Rutherford Weekly

Thursday, June 9-June 15, 2016 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 25 GENE A. SHIRES Gene A. Shires, age 74, of Mooresboro, passed away Monday, May 30, 2016 Born on Tuesday, March 31, 1942 in Rutherford County, he was a son to the late Warren Walter Shires & Virginia Aldridge Shires. He was a graduate or Cool Springs High School, class of 1959 & served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Gene worked for Duke Energy for 30 years before retirement & was a member of Goodes Creek Baptist Church. He enjoyed work- ing with electronics & fixing cars. Survivors include his wife of 30 years, Helen Louise Shires; daughter, Kimberly Tonya Silvers of Rutherfordton; 2 sons, Tony Melton & wife, Diane of Forest City & Terry Melton & wife, Tammy of Mooresboro; 2 brothers, Jerry Wayne Shires & wife, Joyce of Danieltown & Alfred Dean Shires & wife, Christy of Sandy Mush. He is also sur- vived by 8 grandchildren & 7 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted at the Harrelson Funeral Chapel with Reverend Chad Hayes offi- ciating. Interment followed in Eternal Hills Memorial Park with military honors being rendered by the Rutherford County Honor Guard. 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. ZEKE BLANTON Zeke Blanton, age 27, of Forest City, passed away May 29, 2016. He was born in Cleveland County August 26, 1988 & was a graduate of East Rutherford High, class of 2007. He graduated with honors & was 5th in his class. Among his many accomplishments during his years at East Rutherford, were playing on 2 State Baseball Championships in 2004 & 2007. Zeke was named MVP of the 2A State Championship & in the same year of 2007 earned an Honorable Mention for Louisville Slugger Prep All-American. In 2006, he was honored as a Wendy's Heisman Trophy candidate. Zeke finished his high school baseball as career leader in hits. He later was inducted into the East Rutherford Sports Hall of Fame. Zeke played baseball for the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill & Gardner- Webb University. He received his undergraduate degree from Gardner-Webb & after graduation; continued studies in pursuit of an engineering degree. Proceeding in death are Zeke's grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Lovelace & Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Blanton. Surviving are his parents, Dr. Sam & Mrs. Wanda Lovelace Blanton of Forest City; broth- er, Dr. Nathan Blanton of Las Vegas, Nevada; sister, Mrs. Greta Walker & husband, Chuck, of Rutherfordton & 1 nephew, South Walker of Rutherfordton. A funeral service was conduct- ed at the Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. Jesse Keaton conducting the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are suggested to the East Rutherford High Baseball Equipment Fund, Attn: Betty Smith, PO Box 668, Forest City, NC 28043 or Pleasant Grove UMC, 250 Hudlow Rd, Forest City, NC 28043. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. JAMES EDMOND RASH James Edmond Rash, age 82, of Bostic, passed away Wednesday, June 1, 2016. Born on November 25, 1933 in Rutherford County, he was a son to the late Joseph Smith Rash and Louise Greene Rash. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Pete Rash. He was a United States Navy Korean Conflict veteran and retired from Duke Power as a job planner. Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Shirley Rash; three sons, Gary Rash and wife Jennifer, Barry Rash and wife Angela, Joseph Rash and wife Jill; twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. A graveside service was conducted at the Alexander Mills Cemetery with Reverend Gary Rash and Reverend Barry Rash offi- ciating and Military Honors provided by Rutherford County Honor Guard. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. REBECCA ANN OWENS Rebecca Ann Owens age 4 of Union Mills, NC passed away on Thursday June 2nd 2016. Cherishing her memory are her parents Christopher Lee Owens, and Laura Ann Hilton; grandparents Judy and Clifford Owens; grand- parents Carl Reid and the late Jane Reid; grandmother Kathy Ward; uncle Joey Reid; and nurse Tonja Pratt. Services were held at Crowe's Mortuary, with Rev. Crawford officiating. Burial followed at Oak Springs Cemetery. Croweʼs Mortuary & Crematory is assist- ing the family. DORSIE "DOT" KENNEDY WHEELER Dorsie "Dot" Kennedy Wheeler, age 103, of Henrietta, went home to be with her Heavenly Father June 3, 2016. Born September 12, 1912 in Rutherford County, she was a daughter to the late Fred Kennedy & Rose Ann Buice Kennedy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Tommy Wheeler; daughter, Rita Marlene Wheeler; & son- in-law, Cecil Clark. Mrs. Wheeler was the oldest living member of First Baptist Church of Henrietta. She retired from Burlington Industries after 40 years of service & enjoyed cooking, gardening & shopping. Survivors include her 4 children, Clark Wheeler & wife Mavis of Henrietta, Ramona Ross of Forest City, Judy Clark of Forest City, Tommy Wheeler & wife Beth of Forest City. She is also survived by 8 grandchil- dren, 13 great-grandchildren & 3 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services were con- ducted at the First Baptist Church of Henrietta with Reverend Pete Bridges, Reverend John Godfrey & Reverend Mike Cash offici- ating. Interment followed in High Shoal Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to First Baptist Church of Henrietta, PO Box 265, Henrietta, NC 28076 or Hospice of Rutherford County, 374 Hudlow Rd, Forest City, NC 28043. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. SARA LOU BARNES SPENCE Mrs. Sara Lou Barnes Spence, 67, of Forest City passed away June 5, 2016. She was born August 19, 1948 in Rutherford County, the wife of the late Henry Clay Spence & the daughter of the late James Edward Barnes & Hazel Harris Barnes. She was a member of Cliffside Baptist Church, a graduate of Chase High School & was a former Real Estate Agent with Washburn Reality. She enjoyed gardening, shopping, cooking & listen- ing to Country Music. She put everyone else's needs before her own & made sure everyone was "clothed & fed". Survivors include her son, Josh Conley Spence of Carolina Beach; a daugh- ter, Leah Courtney Spence of Forest City; 2 sisters, Sandra Robbins of Forest City & Susie Overwyk & husband, Jim of Suwanee, GA; 1 grandson, & her best friend, Patsy Deaver. She is preceded in death by her husband & her parents. A g r a v e s i d e Celebration of Life service was held in Rutherford County Memorial Cemetery by Pastor Ron Wilkins. M e m o r i a l Contributions may be directed to the Hospice of Rutherford County, P.O. Box 336, Forest City, NC 28043. Eggers Funeral Home of Cliffside is assist- ing the Spence Family. DENNIS RAY LYNN Dennis Ray Lynn, age 62, of Bostic, passed away June 2, 2016. Born March 16, 1954 in Cleveland County, he was the son of the late Mott Dixon Lynn & Coda Ellen Greene Lynn. Survivors include 2sons, Jeff Lynn & wife April, DJ Lynn; 1 sister, Cathy Webb & husband Ken; 1 brother, David Lynn & wife Andrea & 2 grandchildren. A funeral service was con- ducted at Liberty Baptist Church with Dr. Mack Tester officiating. Interment followed the service in the church cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Harrelson Funeral Home, PO Box 335, Caroleen, NC 28019 Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family. LLOYD K. RUPPE Lloyd K. Ruppe, age 69, of Rutherfordton, passed away May 31, 2016. Born on January 5, 1947 in Ruston, Louisiana, he was a son to the late Donnie Clifton Ruppe & Charlene Dora Stewart Ruppe. He was a graduate of Chase High School, class of 1968. He was a member of Cliffside Baptist Church & also attended the Church of the Exceptional. He enjoyed collecting baseball caps. Survivors include 1 brother, Donnie S. Ruppe & wife, Mona of Cliffside; 3 sisters, Leuna Faye Kimsey & husband, Mike & Mildred Lee all of Cowpens, SC & Pamela Williams & husband, Ricky of Gainesville, Florida. Funeral services were con- ducted at the Cliffside Baptist Church with Reverend Allen Hall officiating. Interment followed in Cliffside Cemetery. Memorial donations are suggested to the Church of the Exceptional, PO Box 22, Caroleen, NC 28019. Harrelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been entrusted with arrangements. PATRICK NOLAN EDWARDS Patrick Nolan Edwards, age 43, husband of Maria Cash Edwards of Forest City, passed away une 03, 2016. Patrick was a native of Rockingham County & the son of Alfred Oneal Edwards Sr. & Betty Brim Edwards. In addition to his wife & parents Patrick leave daughters Jada & Arianna Edwards; brothers Dewey (Rebecca) Edwards & Eric (Kelli) Edwards; sisters Trina (Marcus) Anderson & Latoya Gilmore; & sister in law Yolanda Edwards to cherish his memory. Patrick was preceded in death by a brother Alfred Oneal Edwards Jr. A celebration of the life of Patrick Nolan Edwards was held at Four Square Church "Grace Chapel" in Forest City. Croweʼs Mortuary & Crematory is assist- ing 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 ©Community First Media Community First Media This last week, I had the privilege to attend a wedding of a wonderful young couple. It was a joyous time for both families and a blessing to see two well-deserving people starting their life together. During the ceremony the details of how they met were shared and how that embryonic relationship has grown from that day forward. It was also a reminder to all about the journey of life and the people who join us along the way. It is amazing how some people come into our lives and suddenly something just clicks. Two total strangers can meet and within the space of several months they are planning a life together. A wise person once said that love is a choice. We choose who we give our hearts to and when cultivated with the right actions the love we share will grow into a meaningful relationship. As we all know, life is not short of disappointments and troubled times. Those are the times that our love is tested. Real love endures the hardships and the offences of life. It is willing to think the best and to forgive when the worst is revealed. When our life comes to an end, one of the joys will be the memories of those we have shared our love and life with. The famous writer, Franklin P. Jones, explained it this way, "Love doesn't make the world go 'round. Love is what makes the ride worthwhile." LANNY FUNCHESS -FUNERAL DIRECTOR- Points To Ponder A LIFE OF LOVE "Quality Service with Compassionate Care" Harrelson Funeral & Cremation Services 1251 U.S. Hwy 221-A, Forest City, NC 828-657-6383 www.harrelsonfuneralhome.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.

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