John Manley
NEW LONDON — John Fitzgibbon Manley, New London, died Tuesday (Nov. 20, 2001) at Stanly Memorial Hospital, Albemarle.
Born in Fulton County, Ga., Mr. Manley was a son of the late Robert Herbert and Annie Marie Fitzgibbon Manley. He was a graduate of Georgia Tech and earned a law degree fromAtlanta Law School. He attended West Virginia University.
During World War II, he served with the U.S. Army in Washington, D.C.
He was formerly employed as a rate officer at Norfolk-Southern Railroad and was a former president of the New London Lions Club.
A daughter, Margaret M. Carter, preceded him in death.
Survivors include wife Lucy Colleen Moore Manley; daughters Melinda M. Little, Vashon, Wash., Maureen M. Freshhour, Washington, D.C., and Marisa M. Pharr, Asheville; brother Malcolm Manley, Cleveland, Ga.; sister Mary M. Kelley, Augusta; and nine grandchildren.
Services: A memorial service was held this morning at Hartsell Funeral Home.
Visitation: No formal visitation.
Memorials: Stanly County Library, 113 E. Main St., Albemarle, NC 28001.
Nannie S. Cureton
The funeral will be Friday for Nannie Stevenson Cureton, 87, 1600 Old Wilkesboro Road, who died Monday (Nov. 19, 2001) at Rowan Regional Medical Center after several years of declining health and two weeks of serious illness.
Born June 9, 1914, in Wadesboro, Mrs. Cureton was a daughter of the late Shelton and Lillian Leak Stevenson. She was educated in the Anson County schools and attended Livingstone College.
She was co-founder of Frankie’s Chicken Shack Inc.
A member of Soldiers Memorial AMEZion Church, she was affiliated as an usher and with the Anna Hauser Missionary Circle. She was also a member of Pearl White Chapter 180, Order of the Eastern Star.
Her husband, Benjamin F. Cureton, died Feb. 11, 1994.
Survivors include son Benjamin F. Cureton Jr., Cleveland; daughter Mary Lumpkin, North Haven, Conn., Ronnie Patterson, Rockville, Md., and Linda C. Dillard,Salisbury; nine grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.
Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Soldiers Memorial AME Zion Church, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Murray L. Edwards. Burial, Rowan Memorial Park.
Visitation: 10 a.m. Friday at the church. At other times, the family will be at the home on Old Wilkesboro Road.
Mitchell and Fair Funeral Service is in charge.
Condolences may be sent to the family by e-mail to: mitfair@bellsouth.net or
www.mitfair.net .
Doris L. Fesperman
KANNAPOLIS — Doris Long Fesperman, 69, 2407 Vale Ave., died Tuesday (Nov. 20, 2001)at Transitional Health Services.
Born March 26, 2001, in Rowan County, Mrs. Fesperman, a daughter of the late Homer and Hattie Presley Long, was a graduate of Landis High School.
She retired from Cannon Mills Plant 4 and was a member of New Hope Lutheran Church.
Survivors include husband Benjamin F. “Ben” Fesperman; son Andy L. Fesperman, Kannapolis; daughters Connie Weaver, Kannapolis, and Donna Taylor, Salisbury; and four grandchildren.
Services: 3 p.m. Friday, New Hope Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. Larry Bost. Entombment, West Lawn Memorial Park, China Grove.
Visitation: 1-3 p.m. Friday at the church.
Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, Landis, is in charge.
Memorials: New Hope Lutheran Church, 1615 Brantley Road, Kannapolis, NC 28083.
Gilbert Leon Fields
KANNAPOLIS — Gilbert Leon Fields, 66, 4501 Nob Hill Drive, died Monday (Nov. 19, 2001) at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord, after 15 years of declining health.
Born April 25, 1935, in Cabarrus County, Mr. Fields, a son of the late Julius and Louise Payne Fields, was a member of Charity Baptist Church and an ordained minister in the Pentecostal Holiness church. He loved music and was very active in music ministries.
A jack- of- all trades, he was primarily a self-employed finish carpenter.
Survivors include wife of 41 years Evelyn Kimble Fields; sons Michael Fields, Texas, Ricky Fields, Salisbury, Randy Fields, Fayetteville, Troy Fields,Harrisburg, Timothy “Bo” Fields, Charlotte, and Scott Fields, Kannapolis; daughters Teresa Wood,China Grove, and Renee Sanders, Kannapolis; 26 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Services: 11 am. Saturday, Charity Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Beaver Hammons. Burial, Kannapolis City Cemetery.
Visitation: 6-8 p.m. Friday, Whitley’s Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home of Renee Sanders, 260 Westen Acres Drive.
