Obituaries 3/5/2007

Bill Abernethy
William “Bill” Abernethy, 72, of Sherrills Ford, died March 4, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Burke Mortuary, Newton.

Evelyn Barker
Evelyn Barker, 85, of Wilmington and formerly of Maiden, died March 4, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at E.F. Drum Funeral Home.

Thomas Blake
Thomas William Blake, 58, of Buffalo Shoals Road, Lincolnton, died March 4, 2007.
Funeral service will be 3 p.m. Wednesday at Providence Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Hollybrook Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 – 3 p.m. at the church prior to the service.
A native of Lincoln County, he was a U.S. Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War. He was a grinder operator with Timken. He was a member of Second Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Sharon Blake of the home; a son, William Shannon Blake of Washington, D.C.; a daughter, Brandy Sheree Blake Lewis of Lincolnton; two brothers, James Blake and Samuel Blake; five sisters, Shirley Easter, Brenda England, Catherine Jarrett, Cynthia Woodard and Donna Tolliver; and two grandchildren, Elizabeth Harbison Blake and William Shariff Blake.
E.F. Drum Funeral Home is serving the Blake family.

Larry Carpenter
Larry James Carpenter, 63, of 2252 Old Carpenter Lane, Lincolnton, died March 2, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Warlick Funeral Home.

Mabel Cherry
Mabel Rozella Cherry, 90, of 2065 Lyon Street, Gastonia and formerly of Alexis, died March 3, 2007.
Funeral service will be 3:30 p.m. today in the chapel of Warlick Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Unity Presbyterian Church cemetery, Denver. The family will be at the home of Gloria “Dean” Hovis, 1575 Green Road, Stanley.
She was a native of Lincoln County.
Survivors include a son, Creighton Cherry; a daughter, Gloria “Dean” Hovis; two sisters, Lonia Inez Welch and Sue Torrence; and eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Mary Finney
Mary Finney, 88, of Kings Mountain, died March 4, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Enloe Mortuary Inc., Shelby.

Tom Goins
Winford Thomas “Tom” Goins, 72 of Robinhood Road, Maiden died March 2, 2007.
Funeral service will be 3 p.m. today at Eastside Baptist Church, Newton. Burial will be in Maiden City Cemetery.
A native of Burke County, he was the owner/operator of Hillside Body Shop. He was a member of Eastside Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Pat S. Goins of the home; two sons, Mike Goins of Lincolnton and Scott Goins of Newton; a brother, Bobby Goins; three sisters, Margie Reynolds, Betty Wellmon and Nancy Henshaw; five grandchildren, Thomas Goins, Ryan Shelton,II, Madison Goins, Tabitha Goins, Anna Cranford.
Memorials may be made to Eastside Baptist Church, 725 E. 11th St., Newton, NC 28658.
Burke Mortuary, Maiden is serving the Goins family.

Mary Hagen
Mary Lou Hagen, 79 of Arbor Run Drive, Lincolnton, died March 1, 2007.
A memorial service was Sunday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church.
A native of Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., she was retired as head switchboard operator with Bank of New York.
Survivors include a niece, the Rev. Kim Trabold of Lincolnton; and two nephews, Mark Kresse of Erie, Pa., and Robert Kresse of Yonkers, N.Y.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Lincolnton, 107 N. Cedar St., Lincolnton, NC 28092, or Guiding Eyes for the Blind, 611 Granite Springs Road, Yorktown Heights, N.Y. 10598.

Mary Hoey
Mary Sue Hunt Hoey, 67, of 739 Vale St., Shelby, died March 4, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Enloe Mortuary Inc., Shelby.

Carl Keever
Carl Houston Keever, 86, of 607 S. Tait St., Lincolnton, died March 3, 2007.
Funeral service will be Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Mathis Chapel Baptist Church, Catawba. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 7 – 9 p.m. today at Warlick Funeral Home.
A native of Lincoln County, he was employed in the textile industry. He was a pastor.
Survivors include four sons, William Keever and Jerry Keever, both of Lincolnton, Johnny Keever of Crouse and Darrell Keever of High Shoals; three daughters, Shirley Hedgepeth and Patricia Keever, both of Lincolnton, and Lida Tidwell of Vale; and nine grandchildren, and a number of great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Willie Kennedy
Willie Bright Kennedy, 82, of Lincolnton died March 3, 2007.
Funeral service will be 2 p.m. today in the chapel of Warlick Funeral Home, Lincolnton. Burial will be in Mays Chapel United Methodist Church cemetery, Maiden.
She was a retired textile employee.
Survivors include her husband, Paul Kennedy of Lincolnton; three sons, Frank Junior Killian of Maiden, Wilbur Johnson Killian of Conover and Frankie Cline of Statesville; three stepsons, Doug Kennedy of Statesville, Robert Kennedy of Cherryville and Steve Kennedy of Hickory; a stepdaughter, Debbie Jenkins of Statesville; a sister, Ethel Scronce; and four grandchildren, Carol Ann Davis, Jerry Killian, Danny Killian and Randall Killian; and two great-grandchildren.

