E. Roll of Deceased Clergy and Diaconal Ministers and

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Rosemary Mooneyham Moore (Charles Russell Moore) ......................................................... September 27, 2007
Murphy Sadler Nelson (Fletcher Nelson) ........................................................................................August 10, 2007
Irene Cook Powell (John James Powell) .................................................................................... February 19, 2008
Margaret Smith Powell (Theodore Allen Powell) ........................................................................ February 14, 2008
Jean Eller Russell (Robert Glenn Russell, Jr.) ................................................................................ October 8, 2007
Susan Duncan Thompson (Paul Bryan Thompson) ...................................................................... February 5, 2008
Maude Brady Tyson (Charles Edward Tyson) ......................................................................... September 26, 2007
Susan Snyder Warren (Charles Mac Warren) .................................................................................... May 15, 2007
Margaret Lyles Weldon (Wilson Osbourne Weldon) ..................................................................... October 19, 2007
Katharine Mann Newton Williams (Coy Bascom Newton) ................................................................. June 13, 2007
Dorothy Williams Witty (Robert Lee Witty, Jr.) ..................................................................................... June 1, 2007
F. MEMOIRS OF DECEASED CLERGY AND DIACONAL MINISTERS
DAVID KUHL ALLCORN
July 7, 1928 – January 29, 2008
David Kuhl Allcorn began his heavenly journey with the Lord on January 29,
2008, after living a full and spirit-filled life for 79 years. He was born July 7,
1928, in Freedom, Pennsylvania, the oldest son of four children of Clarence
and Elizabeth Kuhl Allcorn. His younger brothers, Paul and John, and his
sister, Lohra, still reside near Freedom and still attend the family church,
Freedom United Methodist, formerly Freedom Evangelical Church. He was a
loving husband for 58 years to Shirley Todd Allcorn and devoted father to
seven children: Ronald, Doris (Weir), Cathleen (Harbaugh), Ruth (Kapley),
William, Rebecca (Evans), and Gloria. He also had 17 grandchildren and three
great-grandchildren.
After graduating from high school, David pursued a B.S. degree in
chemistry and physics from Shippensburg State College and started a
promising career as a chemist with Ashland Oil; however, at the age of 22, he
answered the Lord’s call to ministry. Shortly after his marriage to Shirley Todd
on January 7, 1950, he was appointed as a local pastor at Orbisonia
Evangelical United Brethren Church in the coal-mining mountains of south
central Pennsylvania.
After eight years of ministry, he felt compelled to return to the Pittsburgh
area and was asked to be the Interim pastor of Immanuel Evangelical United
Brethren Church. Shortly after the interim position was undertaken, Salem Evangelical United Brethren Church was
added to the Immanuel Charge, and full-time ministry began in the impoverished North Side community of Pittsburgh.
During those years in Pittsburgh, David was admitted to full membership and ordained elder in the ministry of the
Evangelical United Brethren Church in 1965. With the merger of 1968, his membership was placed with the Western
Pennsylvania Conference of The United Methodist Church.
Over the course of 28 years, the struggling ministry at Immanuel became a Western Pennsylvania Conference
Advance special and national Advance special mission program under the General Board of Global Ministries. What
was once one building dedicated to worship became four buildings covering half a city block. Virtually all conceivable
needs of the residents of the community had programs to meet them and guide the recipients toward selfsubsistence. A clothes cupboard made available free—or at a reduced price—necessary clothing, a food co-op made
available perishable and non-perishable foods, and office meeting places were available to all residents in
coordination with Allegheny General Hospital and Allegheny County mental health and retardation agencies.
Financial planning and education professionals were made available through Immanuel to address the low-income
and educational issues plaguing the North Side community and its residents.
During the last ten years of this North Side Ministry, a program was begun to prove the viability of teaching the
severely mentally challenged how to manufacture complex electronic components for the model train industry, known
as Power Resources Association. Significant inroads were made, and many of David’s designs were not only skillfully
made by the client employees, but were also successfully sold to retail outlets throughout western Pennsylvania. The
operating standards and teaching procedures established and proven by Power Resources Association consequently
became adopted by handicapped-training programs throughout Allegheny County.
In 1988, David and Shirley retired from Immanuel Church and moved to Marion, North Carolina, to assist in the
care of Shirley’s ailing parents. He was granted retirement by the Western Pennsylvania Conference in 1989, and in
that same year he was appointed to the Marion: Clinchfield-Concord charge in the Western North Carolina
Conference. Beginning in 1992, David served only Concord Church, until quadruple by-pass surgery led to full
retirement. At the annual conference of 1996, his membership was transferred to the Western North Carolina
Conference. May of 2000 was the successful culmination of 50 years of discipleship for Christ, as he was elected by
Concord Church as minister emeritus.
Following David’s death on January 29, 2008, at Marion, funeral services were conducted on January 31 at
Concord Church by Chester R. West, pastor, and Phillip B. Cole, district superintendent, with interment in the church
cemetery.
Ronald C. Allcorn
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ZEB ELONZO BARNHARDT
July 13, 1914 – August 8, 2007
Zeb E. Barnhardt was born on July 13, 1914, in Lenoir, North Carolina, one
of seven children born to Methodist minister Zeb Barnhardt and Kate Wagg
Barnhardt. He graduated from Lenoir-Rhyne College with a B.A. degree in
1935 and was honored by the college with its Distinguished Alumnus Award in
1989. In 1996, Pfeiffer University presented him with the honorary degree of
doctor of humane letters. Zeb always dreamed of being a medical doctor,
although financial strain forced him to leave Duke University Medical School
after one year. However, he retained a lifelong love for Duke University and an
unwavering loyalty to Duke sports throughout his life.
Zeb lived in Winston-Salem for most of his adult life, with the exception of
his time spent in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He
retired from the naval reserve with the rank of lieutenant commander.
He began his ministry as the executive secretary and treasurer at
Centenary Church, Winston-Salem, in 1949. His title later became church
business administrator, and he held that position until his retirement in 1984.
Zeb became the first consecrated lay worker in the Western North Carolina
Conference in 1971 and was consecrated as its first diaconal minister in 1977.
Zeb was a founding member of the National Association of Church
Business Administrators and served as president of that organization for one
term. Zeb was inducted into the NACBA Hall of Fame in 1988.
One of Zeb’s great loves was the Boy Scouts of America. He himself was an Eagle Scout and served the troop at
Centenary Church as scoutmaster and in many other ways as an adult leader. With his love and encouragement, and
by the example of his own life, Zeb helped shaped the lives of countless young people in the scouting program. In
recognition of his many years of devoted service, the Boy Scout Training Center at Camp Raven Knob in Surry
County bears the name Zeb E. Barnhardt–Centenary United Methodist Church Training Center. He received many
scouting honors and awards, including the Order of the Arrow, the District Award of Merit, the God and Service
Award, and the Silver Beaver Award. He remained active in scouting until the time of his death.
Zeb was predeceased on March 1, 1998, by his wife of 58 years, the former Katie Sue Taylor, whom he had
married on December 24, 1938, and by a grandson, Roland Taylor Barnhardt, Jr., in 1996. Zeb and Katie Sue were
blessed with three lovely children: Zeb E., Jr., born on December 28, 1941, and now living in Graham; Eleanor Starr
(Strickland), born on November 18, 1943, and now living in Hermitage, Tennessee; and Roland Taylor, born on April
25, 1947, and now an elder in the Western North Carolina Conference serving at Brookstown Church. Zeb died in
Winston-Salem on August 8, 2007. Following a private burial service, a memorial service was held on August 11 at
Centenary Church.
God blessed me in a beautiful way by granting me the privilege of working with Zeb for many years. Known to
many as “Mr. Centenary,” he attended almost every worship service and church event, always getting there early to
share his welcome and warmth with others. Zeb Barnhardt embodied in character and service all those qualities
which define a true man of God. Those who knew this man will surely attest that our world is a better place because
Zeb lived among us.
George P. Robinson
JAMES SHERER BARRETT
May 22, 1934 – June 20, 2007
Although James Sherer Barrett’s life and ministry predominately happened
within three states, the influence of his life and the impact of his ministry were
boundless. Whether he was living and serving in South Carolina, North
Carolina, or Tennessee, Jim Barrett’s ministry had three distinctive and
successful segments: parish ministry, higher education, and philanthropy.
Born on May 22, 1934, Jim was a native of York County, South Carolina,
and the son of the late Woodman and Willa Nesbitt Barrett. He was a graduate
of Wofford College (B.A. 1955) and Candler School of Theology, Emory
University (M.Div. 1958). He held honorary doctorates from Wofford College,
DePauw University, Claflin College, Westmar College, and Kentucky
Wesleyan College. He was admitted on trial and ordained deacon in the South
Carolina Conference in 1956, and he was admitted to full connection and
ordained elder in 1958. He was granted retirement in 1986.
On August 20, 1955, Jim married Margaret Mason Moore, and they enjoyed
52 years of life together. He is also survived by their children, James A.S.
(Alex), born on December 16, 1957; Robert Mason (Rob), born on September
19, 1960; and Virginia Margaret (Ginny), born on September 27, 1963; and by
eight grandchildren, a sister, four half-sisters, and a half-brother.
Jim’s career in United Methodist parish ministry, higher education, and
community foundation work spanned over 40 years. As a young minister, he served churches in Lancaster and
Honea Path, South Carolina. In 1966, he was appointed to Spartanburg Methodist College, where he served for ten
years as instructor, chaplain, dean, and president. After serving as senior minister at Washington Street Church in
Columbia, he became associate general secretary of the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry in
Nashville, Tennessee. In 1981, he became president of Greensboro College and transferred to the Western North
Carolina Conference. In 1984, he returned to his alma mater, where he held several diverse roles, ranging from
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resident counsel to athletic director. From 1985 to 1997, Jim was executive director of the Spartanburg County
Foundation, where he led stellar growth in the development of the foundation’s funds.
Jim was active in every community in which he lived, and during his lifetime he received numerous honors and
awards. He was a devoted student and fan of the game of golf and achieved two holes-in-one. His sense of humor
and storytelling were hallmarks of his life. Many will always joyfully remember Jim for his engaging ability to make
folks laugh and laugh, especially when he animatedly told his “Saphronia story”!
After a valiant battle with cancer, Jim Barrett died peacefully at home in Waynesville, North Carolina, on June 20,
2007. A graveside service was held on June 23 at Rose Hill Cemetery, York South Carolina, followed by a memorial
service at Central United Methodist Church, Spartanburg.
Thanks be to God for the good life and faithful ministry of James Sherer Barrett!
James T. Trollinger
JOSEPH RAY BOGLE
November 18, 1913 – December 11, 2007
The ministry which Joe Bogle rendered to Christ included pastorates in
eight states, both the United States and the Philippines, and two
denominations. In every place, his ministry was faithful and forward-looking,
always seeking to bring to others the Good News of Christ.
Joe was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, on November 18, 1913, the son of the
late James Malon and Katherine Henderson Bogle. As he grew up in Bristow,
he united with the Methodist church there and graduated from the public
schools. His A.B. degree was earned at Oklahoma City University in 1935. He
attended Boston University School of Theology and then went on to Garrett
Theological Seminary, where he was awarded the M.Div. degree in 1940. He
later, in 1953, received training in alcohol education at Yale University and
engaged in various other specialized studies at the University of Kansas and
the University of Michigan.
While Joe was at Garrett, on December 30, 1938, he married Mary
Elizabeth Tucker, herself a graduate of Oklahoma City University, a publicschool teacher and accomplished artist in oils and watercolors. To them, on
October 31, 1939, was born a son, Joe David, who now resides in Gainesville,
Georgia. Later, on March 6, 1955, Joe and Elizabeth adopted infant twins,
Daniel Clifford and James Frederick, both of whom are now deceased, Jim in
December 1980 and Dan in December 1991. On January 15, 1982, a hematoma in her brain brought the earthly life
of Elizabeth to an end. Joe then married Eleanor Ward Haynes on April 25, 1982, and she lived until she succumbed
to heart failure on March 17, 2003.
Joe entered into pastoral ministry as lay pastor at First Methodist Church, Fox Lake, Illinois, in October of 1938.
He was then admitted as a probationary member of the California Conference of The Methodist Church and ordained
deacon in 1940, while serving an appointment at Dos Palos, in the San Joaquin Valley. For nine months in 1941, he
held membership in the Oklahoma Conference. Then in October of 1941, as a member of the Rock River
Conference, he was appointed to Glenview, north of Chicago, where he remained until December 1943. Admission to
full connection and ordination as elder occurred in the Rock River Conference in 1942. For two and a half years,
1944-46, Joe was a member of the Detroit Conference and served as associate pastor at First Church, Royal Oak.
For the following conference year, 1946-47, he was appointed as director of the Character Research Project at Union
College, Schenectady, New York. From 1947 to 1949, Joe was a member of the New York East Conference,
appointed to Sayville.
Joe transferred his conference membership from New York East to Western North Carolina in 1949, as he
became pastor of Hillside-Merrimon (St. Paul’s) Church, Asheville, an appointment that continued until 1954. In that
year, he was appointed for a one-year pastorate at Central Terrace Church, Winston-Salem (1954-55), and then in
1955 to Belmont: First, where he remained until 1959. First Church, Rutherfordton, would be his final local-church
appointment in this conference, 1959-61.
In 1961, Joe went to Manila, Philippines, to serve Union Church, an affiliate of the National Council of Churches,
and served that parish until 1964. During those years, he was also part-time professor of church history and New
Testament at Harris Memorial College, Manila. He was granted a sabbatical leave at the 1964 conference, and, in
September of that year, he withdrew from The Methodist Church to unite with the United Church of Christ. In that
denomination, he served an interim term at a church on Molokai, Hawaii; as interim pastor at a United Methodist
church in Wichita, Kansas; as pastor of First Church of Christ, Congregational, in Oskaloosa, Iowa; as pastor at First
Church of Christ, Congregational, Great Bend, Kansas; and as interim pastor at a church on Maui, Hawaii.
On June 10, 1973, Joe was readmitted to the Methodist ministry and granted retirement by the Western North
Carolina Conference. He remained in the retired relationship until his death. In 1978, Joe gave up active ministry and
moved to Uplands Retirement Village in Pleasant Hill, Tennessee. In that area, he served as guest minister at a
church in Cookville, Tennessee, and was active in the choir and other church work at Uplands Community Church.
Death came to Joe Bogle at Wharton Nursing Home, Pleasant Hill, Tennessee, on December 11, 2007. The ashes
of his spouses, Elizabeth and Eleanor, had been scattered in the Memorial Garden beside Uplands Community
Church. There Joe’s ashes were placed, with a service of memory, after Meharry Medical College and Vanderbilt
University School of Medicine had completed the uses for which Joe had donated his body.
