The funeral will be Friday for Jacob Franklin Almond, 76, 1208 Boyden Road, who died Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2001) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Born June 10, 1925, in Albemarle, Mr. Almond was a son of the late Lawson and Bertha Almond. He was a graduate of Albemarle High School and received a degree in physics from Catawba College and a civil engineering degree from North Carolina State University. He was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II.

A registered professional engineer, he was a civil and professional engineer with Hudson &Almond Surveying for 38 years. He was a member of First United Methodist Church, Andrew Jackson Masonic Lodge 576, Oasis Temple and Rowan Shrine Club.

Survivors include wife Ann Hudson Almond, whom he married Aug. 6, 1949; son Jacob Franklin Almond Jr., Kinston, Tenn.; daughters Catherine Barrett, Fayetteville, Cynthia Jones, Salisbury, and Carol Almond, Banner Elk; brother Hugh Almond,Salisbury; and six grandchildren.

Services: 11 a.m. Friday, First United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Thomas L. Griffis and the Rev. Sherri E. Barnes. Burial, 10:30 a.m., Rowan Memorial Park.

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Summersett Funeral Home.

Memorials: First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., Salisbury,NC 28144; or Humane Society of Rowan County, Inc., 112 W. Innes St.,Salisbury,NC 28144.

James ‘Jim’ Cheek

KANNAPOLIS — James “Jim”Richard Cheek, 85, formerly of Moose Road, died Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2001) at Big Elm Nursing Center.

Lady’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Frank C. Drennan

The funeral will be Friday for Frank Cleveland Drennan, 80, Salisbury, who died Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2001) at his home after a year of declining health.

Born Sept. 1, 1921, in Elbert County, Ga., Mr. Drennan, a son of the late Henry Klugh and Julia Cleveland Drennan, was educated in the Elberton,Ga. and Greenville. S.C. schools. During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in Europe.

He retired from the city of Salisbury. Earlier, he was employed with Harris Granite and Southern Railway.

He was a member of Dunn’s Mountain Baptist Church, where he was on the deacon board. He was also a member of American Legion Post 448, ARRL, Samuel Elbert Chapter Sons of the American Revolution, Salisbury Chapter, South Carolina Sideband Network, Coastal Carolina Emergency Network and Rowan Amateur Radio Society.

His wife, Mollie Sims Drennan, preceded him in death.

Survivors include fiancee Margie Young, Salisbury; son Charles “Charlie” Drennan,Salisbury; daughter Jean Beaver, Hickory; brother Henry Drennan, Dewy Rose, Ga.; and three grandchildren.

Services: 3 p.m. Friday, Dunn’s MountainBaptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Donald Godfrey, pastor, and the Rev. Bill Hallman, former pastor.

Graveside service, 4 p.m. Sunday, Elmhurst Cemetery, Elberton, Ga. Military graveside rites.

Visitation: 7-8:30 p.m. Thursday, Lyerly Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home.

Another visitation will be held 2-3:30 p.m. Sunday at Hicks Funeral Home, Elberton,Ga.

Memorials: Dunn’s Mountain Baptist Church, Multi-Purpose Building Fund, 525 Dunn’s Mountain Church Road, Salisbury,NC 28146.

Della C. Manring

LEXINGTON — Della Mae Cox Manring, 61, Cherry Drive, died Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2001) at Lexington Memorial Hospital from a brief illness.

Services: 11 a.m. Thursday, Davidson Funeral Home chapel. Burial, Near Calvary Freewill Baptist Church cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.

John Gilbert Miller Jr.

CHINA GROVE — John Gilbert Miller Jr., 77, 2145 Mary St., died Wednesday (Nov. 13, 2001) at Hefner VA Medical Center, Salisbury.

Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, China Grove, is in charge.

Cora Brown Mitchell

The funeral will be Friday for Cora Brown Mitchell, 86, Genesis Eldercare of Salisbury, who died Monday (Nov. 12, 2001) at Rowan Regional Medical Center after a week of serious illness.

Born Jan. 2, 1915, Mrs. Mitchell was a daughter of the late Charlie and Mary Jane Heggins Brown. She was educated in the Rowan County schools.

Employed as a domestic worker and an assistant caterer, she was a member of First Calvary Baptist Church.

Her husband, Robert “Buddy” Mitchell, preceded her in death.

There are no immediate survivors.

Services: 2 p.m. Friday, First Calvary Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Leamon Brown. Burial, Oakwood Cemetery.

Visitation: 1:30 p.m. Friday at the church. At other times, the family will be at the home of a niece, Rachel Hart of 601 E. Horah St., Salisbury.

Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home is in charge.

Calvin Earl Monroe

Calvin Earl Monroe, 72, Salisbury, died Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2001) in Salisbury.

Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell, is in charge.

Claude R. Pickler

Claude Robert Pickler, 76, Salisbury, died Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2001) at his home.

Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Frances H. Russell

ALBEMARLE — Frances Hicks Russell, 83, 2533 Hendersonvillae Road, Arden, formerly of 917 N. 11th St., died Monday (Nov. 12, 2001) at Crescent View Retirement Center.

Services: 11 a.m. Thursday, Hartsell Funeral Home chapel, Albemarle. Burial, New London Cemetery, New London.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.

Memorials: First Baptist Church Library, 202 N. Second St., Albemarle, NC 28001; or Stanly County Library Endowment, 133 E. Main St., Albemarle, NC 28001.

Kathryn H. Shive

Kathryn Holshouser Shive, 90, Salisbury, died Wednesday (Nov. 14, 2001) at Meadows Retirement Center, Rockwell.

Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell, is in charge.

Willis Shumaker

MOORESVILLE — Ralph Willis Shumaker, 78, Cobbler Cove Road, died Monday (Nov. 12, 2001) at Huntersville Oaks.

Services: 3 p.m. Thursday, Berea Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dan Freeman. Burial, church cemetery

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight, Cavin-Cook Funeral Home.

Memorials: Berea Baptist Church, 1015 River Hwy., Mooresville, NC 28117.

Joshua Adam Smith

CONCORD — Funeral services were held this morning for Joshua Adam Smith, 20, Concord, who died Sunday (Nov. 11, 2001) at NorthEast Medical Center.

Born June 5, 1981, in Rantoul, Ill., Mr. Smith was the son of Lisa Russell Julian, Salisbury, and the son and stepson of Bryan M. and Donnie Blythe Smith, Salisbury.

He was a graduate of East Rowan High School. A self-employed artist, he was a member of Faith Baptist Church, Faith.

Survivors, in addition to his parents and stepmother, include brother Chase Smith, Salisbury; sister Laurel Julian, Salisbury; grandparents Donnie O. Smith, Sylvia Bryan, Patricia L. Smith and David Bryan, all of Salisbury; and great-grandparents John and Hallie Fesperman, Salisbury.

Services were held at 11 this morning at Faith Baptist Church, Faith. The Rev. Chuck Brawley, pastor, and the Rev. Steve Holshouser, pastor, Calvary Baptist Tabernacle, Salisbury, officiated. Burial was at the church cemetery.

The family received friends from 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday at Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell.

Memorials:Faith Baptist Church Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 84, Faith,NC 28041; or Calvary Baptist Tabernacle, Memorial Fund, 3760 Stokes Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.

Nova Stokes Wilson

BENNETT — Nova Stokes Wilson, 82, 7345 Howards Mill Road, mother of Joe L. Wilson of Salisbury, died Tuesday (Nov. 13, 2001) at her home.

Services: 2 p.m. Friday, Mount Zion United Methodist Church. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation:6-8 p.m. Thursday, Joyce-Brady Funeral Home.

Yesterday's obits