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‘J.C.’ Goare
RUTHERFORD COLLEGE — Pastor James Clifford “J.C.” Goare, 82, died Wednesday, May 22, 2002. Services will be Friday at 2 p.m. at East Valdese Baptist Church in Valdese with Drs. Dwight Rice and David Brady and the Rev. Clyde Yates Jr. officiating. Entombment will be in the Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service. The family will receive friends tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 at Heritage Funeral Service in Valdese. Memorials may be made to East Valdese Baptist Church, 101 Eldred St. Valdese, NC 28690; or Hospice of Burke County, P.O. Box 1029, Valdese, NC 28690.
David Blair
MORGANTON — Mr. David Wyman Blair, 45, of 326 Walker Road, died Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at Valdese General Hospital. A memorial service will be Saturday at 1 p.m. at White Dove Chapel in Morganton with the Revs. Dave Davidson and Chuck Myers officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Crowe’s Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Memorials may be made to White Dove Cares in care of White Dove Chapel, 993 Summers Road, Morganton, NC 28655.
Claude Thompson
SHELBY — Mr. Claude Hoke Thompson, 68, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, following a lengthy illness. A native of Shelby, he was the son of Marian Harrill Thompson and the late Claude Hoke Thompson. He graduated from Shelby High School in 1952 and was president of the senior class. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he was district manager for the National Federation of Independent Businesses and later retired from the United States Gypsum Corp. In addition to his mother, he is survived by two sisters, Jane Neisler of Pageland, S.C., and Ann McCutchan of Chapel Hill; a niece, Pauline Neisler of Columbia, S.C.; three nephews, Miller Neisler of Pageland, Frank Hoke McCutchan of Morgantown, W. Va., and James McCutchan Jr. of Salt Point, N.Y.; and many cousins from Shelby. A graveside service will be Friday at 2 p.m. at Sunset Cemetery with Dr. Joseph Reeves officiating. Memorials may be made to Rehab Hospital Nursing, 1212 E. Sunset Drive, Monroe, N.C. Lutz-Austell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Hazel Brooks
SHELBY — Mrs. Hazel Wray Brooks, 68, of 1105 Frederick St., died Wednesday, May 22, 2002, at Hospice at Wendover. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Genesis Funeral Service.
‘Jim’ Walker
WYOMING, W.Va. — Mr. James W. “Jim” Walker, 54, of Rural Route 97, died Monday, May 20, 2002, at Wyoming Continuous Care Center in New Richmond, W.Va. Born in Gaston County, he was a son of Leo William and Frances Hullender Walker of Kings Mountain. He was a former coal miner. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Bernandine Carter Walker of Wyoming; four sons, Scott Atwell of Easley, S.C., Robbie Walker of Kings Mountain, Todd Walker and his wife, Cindy, of Kings Mountain, and Wesley Walker of Wyoming; two brothers, Mike Walker and Jeff Walker and his wife, Patsy all of Kings Mountain; a sister, Judy Walker Green and her husband, Bobby, of Kings Mountain; four grandchildren, Scottie Atwell, C.J. Walker, Rocky Walker and Mary Beth Walker; and his best friend, Frankie Ball. The funeral will be Thursday at 4 p.m. at Midview Baptist Church with the Revs. Bob Hope, Buddy Williams and Claude Babb officiating. Burial will be in Mountain Rest Cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at the church. The body will be placed in the church at 5 p.m. At other times, the family will be at the home of his sister, Judy Green, 308 Edell St., Kings Mountain. The family would like memorials to be made to help with funeral expenses, in care of Mr. Leo Walker, 208 Chestnut Ridge Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086.