Harold J. Frye
CONCORD — Harold Julian Frye, 77, 430 Brookwood Ave., died Monday (Nov. 19, 2001) at Universal Health Care.
Services: 2 p.m. Friday, Hartsell Funeral Home chapel, Concord. Burial, Oakwood Cemetery, Concord.
Visitation: 1-2 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Lottie R. Groce
MOCKSVILLE — The funeral will be Saturday for Lottie Renegar Groce, 84, Farmington Road, who died Monday (Nov. 19, 2001) at her home after a long illness of Alzheimer’s disease.
Born in Iredell County, Mrs. Groce was a daughter of the late Elgy M. and Cleo Cozart Renegar. She lived in the Lone Hickory community of Yadkin County until her marriage to Wade Groce in 1939.
She and her husband of 61 years operated a dairy, Pudding Ridge Farm, for 50 years. An advocate for historic preservation, she was known for her knowledge of interior and floral design, gardening and her art work. She was a member of the Associated Artists of Winston-Salem.
Active in the community, she was a member of Farmington Baptist Church, where she was church clerk, a Sunday school teacher, training union director and sang in the choir. She was involved in the Farmington Community Development Association, was president in 1975 and was awarded the Community Woman of the Year.
She was a member of Cana Homemaker’s Association and Pino Grange. In 1973, she was county chairperson for the March of Dimes and was honored for her service at the Governors Mansion in Raleigh.
Mrs. Groce helped organize Davie CountyHospital Auxiliary and worked for the blood mobile. She was a member and past president of Mocksville Woman’s Club.
Survivors, in addition to her husband, include sons Gary and Earl Groce, both of Advance; daughter Diana Groce Vuich, San Diego, Calif; brother John Reneger, Lone Hickory; sisters Doris Renegar Reavis, Lone Hickory, and Colleen Renegar Moon, Winston-Salem; five grandchildren; and one stepgrandson.
Services: 11 a.m. Saturday, Farmington Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Jimmy Hinson and the Rev. Melinda K. Snyder. Burial, Farmington Community Cemetery.
Visitation: 7-9 p.m. Friday, Eaton Funeral Home.
Memorials: Alzheimer’s Research, Western Carolina Chapter, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.
Joel Penninger
IRVINGTON, Ky. — Joel Penninger, 86, Irvington, died Sunday (Nov. 18, 2001) at Hardinsburg Medical Center.
Born Jan. 13, 1915, in Rowan County, N.C., Mr. Penninger was a son of the late Joel F. and Ada Miller Penninger. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
He retired from Olin Corporation, Brandenburg, and was a member of Irvington United Methodist Church.
Survivors include wife Marjorie Penninger; daughter Lisa Penninger, Palo Alto, Calif.; sisters Ruth Haire, Helen Waller and Bonnie Miller, all of North Carolina, and Barbara Bradley, Illinois; and brother Robert Penninger, North Carolina.
The funeral was held this morning at Alexander Funeral Home. The Rev. Phillip Martin officiated. Burial was at Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Deborah H. Jackson
Deborah Harries Jackson, 50, Hemingway, S.C., a former resident of Salisbury, died Sunday (Nov. 11, 2001) at her home after a period of declining health.
Born Aug. 24, 1951, in Fairmont, Minn., Mrs. Jackson was a daughter of William “Bill” Harries, Salisbury, and the late Leona Harries.
Survivors, in addition to her father, include husband John Jackson; son Allen Jackson, of the home; daughter Kashasha Jackson, of the home; and brother Mark Harries, Northfield,Ill.
The funeral was Nov. 14 at Bahi House of Worship, Hemingway. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Obituary is courtesy of Lyerly Funeral Home.
Memorials: Rowan Regional Home Health and Hospice, 825-A W. Henderson St., Salisbury, NC 28144.
Deborah Gushue
GARNER — Deborah Gushue, 610 Wilson Meadow Road, died Sunday (Nov. 18, 2001).
A daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Gushue, Salisbury, she was a ticket agent with U.S. Airways.
Survivors, in addition to her parents, include husband Joseph McCredie; sister Sharon Adamson, Salisbury; and brother Charles Gushue Jr., LaGrange, Ga.
Services: Memorial, 2 p.m. Friday, Calvary Baptist Church, Salisbury.
Visitation: After the service, the family will receive friends at the home of Sharon Adamson, 255 Pickler Road, Salisbury.
Bryan-Lee Funeral Homes is in charge.
John McElhaney
The funeral will be Friday for John Arthur “Juicy”McElhaney, 62, 413 W. 15th St., who died Thursday (Nov. 15, 2001) at his home.
Born Jan. 17, 1939, in Chester County, S.C., Mr. McElhaney, a son of the late Samuel and Marie Lowery McElhaney, was a graduate of J.C. Price High School. He was employed by the city of Salisbury and Hefner VAMedical Center.
