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‘Steve’ Kennedy
BOYDS, Md. — Dr. James “Steve” Kennedy, 59, died Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at the Casey House of Montgomery Hospice in Rockville, Md. Born May 27, 1943, in Cleveland County, he was the son of Laura Humphreys Kennedy of Shelby and the late John Kennedy. He was the husband of Myra Propst. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. in Pharmacology from the University of North Carolina, where he was class Valedictorian and student body president. He held various positions with the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Mental Health. He served as the Executive Director for the Joint Commission on Prescription Drug Use and most recently held positions with Otsuka America Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and PSI International, Inc. Surviving besides his wife and mother are three children, Amy Kennedy of St. Augustine, Fla., Brendon Kennedy and Devin Kennedy, both of Germantown, Md.; one brother, Jack H. Kennedy of Shelby; and one grandchild, Amira Kennedy. A memorial service will be Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Jay Cinque Residence, 22300 Slidell Road, Boyds, Md., with the Rev. Merritt Ednie of the Boyds Presbyterian Church officiating. Hilton Funeral Home in Barnesville, Md., is in charge of arrangements.
Roslin Holland
SHELBY — Mrs. Roslin Jones Holland, 83, of 613 Kingsbury St., entered into everlasting life on Sunday, June 2, 2002, at Hospice of Cleveland County. Roslin was born on April 21, 1919, to the late B.M. and Idella Jones and attended Lattimore School. She was a member of First Baptist Church, where she served as preschool Sunday School teacher for over 20 years. She was an active participant in Life Enrichment Center prior to her declining health. “Gran” touched the lives of many people with her quick wit and humor and leaves cherished memories for family and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Cobb Holland; two sisters, Nell Southard and Libby Panther; and two brothers, Miles Jones and William Jones. She was a devoted mother to her two beloved children, daughter, Jonan and husband, Rick Shelton, and son Rostan Holland of Shelby; and a kind and caring grandmother to Lisa Shelton of Polkville and Chad Holland and Tripp Shelton of Shelby. Also surviving are her sister, Mary Pannell of Ellenboro; and two brothers, Jack Jones and George Jones of Lattimore; as well as many adoring nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate the Christian life of “Gran” will be held today at 11 a.m. at First Baptist Church, Webb Chapel. Her body will lie in state in the chapel 30 minutes prior to the service at which the Rev. Robert Dimmick will officiated with burial following in Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends after the service. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, Life Enrichment Center; or to First Baptist Church. Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
William Long
RUTHERFORDTON — Mr. William Hugh Long, 88, of 1185 U.S. Hwy. 64, died Friday, May 31, 2002, at his home. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church with the Revs. Stephen Blair and Pat Jobe officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 8:30 at Crowe Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.
Rev. G.A. McCurry
ASHEVILLE — Rev. Garna Avery “G.A.” McCurry, 79, of Asheville completed his journey home on Saturday, June 1, 2002. He began his journey in Shelby, a son of the late Arburth and Lona Reid McCurry. He graduated from Shelby High School and Garner-Webb University. He also attended Lee College in Tennessee. He was a wounded Navy veteran and served his country during World War II. He served as a radarman on the USS Caperton. His devotion to God carved a path for his work as a minister for the next 50 years. His first pastorship began at the Church of God, Old Fort, where he ministered for three and one-half years. His journey then brought him to Asheville, were he ministered for the next five and one-half years at the Biltmore Church of God. Rev. McCurry then built and founded the Biltmore Holiness Temple in 1963. During the weekdays he drove a transfer truck but always came home for Sunday services. His missionary work has touched people all over our state, our country, and as far as Jamaica. During his journey, Rev McCurry spent much of his time praying, visiting and caring for others. He would visit them in hospital, help stranded motorists on the highway, always thinking of others before himself. The church family at Biltmore Holiness Temple bestowed a doctorate degree on him. He was beloved by his church family. Rev. McCurry was preceded in death by his brother, Horace McCurry, and sister, Ruth Smart. He is survived by his devoted wife, Helen “Granny” McCurry of Asheville; his loving son Adrian and daughter-in-law, Sandy of Lineville, AL; his sisters, Valda M. Hord of Shelby, and Nadine M. Royal of Birmingham, AL; his six nephews, and two nieces. The funeral will be Tuesday at 1 p.m. at Biltmore Holiness Temple. The Rev. G.C. McCurry will officiate. The body will be placed in the church one hour before the service. Burial will be at the Western North Carolina Veterans Cemetery, Black Mountain, with military rites conducted by the Buncombe County Combined Veteran’s Council. The family will receive friends at the church tonight from 6 to 8. Williams Funeral Services is serving the family.