I proudly claim Joe Bogle as my father. I remember him as a beloved parent and a dedicated minister of Christ. He
gave his life to God, and in remembering him one sees the shining light of our Christian heritage. In many ways, he
was a man ahead of his time, often supporting causes that had not yet won widespread popularity. For example,
when he was pastor in Asheville, he supported harmonious relationships between persons of differing racial
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identities. In that and so many other ways, he showed those with whom he lived and worked that, in Christ, the love
of God is made real in this world.
J. David Bogle
PAUL MEREDITH BRADLEY, JR.
December 7, 1932 – March 20, 2008
Paul Meredith Bradley, Jr., was born on December 7, 1932, in Atlanta,
Georgia. He was the son of the late Paul M. and Leila Ridings Bradley. He
joined Kirkwood Methodist Church, Atlanta, in 1940 at the age of eight. He
attended Georgia Tech and Emory University and received his A.B. degree
from LaGrange College in 1956. In 1959, he earned the degree of master of
Christian education from Emory University. He was licensed to preach in 1953.
Paul chose to use his gifts in the field of Christian education and served the
following congregations in that capacity: Thomaston, Georgia: First, 1956-57;
Pensacola, Florida: First, 1959-61; and Mobile, Alabama: Dauphin Way, 196467. He was admitted as a clergy member on trial in the Alabama-West Florida
Conference and ordained deacon in 1966.
Paul transferred to the Western North Carolina Conference on June 5,
1968. In 1969, he was admitted to full membership and ordained elder. He was
the minister of education at West Market Church, Greensboro, for 21 years,
until 1989. During his years at West Market Street, he was actively involved in
many aspects of Christian education in the conference, including confirmation,
day camping, human sexuality, and Bible School training. He served as
president of the Greensboro District Christian Educators Fellowship. Paul took
an interest in all Christian educators, becoming a mentor to many, especially
those entering Christian education for the first time.
Paul was appointed as pastor of College Place Church, Greensboro, in 1989 and served there until his retirement
in June 1995. There he was known as a pastor with a big heart and as a gentle healer. Following his retirement, Paul
served as the Christian education consultant for the Greensboro District from 1997 to 2007.
Paul married Maxine Richardson on February 16, 1957, and they had three children: Paul Meredith III, born on
November 25, 1957; Stefanie Richelle (Meer), born on March 30, 1960; and Laurie Ellen (Trevor), born on December
27, 1963. Paul and Maxine also became grandparents to four grandchildren.
Paul died at his Greensboro home on March 30, 2008, of metastatic prostate cancer, which he had fought for 15
years. The celebration of his life was held at West Market Street Church on April 5, with William B. Ellison, Thomas J.
Herin, G. Hardy Tippett, and Lewis L. Poag officiating. The inurnment took place in the columbarium at West Market
Street Church.
G. Hardy Tippett
GLENN ALBERT BROOKS
October 19, 1919 – September 2, 2007
Glenn Albert Brooks was born in Newton, North Carolina, on October 19,
1919, to James and Nettie McCorkle Brooks. He was educated in the public
schools of Newton and attended Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte. In
1980, New Haven Theological Seminary conferred upon him the honorary
degree doctor of divinity.
He was united in marriage to Ruth Elizabeth Bennett on April 13, 1941. In
1945, Glenn was ordained deacon and admitted on trial, and in 1947 he was
ordained an elder and admitted to full connection in the North Carolina
Conference of the Central Jurisdiction of The Methodist Church. He was a
member of the North Carolina-Virginia Conference of the Central Jurisdiction
and became a member of the Western North Carolina Conference in the
merger of 1968.
He served the following appointments: Shelby Charge, Shelby, 1942-43;
Charlotte: Boulware, 1943-45; Marion: Addie’s Chapel, 1945-47; Statesville:
Scott’s Chapel-Philadelphia, 1947-49; Asheboro: St. Luke, 1949-53;
Lexington: St. Stephen-Midway, 1953-60; Thomasville Charge, Thomasville,
1960-67; Thomasville: St. John-Hoover Chapel, 1967-71; and Thomasville:
Central, 1971-72. He transferred to the Northern New Jersey Conference in
1972 and served at Patterson: Eastside (1972-73) and Patterson: Christ
(1973-77). In 1977, he transferred to the New York Conference and was assigned to Hanson Church, Brooklyn
(1977-79) and Hanson Place Central (1979-83). In 1983, he transferred back to the Western North Carolina
Conference and went to serve Reidsville: St. Paul-Wesley Chapel (1983-84). He retired from the active ministry of
The United Methodist Church in 1984 and, in retirement, served as pastor at Winston-Salem: Grace from 1984 to
1986, when, after 44 years of service, he moved fully into retirement.
Glenn Brooks was a very distinguished pastor and community leader. He served on boards and agencies in the
district and conference. He is especially remembered in the conference for outstanding work with Christian social
concerns and was chairperson of the Board of Christian Social Concerns in the North Carolina-Virginia Conference.
He also worked with the Inter-Jurisdictional Committee to abolish the Central Jurisdiction. Brother Brooks served the
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wider community as a Thomasville city councilman; a life-long member of Rotary International, in which he was
honored as a Paul Harris Fellow; a life-long member of Chi Alpha; and a loyal Mason of the Acma Lodge 2.
Glenn Albert Brooks died on September 2, 2007, at Westwood Health Care, Archdale, North Carolina. Those left
to cherish his memory include his wife of 66 years, Ruth Bennett Brooks, whom he married on April 13, 1941; a
sister, Donnas B. Smyer (Willie), of Greensboro; and numerous nieces, nephews, relatives, friends, and ministerial
colleagues.
A service of death and resurrection was conducted on September 7, 2007, at Memorial Church, Thomasville, by
C. M. Worthy, Jr., Ivan H. M. Peden, James W. Ferree, Margaret A. (Peggy) Finch, and Paul N. Milton, with interment
at Holly Hill Cemetery in Thomasville.
Happy are the dead who die in the faith of Christ; henceforth, says the spirit, they may rest from their
labors; for they take with them the record of their deeds (NEB).
James W. Ferree
DAVID WAYLAND CHARLTON, JR.
May 20, 1926 – February 22, 2008
David Wayland Charlton, Jr., died on February 22, 2008, in The Villages,
Florida. He was born in Roanoke, Virginia, on May 20, 1926, the first-born son
of Rev. David Wayland Charlton, Sr., and Charlotte Elizabeth Savory Charlton.
He had a younger brother, William Love Charlton.
David’s father was an ordained minister, educated at Crozier Seminary in
Pennsylvania, who served first as a Baptist pastor and later joined and
eventually retired from a long-term ministry in the North Carolina Conference
of The United Methodist Church. As a result of the many churches served by
his father, David grew up in many towns and cities across the states of
Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina.
After graduating from Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, David
attended Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia, from which he
graduated with a bachelor of arts degree in 1948. He subsequently attended
Duke University Divinity School and graduated with a masters of divinity
degree in 1950.
David was admitted on trial to the Western North Carolina Conference in
September 1950 and was ordained deacon in 1952. He would be admitted to
full connection and ordained elder in 1952.
His first appointment was to Mineral Springs, near Charlotte, from 1950 to
1953, to which was added Smyrna Church for the 1953-54 conference year. Successive pastoral appointments
included Cool Springs, Statesville District, a three-point charge consisting of Cool Springs, Providence, and New
Salem churches, 1954-58; High Point: Wesley Chapel (Northwood), where he started a volunteer chaplaincy
program, 1958-60; Winston-Salem: Mt. Carmel, 1960-64; and Matthews, 1964-68.
In 1968, David accepted a special appointment to the University of Virginia chaplaincy program in Charlottesville,
Virginia, from which he graduated in 1969, and was certified by the American Protestant Hospital Association. He
then served two years as a hospital chaplain at Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke, Virginia, from 1969 to 1971.
In 1971, David moved to Bristol, Virginia, where he became the founding director of the drug and alcohol
dependency program at the Bristol Regional Mental Health Center. He served in this program until his retirement in
1989. While in Bristol, he founded the Bristol Crisis Center, a telephone and walk-in counseling service, and was a
founder of the Healing Hands Health Center, a free medical service for the unemployed and uninsured in the greater
Bristol area. He served as the first president of Healing Hands’ board of directors. After his retirement in 1989, David
served as minister of McIver Memorial Presbyterian Church in Bristol, Virginia, for 13 years, until his “second
retirement” in 2001.
David was married to Marianne Lindsay Rice on September 22, 1951. She passed from this life on March 24,
1993. They had three children: Joy Carol, born on December 18, 1952; David Wayland III, born on December 17,
1956; and Ralph Rice, born on April 30, 1963. David is also survived by three grandchildren: Lindsay Arizona
Charlton Page, James David Charlton Page, and Charlotte Mira Charlton Page. David was married to Linda
Haynesworth on August 30, 1987, and, some years later, to Karin Woelke on November 30, 2002.
David spent his last years in The Villages, Florida. After surviving a terminal illness for much longer than anyone
could have hoped, David died at home on February 22, 2008, with his wife, Karin, by his side. Funeral services were
conducted at McIver Memorial Presbyterian Church, Bristol, Virginia, on February 29, with entombment at the
Heritage Chapel of Memories at Mountain View Cemetery.
David W. Charlton III
JAMES WOODROW CRAWLEY
November 30, 1917 – April 5, 2008
James Woodrow Crawley was born on November 30, 1917, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to William Maurice
and Georgia Mann Crawley. He was one of three children from this marriage.
James graduated from Greensboro High School in Greensboro on May 17, 1935. At that time, he felt the call to
preach and began to prepare himself for the ministry. He graduated from Brevard College with an A.A. degree on
June 5, 1937, and from Duke University with an A.B. degree on June 5, 1939. He received his seminary education at
Boston University School of Theology and earned his S.T.B. degree on May 25, 1942, and the degree of master of
sacred theology on May 26, 1947.
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James was ordained both deacon and elder on June 7, 1942, and was also admitted on trial in the New England
Southern Conference. Almost immediately thereafter, his conference membership was transferred to the Western
North Carolina Conference. Because of the dire need for chaplains during World War II, James, upon completing his
seminary study, voluntarily joined the U.S. Navy on May 7, 1942, and served throughout the war as a chaplain in the
European Theater and of the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific until 1947. Following his discharge from the navy, he was
admitted to conference membership in full connection on May 26, 1947.
James began his pastoral duties in the Western North Carolina Annual
Conference and had an effective ministry in the ten appointments to which he
was assigned. He served Mayodan, 1947-50; Elkin Circuit, 1950-54;
Greensboro: West End (now St. John), 1954-58; Belmont: Ebenezer, 19581962; Plateau-Wesley Chapel, 1962-66; Friendship-Shady Grove, 1966-67;
Cliffside-Chase Wesley, 1967-69; Littlejohn-Gamewell, 1969-73; Cashiers,
1973-78; and Oakdale-Vickery, 1978-81.
While attending Boston University, James met Laura Louise Isom, and they
were married on September 16, 1942. She was his devoted and beloved wife
for 55 years. She preceded him in death on March 1, 1998. Their marriage
was blessed with four children: David James, born on March 14, 1947; Linda
Louise (Hall), born on April 18, 1949; Douglas Alan, born on February 27,
1958; and Dwight William, born on October 31, 1961.
James was a loving, caring person who was known for the giving of his
time, talents, and means to help anyone who was in need. It can be rightly
said of him that he loved God with all his heart and mind, and his neighbor as
himself. Throughout his 38 years in the ministry, he was an active participant
in civic and community affairs. Having been an Eagle Scout, he served in
various capacities and councils of the Boy Scouts of America; chaplain in local
hospitals, American Legion posts, and Lions Clubs; chairman in several
counties for CROP; chairman for the 50PthP anniversary of the town of Mayodan; vice-chairman of AARP; and leader
in many other organizations.
In 1980, James retired and moved with his wife, Laura, to Mooresville, North Carolina, where he resided and
belonged to the Broad Street United Methodist Church. For over 19 years, he preached for his pastor there whenever
needed and for other churches in the area. After his wife’s death, James moved to Chapin, South Carolina, to be
near his children.
James died of natural causes on April 5, 2008, in Chapin. A service of celebration for his life was held on April 8 at
Broad Street Church, Mooresville, with internment in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Greensboro, North Carolina.
His life of dedication to Christ, the church, family, and country will always be remembered and treasured. Because
of his unfaltering faith in Christ and his word and his belief in eternal life and heaven, these words of the poet are
appropriate and applicable:
When that illustrious day shall rise
And all thy armies shine,
In robes of victory through the skies,
The glory shall be thine.
Linda Crawley Hall
KENNETH DEWEY CROUSE
July 7, 1921 – January 18, 2008
Kenneth Dewey Crouse entered into the Church Triumphant at the age of
86 on January 18, 2008, at Clapp’s Convalescent Nursing Home, Asheboro,
North Carolina. The service of resurrection was held on January 21 at Central
United Methodist Church, Asheboro. The service was officiated by the pastor,
Mark J. Key, and lay speaker Peggy Woodruff. Interment was at Oaklawn
Cemetery, Asheboro.
He is survived by his wife, Louise Poole Crouse, of Asheboro; a sister,
Roberta Crouse Wagner, and her husband, E.J., of Lexington; sister-in-law
Delores P. Burton and her husband, Nolan, of Asheboro; sister-in-law Hilda P.
Pickett and her husband, Larry, of Asheboro; sister-in-law Shirley Poole, of
Asheboro; and sister-in-law Margit Crouse, of Jacksonville, Florida. He was
preceded in death by his sister, Hilda C. Skeen; a brother, Blake D. Crouse
Jr.; and a brother-in-law, Phillip C. Poole.
Kenneth was born in Lexington, North Carolina, on July 7, 1921, to Blake D.
and Mona Michael Crouse. He was a 1939 graduate of Lexington High School
and received his B.A. degree in 1943 from High Point College. Kenneth
received his master of divinity degree in 1950 from Duke University. He was
admitted on trial in the Western North Carolina Conference on October 20,
1944. He was ordained deacon and elder in 1945 and was admitted into full
connection in 1946. He was granted retirement in 1984. He was a humble and dedicated servant of Christ who
served faithfully for 41 years as a pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference. Thanks to his love for Jesus
Christ, during his 41 years of ministry, there were 473 persons who joined the churches he served by professions of
faith, and another 523 who joined by transfer.
Kenneth began his ministerial career on February 5, 1943, as a supply pastor at the Asheboro Circuit, where he
served until 1950. During his time there, he was a teacher at Gray’s Chapel High School from 1945 to 1947 and a
teacher and principal at Cedar Falls Elementary School from 1947 to 1948. On July 1, 1947, he was married to
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Bettye Louise Poole. In 1950, Kenneth was appointed to the Harrison Charge in the Charlotte District, where he
would serve until 1952. Kenneth remembered the first move he and Louise experienced:
When it came time to leave our first appointment (Asheboro Circuit), it was so hard to leave the
people. We had been there seven years and we shed many tears. We moved to Mecklenburg County
and could see the South Carolina state marker from our parsonage. We had two churches, one in Union
County and one in Mecklenburg, and members in North and South Carolina.
