Born May 28, 1947, in Rowan County, he was the son of the late Johnnie Cisero Yates and Ethel Virginia Hartsoe Yates.

Mr. Yates was retired. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church and a former deacon and choir director. He was also a member of Rowan Shriners, a Mason, the Spencer Moose Lodge, NRA and the National Street Rod Association.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his former wife, Madolyn McIntire Yates; sister, Carolyn Maxine Yates; brother, Jerry Lee Yates, brother-in-law Dave Davis; and a sister-in-law, Betty Yates.

Survivors include his wife, Cindy Grimes Fulham Yates, whom he married June 28, 2003; daughters, Tammy Yates Crider (Daniel) of Mooresville, Ginny Yates Alley of Kannapolis and step- daughter, Ashley Fulham Hargraves (Phil) of Salisbury; brothers, Charles Yates of Salisbury, John Yates (Viola) of Salisbury, and Donald "Duck" Yates (Irene) of Salisbury; sisters, Aileen Turner (Bill) of Salisbury, Virginia Davis of Salisbury, Doris Bradshaw (John) of Salisbury and Reba Dudney (Mickey) of Salisbury; three granddaughters, Fallyn Snow Howard (Chavis), Madolyn Caroline Snow and Haley Nicole Hargraves; and one great-grandson, Jayden Brice Howard. Mr. Yates was loved by several nieces and nephews and many, many close and wonderful friends.

Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Monday, March 8 at Friendship Baptist Church, 100 Porter Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.
Service and Burial: 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 at Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Jason Pierce and Pastor Rick Thomas officiating. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park in Salisbury.

Memorials: Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Lyerly Funeral Home is assisting the Yates family. Online condolences may be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

Timothy Harold Walton, 66
SALISBURY - Timothy Harold Walton, of Salisbury, went to meet God on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Born Jan. 17, 1944, in Rowan County, he was the son of the late David Woodrow Walton, Sr. and Marie Hill Walton.

Mr. Walton was a graduate of the "Class of 1962" at North Rowan High School. He retired from National Starch in 2006 working in maintenance. He attended Christian Baptist Church.

Mr. Walton leaves behind his best friend and loving wife of 35 years, Linda Watkins Walton; son, James Walton (Marisa) of Salisbury; daughters, Darlene Walton (fianc� Gator) both of Pilot Mountain and Shannon Stirewalt of Salisbury; step- daughter, Cindy Wright of Summerville, S.C.; brother, David Woodrow Walton of Orlando, Fla.; nine grandchildren; two step- grandchildren; three step- great-grandchildren; and his beloved pets, who will dearly miss him until we all meet again.

Visitation: 7-8:30 p.m. Monday, March 8 at Lyerly Funeral Home.
Service and Burial: 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 9 at James C. Lyerly Chapel with the Rev. Sam Harvey officiating. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park.

Memorials: Humane Society of Rowan County, P.O. Box 295, Salisbury, NC 28144-0295.

Lyerly Funeral Home is assisting the Walton family. Online condolences can be made at www.lyerlyfuneralhome.com.

Hallie Estelle Rodgers Helms, 96
SALISBURY - Hallie Estelle Rodgers Helms, of Autumn Care of Salisbury, passed away Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Rowan Regional Medical Center in Salisbury.

Mrs. Helms was born May 29, 1913, in Cabarrus County. She was a daughter of the late William Rodgers and Edna Greene Rodgers.

She retired from Corriher Mills in Landis where she worked in the spinning room. She was a member of First United Methodist Church in Landis.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Alexander Helms; two sons, Billy L. Helms and Marvin L. Helms; and her twin sister, Dema R. Deese.

Mrs. Helms is survived by her daughter, Eupena "Penny" Spears of Landis; son, Kenneth Wayne Helms of Salisbury; eight grandchildren, ten great- grandchildren; and five great-great grandchildren.

Service: A graveside service is at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 9 at West Lawn Memorial Park in China Grove. Rev. Bev Coppley and Rev. Billy Honeycutt will officiate.
Visitation: The family will receive friends following the graveside service. At other times, the family will be at the home of her daughter, Eupena "Penny" Spears, 607 W. Mill Street, Landis.

Memorials: Memorials may be sent to First United Methodist Church, 209 E. Mill Street, Landis, NC 28088.

Lady's Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family of Mrs. Helms. Online condolences may be made at www.ladysfuneralhome.com.

