Justin M. Fortner
Justin Micheal Fortner, age six weeks, of Northside Drive, Hiddenite, died Wednesday, May 31, 2006. He was the son of Thomas Fortner and Christine Delehanty Fortner.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by two brothers, David and Kobe Fortner of the home; his paternal grandparents, Tommy Fortner and Connie Estes Fortner of Stony Point; his maternal grandparents, Raymond and Linda Delehanty of Saw Mills and Susan Delehanty of Statesville; paternal great- grandparents, Herman and Doris Estes of Stony Point; and maternal great-grandmother, Kathrine Delehanty of Saw Mills, NC.
Graveside services were conducted Saturday, June 3, 2006, at the Stony Point Cemetery with Rev. Buster Treadway officiating.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Kenneth Levan, Sr.
Kenneth Eugene “Ken” Levan, Sr., age 75, of Deer Creek Lane, Hiddenite, died Tuesday, June 6, 2006, at his residence following an extended illness.
He was born in Alexander County April 18, 1931, the son of the late Arthur Gilbert Levan and Sarah Gladys Adams Levan. Mr. Levan served in the U.S. Marines and was retired from Broyhill Furniture of Hiddenite. He had also worked at Trio Supermarket in Hiddenite. He was a lifetime member and deacon at Faith Temple Church, Cheatham Ford Road, Hiddenite. He was a retired fireman for Hiddenite Volunteer Fire Department, having served as Assistant Chief and as a First Responder. Mr. Levan had received numerous awards for his achievements, including Most Calls Attended, during his 47 years of service. He had various hobbies including rabbit farming, race car driving, and fishing.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-mother, Arena Keever Levan; brothers, Thomas Gale Levan, Arthur Lee Levan, James Howard Levan, William Nelson Levan, and Bobby James Levan; and one sister, Jennie Louise Levan.
Survivors include his wife, Frances Walker Levan, whom he married October 10, 1954; two sons, Billy David Levan and wife Button, and Kenneth Eugene “Gene” Levan, Jr.; three daughters, Lisa Levan Roberts and husband Keith, Kendra Levan Huss, and Lisa Renee Swanson and husband Shane; nine grandchildren, Dawn Levan Reed, Deanna Levan Watts and husband Chad, Sarah Levan, Lucas Levan, Kimberly Levan Blankenship and husband Blaine, April Roberts Mecimore and husband Chad, Brittany Roberts, Chelsea Bryant, and Kyler Lee Huss; nine great-grandchildren, Rita Lynn Crouch, T.L. Reed, II, Malik Reed, Tyrell Reed, Chanler Watts, Triston Watts, Maleia McCurdy, Maysie Millsaps, Madyson Blankenship and three expected great-grandchildren; two brothers, Cecil Gray Levan and wife Minnie Lee, and Franklin Douglas Levan and wife Mary; two sisters, Thelma Levan Odell and Juanita Levan Walker and husband Fred; one brother-in-law, William Fred Walker; five sisters-in-law, Kay Walker Levan, Linda Walker Hall and husband Gary of Oregon, Nancy Walker Childers and Tammy Head Canter, both of Georgia, and Minnie Mae Levan; one aunt, Jessie Levan; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family, and friends.
The family will receive friends Thursday, June 8, 2006, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home. At other times, the family will assemble at the home.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday, June 9, 2006, at 11 a.m., at Faith Temple Church in Hiddenite with Pastor David Hart officiating. The body will lie in state at the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. Burial will follow in the Hiddenite Cemetery with military rites provided by V.F.W. Post 10,000.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Levan family at: adamsfuneralhome@charter.net
Memorials may be made to Faith Temple Church, c/o Ronnie Moose, 591 Moose Drive, Stony Point, NC 28678.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Dr. Steve Thurston
Dr. Milton Stevenson “Steve” Thurston, age 85, of Salisbury, died Saturday, July 1, 2006, at his residence.
He was born in Taylorsville, Alexander County, May 8, 1921, the son of the late Dr. Asa Thurston and Jenna Eckerd Thurston.
Dr. Thurston received his BS degree in Business Administration from Davidson College in 1942 and a DDS degree from Emory University in 1950. He served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and received his pilot training at Craig Field, Alabama. He flew C47 planes in the Far East Air Service Command and was discharged with the rank of Major in 1946. Dr. Thurston practiced dentistry in Salisbury from 1950 until his retirement.
