OBITUARIES

 

Mrs. Gladys Elizabeth Mendenhall Ray, age 84, died Monday, September 1, 2003

Mrs. Gladys Elizabeth Mendenhall Ray, age 84, of Red, White, and Blue Road, Roaring River, died Monday, September 1, at Britthaven Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, 11:00 a.m., September 3, 2003 at Cranberry Baptist Church with the Rev. Roger Elmore and the Rev. Ray Davis officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mrs. Ray was born July 25, 1919 in Yadkin County to Landon Thomas and Rhoda Jane Mathis Mendenhall. She was a member of Cranberry Baptist Church. She is survived by her husband of 60 years, Robert Parks Ray of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Ann and Howard Huffman of Purlear, Kay and Ronnie Johnson of Roaring River; two sons and daughter-in-law, Allen and Ann Ray of Yadkinville, Gary Ray of Roaring River; one sister, Ruby Vernon of Winston-Salem; one brother, James Mendenhall of Elkin; eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Cranberry Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Rebecca Johnson, 1586 Wilkes Yadkin Road, Roaring River, NC 28669. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Mrs. Esther Sidden Stamper, age 81, died Monday, September 1, 2003

Mrs. Esther Sidden Stamper, age 81, widow of Arnold Matthew Stamper of Sparta Road, North Wilkesboro, died Monday September 1, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Stamper was born January 16, 1922 in Wilkes County to Wesley Linville and Serra Etta Vannoy Sidden. She was a member of Mountain Valley Baptist Church in McGrady. Surviving are five sons, Jesse Stamper of Ronda, Marvin Stamper of Boomer, Roger Stamper of Moravian Falls, Rodney Stamper of North Wilkesboro, Terry Stamper of Hays; two daughters, Dessie Stikeleather of Statesville, Debbie Whittington of Boomer; one brother, Walter Van Sidden of Traphill; three sisters, Nancy McGrady, Minnie McGrady, both of Traphill, Bell Crain of Niceville, FL; fifteen grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 4 at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Jay Johnson, the Rev. Mike Hall and the Rev. Berch Handy officiating. Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park. The family will be at Miller Funeral Service from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, September 3. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

 

 

Mrs. Ruth Marie Boggs Call, age 62, died Monday, September 1, 2003

Mrs. Ruth Marie Boggs Call, age 62, wife of W. H. Call, Jr., of Aaron Call Road, North Wilkesboro died Monday, September 1, 2003 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, 2:00 p.m., at Flint Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Jackie Richardson officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Mrs. Call was born in Ashe County, September 21, 1940, to Guy and Elizabeth Dillard Boggs. She was a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church. In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Lisa Reid, Julie Lyon both of North Wilkesboro; one son, Steve Call of North Wilkesboro; two brothers, Rev. Carl Boggs of Millers Creek, Rev. Wiley Boggs of Moravian Falls; four grandchildren. Memorials may be made to Flint Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, C/O Rev. Jackie Richardson, 367 Happy Corner, Traphill, NC 28685. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Mrs. Audrey Lee Royal, age 60, died Sunday, August 31, 2003

Mrs. Audrey Lee Royal, age 60, wife of Cecil Royal of Clover Leaf Circle, North Wilkesboro, died Sunday, August 31 at her home. Mrs. Royal was born January 7, 1943 in Wilkes County to Walter and Ruth Carolina McCarter Bauguess. She was a member of Harvest Time Ministries and was a certified Nursing assistant at Wilkes Senior Village. Surviving are her husband of the home; one son, Thomas Ray "Billy" Royal of Kernersville; four brothers, Buford Bauguess, Edward Bauguess, both of North Wilkesboro, Hubert Randy Bauguess of Wilkesboro, Rex Allen Bauguess of Hays; one sister, Rosalie Duncan of North Wilkesboro; two grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 3 at Harvest Time Ministries with the Rev. Gene Shepherd and the Rev. Bud Shepherd officiating. The Body will be placed in the church at 10:30 .a.m. Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, 1907 West Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Mr. Raymond Theodore Chatham, age 82, died Sunday, August 31, 2003

