Michael Dean Hudson, 46, of Black Fort Dr., Star, NC died Sunday, December 2, 2007 at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. He was born August 28, 1961 in Cleveland County, NC, and was a son of the late Cleatus Albert Hudson and Vernie Bell Chapman Hudson.

He is survived by daughters, Dolly Clark and husband, Terry, and Karen Heavner and husband, John, all of Valdese, NC; brothers, Dennis Hudson of Star, NC, Alvin Hudson and Ricky Chapman, both of Newton, NC, and Norris Hudson and Kenneth Hudson, both of Glen Alpine, NC; sisters, Charlene Street, Annie Mae Walker, and Brenda Stroupe, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Dante, Alania, and Kindle Clark, and John and Breanna Heavner.

Funeral services will be held at 300 p.m., Thursday, December 6, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Micah Piercy officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Lawndale, NC. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2 until 3 pm at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Brenda Stroupe, 2315 Mt. Home Church Ave., Morganton.

Frances Pearson Fox, 84, of Newland Street, Morganton, NC, died Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Grace Heights following a period of declining health. Born in Catawba County, NC, on March 6, 1923, she was the daughter of the late Claude Luther Pearson and Betty Brown Pearson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Claude L. Pearson, Jr., and a sister, Patty Lefler.

Frances was a member of Grace Episcopal Church. She was very active in all areas of the church, including being a former member of the Altar Guild, serving as a secretary of the Women of the Church for many years, and as a Sunday school teacher. She was a Girl Scout leader and an avid bridge player.

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Jimmie Fox of the home; daughters, Becky Fox of the home and Jo Anne Fox Mason and husband, Marty, of Hickory, NC; granddaughters, Sarah Elizabeth Mason and Anne Kathryn Mason, both of Hickory; and a number of nephews and nieces.

The memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Monday, December 10, 2007 at Grace Episcopal Church with The Rev. Bruce Walker officiating. The family will receive friends in the church parish hall following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Episcopal Church, 303 S. King Street, Morganton, NC, 28655 or to Cats Cradle, 112 Clark St., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

James S. “Jim” Bennett, Jr. of Sherwood Place, Morganton, NC died Thursday, December 6, 2007 at Mission Memorial Hospital in Asheville, NC. He was born May 20, 1933 in Burke County, and was a son of the late James S. Bennett, Sr., and Ola Canipe Bennett.

Jim was a loving husband, father and grandfather, who derived great pleasure from simple things. He was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of the nearby mountains where he lived. His family will remember most his joy at the quiet moments he spent with them.

He is survived by his wife, Peggy Fisher Bennett of the home; sons, Steve Bennett and wife, Jackie, of Kiawah Island, SC, and Mike Bennett and wife, Tammy, of King, NC; a grandson, Adam Bennett; step-grandchildren, Josh and Joey Allen; a brother, Doug Bennett of Conyers, GA; and a sister, Kitty Wachob of Buffalo, NY. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Bob Bennett, and a sister, Sarah Williams.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 10, 2007 at Mt. Olive Baptist Church with Rev. Randy Queen officiating. The family will receive friends Sunday from 6:00 until 7:30 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690 or to the Salvation Army, Burke County, PO Box 2786, Morganton, NC 28680.

Ray E. Frick, 83, of Ebenezer Church Road in Old Fort, NC died peacefully in his sleep Thursday, December 6, 2007 at his residence. Ray was born August 27, 1924 in Richfield, NC to the late Arthur and Ora H. Frick. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Olee Earnhardt Frick; brothers, Wade Frick, G.A. Frick, Kenneth Frick, Granville Frick, and Curtis Frick; and sisters, Pauline Vaccarelli, Hermina Ford and Gladys Morgan.

Ray was a member of First Baptist Church of Old Fort. He was a decorated Navy veteran of WWII, having served in two major campaigns. He was a former Assistant Scout Master and an R.A. Leader. He had worked for Collins and Aikman in Albemarle until he moved to Old Fort in 1966 where he helped open the Old Fort Division of Collins and Aikman. He was a thirty year member of Old Fort V.F.W. Post 4208 where he had been a trustee and was also a thirty year member of the American Legion Post 56, where he had been Judge Advocate.

Left to cherish his memory are his children Terry Frick of Robersonville, NC, Tony Frick and his wife, Linda, of Lenoir, NC, Dotty Kirksey and her husband, Jimmy, of Morganton; grandchildren, Leigh Anne Frye and husband, Charles, of Lenoir, Kenneth Frick and fiancée, Teresa Shuford, of Marshall, Lyndsey Kirksey and Hannah Kirksey; a great-grandchild, Gwyneth Frye; and a brother Sylvester Frick of Richfield.

