U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Tommy Cowan "Tom" McNeely, 63, of Lindsey Farm Road, Stony Point, died Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville.
He was born at home on New Sterling Church Road in Iredell County February 2, 1944, the youngest of four boys born to the late Thomas Eugene McNeely and Eula Mae Pope McNeely. He was a very active member of Stony Point Baptist Church, where he served in numerous roles, including Deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Treasurer, Chairman of the Deacon Board, Pastor of the Selection Committee, and in Vacation Bible School. He also was Brotherhood Director in the Alexander Baptist Associa-tion, where he also served as a moderator. Mr. McNeely was employed with Peoples Bank for twenty-three years, where he served as Vice-President, Business Development Officer, and was a previous Branch Manager. He had also been employed with NCNB in Statesville for fifteen years. He was also a member of several civic organizations, serving in many positions and capacities, Rotary Club President and Treasurer, Charter Member of the Noon Exchange Club, member and officer of the Catawba Lions Club, Hiddenite Center Board Member, United Way Board Member, West Iredell Fire Department Board Member, announcer for West Iredell Warriors Football games for thirty years, Paul Harris Fellow Recipient, and Treasurer of the South Iredell Young Athletics Association.
He graduated high school at Celeste Henkel and college at UNC-Chapel Hill. He enjoyed attending golf tournaments, other sports events, and any activities he and his family could enjoy together. He enjoyed all types of people and could communicate with anyone. He was also an avid Carolina fan.
His father died when Tom was twelve and his mother when he was twenty, just a month after he was married. He was raised as an ARP in New Sterling ARP Church but joined Stony Point Baptist Church. Tom and his wife Tommye attended school together since the 7th grade and started dating their senior year. He was a "quiet" practical joker, which one would never expect, and was a gentle, humble person who appreciated so much in life.
In addition to his parents, he was preceeded in death by two brothers, Johnny McNeely and Billy McNeely.
Survivors include his wife, Tommye Ann Lindsey McNeely of the home; one son, David McNeely and wife Maria of Statesville; one daughter, Tracye Vanstory and husband Allen of Stony Point; one brother, Richard P. McNeely and wife Millie of Charlotte ; two sisters-in-law, Doris McNeely of Statesville and Sybil McNeely of Georgia; four grandchildren, Anna and Alex McNeely and Rebekah and Joseph Vanstory; and nephews, who served as pallbearers.
Funeral services were conducted Saturday, July 28, 2007, at Stony Point Baptist Church with Rev. Greg Barefoot, Rev. Phil Addison, Rev. Mitch King, and Rev. Henry Cook officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the organization where the Lord leads you to donate. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the McNeely Family at sympathycfh@bellsouth.net.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Robert Christopher Pope, 40, of Huckleberry Ridge Road, Hiddenite, and Mini Acres Lane, Hickory, lost his battle with cancer Monday, July 30, 2007, following several months of declining health.
He was born in Burke County April 24, 1967, the son of Johnny A. Pope and Kay Woodie Pope of Hickory, with whom he had recently made his home.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Virginia Woodie Duncan and Guy and Viola Pope.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include his wife, Phyllis C. Pope of Huckleberry Ridge Road, Hiddenite; a daughter, Kerstin VanHuss of Granite Falls; four step-daughters, Barbara, Shelley, Debra, and Mary Carrigan, all of Hiddenite; a step-grandson, Justin Robert Valdez; a sister, Carol Richey of Morganton; his grandfather, Aubrey Duncan of Morganton; a nephew, E.J. Starnes; and a niece, Sydney Richey.
A memorial service will be conducted Thursday, August 2, 2007, at 2:00 p.m. at Royal Chapel Church of God with Rev. Dennis Pitts officiating.
Family in Alexander County welcome family and friends to pay their respects Wednesday evening, August 1, 2007, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at the Hiddenite residence, 475 Huckleberry Ridge Road.
Family in Hickory will receive friends Wednesday evening, August 1, 2007, 6:00-7:30 p.m., at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton. At other times, they will assemble at the home of his parents, 1155 Mini Acres Lane, Hickory.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407 or to the Colon Cancer Alliance, 5411 N. University Drive, Suite 202, Coral Springs, FL 33067.
Online condolences may be made at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.
