Junior Crouch, age 61, of Millersville Road, Taylorsville, died Monday, February 7, 2005, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory following an illness of two years. He was born May 30, 1943, in Alexander County, the son of Sadie Bruce Crouch of Taylorsville, and the late Fred Lee Crouch. He was a NASCAR veteran, retiring in 1981 following an injury sustained at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord. He later worked at Pollard Raceway Park where he made many friends. Mr. Crouch also worked with the N.C. Department of Transportation in road maintenance. He was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, Fredrick Crouch. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife of 40 years, Dorothy Rector Crouch of the home; three sisters, Peggy Elder and husband William of Hiddenite, Louise Williams and husband Craig of Taylorsville, and Polly Kistler and husband Bill of Catawba; one brother, David Crouch and wife Mary Ann of Taylorsville; his mother-in-law, Rachel Rector of Hiddenite; and four nieces, Chastity Wray and husband Brandon of Stony Point, Kristen Rector of Hiddenite, Lisa Rector of Stony Point, and Brittany Rector of the home. The family will receive friends from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 9, 2005, at Adams Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Thursday, February 10, 2005, at 3 p.m., at Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Hiddenite with Rev. Brian Eades and Rev. Tony Daniels officiating. The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will include John Cook, Lynn Marshall, Larry Pollard, Donald Smith, Giles Scott, and Billy Marsh. Employees of the N.C. Department of Transpor-tation will serve as honorary pallbearers. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorials be given to the Mt. Nebo Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 26 Hiddenite, N.C. 28636. Notes of sympathy may be emailed to the Crouch Family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is serving the Crouch Family.
Ruth Huffman Ledbetter, age 75, of Skyline Rd., Hickory, the Bethlehem Community, died Friday, February 4, 2005, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory following a brief illness. She was born in Catawba County March 17, 1929, the daughter of the late Loy Seth Huffman and Ruth Edna Yount Huffman Moose. She was a member of Miller’s Lutheran Church in Hickory. A retired teacher from the Alexander County School System, she had previously taught at Sweetwater Elementary, St. Stephen’s Elementary, St. Stephen’s Lutheran Day, and had retired from Bethlehem Elementary. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Lenoir-Rhyne College and a Master’s degree in Reading from Appalachian State University. Mrs. Ledbetter was a member of the Alexander County Retired School Personnel and also had served as secretary; a member of the Taylorsville Read-A-Book Club; a member of Psi Conclave of Kappa Kappa Iota, having served as president and secretary as well as State Historian; an original member of the Alexander County Library Board of Trustees; a member of the Alexander County Republi-can Women; Adult Sunday School teacher at Miller’s Lutheran Church, where she also had served as Luther League Advisor, a member of the Mary Circle, Church Council, Worship and Music Committee, a member of the Chancel Choir, church secretary, NCAE Synod Council of N.C. E.L.C.A., Regional Board of the A.L.C.W., and N.C. State Board of the W.E.I.C.A. In addition, she served as bulletin editor of the Bethlehem Lions Club and was a member of the Lenoir-Rhyne Century Club and served on the Golden Bears Reunion Committee.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Calvin Coolidge Ledbetter, and three brothers, Dr. Gordon S. Huffman, L.C. Huffman, and Bryant Y. Huffman. Survivors include two daughters, Kim Ledbetter Sheeks and husband Rev. Bruce Charles Sheeks of Rockwell, N.C., and Kay Ledbetter Willis and husband Christopher Lee Willis of Bethlehem; a grandson, Charles Cameron Sheeks of Rockwell; and a granddaughter, Elizabeth Leigh Willis of Bethlehem. Funeral services were conducted Monday, February 7, 2005, at Miller’s Lutheran Church with Rev. C. Pierson Shaw, Jr., officiating. Burial followed in Catawba Memorial Park. Pallbearers included Charles Sheeks, Jacob Walker, Ken Ledbetter, Ronnie Jackson, Bobby Martin, and Matthew Bumgarner. Honorary pallbearers included Kappa Kappa Iota Sorority sisters and members of the Alexander County Retired School Personnel. Memorials may be made to the Ruth Ledbetter Memorial Fund, Miller’s Lutheran Church, 2280 12th Ave., NE, Hickory, NC 28601 or to the Kappa Kappa Iota Scholarship Fund, c/o Diane Pyatt, 75 Hillsboro Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Hickory Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Herbert Eugene Moretz, age 80, of Gene Moretz Lane, Hickory, died Wednesday, February 2, 2005, at his residence. He had been in declining health for four months. He was born in Alexander County April 13, 1924, the son of the late Arthur Taylor Moretz and Lela Honeycutt Moretz. He attended Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church. He was a retired architect and was former president of Bethlehem Realty. A veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, he served during World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Herbert Edward Moretz, and four brothers, Paul Moretz, Taylor Moretz, Conrad Moretz, and Aubrey Moretz. Survivors include his wife, Elsie Icard Moretz of the home; three daughters, Angela Johnson and husband Steve, Wanda Simmons, and Emily Wallace and husband Dale, all of Bethlehem; one son, Leslie Darrell Moretz and wife Lani of Youngsville, N.C.; five grandsons, Richard Johnson and wife Kim of Taylorsville, Joseph Johnson and wife Amy of Concord, Kevin Belcher and wife Sheri of Ft. Riley, Kansas, Mitchel Simmons of Raleigh, and Christopher Simmons of Boone; five great-grandchildren; one sister, Fleta Moretz Price of Bethlehem; and one brother, H. Bruce Moretz of Bethlehem. