Daniel Wayne Sterling, age 30, of Granite Falls, died Tuesday, September 23, 2003, at Thomasville Medical Center as the result of injuries sustained in a trucking accident. He was born in Caldwell County October 26, 1972, the son of William Archie Sterling of Lawton, Okla., and Marla Jean Crane of Granite Falls. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Hildebran. He was a truck driver for Double K Trucking and previously for Broyhill Occasional #1. Survivors include his wife of nine years, Judith Sterling of Lenoir; his mother and step-father, Marla and Odell Crane of Granite Falls; his father, William Sterling of Lawton, Okla.; one brother, Mark Sterling of Lenoir; one sister, Traci O’Sullivan of Columbia, S.C.; maternal grandparents, Eugene and Inez Redmond of Granite Falls; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Thursday evening, September 25, 2003, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at Alexander Funeral Service in Taylorsville. Funeral services will be conducted Friday, September 26, 2003, at 2:00 p.m. at the Alexander Funeral Service Chapel with Rev. Ernie Wilson and Rev. Marvin Ford officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir. Pallbearers include Richard Goodson, Jr., David Goforth, Timothy Crane, Lloyd Crane, Jr., Tony Michael, and Robbie Smith. Honorary pallbearers include Fred Sweet and Stuart Arnold. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
James Wade Bowman, age 79, of Bethlehem, died Sunday, February 8, 2004, at Frye Regional Medical Center. He was born in Alexander County June 12, 1924, the son of the late Earl Edward Bowman and Espie White Bowman. He was a member of Shiloh Lutheran Church, where he served on the property committee and as an usher and council member. Mr. Bowman was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. He was employed at Bethlehem Elementary School for fifteen years as a custodial and maintenance worker as well as a bus driver. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by five sisters, Enda Reed, Ina Hefner, Irene Boliek, Leona Bowman, and one infant sister; one brother, Earl “Bus” E. Bowman, Jr.; one daughter, Sylvia B. Looper; one daughter-in-law, Carolyn S. Bowman; one great-grandchild, Jennifer Danielle Crane; and one step-grandchild, Stonie Lynn Burke. Survivors include his wife of sixty-one years, Annie Lou Auton Bowman; three sons, James R. Bowman and wife Wanda of Lenoir, Dwight E. Bowman and wife Martha of Claremont, and Gary D. Bowman and wife Karen of Bethlehem; two daughters, Gail Looper and husband Lindsay of Granite Falls and Patricia B. Burke and husband Quentin of Taylorsville; one son-in-law, Rudy Looper and wife Lynn of Granite Falls; fourteen grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; twenty-one great-grandchildren; one brother, Pleaz L. Bowman and wife Agnes of Lake Park, Fla; two sisters, Anna Lee B. Whittenberg of Hickory and Novella “Sis” B. Teague and husband Dan of Bethlehem; and twenty-three nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at 4:00 p.m. at Shiloh Lutheran Church with Rev. Glenn Yount, Rev. Walter L. Hitchcock, Jr,. and Rev. Wendell DuBois officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites provided by D.A.V. Chapter 84 of Taylorsville. Pallbearers include Justin Bowman, Tim Looper, Mark Looper, Wesley Looper, James Bowman, and Dwight Bowman. Memorials may be made to Shiloh Lutheran Church, 1011 Shiloh Church Rd., Hickory, NC 28601. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Billy Ray Lackey, age 66, of Taylorsville, died Saturday, February 7, 2004, at Brian Center East in Hickory. He was born in Alexander County July 7, 1937, the son of the late James Edward Lackey and Margie Flowers Lackey. He was an active member of Pleasant Home FBH in Stony Point and was employed for several years at Schneider Mills as a loom cleaner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Clara Mae Lackey, and a brother, Paul Lackey. Survivors include a son, Anthony Lackey of Taylorsville; three sisters, Cora Brown, Mary Lackey, and Rhonda Flowers, all of Taylorsville; one brother, Michael Daniels of Raleigh; a sister-in-law, Atlea Lackey of Maiden; two maternal aunts, Cora Bell Flowers and Thelma Lackey, both of Taylorsville; two maternal uncles, Rev. Dewey Flowers of Taylorsville and Rayford Flowers of Scotts; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Home FBH in Stony Point with Rev. L. B. Williamson officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Jay Odus Gaines, Jr., age 70, of Salisbury, died Monday, February 9, 2004, at Rowan Regional Medical Center. He was born in Iredell County January 13, 1934, the son of the late Jay Odus Gaines, Sr., and Frances Coggins Gaines. He was retired from Statesville Water Works and was of the Baptist faith. Mr. Gaines was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during the Korean Conflict. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Carl Gaines. Survivors include his wife, Peggy Alice Hamby Gaines of the home; three step-sons, Joseph Meredith, Johnny Edward Moore, and Jamie Eli Moore, all of Statesville; two step-daughters, Sandy Moose of Statesville and Lisa Sainz of New Mexico; three brothers, Marvin Gaines of Statesville, David Gaines of Taylorsville, and Raymond Gaines of Charlotte; two sisters, Doris Findley of Clayton, Ga., and Louise Nicholson of Statesville; ten step-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, February 12, 2004, at 2:00 p.m. at the Chapman Funeral Home Chapel in Stony Point with Rev. Buster Treadway officiating. The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the memorial service. At other times, the family will assemble at their respective homes. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Gaines Family at www.chapmanfuneralhome.com.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point is in charge of arrangements.
Betty Pennell McKee, age 76, of Taylorsville, died Monday, February 9, 2004, at Frye Regional Medical Center. She was born in Lapine, Alabama, May 10, 1927, the daughter of the late James Luther Pennell and Myrla Russell Pennell. She was a member of Three Forks Baptist Church, where she was a member of the Joy Sunday School Class. She was a graduate of Catawba Valley Community College, where she earned her degree as a Certified Nursing Assistant. Mrs. McKee was employed with Alexander County Hospital for twenty-eight years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Bobbie Lewis McKee; four brothers, Fred Pennell, Jim Pennell, Harold Pennell, and Leon Pennell; an infant triplet brother; and her twin sister, Louise Wall.
Survivors include a son, Wayne McKee and wife Soney of Taylorsville; a daughter, Dianne Daniels and husband Billy of Taylorsville; five grandchildren, John McKee and wife Kisha and Angie Rogers and husband Chad, all of Taylorsville, Tami Presnell and husband Scott and Robin Behrer and husband Chris, all of Hickory, and Holly Daniels of Greensboro; five great-grandchildren, Christen Smith, Allison Rogers, Tyler Rogers, Madison Behrer, and Beau McKee; two brothers, Darrell Pennell of Mooresville and Haskel Pennell of Taylorsville; three sisters, Gertrude Hurt, Ruby Graham, and Margie Sipe, all of Taylorsville; and a number of nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, February 11, 2004, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Alexander Funeral Service in Taylorsville. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, February 12, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. at Three Forks Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Runion officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Three Forks Baptist Church Building Fund, 4685 Three Forks Church Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Steve Leroy Sipe, age 58, of Taylorsville, died Monday, February 9, 2004, at Frye Regional Medical Center. He was born in Alexander County June 7, 1945, the son of the late Maynard Frank Sipe and Eva Brookshire Sipe. He was an active member of St. Luke Lutheran Church and was retired from Gramacy Hill Furniture with ten years of service. Survivors include his wife of thirty-seven years, Kaye Rector Sipe; one daughter, Tiffany Sprinkle and husband Eric of Taylorsville; one granddaughter, Erica LaKaye Sprinkle of Taylorsville; two sisters, Mabel Porter and husband June of Charlotte and Bonnie Montgomery and husband Don of Matthews; his mother-in-law and step-father-in-law, Betty and Paul Shook of the Ellendale Community; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday morning, February 11, 2004, at St. Luke Lutheran Church with Rev. Ernie Shelton officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Ethel Catherine Bowman Beach, age 83, a resident of Avante Nursing Home in Wilkesboro and formerly of Bethlehem, died Friday, February 6, 2004, at Avante Nursing Home. She was born in Alexander County May 6, 1920, the daughter of the late Kirby Augustus Bowman and Bessie Reese Bowman. She was educated in the Alexander County Schools and was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Prater Beach; a son, Elmore Beach; two brothers, Adam Bowman and Prater Bowman; and a sister, Mary B. Teague. Survivors include three sons, Clyde Beach of Stony Point, Jimmy Beach of Bethlehem, and Javone Beach of Killeen, Texas; a daughter, Dorothy Burke of St.Petersburg, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Paul (Amanda) Keller and Mrs. Marsh (Pearl) Johnson, both of Taylorsville; eight grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Monday, February 9, 2004, at the Adams Funeral Home Chapel in Taylorsville with Rev. Chuck Hager officiating. Burial followed in the Tabernacle Church Cemetery. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
William Alexander (Bill) Pope, age 68, of Statesville, died Saturday, February 7, 2004, at his residence. He had been in declining health for several years, but death was unexpected.
