Graylen David Cook, age 49, of Gwaltney Farm Lane, Taylorsville, died unexpectedly at his home Monday, January 23, 2006. He was born in Iredell County April 26, 1956, the son of Glenn Thomas Cook and step-mother Pat Cook of Jacksonville, Fla., and Peggy Summers Hager and step-father Harry Hager of Statesville. He was employed with the N. C. Department of Correction. A veteran of the U. S. Navy, he was assigned to the USS Dewy. Mr. Cook was a blue grass musician and song writer. He played the banjo, guitar, dulcimer, and mandolin, and also had a workshop, where he made dulcimers and guitars. He portrayed his faith through song writing and music. He was preceded in death by his step-father, Bill Summers. In addition to his parents, survivors include a son, David Graylen Cook of North Wilkesboro; his former wife, Jeanne Crain Cook of North Wilkesboro; a sister, Cindy Summers Cox and husband Billy of Taylorsville; and a special aunt and uncle, Dell and Boyce Lambert. A graveside service will be conducted Friday, January 27, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. at the Hiddenite Cemetery with Dr. Carter Shelley officiating. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Concord Presbyterian Church.
The family will receive friends Thursday evening, January 26, 2006, 7:00-8:30 p.m., at Chapman Funeral Home in Stony Point. At other times, the family will assemble at the mother’s residence, 779 Scotts Creek Rd., Statesville. Memorials may be made to Concord Presbyterian Church, 3867 Taylorsville Rd., Statesville, NC 28625.
Condolences may be emailed to the Cook family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point is serving the Cook family.
Clarence Coburn “Red” Hartman, age 84, of Hickory, died Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. He was born in Salisbury, N.C., January 1, 1922, the son of the late Clarence Adam Hartman and Mable Rabon Hartman. He was a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Hickory and was retired owner of Hartman Carving. A U.S. Army Air Corps veteran of World War II, he was a B-52 Pilot and Lt. Colonel. Mr. Hartman was an avid golfer, past president of the Catawba Country Club, and a member of the Hickory Elk’s Club. He attended Catawba College. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Edward Hartman of Montgomery, Ala., and Wayne Hartman of Greer, S.C. Survivors include his wife, Cornelia Dorton Hartman of the home; three daughters, Susan Lyerly and husband Winston of Taylorsville, Lyn Powers and husband Jim of Chapin, S.C., and Ann Hamrick and husband Doug of Chapin, S.C.; four grandchildren, Paige Lyerly Hendren and husband Patrick of Hickory, Winston Lyerly and wife Heather of Hickory, Jim Powers of Philadelphia, Penn., and Josh Hamrick of Columbia, S.C.; and four great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held Friday, January 20, 2006, at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church with Rev. Thomas Gibson and Rev. Bill Garraid officiating. Memorials may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 52 16th Ave., NW, Hickory, NC 28601 or to the American Diabetes Association, 434 Fayetteville Street Mall, 2 Hanover Square, Suite 1605, Raleigh, NC 27601.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home of Hickory was in charge of arrangements.
Madison Rose Nunley went home to be with Jesus on Thursday, January 19, 2006. She was the infant daughter of Daniel Thomas Nunley and Lorie Mays Nunley. She was preceded in death by an infant sibling; a grandmother; and four grandfathers. Survivors include her parents, Daniel Thomas Nunley and Lorie Mays Nunley of the home; a sister, McKayla Danielle Nunley of the home; maternal grandparents, Roger D. Mays of Morganton and Cathy O. Hinceman of Morganton; paternal grandparents, Elmer Wayne Nunley of Newark, Delaware, and Edna Brown of Taylorsville; three great-grandmothers; a great-great-grandmother, Cora Coffey of Lenoir; and numerous cousins, aunts, and uncles. A Service of Remembrance will be held Saturday, January 28, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at the Drum Funeral Home Chapel in Conover with Pastor Rick Hayes officiating. Burial will follow in the Midnight Cry Deliverance Hall Church of Jesus Christ Cemetery in Maiden. The family will receive friends Friday, January 27, 2006, 6:30-8:30 p.m., at Drum Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the March of Dimes, N.C. Chapter, 1601 Norwood Rd., Statesville, NC 28625 or to the Shriners’ Children’s Hospital, 950 West Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605. Condolences may be emailed to the Nunley family at www.drumfuneralhome.com. Drum Funeral Home & Cremations of Conover is serving the Nunley family.
