David Sherman

GREENSBORO – David Sherman, age 55, died on Saturday, October 24, 2009, in an accident. Born in Washington, D.C., he received his undergraduate and master’s degrees in accounting and taxation at the University of Tennessee. He began his working career in Nashville, TN, followed by five years in Port Orange, FL, before making Greensboro his home for the last 19 years. He worked at Sealy, Inc. for over 10 years rising to the position of Vice President.

During this time David developed his passions for music, running, and cycling. Whatever he decided to accomplish he did so with single-minded determination – learning to play the violin as an adult student, training for marathons, and most recently discovering the sport of cycling. As much as he enjoyed the ride, the camaraderie he felt with his fellow cyclists was his true joy.

David’s top priority in life was his family. He was a supportive father to his daughters and a committed partner to his wife. He was preceded in death by his mother, Georgia Sherman; father, Vincent E. Sherman; and his sister, Cathie Sherman Cooney. He is survived by his wife, Ann Carole Sherman, his daughter, Rebekah Grace (Becky) Sherman, of Greensboro; his daughter Elizabeth Ann (Beth) Sherman and her partner Christopher Nodal, of San Francisco, CA; and his sister, Laurie Sherman Pearl, of Knoxville, TN.

A celebration of David’s life will be held at New Garden Friends Meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. Family will greet friends after the service. The family has scheduled a private inurnment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations are made to the Greensboro Symphony Orchestra or New Garden Friends Meeting. Forbis and Dick Guilford Chapel is serving the Sherman family. Online condolences may be made at www.forbisanddick.com.

Stephen Davis

HIGH POINT – Stephen Jonah Davis, 75, passed away Saturday, October 24, 2009, at his High Point home surrounded by his beloved family and friends.

Stephen (J.D.) was born December 9, 1933, at home on Mangum Ave. in High Point, NC. He was the son of the late Stephen Orlindo Davis and Eunice Annie Delphinia Janie Culler Brown Davis. He lived in High Point for some time and then his family moved to Steeds, N.C. After a short time in Steeds, his family moved to the Archdale-Trinity area. Stephen attended Trinity schools until he had to leave school to help support the family. In 1951 Stephen met Dorothy Ann O’Berry and the couple was married on April 3, 1952, at Welch Memorial United Methodist Church. Stephen and Dorothy had four children; Julia Ann Wilson (husband Ken), Peggy Jean Neese, Stephen Monroe Davis (wife B.J.), Christine Renee Davis (fiancé John Gray). Stephen worked maintenance 15 years for Burlington Industries, 20 years for Alma Desk (Dimension & Plywood), 5 years for Hayworth Roll & Panel and after retiring for the second time, he worked for a few years for Trinity Frames.

Stephen was a great mechanic, all around fix it man. Stephen was a simple man, hardworking man, and devoted husband and devoted family man. Stephen loved the outdoors, his wife, children, grandchildren, his great grandson, and his closest friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents; son, Stephen Monroe Davis; daughter-in-law, Betty Jo Davis; three sisters, Juanita Spencer, Della Lineback and Maxine Spencer.

Survived by beloved wife Dorothy “Dot” Davis; daughters, Julia Wilson and husband Ken of Illinois, Peggy Neese of Pensacola, Florida and Christine Renee Davis and fiancé John Gray of High Point; sisters, Frances Louise Spencer of Victoria, VA, Marie Mae Wray of Farmer, NC; grandchildren, Elizabeth Ann Norwood, William Kenneth Wilson III, James Alexander Neese, Jacqueline Nichole Stevens, Victor Jonah Neese, Johnathan Dow Hinshaw, Amber Nicol Davis; one great grandson, Skyling Gray Hinshaw. Stephen also had nieces and nephews who thought the world of him. He also had many special friends. One couple, Wayne and Nancy Wall, really meant a lot to Stephen.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2009, at Thomasville Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by Rev. Dr. Karen Hudson. The family will receive friends after the memorial service.

Memorials may be directed to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.

Ronald Lee Taff

HIGH POINT – Mr. Ronald Lee Taff (Ron), 78, passed away on Monday, October 26, 2009, at Hospice in High Point, North Carolina.