He was born in Iredell County November 18, 1935, the son of the late Wilbur Alexander and Janie Waugh Pope. He was retired from Public Transport Company as a truck driver and was a lifelong member of New Sterling ARP Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Martha Hill Pope; one son, David Allen Pope; and one daughter, Elizabeth Jane Pope. Survivors include his wife, Nancy Brady Pope, whom he married December 13, 1982; two sons, Rusty Pope and wife Robin and Mike Pope and wife Susan, all of Statesville; one daughter, Cindy Miller and husband Joe of Statesville; one step-son, Dale Douglas and wife Maria of Statesville; three step-daughters, Judy Hartness and husband Rick, Cathy Cave and husband Dennis, and Sally Lippard and husband Danny, all of Statesville; three grandchildren, Amy Bevis and husband Lee, Bradley Miller, and Alex Pope; two great-grandchildren, David and Haley Bevis; steven step-grandchildren; five step-great-grandchildren; and his faithful companions, Missy and Mickey. Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at 3:00 p.m. at New Sterling ARP Church with Rev. Tim Watson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The body will lie in state thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. Pallbearers include Russell Chapman, J.D. Benfield, Chad Byers, Sidney Alexander, Jim Wooten, Dennis Cave, Steve Stewart, Bud Nash, and Gary Stikeleather. Memorials may be made to the Bill Pope Expense Fund, c/o Mike Pope, 113 Karmen Lane, Statesville, NC 28677. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Pope Family at www.chapmanfuneralhome.com. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point is in charge of arrangements.
Brother Magellan Stevenson, Sr., age 75, of Statesville, died unexpectedly Monday, February 2, 2004, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. He had been in declining health for some time. He was born in Iredell County December 2, 1928, the son of the late Nathaniel Stevenson, Sr., and Grace Martha Moten Stevenson. He attended the Iredell County Schools and was the minister of the Redland Church of Christ for thirty-six years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served during the Korean Conflict. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a daughter, Cynthia Stevenson, and three brothers, James Stevenson, Charles Donald Stevenson, and Gilbert Stevenson.
Survivors include his wife, Wilma Poole Stevenson; two sons, John B. Poole and wife Raynell of Hiddenite and Magellan Stevenson, Jr., and wife Cindy of Salisbury; two daughters, Daphane Steven-son of the home and Prudence Houpe and husband Jamie of Cleveland; two brothers, Nathaniel Stevenson and wife Thelma of Greensboro and George Stevenson and wife Gladys of Statesville; one sister, Glenda McMullen and husband Stanley of Gloucster, Va.; eight grandchildren, Joyce Bennett, Chasidy Heath and husband Caderius, Stephen Leach, Randy Leach, Magellan Stevenson, III, Marvin Clark, John Clark, and Bristol Stevenson of the home; a number of great-grandchildren, including Lorenzo Bennett, who was reared in the home; seven sisters-in-law, Geneva Stevenson of Greensboro, Essie Bennett, Lona Lackey and husband Joe, and Betty Poole, all of Hiddenite, Beatrice Allison and husband Freeman of Statesville, and Madie Jones and husband Joe and Gladys Poole, all of Taylorsville; a brother-in-law, Odell Poole and wife Velma of Hiddenite; one uncle, Charles Moten of Winston-Salem; one aunt, Dorena Riley of Willingboro, Penn.; a host of cousins, including John Moten and wife Winnifred of Winston-Salem; and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, February 7, 2004, at Highland Acres Church of Christ in Statesville with Brother Al Simmons officiating and Brother Larry Glenn delivering the eulogy. Burial followed in Iredell Memorial Gardens. Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home of Statesville was in charge of arrangements.