Julius Moore
Julius Marvin Moore, 61, of 1018 Mansion Drive, Lincolnton, died March 2, 2007.
Funeral service and burial will be private.
A native of Lincoln County, he was a U.S. Army veteran.
Survivors include a son, David Moore of Lincolnton; three daughters, Dinah Poteat of Drexel, Sherry Powers of Lincolnton and April Rice of Crouse; a brother, Edgar Moore; three sisters, Rachael Rhoton, Mary Hull and Joyce Brown; and eight grandchildren.
Greene Funeral Service – South Chapel, Gastonia is serving the Moore family.

Troy Petty
Troy Viola Petty, 70, of 4509 Browning Road, Gaffney, S.C. died March 2, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Enloe Mortuary Inc. Shelby.

Ruth Ross
Ruth Ann Phillips Ross, 59, of 1908 W. Laporte Drive, Charlotte, died March 2, 2007.
Funeral service will be noon Tuesday at Mount Carmel Baptist Church, Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends 6 – 8 p.m. today at Enloe Mortuary, Shelby, and 11:30 a.m. – noon Tuesday at the church.
She was a native of Cleveland County.

Vera Wilson
Vera Wilson, 100, of Shelby died March 4, 2007.
Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Enloe Mortuary Inc., Shelby.

Daniel Glenn Blackwood
Daniel Glenn Blackwood, age 29, or Lincolnton, N.C., lost his life in a fatal car crash on March 2, 2007. He was self employed.
He is survived by one son, Cainan Glenn Blackwood of the home; his mother, Sharon Faulkenbury Blackwood and stepfather Dale Wayne Detter – who was not only his stepfather but his father of heart; one sister and brother-in-law, Crystal Shay and Kenny Fredell; one brother, Stanley Carson Blackwood and his fiancee April Potter; his maternal grandfather, Don Faulkenbury of Asheville; maternal grandparents, Stanley and Dawn Blackwood of Butte, Mont.; six nieces; four nephews; several cousins and many friends; two aunts, Sonnie Gosnell of Marshall, N.C., Beverly Craig of Lincolnton and one stepaunt, Jennifer Faulkenbury of Asheville.; one uncle Gary Faulkenbury of Lincolnton.
He was preceded in death by his fiancee, Christina Gore; unborn daughter, Sharon Elizabeth Blackwood; his father Glenn Ray Blackwood; his maternal and paternal grandmothers, Ruth Faulkenbury and Verna Green and one uncle Chris Faulkenbury, all of Lincolnton.
Services will be held at E. F. Drum in Lincolnton, N.C. The family will receive friends Tuesday night from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 8:00 p.m. The cremains will be buried at a later date in a private ceremony at Maiden Cemetery. The Rev. Joe D. Stanley will officate.

Christina Lynn Gore
Christina Lynn Gore, age 31,and her unborn baby girl of 3002 Gastonia Highway in Lincolnton, died Friday, March 2, 2007.
Her funeral will be 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6 in the Warlick Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Billy Dunnigan officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. tonight at Warlick Funeral Home.
Miss Gore was born August 2, 1975 in Gaston County to Clifford Gene and Elizabeth Terry Gore. She was an office clerk with Food Lion.
Survivors include: father, Clifford Gene Gore of Lincolnton; mother, Elizabeth Terry Gore of Lincolnton; one brother, Ricky Gore of Waynesville, N.C.; one sister Toni Pelkey; paternal grandmother, Ruth Gore of Lincolnton; one niece Kaiya Pelky of Lincolnton.
Warlick Funeral Home of Lincolnton is serving the Gore family.

