Hurbert Rufus Chunn

MOCKSVILLE—Hurbert Rufus Chunn, 90, 619 Boxwood Church Rd., Mocksville, died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2002) at Brian Nursing Center in Salisbury after a two-week illness.

Arrangements are incomplete. Noble & Kelsey Funeral Home in charge.

Bethune ‘B.J.’ Fortson

KANNAPOLIS — The funeral will be Tuesday for Bethune Jackson “B.J.” Fortson, 78, 1301 Mount Vernon Ave., formerly of 1202 Oakwood Ave., who died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2002) at his home.

Born Nov. 30, 1923, in Madison County, Ga., Mr. Fortson was a son of the late Birdie May Carrithers Fortson and King David Fortson.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War and was a member of Poston Perkins VFW Post 8989. He was a member of Shadybrook Baptist Church, where he had served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher.

His wife, Fannie Ruff Fortson, died Jan. 9, 1983.

Survivors include daughter Diane Gunden, Kannapolis; brother King David Fortson Jr., Kannapolis; sisters Sara Adams, Danielsville, Ga., and Edna Murphy, Louisiana; and two grandsons.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Shadybrook Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Charlie Littlejohn. The body will lie in state 30 minutes before the service. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park, with military rites by the DAV.

Visitation: 7-9 tonight, Whitley’s Funeral Home and at other times at 1301 Mount Vernon Ave.

Memorials: Shadybrook Baptist Church, 1009 Oakwood Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Mary D. Houston

Mary Grace Douglass Houston, 89, Avante Nursing Center, Concord, formerly of 640 Brown Road, China Grove, died Sunday (Jan. 20, 2002) at the nursing home.

Born Jan. 3, 1913, in Rowan County, Mrs. Houston was a daughter of the late Joseph Brent and Effie Lou Holder Douglass.

Educated in the Rowan County Schools, she was a homemaker and worked in accounting for J.E. Templeton Construction Co. She was a charter member of New Hope Presbyterian Church.

Her husband, John Glenn Houston, died in 1980.

Survivors include sons Joe Houston, Concord, and John Houston Jr., Sacramento, Calif.; daughter Louise Lloyd, China Grove; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild.

Services: Graveside service, 3 p.m. Wednesday, Carolina Memorial Park, conducted by the Rev. Cary Holbert.

There will be no visitation. Linn Honeycutt Funeral Home is in charge.

Memorials: New Hope Presbyterian Church, Building Fund, Box 25, China Grove, NC 28023.

Eddie P. Johnson Jr.

Eddie Porter Johnson Jr., 72, of Spencer Health Care, died Sunday (Jan. 20, 2002) at Spencer Health Care after several years of declining health.

Arrangements are incomplete. Noble & Kelsey Funeral Home is in charge.

Mary Ludwig Lyerly

Mary Ludwig Lyerly, 87, Washington, D.C., formerly of Granite Quarry, died Sunday (Jan. 20, 2002)) at Rockville Nursing Home, Rockville, Md.

Powles Funeral Home is in charge.

Betty Hayes Mobley

CONCORD — Betty Hayes Mobley, 68, 201 Booker Drive, died Sunday (Jan. 20, 2002) at NorthEast Medical Center after a serious illness of two months.

Born Sept. 14, 1933, in Cabarrus County, Mrs. Mobley was a daughter of the late Felix and Kathleen Smart Hayes.

She attended public schools in Cabarrus County and was a retired nursing assistant. She was a member of Sandy Ridge AME Zion Church, Landis, where she was a member of the Usher Board, Parent Body Missionary, Lay Council, Board No. 2 and Kitchen Committee.

Her husband, Major Mobley, died in 1973.

Survivors include stepson Major Eugene Burton,Kannapolis; daughter Peggy Holt, Salisbury; brother Felix Hayes Jr., Concord; three grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Services: 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sandy Ridge AME Zion Church, Landis, conducted by the Rev. Bobby L. Smith, pastor. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 1:30 p.m. at the church and at other times at the home of daughter Peggy Holt, 3725 N.C. 152.

Noble & Kelsey Funeral Home is in charge.

James ‘Duck’ Mullis

KANNAPOLIS — The funeral will be Tuesday for James “Duck” Mullis, 78, 205 Dale Ave., who died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2002) at his home.

Born Nov. 12, 1923, in Cabarrus County, Mr. Mullis was a son of the late C.F. and Betty Lemley Mullis.

Educated at McKeaver School, he served in the U.S. Army, 825th Engineer, in the European Theater in World War II. He was an active member of Central Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Juanita Mull Mullis; sons Cameron “Cam” Mullis, Jacksonville, Fla., Scott Mullis, Kannapolis, and Stanley “Stan” Mullis, San Leon, Texas; step-son Mike Clark, Kannapolis; stepdaughter Barbara Asay, Chapel Hill; sister Hilda Bradley, Mint Hill; brothers Harold “Bud” and Grady Mullis, both of Kannapolis; and nine grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Central Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Curtis Parker. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park, with military rites by DAV Post 27.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Whitley Funeral Home and at other times at the home.

Memorials: Central Baptist Church Building Fund, 1810 Moose Road, Kannapolis, NC 28083.

Marie Kearns Smith

Marie Cauble Kearns Smith, 78, Salisbury, died Sunday (Jan. 20, 2002) at Autumn Care of Salisbury after an 18-month illness.

Born Aug. 11, 1923, in Rowan County, Mrs. Smith was a daughter of the late Moses Anson and Beulah Goodman Cauble.