A Celebration of Ray’s life will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday, December 9, 2007 at the First Baptist of Old Fort Church with the Reverends Duane Caldwell and Randy Melton officiating. Burial with military rites will follow at McDowell Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:30 until 3:00 p.m. before the service.

Memorials in the memory of Ray Frick may be made to the First Baptist Church Old Fort, P.O. Box 10, Old Fort, NC 28762 or to the American Heart Association, Mid-Atlantic Affiliate, Memorials and Tributes Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.

Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Mary Mace Moses, 93, of Miller Bridge Road, Connelly Springs, NC, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, December 9, 2007 at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, NC. Born in Burke County, NC, on July 13, 1914, she was daughter of the late Toney Lee Mace and Emaline Liney Huffman Mace. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Moses; a son, Robert Lee Moses; four brothers, Lester, Javan, Louie, and Frank Mace; a sister, Sadie Lail; infant brother, Loy Mace; and an infant sister, Minnie Ellen Mace. Mary was a member of Smart’s Grove Baptist Church.

A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and sister, Mary is survived by her daughters, Ardell Leonard of Connelly Springs and Louise Burgess and husband, Frank, of Denver, NC; a son, Bilford Moses of the home; grandchildren Alisa Leonard, Jack Leonard, Ronny Leonard, Tracy Burgess, Mark Burgess, and Keith Burgess; fourteen great-grandchildren; sisters, Azalie Rector and Ruth Lowman; and a brother, J.C. Mace.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at Smart’s Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Lewis officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Smart’s Grove Baptist Church, 5290 Mineral Springs Mountain Road, Connelly Springs, NC 28612. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

James Earl Smith, 90, of Summers Rd., Morganton died Sunday, December 09, 2007, at Autumn Care of Drexel following a period of declining health. He was born in Burke County on February 15, 1917 and was a son of the late James “Ed” Smith and Sarah Jane Mull Smith. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Addie Lee Bennett Smith; his son, Marshall Winfred Smith; brother, Lloyd Smith; and by sisters, Ruth Hull, Bernice Smith, and Ruby Ollis. Mr. Smith was a U. S. Army veteran of World War II and was a member of Pleasant Hill Baptist Church.

Surviving are his daughter, Linda Smith Lowery and her husband, Charles, of Morganton; his twin sister, Esther Pearl Smith Huffman, of Morganton; a brother, Shirley A. Smith, of Charlotte; grandchildren, Tina Huffman, Marshall Smith, Jr., Amanda Smith, Scott Smith, and Anita Smith Johnson; great-grandchild, Cassie Shelton; and step-grandchildren, Rickey Lowery and Linda Allen.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 12, 2007 at Forest Hill Cemetery with Rev. Dr. Larry Cline officiating. Military rites will be conducted by American Legion Post #234. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 2396 Enola Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Mary McGee McDonald, 86, of Hickory, NC, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, December 13, 2007 at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born in Burke County, NC on February 9, 1921, she was a daughter of the late John P. McGee and Lockie Chapman McGee. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by brothers, Milt, Vester, Sam, Claude, Frank, Oscar, and Fred McGee, and by sisters, Sarah Patton and Alma Whisnant. Mary was a member of Falmouth Baptist Church in Falmouth, VA.

She is survived by a sister, Bonnie Louella Rodney, of Morganton and by a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, December 16, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Reverends Harold Ash and Jerry Hildebran officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Nebo, NC. The family will receive friends Saturday from 7:00 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Evelyn Virginia Elders, 84, of Enola Rd., died December 13, 2007 at J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center. Evelyn was born May 17, 1923 in Converse, SC. to the late Bryant Elders, Sr. and Nellie Beheler Elders. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by a brother, Bryant Elders, Jr.

Evelyn is survived by a sister, Margaret Ware of Gatlinburg, TN, a number of nieces and nephews, and her special family from J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center, Bertha, Aleta, Jimmy, Jerry, Rhonda and Carol Ann.

A celebration of life service will be held at 5:00 p.m., Sunday, December 16, 2007 at the Covenant Center of J. Iverson Riddle Developmental Center with the Rev. Johnny Philips officiating. Receiving of friends will be Sunday from 12:30 p.m. till 5:00 p.m. prior to the service. Burial will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 17, 2007 at Hollywood Cemetery in Gastonia, NC.