Wilma James Burke, age 81, of Meadow Creek Loop, Stony Point, died Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at Shady Rest Home in Taylorsville following an illness of four years. She was born in Alexander County August 28, 1924, the daughter of the late Robey James and Annie Lewis James. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and was a homemaker. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, John Woodrow Burke; a daughter-in-law, Linda M. Burke; three sisters, Luella Grady, Ollie Russell, and Mary Steele; and a brother, Everette James. Survivors include a daughter, Penny Carrier and husband Tommy of Hiddenite; a son, Woody Lee Burke of Stony Point; three grandchildren, Amanda Gibson and husband Bryan of Hudson, Bryan Childers and wife Angie of Taylorsville, and Aaron Burke and wife Leigh Anne of Stony Point; and seven great-grandchildren, Austin Burke, Jace Burke, Ameri Childers, Aiden Childers, Kris Gibson, Alex Gibson, and Josh Gibson. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 21, 2006, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Stephen Dagenhart and Rev. Jamie Steele officiating. Burial followed in the Taylorsville City Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Calvary Baptist Church, 191 Airport Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Notes of sympathy may be emailed to the Burke family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Minnie Sue Watts, age 64, of Taylorsville, died Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. She was born in Iredell County May 18, 1941, the daughter of Sarah Janie Hollar Watts of Taylorsville and the late Arthur Lee Watts, Sr. A lifelong member of First Baptist Church of Taylorsville, she served as a Preschool Sunday School teacher for twenty-five years and was an elementary teacher in Taylorsville for thirty-one years. Her interests and hobbies led her to memberships in the Brushy Mountain Quilters Guild, Extension Homemakers, Kappa Kappa Iota, and the Alexander County Retired School Personnel Association. She gave many of her baby quilts to numerous families with newborns in the church and community. She also gave quilts to family and friends and passed on her love for quilting to her oldest great-niece and friends. In addition to her mother, survivors include two brothers, Arthur Lee Watts, Jr., of Taylorsville and William Cub Watts and wife Lori of Lenoir; two sisters, Eva Jeanette Watts and Victoria Shaw Watts, both of Taylorsville; five nieces, Heather Watts Merrell and husband Joseph of Summerfield, N.C., Katrina Watts Jones and husband Tod and Betsy Watts Moore and husband Jason, all of Taylorsville, and Kelsey Rose Watts and Kailei DiNa Watts, both of Lenoir; a great-nephew, Zakary Merrell of Summerfield, N.C.; three great-nieces, Abigail Merrell of Summerfield, N.C., and Kaitlyn Johnson and Peyton Moore, both of Taylorsville; and numerous cousins and friends. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 21, 2006, at First Baptist Church in Taylorsville with Rev. Leon Rowland, Rev. Marion Powell, Rev. Josh Benge, and Rev. Greg Barner officiating. Burial followed in the Three Forks Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 305, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Condolences may be emailed to the Watts family at alexfuneralsvc@bellsouth.net. Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Vera Lennis Greer Eller, age 75, of Mokie Lane, Lenoir, died Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care. She was born in Wilkes County August 14, 1930, the daughter of the late G.D. Greer and Elsie Phillips Greer. Mrs. Eller was a homemaker and a member of Grandin Baptist Church in Lenoir. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one brother, Harold Greer; one sister, Avis Suddreth; two half-brothers, Arlie Phillips and Bob Phillips; and a half-sister, Audrey Davis. Survivors include her husband, Rufus Jacob Eller of the home; three daughters, Frances Eller Pennell of Taylorsville, Cathy Eller of Granite Falls, and Lisa Barnette of Lenoir; three brothers, Herbert “Hub” Greer, James Douglas “Doug” Greer, and Dean Greer, all of Lenoir; one sister, Novella Davis of Blacksburg, S.C.; and four grandchildren, Nathan Pennell, Adrienne Pennell, Ashley Pennell, and Joshua Barnette. Funeral services were conducted Friday, January 20, 2006, at Grandin Baptist Church with Rev. R.J. Lovins, Rev. Gurney Robbins, and Rev. Rickie Triplett officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Pallbearers included Nathan Pennell, Joshua Barnette, Barry Barnette, Andy Minton, Cecil Bowlin, and Walter Haigler. Memorials may be made to Grandin Baptist Church, 1215 Cedar Rock Circle, Lenoir, NC 28645, to Decision Independent Baptist Church, 2978 Zack’s Ford Rd., Lenoir, NC 28645, or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences to the Eller family may be placed online at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com. Pendry’s Funeral Home & Crematory of Lenoir was in charge of arrangements.