Catherine Jones
CHERRYVILLE — Mrs. Catherine Ritch Jones, 75, of 700 Self St., died Sunday, June 2, 2002, at Century Care of Cherryville. Born in Cleveland County, she was a daughter of the late L.S. and Belle Blanton Ritch. She retired from Joy Crème Donuts and belonged to Westview Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Miller Jones. She is survived by four sons, Miller T. Jones Jr. of Raleigh, Jimmy Jones of Toluca, Richard Jones of Fallston and Gary Jones of Cramerton; two daughters, Anne Haugen and Nancy Martin of Lincolnton; and a sister, Margaret Armstrong of Fayetteville. The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Cleveland Funeral Services Chapel, with the Rev. Reese Linnell officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service.
Roslin Holland
SHELBY — Mrs. Roslin Jones Holland, 83, of 613 Kingsbury St., died Sunday, June 2, 2002, at Hospice at Wendover in Shelby. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home.
Harry Lanning
BLACKSBURG, S.C. — Mr. Harry L. Lanning, 71, of 454 Possum Trot Road, died Friday, May 31, 2002, at Upstate Carolina Medical Center. Born in Blacksburg, he was a son of the late Clyde William and Ruth Amanda Moore Lanning. He was a retired Navy chief, and a retired police officer with Gaffney, S.C. He was a member of Fleet Reserve, VFW, American Legion and NRA. He is survived by his wife, Peggy McMurray Carroll Lanning of the home; two sons, Clyde Thomas Lanning of Clinton and Gary William Lanning of Parish, N.Y.; two daughters, Rhonda Lanning and Sheila Diane Lanning of Snohomish, Wash.; 12 grandchildren; three brothers, Grady Lanning of Pittsboro, and Doyle Lanning and Earl Dean Lanning of Blacksburg; three sisters, Bertie Dover, Betty Floyd and Sandra Anderson of Blacksburg; and two stepsons, A.G. Carroll Jr. of Shelby and Keith Carroll of Antioch, S.C. The funeral is today at 4 p.m. at Antioch Baptist Church, with the Rev. Vernon Craig, Mr. Earl Dean Lanning and Mr. A.Z. McDaniel officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be from the U.S. Navy. The family received friends Sunday, and at other times is at the home of Bertie Dover, 577 Lookout Tower Road, Blacksburg. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 1886, Gaffney, S.C. 29342, or to Antioch Baptist Church building fund. Gordon Mortuary is in charge of arrangements.
Nida Fitch
SHELBY — Mrs. Nida Mae Hord Fitch died on June 1, 2002. She was 85 and had been in declining health for the past six years. Born Dec. 7, 1916, she was a native of Cleveland County. Mrs. Fitch was preceded in death by her parents, Posie Marion Hord and Josephine Porter Hord; her husband, Boyce Woodrow Fitch; her brothers, Raymond Hord, Luther Hord, Gaston Hord, and Wilbur Hord; her sister, Pearl Stroupe; and an infant son, James Dale Fitch. She is survived by two brothers: Harold Hord, Dallas, and Everette Hord, Waco; and one sister, Marjorie Rapp, of Hawkins, Texas. Her surviving children are Joe Dennis Fitch of Indian Trail; Ken Woodrow Fitch of Shelby; Coleman Fitch of Shelby; Thomas Hord Fitch of Shelby; and Brenda Fitch Page of Shelby. In addition, Mrs. Fitch had 12 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Mrs. Fitch was married to Boyce Woodrow Fitch, also of Cleveland County, for 43 years. She was the bookkeeper and office manager for Fitch Body Shop, a business she and her husband owned. Her children remember her fondly as a hard-working, attentive, loving woman whose Christian faith was reflected in everything she did. The funeral will be held at 3 p.m. today at Elizabeth Baptist Church, with Dr. Ronald D. Martin and Rev. Terry Jordan officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service. Visitation will be immediately after the service. Following visitation, the family will hold a private entombment at Cleveland Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to the Life Enrichment Center, 1270 Fallston Road, Shelby, NC 28150. The family will be at the home of Morris and Brenda Page, 1405 Jeanne Drive in Shelby. Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
Raymond Knight
KINGS MOUNTAIN — Mr. Raymond N. Knight, 97, of 814 W. Gold St., died Sunday, June 2, 2002, at home. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Harris Funeral Home in Kings Mountain.
