Namon Harold Lewis, 62, of N. Main St., Drexel, NC died Tuesday, September 4, 2007, at Burke Hospice and Palliative Care Center following a lengthy illness. He was born on December 31, 1944 in McDowell County and was a son of the late Jesse Wilson Lewis and Alda Lavada Randolph Lewis. Mr. Lewis was a member of Carswell Memorial Baptist Church.

Surviving are his daughter, Michelle Seay; a brother, David Lewis and his wife, Nellie; sisters, Ruth Ann Epley and Brenda Johnson; all of Morganton; grandchildren, Tyler Cook and Autumn Seay; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Dakota Seay.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, September 7, 2007, at Carswell Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church 30 minutes before the service. At other times the family will be at the home of Tammy Smith, 1960 US 64, Morganton.

Gladys Evelyn Shuford, 86, of the Drexel Community died Sunday, September 2, 2007 at Autumn Care following a period of declining health. She was born July 19, 1921 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late Lula Elizabeth Lowman Jacumin. She retired in 1982 from Alba Waldensian Hosiery Mill with over 45 years of service, and was a member of Christ United Methodist Church.

Gladys is survived by sisters-in-law, Geneva Huffman, Vertie Smith, and Margaret Query, all of Hickory, NC; and brothers-in-law, Edward Shuford and Carroll Shuford, both of Vale, NC. In addition to her mother, she was preceded in death by her husband, Reynos Shuford; step-father, John J. Jacumin; sisters, Beulah Stamey Setzer and Blanch Brown; and a nephew, Jimmy Stamey.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at Christ United Methodist Church with Rev. J. Kenneth Curtis officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 1 until 2 pm at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Christ United Methodist Church, PO Drawer 38, Drexel, NC 28619. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Michelle Joyce Siravo Yates, 51, of Morganton, NC died September 3, 2007 at Grace Hospital. She was born May 11, 1956 in Toledo, OH and was the daughter of the late Michael Siravo and Marian Best Siravo.

Surviving are her husband, John Harry Yates; sons, Mike, Nick, John, Jake and Bruce Mueller; daughters, Jessica Walker and Shannon Baughman; brothers, Marve and Mike Siravo; sisters, Marsha Siravo and Melanie Dominguez and husband, Rich; daughter-in-law, Dalona Wesley; grand-daughter, Desiree Wesley and best friends, Cynthia Lilly, Perry Lilly and Rabecca Bristol.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 5, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home. The family will receive friends following the service.

Ervin Leonhardt, 81, of Frank Whisnant Road, Morganton, NC, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at Autumn Care of Drexel, NC, after an extended illness. Born in Cleveland County, NC on October 4, 1925, he was the son of the late Dewey McCall Leonhardt and Cora Clay Leonhardt. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Virginia Jones. Ervin was a member of Morganton Seventh Day Adventist Church. He was a Sunday school teacher and song leader. Mr. Leonhardt owned and operated Table Rock Grocery for over 40 years. He was an honorary member of Table Rock Detachment #1197.

Ervin is survived by his wife of 63 years, Faye Branch Leonhardt of the home; daughters (LAD), Lois Adams and husband, Doug, of Fayetteville, GA, Diane Smith and husband, Mike, of Gastonia, NC, and Audrey Harris and husband, Ken, of Dallas, NC; brothers, Woodrow Leonhardt of New York, LeRoy Leonhardt, Henry Leonhardt, and Gordon Leonhardt, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Ryan Adams, Marcus Adams, Phillip Smith, Bradley Smith, Nicholas Smith, and Kevin Harris; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 7, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Pastor Tim Sheridan officiating. Burial will follow in Forest Hill Cemetery military graveside rites performed by Table Rock Detachment #1197. The family will receive friends at the funeral home Thursday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children Fund, c/o Morganton Seventh Day Adventist Church, 300 Rockyford Street, Morganton, NC 28655.