He served in the U.S. Army as a captain and chaplain from 1952 to 1953. He was at Ft. Bragg and then went to
Chaplain’s School at Ft. Slocum in New York State. Kenneth and Louise moved back to North Carolina in 1953, and
he became the pastor at Morning Star Church in Canton. Kenneth wrote:
We were so thankful when we were permitted to return to our beloved W.N.C. and Bishop Harrell
appointed us to Morning Star at Canton, near Lake Junaluska. Our parsonage was on top a ridge in
Dutch Cove and we had a remarkable view of surrounding mountains and valleys. Mystery and silence
seemed to breathe all round, and there was an overwhelming stillness that brought assurance and
strength.
While at Morning Star, he led the church in building an education building and fellowship hall. In 1957, the
Southeastern Jurisdictional Town and Country Committee honored Morning Star for its accomplishments. Kenneth
served Morning Star from May 15, 1953, until 1958. He was then appointed to Lebanon Church, High Point, and
served there from 1958 to 1963. Kenneth wrote about this move:
Our new appointment was at Lebanon Church in High Point. In those days ministers did not learn
where their appointments would be until they went to Conference. So the day we moved we did not know
where our parsonage and our church were located.
During his five years of leadership at Lebanon, a new parsonage and a new sanctuary were built.
From High Point, Kenneth was appointed to Kilgo Church, in Charlotte, where he served until 1968. Of this
experience, Kenneth wrote:
From High Point we moved to Charlotte to Kilgo Church, named after the late Bishop John Carlisle
Kilgo, who before being elected to the episcopacy was President of Trinity College, now Duke University.
His daughter-in-law, Hope, attended her first communion service while I was Pastor and Kays Gary wrote
about it in his Charlotte Observer column. In a section which he called ‘The Littl’uns,’ he reported that sixyear-old Hope Hall was much impressed with Rev. Kenneth Crouse’s Kilgo Methodist Communion
Service, especially the offering left at the altar. ‘I loved it,’ she reported, ‘but what does the man do with
all the tips’?
In 1968, Kenneth was appointed to Central Church, Denton. While he was at Central, Pfeiffer College started a
program for pre-ministerial students working with the Denton-area churches. Under his leadership, Central Church
was the first church to open its doors to provide ministerial training for Pfeiffer students. That program is still going on
today.
In 1973, Kenneth moved to Thomasville, where he served the Fair Grove Church until 1974. From Fair Grove, he
moved to Mount Holly, where he served as pastor at First Church from 1973 to 1979. In 1979, he was appointed to
Cole Memorial Church, Charlotte, and was there until 1981. In 1981, he was appointed to West Bend Church,
Asheboro, and served there until his retirement in 1984.
“Lord, I want to be a Christian …” To this Kenneth Crouse committed his life. He and Louise never had any
children, but they were guiding lights to many a young person. I want to share one of Kenneth’s “precious memories”
from the days at Morning Star:
But I think our most enduring memory is of a wonderful young man we were privileged to have live
with us one year when his mother was hospitalized for a long time and his father was dead. In our
scrapbook we have his letter when we moved, and he wrote: ‘I thank you for things so innumerable that I
couldn’t begin to list them here. Just knowing you both as I do has been one of the greatest experiences
of my life, for through you I have come to know the real meaning of Christianity.’
Benjamin C. Clodfelter
WILLIAM TYNDALE FORBIS
December 14, 1921 – July 12, 2007
This will be a feeble attempt to do justice to the best father, husband, and
friend that God could have given us the privilege to know.
William Tyndale (Bill) Forbis was born the fourth of five children in Monroe,
Union County, North Carolina, on December 14, 1921, to the late Reverend R.
L. and Margaret Forbis. Bill married Dorothy Lee (Dot) Scott on December 20,
1941, and they enjoyed over 65 years together. He Joined the Army Air Force
in 1942 and had a distinguished service record. He served overseas in several
theaters of war and earned the EAMET Campaign Medal with 6 bronze stars.
He was honorably discharged on September 11, 1945, and returned home to
his family in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Bill and Dot had two children:
William Richard, who was born on April 13, 1944, and Dorothy Joyce (Barrow),
who was born on December 24, 1946.
Bill received his A.B. degree from High Point University in 1951 and his
master of divinity degree from Candler School of Theology, Emory University,
in 1955. He was admitted to the Western North Carolina Conference on trial in
1952. In 1955, he was ordained deacon and admitted to full membership, and
he was ordained elder in 1958. His first appointment was the Bunker HillSandy Ridge charge (1952-56), and he proclaimed the message of Jesus
Christ at these additional appointments in the Western North Carolina
Conference until he retired in 1987: Sparta, 1956-58; Good Hope-Arcadia, 1958-62; Kernersville: Cherry Street-Pine
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Grove, 1962-66; Bethel (Waynesville District), 1966-68; Winston-Salem: Ogburn Memorial, 1968-70; Palm Tree,
1970-75; Rock Grove, 1975-79; Concord: Westford, 1979-83; and Spring Hill, 1983-87. He and his wife, Dot, settled
in Winston-Salem after his retirement.
As children, we find it hard to put into words how we feel about our dad. He was as close to being a perfect
husband and father as a man could be. He loved his family more than anything on this earth and only Jesus Christ
more than his family. He loved children, music, and fishing, and we spent many vacations together on Ocracoke
Island. He was always able to find pleasure in the simple things and was content with just being with his family. Our
dad was such a gentle soul, and he will be remembered and greatly missed by his wife, two children, three
grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Dad went to be with his heavenly family on July 12, 2007, in Winston-Salem, but his spirit remains with us until
such time as we are all together again with Jesus Christ. And we will be some day! Funeral services were conducted
on July 14 by James R. Faggart and Lee H. Strange at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, Winston-Salem, with
interment following in Oaklawn Memorial Gardens.
This is written In loving memory of our dad and in honor of our mom.
W. Richard Forbis
Joyce Forbis Barrow
DWIGHT RODNEY FRYE
June 26, 1937 – July 27, 2007
Dwight Rodney Frye was born in Forest City, North Carolina, on June 26,
1937. He was the son of Leon and Nannie Sue Frye.
Rodney graduated from North Mecklenburg High School in 1955, then
attended Brevard College from 1955 to 1957. In 1957, he joined the U.S.
Army, and served until 1960. After returning to civilian life, he earn an A.A.
degree from Charlotte College in 1961 and a B.A. degree from Davidson
College in 1963.
He was licensed as a local pastor in the Western North Carolina
Conference of The United Methodist Church in 1994 and served in that
capacity until his death. He was first appointed to Spencer Memorial Church,
Charlotte, in 1994 and served there until June 1998. He was then appointed
pastor of the Warrensville charge in Ashe County, where he served as pastor
of Clifton, Smethport, and Warrensville churches. During his ministry at
Warrensville, he was very actively involved in the community, serving on
several non-profit boards. He was instrumental in the development of Ashe
Outreach Ministries, which provides mobile meals, a food pantry, a soup
kitchen, and school-kids feeding programs, along with other efforts, and the
Ashe Free Medical Clinic.
In June 2006, Rodney retired and was appointed as pastor of Rocky
Springs and Carson's Chapel churches in the North Wilkesboro District. He was serving as pastor of those churches
at the time of his death.
He and his wife, Myra Carpenter Frye, had four children: Dwight Rodney, Jr., born on August 4, 1958; Myra
Elizabeth (Price), born on June 6, 1960; Katherine Camille, born on January 6, 1963; and Allyson Anne, born on
February 10, 1966. All of these survive him, along with six grandchildren.
Rodney was diagnosed with cancer in the spring of 2007 and died on July 27, 2007. A graveside service was held
on July 30 at the community cemetery of Mt. Zion Church, Cornelius, with the pastor, Michael F. Bailey, officiating.
Imagine a minister whose feet and hands were somewhat calloused, but more so Holy Spirit-filled,
reaching into his congregation and community beyond to extend the visible and tangible image of God—
that was Brother Rodney. And it wasn’t really like work to him—more of a self-fulfilling prophecy. All of
Ashe County is indebted to his beginning a feeding ministry that continues to grow, now feeding over
1,100 people each month. A dear friend, trusted partner, and champion for the heart of God.
T. Gregg Plott, James W. Thompson, and Robert D. Brooks
MELTON EDWARD HARBIN
October 9, 1920 – August 10, 2007
Melton Edward Harbin was born on October 9, 1920, in Gwinnett County, Georgia, the last of 11 children born to
Thomas Richard and Nancy Emma Harbin. He married Hilda Hutcherson on March 18, 1942. She continues to live in
their home in Waynesville, North Carolina. Their children are Melton Timothy Harbin (who predeceased Mel on
February 6, 2006) and Nancy Karen Harbin, of Jamestown, North Carolina. Mel and Hilda’s grandsons are Matthew
Harbin Bowles and Adam Bowles.
Growing up in North Georgia, Mel graduated from high school at Martin Institute, Jefferson, Georgia in 1939. He
enrolled at Young Harris Junior College in the fall of 1939 and graduated in 1941. He was invited to be the pastor of
the Fines Creek charge in Haywood and Madison counties, North Carolina, a charge consisting of five churches. He
began his work there in 1941, preaching his first sermon at Fines Creek on December 7.
After two years on the Fines Creek charge, he enrolled at High Point College, graduating (A.B.) in 1945. He then
enrolled in the Duke University Divinity School, graduating (B.D.) in 1948. While at High Point and during his first year
at Duke, he served as student pastor of the Eldorado charge from 1943 to 1944 and the Mt. Vernon charge from
1944 to 1946. Admitted to membership in the Western North Carolina Conference “on trial” in 1945, Mel was
ordained deacon and received into full membership in 1947 and ordained elder in 1948.
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Following graduation from Duke, Mel served the Western North Carolina Conference in a succession of
appointments: Charlotte: St. Paul, 1948-52; Asheville: Oakley, 1952-56; Greensboro: Christ, 1956-61; Thomasville:
Memorial, 1961-65; Monroe: Central, 1965-68; Salisbury District Superintendent, 1968-74; and Statesville: Broad
Street, 1974-77. In 1977, he became the executive director of the Lake Junaluska Assembly, where he served until
his retirement in 1985.
In two of these appointments, St. Paul and Christ, Mel was the founding
pastor, and these congregations continue today as vibrant churches in the
Western North Carolina Conference. He also served the Western North
Carolina Conference in the following leadership roles: Registrar of the Board
of Ordained Ministry, member of the Conference Board of Education, and
chairman of the College Coordinating Council. He served 45 years as a
trustee and trustee emeritus of High Point University, from 1962 until his death
in 2007. He was a delegate to two World Methodist Conferences—London,
England, in 1966, and Denver, Colorado in 1970—and he was a delegate to
the Southeastern Jurisdictional Conference of The United Methodist Church in
1972.
A Rotarian for 33 years, Mel was an active participant in the life of the
communities where he lived and served. His hobbies were golf, fishing,
hunting, and gardening. He was instrumental in the development and fundraising for the new clubhouse at the Lake Junaluska Golf Course, and it was
named for him in March 2008.
Mel loved his family deeply, and that love was reciprocated through 67
years of marriage to Hilda, through Tim’s appreciation for his parents, and
through Karen’s faithful and patient care for Mel and Hilda during the last
months of his life.
He was a supporter and encourager of young clergy, having served as a mentor to this writer when he was my
district superintendent. He taught me that courage involves confronting the unpleasant and the divisive, while trying
not to be unpleasant or divisive oneself. He taught me the importance of church administrators’ being voices for
justice and inclusiveness. He taught me the importance of church leaders’ holding firmly to the dual emphases of
personal salvation and social justice, both in the name of Jesus. He had a deep commitment to Christ and a
passionate desire to see his church relevant to issues of personal salvation and of peace and justice.
After a period of hospitalization, Mel died on August 10, 2007, at the Haywood Regional Medical Center in
Waynesville, North Carolina. A memorial service was conducted at First United Methodist Church, Waynesville, on
August 17, 2007, by W. Lyn Sorrels, Ed Nelson, Linda Lindsey, and Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey. His ashes were
interred in the columbarium at Christ United Methodist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina.
In the words of Revelation 13:12-13:
Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold
fast to the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Write this: Blessed are the dead who
from now on die in the Lord.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘they will rest from their labors, for their deeds follow
them.’
J. Lawrence McCleskey
PAUL MARSHALL HART
October 26, 1930 – October 7, 2007
Paul Marshall Hart was born in Burke County, North Carolina, on October
26, 1930, the son of Sion Waitsell and Thelma Sloan Hart. His grandparents
on both sides of the family were farmers, so he became well acquainted with
all aspects of farm life as he helped in the work on the farms. As he got older,
he got summer jobs cutting and hauling pulpwood and working at a sawmill.
St. Matthews Methodist Church, in Morganton, was the family church, and it
was there that Paul made his profession of faith in Christ and united with the
church.
Paul attended school in Morganton and was an outstanding member of the
football team in high school, so much so that by his junior year he was
promised a football scholarship at Wake Forest University. His life plans were
changed, however, one morning during chapel service. As vice-president of
the student council, he was sitting on the stage after introducing the speaker, a
young ex-Marine by the name of Bob Suttee, who brought an inspiring
Christian message. During his message, Paul heard a very strong inner voice
say, “This is what you must do!” He realized that this meant going to college
and then to seminary. His back was injured before football season was over,
so he had to give up football. During his senior year in high school, Paul was
the president of the student council and the class poet.
The next year, Paul attended Gardner-Webb Junior College and then transferred to Furman University, where he
graduated two years later, in 1952, with honors and an A.B. degree.
It was on the Lenoir-Rhyne College campus one summer that Paul met Patricia Joyce Stone, a student at CarsonNewman College. Joyce graduated at 10:00 A.M., and they were married at 4:00 P.M., on May 29, 1953, at CarsonNewman.
Following their marriage, they headed for Berkeley, California, where Paul enrolled as a student in the Golden
Gate Baptist Seminary. The next few years were extremely busy ones, as Paul worked to support the family, pay
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tuition, and attend classes, and their children were born: A son, Richard Edward, on March 21, 1954, and twin
daughters, Sandra Kay and Susan Gay, on August 6, 1956.
Paul graduated from seminary, receiving his B.D. degree in 1961. The family returned to North Carolina, where
Paul was admitted to the Western North Carolina Annual Conference of The Methodist Church on trial and ordained
deacon in 1962. He was received into full connection and ordained elder in 1964.
Paul’s appointments were as follows: Edneyville (Edneyville-Fruitland), 1962-66; Dulin (Dulin, Bethlehem, and
Smith Grove), 1966-67; Bethlehem (Thomasville District), 1967-72; Oak Grove-Unity, 1972-73; Unity, 1973-76; Shiloh
(Catawba County), 1976-81; Ebenezer (Statesville District), 1981-86; Grace Chapel-Ebenezer, 1986-91; and Lenoir:
Trinity-Mt. Olivet, 1991-95. He was granted retirement in 1995.
