Betty Ragan

Cummings

Betty Jane Bradford Ragan Cummings, 81, a resident of Piedmont Crossing and formerly of Huntsford Terrace, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at the nursing home.

She was born Feb. 23, 1928, a daughter of Janie Staton Bradford and Hurd Grier Bradford in Mecklenburg County, on property granted to the Bradford family by the Lord Proprietors under the reign of King Charles II. She graduated valedictorian from Cornelius High School and on the Dean’s List from WCUNC, which later became known as UNC Greensboro. She was active in her class of 1949 fund raising to endow a professorship and to refurbish the Alumni House, and she enjoyed working with classmates from more than 50 years again.

As a member of Memorial United Methodist Church, she served the church she loved in many capacities. She was a member of the Chancel Choir and had served as a circle chairperson, president of the United Methodist Women, a Sunday school teacher, a member of the administrative board, first chairman of the Council On Ministries and chair of the Finch Preaching Mission. Betty was very involved with service and civic organizations, having served as the first president of the Thomasville Junior Woman’s Club upon its organization in 1958 and later as president of the Thomasville Woman’s Club from 1962 to 1964. She was a former member of the board of directors of the Tom A. Finch YMCA, a member of the Thomasville Women’s Chorus and Chorale, a member of the Thomasville United Way Budget Committee, past president of the Kern Street School PTA, a Red Cross worker and blood donor and a member of the Phi Beta Book Club. She also served on the Davidson County Mental Health Board and the Davidson County Library Board.

At the death of her first husband in 1978, she began working at Ragan Thornton Mills, which closed in 1988. During that period, she served on the NCNB Thomasville board of directors and also on the board of directors of Beeson Hardware Company in High Point. She also organized Omni Travels, which later became part of Mann Travel. In 1949, she was married to Amos Homer Ragan, who died in 1978. In 1987, she was married to Raymond E. Cummings, who died in 2005. She also was preceded in death by a son, Homer Bradford (Hobey) Ragan.

She is survived by a daughter, Dr. Jane English Ragan, of Nevada City, Calif.; four grandchildren, Elizabeth Bradford Ragan, Lillian Grace Ragan, Mary McAuley Ragan and Molly Kay Ragan, all of Thomasville; and a sister, Carol Bradford Staninger and husband Gerald, of Boone.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at Memorial United Methodist Church with Dr. Ivan H.M. Peden and the Rev. Peggy A. Finch officiating. The family will receive friends at the Christian Enrichment Center of the church following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Tom A. Finch YMCA or Memorial United Methodist Church in Thomasville. Online condolences may be made to the Ragan family at www.jcgreenandsons.com.

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James Floyd

DENTON — James (Pete) Floyd, 93, of Mountain Vista Health Park in Denton, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2009. Funeral arrangements are incomplete at Briggs Funeral Home.

Donnie Hill

Donnie Beck Hill, 89, a resident of Thomasville, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at the Hinkle Hospice House of Davidson County.

A lifelong resident of Thomasville, Donnie was born July 12, 1920, in Davidson County. She was one of four children born to Peter Beck and Amanda Beck. Siblings included Lottie Beck and Alma Beck Westmoreland. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings and half brothers and sisters.

Donnie is survived by a twin sister, Connie B. Pierce, a resident of the Piedmont Crossing in Thomasville.

She was married in December 1937 to Olin Hill, who died in November 1988. They were the parents of three children, Doug Hill and wife Phyllis, of Trinity, Patti Kilbride and husband Richard, of Lincoln Park, N.J., and Jimmy Hill and wife Lavonne, of Thomasville. Her family also includes eight grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and many friends adopted as family.

Donnie was a retired employee of Thomasville Furniture Industries. Most importantly, Donnie was a child of God, having accepted Jesus as her Savior many years ago, and was a faithful member of Central Wesleyan Church in Thomasville. All who knew her will miss her greatly. May they all honor her by living as she did, exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Central Wesleyan Church. Interment will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Thomasville. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Hinkle Hospice House of Davidson County in Lexington or Central Wesleyan Church in Thomasville. Online condolences may be sent to the Hill family at www.jcgreenandsons.com.

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Christine McDade

LEXINGTON — Christine Watson McDade, 83, of Lakeview Church Road in Linwood, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010.

