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Mrs. Madalyn Irene Richards Southard
Mrs. Madalyn Irene Richards Southard, 64, of First Street in Morganton died Sunday, December 21, 2003 at Grace Hospital. Born June, 20, 1939 in Meriden, Connecticut she was the daughter of the late Woodbury Richards Sr. and Marion Randall Richards. Her husband Rodney Lee Southard; brother Woodbury Richards Jr. and a sister Doris S. Ward preceded her in death.
Mrs. Southard was a member of the First Assembly of God Church in Morganton.
She is survived by: sons Robert Southard of East Baldwin, Maine, Shaughn Ward of Crossnore ;daughters Tammy Harbison and husband James of Morganton, Kim Southard of Morganton; grandchildren David Southard, Frank Southard and Nicole Southard all of Morganton.
Funeral Services will be 2:00 PM Saturday, December 27, 2003 at Kirksey Funeral Home in Morganton with the Reverend J.D. Mallory officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.
The family will receive friends 1 till 2 pm Saturday at Kirksey Funeral Home in Morganton.
Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton is assisting the Southard with arrangements.
Howard Roland Willet
Howard Roland Willet, 78, of Marion died unexpectedly Sunday, April 25, 2004 at his home.
Mr. Willet was born in Mooresville but grew up and lived most of his life in Black Mountain, until recently moving to Marion. Mr. Willet was a veteran of World War II and was decorated with a Purple Heart. He was employed at the VA Hospital in Oteen for 34 years.
He was a longtime member of Mountain View Baptist Church where he served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher and deacon for 45 years. Following his service at Mountain View Baptist Church, Mr. Willet was a member and served at Swannanoa First Baptist Church for 12 years. Most recently, he has been a member of Cross Memorial Baptist Church for five years where he served fervently in local and statewide missions through the men’s Brotherhood group.
Mr. Willet lived his life serving his fellow man through his work with Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministry, Meals on Wheels and yet, not overlooking his family and neighbors’ needs. He had a love for God’s creation and had a passion for the outdoors. He loved fishing, gardening and farming. His hobby of woodworking meant many hours spent in one of his favorite places, his workshop. Howard was loved by all who knew him and will be sorely missed.
Mr. Willet was the son of the late Jay Van Willet and Martha Clark Willet. He is preceded in death by his brothers, Boyce Willet and Jay Lee Willet; sisters, Beulah Horne and Margaret Hartman; and former wife, Pansy Patton Willet. He is survived by daughters, Phyllis Newcomb and husband William, Kay Core and husband Ronnie and their children Crystal and Dennis.
In addition, he is survived by his wife, Louise Stewart Willet; her children, James Sullins and wife, Cheryl, their children, Steven Sullins, Christy and Jessie Reynolds, grandchildren, Raegan and Rachel; Gloria Hollifield and husband, Milton, son, Judson Hollifield and wife, Jamie, Van Sullins and wife, Ann, their daughter, Kimberly and grandson Cevan; Cindy Byrd and husband, Sam and their children Peyton and Erin; Darlene Schleider and husband Theo, their children Jennifer and Woody Edney and Tate. Also surviving are brother, Pat Willet and wife Juanita and children, sister Grace Roberts and Mary Ann Hall and her children and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be today, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Cross Memorial Baptist Church in Marion. A funeral will be held Wednesday at 11 a.m. at Cross Memorial Baptist Church with burial following in the Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain. military rites will be conducted.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gideons, Mountain View Baptist Church or Cross Memorial Baptist Church Building Fund or Mountain Area Hospice.
Arrangements are in the care of Kirksey Funeral Home, Marion.
Reverend James C. Ray
Reverend James C. Ray, age 78, of Marion, went to be with the Lord, Tuesday, March 1, 2005 at his residence. Born August 27, 1926, in Yancey County, he was a son of the late Ozain Ray and Eula Styles Ray. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sons, Jerry and Jackie Ray, and four brothers, Frank, Earl, Bobby and Ken Ray. Reverend Ray was a member of the West Marion Missionary Baptist Church where he served as a minister, deacon, Sunday School Teacher, Sunday School Director, he also served as an assistant Scout Master for Troop 209 for three years. He attended Gardner-Webb College and also attended Harvard. Rev. Ray retired from Drexel Furniture Co. with 40 years of service. His friends and co-workers knew him fondly as “Boney”. He will be remembered as a wonderful, loving and caring husband, father and grandfather.
