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Minnie Friday
LINCOLNTON — Mrs. Minnie K. Friday, 81, of 150 Openview Drive, died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002, at Kindred Hospital in Greensboro. The funeral will be Wednesday at 3 p.m. at Herndon Chapel AME Zion Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the home of her son, Alphonso “Joe” Friday, 325 Pruitt Houser St., Lincolnton. Ebony & White’s Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements.
Leon Smith
SHELBY — Mr. Leon Smith, 95, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. Born Jan. 5, 1907, in York County, S.C., he was a son of the late Abe Lincoln and Eliza Adeline Smith. He retired from Southern Railroad and was a member of Tryon Masonic Lodge No. 8. He belonged to Saint Luke FBH Church in Forest City. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Eugene Smith; seven brothers, John D., Malachi, Walker, Richard, Isaac, Warren B. and Cooper Smith; two sisters, Mamie Parker and Mabelle Lee; and two grandsons, Barry Lynch and Alfonso Smith. He leaves to cherish fond memories five sons, Clinzo Smith, Walker Smith and the Rev. Truman Smith, all of Baltimore, Md.; Joe Smith of Rutherfordton and Frank Smith of Kings Mountain; three daughters, Verlene Guest, Evangelist Rosetta Lynch and Dianne Littlejohn, all of Shelby; one sister, Essie Moore of Blacksburg, S.C.; 22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends. The funeral will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. at Saint Luke FBH Church in Forest City, with the Rev. Matthew Traylor officiating. Burial will follow at Stooping Pine Methodist Church, Smyrna, S.C. The family will receive friends at the church Tuesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Kermit Blanton Sr.
GASTONIA — Mr. Kermit Blanton Sr., 88, of 1622 Linwood Road, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, at his home. A native of Cherokee County, S.C. and the son of the late Lewis Lester and Amanda Dane Blanton, he was also the husband of 70 years to the late Ola H. Blanton. He retired from Akers Motor Lines after 38 years of service. He was a member of Loray Baptist Church, a member of the King Solomon Masonic Lodge No. 704 and he was also a Shriner. He was preceded in death by his grandson, David Wayne Duckworth. He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Lewis W. and Della T. Blanton, of Kings Mountain and Kermit and Sandra M. Blanton Jr., of Gastonia; a daughter and son-in-law, Glachia B. and Donald W. Boyd, of Mooresboro; a brother, Melvin Blanton, of Gaffney, S.C.; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Loray Baptist Church with the Revs. Raymond White and John Bridges officiating. Burial will be at 2 p.m. at Sandy Run Baptist Church cemetery with full Masonic rites. The family will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 at McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia. Memorials may be made to Gaston Hospice, P.O. Box 3984, Gastonia, NC 28054.
Kathleen James
LAWNDALE — Mrs. Kathleen “Kat” Johnson James, 81, of 313 W. Main St., died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002, at White Oak Manor. A native of Cleveland County, she was born Oct. 17, 1921. She was formerly employed by Cleveland Mills. She was a charter member of First United Methodist Church of Lawndale, a member of the Upper Cleveland Senior Citizens and a volunteer for UCAN. She was preceded in death by her husband, David Newton James; her parents, Max and Lonie Sweezy Johnson and two sisters, Selvia McMurry and Gladys Elmore. She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Dianne and Tommy Blanton and Anita and Paul Barrett, all of Shelby; a brother, Duran Johnson, of Lawndale; two granddaughters and their spouses, Amy Cates and Kathy and John Sain; a great-grandson, Thomas Kemp Sain; and a special friend, Ruby Brackett of Lawndale. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church in Lawndale with the Rev. David Reep officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service. Burial will follow in Rose Hill Memorial Park. The family will receive friends today from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Stamey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 548, Lawndale, NC 28090 or Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.
Wilbur Kiser
SHELBY — Mr. Wilbur Clay Kiser, 90, died suddenly Friday, Oct. 18, 2002, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. He was born in the Lander’s Chapel Church community of Gaston County on Aug. 19, 1912, to the late H. Clay and Bessie Kiser. He was a 1937 graduate of Appalachian State Teachers College. After playing baseball with the Saint Louis Cardinals organization, he taught in Lincoln County. During the war, he was a supervisor at the shipyard in Wilmington. Following the war, he worked with his brother, Vernon at Kiser Feed and Seed in Shelby. After returning to teaching, he taught seventh grade math and science at Elizabeth School, Shelby Middle School and Cleveland School. He retired as an educator after nearly 30 years. He was preceded in death by his wife of 52 years, Mabel Deck Kiser formerly from Bessemer City; a sister, Audrey Pasour; three brothers, James Kiser, Amos Kiser, Vernon Kiser and a brother-in-law, George Deck. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Becky and Gene Cook, of Shelby; his son and daughter-in-law, Bryan and Jane Kiser, of the home and his grandchildren, Warren Cook, of Charlotte and Maria and Meleena Kiser, of the home; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Howard Kiser, and Norman and Betty Kiser; a sister-in-law, Viola Deck Dameron; and numerous nieces and nephews. The funeral will be Monday at 11 a.m. at Central United Methodist Church with the Rev. John Boggs and Dr. Joe Reeves officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 6 to 8 at Palmer Mortuary and other times at the home of Becky and Gene Cook, 2310 Peninsula Ave. in Shelby. Memorials may be made to Central United Methodist Church, 200 E. Marion St., Shelby, NC 28150-4510.
