Florence Chester Penley, 89, of the Brian Center Viewmont went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 6, 2007 following a period of declining health. She was born in Burke County, NC on June 2, 1917 and was a daughter of the late Lindsey L. Chester and Essie Mae Lingle Chester. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Laymon Penley; a son, Carl Vester Penley; daughters, Delores Penley and Mabel Brookshire; three brothers; and three sisters. Mrs. Penley was an avid gardener, enjoyed cooking; and loved her church, Antioch Baptist Church.

Surviving are sons, William Penley and his wife, Laura Ann, of Drexel and Lester Penley of Valdese; daughters, Irene Burns and her husband, Frank of Newton, Wilma Smith, and Wanda Wellman both of Morganton; brothers, Albert “Al” Chester, Howard Chester, Maynard Chester, and Ronald Chester; sisters, Faye Witcher, Sue Fruittcher, and Lucille Isaacs; 14 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 28, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Clarence Porrell officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 11:00 until 1:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Antioch Baptist Church, 2441 Antioch Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.

Billy L. Cline, 73, of N. Berkley Road, Goldsboro, NC, died Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Goldsboro. Born December 24, 1933, he was the son of the late Robert W. Cline and Cleo C. Whitner Cline. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by Marvin Cline, Nettie Dobson, Myrtle Gragg, James Cline, Eva Waters, Ruby Burgess, Beulah Huffman, and Robert Cline. Mr. Cline retired from the U.S. Air Force and was a member of the Civil Air Patrol.

Billy is survived by his wife, Evelyn B. Roche Cline of Morganton Long Term Care, Morganton, NC; sons, Ron Cline of Smithfield, NC and Robert Paul Cline of Goldsboro; a daughter, Sylvana Cline of Baton Rouge, LA; a brother, Howard Cline of Charlotte, NC; a sister, Betty Mathis of Morganton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2003 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service.

Ora Lea Rafferty, 89, of Roberts Lane, Morganton, NC died Wednesday, March 7, 2007 at her residence following a period of declining health. She was born December 31, 1917 in Burke County, NC, and was the daughter of the late Robert T. Williams and Elizabeth Franklin Williams. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, James L. Rafferty.

Ora Lea is survived by a sister, Ruby Ewing of Morganton; a son and daughter-in-law, Ted and Karine Rafferty of Gaithersburg, MD; a daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and George Contas of Morganton; step-children, Jim and Kim Rafferty and their family, Patricia Rafferty and her family; grandchildren, Simon Rafferty, Ian Rafferty, Laura Ford and husband, Terry, Carrie Seitz, and Jim Contas and his wife, Angela; great grandchildren, Dylan, Makenna, and Shelby Seitz, Kelli and Kendall Ford, and Jarret Contas.

A private family memorial service will be held Sunday, March 11, 2007 at Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Max Baker officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friendship Baptist Church, 408 Church St., Morganton, NC 28655.

Jack Hood, 77, of Lenoir Rd., Morganton, NC died Thursday, March 8, 2007 at Grace Ridge Health Care following a period of declining health. He was born May 3, 1929 in Augusta, GA, and was a son of the late Dr. John G. and Kathleen McElhenny Hood. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Phillip Hood. He served in the US Marine Corps during World War II, and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. Jack earned his undergraduate degree from Emory University and a Masters Degree in Business from Georgia State University. He then attended Woodrow Wilson Law School. Jack retired from Eastman Kodak Company in Atlanta after 36 years of service. He worked with the Parks and Recreation Dept. in Tucker, GA, and also worked with FEMA in Florida after Hurricane Andrew. Jack was a resident of Atlanta for 50 years. Following his move to Morganton, Jack was a tutor with the GED program at Western Piedmont Community College.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Floye Teague Hood of the home; a daughter, Kathy Lyday of Lenoir, NC; and granddaughters, Sarah Skye Lyday of Boone, NC, and Amalie Lauren Lyday of Wilmington, NC.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2007 in the Ervin Community Room of Grace Ridge with Rev. Beau Lyday, Rev. Bill Bowen, and Rev. Steve Shelton officiating. The family will receive friends in the community room one hour before the service. Burial will be held at the Western North Carolina State Veterans Cemetery on Monday, March 12, 2007 with military rites preformed by Buncombe County Veterans Council Memorial Team. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association, the Georgia Chapter, PO Box 49416, Atlanta, GA 30359 or to the Grace Ridge Scholarship Fund, 500 Lenoir Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Service is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Charles Gray Branch, 84, of Branch Dr., Valdese, NC died Friday, March 09, 2007, at his residence following a period of declining health. He was born in Burke Co., NC on July 15, 1922 and was a son of the late Albert Augusts Branch and Catherine Edna Clark Branch. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Clontz Branch; a son, Howard Branch; a daughter, Rebecca Branch; brothers, Vernon R. “Buck” Branch, Ralph J. Branch, Albert L. Branch, and Clyde E. Branch; and by sisters, Lillie B. Lane, Annie B. Pritchard, and Mary B. Harrison. Mr. Branch was a U. S. Navy veteran of World War II. He worked for many years at Henredon Furniture and then was employed in sales at Kimbrell’s Home Furnishings Furniture until his retirement. Mr. Branch was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church. His family wishes to express their heartfelt appreciation to Hospice of Burke County for the wonderful care given to Charles.

