Rutherford Weekly

Page 20 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, May 29-June 4, 2014 GERALD "JERRY" DEAN BENFIELD G e r a l d "Jerry" Dean Benfield, age 91, of Forest City passed away Sunday, May 25, 2014. Born February 11, 1923 in Alexander County, he was the son of the late Worth and Ollie White Benfield. In addition to his par- ents he is preceded in death by 5 brothers and 2 sisters. J e r r y w o r k e d for 39 years with the Metropolitan Washington Transit Authority, formerly the DC Transit, he retired from the Subway System and had served on the original committee respon- sible for the start-up of the trains. He began his career at age 17, when he fudged his age to join the Army; he served with General Patton and noted that Patton's reputation of "Blood and Guts" fit him well. The strict regimen of the Army pre- pared him well for what was ahead as he battled at least three scrimmages in the front lines of World War II from 1942 to 1945. Serving as a Gunner, his combat tank would be hit and blown up by enemy fire; shrapnel remained in his left arm to this day from the attack. Suffering mili- tary career ending wounds, he was given an honorable discharge and received a Purple Heart in 1945. A few years later, while serv- ing as a limo driver for the Washington DC Transit, Jerry would have another special duty. In 1963, he drove the limo transport- ing the Kennedy kids to their fathers, JFK's, funer- al. He drove for John John, Caroline, their nurse, Mrs. Shaw, Mugzy, a Kennedy family friend and a Secret Service Agent. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, who he married May 15, 1959, Joan Rollins Benfield; son Gerald R. Benfield (Kathy) of Ft. Walton Beach, Fl.; daughter Deborah Gail McDermott and husband (Eugene) of Moravia, MD; brother Archie Benfield and wife Vivian of Downers Grove, IL; 3 grandchildren Yvonne Kessel & husband Ken, Sean Benfield & wife Sheri, & Heidi Manley & husband Thomas; 8 great-grandchil- dren & 2 great-great-grand- daughters; sisters-in-law Cathy Benfield, Mary Nell Benfield, Iris Benfield and Diane Rollins; & numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services were conducted at Harrelson Funeral Home Chapel with Reverends John Godfrey & Tom Brown offi- ciating. Interment followed at Rutherford County Cemetery with military honors by Rutherford Co. Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, memo- rial donations may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043, or High Shoal Baptist Church, PO Box 386, Henrietta, NC 28076. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. L Y D I A R O S E SHEHEE Lydia Rose Shehee went to be with the Lord on January 29 th , 2014, at 5 weeks old. She left behind her mother and father, Will and Etta (Byers) Shehee; brothers, Micaiah and Levi; sister, Joyceana; grandparents, Stuart and Cynthia Byers and Ed and Angie Shehee; Uncles and Aunts, Judson and Karina Byers and daughters, Nathan and Rachel (Byers) Weber, Caleb Byers, Chad and Joyelle Callahan and children, George (Ges) Shehee, and Mac Shehee. They are receiving friends and family from 4:30-6:30pm on Friday May 30 th at Crowes Mortuary and Chapel at 118 US Highway 74A, Rutherfordton, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorials be given in order to build a playground in Lydia's honor for the underprivileged children of Tororo, Uganda, where she passed away. Checks with a notation for "The Lydia Rose Playground" can be made out to and sent to Grace Bible Church, P.O. Box 1325 Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Crowe's Mortuary is serving the family. BROADUS LEE SPANGLER Broadus Lee S p a n g l e r , age 90, of S p i n d a l e passed away Monday, May 26, 2014. He was a native of Spartanburg County, SC, retired truck driver for Stonecutter Mill, WW II Veteran, member of Spencer Baptist Church and the son of the late Robert Neal and Nannie Horne Spangler. Surviving is his wife Mary Barnette Spangler of the home, a brother Herman Spangler of Forest City, a sister Shirley Page of Ft. Pierce, Fl. and one niece and 1 nephew. Memorial services will be conducted Saturday May 31 at 2PM at Crowe's Funeral Chapel with the Rev. John Perry officiat- ing. Military honors will be provided by the Rutherford County Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. Crowe's Mortuary is assisting the Spangler family. TERESA JANE MOORE Teresa Jane Moore, 60, of Rutherfordton, passed away on Saturday, May 24, 2014. She was born in Buncombe County to the late David McKinney & Arizona "Bonnie" Grant McKinney. Teresa was a loving wife, mother, grand- mother and sister. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Robert Moore, children Melissa Moore (Richard) of Mill Spring, Jennifer Spicer of Asheville, David Ramsey (Deborah) of Rutherfordton, step-chil- dren Patricia Mullis Tim) of Gastonia, Robert Moore, Jr. (Tami) of Lincolnton, Teresa Smith (Shane) of Shelby, Johnny Moore (Hannah) of Bessemer City, siblings; Sherrie Harris (Ralph) of Swannanoa & Steve McKinney of Asheville, 22 grandchil- dren, 13 great-grandchil- dren & a number of nieces & nephews. In addition to her parents she was pre- ceded in death by her sis- ter Linda Perkins. A memorial service will be at 1PM on Thursday, May 29 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Polk County, with Rev. Warren Elliot officiating. In lieu of flowers dona- tions may be made to the Teresa Moore memorial fund, 432 Polk County Line Rd, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. Crowe's Mortuary is serving the family. HUBERT ZEB HUDGINS H u b e r t Zeb Hudgins, age 85, of Rutherfordton, passed away Friday, May 23, 2014. Born October 29, 1928 in Rutherford County, he was the son of the late Zeb Hudgins and Lula Gibbs Hudgins. He retired from the table line at Broyhill Furniture & attend- ed Spindale Fellowship Holiness Church. In addition to his par- ents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Ruby Ilee Hudgins; two sisters, Lucy Hodge, Cleo Hudgins; brother, Ernest Hudgins; 2 grand- children, Angela Ray Hudgins, Michael