Frances McNeely
GASTONIA — Mrs. Frances Best McNeely died Sunday, June 2, 2002, at Rehabilitation and Health Center of Gastonia. Funeral arrangements will be announced by McLean Funeral Directors of Gastonia.
Anna Beck
FOREST CITY — Mrs. Anna Campbell Beck, 79, died Sunday, June 2, 2002, at Rutherford Hospital. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Harrelson Funeral Home of Caroleen.
Ethel Morrison
LAWNDALE — Mrs. Ethel Frances Bridges Morrison, 76, of 126-1 Jimmy Morrison Road, died Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. A native of Cleveland County, she was born Jan. 20, 1926. She was retired from Fasco and also worked for Lilly Mill. She was a member of St. Paul Baptist Church. She was the daughter of the late Willie Bill and Nicie Wilson Bridges, and was preceded in death by her husband, Earl James Morrison. She was also preceded in death by four brothers, Johnny Bridges, Jim Bridges, Gene Bridges and Jack Bridges; and two sisters, Helen Bivins and Juanita Anderson. She is survived by four sons and daughters-in-law, Donald and Margaret Morrison of Belwood, Richard and Gale Morrison of Lawndale, Jimmy and Dianne Morrison and Tommy and Beth Morrison, all of Casar; two brothers, Jerry Bridges and Don Bridges, both of Shelby; seven grandchildren, Donna Carpenter of Belwood, David Morrison of Casar, Trudy Morrison of Belwood, Leslie Mosteller of Casar, Truett Morrison of Burlington, Wendy Blankenship of Lawndale and Brad Morrison of Casar; four great-grandchildren, Casey Carpenter, Summer Morrison, Daniel Isaacs and Dustin Isaacs. The funeral will be 3 p.m. Monday at St. Paul Baptist Church with the Rev. Ernest W. Speagle officiating. Burial will be in St. Paul Baptist Church Cemetery. The body will be taken to the church 30 minutes before the service. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 tonight at Stamey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to St. Paul Baptist Church, 329 Hull Road, Casar, NC 28020.
Roland Leath
SHELBY — The Rev. Roland M. Leath, 90, of 208 Worthington St., died Friday, May 31, 2002, at Cleveland Pines Nursing Center. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home.
Elizabeth Young
CHERRYVILLE — Mrs. Elizabeth Smith Young, 87, of 508 Bond St., died Thursday, May 30, 2002, at Gaston Memorial Hospital. The funeral will be 4 p.m. Monday at First Baptist Church. Burial will be in Cherryville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service Monday at the church and at other times will be at the home of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Harper, 510 S. Mountain St., Cherryville. Costner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Fred Sigmon
VALE — Mr. Fred Sigmon, 84, of 9139 Willis Road, died Friday, May 31, 2002, at Frye Regional Medical Center. The funeral will be Monday at 2 p.m. in the chapel of Stamey Funeral Home with the Rev. Bill Wombough officiating. Burial will be in Laurel Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 tonight at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Laurel Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, 811 N. N.C. 18, Vale, NC 28168. A guest register is available online at www.stameyfuneralhome com.
Jack Hamrick Sr.
