Cora Lee Ketner

Published 12:00 am Friday, December 22, 2006

CHINA GROVE – Cora Lee Ketner, 90, of China Grove, died Wednesday Dec. 20 at her home surrounded by family and friends.

Born March 6, 1916 in Kannapolis, Mrs. Ketner was the daughter of the late Roy and Cora Lee Propst. She graduated from Catawba College in 1938 with a degree in music education and taught music at China Grove Elementary School.

Next to her family, her greatest joy in life was the piano, which she played from the age of five. She passed on her love of music to many young students, giving piano lessons in her home for over 30 years.

Beloved pianist at First Baptist Church of China Grove for 47 years, Mrs. Ketner also taught Sunday school and was a member of WMU.

Mrs. Ketner was the widow of Food Lion co-founder C. Brown Ketner, to whom she was married for 55 years.

In addition to her husband and parents, Mrs. Ketner was preceded in death by her sister, Betty Moore and her brother, Roy C. Propst, Jr.

Surviving are her son Jeffrey B. Ketner and wife Jeannette of Salisbury; daughter Marsha L. Carter and husband Jimmy of China Grove; daughter Betty A. Scruggs and husband George of Durham; grandchildren Polly Griffin and husband Derrell, Jonathan Ketner and wife Jan, Cathy Mabe and husband Donnie, Jeremy Carter and wife Jennifer, Hayden Carter and wife Emily, Caroline Sloan and husband Brad, and Joshua Scruggs. Mrs. Ketner’s great-grandchildren include Kate and Andrew Carter, Coleman and Grace Carter, and Owen Sloan.

Visitation: Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Family Life Center in China Grove. Other times the family will be at Mrs. Ketner’s home and the home of Marsha and Jimmy Carter.

Service: Saturday at 3 p.m. at First Baptist Church of China Grove.

Graveside: Phaniels Church Cemetery in Rockwell immediately following the service.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of China Grove (Morgan House Fund or Adult Choir Robe Fund) or Hospice of Rowan County.

The family would especially like to thank Julia, our dear friend and Mrs. Ketner’s dedicated caregiver for seven years.

Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home is assisting the Ketner family.

Online condolences can be sent to www.linnhoneycuttfuneralhome.com.