LEXINGTON — Vera Wilson Bates, 67, 501 Rochelle Drive, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury.

Born Sept. 22, 1932, in Rowan County, Mrs. Bates was a daughter of the late Henry and Vallie Poole Wilson. A graduate of Salisbury High School, she also graduated from Catawba College in 1954. She also received a master’s degree from Duke University.

She began teaching at Stony Point in Alexander County in 1954. She taught at Henderson Elementary School in Salisbury from 1955 to 1963. In 1963 she began teaching at Pickett School, where she was named Teacher of the Year in 1987.

A life member of the National Educators Association and the North Carolina Association of Educators, she was also a member of the Classroom Teachers Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, the Retired Teachers Association and Lexington Chapter 98, Order of the Eastern Star. She was a former member of the Business and Professional Women.

Survivors include husband C.H. Bates Jr.; and brothers Paul T. and W.H. Wilson, both of Salisbury, and Grady Wilson, Carrollton, Texas.

Services: 2 p.m. Monday, First Reformed United Church of Christ, conducted by the Rev. Mike Hooper. Burial, Lexington City Cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Sunday, Piedmont Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home on Rochelle Drive.

Memorials: First Reformed United Church of Christ, 104 E. Center St., Lexington, N.C. 27292.

Hazel B. Carico

Born Aug. 1, 1930, in Virginia, she was a daughter of the late William Eugene and Demey Beamer. She was a retired cashier for A&P.

Mrs. Carico was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Dean Carico.

Survivors include daughters Kim Dunn, Denton, and Jennifer Davis, Lexington.

Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Davidson Funeral Home Chapel. Burial, Lexington City Cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the home of daughter Kim Dunn, Shiptontown Road.

Thomas Russell Fitzgerald

KANNAPOLIS —

Born Jan. 5, 1996, in Cabarrus County, he was a son of Adele Russell and Michael A. Fitzgerald. He was the 1999 poster child for the NBC 6 Marrow-Thon.

Survivors, in addition to his parents, include brother Robert Fitzgerald, of the home and grandfather Dr. Bernard Russell.

Services: 10 a.m. Monday, Forest Hill United Methodist Church, Concord, conducted by the Rev. Michael Kurtz and the Rev. Susan German. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.

Visitation: 4-8 p.m. Sunday, Whitley’s Funeral Home.

Memorials: The family requests that people donate a pint of blood in the child’s name to the American Red Cross.

Evie Gibson Haney

Whitley’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Charles Lee Hornbeak

KANNAPOLIS — Charles Lee Hornbeak, 93, formerly of Bethpage Road, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2000) at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord.

Born Nov. 30, 1906, in Kentucky, Mr. Hornbeak was a son of the late Dora Morgan and Frank Hornbeak. A farmer in his earlier years, Mr. Hornbeak also worked for a building supply company while living in Georgia. A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served with the cavalry in the 1920s.

His wife, Mary Helen Ervin Hornbeak, died in 1983.

Survivors include sons Ray and Preston Hornbeak, both of Kannapolis; daughters Jo Ann McDaniel and Linda McCombs, both of Kannapolis, and Rachel Raffaldt, Hawkinsville, Ga.; sisters Ruth Johnson, Keystone Heights, Fla., and Ruby Carver, Athens, Ga.; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Services: 4 p.m. Sunday, Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel, Kannapolis, conducted by the Rev. Earl Newton. Burial, National Cemetery, Salisbury.

Visitation: 3-4 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the home of son Ray Hornbeak, 5129 Irish Potato Road.

Jennifer Ann Lattarulo

KANNAPOLIS — Jennifer Ann Lattarulo, 29, Kannapolis, died Friday (Jan. 28, 2000) at Presbyterian Hospital, Charlotte, due to injuries received in an automobile accident.

Born Jan. 3, 1971, in Manchester, Conn., she was a daughter of Ronald Bruce Utman, Connecticut, and Mrs. Stephen (Patricia) Gore Stancil, China Grove. She was a cosmetology student at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.

Survivors, in addition to her parents, include stepfather Stephen Stancil, China Grove; daughters Ashley Ann and Tiffany Ann Lattarulo, both of the home; brother Joseph E. Ouellette, Kannapolis; and grandmother Jayne L. Gore, Kannapolis.

Services: 8 p.m. Monday, Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel, Kannapolis, conducted by the Rev. Leon Hawks. Burial, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Carolina Memorial Park.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.