Vickie Drayton Murphy, 52, of Vinearden Street, Morganton, NC went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, September 9, 2007 at her residence following an extended illness. Born in Burke County, NC on June 11, 1955, she was the daughter of Peggy Blackmon Drayton and the late Elett Drayton. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her brother, Henry Jette Drayton. Vickie was a member of Slades Chapel AME Zion Church where she was the church secretary and treasurer and sang in the church choir. She had worked for the Burke county school system as a substitute teacher and had also worked for Blue Ridge Community Action.

In addition to her mother, Vickie is survived by children, Jade Murphy and Bobby Murphy of the home; nephews, Dwaren Rutherford and wife, Misty, and Lavon Drayton, all of Morganton; and a number of great nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, September 15, 2007 at Slades Chapel AME Zion Church with Reverends Samuel O. Richardson and W. F. McIntosh officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the home place on Vinearden Street. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Bobby Mikeal, 70, of Poteat St., Morganton, NC, died Monday, September 10, 2007 at his residence following a courageous battle with cancer. Born May 14, 1937, he was the son of the late Cicero Call Mikeal and Virgie Mikeal. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Boyce, James, and Burel Mikeal; and a sister, Gaynell Smith. Bobby was a member of Southside Baptist Church and loved hunting, fishing, and gardening.

Mr. Mikeal is survived by his wife, Norma Newton Mikeal of the home; sisters, Fern Watson of Virginia Beach, VA, Muriel Church of Purlear, NC, and Della Mecum of Walkertown, NC; a brother, Frank Mikeal of North Wilkesboro, NC; a beloved mother-in-law, Cassie Newton of Morganton; a number of nieces and nephews, and a number of fishing and hunting buddies.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 13, 2007 at Southside Baptist Church with the Reverends Randy Clark and Buster King officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday evening at Sossoman Funeral Home from 7:00 until 8:00 p.m. where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. At other times the family will be at the residence, 118 Poteat St., Morganton. Memorials may be made to Southside Baptist Church, 221 Herron Street, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Grace Watson Burleson, 99, of Grace Heights, Morganton, NC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, September 10, 2007 following a period of declining health. Born on August 3, 1908 in Avery County, NC, she was the daughter of the late William Henry Watson and Minnie Isabelle Vance Watson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Spurgeon Burleson; a son, Lawrence Marlin Burleson; a grandson, Dean Edward Garrison, five brothers, and two sisters. Grace was of the Freewill Baptist faith and a faithful servant of the Lord for many years.

She is survived by four daughters, Lorece Wakefield and husband, Sam, Leota Garrison and husband, Charles, Lou Anne Clark and husband, Charles, all of Morganton and Karen Hall and husband, Gary, of Titusville, FL; a daughter-in-law, Mary Elizabeth Burleson, of Morganton; 19 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; and 4 great-great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 13, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Mike Wakefield and Donald Freshour officiating. Burial will follow in Pittman Cemetery in Newland, NC. The family will receive friends Thursday morning from 10:15 until 11:00 a.m. before the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or to a charity of one’s choice.

Ted Calloway, 59, of Valdese died Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2007 at Brian Center of Hickory East following a lengthy illness. He was born in Avery County on Sept. 22, 1947 and was a son of the late Bob and Jackie Mayo Calloway. Mr. Calloway was a member of East Valdese Baptist Church and worked for many years as a disc jockey with several area radio stations.

Surviving are his son, Francis Calloway, of Valdese; his daughter, Rebecca Calloway Butcher and her husband, Frank, of Murphy, NC; brothers and their wives, David and Teena Calloway of Hildebran, Mike and Margaret Calloway of Chesnee, SC, and Gregory and Shirley Calloway of Claremont; sisters, Susan Gladden of Morganton and Cindi Lockman of Newton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ted was preceded in death by his wife, Johnsie Lail Calloway. The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 13, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Marvin Wiley officiating. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216 Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216 or the American Kidney Fund, 6110 Executive Blvd, Rockville, MD 20852.