Funeral service was held at 2 p.m. Monday at Greer’s Chapel United Methodist Church. Piedmont Funeral Home is serving the family.

Online condolences may be made at www.piedmontfuneralhome.com.

Wood Myers

DENTON — E. Wood Myers, 89, of Denton, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010, at Autumn Care of Salisbury.

Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at Briggs Funeral Home Memorial Chapel.

Robert Reynolds

Robert “Robby” Wayne Reynolds, 39, a resident of Thomasville, died Friday, Jan. 1, 2010.

Robby was born Feb. 28, 1970, in Guilford County, a son of Rose Cook Meredith and husband Billy. He had lived all of his life in this area and had worked for Delicate Touch as a truck driver. He loved to hunt and fish and was of the Baptist faith. Robby was preceded in death by William D. Reynolds.

Surviving are his mother, Rose C. Meredith and husband Billy, of the home; a daughter, Heather Lee Reynolds, and a son, Brandon Wayne Reynolds, both of Franklin; and his beloved dogs, Twiggy and J/Bucket. Also surviving are two aunts, two uncles and best friends Bobby Hale, Steve Collins and Thorn Kennedy.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today at J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Susie Lee officiating. Entombment will follow at Holly Hill Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Online condolences may be sent to Robby’s family at www.jcgreenandsons.com.

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Dallas Saintsing

Dallas William “Buck” Saintsing, 85, of Old Greensboro Road, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at High Point Regional Hospital.

Saintsing was born Aug. 1, 1924, in Davidson County, to Clarence Saintsing and Annie Craven Saintsing. He was a World War II U.S. Army veteran, a tobacco farmer for his entire working life and a member of Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Chapel of J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home, with the Rev. Ardis Payne officiating. Burial will follow in the Zion United Church of Christ cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. today at the funeral home.

Online condolences may be offered at www.jcgreenandsons.com.

Ronnie Thompson

TRINITY — Ronnie Thompson, 56, of 6384 Welborn Road, died Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at his home.

Thompson was born Sept. 1, 1953, in Johnston County, to Bennie James Thompson and Mary Kathleen Hudson Thompson. He was a long distance truck driver and was a member of Christian Cathedral.

Funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Christian Cathedral with the Rev. Numa Highfill officiating. The family will receive friends from 6-7 p.m. Thursday at the church.

Online condolences may be made to www.jcgreenandsons.com.

Sarah Ruth Lamm Wheeler

SANFORD — Sarah Ruth Lamm Wheeler, 66, of Sanford, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, following a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer.

Sarah was born in Lee County on July 25, 1943, to the late Odell Glynn Lamm and Marguerite Cameron Lamm. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Glynn Lamm. She was a graduate of Benhaven School and Sanford Business College. She was a member of Carolina Memorial Baptist Church in Thomasville and worked more than 25 years for LeBauer Healthcare in Greensboro. Sarah began her career working for Dr. Edrington’s dental practice in Sanford.

Surviving relatives are a son, Clifford Odell Wheeler and wife Meloney, of Sanford; two daughters, Michelle Ferguson and Crystal Wheeler, both of Thomasville; one sister, Verna Jean Fields, of Goldston; and two grandchildren, Sarah Dianne Ferguson and Garret Cameron Wheeler.

The family will have a memorial service at 6 p.m. today at Carolina Memorial Baptist Church in Thomasville. They will receive friends following the service. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Jonesboro United Methodist Church Wesley Center, with the Rev. Joe Wilburn and Dr. Dana Slack presiding. The family will receive friends in Sanford, following the burial at Cameron Grove Cemetery, at Jonesboro United Methodist Church Wesley Center. Arrangements are by Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.

It was Sarah’s wish that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the American Cancer Society for Ovarian Cancer, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73123-1718. Condolences may be made at www.bridgescameronfuneralhome.com.



Hoyle Yarbrough

LEXINGTON — Hoyle Glenn Yarbrough, 77, of Welcome, died Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at Forsyth Medical Center after a short illness.

Yarbrough was born Oct. 10, 1932, in Concord, to George Washington Yarbrough and Lillie Mae Simpson Yarbrough. He was a long time member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, and he retired from the Pony Express and served in the Coast Guard.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. today at the Davidson Funeral Home Hickory Tree Chapel. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Memorial Park.

Online condolences may be made at www.davidsonfuneralhome.net.