Reverend Ray is survived by his wife, Iva J. Robinson Ray, of the home; a daughter, Terry Burnette and husband, Arthur, of Marion; two grandchildren, Chris Burnette and wife, Kim, of Marion and April Brooks and husband, John, of Old Fort; three great grandchildren, Amber and Kasey Burnette, of Marion and Abbie Brooks, of Old Fort; two brothers, Bill Ray, of Burnsville, NC and Clarence Ray, of McCain, NC; two sisters, Grace Woody, of Marion and Jewell Autrey, of Burnsville, NC; one aunt Lizzie Ray, of Morganton, NC; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services for Reverend Ray will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, March 3, 2005 in McCall Memorial Chapel at Kirksey Funeral Home, Marion with the Reverend Coy Jeans officiating. Burial will follow at the West Court Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the services at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Iva J. Ray, 58 Poplar Dr., SW, Marion, NC 28752.
Charles Monroe
Charles Monroe, 90, of Old Fort, passed away Wednesday, July 13, 2005 at his daughter’s residence. His wife, Ethel Moore Monroe, preceded him in death by five months.
Born in Cannon County, TN to the late James Robert Monroe and Ebbie Youngblood Monroe, he was a US Army Veteran of World War II. Mr. Monroe was retired from the VA Hospital at Oteen, and the Farmers Federation. He also had self-employment interest. Mr. Monroe was the oldest charter member of Lackey Town Baptist Church, where he also served as a Deacon.
Surviving Mr. Monroe are his son, Charles Wayne Monroe, and wife Susan; two daughters, Charlotte Monroe Greer, and husband John, Karen Monroe Lunsford, and husband Doug, all of Old Fort; eight grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and three step-great-grandchildren.
Services will be held 2:00 o’clock Sunday, July 17, 2005 at Lackey Town Baptist Church with Reverends Rick Griffin and James Walker officiating. The body of Charles Monroe will lie-in-state 30 minutes before the Service. Interment will follow in Cherry Springs Memorial Park with military Honors being held at graveside. The family will receive friends Saturday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 at Kirksey Funeral Home in Old Fort. At other times, the family will be available at the home of daughter, Charlotte Greer, 79 Charles Monroe Drive, Old Fort, NC 28762
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of McDowell County, 218 Logan Street, Marion, NC 28752.
Troy Pearson Morris
Troy Pearson Morris, age 80, formerly of Old Fort, died July 27, 2003 in Summerville, SC.
Services will be held on Thursday, July 31, at 2 PM in the McCall Memorial Chapel of Kirksey Funeral Home. Burial will follow in McDowell Memorial Park. The family will receive friends beginning at 12 PM on Thursday.
Arrangements are in the care of Kirksey Funeral Home, Marion.
Mr. Hubert Smith Williams
Mr. Hubert Smith Williams, 81, of Granite Falls, died Friday, April 30, 2004 at VA Medical Center in Asheville following a lingering illness. He was born in Caldwell County on June 8, 1922 and was son of the late Gaither G. Williams and Lula Smith Williams.
Mr. Williams was a veteran of the US Army Infantry during WWII. He was wounded in combat and permanently disabled. He is a recipient of the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
He is survived by his wife, Glenna Doreen Williams; son, James Russell Williams and wife, Pamela of Etowah, NC; daughters, Brenda Teague and husband, Buddy of Conover, NC; Leslie Baker and husband, Melvin of Williamsburg, VA ; grandchildren, Aaron Teague, Jonathan Teague and wife, Ashley, Kerri Baker, Emily Jolly and husband, Kevin, James Michael Williams and wife, Jennifer, and Brittany Sorey; one great grandson, Logan Ryan Nelson Williams.
A Graveside service will be held 2:00 PM Sunday, May 2, 2004 at Grace Chapel United Methodist Church with Reverend Mitch Wilson officiating. military Rites will be performed by a military Honor Team from Fort Bragg.
The family will receive friends following the service at Grace Chapel United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall.
Memorials may be made to the Chaplain Protestant Fund, c/o Volunteer Services, 1100 Tunnel Road, Asheville, NC 28805.
Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton is assisting the Williams family with arrangements.
Mr. Edwin Smawley
Mr. Edwin Smawley, 85, of Glen Alpine, died peacefully Tuesday morning with his family by his side.
