Ebie Merris Edwards

Ebie Merris Edwards, 86, Winter Haven, Fla., died Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2000) at Liberty Commons Nursing Center, Salisbury, after a brief illness.

Born April 14, 1914, in Coldwater, Kan., Mr. Edwards was a son of the late Ebie Merris and Minnie Paul Edwards. Educated in the Wichita, Kan., schools, he served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

He had worked with Pillsbury Mills, Kansas; Brown and Bigalow Advertising, Miami, Fla.; was resident manager of the University of North Carolina’s Quail Roost Conference Center, Durham; company manager for a traveling theatrical production of the Passion Play; tour director for American Express; and activities chairman at SpringhavenRetirement Community Center, Winter Haven, Fla.

Honored as a volunteer at Lakeland Regional Medical Center, Lakeland, Fla., he was a published author of “Pitiful Poems by a Panel Participant.”

He was a member of the American Legion in Winter Haven, Fla., a member of Winter Haven Lions Club, where he was Tailtwister, and had served as president of the Historic Society of Fort Pierce, Fla.

His wife, Geraldine Elder Edwards, died July 30, 1995.

Survivors include daughter Beverly E. Mitchell, Salisbury; two grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

Services: 1 p.m. Friday, Summersett Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Robert M. Lewis, senior pastor, First Presbyterian Church.

Visitation: 6:30-8 tonight at the home of Beverly E. Mitchell, 305 Stuart Drive.

Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Memorials: American Cancer Society, Research Fund, 500 E. Morehead St., Suite 211, Charlotte, N.C. 28202; Community Care Clinic of Rowan County, 500 Mocksville Ave., Salisbury, N.C. 28144; or donor’s choice.

Mary Freeze

DAVIDSON — Mary Lee Rodgers Freeze, 77, 10685 Archer Road, died Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2000) at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, after a year of declining health and five days of serious illness.

Born April 25, 1923, in Cabarrus County, Mrs. Freeze was a daughter of the late Ira and Rose Beaver Rodgers. She was a homemaker and a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church.

Survivors include husband PaulG. Freeze; daughter Karen P. Freeze, Concord; and sister Faye R. Worsham, Lexington.

Services: Graveside, 11 a.m. Friday, Oak Grove United Methodist Church cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Paula Judy.

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight, Lady’s Funeral Home, Kannapolis.

Memorials: Oak Grove United Methodist Church c/o Sandra Whitson, treasurer, 136 Chippewa Trail, China Grove, N.C. 28023.

Edith Nance Gabriel

ROANOKE RAPIDS — Edith Eudean Nance Gabriel, 82, Roanoke Rapids, died Monday (Aug. 7, 2000).

Born Oct. 29, 1917 in Mecklenburg County, Mrs. Gabriel was the daughter of the late Essie Van Pelt and William Richard Nance. She graduated from H.F. Long Nursing School in Statesville.

As a registered nurse, she practiced in Roanoke Rapids from 1943 until her retirement in the 1980’s. She was a Presbyterian from birth, first at Thyatira Presbyterian Church, Mill Bridge, and later at First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids and the Presbytery.

She held numerous local and regional offices such as Synod committees, elder, deacon, President of the Women of the Church, Commissioner of the General Assembly of the Presbytery, and Clerk of the Session. In 1971 she was awarded an Honorary Life Membership by the Women of the Church. Over the next three decades Mrs. Gabriel continued to serve her church as superintendent of the Sunday school .

Her husband John Wilson Gabriel, whom she married in 1945, preceded her in death.

Survivors include son Charles D. Gabriel, Apex, sisters Grace Grant, Roanoke Rapids, Mae Bradshaw, Cordie Campbell and Pauline Hopkins, all of China Grove; brother James Nance, China Grove; and one grandson. of China Grove.

Services were held this morning at First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, with the Rev. David McDonald officiating. Burial, Cedarwood Cemetery.

Askew Funeral Services in Roanoke Rapids is in charge.

Memorials: First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke Rapids, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; or Cornerstone Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1253, Cary, NC 27512.

Janet Gaither

MOCKSVILLE —Janet Gaither, 69, Turkey Foot Road, died Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2000) at Iredell Memorial Hospital.

Eaton Funeral Home is in charge.

Marshall T. Hammett

CHINA GROVE — The funeral will be Friday for MarshallThomas Hammett, 80, formerly of 1108 S. Franklin St., who died Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2000) at Brian Center Health and Rehabilitation, Salisbury.

Born Aug. 29, 1919, in Chester County, S.C., Mr. Hammett, a son of the late John Thomas and Sadie Cooper Hammett, was educated in the Chester County schools.

He had retired from Cannon Mills and was a member of Corner Stone Baptist Church. A veteran, he served in the U.S. Army during World War II.

His wife, Myrtle Gullett Adams Hammett, died Aug. 26, 1991.

