The Mount Airy News

Buddy Gray Creed, 79, passed away July 23, 2022, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 26, 1943, in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, to the late Fermon and Thelma Creed. He was preceded in death by his younger brother Ronald. Buddy devoted his professional career to the electrical distribution industry: 5 years with Virginia Electric and Power and 45 years with South River EMC in Dunn. He graduated from Gaston Technical Institute of North Carolina State University, with an associate degree in electrical engineering technology. Buddy began his career at South River EMC as an engineer. After acting as South River's manager of operations and then assistant manager, he became South...

Margaret Jones passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. She was born December 19, 1936, in Mount Airy, NC to the late Robert Posey Jones and Lucille Simmons Jones. After graduating from Mount Airy High School in 1955, she continued her studies at Women's College, Greensboro, NC. Active in her faith, she was a member of Greenway Baptist Church and most recently Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church. Margaret moved to Boone, NC in 1960 and immediately became active in her community. While raising her three daughters, she applied her many talents helping build and provide support to local businesses, starting with a children's shop, DeLee's, in downtown Boone. She later enjoyed a...

Ann Joyce Windley, 98, died on Monday, July 11, 2022. Born in Mount Airy, NC, on December 7, 1923, she was a daughter of the late Robert Frank Joyce and Arminda "Minnie" Ball Joyce. Mrs. Windley attended Greensboro College. She was a very devoted Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Friend. Survivors include her sons, William H. Windley, III (Vivien), of Irmo, SC and John Frank Windley (Nancy), of Columbia, SC; grandchildren, Claire Windley Rhodes, Elizabeth Ann Windley and John Burns Windley; great-grandchildren, Emily Ann Adams, Abigail Windley Adams, Carter Michael Rhodes, Ethan Blake Rhodes, Rhyley Catherine Windley, John William Windley and Rhaegan Camlin Windley. In addition to her parents,...

Michael "Mike" Coga Carter, 75, of Gastonia, NC, died peacefully on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, surrounded by his loving family and friends. Mike was born on July 26, 1946, in Mt. Airy, NC, to the late Detreville "Bill" Coga Carter and Margaret Steele Carter. He is survived by his twin brother Thomas "Tom" Harold Carter, Tom's wife Pat Carter, one sister, Margaret "Carolyn" Carter Smith, his daughters Jessica Carter Strickland and her husband Jon Strickland, two granddaughters Sarah Margaret and Casey Carter, and Jennifer Anderson and her two sons and one grandson, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Mike graduated from Mt. Airy High School and Appalachian State University. He proudly...

Jerald "Fats" Edward Ballou, Sr. died on Sunday, May 22nd 2022, at the Laurels of Salisbury in Salisbury, North Carolina. He was born on September 17th, 1935 in South Royalton, Vermont the son of the late Harold K and the late Viola Smith Ballou. He served in the US Army and was a proud Korean war veteran. He was a retired truck driver of 60 years. He enjoyed going to local diners and flirting with the waitresses. He would strike up a conversation with anyone, as nobody was a stranger to him. He also enjoyed watching old western movies and reading National Geographic. He is survived by 3 sons, Jerry (Linda) Ballou of Mount Airy, North Carolina; Arnold Ballou of Lynchburg, Virginia; Stuart...

Thomas "Norwood" Selby was born to William E. Selby, MD and Sarah Norwood Selby in Charlotte, NC on January 5, 1946. Norwood graduated from Myers Park High School in 1964. He graduated from the University of North Carolina and received a Masters Degree in English. He was an instructor at Surry Community College on Dobson, NC for 30 years in the Division of Language Arts. Early in his employment he received his PHD at the University of South Carolina. At his retirement from the College, it was said he never had a harsh word about anyone and his quick smile and lively sense of humor were admired. Dr. Selby also was the author of college textbooks on grammar and punctuation. Norwood is...

Melanie Louise Jones, 60, of Aiken, SC, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and friend to many, passed Sunday, October 3, 2021. Melanie was the oldest daughter of Joseph and Mary Jones born in Bradenton, Florida. Her family lived in Palmetto, Florida until her elementary school years when they moved to Upstate New York in the midst of a snowy winter. Her family settled on a hillside farm overlooking a lake in Oneonta. There her love of horses blossomed with her first horse, Shasta. Many days were spent riding carefree through the woods and on the quiet dirt roads along the lake. She competed in a few 4H horse shows but her love was always for the horse, not the competition. Melanie's life was...