SHELBY — Mr. Jack Hamrick Sr., 80, of 317 Crow Road, died Friday, May 31, 2002, at Hospice at Wendover. Born in Cleveland County, he was a poultry farmer and owner of Jack’s Quick Stop. He was a member of Mount Sinai Baptist Church and a member of Grover Masonic Lodge. He was the son of the late Lloyd W. and Essie Lemons Hamrick and was preceded in death by three brothers, Raymond, Quay and Buford Hamrick; and a son, Larry Hamrick. He is survived by his wife, Helen Bryant Hamrick of the home; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Michael and Julie Hamrick, Jack Jr. and Myrna Hamrick and Doug Hamrick, all of Shelby; two daughters and a son-in-law, Faye and Gordon Putnam Jr. of Salisbury and Pam Hamrick of Shelby; two brothers, Hershel Hamrick of Shelby and Pete Hamrick of Rock Hill, S.C.; two sisters, Bertie Bridges and Ruby Allen, both of Grover; 11 grandchildren, Lori Cob and her husband, Glenn, Eric Putnam and his wife, Wendy, Tiffany Putnam and her husband, Nick, Justen Hamrick and his fiancee, Denise Greene, Jarrod Hamrick and his wife, Tabitha, and Amanda, Robbie, Lindsey, Haley, Tad and Jeremy Hamrick; and five great-grandchildren, Gordon and Jessie Cob, Eric Putnam Jr., Ashley Grace Putnam and Mikey Putnam. The funeral will be 4 p.m. today at Mount Sinai Baptist Church with the Revs. Tim Trexler and Broadus Heatherly officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The body will be taken to the church 30 minutes before the service. The family will be at the home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150; or Mount Sinai Baptist Church Building Fund, 1227 Mount Sinai Road, Shelby NC 28152. Clay-Barnette Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Scott Melton
SPINDALE — Mr. Scott Ray Melton, 34, of 712 Spindale St., died Friday, May 31, 2002 at Margaret Pardee Memorial Hospital. The funeral will be 4 p.m. today at Main Street Baptist Church with the Revs. Rick Brewer, Charlie Brooks and Rex Michaels officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 today at the church before the service. Memorials may be made to Main Street Baptist Church, 619 East Main St., Spindale, NC 28160. Crowe’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Nida Fitch
SHELBY — Ms. Nida Hord Fitch, 85, of 1404 N. Lafayette St., died Saturday, June 1, 2002, at Hospice at Wendover. The family will be at the home of Morris and Brenda Page, 1405 Jeanne Drive (Allen-Dale Acres), Shelby. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home.
Luna Wellmon
SHELBY — Mrs. Luna Champion Wellmon, 84, of 305 Old Mill Road, died Friday, May 31, 2002, at White Oak Manor. Born Aug. 23, 1917, in Cleveland County, she was a retired textile worker. She was a member of Double Shoals Baptist Church. She was the daughter of the late Edgar Sr. and Lela Wright Champion, and was preceded in death by her husband, Everette Riley Wellmon. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Edgar Champion Jr. and Ralph Champion; two sisters, Larine Lanier, and Ruth Hopper, and three deceased infant children. She is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Agnes and Jackie Jones of Shelby; five brothers, Jack Champion of Cherryville, Ray Champion, Hal Champion and Raymond Champion, all of Shelby, and Buford Champion of Swainsville; four sisters, Diane Earwood and Ethel Weathers, both of Shelby, Vernie Houser of Charlotte and Brenda Marlowe of Gastonia; a grandson and his wife, Dennis and Denise Jones of Shelby; a granddaughter and her husband, Lori and Cliff Nolan of Shelby; four great-grandchildren, Jessica, Joshua and Taylor Nolan and Heather Jones. The funeral will be 11 a.m. Monday at Double Shoals Baptist Church with the Rev. Eric Davis officiating. Burial will be in Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. The body will be taken to the church 30 minutes before the service. The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. today at Stamey Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Carolina Piedmont Chapter, 3420 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.
Jessie Curtis
ELLENBORO — Mrs. Jessie Beason Curtis, 86, of 511 E. U.S. 74, died Thursday, May 30, 2002, at White Oak Manor Nursing Center in Rutherfordton. She was a native of Cleveland County, the daughter of the late Paul S. and Lonie Greene Beason. She was the widow of Earl Lee Curtis, was retired from Cone Mills, Cliffside Plant, and was a member of Chase Baptist Church. She is survived by two daughters, Doris Wilson of Durham and Jerry Camp of Ellenboro; two sisters, Dot Lowery of Cliffside and Rose Stiles of Iron Station; four grandchildren, Sherry Tyndall, Keith Spangler, Kimberly Cook and Pamela Curry; and four great-grandchildren. The funeral will be today at 4 p.m. in the chapel of McKinney-Landreth Funeral Home with the Rev. Jack Pennington officiating. Burial will be in Cleveland Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the funeral home.
