Roland Windham, 79, 138 Westover Ave., died Saturday (Dec. 2, 2006) at his home after three years of declining health.

Born Oct. 11, 1927, in Darlington County, S.C., Mr. Windham was a son of the late Abe and Lillie Garrison Windham.

He moved to the area in 1963 and worked in Weave Room 6 at Cannon Mills Plant 1 until retiring in 1989. He loved farming and was a member of Ben Avenue Freewill Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Ruby Hodge Windham; son Roland Windham Jr., Sumter, S.C.; daughters Linda Rogers, Margaret Aldridge, Monnie Gainey and Amanda Coleman, all of Kannapolis, Betty Douglas, Sumter, S.C., Bonnie Dixon, Mount Pleasant, S.C., and Doris Foster, Landis; 21 grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

A service was held Monday (Dec. 4, 2006) at Ben Avenue Freewill Baptist Church, conducted by the Rev. Dean Mitchem. Burial at a later date.

Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com.

Memorials: Hospice & amp; Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Boy Scout Road, Kannapolis, NC 28081.