As a preacher, Paul prepared his sermons with great care, seeking ever to be true to the scriptures and to sound
the evangelistic note of the Gospel, as is revealed by the fact that the overwhelming majority of members that he
received into the church came on profession of their faith in Christ. He was a caring pastor, visiting in the homes of
the members and faithfully seeking to minister to the sick and those in special need. He and Joyce took a special
interest in the youth, inviting them into their home at times, as well as working with them in the church and youth
fellowship. Ever present was the desire that people not simply profess faith in Jesus Christ, but that they have a
personal relationship with Jesus Christ. To this end, Paul, realizing the value of the Lay Witness Movement in
building up the spiritual life, arranged for most of the churches that he served to have a Lay Witness weekend.
Likewise, realizing the power of the “Emmaus Walk” to help in the spiritual growth of individuals, he and Joyce
personally sponsored many participants in its program.
Both Paul and Joyce were blessed with musical talent. In a number of the churches that Paul served, Joyce
became the choir director, and Paul, with an exceptionally fine bass voice, often sang solos and regularly took his
place in the choir for the anthems and musical programs.
Looking back across the years and seeing something of how God had worked through and directed his life, Paul
said that he and Joyce did not get married simply because they were in love; their marriage was an arranged one,
arranged in heaven! In thinking of how wonderfully well they had worked together across the years, Timothy B.
Brittain said it well when he said, in Paul’s memorial service, that they were “an incredible team.”
The retirement years were busy years. Paul’s fine mechanical ability and especially his skill as a carpenter, which
had served both him and the churches he served well in the past, now found plenty of projects to keep him busy,
projects for himself and others, including Habitat for Humanity and as a member of United Methodist building teams.
Paul and Joyce made the Hudson United Methodist Church their church home in retirement and were active in all
phases of the church life. In the best sense of the word, they became very much loved members of the church family
and encouragers of the pastor.
In late summer 2007, health problems led to Paul’s admission to the Wake Forest University Baptist Hospital in
Winston-Salem. The diagnosis was a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer. He was transferred to the Brian
Center in Hickory, and there, on October 7, 2007, with loved ones by his bedside, he departed the earthly life.
Survivors include his wife, Dr. Patricia Joyce Hart; his mother and two sisters; his son, Richard; and two
daughters, Mrs. Sandra Kay Kasmer and Mrs. Susan Gay Triplet; eleven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
An inspiring worship and memorial service celebrating Paul’s life was held at the Hudson United Methodist Church
on October 10, with the pastor, Timothy B. Brittain, officiating. The service closed with a recorded solo of, “In Times
Like These,” that Paul had sung in a worship service. The third stanza, which Paul sang with deep conviction, was an
expression of his personal faith:
In times like these I have a Saviour!
In times like these I have an anchor!
I’m very sure, I’m very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock!
This Rock is Jesus! Yes, He’s the One!
This Rock is Jesus, the only One!
I’m very sure, I’m very sure
My anchor holds and grips the Solid Rock.
(Ruth Caye Jones)
To God be the glory forever!
Donald K. Funderburk
WARREN GAMALIEL HARDING HAWKS
March 24, 1921 – January 15, 2008
Warren Hawks was born in Carroll County, Virginia, on March 24, 1921. His parents were Joseph Lee and Mary
Magdalene (Maggie) Reynolds Hawks. He had seven brothers and sisters: Ezekiel (Zeke), Polly (Snyder), William
Henry, Eliza (Wall), Leona (Gwyn), Luther, and John. The family lived at Elk Spur, Virginia, and were members of
Saint Paul Church of the Brethren in Cana. Warren attended Elk Spur School.
Around 1931, when Warren was around 10, the family moved to Mount Airy North Carolina. They helped organize
a Church of the Brethren in Mount Airy, but, when it closed, they became members of Sheltontown Church of the
Brethren.
After the move to Mount Airy, Warren attended Rockford Street School but dropped out in the ninth grade. He
worked at several places, including Hennis Motor Company, and, for a while, he worked in Flint, Michigan, in car
manufacturing.
Warren Hawks and Alene Alice Smith had begun to date in 1939. The Smiths were devoted members of Epworth
Methodist Church, and Warren began to attend church with Alene and her family. He was active in the church and
was a Sunday School teacher, although he did not transfer his membership until after World War II.
Alene and Warren were married on June 15, 1940, and were devoted to each other for 65 years, until her death on
October 26, 2005. Alene and Warren’s first child, Janet Alene, was born on June 22, 1948. Their son, Timothy
Warren, was born on June 20, 1954.
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Warren joined the U.S. Navy in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theatre during WWII as signalman petty officer
3PrdP class and was attached to the Naval Armed Guard, stationed first aboard a T2 tanker, USS Hatcreek. Later, he
served aboard the USS Crescent City APA-21, which was an attack troop transport that was in every major battle and
landing in the Pacific Theatre.
He returned to Mount Airy after the war, worked for several local businesses, and then served in the Korean War,
this time in the army, but he remained stateside during that conflict.
Warren first felt the call to the ministry at the age of 15, but resisted. He
surrendered to the call to the ministry in 1953. A minister friend took him to
High Point College to see what could be done to start the path to becoming a
Methodist minister. Warren, at the age of 32, was a high school drop-out and
had a wife and son to support and $13.00 in his pocket. The wife of his
minister friend told Warren, “If it is God’s will, He will provide the way.”
Warren passed all parts of the GED on the first sitting. He was told to get a
job and pay what he could for his schooling. Thus he began college at High
Point College, where he earned a bachelors of arts degree in 1958. He would
later complete the ministerial Course of Study program at Duke University.
Warren was licensed to preach in 1953 in The Methodist Church, admitted on
trial in the Western North Carolina Conference in 1959, ordained deacon in
1961, and admitted to full connection and ordained elder in 1963.
His record of ministerial service in the Western North Carolina Conference
is as follows: Virginia Circuit (Carter’s Chapel, Chestnut Grove, and Hunter’s
Chapel), 1956-58; Midland (Mill Grove, Pine Bluff, and St. Paul), 1958-60;
Gold Hill (Gold Hill, Liberty, Rockwell, and Bethlehem), 1960-61; Peachland
(Peachland, Hopewell, Fountain Hill, and Mt. Moriah), 1961-66; WinstonSalem: Hanes-Bethel, 1966-68; Roberta, 1968-71; Mount Herman-Bethesda
(Northeast District), 1971-74; Bethesda-Pine Hall, 1974-80; Salem (Albemarle
District), 1980-81; West Yadkin (Asbury, Longtown, Hanes Grove), 1981-84; and East Bend (East Bend, Stony Knoll,
Baltimore, and Union Hill), 1984-86. Alene’s mother, Julina Vernon Smith, was with them during three appointments
and the beginning of retirement until she died in 1989.
Warren retired from ministry in The United Methodist Church with 30 years of service in 1986. During his years as
a Methodist and United Methodist minister, he served 11 appointments and 28 churches. Alene was a faithful
minister’s wife and co-minister with him in his appointments.
After Alene and Warren retired from the ministry, they returned to their home in Mount Airy and also to Epworth
United Methodist Church. During their retirement, they were active in the church and community. In the early 1990s,
Alene’s health declined, and Warren took loving care of her at home as long as he possibly could. He then went to
the nursing home to be with her several times each day. After her death on October 26, 2005, Warren missed his
Alene very much and longed to be with her in Heaven.
Warren died on January 15, 2008, in Mount Airy and was promoted to Life Eternal. I was privileged to serve as his
pastor for a little more than a year before he received his final appointment to Heaven. He was a friend and mentor to
me. He was also a faithful member of Epworth, always present, when health permitted, for worship, to sing in the
choir, and for weekly Bible study.
A service of celebration of Warren’s life and ministry was conducted on January 18, 2008, at Epworth Church.
Interment was in the church cemetery, with full military rites. Participating in the service were this writer and Marietta
T. Smith. Warren is survived by his daughter, Janet H. Spoon, and her husband, Buddy (J. M., Jr.); his son, Timothy
W. Hawks, and his wife, Debra; four grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his brother, John Hawks; and three
sisters-in-law.
Dennis W. (Bud) Cameron
ELIZABETH BEAN HENDERSON
August 28, 1924 – May 21, 2007
Elizabeth Bean (Beth) Henderson daughter of Walter E. and Martha
Whisenant Bean, was born in Burke County, North Carolina, on August 27,
1924. She had one brother, Reverend Ed Bean; three sisters, Katherine
(Vines), Ruth (Curtis), and Bessie (Curtis); and a half-sister, Elvie (Herron), all
of Burke County.
On December 16, 1951, Beth was married to Lawson Pinckney Henderson,
Jr. Together, Beth and Lawson set upon a lifetime journey of serving their
Lord. In April of 1952, Lawson answered the call to preach the gospel. He was
licensed to preach and also received his first appointment in 1952. Beth gave
her full support to her husband as he served the various churches to which he
was appointed. Even before their marriage, Beth and Lawson were
instrumental in reopening two churches which had been closed. Those
churches are still active today.
Beth was truly a servant of the Lord in all of life. While her husband served
as a pastor, she considered her ministry to be that of assistant to him. On
January 4, 1973, Beth and her dear husband were temporally separated by his
death. At the time of his death, Lawson and Beth were serving Deerfield
Church in Boone. Beth picked up the leadership role and served in the church,
without appointment, until annual conference.
Beth heard and responded to God’s call to preach in early 1974. She was also licensed to preach in 1974 and
appointed to Fairview Church in the Marion District that same year. She served Fairview from 1974 until 1987. From
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1987 to 1991, she served the Table Rock charge in the Marion District. In 1989, Beth was ordained deacon and
admitted to the Western North Carolina Conference as an associate member. From 1991 to 1996, she was pastor at
Zion Memorial-Mt. Pleasant, also in the Marion District. The last year of that appointment was served as a retired
supply, since she had been granted retirement in 1995. In the 1996-97 conference year, she did not actively serve in
an appointment.
This non-appointment did not please Beth at all! In 1997 she was appointed again to Fairview as a retired pastor.
She served there in retirement until June 2001, at which time she was appointed to Salem Church, Morganton, as
assistant pastor. She continued to serve here until her death. In early 2007, Salem Church unanimously elected Beth
as pastor emeritus. Beth died on May 21, 2007, at Grace Heights Nursing Center, Morganton. The funeral service
was conducted on May 24 at Salem Church, with interment in the El Bethel Baptist Church cemetery.
A trail of blessings followed Beth everywhere she went. Her service was not by any means limited to those of her
flock. She truly saw the world as her parish. Anywhere, at any time, if there was someone with a need, Beth would do
her best to minister to that person. It was amazing to watch her give herself without reservation to the needs of
others, without any consideration for her own needs. Humility marked her life. She never wanted any thanks or praise
for any of the service she rendered. In fact, she would “fuss” at anyone who tried to give her praise! She was
passionately in love with her dear Savior and testified that her service to others was only an outflowing of her love for
Jesus.
Even in the tough times of life, Beth had a strong, radiant faith. During her sickness, when it was apparent to all
who knew her that she was totally exhausted, she never ceased ministering to others. At the time of her greatest hurt
in life, the loss of her husband, Beth penned the following poem. It is truly her testimony:
MY TESTIMONY
Even now, as I type these words of God’s poem,
Inspired and given to me,
There is an awe and aura of His presence, Of His Glorious Majesty!
Like unto: one winter day, when waiting in the hospital room
For the attending doctor to come in; and I alone? NO!
Not alone! For it seemed a presence, an aura, a giant hand
Enfolded the soul of my precious husband, uplifted it, and…
Drew it to himself as a benediction sweet!
Awed! I could only whisper,
‘Father, take good care of him!’
And he was gone!
The doctor, with deepest kindness, entered to bear the message to me;
With sorrowful countenance, he clasped my hand,
“‘I did all that I could, but he….”
Time stood still! In those hallowed, sacred moments,
His presence, yet, the room did fill,
Hushed! Mysterious! Strengthening! Aglow!
And I could only whisper, “Yes, Dr. Wilson…. I already know.”
For me that day, the Kingdom of God in Heaven, and
The Kingdom of God on earth DID MEET!
One day it will be glory!”
That day of glory for Beth Henderson was May 21, 2007.
Donald R. Freshour
CARL WESLEY JUDY
April 10, 1918 – January 3, 2008
Carl Wesley Judy was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on April 10, 1918,
the son of Walter M. and Daisy Bransford Judy. He was the fourth of five
children. He grew up in Charleston; helped his dad, who was a carpenter;
joined A. J. Humphreys Memorial Methodist Church; and graduated from
Charleston High School. He graduated from Morris Harvey College (University
of Charleston) in 1940 with an A.B. degree and from the Divinity School of
Duke University in 1943 with a B.D. degree. Morris Harvey College awarded
him the honorary degree of doctor of divinity in 1966.
Carl was admitted on trial to the Western North Carolina Annual
Conference on October 22, 1943; was ordained deacon in 1944; and was
admitted to full connection and ordained elder in 1945. His first appointment
was the Franklin Circuit, 1943-44. In the summer of 1944, when he was
helping escort Caravan teams around the Waynesville District, Carl met
Margaret Taylor Brannan, who had been born in Wonson, Korea, the
daughter of Methodist missionaries Lyman and Myrtle Brannan. At midnight on
October 9, 1944, they were married at Central Methodist Church in Asheboro,
North Carolina. Carl served the Rockwood charge from 1944 to 1946, and two
children were born during this time: Karl Wesley, on September 19, 1945, and
Margaret Carlene, on September 10, 1946. In 1946, the Judys were approved
as missionaries by the Methodist Board of Mission, and Carl was appointed as a missionary to Korea. The family
then moved to New Haven, Connecticut, so that he could attend language school. In 1948, they sailed for Korea to
live in Seoul.
With the advent of the Korean War, on June 25, 1950, the family was evacuated in the middle of the night.
Margaret and the children left early in the morning on a freighter bound for Japan, and Carl flew out three days later.
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While they were living back in New Haven, following the evacuation, their third child, Joy Belle (Joss), was born on
October 3, 1950. The Mission Board asked Carl to return to Korea during the war. He and his father-in–law both
returned to help the Korean Methodist Church in those traumatic days of chaos and war. Margaret and the children
moved to Asheboro, North Carolina, where their last child, Esther Ross (Underwood), was born on March 12, 1952.
After the Korean War, the Judy family returned to Korea in April of 1954, reopening a mission station in Wonju. There
Carl went about the gritty work of clearing the mission property of “settlers,” so that a mission hospital could be
constructed.
Carl spent many years working with Kyungchonwon Leper Colony in Wonju, planning for and supervising the
construction of Wonju Christian Hospital, and helping Korean pastors build or establish over 200 churches. Carl and
Margaret were involved in helping Methodist preachers across the years, often helping young men go to seminary
and helping them as they began their ministries.
