Mrs. Margaret Dixon Mills, 76, of Morganton died unexpected on Thursday August 2, 2007 at her residence. She was born on March 6, 1931 in Sarasota Florida to the late Louis “Dick” Dixon and Margaret Albritton Dixon. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Stephen H. Mills Sr. D.D.S. and a brother Dickie Dixon.

Mrs. Mills graduated from Sarasota High School and attended Palm Beach Junior College. She was an avid tennis player for twenty five years in both West Palm Beach FL .and Morganton. She was an active bridge player and a gourmet cook.

A loving sister, wife, mother and grandmother she is survived by sons Stephen H. Mills Jr. and wife Jennifer of West Palm Beach FL, Jay C. Mills of Lake Worth FL, Michael S. Mills and wife Janet of Davidson, Barry P. Mills and wife Merilyn of Eastport ME; grandchildren Lindsey, Madelyn, John Henry, Morgan, Francine and George Alden Mills; step-grandchildren Elizabeth, Sarah and William Ashley; brother Tom Dixon and Wife Nancy of Sarasota FL,; sister Eloise ”Weezie” LaHurd and husband Neil of Cashiers NC and a number of nieces and nephews.

No funeral services are planned at this time. The family has asked that memorials in Mrs. Mills’s memory be made to a charity closest to the donor’s heart.

Vera Reynolds, 85, of Connelly Springs, NC died Monday, August 6, 2007 at Valdese Hospital following a period of declining health. She was born April 12, 1922 in Catawba County, NC, and was a daughter of the late Clarence Eli Fulbright and Minnie Scronce Fulbright. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arvil Edward “Joe” Reynolds; and brothers, Odell, Dean Devered, Hubert, Enoch, and Rayford Fulbright. Vera was a homemaker and loved visiting neighbors and the sick in her community. She learned to drive and obtained her driver’s license for the first time in 1998. Vera was a member of the Valdese Church of God, now called the River of Life Church.

She is survived by sons, Richard E. Reynolds and wife, Ruth, of Sunset Beach, NC, and Troy Reynolds and wife, Sandra, of Zebulon, NC; daughters, Frances L. Reynolds of Charlotte, NC, and Sandra K. Reynolds of Morganton, NC; a sister, Hildreth Sain of Vale, NC; grandchildren, Ryan E., Reagan, Christopher, Christie, and Troy Reynolds, and Patrice Seymour; and great grandchildren, Christopher and Tiffany Reynolds, and Jake and Erin Seymour.

Funeral services will be held at 2:30 pm, Thursday, August 9, 2007 at River of Life Church with Rev. G. H. Grooms and Rev. Allen King officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, NC, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.

Mary Sue Buff Fowler, 83, of Greensboro, NC died Tuesday, August 7, 2007, at Moses Cone Memorial Hospital following several years of declining health. She was born in Burke County, NC on June 23, 1924 and was a daughter of the late McCoy Hartwell Buff and Minnie Elmeta Cooke Buff. Mrs. Fowler owned and operated Sue’s Salon de Beauté for many years. During World War II she worked at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Factory in Baltimore, MD. Mrs. Fowler was a former member of Hilliard Memorial Baptist Church, High Point, NC and Florida Street Baptist Church, Greensboro where she was sang in both choirs. Presently, she was a member of Sedgefield Baptist Church, and until her health failed she was active in the Esther Sunday School Class.

Surviving are her brothers and their wives, Bill “Roy” and Edna Buff and Doug and Brenda Buff, all of Morganton; sisters, Floy Grubb of Greensboro, Mozelle Wilson of W. Palm Beach, FL, Coila Mae Morrow of Charleston, SC; and Doris Jean Edge and her husband, Charlie, of Morganton; ten nieces and nephews; five great-nieces and nephews; and two great-great-nephews; and a very special longtime friend, Al Holbrook, of High Point.

A funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 11, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Deryl Holliday and Rev. Dave Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14, 2007, at Sedgefield Baptist Church in Greensboro. Memorial contributions may be made to Moses Cone Health System Hospice, c/o Office of Fund Development, 1200 N. Elm St., Greensboro, NC 27401.

Ella “Joey” Lowman-McFarlin, 39, of Fowler St.., Valdese, NC died Tuesday, August 7, 2007 at Valdese Hospital following a lengthy illness. She was born Oct. 25, 1967 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of Ruby Chapman Pruitt of Connelly Springs, NC and the late Edison Pruitt. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Harold “Bud” Lowman, and a sister, Bonnie Fredell.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her husband, Kevin Wayne McFarlin of the home; daughters, Alisha Yvette Lowman of Valdese, and Brandy JoAnn Price and husband, Braxton Rhett Price of Morganton; step-children, James Nathan McFarlin and Holly Elizabeth McFarlin, both of the home; brothers, Mike Pruitt and wife, Edyth of Drexel, NC, Howard Pruitt of Joshua Tree, CA, Alvin Pruitt and wife, Pat, Clyde Pruitt, Glenn Pruiett and wife, Connie, and Perry Pruitt and wife, Angela, all of Connelly Springs, NC; and sisters, Dorothy Cooke and husband, Carl of Connelly Springs, Brenda Dionne and husband, Willard, of Fayetteville, NC, and Faye Hamby and husband, Phillip, of Casar, NC.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Full Gospel Church of Jesus Christ on Old Hwy 18 South in Connelly Springs, NC with Rev. Edyth Pruitt officiating. A private family inurnment will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday at Chapman Family Cemetery. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Ruby Pruitt, 511 Hwy 18 South in Connelly Springs. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Harold Harding Dale, 86, of Bill Dale Rd., Morganton died Thursday, August 9, 2007, at the V.A. Medical Center in Asheville following a period of declining health. He was born in Burke County on October 30, 1920 and was a son of the late Arsley Lenoir Dale and Ila Mae Pritchard Dale. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Elizabeth Stamey Dale; his son, Michael Dale; brother, Doug Dale; and sisters, Mabel Townsend, Ezle Williams, and DeEttie Scott.

Mr. Dale was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II and was retired from Morganton Dyeing and Finishing. He was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church where he sang in the choir for 50 years. Mr. Dale was an avid fisherman, and he loved to read. Surviving are his grandson, Aaron Michael Dale; a daughter-in-law, Lisa Ramsey; a granddaughter, Madison Ramsey; brothers, Romulus Dale, Jack Dale, and Ned Dale; sisters, Rassie Duckworth and Nancy Riddle; and a special friend, Zettie Murry, all of whom live in Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Sunday, August 12, 2007, at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Dewey Thomas and Rev. Rocky Reece officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. Saturday 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 of Nancy Riddle, 1027 Conley Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church, PO Box 1159, Morganton, NC 28680.

Ernest Larry Ward, 57, of Morganton died Wednesday, August 8, 2007, following a period of declining health. He was born in Avery County on October 1, 1949 and was the son of the late Ernest Ward and Marjorie Buchanan Lytle. Larry was a beloved husband, “Daddy”, “Paw”, and brother whose memory will be greatly cherished.

Larry is survived by his wife, Marlene Tipton Ward, of the home; daughters, Leslie Ward Austin of Morganton and Kelly Ward Corum of Greensboro; brother, George Crosswhite, of Forest City; sisters, Anita Randolph of Lexington, Resa Moore of Boiling Springs, and Tracy Eckerley of Peru, IN., and grandchildren, Wyatt Austin and Madison Corum.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 11, 2007 at Community Baptist Church on St. Mary’s Church Road with the Rev Billy Bollinger and Rev. Harold Burleson officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until being placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the home, 2545 NC 18 US 64, Morganton.

