SHIRLEY LEDFORD

Mrs. Shirley Dillard Ledford, 69, of Hickory, went home to be with the Lord Nov. 17, 2009, after a brief illness. She was a beloved mother, grandmother and sister.

Born Feb. 25, 1940, she was the daughter of the late William Ithel and Zora Greer Dillard.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Allen V. Ledford; brothers, Ronda and Clyde Dillard; and sister, Marie Greene.

She is survived by daughters, Beth Blanton and husband David of Hickory, Pam Nelson and husband Chancey of New Iberia, La.; and son, Jerry Nelson and wife Geraldine of Ashe, N.C.; sisters, Kaye Reid, Dorothy Hendrix and Linda Jenkins and husband Fred, all of Lenoir; brothers Grady Dillard and wife Ann of Aurora, Ill., Claude Dillard and wife Trena of Lenoir, and James Dillard and wife Martha of North Wilkesboro; grandchildren, Jenna Pennell and husband Steven, and Jamey Starnes, all of Hickory, Tyler, Analeigh and Gunner Nelson of New Iberia, La., and Wendy Nelson of Ashe, N.C.; step-grandchildren, Derick, Shawn, Aaron Blanton. all of Hickory; a number of nieces and nephews.

She was an active member of Gateway Baptist Church and the Tuesday Bible Study Group.

A receiving for family and friends will be held Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, from 3-5 p.m. at Mackie-High Funeral Home in Granite Falls. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at Gateway Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerome Walker and Pastor J. Randall Miller officiating. Burial will follow at Catawba Memorial Park, Hickory.

Serving as pallbearers are Dave Nelson, Eric Jenkins, Lonnie Dillard, Dwayne Beard, Morgan Blanton and Jerry Frye.

Flowers are greatly appreciated, but donations also can be made to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 27985, Raleigh, NC 27611.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Shirley D. Ledford.

CECIL BARLOWE

Mr. Cecil James Barlowe, 75, of Hickory, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Thursday, November 19, 2009, at VA Medical Center in Asheville.

He was born March 20, 1934 in Watauga County, to the late Vernie Barlowe and Eva McGee Barlowe. He was a member of Zion Hill Baptist Church in Marion but attended faithfully to the Huntington Hills Church of God. Mr. Barlowe was the co-founder of Table Rock Chapter of the A.I.P.E. and a former member of the Kiwanis of Marion.

He is survived by his loving wife, Geneva Smith Barlowe of the home; a step-son, Bradford Watson of Hudson; a step-granddaughter, Jamie Parsons of Lenoir; five step-great-grandchildren; his brother, Clinton V. Barlowe of Greenville, N.C.; his sister, Mamie Barlowe Reel of Marion; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Mr. Barlowe will be at 7 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Huntington Hills Church of God, 2123 5th Street, NE, Hickory, with the Pastor J. Randall Miller and the Rev. Frank Barlowe officiating. Graveside service will be at 3 p.m. Monday, November 23, 2009, at McDowell Memorial Park, Marion. The family will receive friends 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday, November 22, 2009, at Huntington Hills Church of God.

Memorials may be made to Huntington Hills Church of God Building Fund, P.O. Box 5038, Hickory, NC 28603.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Cecil J. Barlowe.