Author: Mary Beth Pope

Eric Conrad Clark lll passed peacefully June 13, 2022 at his home at the “Pines of Davidson, NC.”

He was a longtime resident of Charlotte and, also for many years, of Wrightsville Beach. He was born the son of Verna Elizabeth MacQueen Clark and Eric Conrad Clark, Jr in Elizabethtown, NC and was the beloved big brother to his sister, Anne Clark Williams. He graduated from Elizabethtown High School in 1948. In the summers during high school, he loved spending time on the water where he worked for the NC Wildlife Commission as a lake warden at both Lake Waccamaw and White Lake. He then attended Davidson College and graduated in 1952. He was a member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. While at Davidson he met his beloved Bettie Orr Hunter, who was attending Queens College. They were married on August 28, 1954 at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.

After graduating from Davidson, he enlisted in the US Navy and was commissioned a lieutenant at Newport, Rhode Island in December of 1952. He served as a Navigation Officer on the USS Chauncey (DD667); receiving the United Nations National Defense and Korean Service Ribbons with 2 Battle Stars for his service. After completion of a world tour on the Chauncey during the Korean War, he continued in active duty in the Office of Naval Intelligence in Washington DC until 1955. He then served in the inactive Naval Reserve, finishing his service as a Lieutenant in 1967.

He enjoyed a long and successful business career in Charlotte, having been with Pneumafil Corporation, Mutual Savings and Loan Association and later, self-employed in Land and Property Development. A longtime member of Myers Park Presbyterian Church, he served terms there as a Deacon and Elder. He was a Trustee of the Charlotte Metropolitan YMCA, the Harris YMCA and Camp Thunderbird. He was a member of the Charlotte City Club, The Charlotte and Wilmington track clubs, the North State Game Club, and the Charlotte Good Fellows Club. In 1972 and 1973, he was Chairman for the Charlotte Invitational Basketball tournaments hosted by Davidson College and the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce.

Though he was quite busy with his many business interests, his motto was always to “take a brief vacation just for yourself every day.” His mini vacations for himself included beautifully restoring, alongside his wife Bettie, the historical William Lee House at Sharon View; built in 1828 and designated as a historical landmark by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Commission. He also enjoyed planting bountiful vegetable gardens, running marathons and triathlons, playing golf, windsurfing, fishing and sailing. But…his very favorite time was spent with his family on the farm at Sharon View by a warm fire cooking quail, sipping something sweet and simply telling really good stories. He loved his family and they loved and respected him deeply. He was, in countless ways, an incredible father, husband, brother, cousin, uncle, and grandfather.

He was predeceased by his adored wife of 62 years, Bettie Orr Hunter Clark and his beautiful “sister Anne.” He is survived by his three children: daughter, Elizabeth Anne Clark of Wilmington, NC; son, Eric Conrad Clark IV and his wife Ann Louise Roberts Clark of Charlotte and Lake Waccamaw; son, Reese Hunter Clark and his wife Caroline Bedsole Clark of Greenville, SC and their sons Reese Hunter Clark Jr and his wife Amber Barnlund Clark of Greenville, SC and Sheldon Dunham Clark and his wife Caitlin Wall Clark of Nashville, TN.

A Memorial Service will be held on his birthday, July 16th, at the Myers Park Presbyterian Church chapel at 2:00 in the afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in his name may be made to “The Fund for Davidson” of Davidson College or the Charlotte Metro YMCA both of which were very meaningful chapters in his book of Life.

Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.

Dr. Harold Walker “Hal” Elliott, MD, 58, passed away Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at his home in Fuquay-Varina, NC.

A native of Clover, SC, Hal was the middle of three sons born to the late Dr. Bruce Carleton Elliott and Mildred Glass Elliott. He graduated from Clover High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Davidson College, and his MD from the Medical University of South Carolina School of Medicine. He completed his residency in psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

At the time of his passing, Hal was Chair of Psychiatry at Campbell University School of Medicine. He had also served on faculty at Wake Forest, East Tennessee State and Michigan State Universities, as well as having run a private practice in Wilkesboro, NC. Over the years he received many accolades for his work, particularly as a teacher of residents. As a resident at UNC, he was selected by his faculty and peers as the Diane Eklund Outstanding Resident in Psychiatry. At Wake Forest, he received the Loretta Y. Silvia Teaching Award (2007) and the American Psychiatric Association Irma Bland, MD Certificate of Excellence in Teaching Residents (2009). At East Tennessee State, he was elected by residents to receive the Resident’s Above the Call of Duty Award (2015).

