Lucy Combs

KANNAPOLIS — Lucy Torrence Combs, 78, 314 E. 25th St., died Thursday (March 14, 2002)at Five Oaks Nursing Center.

Born Dec. 19, 1923, in Cabarrus County, Mrs. Combs was a daughter of the late Stamey Emmett and Carrie Mae Gardner Torrence. She was a homemaker and a member of Rodgers Park Baptist Church.

Her husband, William Henry Combs, died Sept. 6, 1970.

Survivors include daughter Hazel Michaels, Lexington; son Charles Ray Combs, Kannapolis; sister Annie T. Love, Kannapolis; brother Stamey Emmett “Jim” Torrence Jr., Kannapolis; six grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Lady’s Funeral Home chapel, conducted by the Rev. Tony Fox. Burial, Coddle Creek ARP Church cemetery.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight at the funeral home.

Condolences can be sent online to www.ladysfuneralhome.com/obituaries.htm .

Paul B. Clifton

LEXINGTON — Paul Berkley Clifton, 82, died Thursday (March 14, 2002), at Lexington Memorial Hospital.

Services:2 p.m. Sunday, Trinity United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. John Taylor Jr. Burial, Forest Hill Memorial Park.

Visitation:6-8 tonight, Davidson Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home on City Lake Road.

Douglas R. Farmer

ALBEMARLE — Douglas Ray Farmer, 3 months, son of Johnny Ray Locklear and Amy Lynn Eudy Farmer, died Thursday (March 14, 2001), at Stanly Memorial Hospital.

Services: Graveside, 11 a.m. today, Norview Gardens, conducted by the Rev. Mark Medlin. The family will be at the home, 32142 Millingport Road.

Mary Felker

MOCKSVILLE — Mary Mae Ellen Felker, 89, 185 Felker Road, died Thursday (March 14, 2002) at Autumn Care of Mocksville.

Born Aug. 18, 1912, in Davie County, Mrs. Felker, a daughter of the late David Elijah and Myrtle Bivins McDaniel, was a homemaker. She retired as a dairy farmer and employee of Carolina Lingerie.

Her husband, William Dewey Felker, died Jan. 16, 1986.

Survivors include sons John Felker, Denton, and Leonard Felker, Rome Mountain,Tenn.; daughters Mary Elizabeth Hendred and Jesse Ruth Smith, both of Mocksville, Willie Yarbrough and Betty Godbey, both of Lexington, and Margie Miller, Cleveland; 15 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home chapel, Statesville, conducted by the Rev. George Troyer. Burial, St. Matthews Lutheran Church cemetery in Davie County.

Visitation: 7-8:30 tonight at the funeral home. At other times the family will be at the home of daughter Elizabeth Hendred, 162 Felker Road.

Condolences may be e-mailed to the family at www.legacy.com .

Lois M. Hall

Lois McCormack Hall, 84, of South Main Street, died Friday (March 15, 2002), at Carillon Assisted Living of Salisbury.

Arrangements are incomplete. Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Sydney P. Kersey

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Sydney P. Kersey, formerly of Trinity Oaks, died Friday (March 15, 2002), at the Lutheran Home at Trinity Oaks.

Arrangements are incomplete. Summersett Funeral Home is in charge.

Robert O. Kiger

LEXINGTON — Robert Odell Kiger, 79, Walford Street, died Friday (March 15, 2002), at Lexington Memorial Hospital.

Services:2 p.m. Monday, Davidson Funeral Home Lexington Chapel, conducted by the Revs. Carl Sutten and Clyde Akers. Burial, Lexington City Cemetery.

Visitation:6:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday, Davidson Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the residence.

Margaret B. Lindsay

KANNAPOLIS — Margaret Blackwelder Lindsay, 88, formerly of Kannapolis, died Friday (March 15, 2002), at Britthaven of Piedmont.