Dr. Thurston was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury, where he had served as an elder of the church. He was active in the Central N.C. Council of Boy Scouts of America and served on its executive board. He received the distinguished Silver Beaver Award in 1968 and received the James E. West Fellowship award, the highest honor a Boy Scout volunteer can receive. He also served on the Salvation Army Advisory Board for eight years and the Rowan County Board of Health from 1975 to 1981. He was a Past President of the Salisbury Rotary Club and had been a member since 1950. He received the first Senior Citizen of the Year of the Salisbury Rotary Club and also received a Paul Harris Fellowship Award. After his retirement, he worked with the Rotary International 3-H Dentistry Program in Hong Kong.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Foster Thurston, who died October 3, 1981.
He is survived by his wife, Linda McConnell Thurston, whom he married in 1982; two daughters, Lee Shugrue and husband Tom of Chapel Hill and Jenna Nash and husband Ben of Concord; a son, Asa Stevenson Thurston of Salisbury; two stepdaughters, Carrie Taylor and husband Eric of Cary, Disa Herring and husband Billy of Vilas; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and two sisters, Lucy Lowe of Greensboro and Geit Johnson of Statesville.
Memorial services were held Wednesday, July 5, 2006, at First Presbyterian Church in Salisbury with Dr. Jim C. Dunkin and Dr. Randal V. Kirby officiating. Burial was in City Memorial Park with military graveside rites conducted by the Rowan County Military Honor Guard.
Memorials may be made to the Abundant Living Center, 201 W. Harrison St., Salisbury, NC 28144, to First Presbyterian Church, 308 W. Fisher St., Salisbury, NC 28144, or to Rowan County Hospice, c/o Rowan Regional Home Health and Hospice, 130 Mocksville Ave., Salisbury, NC 28144.
Summersett Funeral Home of Salisbury was in charge of arrangements.
Robert L. Estep
Robert Lee Estep, age 44, of Old Vashti Rd., Taylorsville, died unexpectedly Thursday, July 6, 2006, at Frye Regional Medical Center.
Graveside services were held Sunday, July 9, 2006, in Orgas, West Va.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Molly C. Strickland
Molly Christine Strickland, age 73, of Millers Creek, died Sunday, July 9, 2006, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.
She was born in Lakeland, Georgia, March 20, 1933, the daughter of the late William Simpson Strickland and Mary Strickland. She was a homemaker and was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Downing Thomas Strickland.
Survivors include a son, Rev. Terry Strickland and wife Jessica of Millers Creek, and two grandchildren, Elisha and Hanna Strickland.
Visitation will be held Sunday, July 16, 2006, 4:00-6:00 p.m., at Greater Vision Baptist Church in Millers Creek.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are requested to be given to the Elisha and Hanna Strickland Scholarship Fund, 9234 Hwy. 16 North, Millers Creek, NC 28651.
Notes of sympathy may be emailed to the Strickland family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Doris I. Hawley
Doris Irene Hawley, age 81, formerly of Piedmont Village, Newton, went to be with Jesus Friday, July 7, 2006, at Valley Nursing Center in
Taylorsville following a period of declining health.
She was born in New York City August 24, 1924, the daughter of the late George Arthur Hawley and Valda May Collard Hawley. She was a homemaker for many years and was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Newton.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by an infant twin sister.
Survivors include a brother, Kenneth “Bud” Hawley of Los Angeles, California, and special friends, Linda Stiles of Hickory, Johnny Carpenter of Newton, and Amanda Hartness of Stony Point.
A memorial service to celebrate Ms. Hawley’s life will be held Friday, July 14, 2006, at Piedmont Village in Newton with Rev. Mike Daughtrey officiating .
Memorials may be made to The Doris Hawley Burial Fund, c/o Adams Funeral Home, P.O. Box 937, Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is in charge of arrangements.
Sandy T. Post
Ruth “Sandy” Charlotte Tietz Post, age 78, of Paul Payne Store Rd., Taylorsville, died Thursday, July 6, 2006, at her residence following an extended illness.
She was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 16, 1928, the daughter of the late William Tietz and Winford Schaffer Tietz. She was a bookkeeper and was of the Catholic faith.
Survivors include three daughters, Melody Raynor and Candy Milner, both of Taylorsville, and Sandra Kitto of Indian Rock Beach, Florida; a son, David Paro of Palm Bay, Florida; a brother, John Schaffer of Minnesota; four grandchildren, Stephanie Hall, Robert Hall, Christopher Paro, and Jamie Milner; and a great-grandson, Cody Lewis.
