Pauline Orbison Ray, age 89, of Brian Center, Statesville, and formerly of Winston-Salem, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. She was born in Iredell County March 25, 1915, the daughter of the late George Edward Orbison and Willie Nora Carter Orbison. She was retired from Reynolds Airport in Winston-Salem, and she attended Moravian Church in Winston-Salem. For a number of years, Mrs. Ray made her home at the R.H. Kennedy Family Daltonia Farm in Houstonville, N.C. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Horace Ray; five brothers, Brantley Orbison, Claude Orbison, Eldridge Orbison, Glen Orbison, and Gordon Orbison; and one sister, Geneva Orbison. She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews. A graveside service was held Saturday, July 24, 2004, at the Olive Branch Baptist Church Cemetery in Durham.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Ray Family at www.chapmanfuneralhome.com. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Maude Elizabeth Douglas Brown, age 89, of Brian Center, Statesville, and a former resident of Stony Point, died Friday, July 23, 2004, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville following an extended illness. She was born in Iredell County August 8, 1914, the daughter of the late Sharpe Douglas and Alice Halyburton Douglas. She was a member of Stony Point United Methodist Church and was a retired restaurant operator. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James R. Brown, in 1986; one daughter, Patricia Short; four brothers; and six sisters. Survivors include two sons, Robert S. “Bob” Brown of Stony Point and James A. “Jimmy” Brown of Statesville; one daughter, Ann Walker of Palm Bay, Fla.; two sisters, Annie Jones of Winston-Salem and Nell Wilkerson of Statesville; ten grandchildren; twenty-six great-grandchildren; eight great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Monday, July 26, 2004, at the Chapman Funeral Home Chapel in Stony Point with Rev. Sydney Lanier officiating. Burial followed in the Stony Point Cemetery. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Brown Family at www.chapmanfuneralhome.com. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Brenda Elaine Elder Warren, age 61, of Hiddenite, died Tuesday, July 20, 2004, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. She was born in Alexander County November 29, 1942, the daughter of the late Clifton DeWitt Elder and Maggie Lillian Barlow Elder. She was an active member of Carson Chapel United Methodist Church. She was employed with the Department of Motor Vehicle as an Enforcement Officer for thirteen years. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Harold Elder. Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Warren of the home; one son, William "Todd" Pritchard and wife Tammy Jackson Pritchard of Hiddenite; one daughter, Tammy Pritchard Fowler and husband Milton "Lee" Fowler, Jr.; two step-daughters, Sherry Foster of Taylorsville and Karen Reid of Lenoir; ten grandchildren, Jeremy Todd Pritchard of Hiddenite, Perry Glenn Fowler, McKayla Ann Fowler and Katelyn Ashlee Fowler, all of Taylorsville, Dustin Heath Fowler and Lathan Tyrel Fowler, both of Lincolnton, Brandie Paige of Germany, Coty Paige of Arkansas, and Amanda Foster and Jason Foster, both of Taylorsville; one great-grandchild, Elijah Milek Fowler of Lincolnton; two sisters, Louise Smith and husband Wade of Winston-Salem and Laura Neil Rector and husband E.D. of Stony Point; one sister-in-law, Bobby Elder of Taylorsville; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Friday, July 23, 2004, at Carson Chapel United Methodist Church with Rev. Bill Carrier and Rev. Louis Murdock officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers included members of the DMV. Memorials may be made to Cancer Patient Support Program, Comprehensive Cancer Center of WFU, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27517 or to the Brenda Elder Warren Memorial Fund, c/o Carson Chapel United Methodist Church, 1551 Carson Chapel Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Alice Patricia Trainor Rufty, age 84, a resident of Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville and formerly of Newton, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Valley Nursing Center. She was born in Lynn, Mass., July 7, 1919, the daughter of the late James P. Trainor and Nora Dwyer Trainor. She was a retired Civil Service worker and was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II. She was of the Catholic faith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walton Michael Rufty, and number of brothers and sisters. Survivors include a number of nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
John Wilbur Bennett, age 90, died Thursday, July 22, 2004, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville following an extended illness. He was born in Alexander County March 5, 1914, the son of the late David Bennett and Etta Keaton Bennett. He attended Happy Hollow School and later attended Happy Plains School in Taylorsville. Mr. Bennett was self-employed and was a self-taught barber. He was also a lifelong member of Philadelphia United Methodist Church. He sang with the West End Glee Club and also with the Five Carolinians on WSIC. Survivors include his wife, Idell Linney Speaks Bennett, whom he married in 1954; one son, Elder Robert J. Speaks; one daughter-in-law, Evangelist Diane Speaks of Stony Point; one sister, Marie Rankin of Statesville; two sisters-in-law, Ophelia Bennett and Betty Bennett, both of Stony Point; four grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were held Sunday, July 25, 2004, at Philadelphia United Meth-odist Church in Stony Point with Rev. Ron Karriker and Rev. Mark Clark officiating. Davis and Mangum Funeral Home of Statesville were in charge of arrangements.
