Thomas D. Dillard
Thomas Demus Dillard, 33, of Riverbend Road, Claremont, died Sunday, January 21, 2007, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.
He was born May 8, 1973, in Caldwell County, the son of Michael Thomas Dillard of Ferguson and Debra Lynn Hamby of Lenoir. Mr. Dillard was employed with Hattons’s Lawn Service and was of the Baptist faith.
He was preceded in death by a paternal grandfather, Charlie Thomas Dillard, and maternal grandparents, Taft Hamby, Jr., and Doris Faye Morse.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a daughter, Leslie Marie Dillard of Conway, S.C.; a brother, Jody Mitchell Dillard of Lenoir; a half-sister, Ms. Amanda Irene Dillard of Granite Falls; paternal grandmother, Mrs. Clyde Irene Dillard of Raleigh; maternal great-grandmother, Mrs. Alma Church of Boone; and a niece, Daisy Dillard of Lenoir.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, January 26, 2007, at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel in Lenoir with Rev. Leonard Younce officiating. Interment followed in the Closer Walk Baptist Church Cemetery.
Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory of Lenoir was in charge of the arrangements.
Retha M. Thomas
Retha Munday Thomas, 93, of Belmont Rd., Belmont, died Friday, January 26, 2007, at Stanley Total Living Center.
She was born in Iredell County, the daughter of the late E.E. Munday and Frances Josephine Jenkins Munday. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Mt. Holly for over seventy years, where she taught Sunday School for thirty-four years and also taught Church training, Bible School, and assisted with the Meals on Wheels program. She was also a Deacon, and in 2003, was awarded Deacon Emeritus.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Isaac C. Thomas; a brother, Ernest Logan Munday; and three sisters, Nell M. McLeod, Mable Allen, and Jeanette M. Munday.
Survivors include two sons, Richard E. Thomas and wife Luann of Belmont and Isaac Thomas, Jr., and wife Virginia of Durham; a brother, John M. Munday and wife Ruth of Statesville; and a sister, Frances M. Wooten of Mocksville.
Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, January 30, 2007, at First Baptist Church in Mt. Holly with Dr. Robert Winecoff officiating. Interment followed in Hillcrest Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 300 S. Main St., Mt. Holly, NC 28120.
Woodlawn Funeral Home of Mt. Holly was in charge of arrangements. This obituary is a courtesy of Alexander Funeral Service in Taylorsville.
Ellis E. Johnson
Ellis E. “Butch” Johnson, 58, of Lake Wales, Fla., died Friday, January 26, 2007, at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale, Fla.
He was born March 7, 1948, in Iredell County, the son of the late Clarence E. Johnson and Thelma Frye Johnson. He was a self- employed painting contractor and was a member of Victory Baptist Church in Statesville. Mr. Johnson enjoyed restoring cars, fishing, and meeting people.
Survivors include his wife, Sheila Johnson of Lake Wales, Fla.; three daughters, Laura Aleck of Lake Hamilton, Fla., Wendy Gayle Johnson of Statesville, and Wendy Renee Sims of Portland, Texas; one brother, Delmar “Buddy” Johnson of Statesville; two sisters, Mae Brown of Hickory and Brenda Sue Harmon of Statesville; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services will be conducted Thursday Feb-ruary 1, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at Victory Baptist Church with Rev. Mitchell Rash officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, January 31, 2007, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Avenue, Auburndale, FL 33823.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Johnson Family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point is assisting the Johnson Family.
Fleta M. Price
Fleta Moretz Price, 84, of Hickory, died January 28, 2007, at Brian Center East, Hickory.
She was born in Alexander County March 17, 1922, the daughter of the late Lela Honeycutt Moretz and Arthur T. Moretz. She was a member of Friendship Lutheran Church in Taylorsville. Mrs. Price was involved in the PTA, Community Development, AARP, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP), and the Golden Chain Club. She was also a Hospice volunteer and had been a Girl Scout leader.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Webb M. Price, and five brothers, Paul Moretz, Taylor Moretz, H. Eugene Moretz, L. Aubrey Moretz, and Conrad C. Moretz.
