Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, November 19-November 24, 2015 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 21 DOROTHY M. MATHIS Dorothy M. Mathis, age 85, of Ellenboro, passed away Wednesday, November 11, 2015. Born August 23, 1930 in Rutherford County, she was the daughter of the late Dennis McKinney & Annie Beam McKinney. She was a graduate of Ellenboro High School & a member of Bethel Baptist Church. Dorothy worked for Stonecutter Mills for many years & was a tutor for the Rutherford County Public Schools years. She also worked for the Kemet Corporation. Dorothy loved listening to gospel music. In addition to her par- ents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Max Mathis. Survivors include 1 son, Wayne Mathis & fiancé, Cristie Carson; 2 grandchil- dren, & 1 great-grandson. Funeral services were conducted at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Ad Hopper offi- ciating. Interment followed in Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the Autism Society of America, 4340 East West Hwy Suite 350, Bethesda, MD 20814 Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrange- ments. PAULETTE GREENE Paulette Greene, age 66, of Caroleen, passed away Friday, November 13, 2015. Born September 15, 1949 in Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late Fred Conner & Mildred Smith Conner. She was a graduate of Chase High School, class of 1967 & worked for National Textiles for 15 years. Paulette was a faithful member of Harriett Memorial Free Will Baptist Church. Survivors include one son, Steven Greene of Spartanburg; daughter, Cherie Hodge of Caroleen; sister, Barbara Upton & hus- band, Jerry of Caroleen. She is also survived by 2 grand- sons. A memorial service was conducted at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Billy Poe Jones & Reverend Ted Reynolds officiating. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Liver Foundation, 39 Broadway, Suite 2700, New York, NY 10006 Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrange- ments. VERA MARIE RUFF SMITH Vera Marie Ruff Smith, 86, of Forest City, went to be with the Lord, November 13, 2015. She was the daughter of the late George & Parilee Ruff of Mill Springs. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, James Earl Smith & brothers Eugene Yank Ruff & Billy Hugh Ruff of Mill Springs. Marie was a nurse for 54 years, 38 being at Rutherford Hospital. She was a member of Bethany Baptist Church & the Adult Ladies Class 1 for many years. Marie was a won- derful wife, mother & grand- mother & always put God & her family first. She was an avid sports fan in particular the Braves, NASCAR &any team her children were play- ing for or coaching. Marie is survived by her 3 children & their fam- ilies; David J. Smith, wife Rosemary & daughter Lauren S. Stephenson, of Forest City; Robert (Bobby) M. Smith, wife Mailee & daughter Savanah, of Forest City; & Karen S. Glover, husband Chris & daughters, Katie, Meredith, & Brynna of Forest City. She is also survived by many nieces & nephews. Funeral Services were held at Bethany Baptist Church with Rev. Chris Fox & Rev. Marvin Green offici- ating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memori- als may be made to Bethany Baptist Church (local mis- sions), 760 Bethany Ch Rd, Forest City, NC 28043, or the RHI Legacy Foundation, P.O. Box 352, Rutherfordton, NC 28139. The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. CHRISTINE FERGUSON DOWNEY Christine Ferguson Downey age 85 of Rutherfordton went home to be with The Lord on Saturday November 14, 2015. A native of Rutherford County she was a retired secretary for Broyhill Furniture & a member of Second Baptist Church – Rutherfordton. Christine was preced- ed in death by her parents Oral James Ferguson & Ethel Scoggins Ferguson as well as one brother James C. Ferguson. She leaves behind to cherish her memory one son David Downey & wife Jane of Forest City; two daughters – Janice Morrow &r husband Tommy of Rutherfordton & Judy Downey Martin of Rutherfordton; 5 grandchil- dren; 9 great grandchildren & a number of other family members and friends. Funeral services were held in the Family Life Center at Second Baptist Church, Rutherfordton with Dr. Keith Stephenson & Rev. Leon Brown officiating. Concluding services were held at Round Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Union Mills, NC. In lieu of flowers memori- als may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County P.O. Box 336 Forest City, NC 28043. Crowe's Mortuary is assisting the family. CHARLES ROBERT CASH Charles Robert Cash, age 49, of Forest City, passed away Friday, November 13, 2015. A native of Gainsville, FL, he is the son of Hazel Campbell Thomas of Rutherfordton. He formerly worked for Beam Chevrolet, Forest City & was also a cook at the Shake Shop, Spindale. He was also an avid fisherman. In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife Sarah Trotter Cash of the home; a son, Bobby Dean Johnson of Forest City; a daughter, Ashley Nicole Powell of the home; a broth- er, Alan Cash of Union Mills; a sister, Angela Buff of Ellenboro; & 2 grandchil- dren. The family held a pri- vate memorial service at the home. The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. EDITH ANN (COLE) RUPPE Edith Cole Ruppe, 83, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2015. Born in 1932 in Rutherford County, she is the daughter of the late Clara Crabtree Cole & William Gwen Cole & was a graduate of R.S. Central High School. Edith was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of