He was born in Rutherford County on August 31, 1919 and was son of the late Herman Smawley and Vernie Grayson. He was a member of Calvary Freewill Baptist Church and was retired from Drexel Furniture where he worked as a canteen operator for 37 years. He also owned and operated Smawley’s Grocery Store in Glen Alpine for more than 20 years. Legally blind, Mr. Smawley did not have many barriers. He loved to fish, play his guitar, do leatherwork, restore furniture and especially read his Braille Bible. He will be greatly missed by his loved ones and neighbors.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Causby Smawley; sister, Ann Bone; brother, William Smawley; step-daughter, Betty Lail and step-granddaughter, Libby Lail.
He is survived by 4 children, Wayne Smawley and wife Stace’ of Morganton; Raye Womack and husband, Bill of Charlotte; Harold Smawley and wife Shirley and Doris Causby all of Glen Alpine. Also surviving are sister, Helen Smawley of Shelby; 7 grandchildren, 7 step-grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; 14 step-grandchildren and 11 step great-grandchildren
Services for Mr. Smawley will be 11:00 AM Friday at Calvary Freewill Baptist Church in Valdese with Reverend Leonard Lindsey presiding. Interment will follow the service at the Glen Alpine Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Calvary Freewill Baptist Church, 6679 Carson Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC 28612.
The family would like to thank both Dr Lane and Dr. Mook along with their staff and also a special thanks to the staff of Grace Hospital for all your care and concern.
Funeral services are under the direction of Kirksey Funeral Home, Morganton.
Mrs. Helen Bufford Stephens
Mrs. Helen Bufford Stephens, 80, of Clay Street in Morganton died Wednesday, July 30, 2003 at Grace Hospital . Born November 14, 1922 in Wilkes County Georgia she was the daughter of the late Thomas E. Bufford and Pearl R. Bufford. Her loving husband Clarence R. Stephens and a sister Ethel Floyd preceded her in death.
Mrs. Stephens had been a faithful member of the Oak Hill United Methodist Church since 1946 and had been a homemaker.
She is survived by son Charles “Butch” Stephens and wife Sandy of Morganton; daughters Kay Webb and husband Ray of Morganton, Donna Carswell of Morganton, Judy Rogers of Panama City Beech Florida; sisters Lois Sale, Evelyn Oglesby both of Georgia; eight grandchildren ; fourteen great grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Funeral service will be 2:00 PM Friday, August 1, 2003 at the Oak Hill United Methodist Church with the Reverends David Gay and April Abernethy officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 1 till 2 PM Friday in the church fellowship hall at the Oak Hill United Methodist Church.
Memorials in Mrs. Stephens memory may be made to the Oak Hill United Methodist Church, 2239 NC 181, Morganton NC 28655.
Kirksey Funeral Home of Morganton is assisting the Stephens family with arrangements.
Mr. Thomas “Tom” Hartley
Mr. Thomas “Tom” Hartley, 87, of the Grace Ridge Retirement Center in Morganton died Tuesday, March 4, 2004 at his residents. Tom had formerly resided in Charlotte and River Hill in Lake Wylie S.C. . Tom was born February 26, 1917 in Sandersville Georgia to the late Thomas H. Hartley Sr. and Anne Young Hartley. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by: brother Robert Hartley and a sister Mrs. Wade Adilene Prescott
Mr. Hartley was a member of the River Hills Community Church, River Hills Country Club and a former member of the Myers Park Country Club. He was a veteran of WW II serving in the U.S. Marine Corps as a Captain. He had retired from Nations Bank, was a life Master in bridge and enjoyed his other hobbies of golf and fishing.
He is survived by: his wife Hope Frye Hartley of the home; two sons Tom Hartley Jr. of Charlotte, and Steve Hodges of Dallas Texas; two granddaughters Denise Hodges of Florida and Janel Hodges of Charlotte; a sister-in-law Maxine Cutting of Morganton several nieces and nephews and two special cousins Mrs. Lewis West of Sandersville Georgia and Mrs. William Faucett of Savannah Georgia.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 March, 2004 at the Grace Ridge Community Room. The family will receive friends following the services at Grace Ridge.
Memorials in Mr. Hartley memory may be made to Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese NC 28690 ; River Hills Community Church, Lake Wylie S.C. 29710 or to the Grace Ridge Scholarship Fund, in memory of Tom Hartley, 500 Lenoir Road, Morganton NC 28655 .
Tom was a courageous, loving and carrying man who had accepted God as the core and purpose of his life.
Arrangements are in the care of Kirksey Funeral Home, Morganton.