A memorial service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 118 North Main Street, High Point, North Carolina, on Thursday October 29 at 2:00 p.m. Dr. Ken Broman-Fulks will preside. There will also be a private inurnment for the family at the church columbarium.

Mr. Taff was born on July 24, 1931, in Chillicothe, Missouri, the son on Harry Gordon Taff, Sr. and Zella Ruth Stock and was preceded in death by his parents. Upon graduation from high school in 1949 at St. Joseph, Missouri, he entered the United States Marine Corps, serving for five years. He then attended Kansas University, receiving his degree in Industrial Management in 1959. After spending several years in the banking industry in Phoenix, Arizona, Los Angeles, California, and Kansas City, Missouri, he was affiliated with an office furniture manufacturers representative. In 1971 he moved to High Point, North Carolina, where he was in sales management with Alma Desk Company and was with the firm for 22 years. He later was in similar positions with Carolina Business Furniture and Table Creations, a division of Patrician Furniture, before retiring in 1998.

Mr. Taff was a former long time member of High Point Toastmasters, serving twice as President, and was a past member of High Point Country Club and the String and Splinter. He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church, was a former Deacon and was a member of the “Grumpy Old Men’s Bible Study” at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Mobley Taff of the home; a brother, Harry Gordon Taff, Jr., Overland Park, Kansas; sons Guy and wife Tina of Olathe, Kansas, and Adam and wife Beth of Mission, Kansas, two grandsons; stepdaughter Sandra Mauch of Fairfax, Virginia and stepson Joseph Scroggs and wife Patricia of Lexington, North Carolina; and numerous nieces and nephews survive Mr. Taff.

The family will receive friends in the Church following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, 118 North Main Street, High Point, NC 27262, or Kansas University Endowment, Student Loan Fund, P.O. Box 928, Lawrence, KS 66044-0928.

Bobby Weaver

LEXINGTON – Bobby Key Weaver, 78, of Lakewood Court died October 24, 2009, at the VA Medical Center in Salisbury.

Funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the Davidson Funeral Home Chapel, Lexington. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home.

Carl Stevens

ARCHDALE – Carl Ivan Stevens, 93, died October 26, 2009, at his residence.

Arrangements are pending at Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale.

Lucy Hawkins

STATESVILLE – Mrs. Lucy Neil Hill Hawkins, 77, passed away on Saturday, October 24, 2009, at her residence in Statesville.

She was born February 27, 1932 in Randolph County to the late Dalton L. and Martha Sawyer Hill. She retired as an administrative secretary with the Rowan County Housing Authority. She was a founding administrative secretary for Duke Power State Park, an Arts and Crafts instructor for Mitchell Community College and a Sunday School teacher at Bethel Baptist Church for several years. She was a loving wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother and homemaker who illuminated kindness, caring and charity.

Mrs. Hawkins is survived by her husband, Oren Dale Hawkins, Sr.; two sons, Keith E. (Pat) Hawkins and Oren Dale (Renee) Hawkins, Jr.; a daughter, Vanessa Hawkins (Alan) Horne; six grandchildren, Heather H. (David) Hughes, Hannah H. (Preston) Taylor, Marie H. Adams, Stephanie H. (John) Mandarini, Kenny (Molly) Clark and Nesa Cole; one sister, Opal Helmsteller; one brother, Joe Hill; and nine great grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by one sister, Ruth Dowd and two brothers, Raymond and Herman Hill.

Funeral services will be held at Troutman Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 29, 2009. A visitation will immediately precede the service from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Burial will be at Iredell Memorial Park with the Rev. David Troutman officiating.

The family will assemble at the home of Vanessa Horne, 2610 Caroline St. in Statesville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Friends and family are invited to sign the guest book for Mrs. Hawkins at www.troutmanfuneralhome.com .

Troutman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Mrs. Hawkins.

Margaret Nance

DENTON – Margaret Paige Beck Nance, 89, of Mt. Vista Health Park, formerly of Thurman Beck Road, Lexington, died October 25, 2009, at her residence.

Funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday at Davidson Funeral Home Chapel, Lexington. Visitation will be hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Judy Gail Everhart

LEXINGTON – Judy Gail Cline Everhart, 55, died October 25, 2009, at her home.

Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Madison Heights Freewill Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington.

Edith Shelar

HIGH POINT – Mrs. Edith Wilson Shelar, 79, of High Point, died Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the GrayBrier Nursing Center.

Born July 10, 1930, in Richmond County, she was the daughter of the late Charlie Lee and Dora Goins Wilson. She was retired from Barnhardt Manufacturing, and had attended Shady Grove Baptist Church when her health allowed. She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren, and was always helping others. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by a daughter, Patsy Ann Shelar.

On June 23, 1949, she married her loving and devoted husband, Bernie Shelar who survives of the home. Also surviving are four children, Sandy D. Hine and husband, Mike, of Trinity, Charles W. Shelar and wife, Debra, of High Point, Debbie S. Smith of Trinity, and B. Dale Shelar of Trinity; two sisters, Eleanor Peace and Betty Lamb, both of Thomasville; five grandchildren and ten great grandchildren.

Funeral will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 28th at Trinity Baptist Church officiated by Rev. Steve Smith and Rev. Bobby Blackburn. Interment will follow in Floral Garden Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday night from 6 until 8 at Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale.

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3800 Shamrock Dr., #999, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220. Online condolences can be made at www.cumbyfuneral.com. Arrangements by Cumby Family Funeral Service in Archdale.

Lala Byerly

WELCOME – Mrs. Lala Mae Brinkley Byerly, 73, formerly of Salem Road died October 26, 2009, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center.

Memorial service will be held at a later date.

James ‘Fred’ Thomas

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Funeral services for James “Fred” Thomas, 77, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2009, at St. Michael’s Evangelical Lutheran Church with interment in the church cemetery. Rev. Dwight Wessinger will conduct the service. The family received friends from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday, October 26, 2009, at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, Irmo/St. Andrews Chapel. Memorials may be made to St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 400 River Road, Columbia, SC, 29212 (803) 781-0229 or Chuck Colson Prison Fellowship, PO Box 1550 Merrifield, VA 22116.

Mr. Thomas was born March 17, 1932, in Roopville, GA and passed away peacefully at home on Friday, October 23, 2009. He was the owner and operator of Fire Sprinkler Service in High Point NC. He was a Master Mason for many years. He was a member of Masonic Piedmont Lodge # 681. He was the son of the late Luther Thomas and Eliza Mable Merrill Thomas. He was predeceased by his brothers Samuel Perry Thomas and Jerry Thomas of Roopville, Ga.

Mr. Thomas is survived by his sons Frank Thomas of Columbia, SC, Ed Thomas of Atlanta, GA and his daughter, Peggy Thomas of New Bern, NC and 11 grandchildren.

www.caughmanharmanfuneralhome.com.

Ruth Lewis

THOMASVILLE – Mrs. Ruth Flora Lewis, 70, died October 25, 2009.

Professional arrangements entrusted to People’s Funeral Service, Inc.

Carl Snider

THOMASVILLE – Carl Roland Snider, 82, passed away Monday, October 26, 2009, at Thomasville Medical Center.

Mr. Snider was born December 16, 1926, to the late James Lee and Beulah Snider. He served in the US Army for a short time. He was retired from Thomasville Furniture where he worked in maintenance for 40 years. He loved being outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening.

Mr. Snider is preceded in death by his parents, six brothers and six sisters. He was proud to be the thirteenth child.

He is survived by his beloved wife Millie Snider; a daughter, Martha Kilgore and husband Bill of High Point, NC; two grandchildren, Ashley Eudy and husband Allen of High Point, Michael Kilgore and wife Kristin of Fairfax, VA.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, October 28, 2009, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Thomasville Funeral Home. An 11:00 a.m. Chapel Service will follow visitation with Reverend David Bowman officiating. Interment will be at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.

Audio and written condolences may be sent to the family using www.,em.com.

Peggy G. Kepley

LEXINGTON – Peggy Gibson Kepley, 76, of Buena Vista Drive died October 25, 2009, at High Point Regional Medical Center.

Funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 tonight at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington.