Mr. Clarence Lee Mayberry, age 78, died Monday, February 2, 2004

Mr. Clarence Lee Mayberry, age 78, of Old Hwy 60, Wilkesboro died Monday, February 2, 2004 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, 2:00 p.m., February 5, at Fishing Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Edwards and the Rev. Dennis Love officiating.  The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mr. Mayberry was born in Sparks, Nevada, January 7, 1926, to Claude Blaine and Charlotte Foster Mayberry.   He was a member of Fishing Creek Baptist. Mr. Mayberry was retired from Dermox and also was a driver for Wilkes Transportation.  He served in the US Marine Corp during World War II.

Mr. Mayberry is survived by his wife, Mildred Elizabeth “Betty” McLain Mayberry of the home; two sons, Lucky Mayberry of Wilkesboro, Michael Mayberry of Simpsonville, SC; five grandchildren.

The family will receive at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, February 4.

 Flowers will be accepted or memorials to Fishing Creek Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 2180 Old 60, Wilkesboro, NC  28697.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Mary Alice Watson Church, age 90, died Monday, February 2, 2004

Mrs. Mary Alice Watson Church, age 90, widow of Winfred Carr Church of Friendly Grove Church Road, Millers Creek, died Monday, February 2 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. 

Mrs. Church was born January 24, 1914 in Ashe County to William Smith Watson and Minnie Phillips Watson.  She was a founding member of Friendly Grove Baptist Church and was preceded in death by a son, Winfred Gerald Church.

Surviving are two daughters, Lorraine Absher of Simpsonville, SC, Marlene Church of Millers Creek; two brothers, James Watson of North Wilkesboro, Bill Watson of West Jefferson; three sisters, Hazel Hendrix of Mebane, Nadine Flurkey of Fairfield Glade, TN, Barbara Berrier, Winston-Salem; three grandchildren, Jonathan Absher of Greenville, SC, Carmen Rhodes of Simpsonville, SC,  Vicki Taylor of Wilkesboro; four great-grandchildren, Stephen Rhodes, Jessica Rhodes, both of Simpsonville, SC, Mariah Taylor of Wilkesboro, Destiny Absher of Greenville, SC; one step, great-granddaughter, Alice Beaty of Greenville, SC.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, February 5 at Friendly Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Jimmy McGlamery officiating. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30 p.m.  Burial will be in Mountlawn Memorial Park.  The family will be at Miller  Funeral Service from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. tonight.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friendly Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, 368 Friendly Grove Church Road, Millers Creek, NC  28651 or to the donor's choice.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Lettie Irene Mathis Stephenson, age 60, died Monday, February 2, 2004

Mrs. Lettie Irene Mathis Stephenson, age 60, of Albert Mathis Road, Wilkesboro, widow of S. A. Stephenson, died Monday, February 2, 2004, at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

A graveside service will be held Thursday, 2:00 p.m., February 5, at Mountlawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Dennis Clonch officiating.

Mrs. Stephenson was born in Wilkes County, February 11, 1943, to Albert and Belle Johnson Mathis.  She was a member of Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.

Mrs. Stephenson is survived by one daughter, Sandra Anita Stephenson of Wilkesboro; one son, Claude Vincent Stephenson of Wilkesboro; two sisters, Patricia Milam of Lenoir, Trishia Nance of Wilkesboro; three brothers, Jim Mathis of Scotland,  Jay Mathis of Wilkesboro, Jerry Mathis of Texas; five grandchildren; two great-grandchildren.

The family will receive at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home from 6:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. tonight.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

Mrs. Sarah Dean Pendergrass, age 77, died Monday, February 2, 2004

Mrs. Sarah Dean Pendergrass, age 77, widow of Henry Pendergrass, of Bosh Kemp Road, North Wilkesboro, died Monday at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Mrs. Pendergrass was born September 13, 1926 in Wilkes County to Roy Swain and Alice Doll Chambers Combs. She was a member of Lewis Baptist Church.