Billie Joyce Hensley Hefner, 56, of Rainhill Church Rd., Morganton, NC died Sunday, September 9, 2007 at her residence following an extended illness. She was born Feb. 12, 1951 in Yancey Co., NC, and was a daughter of the late John Leslie Hensley and Lena Hensley Beam. Billie was a former employee of Carolina Shoe and the Days Inn in Marion, NC.

She is survived by her husband, Jerry Ray Hefner, Sr. of the home; sons, Joseph Steven Stanley of Colorado, James Stanley of Newton, NC, Kenny Lee Fredell of Lincolnton, NC, Howard Pearly Fredell, Jr. of Hickory, NC, and Jerry Ray Hefner, Jr. of Morganton; daughters, Carol Williams of Georgia, and Crystal Cramer and Celena Hefner, both of Morganton; sisters, Alma Robinson of Lincolnton and Barbara Griffin of Lenoir, NC; brothers, Tommy Hensley of Valdese, NC, Wayne Hensley of Spruce Pine, NC, and Jody Hensley of Lenoir; and 27 grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Friday, September 14, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Richard Ellington officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Pauline Edwards Buchanan, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones at home on Friday evening following a period of declining health.

‘Polly’ was born in Ashe County on August 22, 1913 to the late James and Margaret Edwards. The oldest of six siblings, Polly enjoyed a wonderful, long life in West Jefferson, Minneapolis, and Morganton, NC. She was a loving and gracious daughter, wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She will be remembered for her keen sense of humor, love for cooking, quilting, gardening, reading and strong devotion to family and church. Polly was the sole surviving charter member of the Beaver Creek Christian Church, where she and her family shared deep and lasting fellowship and many special moments. Polly was preceded in death by her dear mother and father; her loving husband Jake Davis Buchanan; two of her cherished sisters and one brother, Lucille Nye, Ann Blackburn, and Jimmy Edwards, all of West Jefferson. She is survived by her caring sisters, Billie Baldwin of West Jefferson and Gail Blackburn of Fleetwood; her loving daughter Libby Buchanan Childress; and devoted son James Buchanan and his wife Mildred, all of Morganton; four grandchildren, Rick Childress and his wife Donna Kiser Childress; Tammy Childress Willcox and her husband Rod Willcox; Brad Buchanan and his wife Buffie Bludworth Buchanan; and Amanda Buchanan and her fiancé Brooks Holder. “Granny” enjoyed the love and company of her eight great grandchildren McKenna, Anna Rose and Sam Childress; Jake, Hannah and Luke Willcox; and Davis and Mitch Buchanan.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of “Ms. Pauline” will be held on Monday, September 17th at 3:00 at the Bethel Church of Christ, with Richard Via officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to, as well as immediately after, the service in the church sanctuary. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the American Diabetes Association Memorial Program, NCC North Canton, P.O. Box 2680, Ohio 44720 or to the Bethel Church of Christ at 415 Bethel Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Sossoman Funeral Home, who has assisted with arrangements; to the staff of Generations, the Adult Day Care Program of Blue Ridge Community Action; and to special home caregiver, Teresa Treadwell.

Texie G. Angley, 87, of Vine Arden Rd., Morganton, NC died Monday, September 17, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness. She was born December 12, 1919 in Johnson City, TN, and was a daughter of the late Polly Matilda Benfield Piercy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Mack DeWitt Angley who died Nov. 3, 1981. Texie had been a member of North Morganton Baptist Church for over 60 years.

She is survived by children, Curtis Angley and wife, Belinda of Marion, NC, John Angley and wife, Deborah, Bill Angley and wife, Freida, Brenda Snider and Texie’s best son-in-law, John, all of Morganton; sisters, Sarah Annas of Morganton, and Zora Dyer of Seymour, TN; grandchildren, Jeff and Greg Snider, Crystal Presnell, Shane and Joshua Angley, and David Micheal Angley; great grandchildren, McKenzie, Haylee, Baylee, Sydney, Christopher, Gracie, Daniel, Crystal, Marcus, and Tyler. Texie was also preceded in death by a granddaughter, Teresa Angley; and a brother, John Mack Benfield.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 21, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Kenneth Baker and April Abernethy officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Thursday from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. On Thursday and Friday, the family will be at Texie’s residence, 603 Vine Arden Rd., and at other times, the family will be at the residence of Brenda Snider, 5210 Snider Ridge, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to North Morganton Baptist Church, 101 View St., Morganton, NC 28655.