Johnny Hunt
HICKORY — Mr. Johnny Lee Hunt, 63, of 1921 10th Ave. NE, died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born in Cleveland County Nov. 27, 1938, he was the son of the late Booker T. and Atlea Miller Hunt. He retired from Carolina Solvent and belonged to Liberty Hill Baptist Church, where he was a member of the Senior Choir. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Ann Whittington Hunt; and a sister, Della L. Hunt. He is survived by his wife, Joan B. Hunt of the home; two daughters, Christine Hunt and Beverly Ann Hunt Walker, both of Charlotte; a son-in-law, Kelvin Walker of Charlotte; four grandsons, Keon Hunt, Tyrikus Hunt, Tymel Butler and Donte Walker, all of Charlotte; a stepson, Nathan Bowie of Raleigh; four stepdaughters, Mekia J. Bowie and Bonita V. Standford, both of Hickory, Ernestine R. Standford of Greensboro and Sheena M. Standford of the home; three stepgranddaughters, Nateasha Bowie of Philadelphia, Shanice K. Linebarger of Hickory and Brianne Standford of Chapel Hill; a stepgrandson, Tariq Shuford of Hickory; two sisters, Ruthie Mae Ross and Ethel Lee Shell, both of Shelby; a brother-in-law, Emmanuel Shell of Shelby; three aunts, Lucille Cureton of Charlotte, Eula Mae Hunt of Hickory and Ethel Lee Costner of Boiling Springs; an uncle, Clarence Hunt of Jacksonville; and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. The funeral will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at Liberty Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael Tolbert Sr. officiating. Burial will be in Southside Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Allen Mitchell Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Mittie Cantrell
MOORESBORO — Mrs. Mittie Huskey Cantrell, 92, of 2410 Harris-Henrietta Road, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at Autumn Care Center in Forest City. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Bethany Baptist Church, with Eddie Koon officiating. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park. The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Padgett & King Mortuary and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043.
James Gillespie
BAT CAVE — Mr. James Moten Gillespie, 82, died Monday, May 20, 2002, at The Life Care Center. The son of the late Robert and Essie Hamrick Gillespie, he was a native of Cleveland County and had lived in Henderson County since 1956. He was a deacon and choir director at Bat Cave Baptist Church, a teacher and band director at Edneyville School and as a member of Bat Cave Volunteer Fire Department. He was an Army veteran of World War II. He is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Frances Gillespie; a daughter, Abbie Hogan and her husband, David, of Forest City; two granddaughters, Holly Wilson and her husband, Billie, and Heather Davis, all of Rutherfordton; and one great-granddaughter, Hannah Rose Wilson. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Bat Cave Baptist Church with the Rev. David MacEachern officiating. Burial will be in Mount Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery in Cleveland County. The family will receive friends tonight from 5 to 7 at Jackson Funeral Home in Hendersonville.
Claude Thompson
MONROE — Claude Thompson, 68, formerly of Shelby, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at Union Regional Medical Center in Monroe. Funeral arrangements will be announced by Lutz-Austell Funeral Home.
Eugenia Elliot
BOONE — Mrs. Eugenia Lollar Elliot, 98, formerly of Polkville, died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at Glenbridge Health Care. A native of Rutherford County, she was born Jan. 22, 1904, the daughter of the late David and Martha Stimpson Lollar. She was a member of Polkville United Methodist Church in Polkville. She was a graduate of Dorland Bell School in Hot Springs and attended Asheville Normal School. Mrs. Elliott taught at Hollis High School, Lattimore Elementary School and Polkville School until retirement in 1970. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Plato Jefferson Elliott; two brothers; and five sisters. She is survived by three daughters and two sons-in-law, Elizabeth Ann Honeycutt of Bowling Green, Ky., Barbara Mildred and Cal Sandman of Atlanta and Martha Louise and Ron Hester of Boone; 14 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles Lollar of Mooresboro; three sisters, Frances Oels and Dorothy Berger, both of Philadelphia, and Ruby Mathis of Morganton. The funeral will be Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Polkville United Methodist Church with the Rev. Priscilla Walker officiating. Burial will be in Elliott Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the church. Memorials may be made to Polkville United Methodist Church Building Fund, 219 Church Drive, Polkville, NC 28136. Austin and Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Essie Whiteside
SPINDALE — Mrs. Essie Virginia Whiteside, 83, of Oakland Living Center, died Tuesday, May 21, 2002, at Rutherford Hospital. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Crowe’s Funeral Home with the Rev. Ned Owens officiating. Burial will be in Rock Springs Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church Rutherfordton Building Fund, 264 N. Main St., Rutherfordton, NC 28139.