Survivors include two daughters, Laura Price Bowers of Myrtle Beach, S.C. and Webra Price Douglas of Severna Park, Md.; two grandsons, Mark R, Bowers of Greenville, S.C., and Andy Bowers of Cape Cod, Mass., one granddaughter, Gina DeLozier of Greenville, S.C.; three great-grandsons, Jack Bowers, Reid Bowers, and Hunter Diggins, all of Greenville, S.C.; one great- granddaughter, Abigail Diggins of Greenville, S.C.; and a brother, H. Bruce Moretz of Hickory.
The funeral service will be conducted Thursday February 1, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. at Friendship Lutheran Church in Taylorsville with Rev. Todd A. Rauscher and Rev. Phil Thorsen officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends thirty minutes prior to the service at the church and also Wednesday evening at Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friendship Lutheran Church, 5300 Church Rd. Taylorsville, NC 28681, to Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd, Newton, NC 28658, or to Hospice of Alexander County, 50 Lucy Echerd Lane, Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the Fleta Moretz Price family.
Lorraine A. Welsh
Lorraine A. Welsh, 79, of Lineside Dr., Stony Point, died Thursday January 25, 2007, at Gordon Hospice House in Statesville.
She was born May 23, 1927, in Newark, N.J., the daughter of the late Anthony Sobsky and Helen Kisla Sobsky. She was a hospital worker at Mountain Side Hospital in Montclair N.J.
Survivors include her husband, Spiers Welsh of the home.
A memorial service was conducted Sunday, January 28, 2007, at the Chapman Funeral Home Chapel in Stony Point with Rev. Lynn Kunkle officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, NC 28625.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Welsh family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Pauline H. Russell
Liddie Pauline Hamby Russell, 74, of Mount Olive Church Road, Taylorsville, died Thursday, January 25, 2007, at Frye Regional Medical Center - Alexander Campus in Taylorsville following an illness of eight years.
She was born in Alexander County November 11, 1932, the daughter of the late Paul Hamby and Bessie Lewis Hamby Davidson. She was a member of Russell Gap Baptist Church and was a retired healthcare worker.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mayford Clyde Russell; a son, Dale Allen Russell; two brothers, Walter Hamby and Floyd Hamby; and a grandson, Jody Allen Russell.
Survivors include a daughter, Teresa Russell Bunton and husband Conway of Statesville; two sons, Bill Adams Russell and wife Regina and Danny Eugene Russell and wife Geraldine, all of Taylorsville; two sisters, Martha Ann Bowman of Claremont and Lori Cavanaugh of Savannah, Ga.; a brother, Bobby Hamby of Hiddenite; four grandchildren, Gia Chapman, Noel Fox, Israel Russell, and Shane Russell; and five great-grandchildren, Katie Fox, Kaleb Chapman, Kennady Russell, Breanna McManus, and Alexia McManus.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 28, 2007, at Mount Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Buster Treadway and Rev. Jamie Steele officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers included Dwight Bowman, Jeff Reid, Shane Russell, Israel Russell, and Jamie Stewart.
Notes of sympathy may be emailed to the Russell family at adamsfuneralhome@charter.net.
Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Joan M. Walker
Joan McFee Walker, 64, of Hwy. 90 East, Stony Point, died Saturday January 27, 2007, at her residence following an extended illness.
She was born March 11, 1942, in Buncombe County, the daughter of the late Grady W. McFee and Blance Buckner McFee. She was a Certified Nursing Assistant. Mrs. Walker was a member of Stony Point Baptist Church and attended Calvary Baptist Church.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Mary C. Hicks; two brothers, Bobby McFee and an infant; and one grandson, Robert Byers.