A basketball player in high school, Hal remained a lifelong fan of college ball, particularly the UNC Tarheels and the Davidson Wildcats. He was known to schedule his vacation time around March Madness, just to binge-watch the games with his wife and kids.

Those who knew Hal will remember a warm and empathetic manner, which often contrasted with a wicked, dark sense of humor and a sense of the absurd. At his core, he was a shy person, but also a gifted storyteller who could entertain a crowd once you got him going. This was a skill he brought frequently to his practice and to his teaching. He was fiercely devoted to everyone in his charge, above all his family and his students.

Hal was married to Lisa Boheler Elliott for 37 years, but their relationship went back to the ninth grade, when they began dating. They were married in 1985 and raised four children together: Walker (Jasmine), Davis, Jackson and Julia.

Survivors also include Hal’s two brothers, Carl (Ina) and Britt (Kari); Carl and Ina’s children Crawford, Martha and Lyle; and Britt and Kari’s children Beata, Francis and Owen.

A memorial service will take place at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the UNC American Indian Center, CB 3457, 205 Wilson Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516 or Doctors Without Borders, P. O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741. Online condolences may be made at www.mlfordsons.com

M. L. Ford & Sons Funeral Home, Clover, SC is serving the family of Hal Elliott.

George F. Reeves, 82, of Avondale Estates, was born in Columbia, MS on October 13, 1939 and passed following a brief illness on June 5, 2022 in Decatur, GA.

George was educated at Davidson College followed by Columbia Theological Seminary and later Georgia Tech. He was a pastor for five years and then worked in computers all the way from punch cards to networking. A lifelong amateur radio enthusiast, he was passionate about music, singing, travel and family. He was active in the Presbyterian Church his whole life.

George is survived by wife, Marion Reeves, Avondale Estates; siblings, Blanche Woodiel, MO, Robert Reeves (Barbara), CA, Carol Adams (Paul), MS; children, Elizabeth Randolph, Lula, GA, Judi Stuart, Burlington, NC, G. Martin Reeves (Michelle), Decatur, GA, Catherine Aiken (Chris Place), Avondale Estates, GA; 6 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson as well as a large extended family.

Memorial to be held 10:00 AM, June 25, 2022 at North Decatur Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Habitat for Humanity, the Pastor’s Fund at North Decatur Presbyterian Church, or Clifton Sanctuary Ministries.

George E. Piper, psychiatrist, of Haddonfield, NJ, passed away unexpectedly on June 5, 2022, at the age of 77.

George is survived by his loving wife, Diane.  Dear father of Lauren (Michael) Koch of Haddonfield, NJ and loving grandfather of Katie and Michael George. Predeceased by his parents George and Betty (nee Ney) Piper.  Survived by his brother Shawn (Deborah) Piper of Marmora, NJ; sister, Holly Bell of Lewistown, PA; nephews Ryan, Brandon, and Derrick Piper, and Nathan Bell; and niece, Holly Campano.

Born in McVeytown, a small town in Central Pennsylvania, George attended Rothrock High School, where he garnered local fame as a member of the Eagles 1963 PIAA Class C State Basketball Championship team.  He graduated from Davidson College in 1967, where he received his Bachelor of Science degree, and received his medical degree from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) in 1971.

George was the second of two psychiatrists who founded the UMDNJ-SOM Department of Psychiatry (now Rowan University-SOM Department of Psychiatry) in 1983.  As Vice-Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry, George assisted the Chairman in the development of the department’s patient services and teaching programs for medical students and residents.