Born March 11, 1914, in Rowan County, she was the daughter of the late John Victor and Cora Lee Wright Blackwelder. She retired several years ago from the Washcloth Department of Cannon Mills Plant One. She was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ.

Her husband, Cleatus Malone “Pete”Lindsay, preceded her in death Feb. 9, 1987.

Survivors include daughter Jean Lindsay Funderburk, Columbia, S.C.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services:2 p.m. Monday, St. John’s United Church of Christ, conducted by the Revs. Jimmy Norred and Mark Andes. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.

Visitation:6-8 tonight, Lady’s Funeral Home.

Memorials:St. John’s United Church of Christ, 901 N. Main St., Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Wilbur L. Lomax Sr.

LEXINGTON — Wilbur Lee Lomax Sr., 84, Shannon Drive, died Friday (March 15, 2002), at Lexington Memorial Hospital.

Services:2 p.m. Sunday, Churchland Baptist Church, conducted by Dr. Stephen Martin. Burial, Lomax Cemetery.

Visitation:6-8 tonight, Davidson Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home of a son, W.L. Lomax, 2298 Seven Oaks Drive.

Memorials:Donor’s choice.

Julia S. McKnight

CHINA GROVE — Julia Sossoman McKnight, 92, 225 McKnight Road, died Friday (March 15, 2002), at the Lutheran Home of Salisbury.

Born Aug. 12, 1909, in Cabarrus County, Mrs. McKnight was the daughter of the late Joe and Jennie Garmon Sossoman. She was educated in Cabarrus County and retired from Cannon Mills. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Landis.

Her husband, Carl S. McKnight, died in 1982. Step-children John McKnight, Hugh McKnight and Carolyn Westbrook also preceded her in death.

Survivors include son David S. McKnight, China Grove; step-son Harold McKnight, Charlotte; two grandchildren; six step-grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Services:2 p.m. Sunday, Trinity Lutheran Church, conducted by the Rev. Gene Bost. Burial, Greenlawn Cemetery.

Visitation:7-9 tonight, Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home of son David McKnight, 2975 Lipe Road, China Grove. An online memorial has been opened at www.linnhoneycutt.com.

Memorials: Trinity Lutheran Church Organ Fund, 108 W. Rice St., Landis, NC 28088.

Zelda M. Measimer

DAVIDSON — Zelda M. Bost Measimer, 88, 11185 Mooresville Road, died Thursday (March 14, 2002), at NorthEast Medical Center in Concord.

Born April 28, 1913, in Rowan County, Miss Measimer was a daughter of the late Floyd and Bessie Karriker Bost. She was a lifelong member of Concordia Lutheran Church in China Grove and a 1932 graduate of Landis High School. She retired in 1976 from Cannon Mills Plant 1 Spinning Room after 32 years.

She was preceded in death by brothers Homer Bost, Melvin Bost and Paul Allen Bost and sisters Ruby Bost and Reba Bost.

Survivors include sons Trenton C. Measimer, East Hampton, Conn., and Pascal Measimer, Davidson; daughter Claudine Pierce, Norfolk, Va.; brothers Raymond Bost, Felda, Fla., Thedia Bost, Kannapolis, and Perry Bost, Mooresville; sisters Vera Corriher, Kannapolis, Marie Winecoff, Davidson, and Dolly Anderson, Sherman, Texas; nine grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren.

Services:3 p.m. Sunday, Concordia Lutheran Church. Conducted by the Rev. G. Wayne Sipe. The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation:7-9 tonight, Whitley’s Funeral Home, Kannapolis.

Memorials:Concordia Lutheran Church Building Fund, 185 Concordia Church Road, China Grove, NC 28023.

Rev. Vernon Melton

KANNAPOLIS — The Rev. Vernon Melton, 70, 226 Westover Ave., died Friday (March 15, 2002), at his residence.