Bennett Lee “Cisco” Epley, 72, of Glen Alpine went to walk with his Heavenly Father in August, 2007 after many years of declining health. He was born in Burke County on December 6, 1934 and was the son of Annie Ree Duckworth Epley of Glen Alpine and the late John Bennett Epley. Mr. Epley attended the Glen Alpine Schools and worked for the Burke County School system for many years. He then was employed at Great Lakes Carbon Corp and later the City of Morganton until his retirement in 1991. He was of the Baptist faith.

Surviving are his wife of 49 years, Thelma C. Epley, of the home; his children, Randall Bennett Epley of the home and Lisa Epley Arrowood and her husband, Johnny, of Glen Alpine; grandchildren, John R. Epley, Charity C. Epley, Lauren N. Epley, Jakob L. Arrowood, and Zakery K. Arrowood; a sister-in-law and her husband, Betty and Ronald Barrett, of Glen Alpine; nieces, Karen Rénee King and Christy Ferraro, and their families; and a number of cousins, aunts, and uncles. He was preceded in death by three brothers-in-law.

A celebration of life will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, August 12, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Patrick Mourglea and Rev. Michael Beshears officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date in Glen Alpine Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Gibbs Chapel Wesleyan Church Youth Program, PO Box 603, Glen Alpine, NC 28628 or to Lakeview Baptist Church Building Fund, 4744 Lakeview Acres Rd., Valdese, NC 29690.

Geraldean J. Smith, 61, of Long St., died, Sunday, August 12, 2007. She was born, April 13, 1946, in Carter Co, TN to the late Fred D. Jones and Virginia M. Richardson Jones. She was retired from Drexel Heritage. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Howard Zero Smith.

Mrs. Smith is survived by 2 daughters; Tonya Hensley and Deborah Smith, of Morganton, 4 grandchildren; Terra Jackson, Sierra Hensley, Gary Hensley and Richard Hensley all of Morganton, 4 brothers; Jimmy Jones of Kingsport, TN, Robert Jones of Elizabethton, TN, Fred Jones, Jr. of Johnson City, TN and Danny Jones of Elizabethton, TN, a sister; Paula “Polly” Grindstaff of Elizabethton, TN and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, August 14, 2007 at The Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Douglas Goforth officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Randall “Randy” E. LaFevers 56, of Burkehurst Avenue in Morganton died unexpected Thursday, August 3, 2007 at his residence. He was born January 27, 1951 in Burke County to Bernice Brittain LaFevers of Morganton and the late Ralph Eugene LaFevers. In addition to his father he was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents Lester and Edith Brittain, paternal grandparents Jim and Della LaFevers and an aunt Eva Lonon.

Randy was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Morganton. He was a member of the last graduating class at Morganton High School, graduated from Western Piedmont College and attended Appalachian State University. A local musician he taught guitar lesson at Western Piedmont College and played in several local bands. He had worked at Southern Devices.

In addition to his mother Bernice Brittain LaFevers he is survived by aunts Betty Joe Phillips , Margaret Hendren both of Morganton, Norma Walker of Merritt Island Florida; Uncles Ned LaFevers of Morganton, Clyde LaFevers of Asheville and a number of cousins.

Funeral service will be 3:00pm Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church in Morganton with the Reverends Michael Bailey and Adam Bowling officiating. Entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends 6:30 until 8 Tuesday at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorials in Mr. LaFevers memory may be made to the American Diabetes Association, Memorial Program NCC, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton Ohio 44720.

Mary Jo Denton, 73, of Morganton rose to be with her Jesus on Sunday August 12, 2007 following a lengthy illness. Born October 4, 1933 in Burke County she was the daughter of the late Festus Agustus and Estelle Lane Denton. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Charlie William Black, a brother William Denton; sisters Irene McIntosh Carrie Hicks and Bertha Denton.

Mary Jo enjoyed being with family and had many special friends, namely Pat Blackford, Barbara Price and Naomi Watson all of Morganton. She read her bible and sang when she could while her son-in-law Tommy played the guitar for her.

