Rutherford Weekly

Page 20 - Rutherford Weekly 828-248-1408 www.rutherfordweekly.com Thursday, August 11-August 17, 2016 ELMER G. LEWIS Elmer G. Lewis, age 89, of Spindale, passed away on Friday, August 5, 2016. Born on October 4, 1926 in Harlan County, Kentucky, he was a son to the late Elijah Lewis & Arwillie Creech Lewis. Elmer was a WWII United States Army veteran, & was a part of the first occupational forces in Germany. He retired from Waste Water Management in Detroit, Michigan after 35 years of service. Mr. Lewis was an alumni mem- ber of Warren Wilson in Swannanoa, & a Lifetime Masonic Lodge Member, Bledsoe, Kentucky in Pine Mountain. He enjoyed wood- working, pheasant hunting & duck hunting. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 4 brothers, Herb Lewis, Owen Lewis, Omer Lewis, Darwin Lewis; & 1 sister, Eva Warfield. Survivors include his2 daughters, Debra Dale of Spindale, Karen Keck & husband Michael of Rutherfordton; 1 sister, Una Warfield of Gordon, Kentucky; 1 brother, Arnold Lewis & wife Faye of Kingsport, Tennessee; 4 grandchildren; 5 great-grand- children & a number of niec- es & nephews. A memorial service was conducted at Pleasant View Community Church with Rev. Danny McCain offici- ating. Memorial donations are suggested to Hospice of Rutherford County, PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. AVIS SANDERS HINES BRADLEY Avis Sanders Hines Bradley, age 90, of Mooresboro, passed away Friday, August 5, 2016. Born on November 12, 1925 in Rutherford County, she was a daughter to the late John Rufus Littleberry Hines & Murrie Sanders Hines. Avis was a graduate of Harris High School at the age of 15 graduated from Central Wesleyan Methodist College in 1943 with an Associates degree. She was a member of Hicks Grove Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Talmadge Bradley; a son & his wife, Clark and Sharon Bradley; infant brother, Littleberry Hines; & brother, Marshall Hines. Survivors include her children, Rev. Robert Bradley & wife Shirley, Rev. Bruce Bradley & wife Marilyn, John Bradley & wife Brenda, & Sharon Bradley & husband Chester. She is also survived by 20 grand- children, 47 great-grandchil- dren, 6 great-great grand- children & 4 great-great grandchildren on the way. Funeral services were conducted at the Hicks Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Raymond Byrd, Rev. Jerry Hames & Dr. Don McIntyre officiating. Interment fol- lowed in Hicks Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. GARY PHILLIPS Gary Phillips, age 69, of Six Points, passed away on Tuesday, August 2, 2016. Born December 12, 1946 in Rutherford County, he was a son to the late Thomas Paul Phillips & Myrtle Goode Phillips. Gary was a graduate of Crest High School, class of 1965, Appalachian State, class of 1970 & Converse College, class of 1976. Mr. Phillips was a dedicated teacher & coach for the Rutherford County Public Schools for 30 years before his retirement, teaching at Tri-Community School for 10 years & Chase High School for 20 years. Gary was also a faithful member of Race Path Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday School Teacher, moderator, & on the cemetery & the budget & finance committees. He enjoyed playing softball, basketball, & coaching Upward Basketball. Gary especially loved spending time with his grandson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Douglas Phillips & Jeff Phillips & grandparents, Clarence & Nora Goode. Survivors include his loving wife of 50 years, Mary McDaniel Phillips; daughter, Sandy Clatanoff & hus- band, Weston of Mooresboro; 1 grandson, 1 brother, Steve Phillips & sister, Peggy Branch & husband, Jr. all of Mooresboro; sister-in-law, Barbara Phillips also of Mooresboro & a number of nieces & nephews. Funeral services were con- ducted at Race Path Baptist Church with Rev. Randall Cooper & Rev. John Godfrey officiating. Interment followed in the church cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to Race Path Baptist Church Playground Fund, 1171 Race Path Ch Rd, Ellenboro, NC 28040. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. MARY SIMS MCABEE Eva Maryleigh Sims McAbee of Rutherfordton went to be with her lord and savior on Friday August 5, 2016. Mary was a native of Rutherford County, the daughter of the late John and Janie Francis Camp Sims, retired from Rutherford Hospital and White Oak Manor as food services director and a member of Bear Creek Bible Church. Left to cherish her memory is her loving husband Rick McAbee of the home; children Wanda (Barry) Helton of Bostic, Sandi Morgan of Rutherfordton, Micki McSwain of Rutherfordton, Sherry Bailey of Sandy Mush, Tabitha (Daniel) Edwards of Ellenboro and Brandon Ross of Sandy Mush; brother Floyd Sims of Old Fort and sister Faye Owens of Forest City; 14 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and a num- ber of nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate the life of Mary McAbee was conducted at Crowe's Funeral Chapel with Jimmy Cook officiating. Memorials may be made to the Rutherford County Schools Back Pack Program. Croweʼs Mortuary is assisting the family. DONALD LEON LYLE Donald Leon Lyle age 90 passed away Monday