Survivors include sons Thomas Mitchell Hammett, West Union, S.C., MarshallJ. “Butch” Hammett, Salisbury, and Michael R. Hammett, Lancaster, S.C.; daughter Linda Lanier, Lancaster, S.C.; stepson Farris Junior Bailey, Mocksville; stepdaughters Ruby Ricketson and Jeanette Green, both of Salisbury; brother Charles Hammett, Knoxville,Tenn.; sister Helen Potts, Hanogate, Tenn.; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Friday,Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home chapel, China Grove, conducted by the Rev. Hazel Rollins. Entombment, West Lawn Mausoleum. Military rites by Rowan County Veterans Council.

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight at the funeral home and at the church after the service. At other times the family will be at the home of Marshall J. “Butch” Hammett, 125 Sunshine Lane, Salisbury.

Memorials: Corner Stone Baptist Church, 507 E. Ryder St., Landis,N.C. 28088.

Ernest Donald Hodge Jr.

The funeral will be Saturday for Ernest Donald Hodge Jr., 77, 201 N. Lee St., Yadkin House, who died Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Born June 21, 1923, in Eastover, S.C., Mr. Hodge was a son of the late Ernest Donald and Ruth Stratton Hodge. A veteran of the U.S.Army, he served during World War II.

He had worked as an automotive mechanic for a service station and was a member of Richland Presbyterian Church,Eastover, S.C.

His wife,Catherine Clayton Campbell Hodge, preceded him in death.

Survivors include sisters Janice H. Welch and Betty Hodge, both of Columbia, S.C., Judy H. Coleman, Atlanta, Ga., Dorothy H. Phifer, Daytona, Fla., and Ruth H. Young, Spencer.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Summersett Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dale Robertson, pastor, North Main Baptist Church. Graveside, 3 p.m. Saturday, Old Richland Presbyterian Church cemetery, Eastover, S.C.

Visitation: 10-11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Memorials: North Main Baptist Church, Children’s Department, 1501 N. Main St., Salisbury, N.C. 28144.

Mary Dillard Holmes

HARMONY — Mary Dillard Holmes, 66, Harmony, died Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2000) at Davis Medical Center, Statesville.

A Davie County native, Mrs. Holmes was a member of First Baptist Church of Harmony.

Survivors include husband Raymond Holmes; son David Holmes, Harmony; brothers Robert Dillard and Eugene Foote, both of Mocksville; and sisters Alice Dillard Patterson, Margaret D. Lewis and Hazel D. Dalton, all of Mocksville, and Lazora Williams, Albemarle.

Services: 3 p.m. Friday, First Baptist Church, Harmony, conducted by the Rev. Darryl McConnell. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 2:15 p.m. Friday at the church. At other times the family will be at 137 Kimmons Road.

Graham Funeral Home, Mocksville, is in charge.

Lois Oates Honeycutt

MOORESVILLE — Lois Novella Oates Honeycutt, 76, Mackwood Road, died Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2000) at Presbyterian Hospital,Charlotte.

Born Feb. 4, 1924, in Iredell County, Mrs. Honeycutt, a daughter of the late John Franklin and Mary Emma Abernathy Oates, was a homemaker. She was an active member of Community Baptist Church, Mount Mourne, where she was secretary of the church and treasurer of the Adult Seniors Sunday school class.

Her husband, James Nelson Honeycutt, died in January 2000.

Survivors include sons James Ronnie and Dennis Craig Honeycutt, both of Mooresville; sister Rachel O. Staley, Sparta; brothers Ray Oates, Waco, and Bill, Ben, Grady and Fred Oates, all of Mooresville; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Friday, Community Baptist Church, Mount Mourne, conducted by the Rev. J.R. Speece and the Rev. Donna Smith. The body will be placed in the church at 1:30. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 6:30-8 tonight, Cavin-Cook Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home of son Ronnie Honeycutt, 208 Mackwood Road.

Memorials: Community Baptist Church, Building Fund, P.O. Box 202, Mount Mourne, N.C. 28123.

Lucious Raymond Kimrey

ALBEMARLE — Lucious Raymond Kimrey, 80, 2415 Idlewood Drive, died Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2000) at his home.

Born March 24, 1920, in Stanly County, Mr. Kimrey was a son of the late William Daniel and Carrie HarwardKimrey. A veteran of the U.S. Navy, he served in the Pacific during World War II.

He had been employed as a troubleshooter with Fiber Industries, now KoSa, in Salisbury. He was a member of Highland Baptist Church, New London.

Survivors include wife Betty S. Kimrey; son Randall Bryce Kimrey, New London; daughters Deidrea K. Coone, Albemarle, and Krystal R. Kimrey, College Park, Md.; sister Marie Owen, New London; four grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Services: 2 p.m. Friday, Highland Baptist Church, New London, conducted by the Rev. Donnie Treadway and the Rev. Dolan Humphries. Burial, church cemetery. Military rites by Stanly County DAV.

Visitation: 7-9 tonight, Hartsell Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home on Idlewood Drive.

Memorials: Hospice of Stanly County, 960 N. First St., Albemarle,N.C. 28001.