Surviving are one son, Randy Pendergrass of North Wilkesboro; one daughter, Joe Ann Rhodes of North Wilkesboro; two sisters, Mildred Louise Parker of Moravian Falls, Nancy Lunsford of Union Grove; two step-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m., this afternoon, Wednesday, February 4, at Lewis Baptist Church with the Rev. Bruce Rhoades and the Rev. Amos Combs officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Lewis Baptist Church c/o Paula Shook, 252 Deerfield Lane, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or to the Wilkes-Irdell Fire Dept., 11715 Statesville Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Miller Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Celestie Goforth Key, age 101, died Sunday, February 1, 2004

Mrs. Celestie Goforth Key, age 101, of Old Brickyard Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of Luther Clinton Key, died Sunday, February 1, 2004 at Villages of Wilkes Skilled Care.

Funeral services will be held today, Wednesday 2:00 p.m., February 4, 2004, at Lewis Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn officiating.  Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Key was born December 11, 1902 in Wilkes County to Martha Goforth.

Two sons, Thomas Q. Key, Sr., and Harrold Key preceded her in death.

She is survived by two daughter-in-laws, Irene Key of Spartanburg, Edna Key of Purlear; six grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; one great, great-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

Mrs. Wilma Mae Clonch Blackburn, age 87, died Saturday, January 31, 2004

Mrs. Wilma Mae Clonch Blackburn, age 87, of 1631 Flint Hill Road, North Wilkesboro, widow of Willie Blackburn, died Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Monday, February 2, 2004 at Flint Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Jackie Richardson, the Rev. Jack Osborne, and the Rev. Fred Dillard officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Blackburn was born November 25, 1917 in Wilkes County to Willy and Minnie Higgins Clonch.  She was a member of Flint Hill Baptist Church.

She is survived by four daughters, Shelby Blackburn, Hazel Chambers, Elean Earp, Peggy Walton all of North Wilkesboro; eight sons,  Bill Blackburn, Marvin Blackburn, Raymond Blackburn, Danny Blackburn, Kent Blackburn, Mike Blackburn, Terry Blackburn all of North Wilkesboro, Steve Blackburn of High Point; two sisters, Annie Belle Brown, Georgia Rhoades both of North Wilkesboro; one brother,  Jay Clonch of North Wilkesboro; twenty-two grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Flint Hill Baptist Church, c/o Rev. Jackie Richardson, 367 Happy Corner, Traphill, NC 28685.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. William Frank Beshears, age 89, died Saturday, January 31, 2004

Mr. William Frank Beshears, age 89, of US Hwy 421, Deep Gap died Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Watauga Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at Stony Fork Baptist Church with the Rev. Vernon Eller and the Rev. Sherrill Wellborn officiating.  Burial was in Yellow Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Beshears was born July 1, 1914 in Wilkes County to Daniel Fowle and Della Phillips Beshears.  He worked for the United States Postal Service for thirty years, serving as postmaster at Deep Gap Post Office for many of those years.  Mr. Beshears was a member of Stony Fork Baptist Church, where he served as deacon for 25 years.

He is survived by  his wife, Mary V. Whittington Beshears of the home; one daughter, Wanda Beshears of the home; two sons,  Randall Beshears of the home, William Ray Beshears and wife Evelyn of Warrensville; one sister,    Effie Payne of North Wilkesboro; one brother, Charles Beshears of Purlear; one grandchild; two great-grandchildren; one great, great-grandchild.

Memorials may be made to Yellow Hill Baptist Church, 5733 Summitt Road, Purlear, NC 28665, Stony Fork Baptist Church, c/o Betty Triplett, 414 Stony Fork Road, Deep Gap, NC 28618, or to Visually Impaired Fund, Lions Club, c/o U. W. Foster, 326 Legion Drive, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Rachel Honeycutt Potts, age 94, died Saturday, January 31, 2004

Mrs. Rachel Honeycutt Potts, age 94, of Old Brickyard Road, North Wilkesboro, formerly of W. Wilson Ave., Mooresville, widow of Ralph Leon Potts, died Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Villages of Wilkes Skilled Care.

