton, and the late Walter Dula.
He was a member of Hartland Church of God, where he was chairman of the trustee board and a member of the men's choir.
He attended Western Piedmont Community College and Johnson C. Smith University, and was employed by Southern Devices as a Human Resource Manager for 23 years.
Mr. Johnson was a member of the Burke County United Way and the Grace Hospital board of directors.
He was also a board member of The South Mountain Children's Home and a member of the Chesterfield Ruritans Club.
He was a former chairman and member of the Burke County School Board and a former member of the I.H. Clayborn Consistory #365.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Edward Pearson and two brothers, Alvin Dula and Walter Douglas Dula.
In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 28 years, Betsy Kincaid Johnson of the home; two daughters, Melissa Johnson of Carrboro and Jessica Johnson of Raleigh; six brothers, Col. Larry Johnson and his wife, Theresa of London, England, Garry Johnson and his wife, Gail of Lenoir, Paul Johnson of Morganton, Elmer Pearson and his wife, Lawanda of Gastonia, Elmer Dula and his wife, Anita of Lenoir, and Frank Tucker of Seattle, Wash.; a sister, Paula Johnson Corpening and her husband, Larry, of Morganton; two uncles, Walter Johnson and his wife, Thelma and Alexander Johnson and his wife, Ruby, all of Morganton; one aunt, Alice Dula of Morganton; stepmother, Edith Jones Dula of Lenoir; and a host of nephews, nieces, and a circle of relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday at Hartland Church of God, with Dr. Venoy Pearson and the Revs. Eugene Kincaid, James Johnson, Frank Saunders and Minnie Bryant officiating.
Burial will be in the Johnson Family Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at Fleming Memorial Chapel at Ebony Funeral Services, where the body will remain until one hour before services.
Memorials may be made to Hartland Church of God, 3646 Piney Road, Morganton, N.C. 28655.
Ebony Funeral Services of Morganton, is assisting the Johnson family.
Hilda Halliburton
RUTHERFORD COLLEGE - Hilda Smathers Halliburton, 104, formerly of Canton, died Thursday, Sept. 27, 2001 at College Pines Nursing Center in Rutherford College.
She was a native of Haywood County.
She was the daughter of the late Joseph Zell and Cora Lee Pharr Smathers.
She was the wife of the late William Alexander Halliburton who died Dec. 3, 1963.
Mrs. Halliburton was retired from Canton City School System as a teacher.
She was a member of Canton First Baptist Church.
She received a Master's degree at Duke University and was a member of the N.C. Academy of Science; Classroom Teachers and National Educators Association.
She was a member and past president of Canton Women's Club; member and past president of Friendly Garden Club; member of Canton BPW; lifetime member of Oak Leaf Chapter #81 of Order of the Eastern Star for 52 years; past Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of N.C. and for three years, was an officer in the General Grand Chapter of the World Order of the Eastern Star.
Mrs. Halliburton was the fourth person from North Carolina, to be an officer in the General Grand Chapter.
She was first chairman of the Canton Beautification Commission, member of National Association of Biology Teachers and a member of Duke Alumni Association.
Her later years were spent writing "Milestones On A Long Journey - a history of the Eastern Star in North Carolina.
Volumes I, II, and III were published by the Grand Chapter with all proceeds going to the many charities.
Surviving is her grandson, Richard Phillip Halliburton of Statesville; a great-grandson, Richard William Halliburton; and a great-granddaughter, Libby Halliburton Huff, both of Connelly Springs; two great-great-granddaughters, Nancy Morgan Halliburton and Holly Elizabeth Halliburton.
Services will be held 4 p.m. today at the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Homes.
The Rev. Dr. Jack B. Sammons will officiate.
Burial will follow in the Bon-A-Venture Cemetery on the Old Clyde Road.
The family will receive friends from 2:45 until 3:45 p.m., prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Masonic and Eastern Star Home for the Aged, 700 Holden Road, Greensboro, N.C. 27420.
Wells Funeral Homes of Canton is assisting the Halliburton family.
Marcus Hefner
VALDESE - Mr. Marcus Hefner, 70, formerly of Agape Apartments, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001 at the Shytle House in Valdese.
Born March 21, 1931, in Caldwell County, he was the son of the late Roy Hefner and Pollyanna Elizabeth Hefner.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Marcus Eugene Hefner.
Mr. Jones was a member of the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, the Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict and a past member of VFW Post in Valdese.
He was a clock collector, loved to fish and helped prepare and serve food for the Meals on Wheels program.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Lee Preston Hefner of Valdese; one sister, Catherine Hefner Piercy and her husband, Tom, of Valdese; and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held 4:30 p.m. Monday, at Patton Family Cemetery, with the Rev. Billy Forbes officiating.
