Garland "Cedric" Lendell Carrier, age 80, of Deal Rd., Claremont, died Friday, January 28, 2005. He was born in Sullivan County, Tenn., May 6, 1924, the son of the late John McGary Carrier and Nora Myrtle Booher Carrier. He retired after thirty-seven years of service with the Bristol Tennessee Electric System.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by twin sons, Robert and Roger Carrier, and seven brothers. Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Minnie Miller Carrier; four daughters, Audrey Bernice Freeman of Taylorsville, Patricia Sue Garrett and husband Arvil of Hickory, and Pamela Jane Carrier and Kimberly Ann Carrier, both of Claremont; three sons, Keith W. Carrier of Newton, Roger Kevin Carrier and wife Becky of Taylorsville, and Timothy Lynn Carrier and wife Penny of Hiddenite; thirteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three sisters, Josephine Ellis, Minnie L. Alford, and Iva Bell Carrier, all of Bristol, Tenn. A graveside service was conducted Tuesday, February 1, 2005, at Shipley Cemetery in Bristol, Tenn. Memorials may be made to the Oxford Volunteer Fire Department, 5688 Oxford School Road, Claremont, NC 28610 or to the Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the Carrier family, www.drumfuneralhome.com. Drum Funeral Home & Cremations of Conover was in charge of arrangements.
Loy Monroe “Bub” Warren, Jr., age 79, of U.S. Hwy. 64-90 West, Taylorsville, died Friday, January 28, 2005, at his residence following an extended illness. He was born in Alexander County March 27, 1925, the son of the late Loy Monroe Warren, Sr., and Alma Moose Warren. He was a retired truck driver with Carolina Freight and was a member of First Baptist Church in Taylorsville. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. Mr. Warren was a member of D.A.V. Chapter 84 in Taylorsville and American Legion Post 170 in Taylorsville. He was also a 32nd degree Master Mason and was a member of Stony Point Masonic Lodge #593. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Evelyn Warren Poole, and an infant sister. Survivors include his wife, Lucille Rector Warren of the home; a sister, Angell Warren Correll of Concord; a brother, William Warren and wife Polly Hewitt Warren of Taylorsville; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 30, 2005, at the Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Taylorsville with Rev. Roger Underwood officiating. Burial followed in the Taylorsville City Cemetery with military rites provided by D.A.V. Chapter 84. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 305, Taylorsville, NC 28681 or to Hospice of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Warren family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Smith Curtis, age 83, of Lenoir, died Friday, January 28, 2005, at her residence following a lengthy illness. She was born in Caldwell County March 14, 1921, the daughter of the late Vance Albert Smith and Ethel Tempe Benge Smith. She was a homemaker and a member of Confidence Advent Christian Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Fred W. Curtis, Sr., and a sister, Dorothy Curtis. Survivors include a daughter, Thelma Louise Losier of North Augusta, S.C.; three sons, Fred W. Curtis, Jr., and Ralph A. Curtis, both of Lenoir, and John A. Curtis of the Chesterfield Community in Burke County; two sisters, Beulah S. Beach of Vero Beach, Fla., and Dora Lee Gipson of Altamonte Springs, Fla.; nine grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 30, 2005, at Confidence Advent Christian Church with Rev. Gary Greer officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers included Rick Curtis, John Curtis, Jr., Andy Losier, III, Joey Wingler, Mickey Hendrix, and Eddie Greer. Honorary pallbearers included Clell Hartley and George Curtis. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Caldwell County, 902 Kirkwood St., N.W., Lenoir, NC 28645. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Curtis family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangments.
Nora Jane Elder Teague, age 55, of Taylorsville, passed away Sunday, January 30, 2005, while returning home from Georgia. She was born in Catawba County April 3, 1949, the daughter of Lonnie Woodrow Elder of Taylorsville and the late Gaynell Icenhour Warren Elder. She was a member of Fellowship Advent Christian Church in Bethlehem. She was a homemaker and a substitute teacher in the Alexander School System. Her family was the most important thing in the world to her, and she was a shining example of a caregiver. Survivors include her beloved husband of thirty-seven years, Steve Teague; one son, Shawn Teague and wife Julie of Pahrump, Nevada; one daughter, Stephanie Teague of Gainesville, Ga.; three cherished grandchildren, Daniel Clayton Teague, Moriah Isabelle Teague, and Gwynivere Dawn Teague, all of Pahrump, Nevada; her father, Lonnie W. Elder of Taylorsville; three sisters, Linda Simmon and husband John of Charlotte, Mary Ellen Herman and husband Clyde of Taylorsville, and Stephanie Elaine Shultz and husband Virgil of Myersville, Md.; three brothers, Kenneth Warren of Hiddenite, Carson Elder and wife SooKyung of Newbern, N.C., and Paul Elder and wife Mary of Atoke, Tenn.; one brother-in-law, Marc Teague and wife Debbie of Bethlehem; father and mother-in-law, Dan and Novella Teague of Bethlehem; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral service will be conducted Thursday, February 3, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at Fellowship Advent Christian Church in Bethlehem with Rev. David Ross officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation with the family will immediately follow the service. Memorials may be made to the Nora Jane Teague Memorial Fund, 833 Icard Ridge Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681. Condolences may be e-mailed to the Teague family, mailto:alexfuneralsvc@bellsouth.net. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements. Any weather changes will be announced on the obituary line of Alexander Funeral Service at 635-6248.