In 1994, George became the Assistant Dean of Graduate Medical Education at UMDNJ-SOM, and then Associate Dean, where he was responsible for postgraduate physician trainees, residency and fellowship training programs, and affiliations with primary and secondary affiliated hospital systems.  He was also responsible for organizing the UMDNJ-SOM Graduate Medical Education training system in the first accredited UMDNJ-SOM Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institution (OPTI), which received national recognition and acclaim for being the model Osteopathic Postdoctoral Training Institution for the country.

In 2005, George retired from UMDNJ-SOM and entered the field of private practice in Cherry Hill, NJ, where he continued to practice until his recent passing.  He was the consummate professional, who was always available for his patients.  His empathy and kindness were evident in his patient care.

George was a man of integrity. He was empathic and kind to all, including his family, friends, patients, and strangers.  He treated everyone with love, respect, and dignity.

As per his wishes, George will be returned to Jack’s Mountain close to his childhood home in McVeytown, PA, where his remains will be scattered.  Funeral services will be private.

For those who desire, contributions in George’s memory may be made to the McVeytown Presbyterian Church, 5 N. Queen Street, P.O. Box 323, McVeytown, PA  17051

Oh what a joyous reunion took place in heaven Saturday evening, as Sherrill ran in to his wife, Virginia’s open arms and got to be held and hugged by his mom, Rose again too! Then to hear God say “well done, good and faithful servant”… (Matthew 25:23)

Sherrill Vincent Parks was born May 1, 1937. He graduated from Statesville Senior High School and Davidson College. He went into the family business, Parks Realty Company, where he met and fell in love with Virginia Davidson. They were married March 10, 1963, and were blessed with 52 years together.

Sherrill served in the National Guard for 6 years: HHC 1st Bde 30th Infantry Division. His rank was Sgt. 3-5, and he was honorably discharged. Sherrill was very active in his community. He was a charter member of the Statesville YMCA. He was a charter member, director, secretary and treasurer of the Kiwanis Club. He was president of the Board and Realtors, served on the Statesville planning board for 23 years and co-chaired Statesville Downtown Revitalization Committee. He operated radio communications in the military, at hot air balloon rallies and also for Iredell County Civil Defense RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service) Auxillary Communications. Sherrill was a charter member of Forest Park Presbyterian Church. He has been an active member of Westwood Baptist Church for 22 years, where he loved being the greeter. His warm genuine welcome is the reason many came back. He loved his church family and enjoyed the music each Sunday, especially the old gospel hymns he could tap his hand to the beat.

Sherrill led an active and interesting life. He had his pilot license and used to take newspaper photographers up to take aerial photos and the sheriff up to look for liquor stills and marijuana fields. He enjoyed throwing apples and corn to deer in his yard. He loved to take pictures and used to develop them in his own darkroom. He used to jog, ride bikes, swim, play tennis and basketball, water ski, exercise at the YMCA… He rode a hot air balloon for his 50th birthday. He especially enjoyed the beach and lake. During his final days, he rallied and was able to do his favorite thing: ride his boat with family.

Family was the most important thing to Sherrill. He cherished his two daughters, Kim and Debbie and adored and was so proud of his three grandchildren, Kalib, Amanda and Bailey. He got so excited every time he got to spend time with them.

Sherrill died at his home by the lake Saturday, June 4, 2022, while listening to gospel music with his family by his side. He was 85 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Davidson Parks; parents, Laurie Alexander Parks Sr. and Rose Sherrill Parks; and his sister, Shirley Parks Leonard.

He is survived by his daughters, Kim Parks Michaels and Debbie Parks Lankford; grandchildren, Kalib Michaels, Amanda Lankford, Bailey Lankford; and his brother, LA Parks Jr.

Sherrill was a wonderful man, Dad, Papa, husband and friend who impacted many lives. He liked to cut up to make others smile. He was so friendly that all who met him came to love him, including his caregivers from Visiting Angels. As his granddaughter Amanda described him “You loved big and you were loved even bigger by everyone!”

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 8, from 6 to 8 p.m., at Troutman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be officiated by Pastor Mike Hyde at Westwood Baptist Church in Statesville Thursday, June 9, at 2 p.m., with burial following at Oakwood Cemetery.