Born Dec. 27, 1931, in Chesterfield County, S.C., Rev. Melton was a son of the late Claude Melton and Toncie Lee Chavis Wilkerson. He was a minister for 36 years with the Freewill Baptist Church denomination. He served as pastor of Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church for three years until his retirement in 2001. He continued to hold his membership in the church and served as assistant pastor. He was educated in Chesterfield County, S.C. schools and was employed with Cannon Mills Plant No. 1 Weave Room for 49 years until retiring.

His wife, Dorothy Belle Miles Melton, preceded him in death Dec. 5, 1998.

Survivors include sons Donnie Melton, Eugene Melton and Gary Melton, all of Kannapolis; daughters Diane DeBoe, Salisbury, and Annette Nickelson and Sandra Barr, both of Kannapolis; sisters Mary Jean Little, Oakboro, Emma Humpreys, Sumter, S.C., and Virginia Oliver and Evelyn Melton, both of Chesterfield, S.C.; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Services:11 a.m. Monday, Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church, conducted by the Revs. Jimmy Hodges and Raymond Ross. The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. Graveside service, 3 p.m. Monday, Oakland Baptist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, S.C.

Visitation:7-9 p.m. Sunday, Whitley’s Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the home of daughter Annette Nickelson, 224 Westover Ave.

Memorials:Mt. Olive Freewill Baptist Church, 229 Westover Ave., Kannapolis, NC 28081 or Hospice of Cabarrus County, P.O. Box 1235, Concord, NC 28026-1235.

Franz E. Merrell

Franz Ellis Merrell, 24, died Thursday (March 14, 2002), at his residence after a period of declining health.

Born Sept. 25, 1977, in Rowan County, Mr. Merrell was a son of Frank and Dawn Frick Merrell. He graduated with honors from East Rowan High School in 1995. He made All State Honors Band four years, All District Band four years, All County Band four years, earned athletic letters in wrestling and swimming, won the John Phillip Sousa Award three times, and was a member of the National Honor Society, Junior Civitans and Sigma Phi Gamma Science Club.

He graduated in 1999 Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor’s of music degree from Appalachian State University, where he was a N.C. Teaching Fellow, a member of Alpha Chi National Honor Fraternity, Pi Kappa Lambda Honorary Music Fraternity, made the Dean’s List eight semesters and the Chancellor’s List one semester, was a Concerto/Aria contest winner, a soloist with the Appalachian State Wind Ensemble, a member of the School of Music Student Advisory Council, an honors recitalist, principal trumpet in the ASU Orchestra, played in the Wind Ensemble, was lead trumpet in in the ASU Jazz Ensemble I, and member of the ASU Lutheran Students.

He graduated from the University of North Texas with a master’s degree in music-trumpet performance, and a minor in conducting. He received a Graduate Teaching Fellowship, was a Concerto competition winner, performed and recorded with the North Texas Wind Symphony, the North Texas Symphonic Band and various lab bands.

He did student teaching at Concord High School and was second trumpet during two seasons with the Kingsport, Tenn., Symphony Orchestra. He was an Eagle Scout with Bronze Palm, a member of the Scout Jamboree Staff Band, a performer with the Salisbury Symphony, the Western Piedmont Symphony and the Garland Symphony and a member of the pit orchestra for the Catawba College Blue Masque, Piedmont Players and Uwharrie Players theater productions. He was a member of Union Lutheran Church.

Survivors in addition to his parents include fiance Cynthia Thompson, Ponca City, Okla.; paternal grandmother Mildred Merrell, Salisbury; maternal grandmother Ethel Frick, China Grove; and brother Judson Merrell, Salisbury.

Services:3 p.m. Sunday, Union Lutheran Church, conducted by the Revs. Darrell Norris, church pastor, Ronald Fink, pastor of New Haven Lutheran Church and Tim Smith, pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Boone. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation:6:30-8:30 tonight, Lyerly Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the residence.