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, February 5, 2005, at Fellowship Advent Christian Church with Rev. David Ross and Rev. Wendell DuBois officiating. Burial followed in the Pisgah Cemetery with military rites provided by the Catawba Valley Detachment #1163 Marine Corps League assisted by the Iredell County Detachment Marine Corps League. Mr. Moretz’s nephews served as pallbearers, and honorary pallbearers included members of the Bethlehem Lions Club and the Catawba Valley Detachment #1163 Marine Corps League. Memorials may be made to Palliative Care Center, Hospice of Catawba Valley, Inc., 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658. Hickory Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Victor Lewis Mayberry, age 50, of 1st St., NE, Taylorsville, died unexpectedly on Monday, February 7, 2005. He was born in Alexander County, August 30, 1954, the son of Hazel G. Mayberry and the late Bennie Ray Wasson. He was employed with Bo McCurdy’s Landscaping and Lawn Service, and he attended Alexander Central High School. Mr. Mayberry was of the Baptist faith. Survivors include his mother, Hazel G. Mayberry of Statesville; one son, Nafis H. Miller of Taylorsville; and a host of other relatives and friends. The body will lie in state from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10, 2005, at Adams Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 11, 2005, at 3:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sterling Howard and Rev. Jeffrey Miller officiating. The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour at Adams Funeral Home and at other times will assemble at the residence. Burial will follow in the Macedonia Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Mayberry Family, P.O. Box 937, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Mayberry Family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Gay Nell Bunton, age 45, of Miller Farm Rd., Statesville, died Wednesday, February 2, 2005, at Wake Forest Medical Center following a courageous battle with leukemia. She was born in Iredell County January 23, 1960, the daughter of Christine Miller Bunton and the late Daniel R. Bunton. She was a member of Monticello United Methodist Church, and served for ten years as director of Nutrition and Transportation of the Elderly in Union County. She was a graduate of West Iredell High School and the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She was president of the Golden Chain, recipient of the Betty Feezor scholarship, recipient of the Jane S. McKimmon scholarship, held several offices with the American Home Economics Association, and most recently was employed as a teacher at Alexander Central High School.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, William M. and Luna B. Bunton and her maternal grandparents, T. J. and Elizabeth Miller. In addition to her mother, she is survived by one sister, Rita DiCataldo and husband Nicholas of Valley Stream, Long Island NY. Funeral services were held Sunday, February 6, 2005, at Monticello United Methodist Church with Rev. David Comer officiating. Burial was in Oakwood Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Kitchen Fund, Monticello United Methodist Church, 308 Island Ford Rd., Statesville, NC 28625, or to the Leukemia Society of America, NC Chapter 5624 Executive Center Dr., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28212. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Bunton family at chapmanfuneralhome@bellsouth.net. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Arthur Parker, Jr., age 73, died Saturday, February 5, 2005 at Avante’ Nursing Home in Charlotte. He was born in Alexander County on February 9, 1931 the son of the late Henry Arthur Parker and Pearlie Rosette Watts Parker. He attended Happy Plains High School, and was employed at Stony Point Flour Mill until entering the nursing home. He attended Third Creek Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Ernest Wade Parker and William J. Parker. He is survived by four brothers, Stanley Parker and wife Connie of Stony Point, Myron Ray Parker and wife Ernestine of Charlotte, Johnnie Parker and wife Maxine of Hiddenite, and McDonald Parker and wife Ella of Charlotte; one sister, Alveta Faye Parker Little of Charlotte; and a number of nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews. Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 8, 2005, at at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Sterling Howard officiating. Burial was in Third Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.