Sossoman Funeral Home of Morganton is serving the Pope Family.
Laura Renee Triplett, 33, of Waugh St., North Wilkesboro, died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 25, 2007, at her residence.
She was born in Wilkes County August 7, 1973, a daughter of Walter Gene Triplett of Ferguson and Ruby Ann Foster Absher of Ferguson. She was a homemaker and was also a contributing artist and writer for a book of folklore about Wilkes County at the Family Resource Center. She was also helpful to others and was a member of Lewis Fork Baptist Church in Purlear.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, include a son, Joseph Lee Hodges of the home; a daughter, JoeZ Laytin Triplett of the home; her step-father, Wayne Absher of Ferguson; three sisters, Angela Triplett Supulski of Ferguson, Sarah Lynett Triplett Wooten of Wilkesboro, and Juanima Triplett Minton of Moravian Falls; two brothers, John Fitzgerald Triplett and Matthew Vernon Triplett, both of Ferguson; a step-sister, Mary Anita Swanson of Columbus, Ohio; and two step-brothers, Martin Wayne Absher of Purlear and Michael Lloyd Absher of California.
A memorial service for Ms. Triplett will be conducted at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Joseph Lee Hodges and JoeZ Laytin Triplett Fund, State Employees Credit Union, P.O. Box 700, Wilkesboro, NC 28697.
Condolences to the Triplett Family may be emailed, adamsfunerals.com.
Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes is assisting the Triplett Family.
Arthur Vance Isenhour, 73, of Conover, died Tuesday, July 24, 2007, at Valley Nursing Center in Taylorsville.
He was born in Catawba County February 11, 1934, the son of the late Claude Adrian Isenhour and Rena Maude Witherspoon Isenhour. He was a member of St. Peters Lutheran Church in Conover.
In addition to his parents, he was prededed in death by two brothers, Charles Franklin Isenhour and Claude Eugene Isenhour.
Survivors include four brothers, Henry Cecil Isenhour and Gerry Leroy Isenhour, both of Hickory, Melvin Ray Isenhour of Claremont, and Carlos Ray Hedrick of Catawba; two sisters, Mrs. James (Evelyn I.) Crooks of Bethlehem and Mrs. Eugene (May Lou) Sigmon of Conover; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was conducted Friday, July 27, 2007, in the St. Peter’s Lutheran Church Cemetery with Rev. Paul Birner officiating. Pallbearers included Mr. Isenhour’s nephews and close family friends.
Condolences may be emailed to the Isenhour Family at alexfuneralsvc@bellsouth.net.
Alexander Funeral Service of Taylorsville was in charge of arrangements.
Bobby Joe Hodges, 51, of North Wilkesboro, died unexpectedly Wednesday, July 25, 2007.
He was born in Richlands, Va., November 11, 1955, a son of the late Clarence Alexander Hodges and Charlotte Geneva Justice Hodges. He was a welder in the automotive industry and was of the Baptist faith.
Survivors include two daughters, Hope Duncan and Crystal Shaffner, both of Millers Creek; a son, Joseph Lee Hodges of North Wilkesboro; a sister, Linda Harris of Raleigh; and two brothers, Jimmy Hodges of Carrollton, Va., and Jonny Hodges of Smithfield, Va.
No funeral services are planned at this time.
Condolences may be emailed to the Hodges Family at adamsfunerals.com.
Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes was in charge of arrangements.
Monroe W. Austin, 74, of Granite Falls, passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2007, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.
He was born in Caldwell County December 10, 1932, the son of the late Ervin Austin and Mary Butler Walker Austin Hunt. He was a member of Grace Baptist Church in Bethlehem, where he served as church bus driver. He was retired from Clayton-Marcus Furniture following twenty-nine years of service. A veteran of the U.S. Army, Mr. Austin served during the Korean Conflict.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Robert Lee Austin.
Survivors include his wife of forty-six years, Reba Walker Austin of Granite Falls; two sons, Greg Austin and wife Marche of Burke County and Billy Austin of the home; one daughter, Mary Austin of Granite Falls; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four brothers; and a number of nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, August 3, 2007, at Grace Baptist Church with Rev. Marcus Benfield officiating. Burial followed in the Temple Hill Baptist Church Cemetery with military rites provided by D.A.V. Chapter 84 of Taylorsville. Pallbearers included members of the Rhodhiss Fire Department.