Roxanne Lane Alley, 36, of Windy Hill Hollow, Morganton, NC, went to meet Jesus on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 as the result of an automobile accident. Born in Baltimore, MD on March 23, 1971, she was the daughter of Rosa Lee Burnette Carneal and the late Clarence Paul Lane. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her husband, Sammy Dale Alley, and a precious nephew, Donnie Powell. Roxanne received her G.E.D. from W.P.C.C. in 1995 and was currently working at Hardee’s on Hwy 64 in Morganton. Roxanne was raised in the Pentecostal holiness faith.

In addition to her mother, she is survived by her daughter, Samantha Leanne Alley; a son, Jesse James Hollifield; brothers, Dwayne Lane and wife, Jennifer, of Claremont, NC, Tommy Wayne Lane and wife, Sheila, of Morganton, Teddy Lee Lane and wife, Lisa, of Texas; sisters, Paulette Lane Griggs and husband, Rick, of Hildebran, NC, Tammy Lane Powell and husband, Wayne, of Morganton; a special nephew, Larry Powell, Jr. of Morganton; a special niece, Jenna Rose Lane of Morganton; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 22, 2007 at Calvary Assembly of God with Rev. Mike Whisnant officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. At other times the family will be at the residence of Tammy and Wayne Powell on Lonnie Shuffler St., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Sossoman Funeral Home to help with funeral expenses. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Logan Cain Wyatt, month old son of Carl Wyatt and Emily Deaton of Connelly Springs, NC, died Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Logan was born in Burke County on August 16, 2007.

In addition to his parents he is survived by his maternal grandmother, Brenda Sue Deaton and her husband, Jearl Scott, of Hildebran; a brother, Hunter Boyd Wyatt; a sister, Anne Marie Wyatt; uncles and aunts, Terry, Melissa, and T. C. Wright all of Granite Falls; Stacy Deaton and Whitney Deaton both of Hildebran, Sebastian Deaton of Dayton, OH, Brandy Leaophard of Taylorsville, Elizabeth Bean of Lenoir; great aunts and uncles, Gary Deaton of Granite Falls, Flarrie and Bill Johnson of Greenville, TN, and Albert Dockery of Waynesville; and a number of cousins. Logan was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Curtis and Doris Wyatt; an aunt, Darlene Reece; an uncle, Curtis Boyd Wyatt, II; and great grandparents, Gerald and Sarah Wyatt and Carl and Macie Leaophard.

The funeral will be held at 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 21, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Rev. Ken Thacker officiating. The family will receive friends for one hour before the service. Memorial donations may be made to Brenner Children’s Hospital Development Office, Medical Center Blvd., Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1021 or to Sossoman Funeral Home, PO Box 2608, Morganton, NC 28680 to help defray funeral expenses.

David William Rich, 73, of David Bryant Dr., Morganton, NC died unexpectedly, Saturday, September 22, 2007 at his residence. He was born June 6, 1934 in Highland Park, MI and was a son of the late Roy Fletcher Rich and Alpha Victoria Scott Rich. David was the former owner and operator of Rich’s Salvage.

