Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
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Thursday, August 31-September 6, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 19 Norris Ensley Lane Norris Ensley Lane age 94 of the Cane Creek Community in Union Mills, NC passed away August 26, 2023. Norris was the son of the late Glenn Lane and Isabella Irene Ensley Lane. Norris and his late wife Winnie Anderson Lane owned and operated Cane Creek Grocery for over 50 years. In addition to his par- ents and wife, he was pre- ceded in death by a son Norris Dale Lane. Left to cherish his mem- ory are his daughter Patsy Lane Cook; three grand- sons, seven great grandchil- dren. Services were held August 28 at Cane Creek Baptist Church with Rev. Danny Camp officiating. In lieu of flowers dona- tions may be made to Cane Creek Church Building Fund. Online condolenc- es may be made at www. crowemortuary.com. Angie Linder Angie Linder, age 56, of Rutherfordton, went home to with her Lord and Savior Friday, August 25, 2023. Angie was born December 20, 1966 in Pensacola, FL to the late Frank and Sara Morrow Pleasant. She was a gradu- ate of Isothermal Community College and worked as a beautician for over 20 years. She was a member of Landrum Independent Baptist Church. In addition to her par- ents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Betsy Ponton; sister, Wanda Garcia and son-in-law, Randy Ponton. Left to cherish fond memories are her hus- band of 38 years, Kenneth Linder; daughter, Misty Godfrey (Jason) of Forest City; son, Kenneth Linder, Jr. of Rutherfordton; sis- ter, Frankie Gettys (Jerry) of Caroleen; five grandchil- dren, and several nieces and nephews. The funeral was held August 30 at Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Pastor Shane Jackson and Mr. Kenneth Linder officiating. Memorial donations suggested to Hot Dogs for the Hungry, 192 Linder Farm Dr., Rutherfordton, NC 28139. An online guest registry is available at www.harrel- sonfuneralhome.com Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. Abe Jacobs Abe Jacobs, age 95, of Charlotte, passed away, Monday, August 21, 2023. Abe was born June 18, 1928 in Chatham Islands, New Zealand to the late Robert Steele Jacobs and Amelia Jacobs. Quoting Wikipedia, "He was one of the first men to follow fellow New Zealander Pat O'Connor to the United States where, like O'Connor, Jacobs became a major star in the National Wrestling Alliance during the "Golden Age of Wrestling". One of the most recogniz- able "babyfaces" during this period, he was billed as the "Jewish Heavyweight Champion" and wrestled in a number of high-profile matches with many stars of the era. Jacobs was also an established journeyman wrestler, touring Europe and Japan on several occa- sions, travelling around the world 4 times and wrestling over 8,000 matches in his 30-year career. He spent the final years of his career in the Carolinas where he became a mainstay for Jim Crockett's NWA Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling during the 70s and early 80s. Best remembered by "modern" American wres- tling fans as an undercard wrestler, he was the first opponent of "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair when making his debut in the promotion in 1974. Jacobs is credited for creating the "Kiwi Leg Roll". He was widely respected in the industry, managing Ricky Steamboat's gym during the 90s, and was officially inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Hall of Fame in 2008. In addition to his par- ents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Dolly Nielson. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife, Evelyn Murray Jacobs and her sons, Reggie Hammond (Joyce) and Richard Hammond of Tampa, FL; son, Robert Jacobs (Vicki) and several grandchildren; sister-in-law, Mae Stevens (Ronnie) of Rutherfordton. The funeral service was held August 29 at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel. Burial will take place in New Zealand on a later date. An online guest registry is available at www.harrel- sonfuneralhome.com Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. Roger Dale Sams Roger Dale Sams, age 77 of Bostic died Wednesday, August 23, 2023. Roger was born May 10, 1946, in Rutherford County and was a son of the late Walt and Mary Reid Sams. He was a law enforce- ment officer having first worked for the Rutherford County Sheriff's Department and then Forest City Police Department where he served for over 30 years. Following retirement, Roger took a job with CKL Electric. Roger was a member of Concord Baptist Church and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police. Survivors include his wife of 50 years, Laura Pace Sams, his son, Tracy Sams (April) of Bostic, his daughter, Dale Sams Saine (Chad) of Bostic, his brother, Raymond Sams (Laura) of Shelby, his sister, Geraldine Sams Carpenter of Ellenboro, three grandchil- dren, and four great-grand- children. The funeral was hld August 27 in Concord Baptist Church with Rev. Travis Laflin officiating and honors accorded