The Record - North Wilkesboro, North Carolina -- Wilkes County's First Worldwide Newspaper.

Wednesday, January 1, 2003

Internet Edition - #164

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OBITUARIES

Mr. Romie Hugh Anderson, age 72, died Saturday, December 28, 2002

Mr. Romie Hugh Anderson, better known as “Bud’, age 72, of Wilkes Yadkin Road, Ronda died Saturday, December 28, 2002 at Forsyth Medical Center. Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 31 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in the Clingman Community with the Rev. Dennis Murphy and the Rev. Donald Blevins officiating.

Burial was in the church cemetery.
Mr. Anderson was born in Wilkes County, November 3, 1930, to Ransom Harrison and Lillie Shatley Anderson. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in the Clingman community. Mr. Anderson also attended Union Baptist Church in his later years. Mr. Anderson is survived by four sisters; Ruby Welborn of Aberdeen, Ruth Gray of Winston- Salem, Rachel Gray of Lexington, Alene Andrews of Tobaccoville; four brothers, E. J. Anderson of Advance, Noah Anderson of Winston Salem, James (Jim) Anderson of Ronda, Roy Anderson of Ronda. He leaves behind many faithful friends in the Pleasant Grove Community, the Union Baptist Church Community and Piedmont Village Nursing Home. Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 3982 Clingman Road, Ronda, NC 28670. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Bertha Pardue Wilcox, age 86, died Saturday, December 28, 2002

Mrs. Bertha Pardue Wilcox, age 86, of Riddle Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of Clint John Wilcox died Saturday, December 28, 2002 at her home. Funeral services were held Tuesday December 31, 2002 at Oak Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Roby Wilcox officiating. Burial will be in Liberty Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Wilcox was born in Wilkes County, May 3, 1916, to Robert (Bob) and Levia Prevette Pardue. She attended Oak Grove Baptist Church. Mrs.Wilcox is survived by five daughters, Georgia Wallace of Winston Salem, Mary Church, Judy Rhoades , Alice Crabb all of North Wilkesboro, Juanita Padgett of Harmony; one son, Bobby Wilcox of Boomer; three sisters, Pearl Blackburn of Wilkesboro, Emmer Howard of Greensboro, Mary Jane McCulloch of Fayetteville; two brothers, Bill Pardue of Boomer, Frank Pardue of Newport News, VA; 14 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; 9 step grandchildren; 9 step great grandchildren. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Beulah Harless Duncan, age 85, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Mrs. Beulah Harless Duncan, age 85, of Wilkesboro, widow of George Duncan died Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at Avante at Wilkesboro. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 28 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. George Taylor officiating. Burial was in Piney Ridge Baptist Church Cemetery. Mrs. Duncan was born in Wilkes County, April 28, 1917, to Thomas and Candis Miller Harless. She was a member of Piney Ridge Baptist Church. Mrs. Duncan is survived by four sisters; Gladys Staley of Millers Creek, Mary Spicer of Wilkesboro, Pearl Hamby of Kannapolis, Betty Severt of St. Augustine, FL; one brother, William Harless of Georgia. Memorials may be made to Piney Ridge Baptist Church Building Fund, 14890 N NC Hwy 16, Millers Creek, NC 28651. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Carl Edward Pruitt, age 55, died Saturday, December 28, 2002

Mr. Carl Edward Pruitt, age 55, of Absher Road, Traphill died Saturday, December 28, 2002 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Funeral services were held Tuesday, December 31, 2002 at Piney Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Billy Shepherd, the Rev. Hobert Absher, and the Rev. Tim Pruitt officiating. Burial with military rites by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1142 were in the church cemetery. Mr. Pruitt was born in Wilkes County, May 30, 1947, to Coy and Cora Bowers Pruitt. He served in the US Army during the Vietnam Conflict. Mr. Pruitt is survived by two sons; Randy Pruitt of Hays, Ricky Pruitt of Traphill; his mother, Cora Bowers Pruitt of Marion; two sisters, Betty Ingool, Sue Cleary, both of Traphill; three brothers, Jesse Pruitt of Traphill, Larry Pruitt of Kernersville, Raymond Pruitt of Boomer; four grandchildren. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Rex Lee Church, Age 61, died Sunday, December 22, 2002