He is survived by sons, Kenneth Rich of Missouri, Tommy Rich of Morganton, and William James Fletcher Rich of Marion, NC; daughters, Patricia Mayfield, Vickie Rich Barnett and her husband, Billy, and Angel Marie Rich Gilliland, all of Morganton, and Libby Rich of Lenoir, NC; a half-brother, Kenneth Benfield of Morganton; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a former wife and caregiver, Naomi Rich of Marion and another former wife, Barbara Benfield Fox, of Morganton. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Bobby Rich; a granddaughter, Barbara Jean Gray; and a brother, Tommy Rich.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 9:00 p m Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at his home, 4476 David Bryant Dr. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Olivia Grace Winters, two month old infant daughter of Joseph and Jill Parker Winters of Glen Alpine, NC died Sunday, September 23, 2007 at home. In addition to her parents she is survived by a sister, Alyssa Lail of the home; grandparents, Pam and Thomas Jenkins of Glen Alpine, Debbie and Jerry Brown of Mars Hill, NC, and Bill and Brooke Parker of Cincinnati, OH; great grandparents, Jimmy and Betty Winters of Morganton; uncles, Kyle Jenkins of Glen Alpine and Mark Brittain of Morganton; aunts, Kelley Lane and her husband, Michael of Chapel Hill, NC, Carolyn Kamberlane and her husband, Silvio of Chatel-St. Denis, Switzerland, and Jodie Parker of Tampa, FL; godfather, Jeremiah McGalliard of Glen Alpine, and numerous cousins and extended family.

A graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at Burke Memorial Park with Rev. John Fitzgerald officiating. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at Sossoman Funeral Home.

Walter E. Elsner, 80, of Airpark Dr., Morganton, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, September 24, 2007 at his home following a lengthy illness. He was born in Weiden, Germany on March 20, 1927. Mr. Elsner was of the Lutheran faith and was a tailor by trade. He enjoyed sewing, sailing, and fishing and built his own 35 foot sailboat.

Surviving are his wife, Liz Elsner, of the home; daughters and their husbands, Becky and George Banks, of Morganton and Susan and Roger Clark, of Cheboygan, MI; sons, Steve Gall of Cheboygan and Dean Gall of Minden, LA; grandchildren, Angela, Terry, Steve, Chris, Katie, Chasidy, Trevor, and Tracy; great-grandchildren, Logan, Steve, Kyler, Tatum, Whitney, Thomas, Anthony, Andrew, and Joseph; a sister, Gisela Schrierer of Alpena, MI; and a brother, Gerhard Elsner, of Weiden, Germany.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Jayden Lee Peyton, 2 year old son of Daniel Peyton of Morganton and Kandi Klutz Smith with whom Jayden had made his home, died Sunday, September 23, 2007 at Grace Hospital, Morganton. He was born in Burke County, NC on July 8, 2005. In addition to his parents he is survived by a brother, Michael Payton Matthews of the home; grandparents, William and Irene Peyton of Baton, NC, Lee Sheets of Morganton, and Johnny, Jr. and Nancy Piercy of Morganton; great grandparents, Mabel Bingham of Granite Falls, NC, Ellen Sheets and Ruth Ann Epley, John Otis, Jr. and Fredna Crain, and Willa Dean and Johnny Piercy, Sr. all of Morganton; aunts and uncles, Michael Peyton, James Peyton, Lisa Peyton Juarez, Jonathan Peyton, Nicole Klutz Belton, and Adam Piercy; and a host of cousins and extended family.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, September 27, 2007 at Burkemont Baptist Church with the Reverends Clifton Black, Jerry Bentley, David Mills, and J. C. Bradley officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the residence, 133 Metcalf Trail, Morganton. Memorial gifts may be sent to Jayden’s parents, P. O. Box 8345, Morganton, NC 28680.

Dr. Lawrence Arney, 77, of Tate Street, Morganton, NC died Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at his residence after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Burke County, NC on February 16, 1930, he was the son of the late William Herndon Arney and Mary Prue Loven Arney. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Charles, and Jack Arney, and two sisters, Mary Clay and Edith Holt.

Lawrence was a lifelong educator who started his teaching career at Happy Valley and Hudson High Schools in Caldwell County. He taught the next 11 years in Clearwater Florida. After returning to get his doctorate at the University of Florida, he taught at Western Carolina University for 30 years. Dr. Arney was a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church and enjoyed family (especially his grandchildren), coaching and playing sports, gardening, and his church.