William Roger Vance, 63, of NC Hwy 126, Morganton, NC, died Friday, December 14, 2007 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Asheville, NC. Born in Avery County, NC on June 2, 1944, he was the son of Katherine Vance Stewart of Newland, NC and the late Walter Stewart. In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a sister, Quincy Wilson; his maternal grandmother, Mae Vance; and his maternal grandfather, Dempsey Vance. William was a member of Linville United Methodist Church. He retired from Western Carolina Center and was a volunteer for the Lake James Fire Department. He was a former school-bus driver for Burke County.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his wife, Lila Forbes Vance of the home; a son, James Vance and wife, Tracy, of Morganton; daughters, Melissa Hart and husband, Tony, of Hickory, NC and Jackie Dishman and husband, Joe, of Morganton; brothers, Calvin Stewart of Spruce Pine, NC, Nate Stewart of Spruce Pine, and Tommy Stewart of Newland; a sister, Elizabeth Elmore of Connelly Springs, NC; grandchildren, Amiee Jones, Andrew Jones, Alex Jones, Ethan Vance, Emily Vance, Samantha Hart, and Chad Hart; and a number of aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at Linville United Methodist Church with the Reverends Cornelius Brantley and Keith Nichols officiating. The graveside service will be held at 4:00 p.m., Wednesday at the Pisgah United Methodist Church Cemetery in Linville Falls. At other times the family will at the home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Lake James Fire Department, 3222 NC Hwy 126, Morganton, NC 28655 or to Linville United Methodist Church, 3625 Fish Hatchery Road, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Betty L. Miller, 77, of Mountain Shadows Drive, Morganton, NC, died Saturday, December 15, 2007 at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, NC following a period of declining health. Born in Lincoln County, NC on June 26, 1930, she was the daughter of the late Boyd Franklin Proctor and Gladys Hood Proctor Sigmon. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her step-father, Grover Sigmon, and a sister, Rachel Zachary.

Betty was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. She loved to travel and enjoyed spending time with her friends. She loved square-dancing and was very involved in the activities of the church. A loving wife, mother, and grandmother, she was very family oriented and enjoyed the time spent with her family.

Betty is survived by her husband, William M. Miller of the home; sons, David Miller and wife, Katrina, of Dallas, NC, Tim Miller and wife, Debbie, of Hickory, NC, and Jeff Miller and wife, Kathy, of Morganton; a sister, Kathryn Gordermer of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren, Travis Miller, Chris Edwards, Stephanie Hollar, David Hollar, Scott Miller, Katina Miller, and Angie Miller; great-grandchildren, Christopher Edwards and Kaleigh Miller; and numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, and friends.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at Calvary Lutheran Church with the Reverends Mike Riley and Marcus Ollis officiating. Entombment will follow in Catawba Memorial Park Mausoleum in Hickory, NC. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. At other times the family will be at the residence, 1178 Mountain Shadows Drive, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Mid Atlantic Affiliate, Memorials and Tributes Processing Center, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216 or to Calvary Lutheran Church, 119 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655.

Norma S. Storie, loving wife, mother, grandmother, and sister, 77, of Pineburr Ave., Valdese, NC died Sunday, December 16, 2007 at her home following a period of declining health. She was born on April 13, 1930 in Burke County and was a daughter of the late Jess and Rhoda Huffman Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Doyle Luther Storie, and by sisters, Bessie Smith, Eula Howard, Bertha Powell, Ollie Rockett, and Nancy Smith. Mrs. Storie was a member of Mount Calvary Baptist Church. She was an avid sports fan with UNC-Chapel Hill being her favorite.

Surviving are her son, Michael Dean Storie, and his wife, Emily, of Hickory; her daughter, Brenda Storie Queen, and her husband, Jerry, of Valdese; a brother, James “Ed” Smith and his wife, Brenda K., of Morganton; sisters, Mildred S. Anthony, and her husband, Donald, of Drexel and Katie S. Amick and her husband, Jim, of South Port, NC; grandchildren, Allen, Kristen, Heather, and Wendi; and great-grandchildren, Garan, Madison, Gage, Kason, and Trey.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 18, 2007, at Mount Calvary Baptist Church with Rev. Marion Powell officiating. Entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. Tuesday in the Family Life Center at Mount Calvary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Calvary Family Life Center, 704 Praley St., S. W., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Thomas Francis Triol of Grace Ridge Retirement Community, Morganton, NC, formerly of Savannah, GA, died peacefully in the presence of his family on December 17, 2007. He was born on December 1, 1917, in Abington, PA to the late Rosner N. Triol and Mabel Clemmer Triol. He was also preceded in death by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Jane Harris Triol; his brothers, Rosner N. Triol, Jr. and Wilson C. Triol; and infant son, Thomas F. Triol, Jr. He was a graduate of West Chester University and received his master’s degree from Columbia University, where he prepared himself for a lifetime of teaching, coaching, and educational administration.

Tom and his wife, Jane, were recruited by the fledgling Savannah Country Day School in the mid 1950’s, and their partnership in education there spanned nearly four decades. Tom taught, coached, counseled, or mentored virtually every graduate of the school, and he retired as Headmaster in 1983. Moves to Jerico Island, GA and Homestead, FL preceded the Triols’ relocation to Morganton, though this area was not unknown to them since they has spent summers at their cabin at Lake James, their piece of Heaven on earth.