Surviving are his daughter and her husband, Mildred and Raymond Sellars, of Valdese; grandchildren, Mike Williams II and his wife, Kim, Michelle Loesekann, Greg Branch and His wife, Karen, Chris Branch and his wife, Debra, Sherri Bradshaw and her husband, Willie, and Jeff Sellars; great-grandchildren, Michael, Ashley, and Josh Williams, Zachary Loesekann, Aubrey and Lena Bradshaw, and Samuel and Seth Branch.

The funeral will be held at 4:00 p.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Gary Garner officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park with military rites conducted by American Legion Post 234. The family will receive friends an hour before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Enon Baptist Church, 2059 Enon Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.

Lillie Mae Smart Deal, 87, of Valdese Ave., Drexel, NC died March 9, 2007 at Grace Hospital. She was born in Lincoln Co., NC on January 17, 1920 and was a daughter of the late Lee Horse Smart and Nellie Lail Smart. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Sidney Deal, grandchildren, Sheilia and Terry Carswell, and by a number of brothers and sisters. Mrs. Deal was an active and longtime member of First Church of God in Drexel until failing health prevented her from attending.

Surviving are her daughter, Kathleen Deal Carswell, of Drexel; her sons, Ervin S. Deal of Valdese, Yates E. Deal and his wife, Betty, of Claremont, and Albert C. Deal and his wife, Becky, of Drexel; a daughter-in-law, Kaye Deal, of Morganton; grandchildren, Richard S. Deal of Morganton, Donna D. Norville of Rutherfordton, Kevin Deal of Claremont, Charles Deal of Rocky Mount; great-grandchildren, Richard Ashley, Michaela Norville, Mallory Everhart, Keaton Deal, Monica Deal, and Conner Deal; and a sister, Bedie Crosby, of Hildebran.

The funeral will be held at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, March 11, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Donald J. Smith officiating. Burial will follow at First Church of God Cemetery in Drexel. The family will receive friends an hour before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to First Church of God, PO Box 218, Drexel, NC 28619.

Gladys Propst Jaynes, 90, of Morganton, NC, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007 at Morganton Long Term Care. Born March 1, 1917 in Burke County, NC, she was the daughter of the late John Propst and Mary Cloud Propst. Gladys was a member of Hopewell Baptist Church.

Ms. Jaynes is survived by her son, Baxter John Jaynes and wife, Faye, of Morganton; grandsons, Jon Nathan Jaynes of Morganton and Van Baxter Jaynes and wife, Robyn, of Harrisburg, NC; great-grandchildren, Andrew Jaynes and Allyson Jaynes, both of Harrisburg, NC; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, March 16, 2007 at Hopewell Baptist Church with Rev. Homer Murdock officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church thirty minutes prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church Youth Center Building Fund, 1112 Hopewell Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Jane Thompson Freeman, 71, of Pete Brittain Rd., Morganton, NC died Tuesday, March 13, 2007, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill following a brief illness. She was born in Montgomery County, NC on September 24, 1935 and was a daughter of the late Marvin and Callie Sanders Thompson. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a daughter, Debbie Triplett; three brothers; and two sisters.