He is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Peggy Winchester Arney of the home; sons, Larry Arney and wife, Jenny Filbey, of Huntsville, AL and Bill Arney and wife, Kathy, of Raleigh, NC; daughters, Christie Arney and husband, Allen Miller, of Lenoir, NC, Barbee Vosecky and husband, Bill, of Peachtree City, GA; and six grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m., Friday, September 28, 2007 at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church with Reverends George Williams and Ross O’Neal officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour. At other times the family will be at the residence. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or to UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief), P.O. Box 9068, New York, NY 10087.

Thomas Suggs, 72, of Coy Lane, Morganton, NC, went home to be with his savior on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at his residence. Born on July 7, 1935 in Horry County, SC, he was the son of the late Wilson Joyce Suggs and Buena Vesta Boyd Suggs. Thomas was a U.S. Air Force veteran of the Korean Conflict. After his service with the Air Force he went to work for Rohm and Hass for nineteen years. Later he worked for Allied Signal Corps which he retired from. In 1998 he moved to Burke County to be with his family. He was a member of Cross Memorial Baptist Church.

Thomas is survived by his wife of 49 years, Martha Nelwin Caskey Suggs of the home; a son, Ronald Suggs and wife, Rachel, of Morganton; a granddaughter, Katelyn Suggs of Morganton; and a sister, Betty Joyce Powers of Spring Lake, SC.

The memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Cross Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. Jerry Gamble officiating. Military rites will be performed by the Valdese American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until noon. Memorial contributions may be made to Cross Memorial Baptist Church, 650 Enola Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Arlin D. York, 63, of Baptist Camp Road, Connelly Springs, NC died Tuesday, September 25, 2007 at Mission St. Joseph Hospital in Asheville, NC, following a brief illness. Arlin was a loving, giving man to everyone he met. Born in Burke County, NC on October 28, 1943, he was the son of Mary York York of Connelly Springs, and the late Clyde Arlen York.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his sons, Brian York of Connelly Springs and Kelly Clyde York of Mebane, NC; a sister, Shelvia Lail and husband, Russell, of Connelly Springs; grandchildren, Loren York of Mebane and Jason York of Connelly Springs; two adopted granddaughters whom he raised, Kattie Baker and Jessie Cook, both of Connelly Springs; and a nephew, Michael Lail of Connelly Springs.

The graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 28, 2007 in the cemetery of Mt. Gilead Baptist Church where Arlin was a member. The Reverend Keith Fulbright will officiate at the service. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the residence of his sister, Shelvia Lail, 8672 Ward’s Gap Road, Connelly Springs, NC.

Venita Roberts Baker, 87, of Conley Rd., Morganton, NC went to her heavenly home, Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. She was born August 6, 1920 in Madison County, NC, and was a daughter of the late William Harrison Roberts and Molly Jane Price Roberts. Venita was a long time member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. She was known to many as “Mama Baker”.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, Clyde B. Baker of the home; a son, Howard J. Baker and wife, Louise; daughters, Wilma Woody and husband, Steve, and Betty Fowler and husband, Mike, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Jennifer West and husband, Jason, Steven Woody, Josh Fowler and wife, Stacey, and Alex Fowler; great grandsons, Jesse and Joseph West; and very special friends and neighbors, Betty Mull and Marie McCurry. Venita was also preceded in death by sisters, Dora Harp and Dorothy Goforth.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 29, 2007 at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Dewey Thomas and Rev. Dr. J. D. Grant officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 6:30 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. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church Building Fund, PO Box 1159, Morganton, NC 28680.