The family will receive friends today from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Family Funeral Care, Kirksey Chapel in Valdese.
Kirksey Funeral Home of Valdese is assisting the Hefner family with arrangements.
E. Louise Moffatt
MORGANTON - E. Louise (Gustafson) Moffatt, 78, of Grace Ridge, formerly of San Antonio, Texas, died Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
A native of Norwood, Mass., she was born April 6, 1923, the daughter of the late Matilda (Anderson) Gustafson and Axel Gustafson.
As a young woman just prior to the end of World War II, she trained for the Women's Air Corp as a pilot.
She later lived and worked as a secretary in New York City, and later in Germany, while employed by the U.S. Army.
During her marriage and while raising her family, she lived in Texas, Louisiana, Virginia, and Ohio, before retiring to San Antonio with her husband, Joe.
While in San Antonio, she enjoyed playing tennis in a local league and volunteered with the literacy program in elementary schools.
During the past year she took great pleasure in traveling with her family.
Last year, she was preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Joseph Moffatt.
She is survived by her three children, Patricia Moffatt and her husband. Stephen Noggle, of Morganton, Carole Moffatt of Houston, Texas and David Moffatt of Longmont, Colo.; sister, Ruth Tonning of Alexandria, Va.; brother, Ernest Gustafson, of Norwood, Mass.; and by nieces and nephews in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Alabama, Texas and California.
Funeral services and interment will be held at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas, at a later date.
Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton, is assisting with local arrangements.
Sunset Funeral Home in San Antonio, is assisting with out-of-town arrangements.
Bessie Raye Causby
RUTHERFORD COLLEGE - Bessie Raye Causby, 78, died Saturday, Sept. 29, 2001 at Hospice of Caldwell County, Lenoir, after a period of declining health.
Mrs. Causby was born May 5, 1923 in Rutherford County, to the late William Otis and Beulah Evans Causby.
Bessie was a member of Rutherford College First Baptist Church and she retired from Robinson Hosiery Mill.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Fred Causby and two sisters, Viola Smawley and Bertha Mayfield.
Bessie was mother to Vera Duncan of Hickory, and Judy Causby and Gary Causby, both of Rutherford College.
She was also survived by a number of other nieces and nephews, grandnieces and nephews and great-grandnieces and nephews.
Other survivors include two sisters, Mattie Causby of Rutherford College, and Willie Beaver of Glen Alpine; special friends, Herman and Dixie Hall of Connelly Springs; and a caregiver, Lillian Smith.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Monday in the Rutherford College First Baptist Church with the Revs. Leonard Lindsey and David Stikeleather officiating.
Interment will follow in the Glen Alpine Cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 until 8:30 p.m. today at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Caldwell County, 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, N.C. 28645.
Heritage Funeral Service is assisting the Causby family.
Vivian Pokrzywa
NEBO - Vivian Kaye Spencer Pokrzywa, 51, of Rutherfordton, died Friday, Sept. 28, 2001 at her parents' residence.
Born April 11, 1950, in McDowell County, she was a daughter of James D. "Dan" Spencer and Carolyn Gray Spencer.
She was a member of the New Covenant Worldwide Church of God in Marion, and was employed as a 7th grade teacher at West McDowell Junior High School.
She held a certification in teaching the academically gifted and was also a mentor teacher.
She was also a gifted landscape painter and writer.
She enjoyed gardening with flowers.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, John Pokrzywa of the home; son, John Pokrzywa, Jr. of San Diego, Calif.; two daughters, Revonda Maria Pokrzywa and Amanda Jean Pokrzywa, both of Raleigh; two brothers, Henry Don Spencer of Nebo and James Spencer, Jr. of Marion; two sisters, Doris Spencer and Terry Jo Lowery, both of Nebo.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, at Oak Grove Baptist Church, with the Revs. Tony McKinney, Mike Zullo and Darrell Worley officiating.
Burial will be in the Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends today from 4 until 6 p.m. at Westmoreland Funeral Home in Marion, where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.
Memorial donations may be made to New Covenant Worldwide Church of God, c/o Jeannie Conner, 4645 U.S. 221 N., Union Mills, N.C. 28167 or Sunrise Baptist Church, c/o Carolyn Spencer, 656 Linville Road, Nebo, N.C. 28761.
Westmoreland Funeral Home of Marion, is assisting the Pokrzywa family.
Roy 'Spurg' Lane
MARION - Roy "Spurg" Lane, 71, died Sept. 28, 2001.
Memorial services will be held today at 2:30 p.m., at Missionary Ridge Baptist Church.
Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.