Pallbearers were McDonald Parker, Johnnie Parker, Myron Parker, Stanley Parker, Stanley Parker, Jr., and Emanuel Parker. Flower bearers were Faye Little, Connie Parker Lizette Lee, Kendra Cannady, Myra Briggs, and Vanessa Little. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Parker Family at chapmanfuneralhome@bellsouth.net. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Escar Sylvanus Bowman, age 80, of Ret Stafford Lane, Taylorsville, died Thursday, February 3, 2005, at his residence following an illness of one year. He was born November 30, 1924, in Alexander County, the son of the late Ephriam Bowman and Lottie Bowman Bowman. He was a member of Smyrna Baptist Church, D.A.V. Chapter 84, and was a retired furniture worker. He was a private in the U.S. Army having served during World War II. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dennis Bowman; four sisters; and five brothers. Survivors include his wife, Elsie W. Bowman to whom he had been married for 49 years; six daughters, Patricia Holsclaw, Jackie Teague and husband Allen, Juanita Jarman and husband Paul, all of Taylorsville, Tracy Painter and husband Mark of Johnson City, TN, Martha Kay Lee and Debbie Miller both of Hildebran; two sons, Tony Bowman and wife Sandy of Hildebran and Rodney Bowman and fiance Kim of Bethlehem; four sisters, Joyce Deal, Lucille Gant, Fleet Preslar, Evelyn Teague, all of Taylorsville; three brothers, Kenneth Bowman, Eddie Bowman, and Rayford Bowman, all of Taylorsville; a half-sister, Bertha Teetchie of High Point; 20 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted on Sunday, February 6, 2005, at Symrna Baptist Church with Rev. Michael Barber and Rev. Sammy Kiser officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Bowman Family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Memorials may be given to the Escar Bowman Funeral Fund, c/o Smyrna Baptist Church, 6174 Church Road, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Adams Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
Clara Jean Carlton Tugman, age 54, of Table Rock Road, Lenoir, died Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. She was born in Wilkes County, August 20, 1950, the daughter of the late Worth Carlton and Mary Ella Barnes Carlton. She was a member of Thankful Baptist Church. Survivors include one son, Jimmie Tugman of the home; five sisters, Gozeal Ferguson of North Wilkesboro, Mary Alice Ferguson of Lenoir, Maggie Sue Barnes of Moravian Falls, and Jo Marcella Howell and Kaye Sharon Carlton, both of Boomer; and four brothers, Namon Carlton of Shelby, Harrison Carlton of Winston-Salem, Douglas Carlton of Boomer, and Richard Carlton of North Wilkesboro.
Funeral services were held Saturday, February 19, 2005, at Thankful Baptist Church with Rev. John Rowe, Rev. Ervin Carlton, Rev. Eddie Johnson, III, Rev. Ronald Howell, and Rev. Montreal Howell officiating. Reins-Sturdivant of North Wilkesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Maria Janeth Perez Ortiz, age 32, of 2nd Ave. NW, Taylorsville, died Saturday, February 19, 2005, at Frye Regional Medical Center, Alexander Campus. She was born September 13, 1972, in Mexico. She was the daughter of Victor Perez and Wenseslada Alfaro Perez, both of Mexico. She was a homemaker, and was of the Catholic faith. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Juan Ortiz of the home; two sons, Andy Ortiz and Angel Ortiz; one daughter, Jassibe Perez; three brothers, Adan Perez, Arnolfo Perez, and Beto Perez; and four sisters, Monica Perez, Zenaida Perez, Melissa Perez, and Beatriz Lopez.
A Funeral Mass was held Monday, February 21, 2005, at Holy Trinity Catholic Church conducted by Father James Byer. A graveside commital service was held Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at Stony Point Cemetery with Father James Byer officiating.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point is in charge of arrangements.