Betty Jo Houck Orders, 84, of Glen Alpine, NC died Thursday, September 27, 2007 at Carolina Rehab of Burke in Connelly Springs following a lengthy illness. Born in Burke County, NC on December 15, 1922, she was the daughter of the late Edward Jerome “Romey” Houck and Bertha Lee Fleming Houck. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Harry Orders; a brother, William Edward “Bud” Houck; four sisters, Lena Houck, Myrtle Houck Wilson, Mary Lee Houck Pollard, and Ruth Houck Lamkin. Mrs. Orders was a member of Glen Alpine First Baptist Church.

Betty Jo is survived by her sons, Lee Orders and wife, Myra, of Newton, NC Charles A. Orders of Glen Alpine, NC; and two granddaughters, Amanda Orders of Decatur, GA and Ashley Orders of Newton, NC.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2007 at the First Baptist Church of Glen Alpine with Rev. Michael Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the Glen Alpine Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Linda Seagle Miller, 63, of Morganton, NC, went to her heavenly home on Friday, September 28, 2007 at Carolina Rehab of Burke following a period of declining health. She was born on April 16, 1944 in Burke County and was the daughter of the late Gorman Seagle and Belle Epley Seagle. Linda was a life-long member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Linda is survived by her daughter, Deana Barrier and her husband, Randy, of Morganton; her grandson, “the light of her life,” McCartney Barrier; a son, Jody Gibby; a brother, Danny Seagle of Morganton; and a nephew, Erik Seagle of Morganton.

The memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, September 30, 2007 at Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Larry Thompson officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to the Calvary Baptist Church Building Fund, 407 South Green Street, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

C. Wayne Watson, 68, of Watson-Price Road, Morganton, NC, died unexpectedly Friday, September 28, 2007 at the St. Joseph Campus of Mission Hospitals in Asheville, NC. Born on September 6, 1939 in Burke County, NC, he was the son of the late Floyd Nelson Watson and Claudia Lucille Queen Watson Greene. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Oakus Greene. Wayne was a member of Mountain View #2 Baptist Church and retired from the McDowell Department of Corrections.

Mr. Watson is survived by his son, Keith Watson and wife, Angie, of Morganton; daughters, Sonya W. Kidd and husband, Jeff, of Morganton, Susan Watson of Morganton, and Lisa W. White of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Stephen J. Watson, Brittany M. Watson, Ashley C. Watson, Sam R. Kidd, Henry W. Kidd, Erin Claudia White, Natalei R. White; a future great-grandson who is due in December; brothers, Jim Watson and wife, Lucy, of Valdese, NC and Tom Watson and wife, Robbie of Glen Alpine, NC; and a sister, Phyllis Hogan and husband, Alfred, of Hartford, TN.

The graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, October 1, 2007 at Mountain View #2 Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Burl Sain officiating. The family will receive friends at the church from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Robert Warsaw Reed, 73, of North Amity Street, Morganton, NC, died Friday, September 28, 2007 at Grace Hospital. Born in Avery County, NC on December 24, 1933, he was the son of the late Tom Reed and Myrtle Banner Reed. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Claude, Mack, and Fred Reed; a sister, Nellie Grindstaff; and a daughter-in-law, Elaine Powell Reed. Robert was a former employee of Drexel Furniture and retired from Henredon Furniture.

Mr. Reed is survived by his wife, Vivian Shoemaker Reed of the home; two sons, Allen Reed and wife, Laura, of Drexel, NC, and Odell Reed and wife, Soleil, of Morganton; a daughter, Carolyn Carter and husband, Perry, of Morganton; six grandchildren, Jonathan Surratt, Nathan Surratt, Jason Surratt, Dwight Shell, Allyson Reed, and Robert Gage Reed; two great-grandchildren, Parker Shell and Zoe Surratt; a brother, Frank Reed of Morganton; and sisters, Maude Wooten of Charlotte, NC and Ruth Peters, of Newland, NC.

The funeral will be held at 6:00 p.m., Monday, October 1, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Marty Bess, Rocky McLendon, and Terry McGarrity officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday at White Pine Cemetery in Newland. At other times the family will be at the residence of the son, Allen Reed, 101 Woodside Drive, Drexel. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association Mid Atlantic Affiliate, Memorials and Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216 or the family to help with expenses.