Kay Frances Vanderford Walker, 72
ROCKWELL - Kay Frances Vanderford Walker, of Rockwell, passed away March 5, 2010, at the Rowan Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Walker was born Feb. 16, 1938, in Rowan County. She was the daughter of Mrs. Sybelle Thompson Vanderford of Salisbury and the late Melvin Vanderford.

Educated in the Rowan County Schools and Granite Quarry High School, she was a homemaker and a member of Rockwell United Methodist Church.

Survivors in addition to her mother include her husband, Mr. Clyde Lewis Walker whom she married Aug. 5, 1954.

Service and Burial: The funeral will be held at 12 Noon Tuesday, March 9 at the Powles Funeral Home Chapel, conducted by Rev. Warren Miller, Pastor of Rockwell United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the National Cemetery (behind the V.A. Hospital).

Visitation: The family will receive friends at Powles Funeral Home from 11-12 Noon Tuesday, prior to the service.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Rockwell United Methodist Church, PO Box 337 Rockwell, NC 28138.

Powles Funeral Home is assisting the Walker family. Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com.

Samuel Cary Sloop, 81
SALISBURY - Samuel Cary Sloop, of 1030 Patterson Rd., died Saturday, March 5, 2010, at his residence.

Born on Dec. 18, 1928, in Rowan County, he was the son of the late N.C. and Margaret Felker Sloop.

Educated in the Rowan County Schools, he went on to graduate from Catawba College. Having served in the United States Army, he saw action during the Korean War where he received the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

A lifelong member of Grace Lutheran Church, he was a member of the church council, served as a Sunday school teacher and was involved with the Boy Scouts. He had retired from the IRS where he was an auditor. Mr. Sloop enjoyed farming, fishing and sports.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Peeler Sloop in 1992; brothers, Charlie, Marvin and Albert Sloop; and a sister, Geneva O'Neil.

Survivors include sons, S. Tim Sloop (Mary) of Salisbury, Jeffrey Sloop of Charlotte and Perry D. Sloop (Sharon) of Cary; daughter, Star Atwell (Brian) of Salisbury; brothers, John, Robert, C.F. and Otho Sloop all of Salisbury; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Sarah and Jared Sloop and Spencer and Dillon Atwell; numerous nieces and nephews; and special great-nephew, Chris Sloop.

Visitation, Service and Burial: Sunday 2-3:45 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church. Funeral at 4 p.m. with Rev. Jerome Cloninger, Minister. Burial will follow at Grace Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials: Grace Lutheran Church Building Fund, 3020 Grace Church Rd. Salisbury, NC 28147.

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

Elma Ritchie Shue, 97
SALISBURY - Elma Ritchie Shue, of Salisbury passed away at her home on Sunday March 7, 2010.

Born in Rowan County May 9, 1912, she was the daughter of the late William Alexander Ritchie and Mamie Walls Ritchie. She attended Granite Quarry High School and was a graduate of Boyden High School. She retired from Cannon Mills Company Plant 7.

She was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Elma loved spending time with family, especially her grandchildren. She enjoyed volunteering with St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Meals on Wheels and the Lutheran Home. She loved gardening, growing flowers, crocheting and spending time talking with her friends.

Mrs. Shue was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Lee Shue, who died in June 1945.

Survivors are her daughter, Betty Lou Shue Carver of Salisbury; son-in-law Harry Carver; and two grandchildren, Dawn and Derek Carver. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews, as well as many great-nieces and great-nephews.

Service: Services will be held Thursday, March 11 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with Rev. William S. Ketchie, pastor, officiating. Mrs. Shue will lie in state 30 minutes before services.
Visitation: The family will see friends Wednesday from 6- 8 p.m. at Summersett Funeral Home.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 205 St. Paul's Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.

Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com

Mary Shoaf "Polly" Ritchie, 85
SALISBURY - Mary Shoaf "Polly" Ritchie, of Salisbury, died Sunday, March 7, 2010, at Autumn Care of Salisbury.

Born Jan. 3, 1925, in Rowan County, she was the daughter of the late Ruby Beatty Shoaf and O.C. Shoaf, Sr. She was educated in Rowan County schools and graduated from Mount Ulla High School and Mitchell College.

Earlier in her life, she was employed in the billing department of Cannon Mills in Kannapolis and in food service for Rowan Vocational Workshop. She retired from Food Service at W.G. Hefner VA Medical Center.