Artist Richard Carlyon, son-in-law of Harold and Jean Rufty of Taylorsville, died of cancer January 20, 2006, in Richmond, Virginia. He was 75 years old. He is survived by his wife of forty-four years, Eleanor Rufty; son, Jason Anderson Carlyon; daughter-in-law, Cheryl Carlyon; sisters, Nancy C. Millet of North Port, Florida, and Marcia Whitt of Gloucester, Virginia; and a large extended family. Richard Carlyon was professor emeritus of Virginia Commonwealth University's School of the Arts. He retired in 1996 after more than forty years at both VCU and RPI, where he taught courses in the areas of painting, art history, communication arts, dance, and sculpture. Mr. Carlyon was a highly respected artist whose work has been shown regionally and nationally both in solo and group exhibitions. His most recent show, "Selected Drawings and Paintings by Richard Carlyon," was on view at the Reynolds Gallery in Richmond from November through December 2005. He traveled as an invited speaker to approximately fifty different communities to lecture on various aspects of contemporary American art. Throughout his career, Mr. Carlyon received numerous awards and honors, including the Distinguished Teaching of Art Award from the College Art Association for America in 1993, the Theresa Pollack Prize for Excellence in the Arts in 2001, and the Award for Excellence in Teaching, Research, and Service from the VCU School of the Arts in 1987. He also received three professional fellowships from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in painting, drawing, and video, and a fellowship from the Virginia Commission for the Arts in drawing. In December 2005, he was awarded VCU's highest honor, the Presidential Medallion, given for extraordinary achievement in learning and commitment to the mission of the university. A memorial service was held Wednesday, January 25, 2006, at Second Presbyterian Church in Richmond. Memorial donations may be submitted to the Richard Carlyon Student Research Fund for Independent Study, c/o the VCU Department of Sculpture, 1000 West Broad Street, Rm. 115, 23284-3005 or to the Massey Cancer Center of VCU, 401 College Street, P.O. Box 980037, 23298-0037.
Mrs. Johnny Stevenson Feimster, age 81, of N.C. Hwy. 16 South, Taylorsville, died Saturday January 21, 2006, at Frye Regional Medical Center following an extended illness. She was born in Alexander County June 9, 1924, the daughter of the late Bliff Stevenson and Betty Barnes Stevenson. Mrs. Feimster retired from the Alexander County Health Department after twenty-five years of service, where she was an administrative assistant and clerk. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville and was an avid gardener and enjoyed working outdoors. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Betty Nell McLeod, and brother-in-law, Argyle McLeod.
Survivors include her husband, Harvey Feimster of the home; one son, Robert Feimster of Hickory; two grandchildren, Morgan Brooke Feimster and Garrett West Feimster; and a number of nieces and nephews and many friends. A private family graveside service was held Monday January 23, 2006, at the Taylorsville City Cemetery. A public memorial service follow at First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville with Rev. Lory Beth Huffman and Rev. Lee Pollock officiating. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 157 Taylorsville, N.C. 28681. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Feimster family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net. Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Christine Harriett Bolick Whitener, age 81, of Hickory, died Tuesday, January 17, 2006, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory. She was born in Alexander County October 4, 1924, the daughter of the late Partee J. Bolick, Sr., and Artie Starnes Bolick. She was a life-long member of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church, where she was a member of the Monday Morning Breakfast Club. Mrs. Whitener was retired from the hosiery industry after sixty years of service. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Melissa Adair; two brothers, Maynard Bolick and Clifton Bolick; and two sisters, Desola Frye and Lois Powell. Survivors include four daughters, Mickey Adair and husband James of Hickory, Hilda McCloud Wager and husband Ed of Taylorsville, Sandra Hefner and husband Don of Hickory, and Linda Richardson and husband Butch of Lincolnton; one son, Ronnie Whitener and wife Linda of Charlotte; two sisters, Catherine Teague of Hickory and Bobbie Martin of Winston-Salem; two brothers, Rev. Partee J. Bolick, Jr., of Maryland and Arnold Bolick of Arizona; fourteen grandchildren; and sixteen great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Friday, January 20, 