Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1511985
Wednesday, November 22-November 29, 2023 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 19 James Neil Tipton James Neil Tipton, age 61, of Forest City, passed away Monday, November 13, 2023. James was born July 12, 1962 in Rutherford County to Reba Mae Lail Poteat who resides in Rutherfordton and the late Charles Tipton. He worked most of his life in Plastic Manufacturing plants. In his younger years, he attend- ed Goodes Grove Baptist Church. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his stepfather, David Poteat; brothers, Eddie and Robbie Tipton and an infant sister, Kathy Diane Tipton. Besides his mother, those left to treasure his memory include his wife of 33 years, Amy Tipton; son, Tyler Tipton of Forest City; brothers, Wayne Tipton (Patricia) of Bostic, Scott Tipton of Rutherfordton, Jimmy Tipton (Teresa) of Forest City and a number of nieces and nephews. A memorial service was held November 16 at Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Mr. Mark Ingle providing the eulogy. Memorial donations are requested to American Cancer Society, www.can- cer.org An online guest registry is available at www.harrel- sonfuneralhome.com Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. Johnny McCraw John Michael "Johnny" McCraw, 66, of Spindale, passed away Monday, November 13, 2023. A native of Rutherford County, he was the son of Naomi Hamrick McCraw and the late John R. McCraw. Johnny worked in the automobile industry and was a member of First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton. In addition to his mother, left to cherish his memories are his wife, Joy Monteith McCraw, daughter Katelyn Swinkey (Derek); sons, Bryan (Emily) and Clay McCraw; two grandchil- dren, brother Greg McCraw (Kathy). A family directed memorial service was held November 18 at First United Methodist Church Rutherfordton with Rev. Tonya Hill and Rev. Bruce Caldwell officiating. Miles F. Gunnin, Sr. Miles F. Gunnin, Sr., age 71, of Forest City, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023. Miles was born October 29, 1952, in Cherokee County to the late Virginia Lucille Gunnin. He was of the Baptist Faith. Miles was an electrician for Schneider Mills and a lineman for Pike Electric. He was a member of the Forest City Masonic Lodge #381 and a 32nd Degree Mason. In addition to his moth- er, he was preceded in death by brothers, Ronnie Gunnin, Mike Gunnin, Charles P. Spencer, and sister, Janice Cook. Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 39 years, Margo M. Gunnin; sons, Miles Franklin "Bo" Gunnin, Jr., Robert Clayton (Melissa); daughter, Brandi Clayton Willis (Scott); broth- ers, Bobby Gunnin (Brenda), Bruce Spencer (Cindy); eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren. The funeral service with Masonic Rites will be con- ducted at 5pm Wednesday, November 22 at Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Rev. Brian Melton officiating. Mr. David Cochran and Mr. Dewey Webb will be pro- viding the Eulogy. Masonic Rites will be accorded by Masonic Lodge #381. The family will receive friends one hour prior to service time at the funeral home. Memorial donations requested to be made to the Shriners Children's Hospital, 950 W. Faris Rd., Greenville, SC 29605 An online guest registry is available at www.harrel- sonfuneralhome.com Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. Linda Woody Sears Linda Woody Sears, 73, passed away Saturday, November 18, 2023. A celebration of Linda's life will be held Saturday, November 25, 2023. The family will receive friends at 1pm at Crowes Mortuary in Rutherfordton with a service in the chapel at 2pm, her nephew Rev. Mike Sears and longtime friends Rev. Jim and Judy Frost offici- ating. Burial will be held at Eternal Hills Cemetery immediately following the service. A native of Rutherford County, Linda was born to Rev. Frank and Elizabeth Hodge Woody on May 17, 1950. She was a graduate of R-S Central High School. She was a self-taught pia- nist serving in church and with a gospel quartet. She later worked many years at Reeves Brothers. Her most beloved years were spent teaching third grade at Forrest Hunt Elementary. She relocated to Greenville to be closer to family and used her smile to greet patients at her daughter's dental office. She worked as Patient Care Coordinator until her retire- ment in 2020. In addition to her par- ents, Linda was preceded in death by her sister, Pat McCurry and infant son Franklin Ray Sears. She is survived by her daughter, Angie Sears Rhodes and husband, Bob; son, Casey Sears and wife, Sarah; six grandchildren, sisters Margaret Henson and Shelia Higgins of Rutherfordton, and many nieces and nephews. Per Linda's request, any donations in her mem- ory can be made to March of Dimes. Robert Louis Jeffords, Sr. Robert Louis Jeffords, Sr, age 89, of Spindale, NC, went to be with his Lord Thursday, November 16, 2023. He was the son of the late Roy Jeffords and Emma Jeffords. RL was a native of Rutherford County. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy Elizabeth Jeffords and a son Tony Jeffords. He was also pre- ceded in death by nine sib- lings. Pastor RL was a mem- ber and former pastor of Trinity Holiness he had also pastored at Little White Country Church. He served as a missionary to Haiti and went on several mission trips in his life. His passion was ministry but worked many years in manufacturing to provide for his family and his ministry. RL was a Navy veteran of the Korean war. Survivors include two daughters Judy Ann Jeffords, Kimberly Lynn Jeffords, two sons Ronnie Jeffords (Deb), Robert Louis Jeffords, Jr. (Sandy), daughter-in-law Della Jeffords, eight grand- children, 12 great-grand- children and three great great-grandchildren. There will be no public services at this time. A guest register is avail- able at www.mcmahansfu- neralhome.com. Betty Champion Greene Betty Champion Greene, age 82 of Charlotte, NC died Thursday, November 16, 2023. Betty was born April 4, 1941, and was the daughter of the late Willie and S.E. Greene Champion. Growing up in Rutherford County, she was a member of Concord Baptist Church where she was baptized. She was a graduate of Cool Springs High School in Forest City and Kings College. Betty worked in payroll administration for the City of Charlotte. After many years of service to the city, she retired. Following retire- ment, she went to work for Bradshaw-Hayes Floring Contractors. She was a member of Newell Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Eugene Greene Survivors include her son, David E. Greene and wife Laurie of Concord, four grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and her cousins that she loved. The funeral was held November 20, in The Padgett and King Chapel with Rev. Don Helms offici- ating. An online guest reg- istry is available at www. padgettking.com Edith Brown Alley Edith Brown Alley, age 79, of Rutherfordton, went home to be with her Lord and Savior Friday, November 17, 2023. Edith was born July 13, 1944 in Rutherford County to the late Joe Elder Brown and Mary Arrowood Brown. She was a graduate of R-S Central High School and worked for Broyhill Manufacturing for 42 years before retirement. Edith was a member of Spindale Fellowship Holiness Church. In addition to her par- ents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Teresa Yvonne Alley; brothers, Doyle, Joseph and Rev. G.B. Brown; infant brother, Joe Charles Brown; sister, Violet Johnson and great-grand- daughter, McKinsey Nicole Lattimore. Those left to treasure her memory include her son, David Alley (Barbara) of Rutherfordton; brothers, Leon Brown (Joyce) of Alto, GA, Arnold Brown (Audrey) of Rutherfordton; sisters, Hattie Edwards (Charles) and Lena Hudgins all of Rutherfordton; two grand- children, three great-grand- children. The funeral was held November 18 at Spindale Fellowship Holiness Church with Rev. Leon Brown, Rev. Chad Sisk and Rev. Buddy Campbell officiating. An online guest registry is available at www.harrel- sonfuneralhome.com Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. John Hugh Ballinger, Jr., John Hugh Ballinger, Jr., age 79 passed away Wednesday, November 15, 202. John is the son of the late John Hugh Ballinger, Sr. and Helen Kerley Ballinger and was born in Buncombe County, NC. He was a vet- eran of The United States Army having served during the Vietnam War. He is survived by his wife, Beverly Cole Ballinger; one daughter, Jaime Lynch; one son, John Cory Ballinger and wife Laurie; two sisters, Jane Surrett, Sandra Herron and husband Harold; four grandchildren, three great grandchildren, and a num- ber of nieces, nephews, and other family members. Funeral services were held November 18 at Harris Baptist Church with Rev. George Whitmire officiating. Military Honors were provid- ed by the Rutherford County Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers memo- rials may be made to The Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org. Online condolenc- es may be made at www. crowemortuary.com. Sandra Wright Hollifield Sandra Wright Hollifield, 80, of Bostic, went home to the Lord on Thursday, November 16, 2023. She was born in Shelby, NC on January 2, 1943. She was the daughter of the late George Benjamin "Ben" Wright and Lillian Grigg Wright. She had one sister, Faye Wright Towery who preceded her in death. She is survived by three children and their spouses, Wade Hollifield and wife Susan, Mark Hollifield and wife Angie, Emily Peeler and husband Chris, six grand- children, and one great grandchild. She was most proud of the 44 years she spent as secretary at Sunshine Elementary School. A visitation will be held November 19 at Washburn & Dorsey Funeral Home. A private burial will be held at a later date. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Carolina Foothills, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Online condolences @ www.washburndorsey.com. Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries Obituaries