Mr. Rex Lee Church, Age 61, of Mt. Pleasant Road, Ferguson, died, Sunday, December 22, 2002 at his home. Mr. Church was born September 5, 1941 in Wilkes County to Cecil Lee and Mildred Marie Whittington Church. He was a member of Lewis Fork Baptist Church and was an Air Force Veteran. Mr. Church was retired from Lowe's Companies. Surviving are his wife, Linda Smith Church of the Home; two daughters, Regina Mathis of North Wilkesboro, Amy Suggs of Wilkesboro; two brothers, Cecil Ralph Church of Ferguson, Kenneth Reece Church of Titusville, Florida, four sisters, Violet Marie Foster, of Titusville, Florida, Jean Church Church, Carol McNeil, both of Wilkesboro, Judy Schrock of Boynton, Beach, Florida; and six grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Tuesday, December 24 at Lewis Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and the Rev. Victor Church officiating. Burial with Military Rites by VFW Post 1142 were held in the church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Lewis Fork Baptist Church Building Fund, 395 Lewis Fork Baptist Church Road, Purlear, NC 28665. Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Dalma Bright Jones, age 81, died Friday, December 27, 2002

Mr. Dalma Bright Jones, better known as "Jack", age 81, of Counterpane Lane, Taylorsville died Friday, December 27, 2002 at his home. Funeral service was held Monday, December 30 at Scenic Memorial Gardens Mausoleum Chapel with Dr. Charles Hutchens officiating. Mr. Jones was born in Sampson County, NC, February 25, 1921, to Jada Wilson and Mary Frances Parker Jones. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville. Mr. Jones served in the US Navy during World War II. Mr. Jones is survived by his wife, Nellie Hopkins Jones of the home; two sons, Larry W. Jones of Taylorsville, Dalma B. Jones, Jr. of Cary; one sister, Frances Edwards of Newton Grove; one brother, Chester Jones of Newton Grove; five grandchildren, Larissa Jones Erkman, Todd Wilson Jones, both of Taylorsville, Brian Kent Jones, Julie Elizabeth Jones, Jason Wilson Jones, all of Raleigh; one great grandchild, Caroline Quinn Erkman, of Taylorsville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of "Jack" to Matheson Town Park, C/O Mr. Larry Jones, PO Box 64, Taylorsville, NC 28681 or to the First United Methodist Church of Taylorsville, 110 East Main Avenue, Taylorsville, NC 28681. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Esther Ray Church, age 90, died Monday, December 23, 2002

Mrs. Esther Ray Church, age 90, of Britthaven, Wilkesboro, formerly of Roaring River died Monday, December 23, 2002 at Britthaven. Funeral services were held Friday, Dec. 27, 2002 at Cranberry Baptist Church with the Rev. David Wyatt officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Church was born in Wilkes County, February 3, 1912, to the Rev. J. B. and Lou Ella Garris Ray. She was a member of Cranberry Baptist Church. Mrs. Church is survived by one daughter, Mary Lou McGee of Roaring River; two sisters, Marion Swaim, Betty Church both of Roaring River; three brothers, Sam Ray, Ford Ray both of Jonesville, Parks Ray of Roaring River; one grandchild; one great grandchild. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Ila Elledge, age 85, died Thursday December 26, 2002

Mrs. Ila McGrady Elledge, age 85, of Cane Creek Church Road, McGrady, widow of Rom Oscoe Elledge died Thursday, December 26, 2002 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held Sunday, December 31, 2002 at Cane Creek Baptist Church with the Elder Berch Handy and the Rev. Dean Crane officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Elledge was born in Wilkes County, February 24, 1917, to Daniel and Martha Isadore Ellis McGrady. She was a member of Cane Creek Baptist Church. Mrs. Elledge is survived by three daughters; Mrs. Andrews ( Docia) Denny of Creston, Lessie Shepherd of McGrady, Josie Dailey of Mocksville; two sons, James William Elledge of McGrady, Rev. Ernest Worth Elledge of Lexington; eight grandchildren; four great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the donor's choice. The family will be making their headquarters at the home of a granddaughter, Tina Shepherd Cole of Cane Creek Church Road, McGrady. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Clelia May Bare Johnson, Age 96, died Sunday, December 29, 2002

Mrs. Clelia May Bare Johnson, Age 96, widow of Jesse E. Bare and Baxter Johnson, of Walshtown Road, Boomer died, Sunday, December 29, 2002 at Villages of Wilkes Skilled Care. Mrs. Johnson was born October 30, 1906 in Wilkes County to Tom and Ider Church Faw. She was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Surviving are three sons; Fred Bare of Wilkesboro, Carl Bare, Raymond Bare, both of Boomer; eight daughters; Dettie Holder, Pansy Walsh, Shirley Bentley, all of Boomer, Dessie Mae Morgan, Rosa Lee Morgan, both of Stanfield, Mary Magdalene Kilby of Moravian Falls, Wanda Geraldine Bare of Greensboro, Brenda Puckett of Wilkesboro; one brother, Carl Faw of North Wilkesboro; two sisters, Evazelle Eller of Millers Creek, Isabelle Dyer of North Wilkesboro; thirty-nine grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, January 1, 2003 at Calvary Baptist Church with the Rev. Richard Owings and the Rev. Fellman Cheek officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Baptist Church at 1:30p.m. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Rev. Eula Smith Lowe, age 84, died Monday, December 30, 2002