Tom Triol’s legacy as a loving father, caring mentor, skilled administrator, true friend, and gentle man will live on through all of the many lives he touched. He leaves his loving daughters and their husbands, Deborah Triol Perry and R Anderson Perry, and Helen Triol Drozd and Joseph J.Drozd, all of Morganton; a brother, John Clemmer Triol of Huntingdon Valley, PA; a sister, Elizabeth Triol Coates of Jasper, AR; grandchildren; great grandchildren; nieces; and nephews.

A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, December 20, 2007, at the First Presbyterian Chapel with the Rev. Michael Bailey presiding. Visitation will follow the service in the church parlor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials to honor Mr. Triol’s life be made to the Jane Harris and Thomas Francis Triol Endowment Fund at Savannah Country Day School, 824 Stillwood Drive, Savannah, GA 31419 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, 1721 Enon Road., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Bobby Warlick Whisnant, 73, of Woodburn Dr., Valdese, NC died Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at Grace Heights in Morganton following a period of declining health. He was born April 28, 1934 in Burke County, NC, and was a son of the late William James Whisnant and Bertha Mae Harris Whisnant. Bobby was a member of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. He served in the NC National Guard, and was a retired employee of Alba-Waldensian.

He is survived by brothers, Paul Whisnant and wife, Esther, and Manley “Hamp” Whisnant, all of Morganton, and Melvin Whisnant and wife, Annie Mae, of Valdese; sisters, Dorothy Moose and husband, Bob, of Rutherford College, NC, Betty Abee and husband, Herman, of Connelly Springs, NC, Mary Alice Shull of Drexel, NC, and Sarah Bowman of Valdese; and a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Bill, Dan, and John Whisnant.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 20, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Larry Fletcher and Chaplin Larry Cronk officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends one hour before the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.

Grover Junior Hunter, 70, of Hollybrook Dr., Morganton, NC died Tuesday, December 18, 2007 at Grace Hospital. He was born March 29, 1937 in McDowell County, NC, and was a son of the late Grover Cleveland Hunter and Annie Smith Hunter. In addition to his parents, he was preceded by death by a son, Andrew Hunter.

Grover is survived by his wife, Tomi Hand Hunter of the home; and sisters, Edna Buchannan and Doris White, both of Morganton.

Harold Whitfield Barrier, 82, of Barrier Loop, Morganton, North Carolina died Friday, December 21, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness. In July 2006, Harold was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 54 years, Polly. He was born on August 31, 1925 in Burke County and was the youngest son of the late Azor James Barrier and Augusta Henson Barrier. Mr. Barrier was a retired employee of Pet Dairy in Hickory and was a baptized member of Oak Hill United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his two sons, Wayne Barrier and Kenneth Harold Barrier and his wife, Cindy, all of Morganton and his three grandsons, Christopher Harold Barrier, Scott Barrier, and J. Mark Barrier, all of whom are so proud and grateful to have had such a good man as their father and grandfather. He is also survived by his sister, Pauline Barrier, of Jonas Ridge, NC.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 26, 2007, at Oak Hill United Methodist Church with Rev. Mark Denton officiating. Entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends from 12: 00 noon until 2:00 p.m. Wednesday in the church fellowship hall. His body will lie in state in the sanctuary from 12:00 noon until 2:00 p.m. At other times the family will be at his home, 2722 Barrier Loop, Morganton. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Fred Wannamaker Rivers, 86, of Bethel Rd., Morganton, NC died Friday, December 21, 2007 at Mission Hospital, Asheville, NC. Born May 21, 1921 in Chesterfield County, SC, he was a son of the late William Turnage Rivers and Hattie Hammond Rivers. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Mary Vaughn, Connie Wimberly, Lena Haley, Louise Burr, and Stella Cole; brothers, Paul, Blease, Preston, and Ben Rivers. Fred was a World War II U.S. Navy veteran and was a member of Oak Forest United Methodist Church. He was a Mason and a member of the Catawba Valley Masonic Lodge #217. Fred was a retired employee of Burke Auto Supply.

Surviving are his wife, Nan Walker Rivers of the home; daughters, Susan Carswell and her husband, Rick and Beatrice Whyle-Spitz and her husband, Jack, all of Morganton; grandchildren, Rebecca Mull of Calabash, NC, John Jr. Mull of Glen Alpine, and Tad Ehrlich of San Diego, CA; step grandchildren, Richie and Terry Carswell, and Katie Wise; three great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

The graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 24, 2007 at Forest Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Rod Randolph officiating. The family will receive friends Monday from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial gifts may be made to Oak Forest United Methodist Church or to the Mary Taylor Green Scholarship Fund, c/o Oak Forest United Methodist Church, 101 Forest St., Morganton, NC 28655.