Surviving are her husband, Jimmy Freeman, of the home; sons, Eugene Thomas and his wife, Kathy, of Mt. Gilead, NC, Charles Thomas and his wife, Lisa, and Jimmy Freeman, Jr., all of Morganton; daughters, Ann Freeman, of Troy, NC and Gloria Etters and her husband, Jim, of Valdese; brothers, Carson Thompson and Jimmy Thompson; sisters, Louise Morris and Irene Wood, all of Troy; grandchildren, Jessica Lowman, Rebekah Etters, Felicia Ward, Jamie Freeman, Josh Kellis, Tara Kellis, Archie Freeman, Roger Freeman, Jr., Judy Varner, and Crystal Welch; and fifteen great-grandchildren including Austyn and Garrett Ward.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 16, 2007, at Brookwood Baptist Church with Rev. Earl Cross officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Thursday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. At other times the family will be at the home, 734 Pete Brittain Rd., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lupus Foundation of America, 2540 Plantation Center Dr., Suite 4-B, Matthews, NC 28105.

Ethel Hoyle Cannon, 93, of Autumn Care of Drexel, NC, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007 following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on January 28, 1914, she was the daughter of the late David Monroe Hoyle and Nancy Jane Duckworth Hoyle. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Alexander Cannon; brothers, Lester, Carl, Euray, Forrest, Ernest, Joe W., Thomas, and Fred Hoyle; and sisters, Cornelia Hardwick, Viola Jones, and Jessie England. Ethel was a member of Zion Memorial United Methodist Church. She was a member of the Women’s Missionary Society and a former Sunday School teacher.

Mrs. Cannon is survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2007 at Burke Memorial Park with Chaplain Ted Swann officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:45 until 1:45 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Ossie Mae Hice Whisenant, 62, of Pete Brittain Rd., Morganton, NC died Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at her residence following a period of declining health. She was born August 14, 1944 in Burke County, NC, and was the daughter of Jessie Carswell Hice of Morganton, and the late Ivey Eugene Hice. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by a brother, Billy Hice. Ossie graduated from Salem High School in 1962. She provided child care services for many children for over 25 years. Ossie loved to share her baked goods with friends in the community, and was an avid flower gardener.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by a daughter, Terrie Deon Whisenant of Garner, NC; sons, Jerry Wayne Whisenant and his friend, Vicky Carswell and her children, and Barry Leon Whisenant and wife, Tonya, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Victoria, Hunter, Hannah, and Tanner Whisenant; a brother, Gene Hice and wife, Kay, of Vale, NC; several nephews and nieces; and many dear friends.

Memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, March 17, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Homer Murdock officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial and Tribute Processing Center, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216. At Ossie’s request, her body was donated to the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

Ruby Wilson Walker, 80, of Alexandria, VA, and formerly of Morganton, NC, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at Alexandria Hospital in VA following a period of declining health. She was born June 20, 1926 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late Marshall and Maggie Crawley Wilson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Earline Burgin. Ruby was a member of Burkemont Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Hubert Walker of the home; sons, Gary and Laura Walker of Dale City, VA, and Harold and Vickie Walker of Texas; a brother, Ray Wilson of Morganton; and a sister, Margaret Wilson Propst of Morganton; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 10 am, Monday, March 19, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Eddy Bunton officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 until 10:00 am Monday before the service. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park.

Mable Wall Ross, 92, of Grace Heights in Morganton, formerly of the Chesterfield community, died Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at the nursing home following a period of declining health. She was born July 15, 1914 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late Robert T. Wall and Bertha Epley Wall. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Conley Marshall Ross; a son, Wayne Raymond Ross, a brother, Raymond Wall; and sisters, Beatrice W. Ray and Annie W. Bristol. Mable will be remembered as a very caring person, and was devoted to her family and friends. She was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Libby Ross of Morganton; a daughter-in-law, Nancy Ross of Morganton; sisters, Ruby Mulwee and Muriel Houck, both of Morganton; grandchildren, Renee Herman and husband, Thomas, of Hickory, NC, Alan Ross and wife, Tonya, David Wayne Ross and wife, Heather, and Brian Ross, all of Morganton; great grandchildren, Megan and Morgan Herman, Clay and Emily Ross, Joshua and Abby Ross, and Destiny Silvers.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Friday, March 16, 2007 at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church with Rev. George Williams officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Bobby and Libby Ross, 2465 Pax Hill Rd., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church, PO Box 381, Morganton, NC 28680.