by the Forest City Police Department. Memorials may be made to Concord Baptist Church, PO Box 70, Bostic, NC 28018. An online guest reg- istry is available at www. padgettking.com Johnny Marshall Davis, Sr. Johnny Marshall Davis, Sr., 61, passed away Wednesday, August 16, 2023. He is predeceased by father, Marshall Franklin Davis; mother, Susie Mae Justice. Left behind to cherish his memory are his sons, Sean Davis, Johnny Davis, Jr., Derek Davis and Eli Cannon; six grandchildren, brothers, Johnny Heavener, David Heavener and Joey Heavener; sister, Ann Davis; numerous nieces, nephews and friends. He was a machinist for 25 plus years. Private Family Services to be held at a later date. Memorial tributes may be made at www.rsmor- ganfsl.com. Robert Morgan Funeral and Cremation Service is serving the family. Danny Eugene Hawkins D a n n y E u g e n e Hawkins, age 68, of Boiling Springs, SC, died Wednesday, August 23, 2023. He was the son of the late Gene Hawkins and the late Peggy Earwood and a native of Spartanburg County. He worked for District 7 Schools Spartanburg for years. He was currently working at WWOL radio station in Forest City. Danny was an active member of Holly Springs Baptist Church. He traveled, played and sang with Furman Boyce and the Harmony Express for sever- al years. He is also survived by his wife Nancy Hawkins, four daughters, Michelle West (Chad), Malinda Price (Chad), Jamie Clary (Travis), Samantha Barrett, 10 grand- children, eight great-grand- children. The Funeral service was held at Holly Springs Baptist Church August 26 with Rev. Scott Moneyham, Rev. Steve Price. Interment was at Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. John Parker officiating. Memorials may be made to WWOL Radio Station; 1381 W. Main St.; Forest City, NC 28043. Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Ad deadlines: Tuesdays at 3pm 828.248.1408 advertising@rutherfordweekly.com Serving Rutherford County and Surrounding Areas Advertise your company, product or service in With every edition, you receive: • Print and digital ads • Distribution to over 285 locations in four counties • 31 year history • High reader loyalty/receivership • Full ad design services • Audited circulation • Trusted advertising source ISSUE NO. 6 • February 11, ISSUE NO. 6 • February 11, 2021 • 2021 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 29 th Year IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST! N.C. TRACTOR & FARM SUPPLY 299 Railroad Ave., Rutherfordton • 828-288-0395 Mobile: 828-429-5008 • mf1dpshehan@gmail.com COME SEE OUR INVENTORY COME SEE OUR INVENTORY ZERO PERCENT FOR 84 MONTHS! PROUDLY SERVING RUTHERFORD, CLEVELAND, GASTON, LINCOLN, POLK COUNTIES AS THE AREAS HOMETOWN MASSEY FERGUSON DEALER. IT'S IT'S FREE! FREE! The measure of a man can often be learned from his wife. Retiring ICC president and long-time public servant, Walter Dalton heard his wife, Lucille, say, "I've always been proud of him, especially his caring for other people." Lucille has had a career in public service, too, spending nine years on the local school board and once being named school board member of the year by the state association. Dalton heard stories of his late father, Charles C. Dalton, from his mother, Amanda Haynes Dalton, in his childhood. His father died when Walter was eight, but his state senate portrait hung in the hallway of his childhood home. He was inspired to think about public service as his mother talked about his father and that portrait. "I think we were at Cliffside dedicating a clock and a man came up to me and said my dad had helped get their road paved and talked about what a difference that had made in their lives," Dalton said. "That had been 20 years previous, but the man still remembered and was grateful. That got me thinking about the good that could come of working in public service." Again, there's that caring for other people. He gives a lot of credit to high school teacher, Lena Mayberry. "I was in an accelerated English class with her for all four years of high school. She really emphasized the importance of communications. Later in politics and practicing law, I really saw the importance of her training," Dalton said. Dalton was not only inspired by that portrait in the hall, the tribute from the man in Cliffside and Lena Mayberry. It's also very tender to him that his father left the state senate when Walter was born. "He was 44 years old and came home from the senate, because there was a baby at home," he said. Dalton also gave tribute to lions of local politics: Jamie Clark, Woodrow Jones, and Jack Hunt. Mike Gavin, who is the college's Director Of Marketing and Community Relations, said of Dalton, "Walter's background as a successful attorney, long-serving state senator and North Carolina's lieutenant governor positioned him to have a most unique and positive perspective from which to lead a community college. He served years as a trustee at Isothermal, on legislative committees charged with improving and funding community colleges across the state, and, while he was