Mary Jo is survived by one daughter Carla Jo Wortman and husband Tommy, three sons Billy Black and wife Penny , Aaron Black , Dana Black and wife ,Sherri, all of Morganton; grandchildren Tammy , Cayla , Joey and Casey Wortman, Danielle Nanny, Dalton and Dakota Black all of Morganton; step grandchildren Ray and Jay Wortman, Josh Baker, Joshua and Jonathan Hatch, Erika Matthew and Jeremy Hastings; four step great grand children two sisters Mamie Denton of Icard Lola Hipps of Morganton brother Preston Denton of Morganton and a number of precious nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 11:00 am Wednesday at the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Marty Bess and Willard Lambert officiating. Burial will follow at Bethel United Methodist Church .Cemetery .The family will receive friends 6 until 8 pm Tuesday at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home of Carla Wortman on Morris Loop.

Memorial in Mrs. Denton’s memory may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Inc. 1721 Enon Valdese NC 28690.

Elizabeth Murphy Sadler Nelson joined the Lord in His home on Friday, August 10, 2007. Murphy was born in Paris, Arkansas on September 27, 1904 to the late Charles Clift Sadler and Virginia Gwaltney Sadler. At age 18, she graduated from Galloway College, now Hendrix College, with an A.B. degree in drama and speech. Murphy taught for six years until her marriage to The Reverend Fletcher Nelson, then Assistant Pastor at West Market Street Methodist Church in Greensboro. Followed were moves to Rutherfordton, Forest City, Morganton, Charlotte, and Banner Elk. Dr. Nelson became President of the Edgar Tufts Memorial Association, which included Lees-McRae College. Murphy became knowledgeable on folklore, stories, and dancing, which she taught as a college class.

Returning to Morganton in 1957, she served the Western North Carolina Conference as Vice President, President, and finally the last President of the Women’s Society of Christian Mission. She was then elected as President of the new women’s organization, the United Methodist Women. Also, she served as Dean of Conference School of Christian Mission, chairperson of Committee on the Study Support of the Ministry, and Secretary of the Committee on Rules and Procedures of Annual Conference. She was the oldest member of the First United Methodist Church in Morganton.

At the national level, she was Secretary of the Board of Higher Education, a member of the task force of Ministerial Evaluation and Candidacy for the Ministry, and a member of the National Methodist Foundation Scholarship Committee. She was a delegate to the Methodist General and Jurisdiction Conferences, and the World Conference in Ireland. Murphy served as trustee to Pfeiffer College, Henton Rural Retreat Life Center, Brooks-Howell Home, Bethlehem Center, and Givens Estates.

In all of her active life she had young and old call her “Murphy”. She enjoyed books and thus book clubs, playing the piano, keyboard, dulcimer, and recorder. Her interests included basket weaving, needle work, and writing. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Murphy always wanted to learn something new or to read something thought provoking. She has been honored by having a group, “ Murphy’s Girls “, named for her and sanctioned by the United Methodist Church. She enjoyed mentoring this group of girls age 5 to 12 at the First United Methodist Church in Morganton.

Surviving are her son, Fletcher Nelson, Jr. of Morganton; her daughter, Mary Nelson Pierce and her husband, Bennie H. Pierce of Kingsport, TN; grandchildren, Bennie Hughes Pierce, Jr., David Clifton Pierce, Dr. Fletcher Nelson Pierce and his wife, Carrie, Mary Elizabeth Pierce Kappert and her husband, Jeff; great grandchildren, Fletcher Nelson Pierce, Jr., Frances Murphy Pierce, Avery Tilghman Pierce, Elizabeth Warfield Pierce, Katherine Grace Kappert, and Pierce Charles Kappert. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, The Reverend Dr. Fletcher Nelson; a brother, Overton Sadler; and a sister, Mary Lee Jackson.

A private family graveside service will be held at Forest Hill Cemetery.

A Celebration of Murphy’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 2007 at the First United Methodist Church with The Reverend Dr. Sydnor Thompson, III, Rev. Jason Harvey, and Rev. Holly Adams officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday at Sossoman Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 North King Street, Morganton, NC 28655.

