CHINA GROVE — Betty Brown Cline, 71, of Vance Ave., formerly of Salisbury, died Monday (April 10, 2000)at Transitional Health Care of Kannapolis, after 18 months of declining health and two months of serious illness.

Born Aug. 28, 1928, in Rowan County, Mrs. Cline was a daughter of the late Jessie Blackwelder and Joseph Franklin Stiller. Educated in Salisbury City schools and a graduate of Boyden High School, class of 1945, she was employed with Norman’s of Salisbury before her retirement. She was a member of Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church and the V.F.W. Post #3006 Ladies Auxiliary.

Mrs. Cline was preceded in death by her first husband, William E. Brown, who died in 1977, her second husband, Lonnie W. Cline, who died May 1999, and a son, Charles Wayne Brown, who died in 1952.

Survivors include son Ronald Edmond Brown, Marietta, Ga.; daughter Debbie B. Taylor, Mooresville; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services:Graveside, 11 a.m. Thursday, Chestnut Hill Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. David Kelley, minister, Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church.

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight, Summersett Funeral Home.

Memorials:Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, 901 S. Church St., Salisbury, N.C. 28144.

Robbie Alexander Cranford

MOORESVILLE —&Retirement.

Born Dec. 16, 1911, in Easley, S.C., Mrs. Cranford was a daughter of the late Washington Elisha and Mertie Lee Wilson Alexander. A graduate of Parker High School, Greenville, S.C., she was a homemaker. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church, Mooresville.

Mrs. Cranford was preceded in death by her husband, Herman P. Cranford.

Survivors include son Donald P. Cranford, High Point; sisters Maxine Harbin, Statesville, Julia Cornelius, Vero Beach, Fla., Grace Poston, Broken Arrow, Okla., and Joyce Perry, Richmond, Va.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services:Graveside, 11 a.m. Friday, Vanderburg Blue Door Cemetery, Mooresville, conducted by the Rev. Phillip DeBerry Jr.

Visitation: 9:30-10:30 a.m. Friday, Cavin Funeral Home, Mooresville.

Memorials: Central United Methodist Church, 214 N. Academy St., Mooresville, N.C. 28115.

Rev. George Denham Jr.

The Rev. George Denham Jr., 75, of Spencer, died Tuesday (April 11, 2000) at his residence, after a number of years of declining health and serious illness since July.

Born Sept. 29, 1924, in Ringold, Ky., Mr. Denham was a son of the late Bessie Zachary and George Denham. Educated in Rowan County schools, he was a veteran of World War II, serving with the U.S. Navy.

A retired Baptist minister having served as charter member of Community Baptist, Mr. Denham served as chaplain for 13 years at Hill Top Retirement Center in Davidson County. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church in East Spencer.

Mr. Denham was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Earnhardt Denham.

Survivors include wife Hazel Spry Denham, of the home; stepson Bobby Spry, Linwood; stepdaughters Nancy Jacobs, Salisbury, Dolores Soloman, Linwood, and Carol Clawson, Spencer; brother Carl Denham, Salisbury; sisters Jewel Klenkler, Salisbury, and Frances Daniels, South Carolina; 24 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services:1 p.m. Thursday, Community Baptist Church, Salisbury, conducted by the Rev. Edward Bitner, the Rev. Chris O’Guin, the Rev. Sy Ponds and the Rev. Dale Robertson. Burial, Salisbury National Cemetery, with military graveside rites conducted by the Rowan County Veterans Council.

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight, Lyerly Funeral Home, 515 S. Main St., Salisbury. At other times the family will be at the residence.

Memorials: Rowan Regional Home Health &Hospice, 825-A W. Henderson St., Salisbury, N.C. 28144.

Hallie Shepherd Groff

KANNAPOLIS — Hallie Shepherd Groff, 88, 708 Packard Ave., died Tuesday (April 11, 2000) at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord.

Born Aug. 19, 1911, in Wilkes County, Mrs. Groff was a daughter of the late Susan Jane Roberts and James Harris Shepherd. She was retired from Cannon Mills Company, Plant 4, cloth room. A longtime resident of the area, she was a member of First Baptist Church for 70 years.

Her husband, E.V. Groff, preceded her in death in 1972.

Survivors include foster daughter, Nancy Cline, Rockwell; sisters Pauline S. Key, Concord, and Callie S. Vannoy, Wilkesboro; half brother Johnny Shepherd, North Wilkesboro; and half sister Mozelle Staley, North Wilkesboro.

Services:2 p.m. Thursday, First Baptist Church, Kannapolis, conducted by the Rev. Tom Cabannis. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis.

Visitation: 7-9 tonight, Whitley’s Funeral Home.

Memorials:First Baptist Church, c/o Building Fund, 101 N. Main St., Kannapolis, N.C. 28081.