A graveside service was held Tuesday, February 3, 2004 at Bethel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Cornelius with the Rev. Mike McDonald officiating.

Mrs. Potts was born October 11, 1906 in Iredell County to Thomas and Lettie Chester Honeycutt.   She was a member of Broad Street United Methodist Church in Mooresville.

She is survived by one daughter, Patty Potts Thornton of Wilkesboro; two sisters, Mary P. Honeycutt of Mooresville, Ruby Hass of Statesville; three brothers, Robert Honeycutt of Jacksonville, FL, Russell Honeycutt of Mooresville, T. M. Honeycutt, Jr., of  Statesville; three grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Broadstreet United Methodist Church, Mooresville, NC or to Villages of Wilkes Skilled Care Aviary Fund, 204 Old Brickyard Road, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Jessie James Bowlin, age 84, died Friday, January 30, 2004

Mr. Jessie James Bowlin, age 84, of Old Hwy 16 North, Millers Creek died Friday, January 30, 2004 at his home.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 1, 2004 at Union Baptist Church with the Rev. Dean Rector and the Rev. Steve Faw officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Bowlin was born March 15, 1919 in Wilkes County to George and Mary Jane Bare Bowlin.  He was the owner of J. J. Bowlin Lumber Company.

Two sons Bobby Bowlin and Tommy Bowlin preceded him in death.

He is survived by his wife, Della Sheets Bowlin of the home; three daughters, Charlene Hill of Moravian Falls, Jenette Taylor of  North Wilkesboro, Betty Spears of Millers Creek; two sons, Tony James Bowlin of Millers Creek, Bucky Bare of Moravian Falls; three sisters, Georgia Sheets, Delvie Miller both of Millers Creek, Lilly Call of North Wilkesboro; two brothers, Earl Bowlin of West Jefferson, Arnold Bowlin of Millers Creek; twelve grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mrs. Edith Eveline Bishop Church, age 79, died Thursday, January 29, 2004

Mrs. Edith Eveline Bishop Church, age 79, widow of Archie Church of South Holiness Church Road, Wilkesboro, died Thursday, January 29 at her home.

Mrs. Church was born June 25, 1924 in Wilkes County to James Mack and Rosa Church Bishop.  She attended Congo Pentecostal Holiness Church.

Surviving are two sons, Sterlin Church of Wilkesboro, Arlie Church of Deep Gap;  two daughters, Naomi Spears, Juanita Caudill, both of Wilkesboro; one sister, Cola Raby of Hudson, eleven grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 1 at Congo Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Luke Pyles and the Rev. Rodney Raby officiating.  Burial was in the Church Family Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the donor's choice.

Pallbearers were Eugene Church, Scotty Church, Marty Church, Douglas Spears, Kenneth Spears, Charles Spears, Kent Greene, Dale Church, Gary Church, and Steven Church.

Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Haden Triplett, age 78, died Thursday, January 29, 2004

Mr. Haden Triplett, age 78, of McGlamery Road, Wilkesboro, died Thursday, January 29, at Britthaven of Wilkesboro.

Mr. Triplett was born April 20, 1925 in Watagua County to Charlie C. and Alice Triplett Triplett.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Dorothy Hamby Triplett of the home are one son, Donald Ray Triplett of North Wilkesboro; one brother, Kibble Triplett of Lenoir; two sisters, Helen Prestwood and Gladys Bowman both of Lenoir; two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services were held Sunday,  February 1, at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Richard Owings officiating. Burial was in the Jesus Life Worship Center Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Alzaheimer's Association, Western Carolina Chapter, Mountain Region Office, 31 College Place Suite D320, Asheville, NC 28801.-2644.

Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. James Vance Porter, age 77, died Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Mr. James Vance Porter, age 77, of Austin Traphill Road, Elkin, died Wednesday, January 28, at Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital.