lieutenant governor, on the State Board of Community Colleges. "Walter brought all those years of cumulative knowledge with him to serve Isothermal with a singular purpose: to better the lives of people in Rutherford and Polk counties and beyond, by creating inclusive opportunities for personal, professional, economic and cultural development. Walter's strengths are in his abilities to build relationships and partnerships. He is the kind of tireless leader who sees solutions before some others might even recognize a problem. His persistence and determination serve him well as he leads an organization. And, he has a knack for identifying the right people who can do the right things at the right time." But such rich praise is not limited to Gavin. Local accountant Roger Jolley chairs the ICC board and said, "It's hard to speak about Walter in ordinary terms, because every position he's ever held, whether it was attorney, county attorney, state senator, Lt. Governor or president at Isothermal, he does a tremendous job. He goes above and beyond anybody's expectations of him." Dalton's career in politics led him to many opportunities to learn about education. He served on the senate's education committee, and chaired it for many years. As Lt. Governor, he visited more than 40 community colleges and saw great programs that he was later able to help start at ICC. He is particularly pleased with the Workforce Development center at the college. The building was named for Dalton during his last meeting with the trustees. During that meeting, Gov. Roy Cooper also presented Dalton with the Order Of The Longleaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor. "There is a lot of expensive equipment in the center that students can train on, including high school students, so we don't have to buy that same equipment for all the high schools in the county," Dalton said. He likes to talk about the early college program which has gained popularity in recent years and the fact that so much of the fi rst two years of a two-year degree can be gained at a community college at so much less cost. In addition to a brief time in banking and the other career paths he has followed, Dalton taught American Government and Southern Politics at Gardner Webb for a semester. He said he loved teaching, but had told the folks at GW he would take the ICC job if he had the opportunity. He said Southern Politics gave him a chance to tell one of his favorite funny stories. When Big Jim Folsom was elected governor of Alabama, he took a horse into the governor's mansion as part of his inauguration. A newspaper columnist wrote the next day, "It was the fi rst time in a long time that an entire horse had been in the governor's mansion." Both Daltons have worked long and hard for Rutherford County and North Carolina. You can't get that in a general store that sells everything. He Cares For People ICC Retirement Part Of Long, Good Service Retired ICC President Walter Dalton is shown here with, from left, Rita Dodson, her brother and promoter Ken McGinnis and Dr. Thad Harrill of the ICC staff. Dodson's artwork was recently donated to the college library. Faces From The Titanic was inspired by a costume party and showing of the Titanic movie at Rutherford Life Services. Dodson used the costumes and the enjoyment of the party to create the art work. (Photo by Mike Gavin) Retired ICC President Walter Dalton Article by Pat Jobe. BILL'S AUTO GLASS SHOP LOCALLY OWNED FOR 55 YEARS FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE ISSUE NO. 5 • February 4, ISSUE NO. 5 • February 4, 2021 • 2021 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408 Our 29 th Year IN GOD WE TRUST! IN GOD WE TRUST! ©Communi ty First Media Community First Media 719 S. Broadway, Forest City Right off Exit 182 from US74 SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND FACE MASK REQUIRED FACE MASK REQUIRED 828-229-3123 828-229-3123 MON.-FRI. 10-6; SAT. 10-4 MON.-FRI. 10-6; SAT. 10-4 DELTA 8 PRODUCTS DELTA 8 PRODUCTS VAPES VAPES SKATEBOARDS SKATEBOARDS DETOX SUPPLIES DETOX SUPPLIES IT'S IT'S FREE! FREE! Writing about Cecil Geer is like trying to sip water from a fi rehose. Geer's obituary makes it look like he was a telephone man and a deacon in the Baptist Church. That's like saying Abraham Lincoln was a failed businessman who occasionally practiced law. Cecil Geer lived his life so far out on the edge, his loving wife, Myra, had to sometimes pull him back. She'd say, "Cecil, you've got me and the boys. You've got to be a little safer." He loved motorcycles, friends and family, the Great God Up In Heaven and fun. That list is only a starter. Friend Mike Elliott said of him, "If God didn't have a sense of humor, he would never have made Cecil Geer." The stories go that he drove teachers crazy from an early age. One band director became so frustrated, he threw a drumstick at Geer. That's not the kind of drumstick that has chicken on it. He loved his sons, Jason and Justin, and loved to make chores into games. "He came home with two rakes and said, 'Boys, I've got a