Julia Watkins

Julia Kent Watkins, 88, formerly of Lenoir, died on January 27, 2010, in Virginia Beach, Va.

She was born in Caldwell County on June 15, 1921, to the late Robert A. and Zella Anderson Kent. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Warner M. Watkins; four sisters, Virginia K. Oxford, Anne K. Hickman and Ruby K. Lamkin, of Lenoir, and Roberta K. Bare of Jacksonville, Fla.; and three brothers, Robert A. Kent Jr., William F. Kent Sr., and James C. Kent Sr., of Lenoir.

Mrs. Watkins graduated from Collettsville High School and Lenoir Business College. She continued her education at the University of Richmond, Va. Commonwealth University and T. C. Williams Law School of the University of Richmond, Richmond, Va. Her career as an executive included 20 years with Virginia Press Association and as Executive Director of the Virginia Dental Association, from which she retired in 1994. She received many awards for her service at both associations.

She is survived by two sons, Warner M. Watkins Jr., of Charlotte, and Charles P. Watkins of Virginia Beach, Va.; grandsons, Shaun Watkins and Warner Watkins III; and one great-granddaughter, Caitlyn Watkins. She is further survived by sisters, Lillian K. Setzer and Jerri K. Heltzer, and one brother, Horry M. Kent Sr., all of Lenoir.

Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. Fred Barnes, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 6, 2010, at the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service in Lenoir with interment to follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park.

The family will receive friends Saturday from 10 until 11 a.m., one hour prior to the service.

Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Research, Western Carolina, 3800 Shamrock Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215-3220.

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

Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Watkins family.

Ora Sherrill

Ora R. Sherrill, of Steeltown Road, Lenoir, died Tuesday, February 2, 2010, at Frye Regional Medical Center.

She was born in Ashe County to the late James S. and Florence Jones Roland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Joe Roland and Max Roland; and one sister, Virginia Johnston.

Mrs. Sherrill was employed by Caldwell County School System with 52 years of service and was of the Baptist faith.

Survivors include her husband, Billy C. Sherrill of the home; one daughter, Miss Elizabeth Sherrill of the home; three brothers, Robert Roland and Neal Roland, both of Lenoir, and Marvin Roland of Flint, Mich.; three sisters, Mrs. Margaret Crump, Mrs. Lillian Baker and Mrs. Rebecca Earp, all of Lenoir; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, February 4, 2010, at 11 a.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Robert Livingston. Interment will be private.

The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jeff Roland, Chad Roland, Paul Johnston, Mark Roland, Bobby Johnston and Eddie Cheek.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Yadkin Baptist Church, P.O. Box 37, Patterson, NC 28661.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Virginia Carlton

Virginia “Gin” Carlton, 90, of Lenoir, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Friday, January 29, 2010, in the Lenoir Health Care Center.

Born June 10, 1919, in York, S.C., she was a daughter of the late Harley Andrew and Wilma McDaniel Carlton. Other than her parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Henry Thomas Carlton and Harley “H.J.” Andrew Carlton Jr.; and one niece, Martha Virginia Carlton.

Ms. Carlton was a member of Shiloh Church where she had taught Sunday school. She will be long remembered as a child care provider for family and friends, and others in the neighborhood.

She is survived by one sister, Louise Beach and husband Daniel of Lenoir; one sister-in-law, Foybell Carlton of Lenoir; nieces and nephews, Sylvia, Debra, Theresa, Geraldine, Tommy, Jimmy, Connie, Travis, Shelia, Pam, Lindsay, Regina, Jeff, Brenda, Colin, Russell, Dean, Karen, Doug and Randy; and numerous other relatives.

A celebration of Ms. Carlton’s life will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, February 7, 2010, in the Chapel of Evans Funeral Service with the Rev. Jim Evans officiating. The family will receive friends from 1 until 2 p.m., one hour prior to the service at Evans Funeral Service and Crematory.

A private burial will take place in the Shiloh Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

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

Evans Funeral Service and Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Carlton Family.