Virginia Dare Norris Spantgos Cherry, age 78, of Salisbury, NC, died Monday, July 26, 2004, at the Brian Center in Salisbury. She was born July 6, 1926, in Boone, NC, the daughter of the late Edward and Mary Nell Hopkins Norris. She and James George Spantgos were married on November 5, 1942, in Richlands, VA. He died January 4, 1974. She later married Charles Cherry in Winston-Salem, NC. She was preceded in death by her husband, a son, Charles Cherry, and a brother, James Norris. Survivors include two sons, Jim Spantgos of Kelso, MO, and George Spantgos of Charlotte; a daughter, Judy Williams of Mocksville; two sisters, Pauline Robinson of North Wilkesboro, and Mary Angel of East Bend; two brothers, J.P. Norris of Greensboro and Johnny Norris of Asheboro; five grandchildren and two step-children. A family funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 31, 2004, on Grandfather Mountain. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is serving the Cherry family.
Sallye Lynne Flowe Hopper, age 62, of Hickory (Bethlehem Community), died Sunday, July 25, 2004, at Duke Medical Center in Durham following a five month illness. She was born in Guilford County, May 1, 1942, the daughter of the late Harry Morton Flowe and Vivian Henderson Flowe. She was a retired Administrative Assis-tant at N.C. State University and was a member of St. Lukes Episcopal Church in Asheville, NC. Survivors include her husband, Bob N. Hopper of the home; one son, Bryan Elliott of Hickory and a step-son, Jeffrey Hopper of Titusville, Florida; one daughter, Malea Thompson of Raleigh, and a step-daughter, Dana Baldwin of Asheville; and six grandchildren. Funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday, July 28, 2004 at 3 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Ronnie Armeen and Rev. Randy Ferebee officiating. A graveside service will be held Thursday, July 29 at 1 p.m. in Guilford Memorial Park in Greensboro, NC. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite, 200, Charlotte, NC 28210, or to the Lance Armstrong Foundation, P.O. Box 161150, Austin, Texas 78716-1150. Adams Funeral Home is serving the family and notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Hopper family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net
Joe David Abernathy, age 79, of Hickory, died Monday, July 26, 2004, at Frye Regional Medical Ctr. in Hickory. He was born in Burke County June 9, 1925, the son of the late Edgar Monroe Abernathy and Rosalia Abernethy Abernathy. He was owner and president of Custom Plumbing and Heating Co. for over 35 years. He served in the U.S. Air Force in WWII where he was a part of the Normandy Invasion. He also served in the Korean War. Mr. Abernathy was an active member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church.
Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Ruby Herman Abernathy; three daughters, Jeanne A. Hoke and husband Jack Harold of Hickory, Susan Duckworth of Hickory, and Teresa A. Carpenter and husband Rick of Hickory; one sister, Violet Abernathy Robinette of Hickory; four brothers, Bill Abernathy and wife Hazel of Hickory, Albert Abernathy and wife Faye of Hickory, Jerry Abernathy and wife Linda of Hickory, Tommy Abernathy and wife Sandy of High Point, NC,; seven grandchildren, Wendy Cloninger and husband David of Conover, Jeremy Hoke of Hickory, Joe David Morrison and wife Kellie of Newton, Justin Morrison and wife Melanie of Newton, Jamison Duckworth of Bethlehem, Casey Carpenter of Hickory, and Korey Carpenter of Hickory; two great grandsons, Brandon Morrison and Dylan Morrison, both of Newton. Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 29, 2004 at 4 p.m. at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Conover, NC with Rev. Kristine Hill and Rev. Harold Drum officiating. Grandsons will serve as pall bearers and burial will be in the Mt. Zion Lutheran Church cemetery with graveside military rites. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, July 28, 2004, 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Mt. Zion Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to Mt. Zion Lutheran Church, 4420 County Home Rd., Conover, NC 28613. Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the Abernathy family.