Margaret Ashe Marsh

SPENCER — Margaret Irene Ashe Marsh, 86, Spencer, died Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2000) at Forsyth Memorial Hospital, Winston-Salem.

Lyerly Funeral Home, Salisbury, is in charge.

Mamie Chambers Norman

The funeral will be Friday for Mamie Chambers Norman, 370 Manhattan Ave., New York City, a Salisbury native who died Friday (Aug. 4, 2000) at her home.

Services: 10 a.m. Friday, Mitchell and Fair Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. George Hunter, pastor, Trinity Presbyterian Church. Burial, National Cemetery, Salisbury.

Phyllis Smith Rhyne

STATESVILLE — Phyllis Ann Smith Rhyne, 48, 117 Lincoln St., died Sunday (Aug. 6, 2000) at Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte.

Born Feb. 21, 1952, in Rowan County, Mrs. Rhyne was a daughter of the late James Summers and Julia Woods Ross. She was reared by the late Cora Hopson.

A graduate of North Rowan High School, Spencer, she was a former member of Southern City AMEZion Church,East Spencer. Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, she was employed by Trim Systems.

Survivors include daughter Tamica Rhyne, of the home; stepmother Mary Summers, Statesville; brothers Leroy Smith, Salisbury, and Michael Ross, Minneapolis, Minn.; sisters Carolyn Nivens, Philadelphia, Pa., and Tammy McClelland, Minneapolis, Minn.; foster sisters Barbara McGee and Ruth Davis, both of Philadelphia, Pa.; stepsister Esadore McClain, Statesville; grandson, Javis Black, of the home; and companion Sydney Morrison, Statesville.

Services: 3 p.m. Friday, Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dr. J.C. Harris. Burial, Belmont Cemetery.

Visitation: 2:30 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the home of Mary Summers, 116 Garfield St.

Thomas Frank Ridenhour

Thomas FrankRidenhour, 82, Salisbury, died Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Eunice Locke Click Sheets

WOODLEAF — Eunice Locke Click Sheets, 74, Woodleaf, died Wednesday (Aug. 9, 2000) at Autumn Care of Salisbury. She had been in declining health for two years and seriously ill for two months.

Born Aug. 11, 1925, in Rowan County, Mrs. Sheets was a daughter of the late Oscar S. and Julia Mae Moore Click. She was educated in the Rowan County schools and a graduate of Woodleaf High School.

She retired after 15 years from Fiber Industries, now KoSa, where she was a lab technician. A member of Unity Presbyterian Church, she taught Sunday school earlier in her life.

Survivors include husband Eugene Finney Sheets, whom she married in 1947; sons Michael E. Sheets, Charlotte, and Joel K. Sheets, Salisbury; brother Charles S. Click, Oriental; sister Ruth Click Wright, Salisbury; and three grandchildren.

Services: Private entombment service at Rowan Memorial Park Mausoleum Chapel, Salisbury. The Rev. Malcolm Bullock and the Rev. James Hollis will officiate.

Visitation: None.

Lyerly Funeral Home, Salisbury, is in charge.

Memorials: American Cancer Society, Rowan Unit, P.O. Box 1264, Salisbury, N.C. 28145; or 414 S. Main St., Salisbury, N.C. 28144.

Josie McManus Streater

The funeral will be Saturday for Josie Bell McManus Streater, 78, 908 W. Horah St., who died Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center after two weeks of serious illness.

Services: 12 p.m. Saturday, Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Steven Bethune. Burial, Rock Springs Baptist Church,Ruby, S.C.

Visitation: 11:30 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home.

Joy Baker Tice

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — Joy Rosalind Baker Tice, 59, Deerfield Beach, a former area resident, died Monday (Aug. 7, 2000) at North Broward Medical Center, Kershaw, S.C.

Mrs. Tice was the daughter of H.B. Baker and the late Beatrice Ellis Alderman. She was a member of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, Fort Lauderdale.

Her stepfather, Harold Alderman, preceded her in death.

Survivors, in addition to her father, include husband James Willard Tice; sons James R. Tice, Deerfield Beach, and Stephen T. and John A. Tice, both of Franklin, N.C.; daughters Beatrice E. Tice, Rock Hill, S.C., and Carol J. Lopes, Franklin, N.C.; stepmother Frances Baker; and six grandchildren.

Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, DeVos Chapel.

Van Robert Watkins

LINWOOD — The funeral will be Friday for Van Robert Watkins, 73, Hilltop Living Center, who died Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2000) at his home.

Born May 28, 1927, in Pageland, S.C., Mr. Watkins was a son of the late Henry Thomas and Cora Lee Myers Watkins. He was educated in the Pageland, S.C., schools and had worked for Cannon Mills, sheet department.

Survivors include brother Marshall JosephWatkins,Greer, S.C., and a number of nieces and nephews.

Services: Memorials, 11 a.m. Friday, Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell, conducted by the Rev. Mike Watkins, York, S.C. The body will be cremated.

Visitation: None.

Memorials: Donor’s choice.