Rev. William M. “Bill” Nicholson, age 68, of Vashti Rd., Hiddenite, died Tuesday, February 1, 2005, at his residence. He was born in Alamance County July 1, 1936, the son of the late Lewis P. Nicholson and Thelma Inscore Nicholson. He was a member of Linney’s Grove Baptist Church. Rev. Nicholson served as pastor at Linney’s Grove Baptist Church, Mt. Olive Baptist Church, Maple Grove Baptist Church, Bethany Baptist Church, and Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. He retired from G.L. Wilson Building Company as vice-president of the electrical division. Survivors include his wife, Joan J. Nicholson of the home; two daughters, Pam Campbell and husband Joey and Jan Campbell and husband Donald, all of Union Grove; one son, Don Nicholson and wife Pam of Hiddenite; grandchildren, Travis and Julie Campbell, Bradley Nicholson, Melissa and Greg Bowman, Brett Nicholson, Mack and Cindy Campbell, Ashley Campbell and fiance`, Timmy Pennell, April and Wesley Rexrode, Sami Campbell, Brian Campbell, and Chet Campbell; and great-grandchildren, Tyler Campbell, Bailey Bowman, Amie Bowman, and Cassidy Campbell. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday evening, February 2, 2005, at 6:00 p.m. at the Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home Chapel in North Wilkesboro with Rev. Donald Blevins, Rev. Glenn Dancy, and Rev. Joey Campbell officiating. A private graveside service will be held at Linney’s Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Rev. Nicholson’s grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Following the funeral service, the family will receive friends at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 106, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28624-8246. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of North Wilkesboro is in charge of arrangements.
Rom Lee Matlock, of Pearisburg, Va., died Monday, March 14, 2005, at Carilion Giles Memorial Hospital in Pearisburg. He was born February 16, 1940, the son of the late Crowson A. Matlock and Zeb Milstead Matlock. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, a member of of the Angel’s Rest Baptist Fellowship Church in Pearisburg, a member of Masonic Lodge #423 A.F. & A.M. in Sparta, N.C., and a member of American Legion Post #68. Mr. Matlock was a math teacher and coach at Sparta High School in North Carolina and at Independence High School in Virginia. He was also a math teacher, football coach, a wrestling coach, and an assistant principal at Radford High School. He was the assistant principal at Christiansburg High School for one year and then for nineteen years, was a principal at Narrows High School, Giles High School, and then took official retirement in 1999 as the principal of Eastern Elementary School in Giles, Va. Mr. Matlock then taught part-time as a math teacher from 1999 to the present. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Marvin Alexander Matlock. Survivors include his wife of thirty-seven years, Nancy Shepherd Matlock of Pearisburg; two daughters, Heather Leeann Matlock of Charlotte and Whitney Lee Matlock of Pearisburg; three brothers, Albert Crowson Matlock and wife Margaret of Indian Trail, N.C., Harold Grady Matlock and wife Judy of Stony Point, and James Wilson Matlock of Hickory; a brother-in-law, Jim Shepherd and wife Nancy of Piney Creek, N.C.; a sister-in-law, Georgia Sheets and husband Clay of Sparta, N.C.; several nieces and nephews; and special family, Bill and Lois Riddle of Narrows, Va., Tim and Toni Robertson of Pearisburg, Anna Lowe of Narrows, Missy Riddle of Narrows, and was PawPaw Rom to Ashley, Chad, Cliffy, and Kelcie. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, March 16, 2005, at Angel’s Rest Baptist Fellowship Church with Dr. Charles Taylor and Rev. John Gess officiating. Burial followed in Birchlawn Park in Pearisburg. Memorials may be made to the Rom L. Matlock Scholarship, c/o Kim Tilley at Giles High School, 1825 Wenonah Ave., Pearisburg, VA. Condolences may be e-mailed to the Matlock family at givensfuneralhome.com.
Givens Funeral Home of Pearisburg, Va., was in charge of arrangements.