Mr. Raymond Theodore Chatham, age 82, of Russell Gap Lane, Moravian Falls, died Sunday, August 31 at his residence. Mr. Chatham was born October 21, 1920 in Wilkes County to Peter J. and Nancy Johnston Chatham. He was a member of Grassy Knob Baptist Church and a Navy Veteran of World War II. Surviving are his wife, Polly McCoy Chatham of the home; two sons, Wayne Eugene Chatham of Hiddenite, James Lee Chatham of Wilkesboro; one daughter, Gladys Chatham Baldwin of Moravian Falls; one brother, Bill Chatham of Union Grove; four sisters, Laura McCoy of Greensboro, Novella Cass, Fannie Love, both of Statesville, Dorothy Nicholson of Union Grove; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 3 at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Paul Laws and the Rev. Phil Branton officiating. Burial with Military Rites by VFW Post 1142 will be in Scenic Memorial Gardens. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

 

Mrs. Viola Stamper Lawson, age 77, died Saturday, August 30, 2003

Mrs. Viola Stamper Lawson, age 77, of Valley Drive, Wilkesboro, widow of Robert N. Lawson, died Saturday, August 30, 2003 at her home. A graveside service was held Tuesday, September 2, 2003 at Ashley Chapel Cemetery with the Rev. Ben Trawick officiating. Mrs. Lawson was born October 9, 1925 in Smith County, VA to Grover Cleveland and Bessie Ashley Stamper. She was a retired nurse from Ashe Memorial Hospital and was a member of Glade Springs Presbyterian Church. She is survived by four sisters, Jane Stamper Brooks of Wilkesboro, Ann Stamper King of Lansing, Fran Lansell of Leesburg, FL, Rose Schisler of Atlanta, GA; one brother, Dr. Clifford Stamper of Lansing. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, 1908 West Park Drive, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the services.

 

Mr. Mack Vaughn Gregory, age 74, died Friday, August 29, 2003

Mr. Mack Vaughn Gregory, age 74, of Hensley Eller Road, Millers Creek, died Friday, August 29 at Britthaven of Wilkesboro. Mr. Gregory was born July 13, 1929 in Wilkes County to Floyd Franklin and Coy Shatley Gregory. Surviving are his wife, Nora Ann Ferguson Gregory of the home; one daughter, Mrs. Mark "Debra" Bauguess of North Wilkesboro; two brothers, Noah Gregory of Olin and John T. Gregory of Hope Mills; two grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, September 3 at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Hadley Triplett officiating. Memorials may be made to Beaver Creek Baptist Church, 10396 West Highway 268, Ferguson, NC 28624. Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Zelma Jennings Huie, age 96, died Thursday, August 28, 2003

Mrs. Zelma Jennings Huie, age 96, widow of Claude Roosevelt Huie, died Thursday, August 28, at Avante at Wilkesboro. Mrs. Huie was born May 12, 1907 in Wilkes County to Elbert and Dora Ellen Shumate Jennings. She was a member of Center Baptist Church. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Don (Betty Ann) Dillard of North Wilkesboro; nine grandchildren; seventeen great-grandchildren and ten great-great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 30, at Center Baptist Church with the Rev. John T. Vannoy III officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Memorials may be made to Center Baptist Church, 205 Center Baptist Church Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

 

Mrs. Alma Mary Dunn Elmore, age 87, died Thursday, August 28, 2003

Mrs. Alma Mary Dunn Elmore, age 87, of Champion/Mt. Pleasant Road, Ferguson, widow of George “Babe” Elmore, died Thursday, August 28, 2003 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held Sunday, August 31, 2003 at Dunkirk United Methodist Church with the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn and the Rev. Leon Church officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Elmore was born February 2, 1916 in Wilkes County to Charlie and Frances Johnson Dunn. She was a member of Davis Memorial Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Kay Johnson of Wilkesboro, Carolyn Sparks of Ferguson; three sons, Jimmy Elmore of Lenoir, Kenneth Elmore, Ronny Elmore both of North Wilkesboro; five sisters, Elmina church of North Wilkesboro, Ola Foster of Wilkesboro, Nell Garcia of Winston-Salem, Violet Michael, Novella Anderson both of Ferguson; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

