Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1500481
Thursday, June 1-June 7, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 19 Wilburn Ayers Wilburn Ayers, age 78, of Caroleen, passed away Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Wilburn was born August 16, 1944 in Johnson City, TN to the late Oscar Vernal Ayers, Sr. and Rosie Marie Rice Ayers. He was a truck driver most of his life, having worked most recent- ly for Pryway Trucking in Shelby. He was a member of Race Path Baptist Church. In addition to his par- ents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Charlotte Ayers Cannon; granddaughter, Zoey Bailey and three brothers, Harold Gene Ayers, Oscar Vernal Ayers, Jr. and Gary Ayers. Those left to cherish fond memories include his wife of 29 years, Janice Martin Ayers; children, Jackie Ayers Kelly (Michael) of Largo, FL, Bobby Eugene Ayers (Christi) of Henrietta, Penny Ayers Webb (Jerry) of Sandy Mush, Barbara Ayers Shytle (Craig) of Henrietta, Sandy Bailey (John Trotter) of Mooresboro, Gloria Morris (Claude) of Eatonton, GA and Tommy Bailey (Evie) of Mooresboro; ten grandchil- dren and seven great-grand- children, three sisters, Karen Walker of Johnson City, TN, Linda Whitson of Jonesboro, TN, Renea Whitson of Jonesboro, TN and brothers, Lloyd Ayers (Shirley) of Star, SC and Johnny Ayers (Jean) of Johnson City, TN. The funeral service was held May 30 at Race Path Baptist Church with Rev.Roger Laws, Bro. Craig Ledford and Rev. Randall Cooper officiating. Memorial donations requested to Race Path Baptist Church, 1171 Race Path Church Rd., Ellenboro, NC 28040. An online guest registry is available at www.harrel- sonfuneralhome.com Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. Bobby "Bob" Laughter Bobby William "Bob" Laughter, age 90 of Forest City died Thursday, May 25, 2023. Bob was born July 19, 1932, in Rutherford County and was a son of the late Roscoe and Willie Gray Earwood Laughter. He retired from Yelton Milling Company in Spindale where he worked for many years. Bob was a member of the First Baptist Church of Spindale. He served hon- orably in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict and was a 32nd Degree Mason in the for- mer Spindale Masonic Lodge and later the Western Star Lodge No. 91 AF&AM as well as a Shriner. He was also a member of the American Legion. Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Frances Taylor Laughter, his daugh- ter, Crystal Laughter Horn and husband Terry of Ellenboro, his brother, Graydean Laughter of Forest City, two grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and an expectant great-grandchild. The funeral was held May 27 in The Padgett and King Chapel with Rev. Allen Hall officiating. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Carolina Foothills, P0O Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Peggy Jones Campfield P e g g y J o n e s Campfield, age 83, of Mooresboro, passed away May 26, 2023. Peggy was born October 25, 1939 in Rutherford County to the late James Robert Jones, Sr. and Madlyn Durham Jones. She worked in textiles for many years and was a member of Crosslink Baptist Church in Forest City. In addition to her par- ents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Charles "Dude" Campfield. Left to cherish fond memories are her daugh- ter, Sherry Campfield Hughes of Ellenboro; son, Steve Campfield (Kathy) of Gaffney, SC; sisters, Mary Nichols (Greg) of Gaffney, Beverly Bailey (Norman) of Boiling Springs, NC; brother, James Jones, Jr. (Peggy) of Aurora, Colorado; five grandchildren, two step grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, five step great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchil- dren, and a one special great-granddaughter. She is also survived by her ex-son- in-law, Charles Hughes of Rutherfordton. A memorial service was held May 31 at Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Kevin Bradley officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations request- ed to Harrelson Funeral Home, 1251 US Hwy. 221A, Forest City, NC to help defray funeral costs. An online guest registry is available at www.harrel- sonfuneralhome.com Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. Marian Viola Whiteside Marian Viola Whiteside, age 78 went home to be with her Lord on May 23, 2023. Marian was the daugh- ter of the late George Dickerson and Mamie Viola Dickerson. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Candace Whiteside; three grandchildren. Online condolenc- es may be made at www. crowemortuary.com. Services will be private. Judy McSwain Baker Judy McSwain Baker, age 78, of Rutherfordton, NC, died Thursday, May 25, 2023. She was the daugh- ter of the late Ed McSwain and the late Dora McSwain and she was a native of Spartanburg County. Judy was widow of the John W. Baker. She worked in textiles for 27 years at Stonecutter. She is survived by, one daughter, Janice Yelton (Cleveland), two sons, Johnny Baker (Jill), and Joey Baker (Kylie), one sister, Bonnie Owens, one brother, Will McSwain, eight grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. The funeral service was held at Green River Baptist Church May 29 with Rev. Gary Curtis offi- ciating. Interment will be at Green River Baptist Church Cemetery. Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Under a cloudy Memorial Day morning, more than 50 people gathered at the Lake Lure Veterans Monument to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifi ce for the freedoms of America. Mayor Carol Pritchell welcomed the crowd and the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department Honor Guard presented the colors. Col. Ernest Beall, retired US Marine told the crowd, "We are the lucky ones, we came home. Others sacrifi ced their lives for us. They paid the supreme sacrifi ce." Beall said at least one million men and women have died in wars across the world for the freedoms in America. Beall also called special attention to the Gold Star families attending the ceremony, whose loved ones paid the supreme sacrifi ce. "They gave us the right to live in the "home of the brave," he said. Terrell Lewis, US Army Veteran, laid a memorial wreath at the monument. Prayers were said by Alex Heafner, pastor of Chimney Rock Baptist Church and Ken Potter played taps on the bagpipes to conclude the brief ceremony. A complimentary breakfast was provided by the Lake Lure Inn. Article & Photos Provided By: Jean Gordon Col. Ernest Beall addresses the crowd. Lake Lure Memorial Day Ceremony Terrell Lewis lays a memorial wreath at the Lake Lure Veterans Monument. Mayor Carroll Pritchell welcomes the crowd. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Honor Guard presents the colors. Ken Potter plays taps.