Mrs. Ritchie was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, where she served on various church committees, the Church Council and the Call Committee, the Grace Ridenhour Circle of WELCA, the Alter Guild and the Friendship Club. She also served in the nursery, taught Sunday School, visited nursing homes and shut-ins. A former member of Thyatira Presbyterian Church and Spencer Women's Club, she was a volunteer reader at Koontz Elementary School kindergarten classes.

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Catherine Macdonald, Helen Hurlocker, and Mildred Nanney, and brothers, Kenneth Shoaf and Melvin Shoaf.

Survivors include her husband, Herman G. Ritchie, whom she married May 27, 1960; daughters Robin Seropian and husband Paul of Salisbury, Ronda Ritchie and husband Lynden Anthony of Manning, S.C.; brother O.C. Shoaf, Jr. and wife Jewell of Mount Ulla; and grandchildren Lawson Seropian, Trevor Seropian, Luke Seropian and Bo Anthony.

Funeral Services: 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 10 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church with the Rev. William Ketchie officiating. Mrs. Ritchie will lie in state 30 minutes before the service. Interment will follow at St. Paul's Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Visitation: The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Tuesday, March 9 at Summersett Funeral Home. At other times, the family will be at the residence of Robin Seropian.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Parish Nurse, 205 St. Paul's Church Road, Salisbury, NC 28146; or American Cancer Society, Rowan Relay For Life, c/o Frances Morris, 1103 Burkesway Drive, Salisbury, NC 28146.

Summersett Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com

Joanne Boger Holshouser, 75
FAITH - Joanne Boger Holshouser, of Faith, passed away Monday, March 8, 2010, at Alamance Regional Medical Center, Burlington.

Joanne was born June 10, 1934, in Rowan County, the daughter of Jennie Boger and James and Ruth Earnhardt. Joanne was a 1952 graduate of Granite Quarry High School and a 1955 graduate of Rowan Memorial School of Nursing.

Joanne was a nurse for Dr. Baker, Dr. Lomax, Rowan Memorial Hospital Nursery and had worked for over 20 years as a Public Health Nurse. She retired from Concord Development Evaluation Center as a Pediatric Nurse.

Joanne was a member of Faith Lutheran Church, the Choir and Handbells, was pianist for Sunday School opening and Kindergarten opening, was the Christian Education Committee Chairperson, a member of the McCombs Circle and a past member of the church council.

She was involved in the Faith Community, where she was a volunteer for the schools sight/hearing screening, past member of the Faith Fourth of July Committee, Democratic Precinct Chairperson, a volunteer softball coach for numerous years, a member of the Faith American Legion Auxiliary Unit 327, Junior Advisor of the Faith American Legion Auxiliary, member of the Department of North Carolina American Legion Auxiliary and Department President of North Carolina for 2002- 2003, Department Music Chairperson, Housemother for Girls State, member of the Commission of Tarheel Girls State for many years, Deputy of Salisbury VA Medical Center and a Representative for the American Legion Auxiliary at the NC Veterans Home.

Joanne was preceded in death by her son, Homer James Holshouser, in August 1962; and her husband, Meredith "Ted" Holshouser, on Jan. 1, 1993.

Survivors include daughters Jody H. Parnell and husband Stan of Concord, Lu H. Gamewell and husband, Mark, Meredyth H. Fisher and husband Kenny of Faith, Sally H. Drew and husband Mitch of Gold Hill, Leslie H. Wright and husband Mike of Rockwell; grandchildren Bryant Ted Parnell and wife Kristin, Jenna Parnell, Jocelyn Parnell, Nancy Gamewell, Ethan Fisher, Lela Fisher, Mallory Drew, Lara Drew, T. J. Drew, Avery Wright, Olivia Wright and Cooper Wright; and brother Jimmy Earnhardt of Salisbury.

Visitation: 6-9 p.m. Thursday at Powles Funeral Home, Rockwell, and the remainder of the time, at the home of a daughter, Leslie Wright of Rockwell.
Funeral Services: 4 p.m. Friday at Faith Lutheran Church conducted by Rev. Clarence Sifford, interim pastor. The American Legion Auxiliary members will be seated in a group at church.
Burial: Will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorials: Faith Lutheran Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 669, Faith, NC 28041; or to Faith American Legion Auxiliary Unit 327, P.O. Box 3, Faith, NC 28041.

Powles Funeral Home of Rockwell is assisting the Holshouser family. Online condolences may be made to www.powlesfuneralhome.com

James Douglas Shelton, Sr., 87
SALISBURY - James Douglas Shelton, Sr., of Salisbury, passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at Rowan Regional Medical Center.