James Robert Sweet, age 73, of Millersville Church Rd., Taylorsville, died Tuesday March 22, 2005, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory. He was born in Alexander County March 25, 1931, the son of the late Herman Sweet and Mary Lacey Sweet. He was a retired furniture worker and was a member of Millersville Baptist Church. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during the Korean Conflict and was a member of D.A.V. Chapter 84 of Taylorsville. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers. Survivors include his wife, Rosie Lee Laws Sweet of the home; one son, Robert Sweet and wife Rose Marie of Taylorsville; two granddaughters, Katie Sweet and Sharon Sweet, both of Taylorsville; and one sister, Mary Hughey of Newton.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, March 25, 2005, at Millersville Baptist Church with Rev. Bill Orren and Rev. Eddie Jolly officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery with full military rites provided by D.A.V. Chapter 84. Members of D.A.V. Chapter 84 served as pallbearers. Memorials may be made to D.A.V. Chapter 84, 582 Carrigan Rd. Taylorsville, N.C. 28681 or to Millersville Baptist Church, 130 Millersville Church Rd. Taylorsville, N.C. 28681.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Sweet family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Lydia Mae Pool Bunton, age 92, of Taylorsville, departed this life to be welcomed into the presence of her Lord on Easter Sunday, March 27, 2005. She was born in Alexander County January 24, 1913, the daughter of the late Elzie Edward Pool and Minnie Caroline Ellis Pool. They were members of Pilgrim Baptist Church, where Mrs. Bunton taught Sunday School for many years. She loved the Lord and her witness was an inspiration and blessing to all who knew her. She was a devoted, loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-nine years, Ray Albert Bunton, in 1989; a daughter, Mary Edna B. Marlow; an infant; a great-granddaughter, Alisa; four brothers, Carl Pool, David Pool, Wade Pool, and Rev. Charlie Pool; and two sisters, Sarah P. Miller and Mary Lee P. Bunton. Surviving are her children, Bill R. Bunton and wife of Oregon, Betty B. Brown and husband of Mooresville, Jay L. Bunton and wife of Hiddenite, Joanne B. Hayes and husband of Greensboro, and Sylvia B. Miller and husband of Rockwell; twelve grandchildren; eighteen great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. She will truly be missed. A memorial service will be held Sunday, April 3, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. at Pilgrim Baptist Church with Rev. Darrell Pool officiating. The family will receive friends at the church 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. Memorials may be made to Hospice and Home Care of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681. The family would like to express thanks to Hospice, to Dr. Joel Inman, and to Mrs. Brenda George and her family for the kindness and loving care provided to Mrs. Bunton. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Bunton family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. The family is being assisted by Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville.
Gilbert Humphry Burton, age 71, of Statesville, and formerly of Woodleaf, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at Hospice House of Catawba Valley following a three-month illness. He was born in Rowan County March 8, 1934, the son of Dorothy West Burton of Mocksville and the late Clyde Burton. He attended Rowan County Schools and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Burton was a veteran of the U. S. Army and was retired from Jockey Industries in Mocksville. In addition to his mother, survivors include six children, Pam B. Baity and husband Keith of Hiddenite, Lisa B. Gove and husband Marvin of Statesville, Angie B. Pennell and husband Leslie of Statesville, Scott Burton and wife Tina of Cleveland, Jody Burton and wife Missy of Statesville, and Holly B. Strauss and husband Lee of Taylorsville; twelve grandchildren; two brothers, Kenneth Burton of Mocksville and Randy Burton of Cleveland; and one sister, Ann Robinson of Salisbury. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning, March 30, 2005, at the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel in Statesville with Rev. Roger Holland and Rev. Charles Jones officiating. Burial followed in the Needmore Baptist Church Cemetery. Nicholson Funeral Home of Statesville was in charge of arrangements. This obituary is a courtesy of Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville.