In the mid 1960s, Carl and Margaret reopened a mission work in Chuncheon, Korea, where Margaret had grown
up as a child. While on furlough in 1971-1972, Carl served Duncan Memorial Church in Charlotte, returning to Korea
in 1972 to serve until his retirement in 1984. The Judys retired to Asheboro and spent many retirement years telling
the story of their mission work. Carl also worked with Hospice in Asheboro and was active in the Lions Club. In 1999,
they moved to Arbor Acres in Winston Salem.
In 2006, the main hospital building at Wonju Christian Hospital was named in Carl’s honor. Margaret, Wes, and
Joy were present in Wonju for the dedication. In April of 2008, Margaret, Wes, and Esther attended the Dongbu
(East) Annual Conference Memorial Service in Chuncheon, Korea
Carl enjoyed fishing and liked to get his hands dirty gardening, growing vegetables, fruit trees, and his beloved
roses.
Carl was trapped by Alzheimer’s, dementia, and passive aphasia for the last years of his life. He was freed from
this captivity by his death on January 3, 2008, in Winston-Salem. His memorial service was held on January 11 in the
Fellowship Hall of Arbor Acres, led by his son, K. Wesley Judy. Bishop Oh Suh Kwon, from Chunchon, Korea, and
Dr. Kyung Hoon Choe, from Wonju Christian Hospital in Wonju, Korea, were among those who attended the service,
and Bishop Kwon gave the benediction. Carl’s ashes were interred at the columbarium of Centenary United
Methodist Church, Winston Salem.
And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon
their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isaiah 35:10).
K. Wesley Judy
HOWARD MARSHALL KISER
August 21, 1918 – February 10, 2008
Howard Marshall Kiser was born into a life of service on August 21, 1918, in
Gaston County, North Carolina, the sixth of seven children born to the late
Henry Clay and Bessie Alexander Kiser. He attended grade school at Lander’s
Chapel and graduated from Tryon High School. He attended Appalachian
State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in education. He later received a
master’s in education, also from Appalachian State. He began his service to
the Lord as a teacher in Lincoln County, North Carolina. He spent his entire
career teaching in Gaston, Lincoln, and Cleveland counties before retiring
from the superintendent’s office in 1981.
On August 27, 1940, he married Rachel Kiser. They built a small home on
the family farm next to his parents. This house was built on a strong
foundation of honor, loyalty, and love: Love for family, love for fellow man, and,
most importantly, love for one’s heavenly Father. Blessings continued to be
bestowed on Howard in the form of his two children, Myra Jean, born on
October 16, 1943, and Howard Stephen, born on March 17, 1948. He was
always a trusted friend, dedicated husband, and loving father and grandfather.
Later in his adult life, Howard answered another one of God’s calls to serve
as a Methodist minister. He attended local pastors’ school and was licensed to
preach in 1965. Later, in 1971, he was ordained deacon. He remained a local
pastor for his entire time of service. His ministerial career included these appointments: St. Paul’s (Gastonia District),
1974-80; Mary’s Grove, 1980-87; Cramerton: West Cramerton, 1987-88; and Cramerton: West Cramerton-Lowell,
1988-89. He was granted retirement in 1989 and appointed to serve again at St. Paul’s, 1989-92, and briefly in 1999
at Bessemer City: Bethea.
Howard was also a servant to the community. During the summers, he coached various sports teams for boys and
girls. He mentored many children in the nearby community of High Shoals. He also spent time at Lake Junaluska,
where he enjoyed many favorite pastimes, especially fishing with his children and grandchildren. Prior to entering the
ministry, he was a lifelong member of Lander’s Chapel Methodist Church. He was a pillar of the community and was
known for his wisdom and character, but mostly for his faith. He sang with the Gaston County Golden Chorus and
other groups. His favorite words were, “God is good.”
On February 10, 2008, at Brian Center in Lincolnton, his worldly service was complete. His spirit passed from the
arms of his loved ones into the arms of his heavenly Father. The service of resurrection was conducted by J. Frank
Herman on February 13 at Lander’s Chapel Church.
Howard Marshall Kiser left his mark on many, bestowing his values and the importance of good character on all he
knew. The fruits of his spiritual and physical labor continue to thrive and flourish, as seen in the lives of his children,
grandchildren, great-grandchildren, students, church members, and others who were touched by his example.
As in this life he listened to the Master, so together in death he could hear him say, “Well done, thou good and
faithful servant!”
Laura Kiser Mode
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RALPH MARSDEN KITLEY, SR.
May 12, 1933 – March 11, 2008
Our beloved companion, Ralph Marsden Kitley, was born to Eternal Life on
March 11, 2008, under Hospice care in High Point. The visitation and funeral
service were held at First United Methodist Church, Thomasville, where he
had served from 1989 to 1995 and where he served again as interim pastor
and ardent supporter until death. In the church chapel, Marsden lay in state,
surrounded by friends and relatives throughout the night. He was buried in his
traditional alb, ministerial collar, and the appropriate liturgical stole, with
military rites at Mount Tabor United Methodist Church, Winston-Salem, where
he had served from 1974 to 1976.
Marsden Kitley was born on May 12, 1933, in Troy, New York, to Ralph and
Bertha May Wheeler Kitley. He was baptized by Reverend Ernest Ryder and
was confirmed on April 2, 1944 (Palm Sunday), by Reverend Milton Lavery.
He was a 1951 graduate of Lansingburgh High School and then served in the
U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. At an early age, he loved the church
and would often baptize his sister’s dolls on Sunday afternoons. He became
very active in his home church, Grace Methodist, in Troy, and rose to become
Sunday School superintendent before leaving for High Point, North Carolina,
to study religion.
He received his bachelor of arts degree from High Point University in 1964
and his master of divinity degree in June 1967 from Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He was
admitted on trial in the Western North Carolina Conference and ordained deacon in 1965. In 1967, he was received
into full connection on June 8 and ordained elder on June 10. The appointments he served were: Student, Candler
School of Theology, 1965-67; Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, Mount Pleasant, and Mount Gilead), 1967-68; Mt.
Carmel-Ebenezer, 1968-69; Mt. Carmel-Greer’s Chapel, 1969-70; Mineral Springs, 1970-74; Winston-Salem: Mt.
Tabor Associate, 1974-76; Pinnacle (Pinnacle, Mt. Zion, and Chestnut Grove), in the Northeast District, 1976-80;
Lawndale-Double Shoals, 1980-83; Spencer: Central, 1983-86; Granite Quarry: Shiloh, 1986-89; and Thomasville:
First, 1989-95. After retirement in 1995, he served as interim pastor for the Cid Charge (Cid and Fairview) in 1999,
and he was named pastor emeritus of First Church, Thomasville. In 2007, he was assigned as interim pastor for First
Church, Thomasville.
Marsden Kitley was quite the historian and a collector of many things. One of his passions was books. He kept
abreast of the latest research, counseling techniques, and theology up to the very end. He also collected Bibles for
many years, most of them very old and family heirlooms. He loved the Boy Scouts and once received national
attention for the size of his “God and Country” class at Mineral Springs. He was quite civic-minded and believed that
a minister should have a presence in the community. Of late, he was a member of the Thomasville Civitan Club and a
volunteer hospital chaplain. Earlier, he had been instrumental in starting the volunteer chaplaincy programs in Rowan
County and Thomasville. He also served as a P.T.A. president several times and also as a Lions Club member.
Marsden believed in the tradition of the Methodist Church and the itinerant system of John Wesley. He looked
forward to and accepted each appointment with optimism, hope, and a chance to learn from and minister to new
people. He especially enjoyed celebrating the “special” times in the church calendar, such as Pentecost, Christmas,
and Easter. He also had a passion for our country and incorporated patriotic hymns to fit services. He celebrated
Mother’s Day and Father’s Day and had a favorite poem, “The Bravest Battle,” read each year on Mother’s Day. He
believed in the sanctity and rituals (“methods”) of the church. He routinely wore his robe and stole at all services. He
proudly wore his ministerial collar and clergy nametags when in public. He was charged with a duty in June 1967 by
the Western North Carolina Conference, a duty that was never left at the office or on vacation, but always at the end
of his sleeve.
Marsden married Julia Garner on June 12, 1964. She was his loving and dedicated wife for 44 years. To them
were born two sons: Ralph Marsden II, born on December 24, 1967, and now living with his wife, Loretta Rowland
Kitley, at Summerfield; and Barry Stephen, born on March 3, 1971, and now living in High Point with his wife, Wendy
Jane Kitley. Together, Marsden and Julia have six grandchildren: Zachary Rowland, Nicholas Rowland, Raven Kitley,
Elizabeth Kitley, Victoria Kitley, and Virginia Kitley.
At the very end, Marsden was surrounded by his immediate family and close friends. He was there to say
“goodbye” and “I love you” one last time. His presence will continue to be felt across this Western North Carolina
Conference and throughout his family for generations to come. Well done, thou good and faithful servant.
Ralph M. Kitley II and Barry S. Kitley
EVERETT HERMAN LOWMAN
March 15, 1912 – October 25, 2007
Everett Herman Lowman was born on March 15, 1912, on his grandparent’s farm in the south mountains of North
Carolina, near Valdese. The oldest of six sons born to Geneva and Horace Lowman, he grew up in the nearby
Warlick’s Chapel Methodist Church, where his parents were active members. Church music was important to the
entire family, and Everett’s love of hymn singing echoed his father’s role as song leader in this small mountain
church. His early musical training in the solfège technique of the traditional mountain singing schools enabled him to
easily transpose hymns into different keys for most of his life.
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During the Great Depression, he attended nearby Rutherford College, a Methodist junior college that was closed
after his sophomore year. He had already considered a career as a Christian minister and leapt at the opportunity to
continue his education at Berea College in Kentucky on a scholarship for pre-ministerial students. Having earned his
B.A. degree in 1933 from Berea, he went on to the new Duke Divinity School and completed his divinity degree in
1938. While at Duke, he spent his summers working for The Duke Endowment in small Methodist churches across
North Carolina, from Shallotte on the coast to Linville Falls in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
On September 17, 1938, Everett married Eunice Drum, and they would live and serve together for nearly 55 years,
until her death on May 3, 1993. To them were born three children: Everett Herman, Jr., on May 21, 1940; Wanda
Louise (Stack), on November 3, 1943; and Joseph Clare, on November 29, 1944. On September 5, 1993, Everett
was married to Reba Roberts Brookshire. She would predecease him on March 14, 2002.
Everett was admitted on trial in the Western North Carolina Conference in
1938, admitted to full connection and ordained deacon in 1940, and ordained
elder in 1942. His first appointment was Grace Chapel, near Hickory, and his
last was the Watauga Circuit, west of Boone.
Between 1938 and 1954, he and Eunice served multiple-church charges in
the Piedmont, largely in the Hickory, Statesville, and Winston-Salem areas:
Hickory: Bethel, 1939-41; Hiddenite, 1941-45; Cool Springs, 1945-46;
Statesville: Monticello-Rose Chapel, 1946-50; and Rural Hall, 1950-54. Those
early experiences were highly formative and led to his life-long belief in the
importance of smaller Methodist churches in towns and rural areas as
breeding grounds for the larger and more affluent churches in the cities. He
was active on the Town and Country Commission and as a supervisor of
newer generations of ministers working on The Duke Endowment while in
seminary.
From 1954 on, he served larger station churches: Boone, 1954-59;
Belmont: First, 1959-61; Charlotte: Cole Memorial, 1961-65; Pleasant
Garden, 1965-69; and Friendship (Statesville District), 1969-70.
With his last two appointments, Everett returned to the rural church circuits
of his early ministry by directing cooperative ministries in northern Iredell
(1970-73) and western Watauga (1973-75) counties that were supported by
The Duke Endowment. The goal of these cooperative ventures was to assign an experienced senior minister to
oversee younger ministers’ efforts and to promote lay speakers and cooperative educational and social service
programs among small rural churches in proximate areas. His efforts demonstrated the value of small rural churches
as vehicles of positive social change for both the young ministers who worked with him and for the conference as a
whole. In 1975, Everett took a disability leave, and he was granted retirement in 1974.
For many years, Everett served on district boards of church location and building, which showed his enduring
interest in church buildings. He especially loved supervising building programs and oversaw the construction or
renovation of a number of education buildings and sanctuaries. Wearing a hard hat, with a roll of blueprints under his
arm, he resembled at such times a contractor more than a clergyman.
Due to his wife’s disability, Everett retired early and eventually moved to Givens Estates in Asheville, where he
remained active as an informal chaplain for a number of years. Even after Eunice died in 1993, he was active for
several more years there before eventually moving to Aldersgate Retirement Community in Charlotte, where he was
living when he died on October 25, 2007, at age 95. A memorial service was conducted at Matthews United
Methodist Church, Matthews, on November 10. It is fitting that his ashes were interred with those of his wife Eunice,
and near the graves of his parents and many of his Lowman ancestors, in the cemetery of Warlick’s Chapel United
Methodist Church, Valdese, the seat of his earliest religious education and experiences.
Everett H. Lowman, Jr., Wanda Lowman Stack, and Joseph C. Lowman
MARK DWIGHT MASHBURN
December 15, 1961 – July 26, 2007
Mark Dwight Mashburn was a native of Forsyth County, North Carolina,
where he was born on December 15, 1961, to the late Reverend Dwight W.
and Esther Coltrane Mashburn. He and his sister, Jan, grew up in parsonages
across our annual conference. At High Point College, God interrupted Mark's
pursuit of a degree in business with a call to ministry. Mark graduated with a
degree in religion and entered Duke Divinity School, where he earned the
master of divinity degree in 1988. He was admitted to the annual conference
as a probationary member and ordained deacon in 1986 and ordained elder
and admitted to full connection in 1990.
Mark served appointments at Stem, in the North Carolina Conference,
1986-88, while in school; Prospect-Pleasant Hill, 1988-92; Asheboro: Brower's
Chapel, 1992-94; Ramseur: Jordan Memorial, 1994-98; King: Trinity, 19982003; and, after a year on incapacity leave, Thomasville: First, 2004-07. He
was regarded as a gifted worship leader, insightful preacher and teacher, and
devoted pastor throughout his years in ministry.
Mark served with distinction as chairperson of the Western North Carolina
Conference Committee on Annual Conference Worship, maintaining a high
degree of liturgical integrity, while incorporating contemporary and ethnic
influences into the worship life of the annual conference. In 2005, he designed
the three-sided symbol now in use to express our quadrennial theme: “Follow Jesus, Make Disciples, Transform the
World.”
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Mark's influence and activity in ministry reached far beyond this annual conference in his work with the Order of
Saint Luke, a religious order within The United Methodist Church dedicated to liturgical and sacramental scholarship,
education, and practice and the living of the sacramental life. He served a term as national formation officer for the
order and was responsible for its growth and influence in our own and other annual conferences.
