Laura Denton

WOODLEAF —Laura Jean Way Denton, 55, of 2745 South River Church Road, died Thursday (July 19, 2001) at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice House in Winston-Salem after a lengthy illness.

Born Dec. 30, 1945, in Mecklenburg County, she was a daughter of Elsie Marie Hagler Way and the late Martin Luther Way.

She attended Salisbury and West Rowan schools and graduated from Loflin’s Beauty College. She was associated with Park Plaza Beauty Shop and the Stitchin’ Post. She was an area captain for TOPS.

She was a volunteer firefighter and first responder and president of the Ladies Auxiliary, all with the Scotch Irish Volunteer Fire Department.

She was a member of South River United Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by sonDarryl Martin Denton.

Survivors include husband Leroy Denton, whom she married Jan. 11, 1964; daughter Shelia White of Salisbury; sisters Frances W. Allman, Woodleaf, Brenda W. Kinser, Cooleemee, and Gloria W. Horner, Salisbury; and eight grandchildren, including Martin A. Denton of the home.

Services: 3 p.m. Sunday, South River Church of Christ, conducted by the Rev. Don Sloan and the Rev. Carl Rothrock. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes before the service.

Visitation: 6:30-8 p.m. today, Summersett Funeral Home.

Memorials: Scotch Irish Volunteer Fire Department, 3220 Needmore Road, Woodleaf, NC 27054.

Thomas Ford

D. Thomas Ford, 81, of the N.C. Lutheran Home and formerly of Linn Road, China Grove, died Thursday (July 19, 2001) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Born May 4, 1920 in Rowan County, he was a son of the late Frances Clark Ford and William T. Ford. He served in the Military Police in the US Army after World War II. He earned numerous law enforcement certificates from Rowan Technical College and was a deputy for the Rowan County Sheriff’s Department until he retired in 1987.

He was a member of Lutheran Chapel Church, a member of the Rowan County Retired Peace Officers Association and a former member of the Rowan County Rescue Squad.

An online memorial has been posted at www.americanmemorials.com .

Survivors include wife Edna Hagler Ford; one son, the Rev. D. Thomas Ford Jr. of Overland Park, Kansas; one sister, Willie Mae Blackwelder of China Grove; and two grandchildren.

Services: 3 p.m. Sunday, Lutheran Chapel Church, conducted by the Rev. Constance Garrett. The Sheriff’s Department, Retired Peace Officers and Rescue Squad will be seated as a group. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park. Graveside rites conducted by the Rowan County Veterans Council.

Visitation: 7-8:30 p.m. today, Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home. Other times, the family will be at the home on Linn Road.

Memorials: Lutheran Chapel Church Improvement Fund, P.O. Box 152, China Grove, NC 28023. Or, the N.C. Lutheran Home — Trinity Oaks, 820 Klumac Rd., Salisbury, NC 28144.

William T. Hausle

CHARLOTTE — William T. Hausle, 71, of Charlotte, died Monday (July 16, 2001). He was the father of Joanne Crowder of Salisbury,

Lowe Funeral Home Crematory, is in charge.

Paul Hudspeth

KANNAPOLIS — Paul Hudspeth, 91, of 325 Central Ave. died Friday morning (July 20, 2001) at NorthEast Medical Center after a short illness.

Born Aug. 2, 1909 in Gaston County, he was a son of the late Robert Abel Hudspeth and Linnie Leann Eades Hudspeth. He worked in the weave room at Plant 4 for Cannon Mills for 50 years, retiring in 1976.

A member of First Presbyterian Church, he was a former elder there and one of the first organizers of a Wednesday luncheon. He had lived in Kannapolis since 1928.

Survivors include wife Ruby Honeycutt Hudspeth; two sons, Gerald L. Hudspeth of Midland and Harold S. Hudspeth of Anderson, S.C.; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Services: 4 p.m. Sunday, Whitley’s Funeral Home, conducted by Dr. Joe Crawford. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.

Visitation: 2:30-4 p.m. Sunday, the funeral home.

Margie Gray Prevatte

ALBEMARLE — Margie Gray Prevatte, 73, 29433 Nelson Mountain Road, died Thursday (July 19, 2001) at Universal Healthcare, Concord.

Services:Memorial, 2 p.m. Monday, Stanly Funeral Home Chapel.

Visitation: 1 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Victor Whitley

KANNAPOLIS — Victor Mott Whitley, 89, formerly of 1603 Lane St., died Thursday morning (July 19, 2001) at NorthEast Medical Center following two and a half months of declining health.

Born May 17, 1912, in Woodleaf, he was a son of the late John Whitley and Carolina Whitley.

He had worked for Cannon Mills, Charlotte Manufacturing and Tuscarora Mills as a textile representative and installer. He also was part owner of the former S&W Bend Grinding. He was a resident of Kannapolis since 1922.

He was a member of North Kannapolis United Methodist Church, where he was active on several committees.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn Marshall Whitley, on April 27, 1996.

Survivors include daughter Patricia Felts of Harrisburg and three grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, North Kannapolis United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Susan German and the Rev. Ron Helms. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.

Visitation: 6:30-8:30 p.m. today, Whitley’s Funeral Home.

Memorials: North Kannapolis United Methodist Church, 1307 N. Main St., Kannapolis, NC 28081. Or, Metrolina Kidney Center, 217 Branchview Drive Southeast, Concord, NC 28025.