Mr. Porter was born November 12, 1926 in Wilkes County to John and Viola Longbottom Porter.He was co-owner of Roaring River Milling Co and retired from Home Chair/Burlington Industries.  He was owner of Porter's Fish Lake in Roaring River for 20 years. He was a member of Roaring River United Methodist Church and Army veteran of World War II.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Edith Byrd Porter of the home are one son, James Michael Porter of Statesville; one daughter, Kathy Porter Samples of Elkin; one brother, G.C. Porter of Roaring River; one sister, Patsy Wyatt of Roaring River; four grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and preceded in death by a sister, Betty Mastin.

Funeral services were held Saturday, January 31, at Miller Funeral Chapel with the Pastor Herb McClintick officiating. Burial with military rites by VFW Post 1142 was in the Roaring River United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 2361, North Wilkesboro, NC 28659 or the Cancer Fund of America, 2901 Breezewood Lane, Knoxville, Tennessee 37921.

Miller Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Kip Edward Zollman, age 53, Wednesday, January 28, 2004

Mr. Kip Edward Zollman, age 53, of Wilkesboro, died Wednesday, January 28, 2004 at Britthaven at Wilkesboro.

A memorial services was held Saturday, January 31, 2004 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Dean Rector officiating.

Mr. Zollman was born April 18, 1950 in Kokomo, Indiana to Lloyd E. and Maxine D. Martin Zollman.  He worked at Hadley's Restaurant.  He served in the United States Air Force.

He is survived by two daughters, Valerie Zollman of North Wilkesboro, Monica Zollman of Hollywood, FL; his mother, Maxine D. McCord of Frankton, IN; step-daughter, Carla Young of Florida; step-son, Kurtis Zollman of North Wilkesboro; three step-sisters,   Donna Forstner of NC, Carol Montgomery, IN, Joyce McCord of KY; one brother, Terry Russell of Indianapolis, IN and four grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Wilkes, 1908 West Park Dr., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the service.

Mr. Dolphus U. D. Barlow, age 79, died Tuesday, January 27, 2004

Mr. Dolphus U. D. Barlow, age 79, of NC Hwy 268 West, Boomer, widower of Louise Phillips Barlow, died Tuesday, January 27, 2004 at his home.

Funeral services were held Sunday, February 1, 2004 at Reins-Sturdivant Chapel with the Rev. Paul Laws officiating.  Burial was in Goshen Baptist Church Cemetery.

Mr. Barlow was born April 30, 1924 in Wilkes County to Spencer and Mary Carpenter Barlow.  He was retired from Broyhill Furniture Industries.

He is survived by one daughter, Marilyn Smith of Hudson; one son, Clinton Barlow of Boomer; one sister, Elizabeth Barlow Ballew of  Clinton , SC; one brother, Charles L. Barlow of Clinton, SC; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of the arrangements.

Mr. Silas Romlus Absher, age 60, died Sunday, January 25, 2004

Mr. Silas Romlus Absher, age 60, of Halls Lane, McGrady died Sunday, January 25, 2004 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center.

Funeral services were held Thursday, January 29, at 11:00 at Cane Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Kenny Absher, the Rev. Larry Adams, Elder Berch Handy, the Rev. Clayton Handy officiating.  Burial was in the church cemetery.

Mr. Absher was born in Wilkes County, June 23, 1943, to Rom and Hattie Felts Absher.  He was a member of Cane Creek Baptist Church.

Mr. Absher is survived by his wife, Judy Ham Absher of the home; one daughter, Judy Eggers of North Wilkesboro; two sons, Kenny Absher (wife, Brenda) of McGrady, Junior Absher (wife, Martha) of Roaring River; four sisters, Kathy Bell, Virgie Patterson, Mary, Margie Lackey all of North Wilkesboro; three brothers, Robert Absher of McGrady, Hobert Absher of North Wilkesboro, Olin Absher of Millers Creek; eight grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to Cane Creek Baptist Church, C/O Judy Absher, PO Box 134, McGrady, NC  28649.

Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.