Rev. Daniel Swink
SHELBY — Rev. Daniel David Swink. 52, of 107 Debby Drive, died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at Cleveland Regional Medical Center. A native of Cleveland County, he was a United Methodist Minister who was licensed to preach in November 1969. He became a deacon in 1973, Full Connection in 1978, Elder in 1978 and was admitted to the Western North Carolina Conference in 1973. He received his A.A. degree at Brevard College in 1970, A.B. at Lenoir Rhyne College in 1972 and his M. Div. at Perkins Theological Seminary in 1975. He served as student pastor from Gastonia District and in Louisiana while in Seminary 1973-1976. He served as associate at Central UMC in Asheville, Asheville District, 1976-1978. His other place of service were at Memorial UMC, Kannapolis, Salisbury District, 1978-1979, St. Mark’s UMC, Belmont, Gastonia District, 1979-1980, Asbury Parish supervisor, Marion District, 1980-1981, Pisgah UMC, Mt. Hebron UMC and Centennial UMC, Asbury Parish, co-pastor Marion District, 1981-1982, Gilkey UMC, Thermal City UMC, Gibloa UMC, Asbury Parish, Marion District, 1982-1984, Mount Hermon UMC, Northeast District, 1984-1987, Crowell Memorial UMC and Palm Tree UMC, Gastonia District, 1987-1990, leave of absence, Gastonia District, 1990-1995 and from 1995-present, honorable location. During the years Dan was unable to hold down the pulpit ministry due to his health, he served on Emmaus Weekends as spiritual leader and director and in the Epiphany Ministry at Western North Carolina Youth Facility at Morganton, a maximum security prison, where the young boys, 13-18 years, flocked to him and accepted Christ as their Savior and led others to Christ. Dan’s hobbies were genealogy and raising hybrid iris of which he had several hundred colors. Dan developed diabetes. at the age of 35 causing kidney problems and high blood pressure. He went on peritoneal dialysis in 1998, was blessed with a pancreas and kidney transplant, Sept. 2, 2000. On Aug. 8, 2001, he suffered an inter-cerebral hemorrhage leaving him paralyzed on the right side. In spite of all of these conditions his mind remained brilliant. Dan came to live with Roy and Ruth Swofford due to his illness and richly blessed their lives. Dan was Roy’s second cousin twice removed (Dan would say with his sense of humor, “not far enough, Roy”). The Swoffords feel that God knew they needed another son and gave them Dan. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Henry and Flossie Swink; and a sister, Annette Swink. He is survived by three brothers and two sisters-in-law, James Junior and Judy Swink and Bob Swink, all of Lawndale, William and Paulette Swink of Lincolnton; six sisters and three brothers-in-law, Ruth Swink, Faye Swink and Pauline Swink, all of Lawndale, Frances and Harold Smith of Morganton, Ruby and Bill Leatherman and Minnie and Rick Jenkins, all of Lincolnton. A memorial service will be Sunday at 4 p.m. at Friendship Methodist Church with the Rev. Eddie Ingram officiating. The family will receive friends at the church fellowship hall after the service and at other times at the home. Memorials may be made to Friendship United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 219, Fallston, NC 28042. Cleveland Funeral Services is in charge of arrangements.
Barbara Byers
KINGS MOUNTAIN — Mrs. Barbara Proctor Byers, 62, of 732 Canterbury Road, died Sunday, May 19, 2002 at home. Born in Kings Mountain, she was the daughter of the late Marion J.C. and Ilene Lingerfelt Proctor. She was a member of and deacon and elder in Long Creek Presbyterian Church. She graduated from Berea College and earned a master’s degree from Appalachian State University. She was employed by Kings Mountain District Schools as a media specialist at West Elementary School. She is survived by her husband, William E. “Bill” Byers of the home; a son and his wife, Marc and Terri Byers; a daughter and her husband, Mandi Byers and Allen Langley, all of Shelby; five grandchildren, Brock, Grant and Zack Byers and Chloe and Gracie Langley; a brother, Jerry Proctor of Lexington, Ken. The funeral will be Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Long Creek Presbyterian Church, with the Revs. Rick Holmes and Kenny Ashley officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends tonight from 6:30 to 8:30 at Harris Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to Long Creek Presbyterian Church, 701 Long Creek Road, Kings Mountain, NC 28086, to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150, or to Grace Fellowship Church, 409 Polkville Road, Shelby, NC 28150.
Cleo L. Morris
COLUMBUS — Mrs. Cleo Lowe Morris, 76, of 7786 Highway 9 South, Green Creek Community, died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at home. Born in Spartanburg County, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Loel and Eva Giles Lowe. She belonged to Tryon first Baptist Church in Tryon. She is survived by one son, Jimmy Morris of Shelby; two daughters, Susan Morris and Vicki Patterson of Tryon; one sister, Myrtle L. Pittman of Green Creek; and four grandchildren. A memorial service is today at 2 p.m. in McFarland Funeral Home Chapel in Tryon, with Dr. Darryl E. Maxwell officiating. Memorial may be made to Hospice of the Carolina Foothills, 130 Forest Glen Drive, Columbus, NC 28722.
Allen Adams Jr.