Mr. Jonathan "Jon" Chaffin Abbott, 62, of Winston Salem, passed away Friday, April 9, 2021, at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He was born May 20, 1958 in Surry County, to the late Richard Chaffin and Betty Jo Ellis Abbott. Mr. Abbott served his country in the United States Navy after graduating from High School. He then went to ECU and graduated with a degree in electrical engineering. After college, he went to work for Bell South and then retired from AT&T with 30 years of loyal service. He is survived by his sister, Donna Gates, and two brothers, Christopher Abbott and Aaron Abbott and wife Mi Son of San Antonio, TX. A private memorial service will be...

Funeral services for Martha Jean Walker Bernhardt, 84, will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, April 10, 2021 at St. Timothy's. Lutheran Church. Reverend Roy Butler will officiate. Memorials may be made to St. Timothy's Lutheran Church, 1301 Mill Street, Camden, SC. Martha died Wednesday, March 24, 2021. The daughter of the late Lawrence Crumpler and Margaret Steelman Walker. After receiving her associates degree in accounting, she was employed with Skyline Manufacturing in Camden in the accounting department for many years. Surviving are her husband for 63 years, Frank Christian Bernhardt, Sr.; son, Frank "Chris" Bernhardt, Jr (Elizabeth) of Ashville, NC; daughter, Ellen Floyd...

Betsy W. Guthrie, 82, of Sneads Ferry, NC, died Friday, March 5, 2021 at her residence. A funeral service will be held 11:00 am Monday, March 8, 2021 at North Topsail Shores Baptist Church in Sneads Ferry, NC. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm at Harmony Baptist Church Cemetery in Clinton, NC. www.andrewsmortuary.com

On February 27, 2021, Cecil Wayne Seal Sr. went to his heavenly home at age 92. He was born to William Lonzo and Ella Haymore Seal on Haystack Road, Mount Airy, NC. He was preceded in death by sisters, Helen Seal Hayes, Alice Seal Horton and brothers; Robert, Roger, Herman and Oliver Seal. He is survived by Bessie Seal Johnson, youngest sister. He leaves behind his loving wife of 65 years, Margaret Covington Seal, Daughters, Sandra Seal Fuller, Donna Seal Rosenzweig and husband Roddy. Also left behind, son, Cecil Wayne Seal Jr. and wife Kim Seal. He is also survived by great-granddaughter, Cecelia Rose Clarke, granddaughter Katherine Brett Clarke and husband Mike; grandsons, Gabriel...

Katie Pruitt McDaniel, 84, passed away at the Woltz Hospice Home in Dobson, NC, on February 11. She was born on October 20, 1936, to Lora and Abe Pruitt in Claudville, VA. Katie graduated from Blue Ridge High School and attended Draughon's Business College in Winston-Salem. Katie grew up on her family's farm which instilled in her a strong work ethic and a love for gardening. She worked for over 25 years at Davis Department Store as a sales clerk. Mrs. McDaniel was a longtime member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church, getting married to her late husband William E. McDaniel in 1957 in the church. She was a faithful caregiver for many years to her husband, and was devoted to her daughters...

Carolyn B. Rice, age 78, passed away gently and peacefully Sunday afternoon, 17 January, 2021, at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, following a four-month battle with cancer. Born in 1942 in Mount Airy, NC, Carolyn graduated from Mount Airy High School in 1961. She won the title of Miss Mount Airy in 1961 and represented her home town in the Miss North Carolina Pageant that same year. She pursued her passion for healthcare at Pfeiffer College and, after three years nursing training at the Bowman Grey School of Medicine at North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, ultimately graduated with her B.S. in Nursing from Pfeiffer in 1966. In 1964 she...

King, N.C. David Robert Graybeal, age 58, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2021 at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, N.C. David was a loving brother who loved his family, gospel music, going to church and his animals. Although he was sick most of his life, he is now healed and home with Jesus! David's gentle way and wonderful cooking will be missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Margaret Graybeal; sister, Ellen Jane Graybeal; brothers, Charles Graybeal, Jr. and Johnny Allen Graybeal. David is survived by his brothers, Thomas Graybeal and wife, Jolene of Mt. Airy, N.C. and James Graybeal and wife, Barbara of Bristol, Tenn.; special aunt, Shelby...