Mark's loves and interests ranged far and wide, from his British and Celtic heritage to his near fanatical support of
Duke basketball, to his addiction to A Prairie Home Companion. Nothing else in Mark's life, however, could compete
with his love for and devotion to his family. He and Neil Teague were married on June 16, 1984. Their sons, Zachary
Adam, born on July 26, 1988, and Seth Andrew, born on April 22, 1996, were Mark's greatest joy. Mark and Neil
renewed their marriage vows in a bedside ceremony in June of 2007 in the intensive care unit at Wake Forest
University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem, where Mark was recovering from a long awaited kidney-pancreas
transplant made necessary by his long, difficult struggle with diabetes. The transplant was performed on February 28,
2007, and was successful. Multiple complications ensued, however, confining Mark to the hospital until his death on
July 26, 2007.
A beautiful service of death and resurrection of Mark's own design was held at his final appointment, First Church,
Thomasville, with members of the Order of Saint Luke, Mark's closest friends in life and ministry, and his district
superintendent presiding. Hundreds of worshippers received Holy Communion and celebrated Mark's life and
ministry and his having moved from life with us into larger life with God. His ashes were later scattered at a private
family ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland, in accordance with his wishes.
Son, brother, husband, father, friend: Mark was all of these. Above all, though, he was a faithful and effective
servant of God. All of us are richer for his having been among us and poorer for his having gone from us so soon.
Glenn Sherer Griffiths
THOMAS COLON McLEAN, SR.
February 28, 1928 – April 10, 2007
Thomas Colon McLean, Sr., was born on February 28, 1928, in Richmond
County, North Carolina, a son of the late Kenneth and Christian Williams
McLean. Tom graduated from Rockingham Senior High School in 1947. His
A.B. degree was earned at High Point College in 1958. He completed the
Methodist Course of Study at Candler School of Theology, Emory University,
and at Duke Divinity School.
As a youth, he was a member of East Rockingham Methodist Church. On
October 11, 1952, he received his local preacher’s license as a member of
Cordova Methodist Church of the North Carolina Annual Conference. In 1960,
Tom was ordained deacon and admitted on trial in the Western North Carolina
Annual Conference, where he was ordained elder and admitted to full
connection in 1962.
His first wife, Catherine May Dawkins, preceded him in death on September
18, 1948. On December 21, 1956, he married Doris Kathleen Simmons. He
and his beloved “Dobby” celebrated their golden wedding anniversary on
Sunday, December 30, 2006. Their union was blessed with two children and
four grandchildren. Survivors included his wife, Doris S. McLean; their son,
Thomas C. McLean, Jr., born on January 5, 1959, and now of Waxhaw; their
daughter, Julia McLean (Tsitouris), born on October 16, 1962, and now living
with her husband, Eric, in Monroe; a brother, Danny McLean, and his wife, Barbara; a sister, Katherine M. Cobb, of
Rockingham; and four grandchildren, Shannon McLean, Kyle McLean, Victoria Tsitouris, and Emry Tsitouris.
As a member of the annual conference, Tom served on numerous committees and boards. His long and fruitful
ministry included the following appointments: Rhodhiss, 1955-62; Summerfield, 1962-67; Triplett, 1967-74;
Bethlehem (Albemarle District), 1974-84; Advance-Mocks, 1984-89; and Gastonia: Bradley Memorial, 1989-92. Tom
retired in 1992, and in retirement he served Heath Memorial from 1996 until his death at Presbyterian Hospital,
Matthews, on April 10, 2007.
Tom McLean—“Preacher Tom,” as he was known to so many—loved God, his family, the churches he served, his
friends, and life. He was full of life, full of goodness and happiness. This was always exhibited through his warm smile
and sparkling eyes that could light up a room. His optimistic spirit, grounded in his rock-like faith in Jesus Christ,
proved to be an inspiration to countless lives. His faith had its origin in Rockingham, through a close family. Those
early family experiences became a model for his commitment to those he loved, as he and Dobby raised their family.
Life was always exciting for Tom. He lived fully as he responded to God’s call to preach the Word. Many interests
caught his attention. He loved the soil and, at times, had as many as three gardens. Fishing and woodworking were
also hobbies he enjoyed. Quiet times were spent in the company of a good book.
Even though he lived with a full and heavy schedule, there was always time for the four grandchildren, building a
strong bond and relationship with them. Some of their activities included teaching them how to ride a bike; riding on
the tractor; and working in the barn, discovering how to use the various tools, and about the special nature of certain
woods. He had perfected Donald Duck’s voice and often used it to communicate his special love to Shannon, Kyle,
Victoria, and Emry.
The Pleasant Grove Campground in Mineral Springs, North Carolina, always had a special place in Tom’s life. He
was a leader in preparing for the special week of preaching. The family tent (a permanent wooden structure), among
many others circling the historic open-air arbor, became an annual gathering place for greeting old friends and
special worship.
There was not a more appropriate place for a service of celebration and resurrection for Tom than the arbor at the
Pleasant Grove Campground. The service was held on April 13, 2007, by Bruce L. Gwyn and Sidney Huggins.
Tommy McLean read a letter from Tom. The interment followed at Lakeland Memorial Park, Monroe.
Tom was a victim of cancer. While cancer is powerful, it is still so limited:
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It cannot cripple love,
It cannot shatter hope,
It cannot corrode faith,
It cannot eat away peace,
It cannot destroy confidence,
It cannot kill friendships,
It cannot shut out memories,
It cannot silence courage,
It cannot invade the soul,
It cannot reduce eternal life,
It cannot quench the human spirit,
It cannot lessen the power of the resurrection.
Larry D. Wilkinson
JOHN LLOYD McWHORTER
September 4, 1926 – December 25, 2007
John Lloyd McWhorter was the second of two sons born to the late Bartho
Carl and Arlie Fincher McWhorter. He was born in Waxhaw, North Carolina,
on September 4, 1926, and died at Givens Estates in Asheville on December
25, 2007, at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Sara
Cornelia Grubbs, whom he married on October 1, 1949. He is also survived by
a son, Fred Lloyd, (born on January 25, 1955), and his wife, Tiffany, and
granddaughters Carson and Wallis, of Wilmington, North Carolina; and by a
daughter, Martha Elizabeth (born on May 10, 1958), and her husband, Tom
Coward, of Oshawa, Ontario, Canada.
John attended Brevard College and received a bachelor of arts degree from
Duke University in 1948. Following graduation, he worked as a radio
announcer in South Carolina, where he met and married his wife, Sara. Later,
John felt inescapably called to the ordained ministry of the church, and he
returned to Duke in 1952. In 1955, he received his bachelor of divinity degree
from Duke Divinity School.
He was an accomplished preacher. After hearing John preach his first
sermon in York Chapel at Duke, the late Dr. James Cleland, professor of
homiletics, said to John, “You don’t need to take my course!” A much
requested revival preacher, John preached revivals in my first two
appointments. In at least one instance, John’s revival preaching is said to have led directly to the healing of profound
wounds in a local church in the Western North Carolina Conference. For six years, he taught in the summer Course
of Study School at Duke. He received a doctor of divinity degree from High Point University in 1979. During World
War II, John served in the United States Navy as a member of the V-12 program. He spoke with pride and gratitude
for the opportunity to have served his country during this period of national crisis.
John’s service as a member of the Western North Carolina Conference began with his reception on trial in 1954.
He was ordained deacon in 1955 and admitted to full connection and ordained elder in 1956. His appointments
included Asheville: French Broad, 1955-57; Black Mountain, 1957-63; Charlotte: St. Luke, 1963-66; Charlotte: Sharon
(as founding pastor), 1966-72; Waynesville District Superintendent, 1972-75; Gastonia: First, 1975-81; Greensboro
District Superintendent, 1981-84; and as executive director, Council for Higher Education, from 1984 until his
retirement from the Western North Carolina Conference in 1992. Upon his retirement, John and Sara moved to their
home at Lake Junaluska, where they lived until moving to Givens Estates in 2007.
John’s answers to a questionnaire during his first appointment as a district superintendent speak volumes about
his concept of ministry. He believed that the primary purpose of a district superintendent is “To be a pastor to the
ministers and ministerial families of the district,” a role which he fulfilled faithfully. John felt that his call to ministry
was, first of all, a call to serve the local church; however, when asked to serve as executive director of the Council for
Higher Education, John accepted this also as God’s call to ministry, and he served in this role with great distinction.
In 1995, he was honored by the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry as the Western
North Carolina Conference recipient of the Francis Asbury Award for Fostering United Methodist Ministries in Higher
Education. During his ministry, he served as a trustee of Bennett and Brevard colleges and of High Point and Pfeiffer
universities. He remained until his death trustee emeritus of Greensboro College. John was elected a delegate to the
General and Jurisdictional conferences of the church and was a member of the World Methodist Council.
Even in retirement, John continued to give leadership as a volunteer in First United Methodist Church in
Waynesville, and by serving as president of the Lake Junaluska Property Owners’ Organization and as vicepresident of the Junaluska Associates.
John McWhorter’s ministry can best be described simply: He was a loving pastor and a powerful preacher, and he
was always open to God’s call. His funeral service was conducted December 29, 2007, at First United Methodist
Church in Waynesville.
James M. Thurman
GEORGE HARLAN NEEDHAM
November 6, 1916 – May 2, 2007
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George Harlan Needham was born in Timberlake, North Carolina, on November 6, 1916. He was the son of the
late Reverend Samuel Millard Needham and Julia Stimpson Needham. His life was always nurtured through the
Methodist Church, as he grew up as a child in a minister’s family and then following his own call into the ministry.
During his 90PthP birthday celebration, George commented, “My father is someone that left a lasting impression on
my heart. As a Methodist minister, he was my mentor in my life, and he encouraged me to go into ministry as well.”
George graduated from High Point Senior High School in 1936. He earned an A.B. degree from High Point
College in 1941 and a master of divinity degree from Duke University Divinity School in 1945. During his educational
experiences, he was honored to represent these organizations: Order of Sundial Honor Society, Pfeiffer College,
1938-1939; Delta Alpha Epsilon fraternity, High Point College, 1939-1941; and Who’s Who Among Students in
American Universities and Colleges, representing High Point College, 1940-1941.
George entered the Western North Carolina Conference of The Methodist
Church on trial on October 23, 1942. He was ordained deacon in 1943 and
admitted to full connection and ordained elder in 1944. His appointments were
as follows: High Point: Mitchell’s Grove, 1940-41; Student, Duke, 1941-42; Mt.
Vernon, 1942-44; U.S. Army Chaplain, 1944-46; Marion Circuit, 1946-48;
Kona, 1948-50; East Marion, 1950; U.S. Army Chaplain, 1950-52; Sharon,
1952-56; Dallas, 1956-64; Albemarle: Main Street, 1964-66; Charlotte: Central
Avenue (Central), 1966-71; Asheville: Biltmore, 1971-75; and Charlotte: Myers
Park Associate, 1975-82. He retired after 42 years of ministry in 1982. While
serving as a pastor, George was appointed to many boards and committees.
Some were the Board of Christian Social Concerns, Board of Missions, Board
of Ministerial Training and Qualifications, Board of Church and Society,
Asheville District Director of Church and Society, chairperson of the
conference Committee on Investigation, and Conference Committee on
Architecture.
George served as a U.S. Army chaplain during WWII and the Korean
Conflict. He was commissioned a first lieutenant in the chaplain branch of the
army on November 21, 1944. He had commented that he felt a need to join
the army and serve his country, especially in wartime. Chaplain Needham
began his military career by attending the Chaplain School at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, in January and February
1945. He was also active in the army reserve from 1953 to 1976, and he retired as the division chaplain of the l08th
Training Division in Charlotte. After 32 years of service, Chaplain Col. Needham was presented the Legion of Merit
Medal. Other military awards and decorations included the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, WWII Victory Medal, American
Defense Medal, Philippine Liberation Medal, Occupation Medal Japan and Germany, Philippine Presidential Unit
Citation, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and Army Reserve Component Achievement
Medal.
During 1936, George met Clara Ellen Howell in High Point, North Carolina, while both of their fathers, Reverend
Samuel M. Needham and Reverend David V. Howell, were serving Methodist churches in the area. Clara’s brother
had become friends with the Needham boys. On George’s first visit to the Howell family, he had brought a huge box
of Whitman’s candy for the Howell girls. That special sentiment lasted throughout George and Clara’s lifetime
together. A few years later, both families had been transferred to serve Methodist churches in the Charlotte area.
Clara’s father had become very ill during that time and died six months before George and Clara were married.
George married Clara on October 18, 1942. George’s father performed the ceremony in the parsonage before the
morning worship service began that beautiful fall Sunday morning. The Lord blessed them with a wonderful life of 64
years together. They have a son, Harlan Leigh (born on August 31, 1950), and a daughter, Ellen Diane (born on
September 7, 1955). In addition, they had two deceased infant daughters, Sandra Lynn and Leslie Elaine.
George and Clara retired in the Charlotte area and remained very active with the Myers Park United Methodist
Church from 1982 to 2000. Following some health problems with George, they moved to Givens Estates United
Methodist Retirement Community in the Asheville area in 2000. On May 2, 2007, George died at the Givens Estates
Health Center at the age of 90.
A graveside service was held at Oakdale Cemetery in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and the memorial service
was held at Givens Estates in the Norma Pulliam Chapel, with Joseph M. Fulk, Jr., and Ashley Crowder Stanley
officiating, on May 5, 2007.
George’s strong faith and devotion to his Lord and Savior were expressed daily in all his activities. He was blessed
with a beautiful spirit of loving concern for those that he served, and he will be remembered as one who truly cared. A
lasting memory for his daughter during his final hours will be the peaceful radiance surrounding his eyes when she
mentioned to him, “The Lord loves you, and he is right here with you holding his arms open wide to surround you with
his love.”
Ellen D. Needham
LARRY JOHN ROWELL
September 26, 1945 – March 23, 2008
Larry John Rowell was born the second son of a set of twins on September 26, 1945, in Mecklenburg County,
North Carolina, to Samuel John and Mozell Brooks Rowell. A miracle occurred when both of the boys, weighing only
a little over two pounds at birth, lived.
Larry grew up in the Indian Trail area of Union County, attending the Indian Trail schools and graduated from Sun
Valley High School in 1963. He worked and attended King’s College at night and obtained his associate in applied
science degree in accounting. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, receiving his basic training at Fort
Gordon, Georgia. He was given secret clearance and assigned to a special weapons unit in Fort Lewis, Washington,
where he spent the next 18 months.
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Upon receiving his discharge, Larry returned home in 1967 to marry his teenage sweetheart, Gaile Sechler, from
Monroe, on November 19 of that year. Their only child, Heather, was born in 1973. Larry was employed by several
companies prior to entering the ministry and spent 13 years in customer service with Sandoz Colors and Chemicals
in Charlotte.
Having grown up in a Christian home and always attending church, Larry always knew God as a very important
part of his life. In 1977, during a Lay Witness Mission, he made a total commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ. He
became a leader in Indian Trail United Methodist Church, teaching Sunday School classes, Bible studies, and prayer
groups and serving as a lay preacher. In 1981, at the age of 35, he received the call to the ministry and was licensed
as a local pastor.