Merle Ellsworth Bucy
Mr. Merle Ellsworth Bucy, age 81, of 7230 Pine Ridge Road in Denver and formerly of Orlando, Florida died Friday, March 2, 2007 at Abernethy Laurels in Newton, N.C.
A graveside service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 6 at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Lincolnton with Rev. Tim Killian officiating. The family will receive friends following the service at the graveside.
Mr. Bucy was born on August 9, 1925 in Allegheny County, Pa. to the late William Bucy and Ida Maple Bucy Adams. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his stepfather, Gilbert Adams; wife, Marian DeUnger Bucy; and brother, William “Red” Bucy. Mr. Bucy was retired as the Director of Maintenance and Capital Improvements of Orange County Schools in Orlando, Florida. He was a veteran of the United States Navy having served during World War II on the USS Snatch (ARS27) Recovery Ship.
Survivors include: one son, Peter A. Bucy and wife Candice of Denver, N.C.; special grandson, Tyler Wolfe; two brothers, George (Jack) Bucy of Elizabeth, Pa., Harry Bucy of Ind.; one sister, Sally Fairman of Calif.; one half brother, Gibbey Adams and wife Nancy of Elrama, Pa.; one half sister, Judith Adams Poziviak of Columbus, Ohio.
Memorials may be made to Abernethy Laurels, 102 Leonard Avenue, Newton, NC 28658.
Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton is serving the Bucy family.

Mary Lou McGinnis
Mrs. Mary Lou Beam McGinnis, age 95, of Carolina Care in Cherryville and formerly of 511 North Grove Street, Lincolnton died Saturday, March 3, 2007.
A graveside service was held 3:00 p.m. Sunday, March 4 at Hollybrook Cemetery with Rev. Gary Dittman officiating. The family received friends from 1:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton.
Mrs. McGinnis was the daughter of the late Cletus and Buna Hull Beam and was also preceded in death by her husband, Dan McGinnis and two brothers, D. Clay Beam and George C. Beam, Jr.
Mrs. McGinnis was the assistant Register of Deeds for Lincoln County, for 25 years and was the owner and operator of McGinnis Tire of Lincolnton. She was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and was known to be a great golf player
Mrs. McGinnis is survived by two sisters, Ruth B. Carpenter of Cherryville, Martha R. Reinhardt of Mt. Holly and several nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 216 South Aspen Street, Lincolnton, NC 28092 or to the charity of one’s choice.
Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton is serving the McGinnis family.

Ruby L. Alexander
Vale—Ruby Aileen Lane Alexander, 78 went to be with the Lord on March 1, 2007.
Born April 26, 1928, Rutherford County, she was the daughter of the late Cletus and Elmer Scronce Lane.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, David Thomas Alexander; her son, Warren David Alexander; her three brothers, Durham Lane, Wendell Lane and Bill Lane; her sister, Arminta Gilbert.
She loved to attend church at Macedonia Pentecostal Holiness Church and enjoyed gardening and cooking for everyone. She is rejoicing in Heaven with our Lord.
She is survived by her four daughters, Kathy Cody and her husband Ted of Vale, Sherry Morrison and her husband Alvin of Lincolnton, Rita Goble and her husband Richard of Conover and Debbie Sponseller of Conover; her seven brothers, Nelson Lane, David Lane, J.D. Lane, Lester Lane, Jerry Lane, Teddy Lane and Dale Lane; her three sisters, Ina Gardner, Patsy Lane and Carolyn Whitlock; six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
The family received friends Sunday, March 4, at Macedonia Pentecostal Holiness Church from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m.
The Celebration of Life Service was held Sunday, March 4 at Macedonia Pentecostal Holiness Church at 3:00 p.m. with Rev. Tim Lane.
Online condolences may be left at www.catawbamemorialpark.com.
Catawba Memorial Park, Funerals, and Cremations are providing professional services to the Alexander Family.

Virginia Cleo Sanford Helderman
Mrs. Virginia Cleo Sanford Helderman, 84, of Sadler Road, Alexis died March 4, 2007 at Gaston Memorial Hospital.
Her funeral will be Tuesday, March 6 at 4:00 p.m. at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Alexis. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Her body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. The family will receive friends tonight from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton.
Mrs. Helderman was born in Richmond County to the late Eugene and Sallie Sanford. She was a homemaker, loving mother and grandmother and wife of 60 years. She was preceded in death by her husband Carl Helderman, Sr.; a son, Carl Helderman, Jr.; five brothers and sisters.
Survivors include two daughters, Anne Payne and husband Doyle, Martha Kiser and husband Butch of Alexis; three granddaughters, Lynn Payne of Holy Angels, Amy Funderburk of Alexis and Susan Greeson of Dallas; five great-granddaughters, Brittani and Ashley Funderburk, Jessica and Cortney Perkins and Taylor Greeson; brother-in-law, Samuel C. “Tip” Helderman and wife Helen of Alexis.
Memorials may be made to Holy Angels, 6600 Wilkinson Boulevard, PO Box 710, Belmont, NC 28012-0710 or Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 2151 Mt. Zion Church Road, Alexis, NC 28006.
Warlick Funeral Home in Lincolnton is serving the Helderman family.