Mrs. Irene Ruth Sutphin Payne, 88, of Lancaster, widow of James Teddy Payne, passed away Saturday, March 28, 2020 at her home. She was born October 24, 1931 in Laural, Virginia, a daughter of the late Ewell Lee Sutphin and Lubenda Eula Bowman Sutphin. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She enjoyed gardening and spending time with her family and friends. A service to celebrate the life of Mrs. Payne will be held Friday, April 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Chapel of Lancaster Funeral Home with the Rev. Donnie Birchfield officiating. Burial will be in the Lancaster Memorial Park. Mrs. Payne is survived by a son, James Michael Payne of Westville; a...

Mr. Farris Jack Drummond, Jr., age 65 of Carrollton, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020. He was born February 21, 1955 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the son of the late Farris Jack Drummond, Sr. and the late Gladys Lewis Turner. He was a Senior Electronic Tech with Southwire for 42 years, and was past president with Woodman of the World. He was a member of the Carrollton Masonic Lodge #69 F&AM, and a volunteer with the Mt. Zion Recreation Department. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister Deborah Lynn Drummond and a grandson, Preston Jack Drummond. Survivors include his wife, Linda McCormick Drummond; sons and daughter-in-law, Jason...

Reba Leora Watson Gardner December 30, 1928 - January 5, 2020 Reba Leora Watson Gardner, 91 of Wilson passed away Sunday. A graveside service will be held at 11:30 Tuesday in Evergreen Memorial Park, Wilson. The Rev. Doug Radford will officiate. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 - 9 p.m. at Joyner's Funeral Home, 4100 Raleigh Road Parkway, Wilson and other times at the home of son, Larry. Reba is survived by her daughter, Katherine Brintle and husband, Sam of Mt. Airy; son, Larry Gardner and wife, Barbara of Wilson; four grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Malcolm Gardner and her parents, Luther and Nellie Rose...

Geraldine Alfano Belchee, 72, passed away on Saturday, November 23, 2019 at her home in Rock Hill. All services will be held at a later date. Born April 24, 1947 in Mount Airy, NC, Mrs. Belchee was the daughter of the late Ugo Alfano and the late Aleese Snow Alfano. Mrs. Belchee was a graduate from the 1965 Class of Mount Airy High School. She graduated from Wake Forest - North Carolina Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC as a Radiation Oncologist. She enjoyed singing in the choirs of her churches as the Lead Soloist. Mrs. Belchee was a member of both Grace Moravian Church of Mount Airy and Peace Moravian Church of Charlotte. Mrs. Belchee is survived by her husband, John William...

Elbert Lee "Butch" Hull, Jr, 82, died peacefully Saturday, Oct. 5th, 2019 under the care of the staff at Penick Village Retirement Community in Southern Pines, NC, where he was a resident for the last 4+ years. He was preceded in death by his father Elbert Lee Hull, Sr and mother Mary (Booker) Hull; the mother of his children and wife of 18 years, LaVerne Blue Hull, and the mother of his stepsons and wife of 37 years, Metta Elizabeth Moore Covington Hull. Also, he was preceded in death by his stepson, Charles Bennett Covington and brother in law Ernest Buddy Ulmer. He is survived by sisters; Polly Ann Hull of Charlotte, NC and Martha Lore Hull Ulmer of Statesville, NC. His children: Edward...

SHELBY - Terry Wade Spencer, 67, passed away Sunday, September 29, 2019 while at Wendover Hospice where he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. He was born September 24, 1952 in Lambsburg, VA. He leaves to cherish his memories his daughters, Mandy Spencer Barkley (Derek) and Sarah Spencer Dixon (Shane); grandsons, Devin Keith Edwards, Michael David Wyatt and Aaron James Wyatt; brothers, David Spencer and Mark Spencer (Sheila); sister, Glenda Piper (Glen); brother-in-law, James Barnett; doberman puppy, Chevy Spencer - Pa's little hot rod; seven nieces and nephews; large number of friends and acquaintances. He is predeceased by his parents, William Aaron Spencer and Nellie Ruth...

Patricia Webb Levering, a beloved Quaker leader well known locally in the Davidson area and nationally in her faith community, died on August 24, 2019, after a sixteen-month struggle with lung cancer. She was 73 years old. Patty was born on July 14, 1946, in Mount Airy, NC, to Irene and Locke Webb. She grew up in a Baptist church there and, after her sophomore year in high school, starting dating the love of her life, Ralph Levering. They experienced a rich and loving marriage lasting more than 52 years. Patty is survived by Ralph; their two sons, Matthew and Brooks Levering; their wives, Joy Levering and Heather Viola; and by eight grandchildren-David, Andrew, Irene, John, Jack,...