2006, at Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church with Rev. Mike Stone officiating. Burial followed in Woodlawn Memorial Gardens. Mrs. Whitener’s grandsons served as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers included members of the Monday Morning Breakfast Club of Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church. Memorials may be made to the Mt. Pisgah Lutheran Church Organ Fund, 9379 N.C. Hwy. 127, Hickory, NC 28601. Bass-Smith Funeral Home of Hickory was in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Ann Winkler Starnes, age 61, of Taylorsville, went to be with her Lord and Savior and also to join her mother and son Tuesday, January 3, 2006, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory following a twenty-seven year courageous battle with her illness. She was born in Catawba County February 3, 1944, the daughter of the late Jacob Winkler and Lillian Sherrill Winkler. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Charles Richard Starnes. Survivors include a daughter, Angela Dawn Starnes and special friend Shannon Austin of Bethlehem; a daughter-in-law, Tammie Starnes of Bethlehem; four grandchildren, Kristen Starnes, Tanner Starnes, Nicholas Maye, and Maddoux Austin, all of Bethlehem; a brother, Bruce Winkler of Hickory; three sisters, Carolyn Pritchard of Hickory, Judy Ingle of Granite Falls, and Marie Parham and husband Darrell of Granite Falls; a brother-in-law, Donald Ingle of Granite Falls; her former husband, Pete Starnes of Bethlehem; and a number of nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 7, 2006, at the Bass-Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Hickory with Rev. Sam Craven and Richard Wynn officiating. Burial followed in Oakwood Cemetery. Mrs. Starnes’ nephews served as pallbearers. Bass-Smith Funeral Home & Crematory of Hickory was in charge of arrangements.
Jimmy Warren, age 64, of Taylorsville, died Thursday, January 19, 2006, at his residence. He was born in Alexander County November 16, 1941, the son of the late Spencer Blackman Warren and Eda Idell Clary Warren. He was a member of Lebanon Baptist Church and was employed with Sherrill Furniture for twenty-nine years and Icenhour Furniture for nine years. Mr. Warren was a member of the Apple City Street Rodders, a founder of the Ellendale Fire Department, and served on the executive committee of the Alexander County Republican Party. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by four brothers, Roy Lee, Harlan, Ray, and Leonard Warren. Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Stafford Warren of the home; two daughters, Lisa Johnson and fiance' Frank Taylor and Lorie Wood and husband Daniel, all of Taylorsville; one son, Wade Warren and fiance' Cindi Tedder of Taylorsville; six grandchildren, Jesse Johnson, Jamie Johnson, Justin Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Natalie Wood, and Kasey Wood, all of Taylorsville; two sisters, Betty Edge of Charlotte and Ruth Hefner and husband Fate of Taylorsville; two brothers, J.D. Warren and Larry Warren and wife Shirley, all of Taylorsville; a number of nieces and nephews; and a multitude of friends. A memorial service was conducted Sunday, January 22, 2006, at the Alexander Funeral Service Chapel with Rev. Bill Dyson officiating. Memorials may be made to Lebanon Baptist Church, 167 Lebanon Church Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681, to Hospice of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681, or to the American Heart Association, c/o Margo Mosley, 129 Hillsboro Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681. Condolences to the Warren family may be emailed to alexfuneralsvc@bellsouth.net. Funeral arrangements were provided by Alexander Funeral Service, Inc., of Taylorsville.
Phillip Gordon Drye, age 68, of Midway Rd., Stony Point, died Wednesday, January 18, 2006, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. He was born in Iredell County January 27, 1937, the son of Ethel White Drye of the home and the late Joseph Drye. He was a member of Midway United Methodist Church and was in the North Carolina National Guard. A paraplegic since 1966, the result of an automobile accident, Mr. Drye most enjoyed getting in his car and visiting with his friends. In addition to his mother, survivors include a brother, Jerry Drye of the home; a sister, Betty Drye Crawford of Statesville; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, January 21, 2006, at the Chapman Funeral Home Chapel in Stony Point with Rev. Robert Harrison officiating. Burial followed in the Midway United Methodist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Midway United Methodist Church, 1200 Midway Rd., Statesville, NC 28625.
Condolences may be emailed to the Drye family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony was in charge of arrangements.
