Category: 1946

Joseph P Fountain, Jr. died May 23, 2024 at The Sharon at Southpark at the age of 101. Joe was born in Salisbury, NC on February 24, 1923.

His parents were J.P. and Mildred Cornelison Fountain. From homes in Charlotte and Salisbury, they moved to Boston, MA were Joe started first grade. After many moves throughout New England and New York, Joe graduated from East Providence (R.I.) High School in 1940. During a visit to Salisbury he chose Davidson as his college and was enrolled in the ROTC program. His college life was interrupted by what he referred to as his “government paid trip to Europe” and accommodations in a foxhole at the Battle of the Bulge with the 78th Infantry, earning him a Purple Heart. After the war, he graduated from Davidson and worked in management at B. Altman’s, the great department store in New York City, for 5 years before deciding it was time to go south and “find a good Southern bride”. Joe returned to Charlotte, working for Efrid’s Department Store and later Belk Store Services until retirement.

He joined Covenant Presbyterian Church where he found Rosanna Barnes who became his wife in 1956. This happy union of 62 years was blessed with two children and three grandchildren, Joe III and son Cody, Sara F. McKee (Carlton) and children Mary Catherine (Kim) and Hank (Kat), After Rosanna’s death in 2017 he adopted into his family Allen Laymon, “the Kid”, and Dave and Mary Edna Buie. Joe also had many special friends at Covenant and at Sharon Towers, both residents and employees. The family deeply appreciates the love and devotion of all who entered into and touched his life.

A memorial service will be held at Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1000 East Moorehead St, Charlotte, June 1, 2024 at 11:00 with reception to follow. Memorials may be sent to Covenant Presbyterian Church, The Sharon at Southpark (formerly Sharon Towers) Residence Fund or a charity of your choice.

Thornton Halliburton Yancey, 96, died peacefully at Granville Hospital on March 31, 2022.

“Moo” as everyone knew him, was born on August 16, 1925, to William Thornton and Laura Clement Yancey in Oxford, North Carolina. He graduated from Oxford High School in 1942 and attended Davidson College until he served his country during World War II in the US Coast Guard starting in August of 1943 as a radio technician. He returned from the war and enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill and graduated with a BA degree in English.

After college, he returned home to work in the family automotive business with his father and brother. While living in Oxford, he met Ruth Harover of Manchester, OH and they were happily married for 53 years until her death on December 26, 2006.

Moo was most fortunate in his life to have not only one great love but two. In May of 2009, he married Lynn Corbett Nelson of Clarksville, Virginia. They both had a passion for travel and took many trips together to Europe, South America, and the Middle East. In fact, Moo was able to travel to six of the seven continents, which was something that brought him a lot of joy.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Ruth, his brother Lindsay Clement Yancey and his wife Beth, and his half-brother William Thornton Yancey, Jr. and his wife Blanche.

Moo was a successful businessman and leader in his community. He was a member of the Oxford Baptist Church for more than 65 years and served as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, Trustee, and he also served as a Sunday School teacher. However, for the last 20 years, he attended the Oxford Presbyterian Church. Moo was Secretary and Treasurer of Yancey Chevrolet Buick and Co, Inc., for over 40 years. Moo and his brother Clement later opened Yancey Properties where he was fortunate to work side by side with his two sons, Gray and William.

Moo was President of both Oxford Kiwanis Club and Oxford Future Industries, which was proactive in bringing companies and jobs to the community. Moo was Vice President and Director of Central Orphanage, and Director of the Richard H. Thornton Library. He was past Chairman of the Board of Union National Bank as well as the Granville Savings and Loan. He was a Corporate Director of Southern National Bank and State Director for Branch Banking and Trust Co.

For more than 50 years, Moo enjoyed playing tennis with family and friends, and participated in tennis tournaments around the state of North Carolina. In 1982, he and son Gray won the State father-son doubles championship. His other interests included golf, building and renovating homes, jazz music and traveling the world. One of Moo’s many special gifts was his expert storytelling ability. He had an amazing arsenal of stories that were applicable to any situation, and he delivered them with just the right amount of humor.

Moo is survived by his wife Lynn Nelson Yancey, his three children Thornton Gray Yancey and wife Cynthia of Oxford, William Halliburton Yancey of Oxford, Laura Yancey Miralia and husband Tom of Charlotte, and their children Lillian Claire Miralia and John Thomas Miralia. He is also survived by his nephew Lindsay Clement Yancey, Jr. and wife Debbie of Winston Salem, and their two children.

A graveside service will be held on Monday, April 4, at 1:00pm at Elmwood Cemetery in Oxford.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to the Oxford Presbyterian Church, PO Box 652, Oxford, North Carolina 27565.

Arrangements are by Sossamon Funeral Home of Henderson. Online condolences may be made at www.sossamonfuneralhome.com.

Published by The News & Observer on April 3, 2022.