Frances “Fran” Mills Ball, 78, of Park Street, Morganton, NC, died Sunday, September 30, 2007 at her residence. Born on January 5, 1929 in Chesnee, SC, she was the daughter of the late Shuford Palmer Mills and Cora Murray Mills.

Mrs. Ball was an active member of Morganton First Church of God until her health failed. She loved her church and her family. Most of her working life was in personnel work having served as personnel director with Wamsutta Knits until they closed then employed at Broughton Hospital as Employee Relations until her retirement in 1995.

Fran is survived by her husband, James “Jim” Ball of the home; a son, Brad Ball of Morganton; Jim’s daughter, Karen James and husband, Jack, of Cary, NC; grandchildren, Christopher Ball, Josh Brown, Meredith Brown, Whitney Mcdonald, Emily James, and Ben James; a great-granddaughter, Nalana Ball; brothers, Bob Mills and Charles Mills, and wife, Jo; sisters, Dorothy Ellis and husband, Jerry, and Donna Mills; and an uncle and his two daughters, Curtis Mills, Betty Robertson and husband, Eddie, and Gladys Walker and husband, David.

She truly loved all her family and showed compassion for each and everyone she knew.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, October 2, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Don Smith and Terry McGarrity officiating. Entombment will follow in the Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. At other times the family will be at Mrs. Ball’s home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc, 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or to the Morganton First Church of God Building Fund, P.O. Box 1404, Morganton, NC 28680.

Bleecker Malone Harbison, 94, of Grace Ridge, Morganton, NC died Friday, September 28, 2007 in the Grace Ridge Health Care Center following a period of declining health. Born in Chester, SC on March 12, 1913, she was a daughter of the late Dr. Henry Bettis Malone and Leila Bleecker Malone. She attended Winthrop College before moving to Morganton to teach at the N. C. School for the Deaf. In 1934, Bleecker married William Alexander “Bill” Harbison, Jr. After retiring from teaching, she followed many interests indicative of her many talents. She was a state champion flower arranger, a bridge player, a member of the Morganton D.A.R., and of the First United Methodist Church. She enjoyed sewing, decorating, all types of crafts, cooking, bird watching, doing crossword puzzles, meeting and greeting the influx of “foreigners” who began choosing Morganton and Grace Ridge for their retirement home; and, Bleecker was an avid reader, as those kind enough to keep her steadily supplied with books can attest. Dear to her heart were her times with family at their cabin at Lake James. Testimony to her amazing willingness to take on new things and her talent for conquering them, is the fact that she returned to school to learn math, perhaps her greatest challenge, in order to qualify for the realtors’ course. She finished the course and was awarded her realtor’s license. Thereafter, she worked at Norvell Realty for fifteen years. When Mountain House was under construction and opened in 1987, Bleecker helped with the marketing of its original units to longtime Morgantonians who were daring enough to become “pioneer residents,” and who Bill and Bleecker then joined themselves by moving into what is now Grace Ridge. Once there she served on the Welcoming and Decorating committees, and was especially known for the Christmas trees she decorated, amazing both for their beauty and variety (hand-clothed dolls, Chrismons, antique ornaments, paper cuttings, etc.) In addition to her parents and husband, Bleecker is preceded in death by a brother, Henry Bettis Malone, Jr.

Surviving are a son, Bill Harbison and his wife, Margaret of Charlotte, NC; daughters, Pat Oglesby and her husband, Don of Hertford, NC and Leila Hileman and her husband, Eugene of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Elizabeth Gunter, Andrea McGuire, Elizabeth Crenshaw, Richard Oglesby, William Hileman, Leila Cardona, and Robert Hileman; and nine great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, October 7, 2007 on the Mezzanine of Grace Ridge with the Rev. Sheldon Stephenson officiating. The family will greet friends at the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Grace Ridge Friendship Fund, 500 Lenoir Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.