His first appointment was the Lilesville charge, in the Albemarle District,
with four churches (Lilesville, Forestville, Olivet, and Savannah), from 1981 to
1987. During this time, he attended Pfeiffer College for his license as a local
pastor and Duke Divinity School’s Course of Study, from which he graduated
in 1986. He was admitted to associate membership in the Western North
Carolina Conference and ordained deacon in 1987. During his appointment at
Lilesville, the Olivet church did a total remodeling of their facilities, and the
debt was retired. From 1987 to 1993, Larry served the Puett-Mary’s Grove
charge, in the Gastonia District. During his appointment there, a new
parsonage was constructed, and the debt was retired. From 1993 to 1997, he
served in the Statesville District at Shiloh, in Claremont. From 1997 to 2004,
he was appointed to Gastonia: Bethesda, where he once again provided
leadership for a total facility remodeling.
Larry went on incapacity leave on September 1, 2004, after a short
appointment at Webb’s Chapel, in the Charlotte District. After battling Pick’s
Disease for several years, he entered the Church Triumphant on Easter
Sunday morning, March 23, 2008, at Hospice House in Monroe. A celebration
of his life was held at Gordon Funeral Home in Monroe on March 25,
conducted by several long-time friends: Aubrey L. Whitley, A. Gayle Ford, and
Harrison L. Hinson. Burial was in Forest Lawn East in Weddington.
Larry served faithfully during his 27 years in ministry, and he will long be remembered for his love of the Lord, his
love for his family, his love for his congregations, his love of children, his love of flowers, his love of the beach, his
enthusiasm, his smiles, his tears, and, most of all, his hugs. He was an honorable, dependable, respected, and fun
person to be around. What a wonderful man, what a wonderful son, brother, husband, and father the Lord blessed us
with for 62 years.
On that beautiful Easter morning of 2008, I know he heard the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant;
enter into the joy of the Lord.”
Gaile S. Rowell and Heather Rowell Rhew
BERNARD CURRY RUSSELL
November 19, 1914 – November 14, 2007
Bernard Curry Russell was born on November 19, 1914, in Palmetto,
Florida, the son of Absalom McKinney Curry Russell, Jr., and Ethel Durst
Russell. He married Frances Virginia Tucker on June 7, 1942, in Gainesville,
Georgia, and Virginia predeceased him on November 7, 1999. They are
survived by four children: Rosa Linda Russell Talbert, Edwin Lewis Russell,
Samuel Stephen Russell, and Frances Adele Russell Fitzgerald. The Russells
left three surviving grandchildren: Daniel Russell Talbert, Joy Linda Talbert
Hord, and Robert Fitzgerald, and they were predeceased by a grandson,
Thomas Fitzgerald.
Bernard Russell graduated from Palmetto High School in 1932; Asbury
College, with a bachelor of arts degree, in 1936; and Candler School of
Theology at Emory University, with a bachelor of divinity degree, in 1940.
Licensed to preach in 1932, he was admitted on trial to the Florida Conference
in 1939, ordained deacon in 1940, and received in full connection and
ordained elder in 1941.
Bernard Russell’s early ministry was spent as a pastor and a student,
serving Labelle in the Florida Conference from 1939 to 1941, and studying in
the graduate school at Drew University from 1941 to 1944. While at Drew, he
served as pastor at Setauket, on Long Island, New York. From 1944 to 1946,
he served as pastor at Greensboro, Florida, and, in 1946, he joined the faculty at Emory & Henry College in Emory,
Virginia, where he taught until 1953. In 1951, while at Emory & Henry, he was awarded the doctor of philosophy
degree from Drew University. Dr. Russell was a professor at Lambuth College, Jackson, Tennessee, from 1953 to
1955.
In 1955, Dr. Russell began a 25-year teaching and academic ministry at Pfeiffer College, Misenheimer, North
Carolina, and he transferred his conference membership to the Western North Carolina Conference from the Holston
Conference, which he had joined while at Emory & Henry. While at Pfeiffer, he served as professor of religion and
philosophy and as director of the library. He retired in 1980. In his retirement, he served as part-time archivist of the
Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, and he wrote a history of Pfeiffer, Pfeiffer
University: Growth of a Rural-Urban University. He even returned to the pastorate for two years, 1988-90, as retired
supply pastor at Boger’s Chapel, in the Salisbury District. It is understandable, therefore, that he wrote of himself, “By
vocation, then, I have been pastor, professor, archivist, historian.”
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He attended six World Methodist Conferences: London, in 1966; Denver, in 1971; Dublin, in 1976; Honolulu, in
1981; Nairobi, in 1986; and Singapore, in 1991. He was also an avid gardener, and he had deep love for his family.
In his teaching ministry, Bernard Russell influenced a host of young people, many of whom became clergy in The
United Methodist Church. This writer first met him when I was student pastor of the New London Methodist Church,
where Dr. Russell and his family attended. He was a constant source of support for me and a positive guide in every
aspect of my ministry there. He encouraged me to develop habits of theological reflection and disciplined preparation
for the responsibilities of ordained ministry, and I have always been deeply grateful for the interest and
encouragement he gave to me in my first appointment. It was my great joy to officiate at the wedding of Dr. and Mrs.
Russell’s daughter, Rosa Linda, and her husband, Steve Talbert.
Dr. Russell lived out his last years as a resident of the Aldersgate United Methodist Retirement Community in
Charlotte, moving there from New London in 1999. He died on November 14, 2007, just five days short of his 93PrdP
birthday. Funeral services were conducted by Tony L. Allen at New London United Methodist Church on November
18, and burial was in the New London town cemetery.
The words of the psalmist are apt:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of
sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law
doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that
bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall
prosper (Psalm 1:1-3).
Thanks be to God for Bernard Curry Russell, who was such a man.
J. Lawrence McCleskey
FRED COOLIDGE SHOAF
August 12, 1925 – April 2, 2008
On April 2, 2008, the doors of heaven swung wide, and the Lord welcomed
home one of his faithful servants. Fred Coolidge Shoaf was born on August
12, 1925, one of seven children. His parents, both of whom died when Fred
was quite young, were John Henry and Myrtle Craver Shoaf. He left behind to
cherish his memory: His wife and loving companion of 61 years, Helen
Motsinger Shoaf, whom he married on August 2, 1947; three children, Richard
Layne, born on August 26, 1952, Timothy Fred, born on November 28, 1957,
and now a clergy member of the Western North Carolina Conference, and
Angela (Spach), born on September 15, 1959; three grandchildren, Brian
Spach, Melissa Spach, and Melinda Spach Ladd; and two sisters, Mildred
Hege and Pansy Sink. A service of remembrance was held on April 6, 2008, at
the Farmington United Methodist Church by the pastor, Jack D. Tookey.
Fred was a graduate of Midway High School and Ashmore Business
College. He worked as supervisor/manager at Dixie Furniture in Lexington
until 1967, when he decided to answer the call to full-time Christian ministry,
which he had felt for some time. During his years as a layman, he was active
in the Fairview United Methodist Church, Lexington District, where he taught
the Young Men's Class. He received his license to preach in 1966. He then
enrolled in the Course of Study at Duke Divinity School and completed his
studies in l970. He was ordained deacon in 1969 and admitted as an associate member of the Western North
Carolina Conference in 1971.
Fred served the following appointments: Sheffield, 1967-70; Farmington, 1970-77; Bethel-Flat Rock, 1977-82; and
Oak Grove (Lexington District), 1982-88. He and Helen retired in 1988 to the Farmington community, where they
were active in Farmington United Methodist Church as long as their health permitted.
All of his career, Fred gave himself wholeheartedly in service to his Lord and The United Methodist Church. He
distinguished himself by loyal and faithful service to every church to which he was appointed. He was dearly loved
and respected wherever he served.
I had the privilege of serving as his district superintendent during two of his appointments. At one charge
conference, I asked the leaders of the church, “What is the best thing about your church?” Before anyone else could
respond, a senior-high boy stood and said, “The best thing about our church is Mr. Shoaf.” I never heard a higher
commendation of any pastor.
It has been a joy to have had him as a brother in the faith and a fellow servant in the Lord's vineyard.
D. P. Smotherman, Jr.
BENJAMIN TAYLOR STEELE
May 18, 1925 – September 21, 2007
Benjamin Taylor Steele was born on May 18, 1925, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to William Roy and Clara
Barton Lamb Steele. His older brother, William, Jr., was killed in World War II and buried in Guam. His younger sister,
Harriet Steele Sullivan, lives in Melbourne, Florida, with her husband, Ken, and daughter, Tara. Ben is survived by his
wife, Loree Harrill Steele, of Cliffside, North Carolina; his daughter, Mary Loree Steele Thompson, of Shelby, North
Carolina; his son, John David Steele, and his wife, Mary Williams Steele, of LaGrange, North Carolina; and his
grandchildren, Cameron Taylor Steele, Holly Eudora Steele, and Ashley Elizabeth Thompson.
Ben was born with a speech impediment which caused him to be unable even to pronounce his name. Because of
this, he was often teased and found himself nicknamed “Buddy” or “Bud,” names many of his family and friends
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continued to call him throughout his life. His minister friends, however, gave him the nickname of “Gentle Ben,”
because of his soft-spoken, easy-going disposition and demeanor.
At 6’4”, Ben was the tallest person at Sumner High School in Greensboro, and he played both high-school and
college sports. In addition to playing basketball, he was also a baseball pitcher. His wicked knuckleball made scouts
from the St. Louis Cardinals interested in him. After graduation, Ben, like his brother, William, went to enlist in the
U.S. Army. Unfortunately, Ben was born, not only with a severe speech impediment, but also with deafness in one
ear and a blind spot in one eye. After several rejections because of these problems, Ben finally enlisted in the army
and served for five years.
When Ben returned home from the army, he worked full time with the
Greensboro Daily News, earning enough money to buy back his parents’
home and give them the deed when their mortgage was being foreclosed on
them. While he was youth counselor at his home church, St. Andrews
Methodist Church in Greensboro, a young woman named Loree Harrill, who
was attending Greensboro College to become a deaconess, was sent to his
church to work with the youth program. This was the beginning of what was to
be almost 60 years of love and ministry together. As Loree continued her
education at Scarritt College and served as a deaconess at the Green Valley
Charge in the mountains, Ben felt his own calling into ministry. He left the
newspaper business and possible financial security as a baseball player and
became a student at Brevard College, completing his A.A. degree in 1952.
Ben continued his education in 1952 at Wofford College. In 1953, he obtained
his license to preach.
Ben and Ida Loree Harrill (born on January 29, 1922) were married in the
Green Valley Methodist Church on March 29, 1953, bringing an end to Loree’s
service as a deaconess, since The Methodist Church at that time would not
allow a deaconess to be married. Ministry for Ben and Loree together,
however, was just beginning. While Ben was attending Wofford, their first
child, Mary Loree, was born, unexpectedly arriving a month early, on
December 5, 1953. Ben completed his studies that spring and received his A.B. degree from Wofford College in
1954.
Next, Ben pursued his divinity degree from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He went to school
and worked with the Atlanta Journal & Constitution newspaper. Customarily, students were appointed to serve as
student pastors in churches; however, Ben was turned down because of his speech impediment. Heartbroken, he put
himself under a speech therapist in Atlanta and spent endless hours after school and work, learning to pronounce
words. Additionally, he had surgery on his jaw, gums, nose, and teeth to help improve mouth movements and air
flow.
Finally, Ben was given the opportunity to serve as student pastor from 1955-1957 at Big Hill Methodist Church in
upper Cleveland County, North Carolina, a small church of eight members that grew to 12 during the time he was
there. He was admitted to the Western North Carolina Conference on trial and ordained deacon in 1955.
After graduating from Emory in 1957 with his M.Div. degree, Ben was assigned his first full-time appointment in the
Western North Carolina Conference. It was while he was at this appointment, the Hayesville Circuit, that a son, John
David, was born, on August 30, 1958, at the nearest hospital across the state line in Hiawassee, Georgia.
Ben was ordained an elder and admitted in full connection with the Western North Carolina Annual Conference in
1959. During his 43 years of full-time ministry, he served six appointments (19 churches): Hayesville Circuit (four
churches), 1957-61; Elk Park (six churches), 1961-64; Bethlehem-Bess Chapel (two churches), 1964-69; Casar
(three churches), 1969-77; Shiloh-Wesley Chapel (two churches), 1977-84; and Marion: East Marion-West Marion
(two churches), 1984-90. He was granted retirement in 1990.
Never seeking praise, Ben actively served on a number of conference committees and helped organize town and
country and group ministry programs. He attended the General Conference when it met in Minneapolis, Minnesota;
served in various offices of town and country work, later named the United Methodist Rural Fellowship; and served
on the Board of Ordained Ministry. In the mid-1970s, Ben was surprised by being named “Casar Citizen of the Year”
by the community in a special recognition ceremony. Other activities included memberships in the Casar Masonic
Lodge, the Troutman American Legion, and the Lions Club. He also was a leader in the Boy Scouts of America and
was twice a host with Educational Opportunities to the Holy Land.
In 1990, Ben retired with Loree to her hometown of Cliffside, in Rutherford County, where he continued to serve
voluntarily in ministry. He attended Cliffside United Methodist Church and was on the boards of the Chase Corner
Ministries and the Church of the Exceptional (a church for the mentally handicapped in Rutherford County). He also
volunteered with Hospice of Cleveland County. Ben published a history of Cliffside Church for its centennial
celebration in 2001, and he later became the teacher of the Adult Sunday School Class.
Ben delighted people when he played the harmonica, guitar, or piano “by ear,” and, like his mother, he was also a
gifted writer. He wrote a number of poems and songs and, at the time of his death, was in the process of completing
his commentary on the Gospel of John, a book which will be completed by his family.
Later years saw Ben as the loving caregiver of his wife, Loree, whose Alzheimer’s often robbed her of the
knowledge of who he was. Then on September 14, 2007, Ben fell around 3:00 A.M. and broke his hip. Although the
surgery was deemed to be one in which the hip could be easily repaired, Ben developed complications. On the
evening of September 20, he asked to have Loree brought into the I.C.U. to see him, so that she would be able to
“more easily have closure,” indicating that the next day would be too late. When Loree was rolled into his room, her
Alzheimer’s momentarily disappeared into a loving encounter witnessed and treasured by their family. A few hours
later, Ben exclaimed how bright the light was and that he saw hosts of people looking at him. When the doctor replied
that the light in the room was bright, Ben declared, “No, not that light...THAT light!” and pointed, “The light of Jesus!”
As morning dawned on September 21, 2007, around 7:45 A.M., Ben Steele entered the gates of Heaven to be with
our Lord.
Funeral services were held at Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Rutherford County on September 25, with
burial in the church cemetery, where several centuries of Loree’s family are also buried.
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Mary S. Thompson
HARRY LEE WATWOOD III
September 16, 1940 – April 20, 2008
Harry Lee (Skipper) Watwood III was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on
September 16, 1940, the son of the late Harry Lee, Jr., and Elizabeth Bradford
Watwood. He attended Mecklenburg County schools and was baptized and
confirmed a Presbyterian.