James “Tank” Michael Mullins, age 35, of R.E. Johnson Lane, Hiddenite, died Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at his residence, following an illness of four years. He was born in Grundy, Virginia, December 4, 1969, the son of Ronnie Mullins of Taylorsville and Cleo Marie Young Mullins of Grundy. He was of The Church of Christ faith. Prior to his illness, Mr. Mullins worked at Shurtape Technology for ten years. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Weltha M. (Mom) Young and Otis Young and his paternal grandparents, Linza Mullins and Rosie Mullins.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Sherry Dalton Mullins of the home; a special son, Andrew James Mullins of the home; one sister, Crystal Dawn Mullins of Taylorsville; two half-sisters, Sadie Rose Mullins of Taylorsville and Roney Layne of Grundy, VA; one nephew, Christopher Layne; one niece, Linzee Mullins, both of Grundy; and special cousins, Renee’ Young McLelland of Taylorsville and Scott Young. Funeral services were held Thursday, February 17, 2005, at Sulphur Springs Baptist Church with Rev. Steve Parks officiating. Burial followed in the Mullins Family Cemetery in Grundy. Pallbearers included Scott Young, Dwayne Miller, Bruce Parsons, Gary Parsons, Luther Rankin, and John Davis. Memorials may be made to the Andrew Mullins Scholarship College Fund, c/o Sherry Mullins, P.O. Box 664, Hiddenite, NC 28636. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Mullins family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Lelar Odessa Morrison Harris, age 66, of Edgewood Road, Wilkesboro, died Saturday, February 19, 2005, at Forsyth Medical Center. She was born in Wilkes County, July 1, 1938, the daughter of Fannie Katherleen Isenhour Morrison and the late Fred Morrison. At an early age, she joined New Damascus Baptist Church in Wilkesboro, where she served faithfully on the usher board as a deaconess and in the senior missionary. Mrs. Harris was a graduate of Lincoln Heights Elementary and High School in Wilkesboro. She futhered her education at Grasslands School of Practical Nursing of Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, NY. She worked as a Licensed Practical Nurse at Grasslands Hospital in Valhalla, at Moses H. Cone Hospital in Greensboro, Palmer Memorial Institute in Sedalia, NC, Wilkes Regional Medical Center, Britthaven Nursing Home, and Avante, all in Wilkesboro, and Emerald Health Care in Taylorsville.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband of forty-one years, Camie Dean Harris; one son, Shawn Roderick Harris and wife Kimberly of Pittsboro; one daughter, Candace Renee Harris Graham and husband Tracy of Hiddenite; one sister, Mollie Odessa Morrison of Wilkesboro; one brother, Fred Leonard Morrison of Maury; and three grandchildren. Funeral services were scheduled for Wednesday, February 23, 2005, at 2:00 p.m. at New Damascus Baptist Church with Rev. James B. Little, Rev. Richard Watts, Rev. James Barber, and Rev. Millard Harris, Jr., officiating. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Reins-Sturdivant of North Wilkesboro was in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Geraldine Daniels Herman, age 64, of Valley Nursing Center and formerly of St. Clair Road, Taylorsville, passed away Sunday, February 20, 2005, at Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville.
She was born in Alexander County November 27, 1940, the daughter of the late Alexander Daniels and Emma Harrington Daniels. She was a member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church and was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, William M. “June” Herman; five sisters, Sue Herman, Hessie Fesperman, Hazeline Barnes, Dela Mae Deal, Reathie Daniels; and two brothers, Albert and Buford Daniels.
Survivors include five sons, Junior Herman, James Herman, Tony Herman, Mark Herman, all of Taylorsville, and Keith Herman of Hickory; one daughter, Carol Herman of Taylorsville; one brother, Fred Daniels of Kannapolis; three sisters, Betty Tilley of Statesville, Ruth Ham of Taylorsville, and Margie Daniels of Moravian Falls; eight grandchildren, Jamie Herman, David Bryant, Tracy Bryant, Brandon Bryant, Tina Bryant, Kelly Herman, Sarah Herman, and Gary Herman; two step- grandchildren, Caleb White and Corey Springs; and one great-grandchild, Hilda Bryant. Funeral services are scheduled for 4 p.m., Wednesday, February 23, 2005, at Chapman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Rick Safriet officiating. Burial will follow in Little River Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Herman family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point is serving the Herman family.
