Rutherford Weekly

Page 20 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, March 26-April 1, 2020 Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries MICKEY JEAN HARRIS Mickey Jean Harris, age 73, of Ellenboro, passed away March 17, 2020. Mickey was born May 27, 1946 in Rutherford County to the late Burley Hutchins and Myrtle Elizabeth Conner Hutchins. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters, Merle Tallent, Mildred McDaniel and a brother, Fred Hutchins. Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of forty-eight years, Danny Harris; son, Aaron Harris of Ellenboro; daughter, Tyler Harris of Forest City; five sisters, Hazel Greene, Shirley Bright, Lucille Miller (Wayne), Ruth Byers and Geneva Robinson; sister-in- law, Joan B. Hutchins of Bostic; 3 grandsons, and a host of nieces and nephews. A private service for the family will be conducted. Memorial donations are requested to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Foundation, ww5.komen.org Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. DEAN WAYNE CONNOR MMCS, Dean Wayne Connor, USN, Ret., age 79 of Forest City passed away Sunday, March 15, 2020. Dean was born November 11, 1940 in Marion, and was a son of the late John Cecil and Lathie White Connor. He was a Senior Chief Machinist Mate in the United States Navy and his last duty assignment was aboard the USS Dewey. Dean served his country with honor and dignity throughout his distin- guished career. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Susan Martin. Survivors include his daughter, Kimberly Heavner of Goose Creek, SC as well as 4 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. A service with military honors is planned for a later date and will be announced by Padgett and King. The Padgett & King Mortuary is serving the family. RON ATCHLEY Ron Atchley, age 71, of Forest City, passed away March 15, 2020. Ron was born November 23, 1948 in Rutherford County to the late Arnold Atchley and Ronelle Morgan Atchley. Ron served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two aunts, Ruth and Roberta Morgan. Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of thirty-seven years, Barbara Atchley; daughter, Heather Anton (Tim) of Forest City; son, Barry Conner (Norma) of Hendersonville; two brothers, Gary Atchley (Brenda) and Philip Atchley all of Forest City; sister, Kim Atchley of Anderson, SC. He is also survived by four grandchildren, and several special nieces and neph- ews. A private service will be held for the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are requested to the Rutherford County Senior Center, 193 Callahan- Koon Road #132, Spindale, NC 28160. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. JORETTA SPURLIN BENNETT Joretta Spurlin Bennett, age 89, of Stanley NC passed away March 12, 2020. Joretta was the daugh- ter of the late MM & Della Spurlin. Left to cherish her memory are her son George Newton Bennett III (Sonia); 4 grandchildren & several great grandchildren. In addition to her par- ents, Joretta was preceded in death by her husband George Bennett Jr; son Richard Allen Bennett, & daughter Janis Bennett Swearngan. Services were held at Bible Tabernacle. TYLER DAVIS Tyler Davis, age 28, of Caroleen, passed away March 19, 2020. Tyler was born January 17, 1992 in Cleveland County to his loving parents, Gary Davis & Susie Hutchins Davis of Caroleen. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, John & Jessie Hutchins & a special uncle, Roger Hutchins. In addition to his parents, he is survived by his brother Drake Davis (Kate) of Raleigh; grandparents, Eugene & Shirley Davis of Ellenboro; 4 aunts. He is also survived by a wonderful caregiver, Dorlis "Grammy" Roberts & a host of cousins. A celebration of Tyler's life will be private for the family. Memorial donations are requested to Make-A-Wish Foundation, http://wish.org or to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Building Fund, 397 Mt. Pleasant Church Rd., Forest City, NC 28043. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. GENELL BAILEY CLEMENTS Genell Bailey Clements, age 90, of Rutherfordton, passed away March 19, 2020. She was the daugh- ter of the late J. Paul & Edna Bailey. Genell was the widow of the late G. Lennon Clements & a native of Rutherford County. In addi- tion to her parents & hus- band, Genell was preceded in death by her daughter; Susan Clements Hardy, & her brother Jimmy Bailey. She is survived by a son Stan Clements &wife Deborah, a son-in-law: Billy Hardy, a sister Margie Andrews, 3 grandchildren & 6 great-grandchildren. A private burial ser- vice was held. There will be a memorial service at a later date. In lieu of flow- ers donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Rutherfordton; PO Box 839 Rutherfordton, NC 28139. BARBARA JEAN BRIDGES Barbara Jean Bridges, age 78 of Forest City passed away March 15, 2020. Barbara was born May 29, 1941 in Rutherford County & was a daughter of the late Benjamin & Mary Manning Melton. She was preceded in death by her husband, Monte Bridges, siblings, Kay Park, John Dee Melton, Nancy Vickers, Louetta Goodrich, Betty Shaw, Jack Melton, & Perry Wayne Melton, & long- time friend, Ervin Dantzic. Survivors include her sister, JoAn Whisenant of Bostic & a number of nieces & nephews & a host of car- ing friends. A memorial mass will be celebrated at a later date to be announced. The Padgett & King Mortuary is serving the family. Rutherford Weekly offers the printing of obituaries in our paper as a community service and free of charge for Rutherford County residents and the immediate area. The obituary may include a picture if the image is of print quality. We request that the obituary is limited to 150 words and we will edit the obituaries due to space. The obituary will include preceded family members, surviving family members, funeral service information, memorials, and the name of the funeral home serving the family. The obituaries will not include names of grandchildren, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, or pets. We only accept obituaries from licensed funeral homes. The deadline is Monday at 10AM prior to Thursdays publication. Please have your funeral home send us your loved ones' obituaries to events@rutherfordweekly.com ©Community First Media Community First Media There is no doubt that most of us have never had to encounter a time such as this. We have been challenged by the occasional "snowstorm" scare or the aftermath of a hurricane hitting the Carolinas, but the effects of COVID-19 are different. It has touched every life not only in our state and country, but literally around the world. The empty store shelfs, abandoned city streets, fi nancial collapse and social distancing are signs of how serious this has become. Given the situation it would be natural for us to resort to panic and angst. Yes, I believe in taking the necessary safety precautions and staying away from large crowds, but we must not allow our anxiety to rule us. Sadly, I have seen video clips of people fi ghting over toilet paper and frantically pushing people aside to get the last package of paper towels. In some instances, we have become no better than a wild herd of animals during a stampede. One of the greatest lessons through all this craziness is that we need everyone to work together. Stories of people helping the elderly, sharing what they have with others and reaching out on social media are a testimony of human goodness. We all have a choice to either pursue personal peace or give in to fear. As we turn to God for our strength and begin the practice of loving our neighbors, we will fi nd the "peace that passes all understanding." As with any crisis, we will either see the worst or the best of human nature. Hopefully we will all choose peace over panic. LANNY FUNCHESS -FUNERAL DIRECTOR- Points To Ponder PEACE OR PANIC "Quality Service with Compassionate Care" Harrelson Funeral & Cremation Services 1251 U.S. Hwy 221-A, Forest City, NC 828-657-6383 www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com Products and Services We Offer ~ Cemetery Monuments ~ Bronze Plaques ~ Granite Signs ~ Cremation Products ~ Pet Markers ~ Cleaning & Restoration 1113 POLKVILLE ROAD • SHELBY, NC R IVERHIL L MONUMENT CO. Monuments of Distinction 704-481-1198 www.riverhillmonuments.com Family Owned & Operated Since 1957 If you began working in a Textile Mill, Tire Plant, Paper Mill, Steel Mill or any other industrial setting before 1980: You may have a claim against the asbestos manufactures. Call now for your free evaluation. (888) 432-6020 Anthony S. di Santi, Esq. di Santi, Watson, Capua, Wilson & Garrett PLLC, PO 193, Boone, NC. Asbestos Claims, LLC, Jubal L. Hamil Attorney at Law, Mobile, AL ARPC 7.2 (e) "No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services preformed by other lawyers." TEXTILE MILLS ASBESTOS CLAIMS

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