LINCOLNTON — Allen Fitzgerald Adams Jr., infant son of Brandy Wilson and Allen Fitzgerald Adams Sr., died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at Lincoln Medical Center. A graveside funeral is today at 4:30 p.m. at Hollybrook Cemetery in Lincolnton, with the Rev. Lacy Ross officiating. E.F. Drum Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
‘Polly’ Wise
VALE — Mrs. Gladys Gantt “Polly” Wise, 96, of 1306 Cat Square Road, formerly of Cleveland County, died Monday, May 20, 2002, at Lincoln Nursing Center. A graveside service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Forest Lawn Cemetery, with Dr. Linda Stack Morgan officiating. Warlick Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Raymond Francis
SUWANNE, Ga. — Mr. Raymond E. Francis, 56, formerly of Shelby and Lexington, died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at home after a courageous battle against cancer. A native of Capron, Va., he was preceded in death by his father, Moncure Francis; and first wife, Judy Hardin Francis. He is survived by his mother Eva J. Francis; his wife, Rachel Hardin Francis; his children, Melanie Francis of Raleigh, Josh Francis and his wife, Alison, of Kannapolis, Joel Francis of Stanfield, Kelli Wilson and her husband, Brian Keller, of Cary, Tripp Wilson of Shelby and Holli Wilson of Raleigh; sisters, Patricia Francis of Fort Mill, S.C. and Ellen Berryman of Capron, Va.; and grandchildren, Chelsea and Casey Wilson of Shelby, Emma and Simon Wilson of Cary and Justin Francis of Kannapolis. A memorial service will be today at 6:30 p.m. at Poplar Springs Baptist Church in Shelby. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to The Children’s Home Society of North Carolina P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, N.C.; or to Methodist Home for Children P.O. Box 10917, Raleigh, NC 27605. Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.
Willard Hoyle
BOSTIC — Mr. Willard Hoyle, 90, died Monday, May 20, 2002, at Autumn Care Nursing Center. The funeral will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Washburn & Dorsey Funeral Home.
Edna Willis
BELWOOD — Mrs. Edna Wright Willis, 88, died Sunday, May 19, 2002, at Cleveland Pines Nursing Center in Shelby. A native of Cleveland County, she was the third of nine children born to the late William Albert and Dillie Willis Wright. Edna was valedictorian of her graduating class at Fallston High School. She also received the Hattie L. Nix Nursing Award and the Sam Schenck Five-Dollar Gold Piece Award for best grades in anatomy during her nurse’s training at Shelby Hospital School of Nursing. She was known throughout the area as a loving and caring registered nurse. She was an active member of St. Peter’s United Methodist Church and formerly taught in the children and adult Sunday school departments. She was a choir member and served several years as volunteer adult and children’s choir director. She was past president of United Methodist Women. She received the Gastonia District Laity Service Award from St. Peter’s United Methodist Church for the year 2000. She also served her community as a Red Cross volunteer, high school reading volunteer, Loy White summer camp volunteer and Upper Cleveland Group Ministry news reporter and volunteer. She was a member of Fallston Order of the Eastern Star No. 282 and served as Worthy Matron five times. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 57 years, Flay Alexander Willis; and two brothers, Walter E. Wright and William A. Wright. She is survived by three children, Margaret Christopher and her husband, Woody, of Shelby, Grace Simpson of Hickory and David Willis and his wife, April, of Stanley; four brothers, Furman A. Wright of Cherryville, Joe Wright and his wife, Mazel, of Casar, John Wright and his wife, Nell, of Lincolnton and Kenneth Wright and his wife, Daphine, of Dallas; two sisters, Viola W. Matheny of Caroleen and Nettie W. Willson of Sumter, S.C.; two sisters-in-law, Bobbie Wright of Asheville and Ruby Willis Blanton of Newton-Conover; six grandchildren, Bruce Dalton and his wife, Sue, of Charlotte, Michael Dalton and his wife, Tammra, of Pensacola, Fla., Darin Simpson of Hickory, Jason Willis of Madison, Wisc., John Willis and Dana Willis of Charlotte; two stepgrandchildren, Graham and Summer Smith of Stanley; four great-grandchildren, Taylor and Melody Dalton of Pensacola and Kellie and Anna Dalton of Charlotte; a number of nieces and nephews; and special friends Gail Morrison, Dorothy Willis and Marie Wellmon. The funeral will be Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Stamey Funeral Home Chapel in Fallston, with Dr. Robert Parsons Jr. and the Rev. Billy Towery officiating. Burial will be in St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service, and at other times at the home of Margaret and Woody Christopher, 432 Christopher Road, Shelby. Memorials may be made to St. Peter’s United Methodist Church, in care of Garry Tillman, 6443 Fallston Road, Lawndale, NC 28090, or to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150.