Jesse Manley Diamond, age 62, of Bethlehem died Sunday, February 8, 2004, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.
He was born in Coxsackie, New York, February 19, 1941, the son of the late William Walker Diamond and Flora Waddington Diamond. He was a charter member of Grace Baptist Church in Bethlehem, where he was a former deacon. Mr. Diamond was employed with Classic Leather Company as Transportation Fleet Foreman. He was also co-owner of Diamond Enterprises. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Combat Engineering Batallion. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Alida A. Dufkin and Margurite J. Diamond, and two brothers, William W. Diamond, Jr., and Charles R. Diamond. Survivors include his wife, Georgia Icard Diamond of the home; two sons, Christopher Jess Diamond and wife Sherry and Darryl David Diamond and wife Kelly, all of Bethlehem; four sisters, Mary A. Hammonds of Florida and Nita B. Millett, Nellie E. Margiasso, and Margaretta F. Nuite, all of New York; two granddaughters, Kelsey Cherie Diamond and Kelyn Christine Diamond, both of Bethlehem; and one grandson, Dylan Manley Diamond of Bethlehem. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, February 10, 2004, at Oxford Baptist Church with Rev. Stan Frye and Rev. Joel Frye officiating. Burial followed in the Woodlawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 222 South Church St., Suite 303, Charlotte, NC 28202. Bass-Smith Funeral Home of Hickory was in charge of arrangements.
Ned Crowson Price, age 93, of Taylorsville, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville. He was born in Alexander County July 13, 1911, the son of the late Luther Price and Ruth Emiline Sipe Price. He was a member of Friendship Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher and as a member of the church council. He was a member of the founding Board of Directors of Alexander County Hospital and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Ellendale Fire Department. Mr. Price also served on the school board for Ellendale Elementary School and was a member of the Alexander County Agricultural Stabi-lization Board. In addition, he was an election judge for the Ellendale Precinct. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Claire Elizabeth Moretz Price; two daughters, Margie Price Wike and an infant daughter; two brothers, Webb Price and Donald Lee Price; and a great-grandson, Kody Payne. Survivors include four sons, Clay Price and wife Patricia, Wayne Price and wife Debbie, and Vernon Price and Betty, all of Taylorsville, and Herman Price and wife Sylvia of Hickory; one brother, Plezz Price of Taylorsville; one sister, Mary Nan Price of Taylorsville; eleven grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Sunday, July 25, 2004, at Friendship Lutheran Church with Rev. Todd Rauscher and Rev. Phil Thorsen officiating. Burial followed in the St. Luke's Lutheran Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Friendship Lutheran Church Family Life Center Building Fund, 5300 Church Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Mary Gertrude Gilmore Schott, age 91, of Cleveland, NC, died Sunday, July 25, 2004, at Rowan Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 31, 1912, the daughter of the late Lucille Tanner. She was a homemaker and a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Rowan County. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur S. Schott.
Survivors include three daughters, Lois Sims of Liberty, NC, Sara Lee Bowles of Cleveland, and Lucille Paradise of Sedona, Arizona; one son, Arthur Schott of Green Valley, Arizona; and eight grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, July 31, 2004, at 10 a.m. at Calvary Baptist Church in Rowan County. Rev. Rick Cockerham will officiate. Committal services will follow at a later date. Adams Funeral Home is serving the Schott family and notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Schott family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net