Florence Baptist Church & sang in the choir for many years. Throughout her life, Edith worked as a phone operator, homemaker, seamstress, & Rutherford Hospital nurse's aide. She was known for her creative craft & sewing proj- ects, which she shared with friends & family. In addition, she enjoyed organizing fami- ly reunions & preserving fam- ily photos and history. In 1992-93, she was named as "Lioness of the Year" for her community work with the local Lions organiza- tion. Edith spent many good times with her family camping throughout North Carolina & enjoying nature at Bull Frog "Holler," a family retreat. She is survived by her husband, Jason Virgil Ruppe; 3 daughters, Sandra Ruppe, Lydia Ruppe Foster & son- in-law Jerry Foster, & Myra Ruppe Schwartz; 2 grandchil- dren, brothers, Roger & Larry Cole; other beloved extended family; & Jack the dog. The funeral service was held in the Florence Baptist Church with Reverend Dr. Bobby Gantt officiat- ing. Interment followed in the Shiloh Baptist Church Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, dona- tions may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County, Post Office Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. AMMIE LOU HOGAN STEPHENS Ammie Lou Hogan Stephens, 86, of Forest City passed away on November 14, 2015. She was born on September 11, 1929 to Ruhama Harvey Hogan & Walter Hull Hogan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Perry Stephens, an infant daugh- ter, Lana Jean Stephens, brothers Roy Hogan, Gene Hogan, "Shorty" Hogan, Reid Hogan, David Hogan, & "Whimp" Hogan, & sisters Flora McGuire, Elizabeth Hames & Lennie Blackwell. She graduated from Harris High School where she was an outstanding guard on the women's basketball team & met husband, Jack, also a high school basketball star, when Harris played Cliffside. After graduation she attend- ed Gardner Webb college briefly & worked the Forest City Bakery & at Laurel Mills until Jack returned from Navy service in the Philippines. They married in 1949 & lived in Spindale where they were active at First Baptist Church & Spencer Baptist Church. She moved to Macie Lane in Forest City in 1968. She worked as a cloth inspec- tor at Stonecutter Mills for over 20 years, retiring in 1986 when she became "Nanny" to her first grandchild. Her last 2 years were spent with old friends at Carolina House Assisted Living. Ammie Lou was a tal- ented seamstress. She used her talents to make doll clothes each Christmas for the Yokefellow Center's Christmas Cheer program. She delivered Meals on Wheels & was an active member of First Baptist Church of Forest City, where she founded the First Baptist Fine Arts Series in memory of her husband Jack. She is survived by her children, daughter Janet Stephens Forrest & her spouse Danette Canup, of Winston-Salem & son, Perry Dean Stephens & wife Tammy, of Forest City; 3 grandsons, 1 granddaugh- ter, 1 great granddaughter; her sister, Fannie Wilson of Bostic, & a host of niec- es, nephews, & sisters- and brothers-in-law. The family would like to express their gratitude to Sara Jolley, Ammie's dear- est friend & to Jackie & Don Camp, Kristi Jones, Karol & Glen Wilson, Nancy Melton, Johnnie & Glenda McGuire, & Shirley Bradley for adopt- ing Ammie as their "extra" mom. The Funeral was held at First Baptist Church of Forest City with Reverend J. Anthony Spencer & Reverend Dr. Garin Hill offi- ciating. Interment followed in the Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery. Memorials may be made to The Fine Arts Series of First Baptist Church, 211 West Main Street, Forest City, NC 28043. The Padgett and King Mortuary is in charge of arrangements. DENNIS HOLT Dennis Holt of Rutherfordton, husband of Sarah Higgins Holt, passed away Thursday November 12, 2015. Dennis was a native of Boone, a retired bus driver for Rutherford County Schools & was preceded in death by his mother Evelyn Heflin. In addition to his wife Sarah he leaves to cher- ish his memory his children Hunter Holt of Rutherfordton, Heather Martin of Midlothiann, Va., Shawn Smith of Pennsylvania & Chance Bowers; father Charles V. Holt of Virginia; Brothers Michael Joe Holt of Leicester; Michael Rodney Heflin of Lincolnton, Spencer Holt of Suffolk, Va.; sisters Debbie LaFontaine of Asheville & Mary Jo Henderson of Dallas, Tx., 5 grandchildren & 2 great grandchildren along with a number of nieces & nephews & other family members. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County. Private services are being held at a later date. Crowe's Mortuary is serv- ing the family. BARBARA JEAN WATTS Barbara Jean Watts, age 82, of Rutherfordton, passed away Monday, November 2, 2015. Born November 22, 1932 in Rutherford County, she was a daughter of the late William Lee Mitchum & Eva Mae Smith Mitchum. She was a homemaker & a past member of Southern Baptist Church. Jean was an avid reader. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Ray Godfrey & second hus- band, Gilmer E. Watts; 1 son, Charles Timothy Godfrey; grandson, Eric Lee Crowley & great-grandson, Alexis McCullough. Survivors include her daughter, Lujuanna Pagan of Wendell; son, Phillip Wesley Godfrey of Rutherfordton; 2 sisters, Mary York of Rutherfordton & Daphene Bishop of Belmont. She is also survived by 3 grand- children, Sandra Ramseurs, Alicia Anderson, Misty Helms, 7 great-grandchildren & 4 great-great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted at a later date. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrange- ments. 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