Graham Butler Knight, July 8, 1925 – January 17, 2020.

Graham Butler Knight was born on July 8, 1925 in New York, New York. He was the only son of Major Butler Lewis Knight and Agnes Graham Knight.

After briefly attending the Sidwell-Friends school in Washington, D.C., Graham graduated from the San Antonio Academy and Texas Military Institute. He attended Davidson College for a year before enlisting in the Army Air Force in 1943. As a navigator he flew in the European theater. After World War II, Graham graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering which he used to help build refineries for E.B. Badger and Sons of Boston, MA. In the 1950s, Graham moved back to San Antonio where he ran Clare Candles, Inc. for many years. He was an avid rancher and pecan grower and enjoyed playing the organ and learning German in his later years.

Graham is preceded in death by his parents, and his loving wife of 55 years, Anne Earle Knight.

Honoring his memory are his daughter and son-in-law, Ellenore and Kirk Baker, his grandchildren Graham and Catharine Baker and his nieces and nephew.

The family would like to thank Franklin Park Alamo Heights, his wonderful Encompass Hospice nurse, Susie Sanchez and the staff of Caring Solutions which provided such lovely helpers in his last years. Special thanks go to Rosemary Gonzales and Eva Cantu.

In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Cockrell School of Engineering at UT or Planned Parenthood of South Texas.

GRAVESIDE SERVICE, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22, 2020, 10:00 A.M., MISSION BURIAL PARK SOUTH.

Mr. Joe Elwood Weatherly, Jr., 94, died Saturday, August 31, 2019, at his home in Thomasville, NC. 

He was born on August 6, 1925, to Joe Elwood Weatherly, Sr. and Christine Walker Weatherly in Elizabeth City, NC. Graduating valedictorian from Elizabeth City High School, he attended Davidson College, Duke University, and graduated from the United States Naval Academy. 

He served aboard the aircraft carrier U.S. Leyte CV-32 during the Korean War, receiving a Bronze Star. He served as Ex. Officer of P.T. boat squadron 1 and as a Midshipman Company Officer at the Naval Academy. 

He entered private business serving with several subsidiaries of Sovran National Bank, retiring from Sovran Capital. After retirement, he taught continuing education classes in computer programming at Forsyth Tech and GTCC. 

Joe was an avid golfer, bridge player, and reader. He also grew beautiful roses and lilies. Wherever he resided, he was an active member of his church, singing in the choir, teaching Sunday School and serving in various other offices. He tutored third graders in English and delivered Meals on Wheels for years. 

He was preceded in death by his grandson, J.B. Cordell, III. 

He is survived by his wife of almost 34 years, Eleanor Gray Weatherly of the home; his daughters, Christine Cordell (Joe) of Cashiers, NC and Betsey James (John) of Richmond, VA; his son, Joe Weatherly, III (Mitzie) of Greensboro; five grandchildren, Elizabeth Rice (Sean), Jack James, Sarah James, Ellie Weatherly, Maggie Weatherly; great-grandson, Walker Rice; and step-sons, Michael and Patrick Rutherford. 

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019, at 2 p.m. at Pine Woods UMC with Rev. Sidney Lanier officiating. Inurnment will follow in Holly Hill Memorial Park Columbarium with military honors provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday one hour prior to the service from 1-2 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Hospice of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, NC 27292 or to Pine Woods UMC, 200 Pine Woods Church Rd. Thomasville, NC 27360.

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

Copyright (c) 2019 High Point Enterprise

Thomas P. Speas, 94, passed away at Salemtowne in Winston-Salem, Tuesday, March 19, 2019.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. in Amos Room/Babcock Health Center, Salemtowne.

Mr. Speas graduated from Reynolds High School in 1942. He attended Davidson College and graduated from University of Virginia in 1944. He received his master’s degree from Drexel Institute of Technology in 1963.

Mr. Speas was in the United States Army Signal Corps from 1943-1946. He was employed with Western Electric and retired from RCA in 1987.

Surviving are his wife of 70 years, Ruth L. Speas; children: P. Lynne S. Messenger (William) and Thomas P. Speas, Jr. (Suzan); grandchildren: Bert Haifley (Jeanette), Justin Haifley, Brad Messenger (Mary Charles); Sara Messenger, and Laura Messenger (Amber); and great-grandchildren: Maya Haifley, Maverick Haifley and Eli Messenger.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. William P. Speas and mother Nora E. Dixon; brothers: Frederick W. Speas, Dr. W. P. Speas, Jr., Charles A. Speas and Richard D. Speas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to Parkinson’s Association of the Carolinas, 2101 Sardis Road North, Suite 102, Charlotte, NC 28227 or the Boy Scouts of America, Old Hickory Council, 5058, 6600 Silas Creek Pkwy, Winston-Salem, NC 27106.

Online condolences may be sent to www.salemfh.com.