Condolences to the Austin family may be emailed to alexfuneralsvc@bellsouth.net.
Funeral arrangements were provided by Alexander Funeral Service of Taylorsville.
Donald R. Russell, 95, of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and formerly of Taylorsville, died Monday, July 30, 2007, at his residence.
He was born in Alexander County May 6, 1912. A resident of Glen Burnie, Maryland, for fifty years, he had retired in 1962 as a driver from the Maryland Transit Authority. He was an active member of Faith Baptist Church in Glen Burnie. Mr. Russell enjoyed golfing, traveling, and listening to gospel music.
He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-seven years, Alma Mae Russell; a grandchild; and three siblings, Wayne Russell, Pauline Sinclair, and Gladys Brown.
He was the beloved father of three surviving daughters, Shirley M. Snyder, Barbara A. Dallas, and Glenda G. Russell and a caring brother of three surviving siblings, Keith Russell of Statesville and Mildred Dagenhart and Betty Wike, both of Taylorsville. Also surviving are five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Friday, August 3, 2007, at Singleton Funeral Home in Glen Burnie. Burial followed in Glen Haven Memorial Park in Glen Burnie.
Memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 7378 Furnace Branch Rd., Glen Burnie, MD 21060.
Singleton Funeral Home of Glen Burnie, Maryland, was in charge of arrangements. This obituary is a courtesy of Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville.
Gerald Lee Wike, 41, of Davidson Court, Taylorsville, died Monday, August 6, 2007, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville.
He was born in Alexander County July 15, 1966, the son of Jerry Lynn Wike and Wanda Kay Hoke Wike of Taylorsville. He was a furniture worker and was a member of Rocky Face Baptist Church.
He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Leroy Hoke, and his paternal grandparents David C. Wike and Ila Jolly Wike.
Survivors, in addition to his parents, include a son, Rodney Wike, and a daughter, Stephanie Wike, both of Hiddenite; two brothers, Gary Wike and Eddie Wike and wife Donna, all of Taylorsville; a sister, Rita Wike Payne of Taylorsville; and his maternal grandmother, Colleen Stikeleather Hoke of Stony Point.
The family will receive friends Wednesday evening, August 8, 2007, 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home in Stony Point. At other times, the family will assemble at the home, 208 Davidson Court, Taylorsville.
A graveside service will be conducted Thursday, August 9, 2007, at 3:00 p.m. at the Rocky Face Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Mark Dula officiating.
Notes of sympathy may be emailed to the Wike Family at sympathycfh@bellsouth.net.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point is serving the Wike family.
James Harlowe "Jim" Miller, 82, of Smith Farm Rd., Stony Point, and formerly of Hampton, Tenn., died Friday, August 3, 2007, at the home of his grandson, John Chambers, in Hiddenite.
Mr. Miller was born February 25, 1925, in White Rock, Tenn., the son of the late Sam Miller and Timpie McKinney Miller. He was a logger and was of the Baptist faith.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Pearl Miller; one daughter, Pamela Garr; two grandsons, Scottie Garr and Jamie Rosenbaum; one sister, Ruth Williams; four brothers, Mack Miller, Edd Miller, Toby Miller, and Cotton Miller.
Survivors include three sons, Jimmy Miller and wife Pat of Statesville, Judge Miller and wife Patsy of Stony Point, and Eddie Miller and friend Lisa; three daughters, Bea Davis and husband Buddy, Molly McClanahan and friend Randy, and Betty Tibbetts and husband Mike, all of Hiddenite; two stepsons, Raymond Morgan and wife Evelyn of Stony Point and Roy Morgan and wife Gertie of Statesville; five step- daughters, Ronnetta Miller of Hiddenite, Rhonda Wilker of Brooklyn, Md., Retha Shankle of Etowah, Tenn., Rome G. Blevins of Hampton, Tenn., and Rain Ella Daniels of Johnson, Tenn.; one sister, Ruby Farmer of Hampton, Tenn.; eleven grandchildren; one great-grandchild; thirty- three step-grandchildren; and twenty-five step-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were conducted Sunday, August 5, 2007, at the Chapman Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Billy Smith and Rev. Steve Parks officiating. Burial followed in the Hiddenite Cemetery.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Miller Family, sympathycfh@bellsouth.net. Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
Harry Eugene Fortner, 79, of Ashbrook Rd., Statesville, passed away Monday, August 6, 2007, at Britthaven of Wilkesboro.