Lena Victoria Wilson Lentz

Born July 6, 1904, in Newton, Mrs. Lentz was a daughter of the late Martha Cates and Daniel E. Wilson. She was a self-employed seamstress, a music teacher and a substitute school teacher. She was a member of Cross of Christ Lutheran Church.

Her husband, Roy Hubert Lentz, died April 20, 1964.

She is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Services: 4 p.m. Monday, Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. Joseph A. Miller. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 6-7:30 Sunday, Linn Honeycutt Funeral Home, Landis.

Memorials: Cross of Christ Lutheran Church, 4500 Rimer Road, Concord, N.C. 28025.

Thomas L. McElveen

Thomas L. McElveen, 75, Salisbury, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center following a period of declining health.

Born Oct. 31, 1924, in Rowan County, Mr. McElveen was a son of the late Bessie Thomas and Alex Levack McElveen. Educated in the Salisbury and Mooresville schools, he had retired from Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Docks Co. after 25 years with the company. He later owned and operated the Golden Keys Motel, Myrtle Beach, S.C.

A U.S. Army veteran of World War II, he served in the European theater, where he received a citation of merit. Mr. McElveen was a member of Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post 342, VFW Post 3006 and Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, where he had served as chairman of the board of trustees and was a member of the Homemakers Sunday School Class.

Survivors include wife Frances Rollins McElveen, whom he married Oct. 11, 1947; sons Philip M. McElveen, Hampton, Va., and Thomas L. McElveen Jr., Lynchburg, Va.; daughters Fonda M. Breeden, Hampton, Va. and DeDe M. Dickason, Charlotte; brother George G. McElveen, Mooresville; and two grandchildren.

Services: 3 p.m. Monday, Lyerly Funeral Home’s James C. Lyerly Chapel, conducted by the Rev. David Kelley, pastor, Coburn Memorial United Methodist Church, and the Rev. Anne Tarlton. Burial, Chestnut Hill Cemetery, with military graveside rites by the Rowan County Veterans Council.

Visitation: 7-8:30 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the residence.

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

J.E. ‘Jim’ Mercer

ALBEMARLE — J.E. “Jim” Mercer, 88, 940 N. Fifth St., died Friday (Jan. 28, 2000) at Britthaven of the Piedmont.

Born July 9, 1911, in Lumberton, Mr. Mercer was a son of the late Nash Adams and Mary Elvira Young Mercer. A poultry farm manager, he managed All Star Farms.

Mr. Mercer served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a member of Main Street United Methodist Church.

Survivors include wife Mildred Wilson Mercer; son James E. Mercer Jr., Raleigh; daughter Ann Wilson Mercer, Belmont; brothers Miles Edwin and David C. Mercer, both of Lumberton, Charles H. Mercer, Lake Junaluska, Robert Mercer, St. Augustine, Fla., and Eugene Mercer, North Myrtle Beach, S.C.; sisters Elizabeth M. Randall, Charlotte, and Mary M. Baxley and Ruth M. Muselwhite, both of Lumberton; and two grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Main Street United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. David M. Rorie and the Rev. Billy Rintz. Burial, Stanly Gardens of Memory.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Hartsell Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home on North Fifth Street.

Memorials: Main Street United Methodist Church, Heating and Air Conditioning Fund, P.O. Box 1255, Albemarle, N.C. 28002-1255.

Blanche Hurd Morrison

Blanche Hurd Morrison, 88, Salisbury, died Friday (Jan. 28, 2000) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Ola Bell Necaise

MOUNT PLEASANT — Ola Bell Necaise, 84, 36897 Finger Road, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2000) at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord.

Born July 17, 1915, in Rowan County, Mrs. Necaise was a daughter of the late Lillie Measimer and Thomas L. Myers. She was a spinner for Cannon Mills.

Mrs. Necaise was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph Joseph Necaise, and a daughter, Nancy Necaise.

Survivors include sons Ralph M. Necaise, Richfield, and Johnny L. Necaise, Concord; daughters Sedonia Yow, Richfield, and Lillie Ruth Poplin, Mount Pleasant; brother Raymond Myers, Harrisburg; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Monday, Hartsell Funeral Home, Concord, conducted by the Rev. Robert Ferguson. Burial, Harrisburg Baptist Church cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Sunday, at the funeral home.

Memorials: Life Center of Concord, 321 Corben Ave., Concord, N.C. 28025.

Myrtle Mauldin Plyler

Born June 28, 1917, in Rockingham, Mrs. Plyler was a daughter of Rufus L. and Hattie Webb Mauldin. A homemaker, she was a member of Plyler Baptist Church.

