Trisha Ann Szymanski Tart, age 27, of Baltimore, Md., died Friday, May 16, 2003, at her residence following a nine-month battle with Stage IV Gastric Adenocarcinoma (stomach cancer).
She was born in Baltimore, Md., November 22, 1975, the daughter of John and Susan Cromwell and the late William Szymanski.
Survivors include her husband, Jason Wayne Tart, and their son, Tyler Jason Tart, age eighteen months, of Baltimore, Md. Other survivors include Jason Wayne Tart’s grandmother, Lahoma W. Warren, and aunt, Trenna Warren, both of Hiddenite, and other family, Herb and Barbara Tart of Baltimore, Md., Bill and Glenda Wiseman and Brian and Emily Wiseman, all of Taylorsville, and Dana W. Lineberger of Maiden. Trisha was laid to rest at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Baltimore, Md.
Marie Frances Martin Fink, of Salisbury, died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at Magnolia Gardens in Spencer. She had been in declining health for four months and seriously ill for a week. She was born in Anson County, the daughter of the late Grover Cleveland Martin and Nicey Frances Richardson Martin. She was educated in the Stanly County Schools and was a homemaker. She was of the Methodist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Franklin Eugene Fink, and two brothers, Parmer Cleveland Martin and Andrew Thomas Martin.
Survivors include three daughters, Frances Ann Roberts and husband John Richard of Gastonia, Janet Yvonne Dry of Mt. Pleasant, and Rebecca Louise Fink of Tarboro; four sons, Harold Eugene Fink and wife Carolyn Ann of Concord, Donald Mitchel Fink of Granite Quarry, and Michael Dale Fink and wife Debbie and Tommy Fink, all of Salisbury; a sister, Betty Jean M. Lively of Charlotte; twelve grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at St. Stephens Lutheran Church in Gold Hill with Rev. Floyd Bost officiating. Burial followed in the Cole Springs United Methodist Church Ceme-tery in Concord. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Edward “Rob” Johnson, age 84, of Hiddenite, died Tuesday, June 17, 2003, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Chapman Funeral Home in Stony Point.
Bertha Mae Hammer Cockrell, age 80, of Calhoun Rd., Stony Point, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. She was born in Alexander County December 20, 1922, the daughter of the late Marsh Hammer and Sarah Vickers Hammer. She was a retired furniture worker and was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Stony Point. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Parks Cockrell, and one brother, Clyde Hammer.
Survivors include one son, Tommy Cockrell of Stony Point; one daughter, Barbara Troutman of Statesville; one brother, Paul Hammer of Baltimore, Md.; one sister, Ruth Hagler of Daytona Beach, Fla.; five grandchildren, Chad Cockrell of Stony Point, Deedra C. Downs of Stony Point, Amy Ray of Mooresville, Kelly Moore of Statesville, and Buddy Troutman of Statesville; and ten great-grandchildren, Josh, Justin, Kasey, David, Baxter, Parker, Zoe, Kamryn, Colby, and Zackary. Funeral services were conducted Friday, June 13, 2003, at Temple Baptist Church with Rev. Tom Campbell and Rev. Mitch King officiating. Burial followed in the Stony Point Cemetery. Mrs. Cockrell’s great-grandchildren served as honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to Temple Baptist Church, P.O. Box 327, Stony Point, NC 28678. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Cockrell Family at www.chapmanfuneralhome.com. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Ossie Bowman Preslar, age 100, of Hickory and formerly of Bethlehem, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at Conover Nursing and Rehab Center. She was born in Caldwell County July 22, 1902, the daughter of the late Daniel Wesley Bowman and Della Satterwhite Bowman. A member of First Advent Christian Church in Hickory, she served as a Deaconess, a Sunday School teacher, and as a member of the WH & FM Society. She was a homemaker but had previously been employed at Bethlehem Elementary School in the cafeteria. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Dewey W. Preslar; an infant daughter; four brothers, Leroy Bowman, Ed Bowman, Dexter Bowman, and Sam Bowman; and three sisters, Veola Sherrill, Ora Starnes, and Essie Mundy.