Ruth Elizabeth Lackey Johnson, age 81, of Johnson Farm Rd., Hiddenite, died Monday, March 28, 2005, at her residence following an extended illness. She was born in Alexander County February 16, 1924, the daughter of the late Charlie Lackey and Maebell Thomas Lackey. She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing, canning, and cooking. Mrs. Johnson was a member of Berea Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband of fifty-eight years, Samuel Dwight Johnson of the home; one son, Dwight Ray Johnson and wife Phyllis of Hiddenite; three daughters, Janice Ruth Swicegood and husband Allen of Statesville, Wanda Lorraine Reese and husband Coy of Taylorsville, and Nelda Gwyn Tallman and husband Clay of Hiddenite; seven grandchildren, Shelley and Eric Daniels of Statesville, Hollie Swicegood of Statesville, Candace and Joy Reese of Taylorsville, Aaron and Jessie Tallman of Hiddenite, and Dwayne Miller and wife Lisa of Hiddenite; two great-grandchildren, Jordan and Jared Miller of Hiddenite; one brother, Escar Lackey and wife Betty of Statesville; an aunt, Thelma Dagenhart; a number of nieces and nephews; and two special friends, Gilbert and Mary Lackey. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning, March 30, 2005, at Berea Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Cook officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Berea Baptist Church, 1069 King Sprinkle Rd., Hiddenite, NC 28636. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
James Lowell Russell, age 74, of Hickory, died Thursday, March 24, 2005, at his residence. He was born in Alexander County November 26, 1930, the son of the late Ralph Clarence Russell and Mayzo Deal Russell. He was a graduate of Taylorsville High School and was a member of First Baptist Church of Hickory. Mr. Russell served four years in the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict and held the rank of Second Class Petty Officer. Mr. Russell spent ten years in the insurance business and was owner and operator for thirty-one years of Snelling & Snelling Personnel Agency. In later years, he was associated with the Flowers Company and Foothills Paint & Service. He was a charter member of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Hickory and past president and past Lt. Governor of Zone 3 Optimist International. In 1980, he was voted Boss of the Year by the American Business Women’s Association. Mr. Russell was a member of the Greater Hickory Chamber of Commerce, the Piedmont Personnel Association, the Association of Private Employment Agencies, and the National Employment Association. He was named to head the Hosiery Division of the 1971-1972 Greater Hickory United Fund Drive and was very active in the United Fund Drive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son-in-law, Robert Joel Paap; a brother, Max Russell; and a sister, Neysa Russell. Survivors include his wife, Frances Bowman Russell of the home; daughter, Karen R. Penley and husband Barry, grandson, Casey Scarbro, and step-granddaugher, Kasie Penley, all of Hickory; daughter, Cindy R. Paap and granddaughter, Laura Paap, all of Hickory; two brothers, Steve Russell and wife Nancy of Waxhaw, N.C., and Abe Russell and wife Joyce of Taylorsville; two sisters, Jane Lathrop and husband Herman of Charlotte and Rachel Shaw and husband Bill of Lexington; four nieces, Debbie Johann of Palm Beach, Fla., Mesha Russell of Taylorsville, Tonia Penning-ton and husband Kevin of Lexington, and Gerrianne Holland and husband Ted of Cornelius; three nephews, Scotty Russell of Taylorsville, Bryan Shaw of Lexington, and Jeff Russell and wife Shannon of Huntersville; and a number of great-nieces and great-nephews. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, March 26, 2005, at First Baptist Church of Hickory with Dr. William Leathers and Rev. Pat Pearce officiating. Burial followed in Catawba Memorial Park. Military rites were provided by American Legion Post 48. Memorials may be made to the Palliative Care Center, Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658, to First Baptist Church of Hickory, 339 2nd Ave., N.W. Hickory, NC 28601, or to the American Cancer Society, c/o Gerrianne Holland, P.O. Box 336, Cornelius, NC 28031. Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory of Hickory was in charge of arrangements.
Charles Richard Starnes, age 40, of Hickory, died Saturday, March 26, 2005, at his residence. He was born in Catawba County December 4, 1964, the son of Charles E. (Pete) Starnes and Barbara Winkler Starnes of Bethlehem. He was employed with E. L. Carpentry Company. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Lillian Winkler. Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Tammie Lail Starnes of the home; one son, Tanner Starnes of the home; one daughter, Kristin Starnes of the home; a sister, Dawn Starnes of Bethlehem; a nephew, Nicholas Maye of Bethlehem; and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, March 30, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. at the Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Hickory with Rev. Sam Craven officiating. Burial followed in Oakwood Cemetery.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory of Hickory was in charge of arrangements.
John Reed Bentley, Sr., age 71, of Hickory, died Sunday, March 27, 2005, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. He was born in Watauga County June 10, 1933, the son of the late Dewey Roby Bentley and Ollie Mae Bentley. He was employed in the furniture industry and was also a security guard. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Pauline Bentley Townsend and Mary Ann Bentley. Survivors include his wife, Connie Powell Bentley of the home; two sons, Dewey Douglas Bentley and wife Pam of Claremont and John Reed Bentley, Jr., and wife Renee of Hickory; one daughter, Kimmie Hull and husband Henry of Maiden; five brothers, Robert Bentley and wife Geneva of Boone, Lewis Bentley and wife Addie of Catawba County, Sam Bentley and wife Betty and Ned Bentley and wife Wanda, all of Boone, and Bill Bentley of Burnsville; four sisters, Earlene Lail of Catawba County, Maggie Hicks and husband Carson of Alexander County, and Glenda Cornette and husband R. A. and Katie Shore and husband Joe, all of Boone; eight grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, March 29, 2005, at the Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Hickory with Pastor Scott Howard officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory of Hickory was in charge of arrangements.