She is survived by her husband, Robert Walker of the home; four daughters, Roxanne Byers and husband Mike of Taylorsville, Sharon Kerley and husband Michael of Taylorsville, Betty Sue Walker of the home, and Judy Ortiz and husband Rene of Lillington; three brothers, Joey McFee and wife Lucille of Hiddenite, Jackey McFee and wife Martha of Maryland, and Boyd McFee and wife JoAnn of Maryland; one sister, Francis Johnson of Hiddenite; ten grandchildren, Jordan Byers, Elijah Byers, Meagan Kerley, Nicole Kerley, Cameron Kerley, Zachary Kerley, Gracie Walker, Alexander Rash, and Abigayle Diaz; a number of nieces and nephews; and special loved ones, Linda Ramsey and Beth Kelso.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, January 29, 2007, at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Stephen Dagenhart and Rev. Greg Barefoot officiating. Burial followed in the Hiddenite Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Alexander County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 938, Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Walker family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Maxine P. Sharpe
Maxine Pennell Sharpe, 79, of Kannapolis, died Friday, January 26, 2007, at Hospice of Charleston in Charleston, S.C., following a month of declining health.
She was born in Alexander County May 9, 1927, the daughter of the late Hugh Columbus Pennell and Annie Iona Murphy Pennell. She was a long-time resident of Kannapolis. She had worked for Cannon Mills in the sewing room and then was a homemaker. Mrs. Sharpe was a member of North Kannapolis Baptist Church and was a gifted pianist without ever having received any formal training.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Alfred Sharpe; two brothers, Maynard Pennell and Atwell Pennell; four sisters, Beulah Herman, Marie Sherrill, Wrenn Childers, and Lois Melton; and two half-sisters, Tula Burgess and Luda Galimore.
Survivors include two sons, Gary M. Sharpe and wife Sharlene of Kannapolis and Kenneth A. Sharpe and wife Elizabeth of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; five grandchildren, Marcietta, Michael, Emily, Allan, and Sarah Sharpe; a sister, Hazel Keller of Concord; numerous nieces and nephews; and her special pet, Buffy.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 28, 2007, at Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel in Kannapolis with Rev. Coy Privette officiating. Burial followed in Carolina Memorial Park in Kannapolis.
Memorials may be made to North Kannapolis Baptist Church, 312 Locust St., Kannapolis, NC 28081 or to Hospice of Charleston, 676 Wando Park, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464.
Whitley’s Funeral Home of Kannapolis was in charge of arrangements.
Verna I. Childers
Verna Alice Isaac Childers, 80, of Claremont, died Monday, January 29, 2007, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory.
She was born in Catawba County March 31, 1926, the daughter of the late Oliver Jennings and Cora Huffman Isaac. She was a graduate of Oxford High School and had been employed as a weaver for United Merchants. Mrs. Childers was a lifelong member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three brothers, Roger Isaac, George Isaac, and Kenneth Isaac.
Survivors include her husband, Haywood Gordon Childers of Abernethy Laurels in Newton; a son, James “Jimmy” Caldwell and wife Kathy of Taylorsville; a daughter, Elizabeth “Libby Wike and husband Jimmy of Taylorsville; five grandchildren, Lanny Caldwell and wife Tonna, Mila Mayberry and husband Clint, Robbie Wike and wife Amanda, and Jamie “Fred” Wike and wife Brooke, all of Taylorsville, and Geoff Wike of Raleigh; three great-grandchildren, Gavin Wike, Seth Wike, and Chloe Wike, all of Taylorsville; a brother, Melvin Isaac of Hickory; and a sister, Corrinne Reinheardt of Claremont.
A Service of Remembrance will be conducted Thursday, February 1, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Claremont with Rev. Edward F. Meyer officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 1:30 to 2:45 p.m. at the church.
Memorials may be made to the Bethel Lutheran Church Building Fund, 5759 Bolick Rd., Claremont, NC 28610.
Condolences to the Childers family may be sent to www.drumfuneralhome.com.
Drum Funeral Home & Cremations of Conover is in charge of arrangements. This obituary is a courtesy of Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville.
Annie S. Johnson
Annie Mae Stine Johnson, 93, of Taylorsville, passed away Monday, January 29, 2007, at her residence.