John Edward Coffey, 96, of John Coffey Road, Morganton, NC, died Friday, December 21, 2007 at Autumn Care of Drexel following a period of declining health. Born in Burke County, NC on May 8, 1911, he was the son of the late John Henry Coffey and Jennie Branch Coffey. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Viola Bullins Coffey, three brothers, and three sisters. John was a member of Antioch Baptist Church. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved to roam the country and was always mindful of his heritage in the area he grew up.

John is survived by his son, James E. Coffey and wife, Van; two grandchildren, Scott Coffey and wife, Jenny, and Skip Coffey, and by his daughter, Mary E. Hernandez, all of Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 24, 2007, at Antioch Baptist Church with Rev. Clarence Correll officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Sunday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the funeral hour.

Charlie “Bob” Duval, 80, of US 64, Morganton, NC, died Friday, December 21, 2007 at Grace Hospital. Born in Buncombe County, NC on March 29, 1927, he was the son of the late Clyde V. Duval and Lillie Mae Biggerstaff Duval. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Edna Cannon Duval; second wife, Ruby Mace Duval; a daughter, Brent Hensley Mills; brothers, Sam, John, and Lawrence Duval; a sister, Ruby Clarke Juskie; and a stepson, Danny Ray Wilson.

Bob was a member of Mull’s Grove Baptist Church. Bob and his brother, Sam, owned and operated Duval’s Farm Center for a number of years. He was known for his beautiful gardens and lawn.

Mr. Duval is survived by his step-sons, Ronny Wilson and wife, Helen, of Morganton and Tommy Wilson of Canton, NC; sister, Loree Wilson and husband, Andy, of Morganton, Hattie Spaulding and husband, Glenn, of Morganton, and Pearl Ippolito and husband, Charlie, of Tampa, FL; sister-in-laws, Lulu Mae Duval of Morganton and Nadine Duval of Nashville, TN; six grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 23, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Allan Barlow and John Duval officiating. Entombment will follow in 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 the home of Loree Wilson on Fox Street, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Mull’s Grove Baptist Church, 5106 Burkemont Road, Morganton, NC 28655.

Garland Gene Greer, 76, of Knollwood Drive, Morganton, NC, died Saturday, December 22, 2007. Born in Mount Eden, KY on December 8, 1931, he was the son of the late Walter Drake Greer and Marjorie Mae Warford Greer. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert G. Greer.

Garland retired from Drexel Heritage. He was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, having served 20 years as a combat engineer. He completed tours in the Korea Conflict and Vietnam War. He was a member of the Valdese First Christian Church. Upon retirement from Drexel Heritage, he traveled the northwest, especially enjoying the Oregon Trail and Salmon River. Mr. Greer was a life-long member of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Division Marines, American Legion, and the Marine Corps League.

Garland is survived by his wife, Evelyn Ann Stephenson Greer of the home; a son, William D. Greer of Boone, NC; a daughter, Sue A. Greer of Boone; a brother, William S. Greer of Kentucky; and grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, Will, and Brian Greer.

The funeral will be held at 4:00 p.m., Sunday, December 23, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with the Reverends Denny Camp and Diana Spangler-Crawford officiating. Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military graveside rites to be performed by Table Rock Detachment #1147. The family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690.

Dane Hamilton, Jr., 70, of Shook Road, Claremont, NC, formerly of Morganton, NC, died Sunday, December 23, 2007 at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory, NC. Born in Wake County, NC on August 4, 1937, he was the son of the late Cecil Dane Hamilton, Sr. and Charliemae Hennessee Hamilton.

Dane graduated high school from the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA, graduated from NC State University, and was a US Naval veteran. He worked for Home Laundry in Morganton for several years and then for various furniture companies.

Mr. Hamilton is survived by a daughter, S. Hunter Hamilton; a son, Robert Dane Hamilton; three grandchildren, and a sister, Caroline Ervin of Morganton.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Options Victim Assistance Program, P.O. Box 2512, Morganton, NC 28680. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Raleigh L. Stewart, 86, of James Stewart Rd., Morganton, NC went to the loving arms of Jesus surrounded by his loving family at his home on Monday, December 24, 2007 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born in Gaston County, NC on April 5, 1921, he was a son of the late James Sylva Stewart and Lily Parvell Stewart. Raleigh was a World War II U.S. Army Corps of Engineers veteran and he spent the major part of his life in Burke County. A skilled carpenter and craftsman, he was known throughout North Carolina for his knowledge of building and commercial construction. Some notable area buildings to which he contributed his skills are Burkemont, Mt. Home, High Peak, Clinchfield, and Icard Baptist Churches, Morganton Federal Savings and Loan, and many others during the period of 1960 into the 1990’s. Raleigh dearly loved his garden and always looked forward to the yearly planting season. He graciously shared his garden bounty with many friends who will miss him greatly. His faithful lab, Sam, accompanied him on his daily trips to the garden. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Arthur L. Stewart, Sr. and Nally C. Stewart.