Charles Hardin

CHINA GROVE —

Lady’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Myrtle Wood Harrison

Myrtle Wood Harrison, 83, 1829 Statesville Blvd., died Wednesday (April 12, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Ray ‘Punkin’ Huneycutt

NEW LONDON —

Born Jan. 16, 1934, in Stanly County, Mr. Huneycutt was a son of M.O. “Dock” Huneycutt, Albemarle, and the late Sarah Emmaline Morton Huneycutt. He was a farmer.

Survivors, in addition to his father, include wife Edith Hatley Huneycutt, of the home; son Dale Huneycutt, Richfield; daughter Connie Huneycutt Bost, Mount Pleasant; brother Max Huneycutt, Albemarle; sisters Edith Harless, West Jefferson and Ruby Lambeth, Asheboro; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services: 2 p.m. Thursday, Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Charles Goodman, the Rev. Mitchell D. Cook and the Rev. Jessie R. Dennis. Burial, Stanly Gardens of Memory, Albemarle.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Hartsell Funeral Home, Albemarle. At other times the family will be at the residence.

Samuel Paul Ireland

MOCKSVILLE — Samuel Paul Ireland, 75, Liberty Church Road, died Tuesday (April 11, 2000) at his residence.

Born June 9, 1924, in Davie County, Mr. Ireland was a son of the late Emma E. Danner and Robert Phillip Ireland. He was retired from Drexel Heritage Furniture Company with over 41 years with the company. He was a member of Liberty Baptist Church.

Mr.Ireland was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Shinault Ireland, who died in 1983.

Survivors include sons Robert Lee Ireland, Mocksville, and W.G. Ireland, Dobson; daughter Betty Nelson, Lexington; brother James Harding Ireland, Lexington; sister Robbie Myers, Winston-Salem; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Thursday, Eaton Funeral Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Marvin Blackburn and the Rev. Grady Tutterow. Burial, Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation: 7-9 tonight, Eaton Funeral Service.

Memorials: Hospice of Davie County, P.O. Box 848, Mocksville, N.C. 27028; or Cancer Services, 622 North Main St., Mocksville, N.C. 27028.

Berkley Jones Jr.

Berkley Jones Jr., died Wednesday (March 29, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury.

Scarborough and Hargett Funeral Home,Inc., is in charge.

Ruth Eagle Marshall

Ruth Eagle Marshall, 82, formerly of Rowan County, died Wednesday (April 12, 2000)at Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Winston-Salem.

Lyerly Funeral Home is in charge.

Ed Morris

CHINA GROVE — Charles Edward “Ed” Morris, 88, 970 Lentz Road, died Monday (April 10, 2000)at Autumn Care of Salisbury.

Born Dec. 24, 1911, in Rowan County, Mr. Morris was a son of the late Emma Brawley and Jacob Morris. He was retired from Corriher Mills, China Grove.

He is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Services: Graveside, 2 p.m. today, West Lawn Memorial Park, conducted by the Rev. Terry Brown.

Thelma Olene Mottley

LANDIS — Thelma Olene Ross Mottley, 83, formerly of South Kimmons Street, died Tuesday (April 11, 2000) at Lake Norman Regional Medical Center, Mooresville, after a period of declining health.

Born Nov. 9, 1916, in Rowan County, Mrs. Mottley was a daughter of the late Mary and Sam Ross. Educated in Rowan County Schools, she was retired from China Grove Cotton Mill, packing department.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Herman Mottley.

Survivors include son James Herman “Buddy”Mottley, Kannapolis; daughter Joyce Beaver, Mooresville; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services: 3 p.m. Friday, Colonial Chapel, Linn Honeycutt Funeral Home, Landis, conducted by the Rev. Earl Hardin. Burial, Greenlawn Cemetery, China Grove.

Visitation: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Linn Honeycutt Funeral Home,Landis.

At other times the family will be at the home of Joyce Beaver, 1221 Grace Meadow Drive,Mooresville.

Kenwood Lee Pate

RICHFIELD — Kenwood Lee Pate, 40, 44382 Millingport Road, died Monday (April 10, 2000).

Born Aug. 5, 1959, in Kinston, Lenoir County, Mr. Pate was a son of the late Theo Katherine Cox and Marvin Zachary Pate. He worked in commercial construction with Concord Builders.

Survivors include daughter Brandy Nicole Pate, Albemarle; brothers Ray and Roger Pate, Kinston, Michael Pate, Dudley, Norman Pate, Robbinsville; and sister Diane Townsend, Dudley.

Services: 11 a.m. Thursday, Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel, conducted by the Rev. R. David Ayers. Burial, New London Cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Hartsell Funeral Home, Albemarle. At other times the family will be at the residence.