Frank “Gene” Fields, Sr., 33, of Redbud Dr., Morganton, NC died Thursday, March 15, 2007 at his residence. Born in Catawba County, NC on November 23, 1973, he was a son of Frank and Mary Sue Watson Fields of Morganton. He was a 1993 graduate of Hickory High School and then served two years with the U. S. Air Force. He was employed at Ethan Allen in Old Fort and owned and operated Fields Home Improvement. Gene loved outdoors activities including hunting, fishing, and kayaking. He was a member of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Hickory.

Surviving in addition to his parents are his wife, Pattie Beck Fields of the home; children, Victoria Mackenzie Fields and Frank Eugene Fields, Jr. both of the home; step-sons, Patrick Harlow and Montgomery Scott Harlow both of the home; brother, Douglas Bryant Rogers of Vale, NC; sisters, Brenda Gail Rogers of Richmond, VA, Audrey Nanette Fields of Ohio, and Bonnie Louise Fields Jolly of Glen Alpine, NC; grandmother, Virginia Poteet Fendley of Morganton; step-grandmother, Carrie Holifield Watson of Hickory; a niece, two nephews, and a number of aunts and uncles.

The funeral will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, March 18, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Earl Cross and Dean Lavender officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour before the service. Memorial gifts may be made to the Fields’ Children Scholarship Fund, c/o Morganton Federal Savings and Loan, P. O. Drawer 1509, Morganton, NC 28680.

G. Aaron Wright, 74, of Morganton, NC died Thursday, May 15, 2007 at the Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley in Hickory, NC after a brief battle with cancer. He was born May 17, 1932 in Lincoln County, NC, and was a son of Taltha Estelle Yount Wright of Morganton, and the late William Lloyd Wright. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a step-grandchild, Wesley Russ. Aaron was a member of Salem United Methodist Church. He owned and operated Wright Cabinet Works in Morganton until his retirement.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by sons, Alan Wright and wife, Annette, of Morganton, and Austin Wright and wife, Stephanie, of Rocky Mount, NC; grandchildren, Brittany Wright, William Wright, Grace Wright, and Matthew Wright; a special friend, Wayburn Ramsey of Morganton; brothers, Steve Wright and Danny Wright, both of Morganton; and a number of aunts and uncles.

Graveside services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Donald Freshour officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2:00 until 3:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, ATTN; Office Manager, 4-A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407.

Vincent Thomas Carter, 66, of Lake Wales, FL died Thursday, March 15, 2007 at his residence. He was born in Asheville, NC on March 5, 1941 and was a son of the late Thomas Vincent Carter and Edith Riddle Carter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Barbara K. Eaker Carter who died in 2006; a daughter, Allison Marie Kirk; son-in-law, Steve Kirk; and granddaughter, Stephanie Kirk. Mr. Carter was the owner of Carter’s Nursery and was of the Baptist faith. He was a graduate from Ranger school, retired from the Department of Forestry, and was a member of the Florida Nursery Grower’s Association and of the NRA.

Surviving are his sons and daughter-in-laws, Vincent V. And Sidney Carter, of Asheville and Preston and Judy McCullough; grandchildren, Simon and Elisabeth Carter; his brother, Willie Carter, of Asheville; Judy McCullough of Lake Wales, FL; and many extended family members.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 21, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Marion Moore officiating. Burial will follow at Drexel Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour before the service.

Gladys Hart Sutherland, 83, of the Brian Center in Viewmont, Hickory, NC, formerly of East View Street, Morganton, NC, died Sunday, March 18, 2007 at the nursing home following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County on April 14, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Jacob Arthur Hart and Alice Brewer Hart. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James C. Sutherland. Gladys was a retired employee of Broughton Hospital.