Surviving are his son, Jimmy L. Stewart and his wife, Martha of Morganton; daughters, Doris S. Smith and her husband, Perry of Morganton, Margaret S. Coffin and her husband, David of Drexel, and Linda S. Miller and her friend, William Lippard of Morganton; grandchildren, Melisa S. Wellman and her husband, Jeff, Natasha Stewart, Jeremy Stewart and his wife, Kristi, Jessica Stewart, Angela B. Smith and her husband, Kenneth, Laura B. Johnson and her husband, Thad, and Justin R. Coffin and his wife, Anna; seven great grandchildren; brothers, Henry Stewart, Bill Stewart, and Wayne Stewart all of Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Larry Cline, Rev. Jerry Gamble, and Rev. Lloyd Harris officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by Valdese American Legion Post 234. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Sossoman Funeral Home where the body will remain until placed in the church thirty minutes before the funeral hour. Memorial gifts may be made to Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 2396 Enola Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.

Charles Vernon Harris, 69, of E. Wade Avenue, Morganton, NC died Monday, December 24, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness. He was born May 12, 1938 in Burke County, NC, and was a son of the late Frances Edna Harris. Charles was a member of Walker Road Baptist Church, and a veteran of the US Army. He retired from Rexnord and was currently working for the Griffin Security Company. He was a life time member of the Burke County Rescue Squad.

Charles is survived by his wife, Iris Johnson Harris of the home; a daughter, Leslie Adair Ballreich, and her husband, Steve, of Port Clinton, OH; a son, Jamie Harris of Kings Mountain, NC; step-grandchildren, Nicholas “Bubba” Evitt and Sarah Michaela “Baby” Evitt; and a brother, Paul Branch, Sr., and wife, Linda, of Morganton.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, December 27, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Burl Sain officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday from 12 noon until 1 pm at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the residence, 2286 E. Wade Avenue, Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to the Burke County Rescue Squad, PO Box 371, Morganton, NC 28680, or to Walker Road Baptist Church, 100 Walker Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.

Muriel Juanita McKinney King, 76, of Ora Rd., Morganton, NC died Tuesday, December 25, 2007, at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. She was born September 2, 1931 in Avery County, NC and was a daughter of the late Robert Lee McKinney and Lillie Hughes McKinney. Muriel was a member of Catawba Valley Baptist Church. She loved quilting and had made a quilt for all the children in her family.

Muriel is survived by her husband, George Willard King of the home; daughters, DeNea Huffman and her husband, Rex, of Connelly Springs, NC and Denise Huffman and her husband, Keith, of Hampton, GA; grandchildren, Marcus Whisnant, Steve Huffman, and Ryan Huffman; great grandchildren, Cole, Kyleigh, and Haylee; a sister, Zella Greene of Marion, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, Clayton and Lee McKinney and by sisters, Molly Long, Velma Carpenter, and Alveda Pitman.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, December 28, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Albert Norville officiating. Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends Friday from 10 until 11 am at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to personal charity of choice.

Shoner “Kyle” Johnson, III, 46, of Razors Ridge Rd., Morganton, NC died Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness. He was born November 26, 1961 in Avery County, NC, and was a son of Shoner Kyle Johnson, II, and Mary Burleson Johnson of Morganton. Kyle attended the Morganton Freedom Church of God, and was the owner of Johnson’s Nursery. He was an avid outdoorsman, and loved hunting, fishing, camping, and farming. Kyle loved to spend time with his family. He always had a kind word, and a big heart.

In addition to his parents, he is survived by sisters, Tammy Kestner and Bonita Beck, both of Morganton; his paternal grandmother, Hope Johnson of Newland, NC; and numerous nieces and nephews that Kyle loved as his own.

He was preceded in death by a brother, Floyd Johnson; and his paternal grandfather, Shoner Kyle Johhnson, I

Funeral services will be held at 12 Noon, Saturday, December 29, 2007 at the Morganton Freedom Church of God with Rev. Todd Phillips officiating. Burial will follow in the Johnson Family Cemetery in Newland, NC. The family will receive friends Saturday from 10 am until 12 noon at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family of Kyle Johnson, 1281 Razors Ridge Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 to assist with funeral expenses. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Viola Epley Carswell, 93, of Morganton went to the loving arms of Jesus December 24, 2007. Born in Burke County on December 13, 1914, she was the daughter of the late Harriet Epley Gurley and William Harrison Epley. She was a loving wife, sister, and aunt. Viola dearly loved all and she was dearly loved by all she came into contact with. She was a member of Carswell Memorial Baptist Church and retired from Broughton Hospital after 35 years of service.