He was born in Iredell County october 19, 1927, the son of the late George B. Fortner and Ethel Houston Fortner. A graduate of Scotts High School, he was a manager of Hardee’s and later had also worked part-time at Lake Norman State Park. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II and was a member of Bristol Drive Baptist Church in Statesville.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother, Paul Fortner, and a daughter, Deborah Bumgarner.
Survivors include two daughters, Cathy Moore of Statesville and Patricia Frazier and husband Chuck of Hiddenite; a sister, Virginia F. Jenkins of Statesville, with whom he made his home; five grandchildren, Donna Moore Rankins and husband Rhyne of Statesville, Jerry Lee Moore, Jr., of Statesville, Kim Icenhour and husband Bryan of Taylorsville, and Nicholas Bumgarner and Jamie Bumgarner, both of Candler; and five great-grandchildren.
A graveside service was conducted Wednesday, August 8, 2007, at 1:00 p.m. at Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville with Rev. Steve Parks officiating.
Pallbearers were Rhyne Rankins, Jerry Lee Moore, Jr., Bryan Icenhour, Chuck Frazier, Nicholas Bumgar-ner, and Jerry Lee Moore, Sr.
Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.
Nicholson Funeral Home of Statesville was in charge of arrangements.
This obituary is a courtesy of Adams Funeral Home of Taylorsville.
Mary Catherine Affolter Calendine, 88, of Marsh Rd., Hiddenite, died Wednesday August 1, 2007, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville.
She was born April 5, 1919, in Tuscarawas, Ohio, the daughter of the late Homer Affolter and Ollie Metzer Affolter. She was a homemaker and was a member of Rocky Springs United Methodist Church. Mrs. Calendine was also a member of the Rocky Springs Homemakers Club.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Calendine.
Survivors include one son, Robert Calendine of Hiddenite; one daughter, Linda Dessecker and husband Darryl of Hiddenite; three brothers, Ben Affolter and wife Doris of Texas City, Texas, Edward Affolter and wife Betty of Tray, Ohio, and Jim Affolter and wife Hazel of Frankford, Indiana; four sisters, June Swonger of Dover, Ohio, Doddie Bucher and husband Bennie of New Philadelphia, Ohio, Helen Calendine of Dover, Ohio, and Martha Dillon and husband Bob of New Philadelphia, Ohio; three grandchildren, Diane Sprinkle and husband Billy, Shelly Brown and husband Michael, and Douglas Dessecker and wife Jennifer, all of Hiddenite; and six great- grandchildren, Jessica Sprinkle, Dylan Dessecker, Daniel Dessecker, Drake Dessecker, Michala Brown, and Marissa Brown.
A graveside service was conducted Friday, August 3, 2007, at the Rocky Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Eric Yelton officiating.
Memorials may be made to the Rocky Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Norris Keever, 1321 York Institute Rd., Hiddenite, NC 28636.
Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Calendine family at sympathycfh@bellsouth.net.
Chapman Funeral Home of Stony Point was in charge of arrangements.
James Roy Brafford, Jr., 71, of Moravian Falls, died Sunday, August 5, 2007, following a lengthy illness.
He was born in Wilkes County March 28, 1936, a son of the late James Roy Brafford, Sr., and Estelle Minton Brafford. He was a furniture worker and a sawmiller and was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he served during the Vietnam War.
Survivors include two daughters, Paula Brafford Maricle and husband Harold of Mocksville and Sharon Brafford Douglas of Wilkesboro; a sister, Mary Sue Walsh and husband John of Boomer; two brothers, Ray Monroe Brafford of Wilkesboro and Clay Harold Brafford and wife Mary of Boomer; and two grandchildren, Tyler and Heather Cardwell.
Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 8, 2007, at Zion Hill Baptist Church in Boomer with Rev. Charles Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the church, 2:00-300 p.m., Wednesday prior to the funeral service.
Condolences may be e-mailed to the Brafford Family at adamsfunerals.com. Adams Funeral Home of Wilkes is assisting the Brafford Family.