McKinley Griffin
FOREST CITY — Mr. McKinley William Griffin, 84, of 239 Cherry Mountain St., Apartment 4, died Saturday, Oct. 19, 2002, at Willow Ridge Nursing Center of Rutherfordton. The funeral will be Monday at 1 p.m. at Padgett and King Mortuary with the Rev. Michael Sepaugh officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the mortuary.
Margaret Hunt
SHELBY — Mrs. Margaret Ruth Oglesby Hunt, 90, 807 Tenda St., died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at home. She was the daughter of the late Samuel and Margaret Ruth Kennedy Oglesby. She was a member of Good Samaritan Fellowship Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Wilder Hunt; two sons, James T. Hunt and Ronald Hunt; and two daughters, Betty Adams and Doris Hunt. She leaves to cherish fond memories three sons, Herbert L. Hunt of Syracuse, N.Y., Charles S. Hunt of Cleveland, Ohio, and Gilbert Hunt of Shelby; three daughters and a son-in-law, Vernell H. Brown of Kings Mountain, Audrey H. Sanders of the home and Margaret H. and Eugene Young of Belmont; a niece, Niedra M. Smith of Washington, D.C.; a nephew Earnest Moon of Washington; 32 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends. The funeral will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Good Samaritan Fellowship Church with the Rev. R.E. Devoe officiating. Burial will be in Cleveland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the service at the church. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Gary Bradley
KINGS MOUNTAIN — Ms. Gary Eleanore Bradley, 83, died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002, at White Oak Manor in Kings Mountain. The funeral will be today at 12:30 p.m. at Ebenezer Baptist Church with the Rev. E.L. Simon officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the service at the church. J.W. Gill & Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Leon Smith
SHELBY — Mr. Leon Smith, 95, of College Road Apartment B-2, died Friday, Oct. 18, 2002. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Sara Broadway
GREENSBORO — Mrs. Sara Hamrick Broadway, 79, passed away on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at her home. Mrs. Broadway was a member of First Baptist Church for more than 62 years, a graduate of Women’s College (UNCG) and had worked with Mobile Meals. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Charles M. Broadway Sr.; and her parents, Alger and Ettie Hamrick. She is survived by her daughter, Jean B. Skidmore and husband, Bill, of Matthews; a son, Charles M. Broadway Jr. and wife, Elaine Victory, of Greensboro; a brother, Spencer Dean Hamrick and wife, Betty Jo, of Charlotte; and four grandchildren, Chris Skidmore of Chicago, Katherine Broadway, Charles Broadway III and James Victory, all of Greensboro. A service will be held Sunday at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church with Dr. Stephen Pressley officiating. Interment will be in Westminster Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at the Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, North Elm Chapel. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 1000 W. Friendly Ave., Greensboro, NC 27401; or American Diabetes. Association, P.O. Box 38966, Greensboro, NC 27438. Online condolences can be made at www.haneslineberry.com.
Don Wood
MACON, Ga. — Mr. Don Wood, 47, died Monday, Oct. 14, 2002. He is survived by his mother, Florence Wood; two sons, Reid and Herbert Wood; two sisters, Karen Bilbrey and Penny Wood; and one brother, Ron Wood of Shelby. A graveside service was Thursday at Wayside Presbyterian Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to help with funeral expenses to Mrs. Florence Wood, 1213 Gray Highway, Apartment 302, Macon, GA 31211. Cleveland Funeral Services is in charge of local arrangements.
Rosa Wall
FOREST CITY — Mrs. Rosa Lee Smith Wall, 89, of 106 Sunset Drive, died Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at Rutherford Hospital. The funeral will be Monday at 4 p.m. at Alexander Baptist Church with the Rev. Tom Elkins officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Padgett & King Mortuary.