Viola is survived by a brother, John Gurley, of Drexel, NC and a number of nieces and nephews including Harriet Norman with whom she made her home until 2005.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Carswell; her step-father, Charlie Gurley; sisters, Rosetta Yount and Mary Radar Epley; and brothers, Fred Epley, Ira Epley, Floyd Epley, Jason Gurley, and Charles Lindburg Gurley.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Friday, December 28, 2007, at Carswell Memorial Baptist Church with the Reverends James Green and Donald Lovelace officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 2:00 until 3:00 p.m. at the church. At other times the family will be at the residence of Harriet Norman, 5620 Tommy Norman Ave., Morganton. Memorial contributions may be made to Carswell Memorial Baptist Church, 3386 Carswell Church Rd., Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Beulah S. Phillips, 102, of Asheville St., Morganton, NC died Monday, December 24, 2007, at Grace Heights following a period of declining health. She was born in McDowell County on June 20, 1905 and was a daughter of the late Jacob and Alice Lail Secrest. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Marcus Hennessee Phillips; her step-mother, Sara Secrest; sons, Cameron Phillips, J. D. Phillips, James Phillips, and Johnny Phillips; brothers, Albert Secrest, Robert Lee Secrest, and Arlis Secrest; and by sisters, Mamie Whisenant, Christine Harvey, and Mildred Smith.

Mrs. Phillips was a loving, caring mother, sister, and grandmother, and she is survived by a son, Robert Phillips; daughters, Mary Neimeyier and Ruby Austin and her husband, Richard; a sister, Louise McFalls, all of Morganton; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; 16 great-great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-great-grandchild.

The funeral will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, December 28, 2007, at Asheville Street Baptist Church with the Reverends Douglas Goforth and McCoy Robinson officiating. Burial will follow at Burke Memorial Park. The family will receive friends an hour before the service in the Fellowship Hall. At other times the family will be at the home of Mary Neimeyier on Asheville Street. Memorial contributions may be made to Asheville Street Baptist Church Building Fund, 119 Asheville Street, Morganton, NC 28655. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Mary Hastings Tessneer, 81, of Morganton, NC, and formerly of Casar, NC died Tuesday, December 25, 2007 at Grace Heights following a period of declining health. She was born March 15, 1926 in Cleveland Co., NC, and was a daughter of the late Lemuel Guy Hastings and Lillian L. Turner Hastings. Mary retired from the North Carolina School for the Deaf as a food service director with over 30 years of service. She was a faithful member of Mull’s Grove Baptist Church. Mary would do anything for her family, and will be greatly missed.

Mary is survived by her husband of 67 years, Clay Tessneer of the home; a daughter, Betty Riddle of Morganton; brothers and sisters, Norris Hastings and wife, Libby, of Shelby, NC, Carl Hastings of Lawndale, NC, Robert Hastings of Ridgecrest, CA, John Hastings of Casar, Bill Hastings and wife, Patsy, of Lawndale, and Guynell Hastings of Lawndale; grandchildren, Guy Riddle and wife, Cindy, and Lisa Kennedy and husband, Kennedy; and great grandchildren, Misty Clark, Hobie Riddle, Max Riddle, and Ryan Kennedy.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Friday, December 28, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. Allan Barlow officiating. Burial will follow at Clover Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery in Casar. The family will receive friends Thursday from 5:30 until 7:30 pm at Sossoman Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Mull’s Grove Baptist Church, 5106 Burkemont Rd., Morganton, NC 28655 or to the First Baptist Church Deaf Mission, PO Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680.

Ruby “Nana” McDaniel Lane, 83, of Hopewell Rd., Morganton, NC died Wednesday, December 26, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a period of declining health. She was born August 25, 1924 in Burke County, NC, and was a daughter of the late Charlie McDaniel and Amanda Starnes McDaniel. Ruby was a member of Bethel United Methodist Church on Bethel Rd. in Morganton. She was a former employee of Wamsutta-Doblin, Drexel Furniture, and Shadowline with whom she had twenty-two years of service.

