News-Topic Staff

Bobby Turnmyre

Bobby G. Turnmyre died Sept. 20, 2009. after a year of declining health.

Born in 1925 in Granite Falls, N.C., Bob attended Lenoir-Rhyne College after being discharged from the Army. He enlisted in 1943 and served in the European and North Africa Theater until 1946. After that time, he was a rural mail carrier for the Hickory Post Office for 30 years.

He attended Viewmont Baptist Church since 1953 where he served as Sunday School teacher, deacon and past Sunday School superintendent. Bob was an avid golfer, hunter, bridge player and a great baseball player. He managed and played for the Viewmont Baptist Fast Pitch Softball Team in 1960. He loved the outdoors, being with his golfing buddies and his family. He was a special grandfather and was loved by everyone who knew him.

Mr. Turnmyre was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Turnmyre Parham; and brother-in-law, Jim Reinhardt.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn Hamilton Turnmyre; son, Kenneth Turnmyre and wife Donna of Hickory; grandson, Michael Turnmyre and wife Nicole of Hickory; granddaughter, Anne Moser and husband Trey of Hickory; great-grandson, Luke Moser of Hickory; daughter, Tamara Verbiest and husband John of Hickory; grandsons, Jake and Will Verbiest, both of Raleigh; son, John Turnmyre of Yorktown, Va.; aunt, Sue Turnmyre Propst of Hickory; sisters-in-law, Helen Reinhardt of Hickory, and Linda Barger and husband Eddie of Cornelius, N.C., Penny Gupton and husband Mark of Ponte Vedra, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept 23, 2009, at Viewmont Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. Layne Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 to 3 p.m. prior to the service at the church.

Graveside military honors will be performed by American Legion Post 48.

Pallbearers will be John Verbiest, Jake Verbiest, Will Verbiest, C.E. (Trey) Moser III, Michael Turnmyre and Mo Hord.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Master Workmens Sunday School class; friend, Rob Heavner; and his nephews, Mark Gupton III, Chris Gupton, Robert Lockaby, Grant Barger, Greg White, Jerry Robbins, Mike Murphy and Eddie Barger.

Memorials may be made to Viewmont Baptist Church, 1246 2nd St., NE, Hickory, NC 28601 ,or Palliative Care Center and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658.

Online condolences may be left for the Turnmyre family at www.bass-smithfuneralhome.com.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home is serving the family of Bobby G. Turnmyre.

Ted Greer

Mr. Ted Raymond Greer, 77, of Lenoir, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory.

Born July 23, 1932, in Watauga County, Mr. Greer was a son of the late Fred and Ruth Presnell Greer, and the husband of Mrs. Genoise Tuttle Greer of the home, to whom he was married 54 years. Other than his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ned Greer.

Mr. Greer was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and had retired as operational supervisor for the Lenoir Post Office after 26 years of service. He was a member of Central Baptist Church for 44 years where he had served as a deacon for 42 years and held various other positions in the church.

Surviving, other than his wife, is his daughter, Sara Greer Roland and husband Alan of Mooresville; his son, Kent Greer and wife Susan of Hudson; three sisters, Mrs. Ray (Juanita) Teems of Columbia, S.C.; Mrs. Ben (Louise) Kincaid of Lenoir; Mrs. Jim (Patti) Lapinski of Burke, Va.; and four grandchildren, Christopher Alan Roland of Knightdale, Jordan Craig Roland of Mooresville, Kyle Kent Greer and Samuel Hunter Greer, both of Hudson.

A celebration of Mr. Greer's life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at Central Baptist Church with the Rev. John Jernigan officiating. Burial will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park with military honors.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, from noon until 1:30 p.m. prior to the service at Central Baptist Church.

Pallbearers will be Christopher Roland, Jordan Roland, Kyle Greer, Hunter Greer, Monty Tuttle and David Porter III. Honorary pallbearers will be the Men's Sunday School class of Central Baptist Church.

The family respectfully requests memorials be made to Central Baptist Church, Senior Citizens Fund, 311 SW Connelly Springs Road, Lenoir, NC 28645 ,or American Cancer Society, 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28210.

Online condolences may be sent to the Greer Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com.

Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is serving the Greer Family.

Ralph Hambright

Ralph E. Hambright, 67, of Luke Lane, Lenoir, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at the residence. Services will be private. Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Julius Dula

Julius Alexander Dula, 2 months, died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory.

Ralph Davis

Ralph "Max" Davis, 88, of Jamestown Road, Morganton, N.C., passed from this Earth to his Heavenly Home Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir, N.C.

Born in McDowell County, N.C., on April 26, 1921, he was the son of the late Phiffer Davis and Roena Coe Davis. In addition to his parents, Max was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Azalee Franklin Davis; and a sister, Grace Davis Rudisill.

Max was a member of Calvary Baptist Church and had worked at Henredon Furniture Company for 40 years.

He is survived by his daughter, Anita Peterkin and her husband Tom of Hudson, NC; grandchildren, Steve Peterkin, D. Peterkin and wife Ericia, Max Peterkin and Elizabeth Peterkin; and six great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21, 2009, at Burke Memorial Park with the Rev. Larry Thompson officiating. Military honors will be provided by Valdese American Legion Post #234.

The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Condolences may be made online at www.sossomanfuneralservice.com.

Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Ila Campbell

Ila Nadine Triplett Campbell, 85, of Granite Falls, passed away Saturday, Sept. 19, 2009, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

Mrs. Campbell was born in Wilkes County to the late Lawrence and Maie Sanders Triplett. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wilbur Campbell; a brother, J. C. Triplett; and a sister, Oler Triplett.

She was retired from Broyhill Furniture and Western Steer Steak House. She was a member of Elk Creek Baptist Church.

Survivors include her sons, Douglas Campbell and wife Janice of Haymarket, Va., and Mike Campbell and wife Nancy of Granite Falls; a daughter, Kay Campbell Pruitt of Granite Falls; brothers, Archie, Brady, Troy and Harm Triplett, all of Lenoir; sisters, Faye Hendrix of Morganton, Hazel Wolfe of Granite Falls, Clara Robbins of Darby and Rainnie Shew of Hendersonville. She also is survived by three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, at 2 p.m. in Pendry's Chapel with Brother Travis Triplett officiating. Burial will follow the service at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Tuesday at the Pendry's Funeral Home one hour prior to the service.

Serving as pallbearers will be Josh Hamby, Stan Hendrix, John Hamby, Chad Triplett, Jason Triplett and Stephen Triplett.

The family requests that memorials be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences to the Campbell family may be made at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.

Pendry's Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Campbell family.

Dorothy Murray

Mrs. Dorothy Greene Murray, 78, of Lenoir, died Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

Born Aug. 8, 1931, in Union County, Mrs. Murray was a daughter of the late Bert and Willie Griffin Teague, and the wife of Wilson Murray of the home. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Vance Greene; and two sisters, Billie and Francis; and three brothers, Cecil, Sykes and Tommy.

Mrs. Murray was a homemaker and a member of First Baptist Church-Whitnel.

Surviving, other than her husband, are three sons, Rick Greene and wife Sharon of the Baton community, the Rev. Ron Greene and wife Judy of Newland, and Reggy Greene and wife Jennifer of Lenoir; one step-daughter, Linda Ollis and husband Molt of Morganton; four sisters, Jean T. Neville and husband Soloman, Betty T. Gibson, Barbara T. Hartman and husband Clarence, and Margaret T. Barnes and husband Howard; three brothers, Ellison Teague, Loyd Teague and wife Vickie, Van Teague; grandchildren, Josh Greene and wife Jennifer of Enfield, NH; Drew and Stephanie Greene of Newland, Sally Greene of Charlotte, Rachel Greene of Lenoir and Beth Parlier of Morganton; and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of Mrs. Murray's life will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009, at First Baptist Church in Whitnel with the Rev. Stuart White officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Evans Funeral Service in Lenoir.

Online condolences may be sent to Mrs. Murray's family at www.evansfuneralservice.com.

Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is serving the Murray Family.

James Foster

James Edward Foster, 77, of Lenoir, passed away at his home Saturday, Sept.19, 2009.

Born Oct. 11, 1931, in Caldwell County, Mr. Foster was a son of the late James Mann and Willie Mae Gaither Foster.

James had worked for over 30 years in the furniture industry. He was a faithful member of the Lenoir English Congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses. He also served several years as a ministerial servant in the congregation. He will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather; He enjoyed the outdoors.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one sister, Gloria Foster.

He is survived by his wife, Eleanor J. Foster of the home; two daughters and a son-in- law, Edwina "Shay" Morrow and husband Paul of Lenoir, and Meredith L. Foster of Lenoir; one son and daughter- in-law, Edgar Gerard Foster and wife Sylvia of Lenoir; one sister, Barbara L. Foster of Lenoir; four grandchildren, Brian Foster, Michelle Gill, Paul Morrow Jr., and Daniel Beckert, all from Lenoir; one great-granddaughter, Kimora Gill of Lenoir; a special niece, Lynda K. Foster of Charlotte; he also is survived by numerous other relatives.

A celebration of Mr. Foster's life will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday at the local Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses with Stan Davidson officiating.

The family will receive friends at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses prior to the service from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

Online condolences may be sent to the Foster Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com.

Evans Funeral Service of Lenoir is serving the Foster Family.

Thomas Morrison

Thomas Harvey Morrison, 69, of Lenoir, passed away Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, at Catawba Valley Medical Center.

Mr. Morrison was born in Iredell County to the late John Rufus Morrison and Edith Yount Morrison. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Morrison.

He was the former owner of Morrison's Quality Cleaners and worked for 16 years as the bar manager for Cedar Rock Country Club. He was of the Presbyterian faith and an active volunteer for Caldwell County School System and former member of the Lenoir Optimist Club.

Survivors include his wife, Judy Morrison of the home; his daughters, Carmen Morrison Purcell and husband Michael of Barboursville, Va., and Kristin Morrison Sturgill and husband Michael of Lenoir; a brother, Richard Morrison of Statesville; a sister, Marie M. Royal of Salemburg; two grandchildren, Audrey and Thomas Sturgill.

A memorial service will be held at United Presbyterian Church, Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009, at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Steve Austin officiating.

The family will receive friends at Pendry's Funeral Home Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2009, from 7 until 8:30 p.m.

The family requests that memorials be made to the Lenoir Optimist Club, Sports Program, P.O. Box 713, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences to the Morrison family may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is honored to be assisting the Morrison family with arrangements.