Wade V. Lowdermilk, 72, of Kirksey Drive, Morganton, NC died Sunday, August 12, 2007 at Grace Hospital, Morganton. Born November 15, 1934 in Burke County, NC, he was a son of the late William Irvin Lowdermilk and Claudia Elizabeth Setzer Lowdermilk. He was a retired employee of Dixie Container Corporation and was a member of First Advent Christian Church. Wade enjoyed many outdoor hobbies including fishing, hunting, and beekeeping. He was a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend whose memory will be cherished all who knew him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his cherished wife, Margaret Elizabeth Talbert Lowdermilk; a brother, William E. Lowdermilk; and a sister, Violet E. Harper.

Mr. Lowdermilk is survived by his daughters, Laura McDermott and her husband, Brian of South Lyon, MI and Anna Webster and her husband, Scot of Greenville, NC; a brother, Paul Lowdermilk and his wife, June of Morganton; grandchildren, Madison, Clarke Irvin, Megan, Melanie, William, Margaret, and Braston; and his nieces and nephews.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2007 at Burke Memorial Park with military honors by Valdese American Legion Post 234. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in the sanctuary of First Advent Christian Church. Memorial gifts may be made to First Advent Christian Church Bell Tower Building Fund, 211 Lenoir Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Phillip N. Hennessee, 61, loving husband, father, and grandfather, of Summers Rd., Morganton died Saturday, August 18, 2007 at Memorial Mission Hospital following a period of declining health. He was born in Burke County on December 26, 1945 and was a son of the late Russell Avery Hennessee and Minnie McNeilly Hennessee. He was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church and an avid outdoorsman enjoying hunting and fishing.

Surviving are his wife of 38 years, Lynn Hollifield Hennessee of the home; his daughter, Cassandra Diane Eastman and her husband, Mark, of Port Huron, MI; his sons, Shannon Neal Hennessee and David Shane Hennessee and his wife, Hannah, all of Morganton; six granddaughters; and his best friend, Smokey.

A memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 21, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Pastor Brad Spencer and Pastor Brian Haire officiating. The family will receive friends Tuesday at the funeral home from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.

Arthur D. “Ringo” Scism, 65, of Amherst Rd. and formerly of S. Amity St. in Morganton died Tuesday, August 21, 2007 at Britthaven of Morganton following a six month battle with cancer. He was born April 19, 1942 in Kings Mountain, NC to the late Julius and Mary Turner Scism. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, James Scism; two sisters, Kathleen Scism Ross and Evelene Scism; and two special nieces, Linda Smith and Frankie Turner. Arthur was a hard working man who lived a simple life. A former resident of Caldwell County in the 60’s, he was employed at the Belco and Rooster Bush detail shop in Whitnel, NC. He then worked for the NC Department of Transportation and retired with twenty years of service, but never stopped working. Many people will remember Arthur from the By-Pass Package store where he worked for over seven years. Affectionately called “Ringo”, Arthur will be missed by his family and friends.

He is survived by a son, Cameron D. Scism of Morganton; a granddaughter, Kadin Faye Scism of Morganton; brothers, Julius Scism of Hudson, NC, and Earnest Scism of Kendall Park, NJ; his former wife, Donna Speck of Conover, NC; and many nephews, great nephews, great great-nephews, nieces, great nieces, and great great-nieces who were very special to Arthur.

Graveside services will be held at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, August 23, 2007 at Forest Hill Cemetery with Rev. Gary Garner officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday from 3:30 until 5:00 pm at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the residence of his son, Cameron Scism on S. Amity St. in Morganton and also at the residence of his niece and caregiver, Joyce Williams on Carriage Lane in Hudson, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690 or to the Enon Baptist Church Building Fund, 2059 Enon Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.

Charles Andrew Puett, 72 of Mt. Olive Church Rd., died, after an extended illness, Friday, August 24, 2007 at Frye Medical Center in Hickory, NC.. Mr. Puett was born in Burke Co., on November 22, 1934, to the late Avery Andrew Puett and Edna Keller Puett. He was a member of NCSD 1954 graduating class. He retired after 29 years of service from Bahnson Service Corp. in Winston – Salem, NC and was a member of Mt. Olive Baptist Church.

Mr. Puett is survived by, his wife of 48 years, Carol Wilson Puett, sons, Jimmy Puett and Jackie Puett and wife Kathy , a daughter, Caroline P. Triplett and husband Romiles all of Morganton, and sisters, Edith Pollard and husband Everrett of Morganton, and Mary Briggs and husband Tedd of Winston – Salem, three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, August 26, 2007, at Mt. Olive Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Randy Queen officiating. The family will receive 30 minutes prior to the service at the church. Memorials may be made to Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 5388 Mt. Olive Church Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.

Rosa Wright Carpenter, 86, of the Sunnyside Community, Morganton, NC died Saturday, August 25, 2007 at Grace Heights following a lengthy illness. Born in Anson County, NC on April 27, 1921, she was a daughter of the late Owen and Dezzie Curlee Wright. Rosa was a retired employee of Western Carolina Center and was a member of Mt. Home Baptist Church. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond Kemp Carpenter, brothers, Luther Wright, and Tony Wright; sons-in-law, C.W. Phillips and Joe Humphries; and a daughter-in-law, Sharon Carpenter.

Surviving are her sons and their wives, Gerald and Nell Carpenter, and Johnny and Doris Carpenter all of Morganton; a daughter, Lucille Humphries of Rutherford College, NC; grandchildren, Sandy Phillips , Pamela Coffield, Greg Phillips, Nancy Young, Kenneth and Jeffrey Carpenter, Dayton Storie, and Leigh Ann Strickland; 15 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; brothers and their wives, L.C. and Mary Ann Wright of Kannapolis, NC and Frank and Ollie Parnell of New Port Ritchie, FL.; a sister and her husband, Suzie and Alan Fink of Newell, NC; and a number of nephews and nieces.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 28, 2007 at Mt. Home Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., Monday at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at Mrs. Carpenter’s home, 1928 Sunnyside Dr. Memorial gifts may be made to Mt. Home Baptist Church Rd., 2227 Mt. Home Church Rd. Morganton, NC 28655.

Pedro A. Ramirez Jose, 24, of View St., Morganton, NC died unexpectedly, Friday, August 24, 2007. He was born January 1, 1983 in Guatemala, and is a son of Jacinto Ramirez of Morganton and Anna Jose Pascual of Guatemala. He was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church, and an employee of Kroger Furniture in Hickory.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by his wife, Agustina Hernandez, a son Gumersinto Ramirez, a brother, Oscar Pascual Ramirez, and sisters, Juana Erlinda Ramirez and Sebastiana Ramirez, all of Guatemala.

A funeral service will be held at 8:00 p.m., Friday, August 31, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Father Kenneth Whittington officiating. Burial will be in Guatemala. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Ruby Smith Ollis, 85, of Jay Rd., Morganton, NC died Thursday, August 30, 2007 at Grace Heights following a period of declining health. She was born May 24, 1922 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late James Edley Smith and Sarah Jane Mull Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Collen Ollis; a brother, Lloyd Smith; and sisters, Ruth Hull and Bernice Smith. Ruby was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, and a loving mother, grandmother, and sister.

She is survived by a son, James Ollis of Morganton; grandsons, Aaron Ollis of Sumter, SC and Darrell Ollis of Vance AFB, OK; a great grandson, Hunter Ollis; a sister, Pearl Huffman of Morganton; and brothers, Earl Smith of Morganton and Shirley Smith of Mint Hill, NC.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, September 1, 2007 at Burke Memorial Park with Rev. Dr. Larry Cline officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Building Fund, 2396 Enola Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Helen Pyatte, 75, of Walker Road, Morganton, NC, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 27, 2007 at her residence. Born on January 1, 1932 in Avery County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Avery Grindstaff and Belle Grindstaff Hicks Russell. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. William Warren Pyatte. Helen retired from J. Iverson Riddle Center after 22 years and returned later as part-time trainer 1 in Birch Cottage until her death. Her life revolved around her family, work, friends, and pets. She was a member of Bethel Church of Christ.

A loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, she is survived by her daughter, Sheila Tuttle and husband, Andy, of Morganton; a sister, Edith Pulliam of Troy, VA; a brother, Mike Grindstaff of Spruce Pine, NC; a grandson, Brad Tuttle and wife, Lashawn, of Wake Forest, NC; two great-grandchildren, Chase and Niles Tuttle; and a special neice, Ethelene Long of Morganton.

The memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, September 1, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Via officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:30 am until 1:00 p.m.

Evelyn Raleigh Keller, 83, of Barrier Loop, Morganton, NC died Thursday, August 30, 2007 at Grace Heights following a brief illness. She was born August 20, 1924 in Madison County, NC, and was a daughter of the late James Raymond Raleigh and Callie Mae Gentry Raleigh. She was a member of Zion Baptist Church.

Evelyn is survived by a granddaughter, Leigh Ann Keller of Clinton, TN; sisters, Burnice Roberts and June King, both of Hot Springs, NC, and Mildred Phillips of Okala, FL; brothers, Dan Raleigh of Weaverville, NC and James Raleigh of Manchester, PA; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, George Clayton Keller; a son, George Lee Keller; and sisters, Irene Holder, Lucile Harris, and Jimmie Mae Fox.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 1, 2007 at Zion Baptist Church with Rev. David Orders and Rev. Dr. Ralph May officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with Mrs. Keller’s nephews serving as pallbearers. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1 until 2 pm at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Baptist Church, 3396 Pea Ridge Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Ruby Jo Branch, 92, of McGalliard St., Morganton, died Thursday, August 30, 2007, at Grace Heights following a period of declining health. She was born in Yancey County, NC on April 9, 1915 and was a daughter of the late Robert Lee Wyatt and Nellie Buchanan Wyatt. Mrs. Branch was a member of Berry Chapel in Spruce Pine.

Surviving are her husband, R. W. Branch, Jr., of the home; daughters, Lynda Kay Punch and her husband, Rodney, of Morganton and Rebecca Jane Fox of Pennsylvania; a brother, Glen Wyatt and his wife, Ruth, of Marion; a sister, Lou Ella Harris and her husband, Al, of High Point; grandchildren, Marsha Childers, Laura Broach, Jamie Fox, and Ryan Fox; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by brothers, Carl Wyatt and Burnie Wyatt, and a sister, Cartha Mae Turner.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 2, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. John Whisnant, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Glen Alpine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Saturday at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the home of Lynda and Rodney Punch, 2991 Coventry Dr., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.

Robert Dennis “Bobby” Pruett, 65, of Goodman Lake Road, Morganton died Friday, August 31, 2007. He was born in Hampton, VA on October 24, 1941 and was a son of Bonnie Metcalf Pruett of Morganton and the late James Glenn Pruett. Mr. Pruett was a supervisor at the former Daniels Construction Co., Lugoff, SC and then was employed as a Corrections Officer at Foothills Correctional Institute. He was a member of Zion Baptist Church.

Surviving in addition to his mother are his daughters and their husbands, Rhonda and Harry Wohlbach of Irmo, SC and Julia and Clarence Caudill of Camden, SC; a brother, James Burnice Pruett of Morganton; grandchildren, Lauren Cashatt, Leigh Sternenberg, Erick Cashatt, Randi Wohlbach, Abby Kay Caudill, and Clarence Martin Caudill, IV; a great-grandchild, Mason Cade Sternenberg; and special friends, Douglas and Norma Wyatt, Donald Thornton and his daughter, Dr. Stephanie Thornton, and Kenny and Debbie Hayes.

A memorial service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, September 2, 2007, in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Dr. Ralph May and Rev. David Orders officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service.