Rev. Eula Smith Lowe, age 84, widow of William Fred Lowe, died Monday, December 30, 2002 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Rev. Lowe was born May 3, 1918 in Wilkes County to John Ellis and Hester Evastiny Holland Smith. She was pastor of the Church of God, Nondenominational.
Surviving are two daughters, Sadie Louise Lowe-Crews, Martha M. Lowe-Dillard, both of Moravian Falls; one brother, Daniel Lewis Smith of Moravian Falls; three sisters, Flossie Pearson of Moravian Falls, Lizzie Pearson of Boomer, Jessie Pearson, of Greensboro; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson. Funeral services were held this morning, Wednesday, January 1 at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Marvin Beshears, Brother Buren Clark, Rev. Paul Laws, and Brother Steve Dezio officiating. Burial was in the Laws Cemetery in Moravian Falls. Miller Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Bertha Pardue Wilcox, age 86, died Saturday, December 28, 2002

Mr. J. D. Goulds, age 79, died Sunday, December 29, 2002.

Mr. J. D. Goulds, age 79, of Charity Church Road, Millers Creek died Sunday, December 29, 2002 at Britthaven Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday 2:00 PM, January 1, 2003 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy McGlamery and the Rev. Burl Faw officiating. Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park. Mr. Goulds was born January 15, 1923 in Watauga County to Lee and Chanie Greene Goulds. Before retiring, he worked for Queen Bess Dairy for approximately 10 years. He was a truck driver for Key City Furniture for 10 years and for Tyson Foods, Inc. for 25 years.

Mr. Paul Homer Haynes, age 96, died Monday, December 30, 2002

Mr. Paul Homer Haynes, age 96, of Country Village and Homestead Hills, Winston-Salem died Monday, December 30, 2002 at The Kate B. Reynolds HospiceHome. Funeral services will be held at 2:00p.m. Friday January 3, 2003 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with Dr. Gary Chapman officiating. Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park. Mr. Haynes was born June 26, 1906 in Wilkes County to William A. and Cornelia Sebastian Haynes. He worked for the North Carolina Department of Transportation Bridge Department for 50 years. He was foreman for the construction of the Low Water Bridge at Rockford, NC in 1962. Mr. Haynes was a member of Calvary Baptist Church of Winston-Salem and a former member of Rock Creek Baptist Church in Wilkes County. He was a life long member of Salem Grand Lodge Order of Odd Fellows in Winston-Salem. His wife, Clara Wiles Haynes; a daughter, Janet Lowder; and two sisters, Beulah Maury and Lola Brewer preceded him in death. He is survived by: four daughters, Mrs. Betty (Bill) Hall of Mocksville; Nancy G. Gregg of Winston-Salem, Mrs. Marilyn (Bill) Walklett of Jacksonville, FL, Mrs. Alece (Denver) Key of Orange Park, FL; one son, Paul W. “Bill” Haynes of Winston-Salem; half-sister, Argyle Marlow of North Wilkesboro; fifteen grandchildren, Danny Haynes, Denise Johnson, Elizabeth Vogler, William Hall, Sam Hall, Steve Gregg, Tommy Gregg, Debbie Scott, Kathy Bender, Brenda Whitehead, Sharon Bald, Lee McNeil, Scott McNeil, Brian Key and Michael Key; and eighteen great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro Thursday night January 2, 2003 from 6p.m. until 8p.m. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC 27127 or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Violet Wanda Kendall Lankford, age 89, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Mrs. Violet Wanda Kendall Lankford, age 89, of Lankford Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of Monroe Calvin Lankford, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. A graveside service was held Thursday, December 26, 2002 at Welcome Home Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. N. Nelson Granade, Jr. officiating. Mrs. Lankford was born September 30, 1913 in Wilkes County to Edwin S. and Claudia Woodard Kendall. Before retiring she was a registered nurse at Wilkes General Hospital. Memorials may be made to Welcome Home Baptist Church, 132 Welcome Home Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the services.