She was born in Alexander County March 27, 1913, the daughter of the late Clyde Stine and Fannie Fox Stine. She was a member of Three Forks Baptist Church, where she had served as pianist for approximately forty years. Mrs. Johnson was well known as the "Avon Lady" in the Taylorsville area for a number of years. She was also admired as a housewife, mother, and grandmother. Her interests included gardening and flowers.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn David Johnson; three brothers, Jay Stine, Morris Stine, and Levi Stine; one sister, Pearl Johnson; and one grandson, Dale Dixon Johnson.
She is survived by four sons, Bill Johnson and wife Jeanette of Taylorsville, Harold Johnson and wife Ena of N. Wilkesboro, Larry Johnson and wife Peggy of Bethlehem and Wayne Johnson of Taylorsville; four daughters, Linda Smith and husband Gordon of Florida, Hilda Mottsinger and husband Melvin in Clover, S.C., Phyllis Harp and husband Harold of Statesville and Brenda Jones and husband Rick of Taylorsville; two sisters, Mary Johnson of Taylorsville and Sue Jones of Texas; eleven grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Wednesday, January 31, 2007, from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Service. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, February 1, 2007, at 2 p.m. at Three Forks Baptist Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Rev. Mike Runion and Rev. Josh Benge will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Three Forks Baptist Church Building Fund, 4685 Three Forks Church Rd., Taylorsville, NC 28681. Condolences to the Johnson family may be emailed to alexfuneralsvc@bellsouth.net
Funeral arrangements are being provided by Alexander Funeral Service in Taylorsville.
William M. Bunton
William M. “Bud” Bunton, 80, of Mountain View Rd., Statesville, died Thursday, January 25, 2007, at his home following a lengthy illness. He was born in Alexander County, December 3, 1926, the son of the late William Alfred Bunton and Onar McCurdy Bunton. He was a member of Pilgrim Baptist Church in Hiddenite and was retired from the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Mr. Bunton was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, John Bunton.
Survivors include his wife, Jean Lambert Bunton of the home; a daughter, Brenda Johnson and husband Newell of Hiddenite; two granddaughters, Carmen J. Huffman and husband David of Hiddenite and Tammy J. McRary and husband Jason of Conover; a sister, Mary Emery of Statesville; three brothers, Everette Bunton and wife Helen, Gurney Bunton and wife Minnie Lee, and Leonard Bunton and wife Shirley, all of Statesville; and number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday, January 28, 2007, at Pilgrim Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Benfield and Rev. Mike Duncan officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be given to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd., Statesville, N.C. 28625 or to the Pilgrim Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Billy Carrigan, 8401 Cheatham Ford Rd., Hiddenite, N.C. 28636.
Nicholson Funeral Home of Statesville was in charge of arrangements. This obituary is a courtesy of Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville.
Lonnie W. Elder
Lonnie Woodrow Elder, 87, of Hwy. 90 West, Taylorsville, died Thursday, April 12, 2007, at his residence.
He was born in Alexander County July 29, 1919, the son of the late Ves Elder and Ella Little Elder. He was a retired textile worker, a retired machinist from Southern Devices, and was also a retired farmer. Mr. Elder was a member of Reformation Lutheran Church. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during World War II and was a life member of the D.A.V. and was active with the Meals on Wheels program.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Gaynell Icenhour Elder; a daughter, Nora Jane Teague; two brothers. D.B. Elder and Dewey Elder; and a sister, Edith Kerley.
Survivors include three sons, Kenneth Warren of Hiddenite, Carson Elder and wife Sookyung of Japan, and Paul Elder and wife Mary of Memphis, Tennessee; three daughters Linda Simon and husband John of Charlotte, Mary Ellen Herman and husband Clyde of Taylorsville, and Stephanie Elaine Schultz and husband Virgil of Myersville, Maryland; seventeen grandchildren; fourteen great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; a son-in-law, Steve Teague of Taylorsville; and a special friend, Nell Rose Stafford.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, April 14, 2007, at Reformation Lutheran Church with Pastor Lewis Murdock officiating. Burial followed in the St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery. Military rites were provided by D.A.V. Chapter 84 of Taylorsville.
Memorials may be made to Reformation Lutheran Church, 433 West Main Avenue, Taylorsville, NC 28681.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Elder family at sympathy@chapmanfuneralhome.com.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