Following graduation from East Mecklenburg High School, Skipper served
four years in the U.S. Air Force. Upon completion of his duty, he returned to
Charlotte and worked as an assistant golf pro at Carolina Country Club,
incorporating a love for the game he had first learned as a caddy and had
developed into considerable skillfulness.
Skipper found a career in newspapers, first with The Charlotte Observer. It
was while working there that he met and later married, on March 15, 1964,
Willie Ruth Hunnicutt, also an employee of the Observer. Two children were
born to them: Deborah (Debbie) Lynn, on March 24, 1966, and Harry Lee
(Skip) IV, on April 21, 1969.
Willie Ruth brought Skipper into the family of Stallings Methodist Church,
where he became an active member. His love for music led him to sing in the
choir, which he later would enjoy in each of the churches he served.
Answering God’s call upon his life, Skipper was licensed as a local pastor in
1979 and received his first appointment, to Oakboro Church, where he served
part time until 1980 as he continued his job at the Monroe Enquirer Journal, where he had become advertising
manager.
In 1980, Skipper enrolled at Pfeiffer University, and during his four years there he served the Richfield-New Mt.
Tabor charge (1980-84). After completing Pfeiffer (B.A. 1984), Skipper moved on to Duke Divinity School. While a
student at Duke, he served the Bethesda-Pine Hall charge near Madison (1984-88) and developed his lifelong love
for Duke basketball! He was admitted as a probationary member of the Western North Carolina Conference and
ordained deacon in 1986. Reception into full membership and ordination as elder occurred in 1990.
After completing his education at Duke (M.Div. 1988), Skipper served the following appointments: Monroe:
Memorial, 1988-92; West Jefferson, 1992-99; Kannapolis: Jackson Park, 1999-2002; and Asheville: St. Paul’s, 200207. He retired on January 1, 2007, and served at St. Paul’s until conference time in June. He and Willie Ruth then
moved into a home they purchased at Roughedge, south of Monroe, looking forward to a long and happy retirement.
Retired, but not finished with ministry, Skipper agreed to serve the Midway church, also south of Monroe, on a parttime basis during the 2007-08 conference year. In a few short months, Skipper’s impact at Midway was significant.
He brought the love, wisdom, good humor, and guidance to them he had shared in all his churches.
After a brief illness, Skipper died at Carolinas Medical Center-Union in Monroe early on the morning of April 20,
2008. A service of death and resurrection was conducted by R. Britton Hadley, Jr., and this writer on April 23, with
loving family, friends, clergy colleagues, and members of his former churches filling the chapel of Gordon Funeral
Home in Monroe. His ashes were interred at Sunset Memory Gardens in Mint Hill.
Survivors include Willie Ruth; Debbie, of Monroe; Skip and his wife, Stephanie, of Unionville; sisters Ray McCorkle
of Charlotte and Susan Mayberry and her husband, Chuck, of Seattle, Washington.
It is telling of the spirit and faith of Skipper that, just a few days before his death, after his clergy colleague Howard
Fleming had prayed with him in the hospital emergency room, Skipper offered a prayer of his own, focusing not on
his own need, but thanking God for life, love, and grace.
Sanford L. Giles, Jr.
HOWARD CHARLES WILKINSON
June 23, 1918 – December 26, 2007
He began his life journey in the home of his parents, Leroy and Carrie
Wilkinson, on June 23, 1918, near Katy, Texas. By the time he left us, Howard
Charles Wilkinson would give to Christ and the church a career of remarkable
effectiveness as a pastor, university chaplain, and college president.
Howard grew up on a cattle ranch and graduated with honors from Katy
High School in 1935. After a year of working on the ranch, he enrolled at
Southwestern University, where in 1939 he completed an A.B. degree, cum
laude, earned in just six semesters and a summer term. Those familiar with his
quick mind and eloquent voice will not be surprised to learn that he was
awarded the Atwell Debate Trophy at graduation. Southwestern University
would later confer on him the degree of doctor of divinity in 1963.
After entering Duke Divinity School in the fall of 1939, Howard received the
degree of master of divinity in 1942. The quality of his ministry was honored in
2002 as he was recognized as the divinity school’s distinguished alumnus for
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that year. Howard left Duke in 1942, but that would not be the end of his significant relationship with that place.
It is fitting, given Howard’s deep commitment to the church, that his ministerial service was bounded by both
opening and closing parentheses of local-church ministry. The opening parenthesis came in 1941, when he received
a weekend student assignment as associate pastor at First Church, Charlotte, a position which, upon graduation,
became a full-time appointment and extended to 1947. Near the end of these Charlotte years, on June 24, 1947,
Howard married Juanita Virginia Scott, of Carbon Hill, Alabama, whom we all know as Nita. He was received “on trial”
in the Western North Carolina Conference and ordained deacon in 1942. Reception into full connection and
ordination as elder followed in 1944.
In 1947, Howard was appointed to Haywood Street Church, Asheville, after which, in 1949, he was moved to the
1,200-member First Church in Lexington, where he would serve as pastor for seven years. While he was there, he
led in the building of an entirely new church building. In 1954, he preached in Cuba as part of a Methodist team.
Then, in 1956-57, there followed a one-year appointment to Central Church, Shelby, from which Howard returned to
Duke for the first of two major appointments in Christian higher education.
It deserves more than a passing mention that, in just ten years as a “lead” pastor, 1947-57, Howard’s churches
paid all their apportionments, and he received 704 persons into church membership, 271 of them by first profession
of faith. At the heart of all he did and was there was a very simple premise: All people need to know in their lives the
saving power of Christ. And so it was that Christian evangelism was the overarching concern within which all the
others found their place. He faithfully adhered to Wesley’s dictum, “Offer them Christ.” One can only wonder what
would have been the results of continued parish ministry during the prime of his life!
But God had other tasks for Howard to undertake, and in 1957 he became chaplain to Duke University and its
director of religious activities. He would fill that role with distinction for 15 years, 1957-1972, a span of time that
included the tumultuous ’60s and brought to the university and its chaplain all of the challenges that we who lived
through them remember so well. He and the late James T. Cleland, inimitable dean of Duke Chapel, were a
formidable team in leading the university to find creative ways to deal with themes and issues from the world around
and within the university.
His was no shy or fearful voice. As we sometimes say, “He called ’em like he saw ’em,” and his manner of
speaking was direct and to the point. In 1963, he went before the Charlotte Executive Club and delivered an address
entitled, “How Separate Should Government and God Be?” The address was reprinted in national magazines and
three books, and the 1966 Speech Index included it as one of the most noteworthy speeches in history. In the same
year, the Freedoms Foundation bestowed upon him the George Washington Honor Medal in recognition of one of his
sermons. The whole university was his parish, from the youngest freshman to the university president. His counsel
for all was steady and sure, whether the seeker was a student facing a difficult choice, or an athlete struggling for
balance between sport and study, or a university official needing to find the best way to effect helpful change. In an
environment where much masquerading occurs, Howard Wilkinson was real, and his faith, his compassion, his
wisdom, and his passion for ministry were real. We saw them every day.
It was this writer’s privilege to be a student at Duke during Howard’s tenure and to sing in the chapel choir behind
him as he preached and led in worship. As we worshiped, I usually saw only his back(!), but perhaps there is
appropriate symbolism in that: His position out in front in that great pulpit was both challenging and reassuring, as if
he were saying, “Come with me as followers of a God who calls us to be strong in days that are hard. God will be with
us to lift us up and give us strength.” One of his sermons, on an upcoming Supreme Court decision on prayer in the
public schools, was placed in the Congressional Record by Senator Sam J. Ervin. While at Duke, Howard organized
and headed a 10-year health and spiritual mission project in the eastern jungles of Nicaragua and, for two summers,
organized and sent teams of students to work with the Aymara Indians on the Altiplano of Bolivia.
In 1972, Greensboro College, a United Methodist-related institution, reached out and brought Howard to
Greensboro to be its 14PthP president. By the time he left the college in 1981, it was operating on a balanced budget,
with a smaller total indebtedness than most colleges its size, had increased its annual financial aid support from
$300,000 to more than $1,000,000, and was experiencing the highest enrollment figures ever.
The closing parenthesis in Howard’s active ministry came in Charlotte, where he was appointed as senior pastor
at Hawthorne Lane Church, 1981-85. In that last pastorate, the kind of faithful and fruitful ministry that was seen
earlier in Charlotte, and in Asheville, Lexington, and Shelby, was fully present again. In 1985, Howard retired, but,
always ready to meet the needs of the church, he accepted an appointment for ten years as associate pastor at
Jamestown Church, Jamestown, from 1986 to 1996, giving up that work at the age of 78.
Howard lived for 11 and a half more years after the Jamestown appointment, the last three at Croasdaile Village
Retirement Community, Durham, an affiliate of the North Carolina Conference. Death came on December 26, 2007,
at Croasdaile Village, where a memorial service was conducted by D. Michael Jordan on December 31. Inurnment
followed that afternoon in the columbarium at First Church, Lexington. Howard is survived by Nita, his wife of more
than 60 years; their children, Scott Russell, born on June 19, 1950, and now of Berkeley, California; Melinda Faye,
born on April 5, 1952, and now of Raleigh; Barbara Gail (and her spouse, Len Carlson), born on November 21, 1953,
and now of Atlanta; and Fleeta Mae (and her spouse, Claude Chauvigne), born on February 25, 1957, and now of
Chapel Hill; and their granddaughter, Christina Carlson, of Atlanta. He was preceded in death by his parents and all
three of his siblings, Oliver, Lawrence, and Ann (Guinn).
It is scarcely possible to enumerate all of Howard’s positions of responsibility, publications, public addresses and
sermons, civic involvements, and honors. Here, however, are a few of them, given to provide just a taste of the
breadth of his service among us: Chairperson, conference Board of Trustees, 1956-69; member of conference Board
of Ordained Ministry and boards and commissions on missions, education, hospitals and homes, evangelism, town
and country, and Christian vocations; first chairperson of the board of trustees of Camp Tekoa; chairperson of the
Scandinavian Caravan Committee; member and officer of National Association of College and University Chaplains;
member, national advisory board, Fellowship of Christian Athletes; president, Durham city-wide PTA Council;
president, Durham Rotary Club; Greensboro Executive of the Year in 1979; member, Brevard College Board of
Trustees, 1949-72; member, Commission on Inter-Jurisdictional Relations; member, Fellowship of Reconciliation;
conference representative to North Carolina Council of Churches; contributor of chapters to eight books and author of
dozens of articles and sermons in such publications as Effective Prayers, Pulpit Digest, Pulpit Preaching, Christian
Century Pulpit, Duke Divinity School Review, Christian Century, Vital Speeches of the Day, and many others; guest
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preacher and speaker at some 60 colleges and universities; founding chairperson of the Royce and Jane Reynolds
Foundation.
This writer well remembers occasions when the phone would ring, and the voice at the other end would say,
“Denny, this is Howard.” At that point, I knew that I was about to learn something, for Howard never called just to see
how the weather was in my neighborhood. Invariably, he had either found something he thought I needed to know, or
he had seen me do something which was not quite right and wanted to suggest a better way. Those are the things
that a true friend, a person who cares deeply about you, does. Those are the things I most treasure about Howard.
And somehow, in the midst of all his labors, Howard maintained his interests in his family, his colleagues, and his
hobbies of hunting, fishing, golf, and personal flying. He also, as his family members say, “dabbled in family history”
in the latter half of his life.
Surely, dozens of colleagues join me in remembering Howard Wilkinson, all six-feet-tall of him, as a giant in the
land, a superbly gifted fellow minister of Christ who brought honor to his calling, and who made us proud to share that
calling with him.
Charles D. (Denny) White, Jr.
ROBERT GRAY WOLFE
July 22, 1936 – May 12, 2007
Robert Gray Wolfe, son of the late Robert Odell and Margie Cook Wolfe,
was born in Mountain Park, North Carolina, on July 22, 1936. He was the older
brother of his sister, Daisy Mae Wolfe. He graduated from Mountain Park High
School and then joined the U.S. Army, in which he served for three years.
Robert and Fern Marie Hayes were married on August 31, 1955. They were
a devoted couple and were supportive of each other for over 51 years.
Together, they had three children: Jeffrey Gray, on May 10, 1957; Robert
Dale, on April 21, 1960; and Angela Fern (Ringer), on May 22, 1968. They had
six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Robert loved his family very
much and was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, and brother. He
was very involved with his family and was very supportive of them. He instilled
these same Christian family values in his children.
He worked for Chatham Manufacturing Company in Elkin, North Carolina,
and attended Ebenezer Methodist Church in Elkin during this time. While
attending Ebenezer, he taught Sunday School. He was called by God to enter
the ministry in 1967 and was soon serving his first appointment at the GilkeyGilboa-Thermal City charge in the Marion District, 1967-71. His journey then
carried him through the following appointments: Henrietta-Providence, 197173; Plains, 1973-77; Jonesville, 1977-78; West Lincoln, 1978-83; PalmyraHickory Ridge, 1983-87; Bethany (High Point District), 1987-89; Providence (Salisbury District), 1989-93; and BethelFlat Rock, 1993. Due to health reasons, he was on disability leave from November 1, 1993, until the 2002 annual
conference, at which time he retired.
Robert was ordained deacon in 1970 and became an associate member of the Western North Carolina
Conference in 1971. He completed the Course of Study through the Course of Study School at Duke Divinity School
in 1970. He served on the conference secretarial staff in the registration of conference members from 1983 until 1993
and was conference registrar in the latter portion of that time. Robert loved the Lord and The United Methodist
Church.
On May 12, 2007, death came to Robert Wolfe at Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem. His funeral was held
by James K. Sanders and Bobby G. Swaim at Hodges Funeral Home in Elkin on May 15. He was buried in the
cemetery of Ebenezer United Methodist Church, the same church he was attending when he received the call to
preach.
Jeffrey G. Wolfe
G. CHRONOLOGICAL ROLL OF DECEASED
CLERGY AND DIACONAL MINISTERS
Note: The complete rolls of deceased clergy of the Blue Ridge-Atlantic Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, the
North Carolina Conference of the Methodist Protestant Church, and the Western North Carolina Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, prior to Unification in 1939, are to be found in the 1939 journal of the Western North Carolina Conference of The Methodist Church, pages 114, 153, and 252.
The complete rolls of deceased clergy of the North Carolina-Virginia Conference of The Methodist Church for the period
1964-1967 are to be found in the 1967 journal of that conference, page 55.
The complete rolls of deceased clergy of the Western North Carolina Conference of The Methodist Church for the period
between Unification in 1939 and the formation of The United Methodist Church in 1968, including the deceased clergy of the
North Carolina-Virginia Conference for the 1967-1968 conference year, are to be found in the 1968 journal of the Western North
Carolina Conference, pages 363-366.
The journals referred to herein may be found in the Archives Room of the Conference Memorial Center, 3400 Shamrock
Drive, Charlotte.
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth; yea,
saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do
follow them. — Revelation 14:13