Grace Virginia Ayers

WAYNESBORO, Va. — Grace Virginia Ayers, 91, Waynesboro, Va., formerly of China Grove, N.C., died Thursday (Jan. 24, 2002).

She had worked at Cannon Mills.

Her husband, Gilmer F. Ayers, preceded her in death.

Survivors include son Dr. Gilmer Ayers, Waynesboro; sister Myrtle W. Miller, China Grove, N.C.; and two grandchildren.

Services: Graveside, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sherwood Memorial Park, Salem, Va.

Oakey’s Funeral Home, Roanoke, Va., in charge.

Edith Hanes Byerly

LINWOOD — Edith Elizabeth Hanes Byerly, 85, 202 Snider Road, formerly of West Center Street Extension, Lexington, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2002) at Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury.

Piedmont Funeral Home is in charge.

Ervin J. Chapman

Ervin J. Chapman, 62, 131 E. Chamblee Drive, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2002) at his home following a lengthy illness.

Born Dec. 12, 1939, in Cherryville, Mr. Chapman was a son of the late Charlie Andrew and Maudie Sisk Chapman.

Educated in Rowan County schools and at Boyden High School, he had worked for Cone Mill and later for Carolina Tire.

He was a member of North Main Baptist Church and Spencer Moose Lodge and past member of Salisbury Elks Lodge.

Survivors include wife Elaine Kenerly Chapman, whom he married April 11, 1964; son Ervin J. Chapman Jr., Salisbury; daughter Mitzi Elaine Chapman, Salisbury; brother Don H. Chapman, Martinsville, Va.; sisters Ruth Hand and Hazel Curlee, both of Salisbury, Margie Miller, Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and Lucille Barringer, Gold Hill; and three grandchildren.

Services: Graveside service, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Rowan Memorial Park, conducted by the Rev. Dale Robertson, pastor, North Main Baptist Church.

Visitation: The family will receive friends at the home. Lyerly Funeral Home is in charge.

Memorials: Rowan Regional Home Health and Hospice, 825-A W. Henderson St., Salisbury, NC 28144 or North Main Baptist Church, 1501 N. Main St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

George A. Cowan

CLEVELAND — George Abraham Cowan, 64, Glenn Foust Road, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2002) at the Hefner VA Medical Center, Salisbury.

Rutledge and Bigham Funeral Home, Statesville, is in charge.

William Forrest

LEXINGTON — William Hossie Forrest, 75, East Main Street, Booneville, died Saturday (Feb. 2, 2002) at Lexington Memorial Hospital.

Services: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Paul’s Chapel United Church of Christ, conducted by the Rev. James W. Whitley. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Davidson Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home of daughter Linda Berrier, 1011 Becky Hill Road, Lexington.

Ruby Call McDaniel

MOCKSVILLE — Ruby Call McDaniel, 84, U.S. Highway 601 South, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2002) at Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury.

Eaton Funeral Service is in charge.

Minka Schanta Petty

Minka Schanta Petty, 40, Salisbury, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2002) at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem.

Born Aug. 16, 1961, in Anniston, Ala., Ms. Petty was a daughter of the late John William and Nellie Mae Hardy Petty.

Educated in Alabama schools and at North Rowan High School, she was a homemaker and member of East Side Baptist Church.

Survivors include daughters April Stevens, Salisbury, and Kimberly Watts, Rockwell; brother John David Petty, Tennessee; sisters Sandra Davis, Rockwell, and Jackie Maye, Alabama; and two grandchildren.

Services: Graveside service, 3 p.m. Tuesday, West Law Memorial Park, China Grove, conducted by the Rev. Joe Black, pastor, East Side Baptist Church.

Visitation: 1:30-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Powles Funeral Home.

George E. Smith

MOUNT PLEASANT — George E. Smith, 80, 9159 Gold Hill Road, died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2002) at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord.

Born June 30, 1921, in Gaston County, Mr. Smith was a son of the late Coy and Gertrude Smith. He was a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church, a musician and a U.S. Army veteran of World War II.

A son, Gary Smith, preceded him in death.

Survivors include wife Margaret Shue Smith; son Harold Smith, Enochville; daughters Brenda Canaday, Mount Pleasant, and Rebecca Honeycutt, Concord; sister Juanita Brock, New London; and seven grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Mount Olive Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. Howard Baker. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Gordon Funeral Home.

Memorials: Mount Olive Lutheran Church, 9400 Gold Hill Road, Mount Pleasant, N.C. 28124.

Luther I. Warren

Luther I. Warren, 62, Salisbury, died Friday (Feb. 1, 2002) at the Heffner VAMedical Center.

Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Tennette Wilkerson

GRANITE QUARRY — Aggrent Tennette Robertson Wilkerson, 56, 235 Aggrey Ave., died Sunday (Feb. 3, 2002) at Rowan Regional Medical Center, Salisbury.

Noble & Kelsey Funeral Home, Salisbury, is in charge.

Ruby Woodwine

ROCKWELL — Ruby Woodwine, 71, Rockwell, died Monday (Feb. 4, 2002) at her home.

Powles Funeral Home is in charge.

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