Her husband, John D. Plyler, died in 1972.

Survivors include son Randall Plyler, Albemarle; sister Zula Hinson, Albemarle; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services: 3 p.m. Sunday, Plyler Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Alvin Melton and the Rev. Marvin Huneycutt. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 2-3 p.m. Sunday, at the church.

Memorials: Plyler Baptist Church, 25958 Austin Road, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

Stanly Funeral Home is in charge.

Joan H. Richardson

Morrison-Studevent Funeral Home, Mocksville, is in charge.

Helen Helms Smith

NORWOOD — Helen Gay Helms Smith, 46, 12086 Old Aquadale Road, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2000) at her home.

Born Aug. 19, 1953, in Stanly County, Mrs. Smith was a daughter of Minnie Helms Morgan, Oakboro, and the late Charlie Helms. She was an electrician with Stanly Fixture Co. and a member of Aquadale Baptist Church.

Survivors, in addition to her mother, include husband Donnie Warren Smith; stepfather Melvin Morgan, Oakboro; sons Donnie Wayne Smith and Stacy Brian Smith, both of Norwood, and David Michael Smith, Oakboro; brothers Charlie and Joe Helms, both of Albemarle, and Wayne Helms, Oakboro; sisters Flora Mae Coley, Norwood, Faye Hartsell, Albemarle, and Hilda Taylor, Oakboro; and two grandchildren.

Services: 11 a.m. Tuesday, Red Cross Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Lowell Brown and the Rev. Garry Baker. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 7-9 p.m. Monday, Hartsell Funeral Home, Albemarle. At other times the family will be at the home of mother-in-law Vernie Smith, 16246 Highway 205.

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

John Tyler Thompson

John Tyler Thompson, 90, formerly of Salisbury, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2000) at Lowman Home Hospital, Columbia, S.C.

Born July 10, 1909, in Anson County, Mr. Thompson was a son of the late Ada Harkey and John T. Thompson. Educated in the Hickory Grove schools, he had retired from North Carolina Finishing Co. after more than 23 years with the company.

A member of Beltline Baptist Church in Columbia, Mr. Thompson organized and directed the Beltline Hat Band with his second wife, the late Nora Stokley Thompson. The group performed at various nursing homes and civic functions.

Mr. Thompson was also preceded in death by his first wife, Bertha Tucker Thompson, and a son, William Tyler Thompson.

Survivors include son Delton R. Thompson, Morganton; daughter Betty T. Matthews, Greensboro; brother Arnold Thompson, Hickory Grove; sister Eloise Hunter, Charlotte; 11 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Services: 1 p.m. Monday, Lyerly Funeral Home’s James C. Lyerly Chapel, conducted by the Rev. Tom Thornton and the Rev. Ron Brown. Burial, Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Salisbury.

Visitation: Noon-1 p.m. Monday, at the funeral home.

Sophia Jane Beck Weant

SPENCER — Sophia Jane Beck Weant, 91, formerly of Spencer, died Thursday (Jan. 27, 2000) at Life Care Center, Collegedale, Tenn.

Lyerly Funeral Home, Salisbury, is in charge.

Louise Allen Wright

NEW LONDON — Louise Allen Wright, 81, 39030 Highway 740, died Wednesday (Jan. 26, 2000) at her home.

Born July 22, 1918, in Anson County, Mrs. Wright was a daughter of the late Walter and Annie Livingstone Allen. A homemaker, she was a member of Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Badin, where she was active in the Missionary Circle.

She was preceded in death by husband Emanuel Wright; sons Bobby Ray Wright and Mark Wright; and a daughter, Lois Bennett.

Survivors include sons Evan Wright, Greensboro, James Wright, William Earl Wright and Clark O. Wright, all of Badin, and the Rev. Elijah Wright, Chattanooga, Tenn.; daughters Eunice Kendall and Martha Wright, both of the home, Betty Turner, Mae Esther Martin, Connie Rushing and Bonnie Hinson, all of Albemarle, and Mary Williams, Badin; brother Fred D. Allen, Wadesboro; sisters Bonnie Baucum, Baltimore, and Armentine Stallings, High Point; 40 grandchildren; and 58 great-grandchildren.

Service: 2 p.m. Monday, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Badin, conducted by the Rev. David L. Thompson. Burial, Stanly Gardens of Memory, Albemarle.

Visitation: 1:30 p.m. Monday at the church.