Briana Marie Porter, age 26, of Three Forks Church Rd., Taylorsville, died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 21, 2004, at her residence. She was born in Charleston, West Va., March 28, 1978, the daughter of Phillip Brent Porter of West Va. and Tina Marie Garrett Porter Bove of Melbourne Beach, Fla. She was a certifed nurse’s assistant. A memorial service will be held in Florida at a later date. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Darryl Wilson Moffitt, age 66, of Taylorsville, died Thursday, July 29, 2004, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born in Burke County September 8, 1937, the son of the late Harry Moffitt and Violet Moffitt. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Taylorsville, where he taught an Adult Men's Sunday School Class. He was a graduate of Appalachian State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in Social Science and two master's degrees, one in Social Science and one in Administration. He began his teaching career in Iredell County as a teacher and basketball coach. In 1968, he came to Alexander County to serve as principal of Happy Plains Junior High. When Alexander Central High School opened in the early 1970’s, he became principal at Taylorsville Junior High, K-8. He completed his career at West Junior High as a teacher. Mr. Moffitt also served on the Alexander County Board of Education for four years. Following retirement from the Alexander County School System, he was employed with Sun Tours and Travelnet as a tour director. Mr. Moffitt was an avid golfer and also was employed in the pro shop at Brushy Mountain Golf Course. He was very active in the Alexander Central Cougar Club and the Yosef Club at Appalachian State University. He is survived by his wife of forty-three years, Sibyl B. Moffitt of the home; one daughter, Mrs. Lance (Tamara) Harrington of Winston-Salem; one brother, Gene Moffitt of Old Fort; two sisters, Mrs. Barbara Bliss and Mrs. Rebecca Harrison, both of Connelly Springs; one half-sister, Mrs. Harriette Peebles and husband Ron of Florida; Shiela Moffitt of Norfolk, Va.; one half-brother, Mickey Moffitt; and a number of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Monday, August 2, 2004, at First Baptist Church in Taylorsville with Rev. Robert Boggs officiating. Burial followed in the Taylorsville City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Bus Fund, 405 W. Main Ave., Taylorsville, NC 28681, to the Yosef Club, Appalachian State University, PO Box 32025, Boone, NC 28608-2025, or to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, PO Box 9031, Pittsfield, MA 01202-9031. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Allie Franklin Robertson, age 84, of County Line Rd., Stony Point, died unexpectedly Wednesday, August 4, 2004, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. He was born in Alexander County May 20, 1920, the son of the late Durant Robertson and Eva Lackey Robertson. He was a retired building contractor and farmer. He was a member of Stony Point United Methodist Church. Mr. Robertson served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of V.F.W. Post 10,000 of Hiddenite. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Willie Robertson, Dewey Robertson, and Harland Robertson. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Waugh Robertson of the home; three sons, Darrell Robertson, Dale Robertson, and Robert Robertson, all of Stony Point; four brothers, Edgar Robertson and Troy Robertson, both of Statesville, Harry Robertson of Hiddenite, and Donald Robertson of Taylorsville; two sisters, Thelma Sloan of Hiddenite and Ruth Fann of Swansboro; and eight grandchildren, Elizabeth Robertson, Kristi Robertson, Jason Robertson, Josh Robertson, Rachel Robertson, Sam Robertson, Joe Robertson, and Evie Robertson. Funeral services are incomplete at Chapman Funeral Home in Stony Point.
Cecil Kevin Holbrook, age 25, of Millers Creek, died Saturday, July 31, 2004, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Mr. Holbrook was born June 1, 1979, in Wilkes County. He was a salesman for Yadkin Valley Motor Company. Survivors include his wife, Lacie Beth Dameron Holbrook of the home; one son, Christian Wade Holbrook of the home; his parents, Cecil Kermit Holbrook and Patricia Ann Lovette Holbrook of Millers Creek; one brother, Wesley Franklin Holbrook of Millers Creek; and a maternal grandmother, Betty Sue Lovette-Dancy of Taylorsville. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, August 3, 2004, at Pleasant Home Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Church, Rev. Mark O. Hollar, and Rev. Victor Church officiating. Burial followed in the Charity United Methodist Church Cemetery in Millers Creek. Pallbearers included Wade Palmer, Andrew Palmer, Christopher Church, Chestin Bumgarner, Matt Miller, Shaun Yount, Joey Church, Brandon Miller, Matt Bare and Ben Padgett. Memorials may be made to the Educational Fund for Christian Holbrook, c/o Jane Chambers, Piedmont Federal Saving & Loan, 200 Wilkesboro Avenue, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of North Wilkesboro was in charge of arrangements.