Ruby is survived by a daughter, Ellen Carver of Morganton; and grandchildren, Amanda Benfield and husband, Lenior, Jr. and Kim Orders, all of Morganton.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn Lane; and a son, Robert G. Lane.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Bethel United Methodist Church with Rev. F. Roderick Randolph and Michael Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends Saturday from 1 until 2 pm at the church. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Evelyn Thomas Nance, 89, of Cohen Street, Drexel, NC, died Thursday, December 27, 2007 at Grace Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Union County, NC on June 4, 1918, she was the daughter of the late Albert Thomas and Sophrona Braswell Thomas. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn A. Nance.

Evelyn retired from Crestline Furniture and was a member of Zion Memorial United Methodist Church.

She is survived by a son, Thomas Allen Nance; a daughter, Glenda Nance Turnmire and her husband, Gene, all of Drexel; a granddaughter, Angela Hudgins and her husband, Jeff; and great grandchildren, Matthew and Andrew Hudgins, all of Morganton.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, December 30, 2007 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Reverend George Williams officiating. Entombment will follow in Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 1 until 2 pm on Sunday. Memorial contributions may be made to Zion Memorial United Methodist Church, 1595 Zion Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.

James A. Blakley, 82, of Morganton, NC, died Saturday, December 29, 2007 at Grace Ridge Health Care Center following a brief illness. Born in Forsyth County, NC on November 5, 1925, he was the son of the late E.C. Blakley and Annie Flynn Blakley. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Howard and Hubert Blakley. James was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Morganton Lion’s Club, and the Retired Directors of NC. He worked for the Burke County Department of Social Services for thirty years.

He is survived by his wife, June Hobson Blakley of the home; sons, Barry R. Blakley and wife, Cindy, of Lawrenceville, GA and Mark E. Blakley and wife, Joyce, of Clinton, NC; a daughter, Alice B. Smith and husband, Steve, of Newton, NC; brothers, Charles Blakley of Winston-Salem, NC, and Kenneth Blakley of King, NC; eight grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, December 31, 2007 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Holly Adams, Rev. Dr. Sydnor Thompson, III, and Rev. Billy Blakley officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 200 N. King Street, Morganton, NC 28655, Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Road, Valdese, NC 28690 or a charity of personal choice. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Patricia Gail Strickland, 50, of Nick Dr., Morganton, NC died Thursday, December 27, 2007 at her residence. She was born August 24, 1957 in Portsmouth, VA, and was a daughter of the late Robert Andrew Milko and Lillian Bryant Milko. Patricia was a former manager at Checkers restaurant in Morganton.

She is survived by a daughter, Elizabeth Strickland Guthrie of Salisbury, NC, and six grandchildren.

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

Birvetta Nichols Silver, 66, of Flora Lane, Valdese, NC, died Sunday, December 30, 2007 at Valdese General Hospital following a brief illness. Born in Hurricane, WV on May 28, 1941, she was the daughter of the late Birvie Christian and Louise Scott Christian. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Tommy McCoury, and her second husband, Larry Reyno Nichols. Birvetta was a member of United Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Randy Silver of the home; sons, Tom Ray McCoury and wife, Brenda, of Connelly Springs, NC, Jim McCoury and wife, Christine, of Beaverton, OR, and Larry Lincoln Nichols and wife, Tammy, of Valdese; daughter, Louanne Nienhuis and husband, Vee, and Leslie Nichols and fiancé James Fowler, all of Valdese; brother, Paul Christian of Valdese, Ronnie Grass, Randy, Rocky, and Michael Ray Christian, all of Ohio; sisters, Erma Cantley of Vail, NC, and Lexi Berry, Jennie Craig, and Angie Pyatt, all of Ohio; ten grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 1, 2008 at United Baptist Church with the Reverends Avery Owenby and Mike Wakefield officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday 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, 110 Flora Lane, Valdese, NC. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, ATTN: Office Manager, 4-A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407.

Mrs. Dorothy Patton, age 79, of Morganton, North Carolina passed away Sunday, December 30, 2007, after a period of declining health. She was the daughter of the late William Elgie Clark and Margaret Loretta “Rettie” Clark of Pineola. In addition to her parents Mrs. Patton was preceded in death by a son, Larry Patton, a daughter, Gaylene Patton, two sisters, Opal Friday and Annie Lou Everhart, four brothers, Herbert, Archie, John, and Morris Clark.

She is survived by a daughter, Debbie Patton of Morganton, a sister, Mrs. Artie Patton of Lenoir, three half-sisters, Mrs. Cora Coffey of Lenoir, Pearl Buchanan of Morganton, Mrs. Cora Coffey of Lenoir, Pearl Buchanan of Morganton and Elsie Barrier of Jonas Ridge, and one half–brother Marvin Clark of Crossnore, three granddaughters, one grandson, four great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 5:30 pm, Tuesday, at Sossoman Funeral Home, A graveside service will be held at 2:30 pm, Wednesday, January 2, 2008 at Salem United Methodist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Jack Moses officiating.