A memorial service was conducted Sunday, July 9, 2006, at the Adams Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Lory Beth Huffman officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Notes of sympathy may be emailed to the Post family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Mildred M. Tolbert
Mildred Elizabeth Munday Tolbert, age 83, of Tanglewood Dr., Lenoir, died Friday, July 7, 2006, at Lenoir Health Care Center following an illness of five years.
She was born in Caldwell County January 25, 1923, the daughter of the late Boyd Carr Munday and Bertha Jones Munday. She retired as a sewer with Blue Bell Industries and was a member of Lower Creek Baptist Church in Lenoir.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Tony Lee Tolbert; three sisters, Thelma Munday Lowery, Gladys Bolick Reed, and Jewel Munday Smith; and two brothers, Connelly Munday and Bob Munday.
Survivors include two sisters-in-law, Mrs. Mae Smith and Mrs. Edith Haas, both of Lenoir, and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday, July 9, 2006, at Antioch Baptist Church with Rev. Dwight Austin and Rev. Mark Morris officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Notes of sympathy may be emailed to adamsfuneralhome@charter.net.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Ollie B. Smith
Ollie B. Smith, age 90, of Brian Center of Statesville and formerly of Taylorsville, died Tuesday, July 11, 2006, at Brian Center.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville.
Edsel Dyson
Edsel Dyson, of Hepler Road, Taylorsville, died Wednesday, July 12, 2006, at Wake Forest University Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Adams Funeral Home in Taylorsville.
Eunice B. Dyson
Eunice Bumgarner Bowman Dyson, age 77, of Three Forks Church Rd., Taylorsville, died Monday, May 1, 2006, at Catawba Valley Medical Center following an illness of four months.
She was born in Alexander County December 25, 1928, the daughter of the late George Washington Bumgarner and Ora Johnson Bumgarner. She was a member of Three Forks Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and served in several capacities. She retired from Broyhill Furniture Industries. Mrs. Dyson was a member of the Singing Seniors and also volunteered at the Christian Crisis Center.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Escar E. Bowman, and two brothers, Conrad Bumgarner and Bland Bumgarner.
Survivors include her second husband, Maynard Dyson of the home; two daughters, Jill Fox and husband Bud and Joy Brown and husband Ronnie, all of Taylorsville; a son, Terry Bowman and wife Revonda of Bethlehem; a sister, Madge Bumgarner of Charlotte; a brother, Rhonda Bumgarner of Granite Falls; six grandchildren, April Brown, Travis Brown, Scott Schronce, Kim Corriher, Clint Bowman, and Alex Fox; and a great-grandchild, Shelby Corriher.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 4:00 p.m. at Three Forks Baptist Church with Rev. Mike Runion and Rev. Josh Benge officiating. Burial will follow in the Taylorsville City Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Alexander County Christian Crisis Center, P.O. 75, Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Notes of sympathy may be emailed to adamsfuneralhome@charter.net.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is serving the Dyson family.
Asa M. Bennett
Asa Mack Bennett, age 81, of 7th St S.W., Taylorsville, died Saturday April 29, 2006, at Brian Center East in Hickory.
He was born in Alexander County June 26, 1924, the son of the late William and Anna McClain Bennett. Mr. Bennett was retired from Schneider Mills in Taylorsville and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church, where he served as Sunday School Teacher and Superintendent, served on the Board of Trustees, and was a member of the All Male Choir and the Senior Choir. Mr. Bennett faithfully served his country as a member of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Emma Felder, Isabelle Hillsman, and Lula Mae Lackey; and six brothers, Lonnie, Walter, Thomas, James, Floyd, and Obie Bennett.
Loved ones left to cherish his memory include his wife, Annie Flowers Bennett of the home; one daughter, Cynthia Dula and husband Everette of Taylorsville; a son, Asa Lee Bennett of Taylorsville; one sister, Odessa Newland of Taylorsville; two brothers, Mason Bennett of New York and Lloyd Bennett of Mooresville; five grandchildren, Patrick Dula, Tracy Bennett, Michelle Dula, Regina Bennett, and Wesley Dula; one step-grandchild, Tongia Bettis; three greatgrandchildren, Mykel Bennett, Shantel Bennett, and Lauren Dula; and many other relatives and friends. His memory will always be cherished.
Funeral services will be conducted Wednesday, May 3, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. at Macedonia Baptist Church. Rev. Sterling Howard, Rev Lewis Walker, and Rev. Jarvis Saner will officiate. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with full military honors conducted by DAV Chapter # 84 in Taylorsville.
Memorials may be given to Hospice and Palliative Care of Catawba County, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, N.C. 28658.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to adamsfuneralhome@charter.net.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville is serving the Bennett family.