Mrs. Allie Fair Roberts Shepherd, age 83, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Mrs. Allie Fair Roberts Shepherd, age 83, of Mertie Road, Millers Creek, wife of the late Numa Greene Shepherd, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at the home of a son in North Wilkesboro. Funeral services were held Saturday, December 28, 2002 at New Light Baptist Church #2 with the Rev. Muncie Absher officiating. Burial was in the Roberts Family Cemetery.
Mrs. Shepherd was born August 13, 1919 in Wilkes County to Ambrose and Maude Wyatt Roberts. She was a member of New Light Baptist Church #2. She is survived by: four sons; Edward W. Shepherd of Millers Creek; Rev. Hobert Key of North Wilkesboro, Jerry A. Shepherd of Roaring River, Rev. Plato Shepherd of Lindsborg, KS; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to New Light Baptist Church #2, 2316 Vannoy Road, Millers Creek, NC 28651. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Margaret Jones Steele, age 87, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Mrs. Margaret Jones Steele, age 87, of Hill Street, North Wilkesboro died Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held Friday 2:00p.m., December 27, 2002, at North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church with Mr. Gordon Finley, Pastor of Glendale Springs Presbyterian Church officiating. Mrs. Steele was born February 13, 1915 in Tyrrell County to Paul and Mary Kemp Jones. Before retiring she was a teacher at the Artistic Beauty School and a licensed electrologist. Mrs. Steele was a member of the North Wilkesboro Presbyterian Church for 64 years. She is survived by two sons; Mr. John S. (Steve) and wife, Kay Steele, of Wilkesboro and Mr. Wayne Steele and wife, Rhenda, of Winston-Salem; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. Memorials maybe made to the Barium Springs Home for Children, P O Box 1, Barium Springs, NC 28010. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Era Lee Poindexter, Age 83, died, Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Mrs. Era Lee Poindexter, Age 83, widow of Howard Ernest Poindexter of Green Acres Road, Millers Creek, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at Ashe Living Center. Mrs. Poindexter was born December 25, 1918 in Surry County to Noah Webster and Eva Pearle Sturdivant Wagoner. Surviving are four daughters; Ila Mae Shumate, Doris Faye P. Yates, both of North Wilkesboro, Jessie Lee Brown of Kannapolis, Brenda Gail Lucas of West Jefferson; one brother, Calvin Wagoner of Clemmons; three sisters, Frances Felts of Belews Creek, Imogene Scott, Shelba Walls, both of Elkin; ten grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Friday, December 27, 2002 at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jimmy McGlamery and the Rev. Homer Greene officiating. Entombment was in Mountlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Roger Clay Parker, age 44, died Monday, December 30, 2002

Mr. Roger Clay Parker, age 44, of Pads Road, North Wilkesboro passed away Monday, December 30, 2002 at Villages of Wilkes Skilled Care. A graveside service will be held Thursday, 2:00p.m. at Mountlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Kevin Huffman and the Rev. Mitchell Johnston officiating. Mr. Parker was born in Alamance County, December 30, 1958, to Henry Clay and Rozelle Jarvis Parker. He was a member of Unity Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. Parker is survived by one daughter, Anna Leigh Parker of North Wilkesboro; his father, Henry Clay Parker of North Wilkesboro; two brothers, Andy Parker of Purlear and James Parker of Ferguson. The family will receive at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6:30p.m. until 8:30p.m. Wednesday January 1, 2003. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Unity Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 160, Millers Creek, NC 28651. The family requests no food. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Arliss Blevins Caudill, age 80, died Tuesday, December 24, 2002

Mrs. Arliss Blevins Caudill, age 80, wife of Rev. Major Caudill, of Longbottom Road, McGrady died Tuesday, December 24, 2002 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held Friday, at 2:00p.m. at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Brad Wooten, the Rev. Mace Johnson, and the Rev. Jim Rhoades officiating. Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park. Mrs. Caudill was born in Raleigh County, WV, December 13, 1922, to Cranford D. and Mary Ethel Tedder Blevins. She was a member of Walnut Grove Baptist Church. In addition to her husband, she is survived by one daughter, Mary Elizabeth Wooten of Winston-Salem; one son, Donald Caudill of McGrady; one sister, Mary Thelma Brown of North Wilkesboro; three grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Goldia Faye Sebastian, Age 69, died Saturday, December 28, 2002

Mrs. Goldia Faye Sebastian, Age 69, wife of Lewis C. Sebastian of Yellow Banks Road, North Wilkesboro, died, Saturday, December 28, 2002 at Forsyth Medical Center. Mrs. Sebastian was born June 1, 1933 in Wilkes County to Lonnie Odell and Bessie Mae Felts Handy. She was a member of Dehart Baptist Church. Surviving in addition to her husband of the home are two brothers; Claude J. Handy of McGrady, James Allen Handy of Monroe, and two sisters; Ola Mae Handy Shumate, Dessie Marie Handy Hoke, both of Hays. Funeral services were held Monday, December 30, 2002 at Dehart Baptist Church with the Rev. Amos Combs and the Rev. Berch Handy officiating. Burial was in Mountlawn Memorial Park. Memorial may be made to the Wilkes South Gideons, P O Box 323, Wilkesboro, NC 28697. Miller Funeral Service was in charge of arrangements.