surprise for you. We're gonna have a contest. Each of you has a rake. This is your part of the yard and that over there is your part. Now, let's see who can rake the most leaves the fastest," Myra remembered. She and the boys stood for nearly fi ve hours as the line passed at Padgett and King Mortuary after his death on Halloween, 2016. Jason said, "I never dreamed I would spend fi ve hours laughing as people came to remember my dad." Myra said she heard so many stories she had never heard before about his tomfoolery and his kindness. "He wanted people to feel good about themselves. He was always encouraging people," Myra said. Jason also remembered a precious trip he and Justin took with their dad to Peru, "It was two weeks in which we did everything any of us wanted to do and talked about whatever we wanted to talk about. I think it lit the fi re in him for travel which he and Mom did a lot of after he retired." Lifelong friend David Wilkie said he was not a domineering type, not bossy. "When we were on a trip together on motorcycles, he would say to me, 'Now, you plan tomorrow's trip,' but I'd tell him that he knew the territory better than me. I didn't mind following, but he wanted to make sure I didn't feel bossed around." Wilkie's sister, Suzanne Bridges, remembers enjoying their friendship. "If I got to play with them, it was just great," she said of their shared childhood. They rode bikes, dug crawdads out of the creek, and played pickle. "We played a lot of pickle. You know how you get one guy running back and forth between two bases and the other two guys are throwing the ball back and forth trying to tag the runner," Wilkie said. That love of fun is hallmark Geer. Myra laughed to remember his racing Hootie the Owl, the mascot of the Forest City Owls in diving fl ippers. Wilkie said, "They weren't regular swimming fl ippers. They were big diving fl ippers about this long," and he held his hands about three feet apart. "I thought he was gonna die running in those things." Myra said he practiced in the driveway trying to run in those huge fl ippers. Geer served a number of years as booster club president for the Owls. Myra said the two of them attended many parties in years passed, but often told Geer, "They don't care if I come or not. You're the one they want at the party." Wilkie remembered that he left a party once for son Justin's birth, but came back later, once he knew baby and mama were okay. "Then he and Steve Gilbert did their Blues Brothers routine." That created more hilarity. In April 2016 multiple myeloma struck. The painful debilitating cancer put Geer and his family into a six-month tailspin. But they were never alone. A strong faith in God and the support of family and friends were vital. Max Champion, Jim Clement, and John Kozma provided rides to treatment, but Myra said, "I hope I don't leave anybody out." He would always take them Davis Donuts. "I urged him to fi ght it. I told him we have lots of sunrises and sunsets left to see," Myra said. Various treatments helped, but nothing helped enough. In the end this giant of kindness and fun lost the battle and moved on. "He belonged to God. I just had him on loan," Myra said. But if you have read this far, you have only touched the tip of the iceberg. "The ink wasn't dry on his drivers license when he asked to borrow his daddy's car," Wilkie remembered. "Me and him and Freddy McFarland went down to Low Bridge Road. It wasn't paved back then and he made it through the fi rst curve on that dirt road, but on the second curve he ran off the road. It didn't damage the car, but all that dust we had stirred up on that dirt road came right into that car. All three of us were out there with our t-shirts off wiping down the family car, getting rid of all that dust." Wilkie remembered two other car wrecks and two motorcycle wrecks that he and Geer shared. He joked, "If I'd a known I was gonna have to go through all that, I'd a never come around Cecil Geer." So not true. Continued on page 3. Continued on page 3. Article by Pat Jobe. We Miss The Fun Friends And Family Miss Geer's Tomfoolery Cecil Geer, 1951-2016 David Wilkie (left) and Geer were friends as far back as he can remember. On one canoe trip they fell into the Broad River after vowing, "No matter what, don't tip this thing over." Let us help you Let us help you GROW GROW your business your business BILL'S AUT UT UT U O O GL GL GL GLAS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS ASS S SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH S OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP BILL'S AUT UT UT U O GL GLAS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS AS ASS SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SH SHOP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP OP LOCALLY OWNED FOR 55 YEARS FRIENDLY SERVICE On one canoe trip they fell into the Broad atter what, don't tip this thing over." The area's The area's favorite weekly favorite weekly newspaper! newspaper! e k. (Photo by Mike Gavin) Over 25,000 Over 25,000 weekly readers! weekly readers!