Survivors include a daughter, Peggy Spencer and husband Kenneth of Hickory; a son, Ned Preslar and wife Marie of Monroe, Louisiana; four grandchildren, Ken W. Spencer, Deborah Munday, Donna Underwood, and Terry Preslar; five great-grandchildren, Geoffrey Underwood, Steven Spencer, Ben Munday, Regan Spencer, and Rex Spencer; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Friday, June 13, 2003, at First Advent Christian Church in Hickory with Rev. Ronald Wong and Rev. Floyd Boston officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to First Advent Christian Church, 1925 North Center St., Hickory, NC 28601. Condolences may be e-mailed to the Preslar Family at www.drumfuneralhome.com. Drum Funeral Home & Cremations of Conover was in charge of arrangements.
Perry Conley Pennell, age 79, of Crest Knolls Apts., Taylorsville, died unexpectedly Thursday, July 31, 2003, at his residence. He was born in Alexander County September 26, 1923, the son of the late Joseph Pennell and Rosa Coffey Pennell. He was retired from Hickory Chair and was previously employed as a nightwatchman at Clayton-Marcus. Mr. Pennell was a former member of Calvary Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Arthur Pennell, Rob Pennell, and Sam Pennell; three sisters, Lula P. Farrell, Emma P. Payne, and Edna P. James; and a granddaughter, Kathy Jean Pennell. Survivors include Nora Pennell Isaacs of Taylorsville; two sons, Michael C. Pennell and wife Julie and Roger C. Pennell, all of Taylorsville; two daughters, Faye P. Hamby and husband Ronnie and Jeannie P. Godfrey and special friend Jerry Carrigan, all of Taylorsville; one brother, Hershell G. Pennell of Taylorsville; eleven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Monday, August 4, 2003, at Victory Baptist Church in Taylorsville with Rev. Earl Godfrey and Rev. Mike Robinson officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice & Home Care of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Albert Crowson Matlock, Jr., age 46, of Weddington, died unexpectedly Friday, July 25, 2003, at Presbyterian Hospital in Matthews. Born November 6, 1956, in Iredell County to Albert and Margaret Mitchell Matlock, he was a 1975 graduate of Statesville Senior High School. Albert was formerly employed by Flowers Banking Company until the onset of a debilitating liver disease five and a half years ago. During this time, he nurtured his love of photography, which he shared with and was enjoyed by many. He will be remembered as a wonderful loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and devoted friend and neighbor. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Crowson and Vance Matlock of Taylorsville and Arrie and Melar Mitchell also of Taylorsville.
Surviving to cherish his memory are his parents of Indian Trail; his loving wife of twenty-six years, the former Jeanne Sawyer; two sons, Christopher Jason Matlock and Andrew Phillip Matlock of the home; a sister and brother-in-law, Sandra and Jeff Cook of Indian Trail; thirteen nieces; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and many dear friends. He will be missed by a loving, close-knit family and by all who knew him. Funeral services were conducted Monday, July 28, 2003, at Spirit of Joy Lutheran Church in Weddington, where Albert was a charter member. Pastor Richard Graff, Pastor Tim Glenham, and Pastor John Propst officiated. Burial followed in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Weddington. Heritage Funeral Home of Indian Trail was in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Ruth Duncan Gilham, age 61, of Hamburg, N.Y., and formerly of Taylorsville, died Friday, August 1, 2003, at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. She was born in Alexander County June 15, 1942, the daughter of the late Zara Esrom Duncan and Eula Bell Price Duncan. She was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. Survivors include her husband of thirty-eight years, Robert Ernest Gilham of Hamburg, N.Y.; one son, Robert Duncan Gilham and wife Darcy of Hamburg, N.Y.; a granddaughter, Kaelyn Brooke Gilham of Hamburg, N.Y.; seven sisters, Frances Duncan and Sandra Isenhour, both of Bethlehem, Peggy Whitener and Mary Bradshaw, both of Hickory, Christine Mullinax of Granite Falls, Gladys Anderson of Vale, and Sally Cloninger of McLean, Va.; two brothers, Rex Duncan of Bethlehem and Rayford Duncan of Hickory; six nephews; and five nieces. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, August 6, 2003, at 3:00 p.m. at Bethlehem Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Lambert and Dr. Jack Carver officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemtery. Memorials may be made to the Bethlehem Baptist Church Building Fund, 7500 N.C. Hwy. 127, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Reba Marie Lingle Julian, age 57, of Conover, died Saturday, August 2, 2003, at Hospice House of Catawba Valley in Hickory. She was born in Catawba County July 13, 1946, the daughter of the late Barnie Lingle and Macie Holmes Price. She was last employed with Snyder Paper Corporation and was a member of Oxford Baptist Church in Conover. Survivors include her husband, George Stephen Julian of the home; one son, Joel Stephen Julian of Claremont; two daughters, Anna Marie Julian and Samantha Leigh Julian, both of the home; one granddaughter, Jamie Lynne Julian of Claremont; one grandson, Devan Marquies Julian of Catawba; one brother, Allen Lingle and wife Margaret of Conover; one sister, Judy Harrelson and husband Rodger of Statesville; a special cousin, Mary Icenhour and husband Kelly of Taylorsville; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at Oxford Baptist Church with Rev. Joel Frye and Rev. Mark Marshall officiating. Burial followed in Oakwood Cemetery in Hickory. Pallbearers included Dean Clark, Larry Lefevers, Gerald Flowers, Eric Herman, Jerry Lail, and Shelby Rominger. Memorials may be made to the Huntington’s Disease Society of America, 158 West 29th St., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001-5300 or to Continue His Plan at Oxford Baptist Church Building Fund, 5965 Springs Rd., Conover, NC 28613. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Ned Alexander Teague, age 65, of Bethlehem, died Sunday, August 3, 2003, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.
He was born in Alexander County March 6, 1938, the son of Bertha Viola Teague Teague and the late William (Willie) Richard Teague. He was employed with Sherrill Furniture for twenty-five years and was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by two infant sons, an infant daughter, and a great-grandchild. Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Ethyl McAlpin Teague of the home, whom he married March 23, 1956; one son, Odell Teague and wife Jeannie of Blackville, S.C.; three daughters, Renee Teague and fiance` Todd Jones of Taylorsville, Tanya Stephenson and husband Greg of Catawba, and Alesia Hicks and husband Fred of Hickory; six grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Helen Simmons and husband Buddy of Bethlehem and Shirley Smith and husband Arthur of Taylorsville; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, August 5, 2003, at Antioch Baptist Church with Dr. David Treadway and Dr. James R. Stephenson officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, P.O. Box 17279, Baltimore, MD 21297. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Lena Belle Jolly Taylor, age 72, a resident of Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville, died Friday, August 2, 2003, at Valley Nursing Center following an extended illness. She was born in Alexander County September 12, 1930, the daughter of the late Clarence Jolly and Verter Pope Jolly. She was a retired furniture worker and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Taylor; one son, Roger Wayne Pennell; and a sister, Alma Fox. Survivors include two sons, Alan Fox of Taylorsville and Charles Fox of Hickory; five daughters, Carolyn Rufty of Stony Point, Phyllis Williams of Cooleemee, Jacqueline Hollar of Conover, Vickie White of Taylorsville, and Sandy Fulton of Arkansas; three brothers, Ed Jolly and Tom Jolly, both of Taylorsville, and Jerome Jolly of Statesville; four sisters, Mary Lou Earp of Hiddenite, Jessie Shook of Hickory, Ruby Herman of Taylorsville, and Linda Gandy of Spotsylvania, Va.; sixteen grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A graveside service was conducted Monday, August 4, 2003, at the Taylorsville City Cemetery with Rev. Neil Bowman officiating. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Taylor Family at www.chapmanfuneralhome.com. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Elsie Emma Jones Dixon, age 90, of Dixon Lane, Taylorsville, died unexpectedly Thursday, July 31, 2003, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory. She was born in Greene County, Tenn., September 7, 1912, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert R. Jones. She was a former employee of the Mountain Home Veterans Hospital in Johnson City, Tenn., and was educated in the Greene County, Tenn., Schools. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Betty Lou Warix; two sisters; and five brothers. Survivors include a son, Bobby Dixon and wife Sandra Kay of Taylorsville; two grandchildren, Verna Jean Thurston and Jimmy Warix; two great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Open Door Clinic, 1421 Wilmington Ave., Statesville, NC 28677. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