Mrs. Sutherland is survived by two sons, James C. Sutherland, II and wife, Suzanne, of Warrenton, VA, and Bill Sutherland and wife, Nancy, of Valdese, NC; a daughter, Loretta Sutherland of the Cambridge House, Hildebran, NC; brothers, Harry Hart of Lawndale, NC, Kenneth Hart of Hickory, and Danny Hart of Hickory; sisters, Irene Muncy of Seattle, WA; Polly Bolick of Taylorsville, NC, Mary Mullinax, Doris Brown, and Frances Mull, all of Hickory; three grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to The Riddle Institute, 600 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Helen “Tootsie” Chapman, 68, of Watershed Rd., Morganton, NC died Sunday, March 18, 2007 at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC following a period of declining health. She was born March 13, 1939 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late R. C. Chapman, Sr. and Ronie Smith Chapman. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Earl, Billy, Ray, and R. C. Chapman, Jr., and sisters, Beatrice Steiner, Hazel Chapman, and Mary Etta Chapman. She was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Family came first and foremost to Tootsie. She was a dedicated and loving mother, sister, aunt and neighbor. Her entire life was spent as a caregiver, always putting others needs ahead of her own. She enjoyed sitting on her porch overlooking the beautiful south mountains and sharing time with visitors that would drop by. We will miss her big smile and her huge heart.

Helen is survived by a daughter, Lou Chapman of Morganton; brothers, Ned Chapman of Raleigh, NC, and Wilson Chapman of Morganton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Cline officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church Wednesday one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Esther Koren Wallat of Stoney Brook Court, Valdese, NC died unexpectedly Monday, March 19, 2007 at Grace Hospital, Morganton. She was born in Hopewell, VA on February 27, 1935 and was a daughter of John and Julia Buchek Koren. Esther was a loving and devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Words cannot fully express how much she was loved by all who knew her and how deeply she will be missed. She retired after 25 years of employment from Belk Department Store of Morganton where she truly enjoyed making friends and serving her customers. Since her retirement she remained active through exercise, walking, cooking, shopping and working in her flower gardens. Esther was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church where she served as a greeter and as a member of the altar guild. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, John Koren.

Surviving are her husband of 51 years, Ernest Wallat of the home; daughters, Kathy Womack of Hartsville, SC and Krista Stillwell and her husband, Scott of Morganton; granddaughters, Brandi Widel, Kandi Womack, and Chastity Sorrells; great grandson, Hunter Byrd; brother, Gerald Koren and his wife, Wanda of Hopewell, VA; sisters, Eleanor Novotny and her husband, Joseph of Baton Rouge, LA, and Betty Head and her husband, James of Glendale, AZ; and her beloved grand kittys, Emma and Little Lu.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 22, 2007 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Morganton, NC with the Rev. Dr. Michael F. Riley officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Valdese, NC. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 119 N. King St., Morganton, NC 28655 or to the American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, Memorials and Tributes Processing Center, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.

Charles “Burgin” Orders, 82, of Morganton, NC passed away Monday, March 19, 2007 at College Pines Nursing Center, Valdese, NC following a period of declining health. He was born August 8, 1924 in Burke County and was the son of the late Charles Glen and Ollie Stroup Orders. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his “best friend” and loving wife, Ruby Mull Orders. They had celebrated 52 years of wedded bliss. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Glen Alpine, and served in the US Army during World War II.

Burgin is survived by sisters, Elizabeth Miller of Morganton and Betty Jean Wiggins of Charlotte, NC; nephews, Stephen T. Wiggins and Ron Grady, both of Charlotte, Dr. Charles C. Wiggins of Raleigh, NC; and James F. Wiggins of Lexington, NC; and nieces, Beth Kinion of Fredericksburg, VA and Terri Parham of Charlotte.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, March 22, 2007 at the First Baptist Church in Glen Alpine with Rev. Michael Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2:30 to 3:00 pm at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 205, Glen Alpine, NC 28628. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Carol “Bug” Powell McKinley, 61, of Hickory, NC, formerly of Drexel, died unexpectedly Monday, March 19, 2007 at her residence. She was born April 10, 1945 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late Robert Coy Powell and Annie Mae Shuffler Powell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Jackie Powell. Carol was a member of High Peak Baptist Church. She was a loving mom and sister.