 

 

Mr. John Stephen Blackburn, age 90, died Thursday, August 28, 2003

Mr. John Stephen Blackburn, age 90, of Wilkesboro, widower of Ila Faye Phillips Blackburn, died Thursday, August 28, 2003 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Funeral services were held Monday, September 1, 2003 in Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Howard Laney and the Rev. Tommy Mathis officiating. Burial with military rites by Post #1142 was in Mountlawn Memorial Park. Mr. Blackburn was born June 15, 1913 in Wilkes County to Marcus Alexander and Fannie Etta Wood Blackburn. He served 20 years in the United States Army during WWII, where as chief warrant officer, he lead a 900 mule train across China on a 745 mile, 64 day trip to take rations and ammunition to the troops. After returning to Wilkes County he attended Clevenger Business College in Wilkesboro. Mr. Blackburn then served as Chief Deputy for the Wilkes County Sheriff’s Office for more than eight years. Trading that badge for another, in 1970 he became Chief of Police in Wilkesboro for the next eight years. He then served as Coroner for twelve years before retiring in 1990. He was a member of Bethany Baptist Church. He is survived by one step-daughter, Brenda Joines Brown of North Wilkesboro. Memorials may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

 

James Thompson Cochrane, age seven months, died Tuesday, August 26, 2003

James Thompson Cochrane, age seven months, infant son of Edwin T. and Laura Hayes Cochrane, of James Street, Wilkesboro, died Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at Brenner's Children's Hospital. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 28, at Oakwoods Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Duncan officiating. Burial was in Scenic Memorial Gardens. James was born January 8, 2003 in Wilkes County. In addition to his parents, James is survived by two sisters, Rachel Anne Cochrane, Grace Lauren Cochrane both of the home; his maternal grandparents, Marilyn Garwood of North Wilkesboro, Jimmy C. and Brenda Hayes of Wilkesboro; his paternal grandparents, Bobbie Cochrane, Edwin Cochrane both of Winston-Salem; his maternal great-grandparent, Nellie J. Hayes of Wilkesboro. Memorials may be made to the Gideons International South Camp, PO Box 323, Wilkesboro, NC 28697 or to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

 

Mrs. Ruth Thelma Norris Crumpler, died Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Mrs. Ruth Thelma Norris Crumpler, of Applewood Lane, North Wilkesboro, widow of Joseph Crumpler died Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at Villages of Wilkes Skilled Care. Funeral services were held Thursday, August 28, at Liberty Grove Baptist Church in Ashe County with Mr. Joe Brown, Mr. William Scott, Mr. J. C. Trivette, and Mr. Wallace Greer officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery. Mrs. Crumpler was born in Ashe County, December 23, 1919, to Grover C. and Mollie Greene Norris. She was a member of Liberty Grove Baptist Church in Ashe County. Mrs. Crumpler is survived by four sisters, Lucy Waugh of North Wilkesboro, Ruby Wagner, Helen Ross both of Elizabethton, TN, Lib Hartzog of Millers Creek; three brothers, Allie Norris of Jefferson, Jack Norris of Boone, Paul Norris of Lansing. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, PO Box 609, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to Liberty Grove Church Cemetery Fund, Fleetwood, NC. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

 

Ms. Grace Anne Barnes, age 55, died Tuesday, August 26, 2003

Ms. Grace Anne Barnes, age 55, of Dogwood Avenue, Charlotte, died Tuesday, August 26, 2003 at Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte. Ms. Barnes was born January 25, 1948 in Caldwell County to Percy Lee and Nina Cathleen Carlton Barnes. She was a member of Zion Primitive Baptist Church in Charlotte. Surviving are one son, Andre Barnes of Charlotte; two daughters, Andrea Hemphill, Frandetta Barnes both of Charlotte; her mother of North Wilkesboro; two brothers, Percy Barnes of Hickory, Anthony Barnes of Zebulon; one sister, Cynthia Taylor of North Wilkesboro; eight grandchildren. Funeral services were held Saturday, August 30, at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Fred Carlton and the Rev. Roosevelt Carlton officiating. Burial was in Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Cemetery. Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.