Born Sept. 19, 1922, in Rockingham County to the late Anna Lou Tucker Shelton and Leslie Phillip Shelton, he attended Rockingham County Schools. Mr. Shelton was a veteran serving in World War II in the Atlantic and European Theatres. He was with the 425th Military Police MPEG Co. in the U.S. Army. Later he retired from Norfolk Southern Railroad, where he worked as a yard conductor.

Mr. Shelton was a member for 50 years of Main Street United Methodist Church, where he served in many capacities. He was also a member of Salisbury Civitan Club.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Elsie Williams Shelton, on June 25, 2000; grandson Michael Shelton; brother Leslie Phillip Shelton, II; and sister Rebecca Shelton.

Surviving him are three sons, J.D. "Doug" Shelton, Jr. and wife Linda of Granite Quarry, John L. Shelton and wife Gail of Denver and H Keith Shelton of Salisbury; brother Tom Shelton and wife Agnes of Madison; sisters Marilyn Plaster and husband Donald of Summerfield and Ann Skow and husband Walter of Madison. Also surviving are eight grandchildren: Marshall Shelton and wife Haley, Marie Shelton, Matthew Shelton, Morgan Shelton, Keatin Shelton, Eli Shelton, Stephanie Rayfield and husband Josh and Anna Shelton; one great- grandchild, Joshua James Rayfield; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Shelton took great joy in his entire extended family.

Visitation: A visitation will be held Thursday (March 11) from 6-8 p.m. at Summersett Funeral Home.
Service: The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday (March 12) in Summersett Memorial Chapel conducted by Rev. Annalee Allen. Burial will follow at Rowan Memorial Park.

Memorials: May be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, 1312 N. Main St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Shelton family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com .

Lillie Mae Powell Mutz, 81
GRANITE QUARRY - Lillie Mae Powell Mutz, of 416 Main St., passed on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at the Laurels of Salisbury

Born Sept. 9, 1928, in Rowan County, she was a daughter of the late Willie and Nevada Kerns Powell. Educated in public schools of Rowan County, she retired from Rowan Regional Medical Center in Housekeeping.

A member of White Rock AME Zion Church, she was a former member of the Missionary Society.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Solomon Mutz; daughter Delores Powell; and sister Margie Powell Hall.

She is survived by brother Richard (Yvette) Powell of Marion; and a host of cousins, other relatives and friends.

Visitation and Service: Visitation is Friday at 12 Noon at White Rock AME Zion Church, Granite Quarry, with the funeral following at 12:30 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery.

Noble and Kelsey Funeral Home, Inc. is assisting the Mutz family. Online condolences may be made at www.nobleandkelsey.com.

Lewis Grant "Lew" Kirk, 79
SALISBURY - Lewis Grant "Lew" Kirk, of Salisbury, passed away Sunday, March 7, 2010, at Heritage Place in Statesville, after a period of declining health.

Born Nov. 20, 1930, in Salem County, N.J., to the late Lewis W. and Ruth Kirk, he was a graduate of Pennsville High School, Catawba College and University of Delaware. Lewis retired from Dupont after 34 years of service as a Chemical Sales Representative.

He was a member of First United Methodist Church and earlier had been a very active member of River Hills Community Church at Lake Wylie, where he was Chairman of the Board, a Sunday School teacher and Chairman of the Zoning Board of Appeals of York County.

Lewis was also an Eagle Scout and a loving husband and father and grandfather.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Richard Kirk; and two sons, Michael Kirk and John Gregory Bradley.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Hill Bradley Kirk, whom he married Dec. 3, 1966; sons Jeffrey Kirk of New Jersey, Michael Bradley and wife Irene of Peachtree City, Ga., Kenneth Bradley and wife Vanessa of China Grove; four grandchildren, William Bradley, Amanda Bradley, Sara Bradley and Jeffrey Kirk, Jr.

Service and Visitation: Memorial Service is 1 p.m. Friday at First United Methodist Church, Salisbury, conducted by Rev. Stephen Haines, pastor. The family will receive friends at the church following service. Interment at West Lawn Memorial Park at later date.

Memorials: May be made to First United Methodist Church, 217 S. Church St., Salisbury, NC 28144.

Linn-Honeycutt Funeral Home, China Grove, is serving the family. Online condolences may be made at www.linnhoneycuttfuneralhome. com