Alfred Herndon
SHELBY — Mr. Alfred Dean “Sweet” Herndon age 63, of 1808 Green Valley Dr., was born on Jan. 15, 1939, in Winston-Salem, the son of the late Andrew and Elizabeth Lowe Wright. He was preceded in death by foster parent, Rev. Fred Herndon; one sister, Betsy Kendall; two brothers, Damon and James Wright. Mr. Herndon retired from Lithium Corp., after 35 years of service, a self-employed contractor and member of Mount Zion Baptist Church, Kings Mountain. He served in the Army during the Vietname War. He departed this life on Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at his home. Mr. Herndon is survived by his loving wife of 7½ years, Vanessa Swain Herndon; three sons, Curtis Hickman of Gastonia, Anthony Hoyle of Atlanta, Tavarius Swain of the home; two daughters, Pamela Mitchell of Boiling Springs and Paris Adams of Winston-Salem; two sisters, Lavonia Taylor of Oak Ridge and Eloise Jackson of Kings Mountain; one brother, Ralph Wright of Kernsville; three sisters-in-law, and four brothers-in-law, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews and other relatives and friends. The funeral will be today 3 p.m. at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Kings Mountain with the Rev. Clinton Feamster officiating. Burial will be in Webb Cemetery. The family will receive friends 30 minutes before the service at the church. Genesis Funeral Service is in charge of arrangements. Genesisfuneralservice.com.
Charleen Martin
KINGS MOUNTAIN — Mrs. Charleen Harrelson Martin, 80, of 111 Croft Drive, died Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2002, at Kings Mountain Hospital in Kings Mountain. A graveside service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. in Hampton Memorial Gardens, 155 Butler Farm Road, in Hampton, Va. Memorials may be made to Leona Smith Neal Senior Center, 1266 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC 28150; or to El Bethel United Methodist Church, 122 El Bethel Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086. Harrelson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Billy Wright
CASAR — Mr. Billy Joe Wright, died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2002, in an auto accident near his home. He was born June 12, 1950. He was the son of the late Lee R. Wright and Helen P. Wright of Shelby. He is survived by two brothers, Steven F. Wright and wife, Sandra Wright, of Grover and Robert E. Wright and wife, Wanda Wright, of Highlands; and a sister, Pamela W. Champion of Shelby. Funeral services will be private. Stamey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Harold Bohlen
KINGS MOUNTAIN — Mr. Harold O. Bohlen, 88, of 104 Wooding Place, died Thursday, Oct. 17, 2002, at Century Care of Shelby. He was born in Downs, Kan., and was preceded in death by his first wife, Marie Phillips Bohlen; his parents, John William Bohlen and Meta Helena Mansholt Bohlen; a brother, Henry Glenn Bohlen; and two sisters, Ester Nordin and Ruth VandeRiet. He was a member of Ascension Lutheran Church in Shelby. He was a retired plumber and served in the Army during World War II. He is survived by his wife, Joan Ford Porter Bohlen of Kings Mountain; two sons, Glenn Bohlen of Indianapolis, and Gary Bohlen and wife, Mary, of Spartanburg, S.C.; two daughters, Kim Tate and husband, Greg, and Debbie Goforth and husband, Paul, all of Kings Mountain; two sisters, Klara Feysey of Belivista, Ariz., and Wilma Cole of Downs, Kan.; six grandchildren, John Bohlen and wife, Diane, of Sunrise, Fla., Bryan Bohlen and wife, Michelle, of Atlanta, William Bohlen of Spartanburg, S.C., Anna Marie Goforth, Brooks Tate and Kristin Tate, all of Kings Mountain; and two great-grandchildren, Grace Bohlen and Will Bohlen. The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church with the Revs. Jim Brackett, Richard Spencer and Pastor David Lohr officiating. Burial will be in Cleveland Memorial Park in Boiling Springs. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7 to 9 at Harris Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Life Enrichment Center, 1270 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC 28150; or to Ascension Lutheran Church, P.O. Box 206, Shelby, NC 28151.
Nina Brackett
LINCOLNTON — Mrs. Nina Hicks Brackett, 70, of 1825 Bill Lynch Road, died Monday, Oct. 14, 2002, at Lincoln Medical Center. The funeral will be Saturday at 2 p.m. at Riverview Baptist Church with the Rev. Nathan May officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Warlick Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 500 East Morehead St., Suite 211, Charlotte, NC 28202.
Billy Sprouse
BLACKSBURG, S.C. — Mr. Billy Joe Sprouse, 62, of 106 North Calles St., died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at his home. The funeral will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at Church of God of Prophecy with the Revs. Greg Martin, Florence Ayers and Jim McLure officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service. Burial will be in Mountainview Cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Gordon Mortuary and at other times at the home.
Estell Mercer
MOORE — Mrs. Estell Surratt Mercer, 93, of 135 Sweetbriar Circle, died Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2002, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center in Shelby. The funeral will be Saturday at 3 p.m. at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Forest City with Pastor Rev. H.D. Tate officiating. The body will be placed in the church one hour before the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Thompson Brother’s Funeral Home of Forest City is in charge of arrangements.