August 1, 2016. A native of Spalding County Georgia, he received his engineering degree from Georgia Tech and was a for- mer employee of Stonecutter Mills. Donald is survived by his wife of 41 years Betty Leonard Lyle, son Mark Lyle and wife Bonnie of Swanzey, NH; daughter Kim Trammell and husband Kermit of Newland, NC; stepson Mike Simpson and wife Met of Shallotte, NC; step son Kenny Simpson of the home; step daughter Cathy Henson and husband Rick of Morganton, NC; eight grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren and a num- ber of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents Ray and Belle Lyle and two brothers Charles and David Lyle. Don requested that his body be donated to science to aid in the advancement of medical research and no for- mal funeral services will be held. Memorials may be made to Rutherford County Hospice P.O. Box 336 Forest City NC 28043. Croweʼs Mortuary is assisting the family. JOSEPH COWAN Joseph W. Cowan, age 69 of Durham, NC passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2016. Joe was born and raised in Rutherford County, NC. Joe was a retired Registered Nurse who spent most of his career in pharmaceutical research in Research Triangle Park. Throughout his life Joe trav- eled extensively. In retire- ment he enjoyed reading, listening to his music, going to the gym, reading, watch- ing college and profession- al basketball and reading. Clearly, he was a voracious reader with a great sense of humor. Joe is survived by his sister, Susan Cowan of Charleston, SC, his niece, Susie Wittschen of Charleston, SC and nephews Mark Wittschen (Knoxville, TN) and David Buhite (Anchorage, AK) and preceded in death by his sister Libby Buhite. A celebration of his life was held at Crowe's Mortuary. Croweʼs Mortuary is assisting the family. JOAN STACEY Joan Cooksey Stacey, 75, of Rutherfordton, passed away Saturday, July 30, 2016. A native of Spartanburg County, she was the daugh- ter of the late Curtis and Sara Messer Cooksey. She was a retired seamstress for the Tanner Companies. Left to cherish her memory is her husband, Dean R. Stacey of the home; step-daughter, Rhonda Lynch of Rutherfordton; six grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren; and sis- ters Ann Foster and Barbara Painter of Spartanburg. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by daughter Teri Seay and step-son Perry Stacey. Graveside ser- vices were held at Sunset Memorial Park, 1955 Cannons Campground Road, Spartanburg, SC with Rev. Jerry Ruppe officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Rutherford County PO Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Croweʼs Mortuary is assisting the family. Rutherford Weekly offers the printing of obituaries in our paper as a community service and free of charge. The obituary may include a picture if the image is of print quality. We request that the obituary is limited to 150 words and we will edit the obituaries due to space. The obituary will include preceded family members, surviving family members, funeral service information, memorials, and the name of the funeral home serving the family. The obituaries will not include names of grandchildren, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, or pets. We only accept obituaries from licensed funeral homes. Please have your funeral home send us your loved ones' obituaries to events@rutherfordweekly.com R IVERHIL L MONUMENT CO. riverhillmonuments.com riverhillmonuments.com © Community First Media Community First Media 1113 Polkville Rd. • Shelby, NC • 704-481-1198 Family Owned & Operated Since 1957 At Riverhill Monument Company, you deal directly with the monument builder, with no middle man mark up, and we never sell monuments over the internet. We proudly sell and install monuments in Rutherford County. ©Community First Media Community First Media In our world there are many things that can't be explained. Scientists can theorize, philosophers can reason and theologians can exegete, but there are some questions in life which can't be answered. The universal question of pain and tragedy is a mystery that has baffl ed mankind for ages. Why do some people suffer more than others? Why do tragedies happen to some but not to others? When unanswered questions arise, the only reasonable response is to have faith. Without faith we are left to ourselves and to a world of disorder and randomness. The belief in a sovereign, and all-knowing Creator God is that which will bring meaning to each of our lives. Having faith in God does not exempt us from trouble or tragedy, but it does allow us to gain comfort in knowing that He is in control. If we choose to have a trusting relationship with God, then we will ultimately acknowledge that His purposes and plans are higher than our fi nite reasoning. It is our faith in God, which unlocks His grace. His grace is that which will give us peace in the midst of the storms of life. There may be times which we cannot understand the hand of God, but by faith we can always trust His heart. LANNY FUNCHESS -FUNERAL DIRECTOR- Points To Ponder FAITH "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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