Rutherford Weekly

Page 20 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, September 17-September 23, 2020 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 Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries BRANDON TAYLOR Brandon Taylor age 40, of Rutherfordton, passed away Sunday, September 6, 2020. He was preceded in death by his mother Anita Haynes Taylor. In addition to his moth- er, Brandon was preced- ed in death by, maternal grandfather; Adam Haynes and paternal grandfather; Marshal Taylor. Brandon is survived by: his father Spencer Taylor. Three Aunts, Three Uncles, Maternal Grandmother: Alma Haynes, Paternal Grandmother: Jeanette Taylor, and many cousins and other family members. The funeral service was held at Piney Knob Baptist Church. Interment followed at Piney Knob Baptist Church Cemetery. HARLEY RICE Harley Rice, age 29, of Forest City, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020. Harley was born July 16, 1991 in Rutherford County. He was preceded in death by his father, Ricky Lane Rice; his companion and friend, Samantha Nicole Rice; an infant son, Xander Lawson and a brother, Cody Rice. Those left to cherish his memory include three children, Kaden, Kira and Logan Rice; his mother, Wendi Burke (Jerry) of Forest City; brother, Jonathon Sheldon (Monica) of Forest City; sister, Melanie Csukker (Joshua) of Forest City; grandparents, Elizabeth and Roy Higgins of Green Hill; one niece, and step-broth- ers, Robert Burke (Angela) of Shelby, Jonathan Burke of Spindale, Jerry Burke, Jr. of Charlotte and Nicholas Burke of Junction City, Kansas. A private service will be held on a later date. SAMANTHA "BUGGY" RICE Samantha "Buggy" Rice, age 31, of Forest City, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020. Samantha was born September 21, 1988 in Buncombe County, NC. Samantha was preced- ed in death by her compan- ion and friend, Harley Rice, an infant brother, Timothy Nelson Rice; grandparents, Roy and Francis Baynard, Ola Shytle Higgins and Melbert Rice and Joyce Ramsey Rice. Those left to cherish her memory include her two sons, Matthew and Samuel Girdler of the home; parents, Beverly Owensby (Dennis) of Forest City and Billy Rice (Elizabeth) of Morgan County, Tennessee; sister, Tabitha Rice of Tennessee; brothers, Justin Rice of Rutherfordton, Brandon Rice of Forest City, Lucas Owensby of Forest City; step-brothers, Adam Owensby of Wilmington, NC and Zachary Pardon of Forest City; two aunts, Bonnie Cooper and Becky Kriske both of Forest City; step-grandparents, Pat and Wayne Weathers of Shelby and a number of cousins and friends. The funeral service was conducted at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel. Interment followed in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. FRANK COWAN SR., Frank Cowan Sr., age 69 of Mooresboro, passed away Monday, September 7, 2020. He was a native of Herkimer County in NY and the son to the late David Cowan and Louise Shepherd Furman. In addition to his par- ents he was preceded in death by one brother David Cowan and one sister Diane Jones. He is survived by one son Jason Cowan (Jennifer), three daughters; Mary Candelario (Joseph), Michelle Cogswell and Tammy Jones (Robert). Five brothers; John Cowan, Richard Cowan, Charles Cowan, Kevin Cowan and Greg Furman. One sis- ter Lisa Diggle, ten grand- children, two great grand- children. Step father John Furman. Girlfriend Rohnda Brady. Graveside services were held at Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. MAFRA SILVERS EDWARDS Mafra Silvers Edwards, age 93, of Ellenboro, passed away September 11, 2020. Mafra was born August 1, 1927 in Yancey County to the late Dan Gaston Silvers and Minnie Lee Hensley Silvers. In addition to her par- ents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Molt Edwards; son, Cedrick Edwards; four sisters and five brothers. Those left to cherish her memory include three sons, Ralph Edwards (Kathy), Bookter Edwards (Carolyn) and Steve Edwards; daugh- ter, Julie Scruggs (Jodean) all of Ellenboro. She is also survived by five grandchil- dren, four great-grandchil- dren and four great-great grandchildren. A private graveside service will be conducted at Eternal Hills Memorial Park. ©Community First Media Community First Media According to Websters dictionary, the defi nition of patriotism is, "a strong devotion to or vigorous support of one's country." Last week we celebrated Patriot Day, which is the commemoration of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Over three thousand people died that day and thousands more have died fi ghting the war on global terrorism. I can still remember the sense of patriotism that swept our country in the days and weeks following the terrorist attacks. The U.S. fl ag was displayed everywhere. People were standing up with pride for our nation. Nineteen years later, we are seeing the same fl ag being desecrated on the altar of what some are calling social justice. Professional athletes who have "cashed in" on the benefi ts of a capitalistic and free society are kneeling instead of standing for our country. While reaping the benefi ts of a democracy, they are supporting a socialistic and Marxist ideology. Our inner cities are being looted and burned by those who want anarchy over law and order. There is no doubt that the majority of Americans support racial equality and justice for those who are treated unfairly. In my fi fty-eight-year life span, it has been my pleasure to call many of all races and ethnicity my friends. Those who wish to separate us by specifi c identities are only doing so for political advantage. Their power is derived from a divided country. My prayer is that our nation as a whole can stem the tide of disunity and destruction and patriotism will once again be the rule and not the exception. LANNY FUNCHESS -FUNERAL DIRECTOR- Points To Ponder PATRIOTISM "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

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