Carol is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Daphne and Kennie Wood of Greensboro, NC; sisters, Audrey Perkins of Morganton, Shirley Tilley of Valdese, and Gilda Arney of Taylorsville, NC; brothers, Bob Powell of Drexel, NC and Jerry Powell of Connelly Springs, NC.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at High Peak Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Benny Wood and Rev. Dr. Kevin Purcell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 2:30 until 4:00 p.m. at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Tri City Baptist Church, PO Box 1096, Eden, NC 27289. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Ruth Dale Crawley, 100, of Grace Heights, formerly of Crawley Dale Street, Morganton, NC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 24, 2007 following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on September 9, 1906, she was the daughter of the late Lester Dale, Sr. and Lula Smith Dale. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Alex Crawley; sons, Nelson and Ralph Crawley; brothers, Lester Dale, Jr., William Dale, Roscoe Dale, and June Dale; sisters, Bertha Walker, Annie Lou Mull, and Callie Crawley; a son-in-law, Raymond Brittain; and a granddaughter, Gilda Shell Crawley.

Ruth had been a member of Mull’s Grove Baptist Church and was a member of Grace Baptist Church for the last 25 years. She faithfully attended Grace Baptist Church as long as she was able, where she had been the oldest member of the church. She was a former employee of Broughton Hospital and the North Carolina School for the Deaf (NCSD). After NCSD she stayed at home to baby-sit her grandchildren, who were the love of her life. Mrs. Crawley loved to cook and work in her yard, especially her flower bed.

She is survived by her children, Verlie C. Smith and husband, Earl, of Connelly Springs, NC, Lucy C. Wellman and husband, James, William L. Crawley and wife, Oma, Derlene C. Brittain, Howard Jr. Crawley and wife, Alberta, and Virgil L. Crawley and wife, Hazel, all of Morganton; a daughter-in-law, Ruth Allman Crawley of Morganton; 21 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren, 20 great-great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews. The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, March 26, 2007 at Grace Baptist Church with Reverends Marty Bess and Charles Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the church. At other times the family will be at the home of Derlene Brittain on Salem Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, 1206 Salem Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Ethan Roland Samuel Fletcher, infant son of Jeffery Robert Fletcher and Laurie Lee Thomas, died, Wednesday, March 21, 2007 at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville. In addition to his parents, Ethan is survived by one brother, Damion Fletcher, paternal grandparents, Jeff and Shirley Fletcher, maternal grandmother, Lorraine Goforth, and special aunt, Stephanie Fletcher. Ethan is also survived by several other aunts, uncles and cousins.

Funeral services for Ethan will be at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 28, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Leonard Lindsay officiating. Burial will be in the Calvary Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the family to assist with medical expenses.

Ruth Harbison Carr passed away peacefully at her home Tuesday, March 27, 2007; after a period of declining health. Mrs. Carr is preceded in death by her parents, Earl and Ermine Harbison; her first husband, Ralph L. Edwards; a sister, Margaret Hoyle; and a brother, Charles Sidney Harbison.

Ruth was a graduate of Morganton High School, and attended the Woman’s College in Greensboro, NC, and Parson’s School of Design in New York, NY. She was a former employee of Drexel Furniture Co. and also a long-standing member of the board of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Ruthie spent many delightful summers at Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, NC with her husband where she enjoyed golf and bridge. At other times Ruthie played golf at Mimosa Hills where she was club champion numerous times.

Mrs. Carr is survived by her husband, Jim, of the home; a son, Ralph L. Edwards, Jr. and wife, Peggy, of Morganton; a daughter, E. Gray O’Neill of Charlotte, NC; a step-son, William Hendrix and wife, Patty, of Charlotte; eight grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Following a private graveside service, a celebration of the life of Ruth will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, March 29, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church with Reverend Doctor Sydnor Thompson III officiating. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Harry Windsor “Poppy” Kirk 73, of Haig Court in Georgetown, South Carolina and formerly of Morganton died Monday, March 26, 2007 in Georgetown due to an automobile accident. Mr. Kirk was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Ruth Gibbs Kirk and the late Harold Holmes Kirk In addition to his father he was preceded in death by a son Jonathan Kirk.