Booker T. Summers

HARMONY —Booker T. Summers, 88, 352 Hickory Grove Road, died Monday (April 10, 2000)at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, from injuries sustained from a tractor accident.

Born in Iredell County, Mr. Summers was a member of First Baptist Church in Harmony and was a former treasurer of the Mountain and Catawba Association. He was self employed as a farmer and building contractor.

Survivors include sons Booker Mitchell Summers Jr., Harmony, and Soloman W. Summers, Statesville; daughters Irene Steele and Claudine Lewis, both of Harmony, and Willene Carson, Corona, N.Y.; brothers Tommy Summers, Harmony and Rod Summers, Washington, D.C.; 28 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services: 4 p.m. Friday, First Baptist Church, Harmony, conducted by the Rev. Darryl McConnel and the Rev. John Mason. The body will be taken to the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial, Mount Nebo Baptist Church Cemetery.

Visitation:7-8 p.m. Thursday, Graham Funeral Home, Mocksville.

Memorials: Mount Nebo Cemetery Fund, P.O. Box 29, Harmony, N.C. 28634; or First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 407, Harmony, N.C. 28634.

Billy Jacob Trexler

LEXINGTON — Billy Jacob Trexler, 70, 201 Cow Palace Road, died Monday (April 10, 2000)at Golden Age Nursing Home, Lexington.

Born April 11, 1929, in Rowan County, Mr. Trexler was a son of the late William Tilden and Atha Frances Snider Trexler. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and was retired from Duracell Battery. He was a member of North Lexington Baptist Church.

Survivors include wife Marion Wonderly Trexler, Lexington; daughters Katrina Trexler Smith, Winston-Salem, Joanie Trexler Greene, Clemmons, and Sonya Trexler, Lexington; sister Pauline Crisco, Kannapolis; and six grandchildren.

Services: 11 a.m. Thursday, North Lexington Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Robert Floyd. Entombment, Forest Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Visitation: 6:30-8:30 tonight, Piedmont Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at 170 Allen Dr., Lexington, or the home of Joanie Greene, 237 Grant Road, Clemmons.

Memorials: North Lexington Baptist Church, 201 Mize Road, Lexington, N.C. 27292; or American Cancer Society, 1114 Magnolia St., Greensboro, N.C. 27401.

Mildred Washington

EAST SPENCER — Mildred Washington, 71, 314 East Broad St., died Sunday (April 9, 2000)at Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, after several days of serious illness.

Services:4 p.m. Friday, Southern City Tabernacle AME Zion Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Donald C. Holness, pastor. Burial, Oakwood Cemetery, Salisbury.

Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home, Inc., is in charge.

John R. Weese

KANNAPOLIS — John Richard Weese, 75, 918 Laura Ave., died at Tuesday (April 11, 2000) at his residence after several months of declining health.

Born March 3, 1925, in Elkins W.Va., Mr. Weese was a son of the late Eva Fansler and John Dayton Weese. He later lived for many years in Warren, Ohio before moving to Kannapolis about 10 years ago.

Mr. Weese was an auto mechanic, having worked for several dealerships in the Warren, Ohio, area. He was also a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served during World War II, and was a member of VFW Post 3647 in Elkins, W.Va.

Survivors include wife Doris Alkire Weese; daughters Sheri Evick, Kannapolis, and Joyce Hinchman, Newton Falls, Ohio; sonJohn Richard Weese Jr., of the home; sisters Virginia Smith and Delores Woody, both of Elkins, W.Va.; brother Robert Weese, Phoenix, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Lady’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Lakey Mae Whitley

ATHENS, Tenn. — Lakey Mae Southern Whitley, Salisbury, N.C., formerly of Kernersville, N.C., and Athens, died Saturday (April 8, 2000) at Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga, Tenn.

A native of Kernersville, Mrs. Whitley was a daughter of the late Lindsey and Maggie Sue Lovings Southern and was a protestant.

Mrs. Whitley was preceded in death by her husband, Dock Sherman Whitley, who died in 1966, and sons Gary Wayne Whitley and Jimmy Sherman Whitley and a daughter Jacquelyn Mae Whitley.

Survivors include sons Robert Darrell Whitley, Salisbury, N.C., and Jack Ray Whitley, Athens; daughters Betty Joyce Myers and Nancy Ann Brown, both of Riceville; 15 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Services were held Tuesday, in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn., conducted by the Rev. Elbert Ellis. Burial, McMinn Memory Gardens.

Geraldine “Gerry” Jones

Geraldine “Gerry”Woods Jones, 70, 955 Union Church Road, died Wednesday (April 12, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home is in charge.

Zeb Frank Young

Zeb Frank Young, 78, of Salisbury, died Tuesday (April 11, 2000) at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem.

Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell, is in charge.