A veteran of the U.S. Army, he was a member of J.C. Price American Legion Post 107 and Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church.
A son, Marc Anthony McElhaney, died Jan. 13, 1990.
Survivors include wife Rosalind Johnson McElhaney; daughter Javelle Marie McElhaney, New York City; stepsons Melvin Houston, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and Christopher Weeks, Salisbury; stepdaughter Sharon Finger, Salisbury; brother Jasper McElhaney,Salisbury; and one grandchild.
Services: 1 p.m. Friday, Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. James L. Stowe. Burial, National Cemetery at Hefner VAMedical Center. Military rites by Rowan Veterans Council.
Visitation: None.
Rowan Funeral Service is in charge.
Doris P. Overcash
KANNAPOLIS — A memorial service will be held at a later date for Doris Plyler Overcash, 75, formerly of Kannapolis, who died Sunday (Nov. 18, 2001) at Britthaven of Charlotte after eight years of declining health.
Born Aug. 11, 1926, in IredellCounty, Mrs. Overcash was a daughter of the late Edward D. and Edna Plyler Plyler. She was formerly employed in the weave room at Cannon Mills.
Her husband, Merle Overcash, preceded her in death.
Survivors include son Gerald S. Simpson, Clover, S.C.; brother Carl Plyler, El Paso,Texas; sisters Lorene Deal, China Grove, Lucille Christy, Margie Hartsell and Joyce Brown, all of Cleveland, Wilma Stone, Charlotte, and Bonnie Whitman, Charlotte; and three grandchildren.
Lady’s Funeral Home, in charge.
Memorials: First Wesleyan Church, 301 Bethpage Road,Kannapolis, NC 28081.
Gaither Regina Peeler
The funeral was this morning for Gaither Regina Peeler, Salisbury, who died Tuesday (Nov. 20, 2001) at Salisbury Lutheran Home after a period of declining health.
A daughter of the late William and Mary Lentz Peeler, Miss Peeler was educated in the Rowan County schools. She was employed at Montgomery Wards Department Store and a member of Providence United Methodist Church.
There are no immediate survivors.
Visitation was from 10-11 a.m. at the funeral home. The funeral was at the funeral home at 11. Burial was at Providence United Methodist Church cemetery.
Memorials: Providence United Methodist Church, 6450 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury,NC 28146.
Racie H. Penninger
ROCKWELL — The funeral will be Friday for Racie Hendrix Penninger, 91, Rockwell, who died Tuesday (Nov. 20, 2001) at The Meadows Retirement Center.
Born March 2, 1910, in Davie County, Mrs. Penninger, a daughter of the late Atta Emon and Nannie Foote Hendrix, was educated in the Davie County Schools. She attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Appalachian State University and was a graduate of Catawba College, Salisbury.
A retired school teacher, she taught in a one-room school in Davie County and was a substitute teacher in the Rowan County schools. She also retired as librarian from Rockwell Branch Public Library.
She was a member of Bethel Bear Creek United Church of Christ, Mount Pleasant, and attended Lyerly Memorial United Church of Christ from 1982-1991. She taught Sunday school for many years.
Also a member of Rural Letters Carrier Association Ladies Auxiliary, she held numerous offices and was a past president.
Her husband, Murray L. Penninger, died June 4, 1982.
Survivors include daughter Sybil Baker, Salisbury; brother Henry A. Hendrix, Winston-Salem; sisters Vergil Dilworth, Litchfield Beach, S.C., Hazel Myers, Winston-Salem, and Wade Wyatt, Mocksville; one granddaughter; and one great-grandson.
Services: 11 a.m. Friday, Powles Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Dr. Randal V. Kirby, associate pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Salisbury. Burial, Bethel Bear Creek United Church of Christ cemetery, Mount Pleasant.
Visitation: 10-11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
Memorials: Lyerly Memorial United Church of Christ, 1320 Crescent Road, Rockwell, NC 28138; or Bethel Bear Creek United Church of Christ, 18937 Bear Creek Church Road, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124.
Aloysius Skokowski
Aloysius S. Skokowski, 81, Salisbury, died Wednesday (Nov. 21, 2001) at Autumn Care of Salisbury.
Lyerly Funeral Home is in charge.
Mary Small
NEW LONDON —Mary Small, 62, New London, died Tuesday (Nov. 20, 2001) at Vencor Hospital, Greensboro.
Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell, is in charge.
Dudley G. Wilson
LANDIS — Dudley G. Wilson, 407 Davis St., died Wednesday (Nov. 21, 2001) at Big Elm Nursing Center.
Whitley’s Funeral Home, Kannapolis, is in charge.
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