Educated in the Rowan County Schools, she retired as a waitress at Eddie’s Delicatessen and was a lifelong member of Messiah Lutheran Church.

Her first husband, James H. Kearns, died July 14, 1977, and her second husband, Rodney Arthur Smith, died July 13, 1991.

Survivors include sons James H. Kearns Jr., Jerry Wayne Kearns and John David Kearns, all of Salisbury; sisters Ruth Ennis, Virginia Roberts and Lucille Basinger, all of Salisbury; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services: Graveside service, 11 a.m. Tuesday, Chestnut Hill Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Jerry Hollar, former pastor of Messiah Lutheran Church.

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight, Lyerly Funeral Home.

Memorials: American Cancer Society, Rowan Unit, Box 1264, Salisbury, NC 28145-1264.

Vedolia K. Suggs

KANNAPOLIS — Vedolia Lucille Klatt Suggs, 77, Transitional Health Services of Kannapolis, formerly of Westbury Apartments, Concord, died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2002) at NorthEast Medical Center.

Born April 23, 1924, in Fenton, Iowa, Mrs. Suggs was a daughter of the late Arnold and Beata Augusta Schneider Klatt.

She worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for several companies in Raleigh before moving to this area 16 years ago. She also worked as a waitress.

Her husband, Jarvis B. Suggs, preceded her in death.

Survivors include daughter Sondra Connelly, Mooresville; son Bill Holloway, Mooresville; sister Vernona Ridge, Algona, Iowa; five grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Jones Memorial United Methodist Church, Mooresville, conducted by the Rev. Leo Fair and the Rev. Doris Weddington. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.

Visitation: 1-2 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Lady’s Funeral Home is in charge.

Condolences may be sent to www.ladysfuneralhome.com/obituaries.htm .

Memorials: American Lung Association of North Carolina, South Central Area, 5315 Greenbrook Drive, Charlotte, NC 28205-6521.

Robert Surratt

DENTON — The funeral will be Tuesday for Robert Wilbur “Bob” Surratt, 89, South N.C. 109, who died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2002) at Autumn Care of Salisbury.

Born Feb. 20, 1912, in Randolph County, Mr. Surratt was a son of John Roby and Lillie Mae Ward Surratt.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He retired from Thomasville Furniture Industries and was a member of Lineberry United Methodist Church and American Legion Post 8.

Survivors include wife Bruce Smith Surratt; daughter Renee Gallimore, St. Louis, Mo.; and two grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Lineberry United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dan McClure. Burial, Mountain View Memorial Gardens.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Briggs Funeral Home and at other times at the home.

Memorials: LineberryUnited Methodist Church, c/o J.S. Loflin, 1508 Jim Elliott Road, Denton, NC 27239 or American Lung Association, 112 Fayetteville St., Winston-Salem, NC 27101.

Mable C. Troutman

Mable Lee Cranford Troutman, 81, 1165 King Road, died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2002) at NorthEast Medical Center.

Born April 9, 1920, a daughter of the late Add Lee and Della Michael Cranford, Mrs. Troutman retired from Allison Manufacturing and was a member of Liberty United Methodist Church.

Daughter Alice Genette Heglar, first husband Lonnie Heglar, second husband Zeb K. Thompson and a granddaughter preceded her in death.

Survivors include husband George Troutman; sons Eddie Heglar, Richfield, Larry Heglar, New London, and Steve Heglar, Grand Rapids; stepson Ken Troutman; daughter Janice Bish, Albemarle; stepdaughters Brenda Shepherd and Debbie Howard; sister Martha Bowers, Albemarle; brother Thurman Cranford, New London; 10 grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Liberty United Methodist Church, Gold Hill, conducted by the Rev. Mark Helms. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Hartsell Funeral Home, Albemarle.

Memorials: Liberty United Methodist Church, Liberty Road, Gold Hill, NC 28071.

Hallie Kennedy Tucker

OAKBORO — Hallie Lee Kennedy Tucker, 85, 8615 N.C. 205, died Saturday (Jan. 19, 2002) at Britthaven of Piedmont.

Services: 2 p.m. today, Mineral Springs Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Kenneth Martin. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation: The family will be at the home of daughter Linda Austin, 16705 Silver Road.

Hartsell Funeral Home is in charge.

David Walker

EASTSPENCER—David Walker, 46, 703 Railroad Ave., East Spencer, died Sunday (Jan. 20, 2002) at home.

Arrangements are incomplete. Rowan Funeral Services in charge.

William C. Whitley

William Charles Whitley, 66, 365 Trexler Road, died Monday (Jan. 21, 2002) at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Born July 6, 1935, in Stanly County, Mr. Whitley was the son of the late Corrina Elizabeth Whitley Whitley and the late L.F. Whitley. Educated in Stanly County, he was a former security guard for Burns Security and a former truck driver for Ryder Trucking.

He was a Baptist and served in the U.S. Army.

Survivors include his wife of 46 years, Dorothy Misenheimer Whitley; sons Tommy Whitley, Salisbury; and Randy and David Whitley, both of Rockwell; daughter Vickie Hunter, Rockwell; brothers George Whitley, Concord; and Elbert Whitley, Albemarle; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Tuesday, graveside at West Lawn Memorial Park, conducted by the Rev. Bill Cutshaw. Arrangements by Linn-
Honeycutt Funeral Home, China Grove.

Visitation: At the home, 365 Trexler Road.

Yesterday's obits