Memorials: Organ Fund, Union Lutheran Church, 4770 Bringle Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146, or to Franz Merrell Trumpet Scholarship Fund, Hayes School of Music, Appalachian State University, 813 Rivers St., Boone, NC 28603, or to Rowan Regional Home Health and Hospice, 825-A W. Henderson St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

James N. Moore

KANNAPOLIS — James Neal Moore, 82, 2007 S. Cannon Blvd., died Friday (March 15, 2002), at NorthEast Medical Center, Concord.

Born July 19, 1919, in Union County, Mr. Moore was a son of the late Henry H. and Eulalia Eubanks Moore. He was employed with Cannon Mills Plant No. 1 Sheet Department for 45 years until retiring in 1984. He was a member of First Baptist Church, where he was active in the Harold Wyatt Sunday School Class. He was a Kannapolis resident since 1938.

Survivors include wife of 61 years Ida Mae Laney Moore; son Kenneth Moore, Thomasville; brother Keith W. Moore, Monroe; sister Eulalia Byrum, Rock Hill, S.C.; and two grandchildren.

Services:3:30 p.m. Sunday, Whitley’s Funeral Home Chapel. Conducted by the Rev. Paul Haywood. Burial, Carolina Memorial Park.

Visitation:1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday, Whitley’s Funeral Home.

Memorials:First Baptist Church, 101 N. Main St., Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Charles P. Morehead

ALBEMARLE — Charles Philip Morehead, 54, 1537 Springhaven Circle, died Thursday (March 14, 2002) at his home.

Services: 2 p.m. Sunday, Carolina Presbyterian Church, Locust. Burial, Fairview Memorial Park.

Visitation: 6-8 tonight, Hartsell Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home on Springhaven Circle.

Memorials: Hospice of Stanly County, 960 N. First St., Albemarle, NC 28001; or Carolina Presbyterian Church Mercy Ministries, P.O. Box 369, Locust, NC.

Paul A. Morris

Paul Alexander Morris, 77, Salisbury, died Friday (March 15, 2002), at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.

Arrangements are incomplete. Evergreen Cremation Services is in charge.

Jesse N. Thomas

STATESVILLE — Jesse N. Thomas, 72, 1445 Harris St., died Monday (March 11, 2002), at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro.

Survivors include a brother, Harold F. (Myrl) Thomas, of Salisbury.

Services:Were held Thursday at Mt. Pleasant AME Zion Church, Statesville. The Rev. Richard J. Harris II officiated. Davis-Mangum Funeral Home was in charge.

Glenn F. Whitaker

MOCKSVILLE — Glenn Forrest Whitaker, 74, of U.S. 158, died Thursday (March 14, 2002), at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem.

Born Sept. 2, 1927, in Davie County, Mr. Whitaker was a son of the late William Kimbrough and Margaret McClamrock Whitaker. He was retired from Sara Lee Corp., where he had worked for 35 years. He graduated from Mocksville High School in 1944. He served on the board of Habitat for Humanity and volunteered for Storehouse for Jesus and the Crosby Golf Tournament. He was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church, where he served on various committees and organizations, was a charter member of the United Methodist Men and was instrumental in the planning, construction and installation of the new belfry and steeple. He was a community volunteer to seniors and shut-ins and built or placed houses all over North Carolina and as far south as Florida to help restore the Carolina bluebird population.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years Laura Gray Bowles Whitaker of the home; son Jerry (Nancy) Whitaker, Jacksonville, Fla.; sister Gladys W. Griffith, Statesville; brothers Vernon Whitaker and Douthit K. Whitaker, both of Mocksville, and Grady Whitaker, Boca Raton, Fla.; and two grandchildren.

Services:2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oak Grove United Methodist Church, conducted by the Revs. Charles Stewart, Jack Yarbrough, Donald Funderburk and Jim Weekley. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. Burial, church cemetery.

Visitation:7-9 tonight, Eaton Funeral Home.

Memorials: Oak Grove United Methodist Church Building Fund and Cemetery Fund, c/o Glenas McClamrock, 179 Dusty Hill Road, Mocksville, NC 27028.