Shane Ownbey; 1 great-great granddaughter, Breanna Elizabeth Hudgins. Survivors include his six daughters, Pam Cogdell of Rutherfordton, Susie Craig of Rutherfordton, Polly Edwards & husband Brian of Rutherfordton, Connie Harris & husband John of Rutherfordton, Bonnie Ledford & husband Rodney of Ellenboro, Patty Kelly & husband Glenn of Union Mills; 3 sons, Calvin Hudgins & wife Rita of Rutherfordton, Jack Hudgins & wife Debbie of Rutherfordton, Ray Hudgins & wife Geneva of Rutherfordton; 2 brothers, Wesley Hudgins & wife Lena Mae of Rutherfordton, Roger Hudgins & wife Pat of Rutherfordton; sis- ter, Betty Wilson & hus- band Morris of Forest City; 24 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; & 4 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at Spindale Fellowship Holiness Church with Reverend Roger Hudgins & Rev. Leon Brown officiating. Interment followed at Little White Country Church with Reverend Billy Cogdell and Reverend Wesley Hudgins officiating. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. JOHN BAGWELL John Roscoe Bagwell, 84, of Forest City, passed away on Monday, May 19, 2014. A native of Gaston County, he was born on October 04, 1929, a son of the late John and Bertha Jones Bagwell. He retired from Spindale Mills after 39 years of service and also served 11 years in the National Guard. He was of the Baptist faith, loved to fish, play softball with his children and grandchildren and do crafts. He is survived by his wife, Hazel Holtzclaw Bagwell; one son, Keith Bagwell of Forest City; two daughters, Nell Gragg and husband Robert of Forest City, and Sandra Drake and husband Rev. Belton Drake; his grandchildren, Rev. Michael Ruff, Nichole Gragg, Rodney Gragg, Josh Bagwell, Chelsey Cole, Amanda Drake and Clint Drake, and seven great grandchildren. A Celebration of Mr. Bagwell's Life was held a t Eternal Hills Memorial Park of Spindale with the Rev. Michael Ruff officiating. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. M c K i n n e y - L a n d r e t h & Carroll Funeral and Cremation Service is serv- ing the Bagwell family. GREGORY F. HILS Greg Hils, age 55, of Rutherfordton, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014. A native of Washington County, PA, he was the son of the late Ralph and Mary Coen Hils. Greg was retired from the McDowell County School System and a member of Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church. Left to cherish his mem- ory is his wife, Ruth Doster Hils of the home; son Isaac Hils of Waynesville, NC; brothers Gerry Hils of Asheville, NC and Rob Hils of San Antonio, TX; and a number of nieces and nephews. In addition to his par- ents, he was preceded in death by his brothers Ralph, Jeff, Denny and Randy Hils. Memorial services were held at Rutherfordton Presbyterian Church with Dr. Don Scofield officiating. In lieu of flowers, memo- rials may be made to the Community Pet Center, PO Box 623, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 or Rutherford Housing Partnership, 686 W. Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043. Crowe's Mortuary is serving the family. JOYCE SMITH GARLAND Joyce Smith Garland, 50, of Rutherfordton, passed away Tuesday, May 2014. A native of Rutherford County, she was the daughter of James and Jessie Parker Smith. Joyce was a security guard for Trelleborg. In addition to her par- ents, she is survived by her children, Ethan Garland and Mason Garland; sisters Janice Bradley and hus- band David and Johanna Campbell and husband Van; brothers Mike Smith and wife Debbie and Jeffrey Smith and wife Ella. Funeral services were held at Crowe's Mortuary with Rev. Tom Lynch offi- ciating. Burial followed in Bills Creek Baptist Church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Crowe's Mortuary is serving the family. ©Community First Media Community First Media There is no doubt that we are living in a time period with more "time saving" devices available than any other age in human history. Tasks that consumed hours before, can now can be done in just a fraction of the time. As a funeral apprentice in 1980, I remember typing an obituary and then driving across town to the newspaper to deliver it so that they could typeset it to run in the next day's newspaper. To include a picture with the obit was an impossibility. Today, with the help of email and the internet an obituary can be sent to a newspaper almost anywhere in the world within minutes of typing it on a word document and with the use of a scanner, pictures of the deceased are now an industry norm. Amazing! Even with all this technology at our fi ngertips, it seems as though the pace of life increases with every new invention. There is no doubt that most of us are guilty of just being too busy to actually enjoy life. Eight years ago, my family and I came to Rutherford County to have the blessing of serving our community at Harrelson Funeral Home. At that time, our two youngest children, Summer and Chad were three and fi ve years old, respectively. I am now living with an eleven and thirteen year old. They are growing up before my eyes, and are not the only ones growing older. I must admit, this writer is not exempt from the effects of time. As time quickly passes, we must make it priority to make the most of each opportunity to invest ourselves in the lives of others. A life lived at a fast pace will often lead us to much regret. We will never regret spending time with loved ones, especially when those loved ones are gone from our infl uence. Perhaps, we need to slow down and get away from the fast lane of our culture and build some lasting memories fi lled with purposeful love. I have never been to a funeral that people regretted spending time with the deceased before they passed. Let us not let the pace of life steal the real treasures of living. LANNY FUNCHESS -FUNERAL DIRECTOR- Points To Ponder THE PACE LIFE "Quality Service with Compassionate Care" Harrelson Funeral & Cremation Services 1251 U.S. Hwy 221-A, Forest City, NC 828-657-6383 www.harrelsonfuneralhome.com

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