Mr. Kirk was a member of the Duncan United Methodist Church in Georgetown had worked for many years as a physical therapist and had been a former member of the First Presbyterian Church in Morganton. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Cobb Kirk of the home; son Scottie Kirk of Knoxville Tennessee; daughters Amy Ruggles of Morganton NC, Virginia Fletcher of East Bend NC; step-daughters Crystal Barrier of Georgetown S.C., Sandy Carswell of Charleston SC and eleven grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2:00 pm Friday at the First Presbyterian Church Chapel with the Reverend Michael Bailey officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Friday 1 until 2 at the First Presbyterian Church Parlor.

Memorials in Mr.. Kirk‘s memory may be made to the Duncan United Methodist Church, Organ Fund, 901 High Market Street, Georgetown S.C. 29440.

Sossoman Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

Sarah Jaqueline “Jackie” Hull passed away on Thursday, March 29th. She was the beloved daughter of Beulah Hunt Hull of Morganton, and the late Fred T. Hull.

In addition to her mother, Jackie is survived by two sisters, Jean Hull Pursley of Hickory, NC, and Phyllis Hull Weeks of Morganton; two nieces; one great niece; and one nephew. She was a wonderful teacher and musician, and will be greatly missed.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, April 1, 2007 at Hopewell Baptist Church with the Reverends Ed Lawing and Burl Sain officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday from 2:00 until 3:00 pm at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hopewell Baptist Church, 1112 Hopewell Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Etta Baker Walker, 91 of the Brindletown Community, Morganton, NC died Friday, March 30, 2007. Born August 15, 1915 in Burke County, she was the daughter of the late S. R. “Bob” Baker and Annie Lou Clark Baker. She was a lifelong resident of the Brindletown Community and on June 7, 1936 she married Robert Joe Walker. They lived their entire married life together on U.S. 64 in Brindletown. Until her health failed she was an active member of Denton’s Chapel United Methodist Church. She was the church’s oldest living member. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by sisters, Belle Baker Price and Lucy Baker Watts; and a brother, Arthur Baker.

Surviving are her daughters, Mildred Fisher Walker and Judy Walker Franklin and her husband, John all of Morganton; grandchildren, Lisa Fisher, Charles “Chuck” Fisher, Jr. and his wife, Deborah, Todd Franklin, and David Franklin and his wife, Kristi; great grandchildren, Eric and Jason McKinney, DiAnna and Katelyn Fisher, Robert and Crystal Franklin, and Meghan and John Franklin; and a sister, Kathleen Baker Clark.

The funeral will be held at 4:00 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2007 at Denton’s Chapel United Methodist Church with the Rev. Alan Wilson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. At other times the family will be at the Franklin residence, 2282 Propst Road, Morganton. Memorial gifts may be made to Denton’s Chapel United Methodist Church, 5358 Denton’s Chapel Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.

Eugene Parker, 78, of Jenkins Rd., Morganton, NC went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, March 31, 2007 at ECRC II at the VA Medical Center, Asheville, NC. He was born in Burke County on June 7, 1928 and was a son of the late William A. Parker and Nadie Chapman Parker. Eugene was a U. S. Army veteran of the Korean Conflict where he was stationed in Japan. He was a retired employee of Breeden Poultry. Mr. Parker was a member and past post commander of D.A.V. Chapter 43. He served proudly and earned recognition for 2,300 volunteer service hours. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, Eugene Parker, Jr., a brother, Robert Furman Parker; sisters, Julie Ann Parker and Beulah Mae Parker; and by his former wife, Peggy Oaks Parker.

Surviving are his daughters, Rebecca Parker Dale and her husband, James, Peggy Ruth Parker Campbell and her husband, Dannie, all of Morganton; Kay Parker Dula of Lenoir; and Tamara Lynn Parker Leote and her husband, Jeffrey, of Gloucester Point, VA; brothers, W. A. Parker, Jesse Parker, Billy Zane Parker, all of Morganton, and Ray Dean Parker, of Connelly Springs; sisters, Joie Dayberry, Eunice McCoy, Aileen Attaway, Mary McNeilly all of Morganton; and Buna Lane of Bethlehem, NC; two grandsons; five granddaughters; and eight great-granddaughters.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 3, 2007, at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Larry Cline officiating. Mr. Parker will be laid to rest beside his late infant son at Johnson Family Cemetery, Newland, NC The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Monday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to D.A.V. Chapter 43, C/O Robert Miller, PO Box 572, Morganton, NC 28680.