Category: 1956

The Reverend Doctor R. Jackson (Jack) Sadler, 91, died peacefully at his home in Deerfield Episcopal Retirement Community, Asheville, NC, April 8, 2025. Born in Rock Hill, SC (1934), son of Roy Martin and Frances J Sadler, Jack’s life journey took him from Rock Hill’s public schools to Davidson College and Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA (MDiv, DMin). He served as an active ordained Presbyterian Minister (PCUSA) for the next forty years.

Jack married his childhood “sweetheart” Phyllis Anderson, also of Rock Hill, SC, on June 24, 1956 after both achieved their college degrees. They remained best friends, companions, and partners in ministry. While at Union their first son, James Martin, was born. During their first pastorate at Centre Church in Mount Mourne, NC, John Anderson was born. Charles Jeffrey joined their family during their second pastorate in Charlotte, NC. Their third pastorate in Beckley, WV found Jack deeply involved in social witness, justice issues, poverty programs, and national concerns.

He was called to First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA as Senior Pastor in 1974. Jack’s passion for preaching and witness of the church was reflected in the multiple programs of the local church. International partnership ministries between FPC Richmond and local churches in Nicaragua, Minsk, and Belarus remain strong. His worldwide leadership was also reflected while serving as Chairman of both the International Mission for the Presbyterian Church US and the Board of the Christian Children’s Fund. In recognition of his ministry, Hampden-Sydney College awarded Jack a DD degree in 1980.

Following retirement in 1999, Jack remained active in hosting the meeting of the Presbyterian General Assembly in Richmond, traveling, gardening, tennis, and hiking. He also served on boards and committees in Montreat, assisted in reorganizing the Montreat Presbyterian Church, was instrumental in organizing the Presbyterian Heritage Center, and served as volunteer coordinator of the Montreat Club tennis program for children for 12 years.

He will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Phyllis and their three sons Marty (Linda), Andy (Sarah), and Jeffrey (Margaret). Left with precious memories of time with “Ganpa” at their beloved cottage in Montreat are grandchildren Caralee, Brittany, Annie, Courtney, Nicole, JJ, William, and Robbie. Over the last several months, Ganpa also enjoyed special times with great-grandchildren Savannah and John Lee.

A Celebration of the Resurrection and Life Memorial Service will be held at the Montreat Presbyterian Church (Upper Anderson), Lookout Road, Montreat, NC on Saturday August 16th at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Jack may be directed to Union Presbyterian Seminary, (R Jackson & Phyllis A Sadler Scholarship Endowment), 3401 Brook Road, Richmond, VA 23227 or to Montreat Endowment Fund (Sadler Endowment for Youth Ministry), PO Box 969, Montreat, NC 28757.

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Richard (Dick) Herbert Morehead, age 90, devoted husband, father, and grandfather. Dick passed away peacefully on March 8, 2025, in his home in Winston-Salem. He lived a remarkable life dedicated to his family, career, and personal passions.

Dick was born to Ralph Morehead and Marguerite Sabel Morehead on August 4, 1934, in Huntington, West Virginia. Dick received a full scholarship to Davidson College, for which he was forever grateful. After college, he served 2 years in the Army as a counterintelligence officer in Stuttgart, Germany, where he discovered his love for global travel. Because he felt strongly that students should have access to a good education and the opportunity to study abroad, he established a scholarship fund at Davidson to make that a reality for many students.

Dick and Cynthia (Cindy) Pratt met in Cambridge, MA while he was attending Harvard Law School. They began their married lives together in New York City, where Dick started his career as a corporate attorney for Pfizer. After 5 years, Dick moved into international management with Pfizer and later Abbott Laboratories, moving first to Miami, FL and then spending 11 years working abroad in Peru, Turkey and France. Dick was instrumental in expanding Pfizer’s and Abbott’s global footprints, negotiating deals with companies in the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia Pacific. He cultivated relationships with foreign business dignitaries and learned to appreciate their customs. Sometimes those traditions were hard to swallow like the fish eyeball in his soup, presented to him as an honor for being the most special guest at the table. In 1981, he and his family moved to Lake Bluff, IL, where he finished his career as the Vice President of Corporate Planning and Development for Abbott Labs. Dick also traveled extensively with his family all over the world and instilled in his children and grandchildren a love of travel and a fascination for other cultures.

Throughout his life, Dick was known for his unwavering devotion to his family, his generosity, and his desire to make a positive difference in the world. In his retirement, Dick dedicated his talents to charitable organizations. He valued education immensely and was very proud of the work he did for the I Have a Dream (IHAD) foundation in North Chicago, IL. Through IHAD, about 40 students were provided individualized social, emotional, and academic support, including tuition assistance, from kindergarten through college. He spoke often of the accomplishments of these students.

Another passion of Dick’s was music. An accomplished pianist, his appreciation for classical music extended to charitable work with Ravinia and the Lake Forest Symphony. He was particularly committed to helping young musicians pursue their careers.

Dick’s strong faith was evident in every aspect of his life and prominently in his service to the First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest. He was also involved in the Abbott Foundation and the United Way.

When he had free time, Dick loved to play tennis and bridge (especially if he won.) He was happiest, though, when he was with his family. Despite living across the country, Dick’s family always made time to be with him for reunions on Kiawah Island and every other year for Christmas in Lake Bluff or Winston-Salem.

Dick will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years, Cynthia, their 4 children: Karen (Tim) Baldwin, Diana (John) Leeke, Mary (Al) Hadley, and Ralph (Yvette) Morehead, and his 10 grandchildren: Jeffrey (Taylor), Courtney, and Kristina Baldwin; Nicholas and Katie Leeke; Anna, Joseph and Michael Hadley; and Ryan and Molly Kate Morehead, all of whom brought him immense joy.

A celebration of Dick’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Lake Forest on May 17, 2025. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made online or by check to the I Have a Dream Foundation (322 8th Avenue, Suite 201, New York, NY 10001) or Ravinia Festival (418 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, IL 60035).

Edmund Allen “Buddy” Liles passed away on January 21, 2025 at Brightwater Senior Living in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Buddy Liles was born on May 13, 1934 in Wadesboro, NC to Richard Vernon and Grace Allen Liles. He graduated from Wadesboro High School and received his BA degree from Davidson College. He then pursued a career in management at Wachovia Bank and Trust. Later he received his Juris Doctorate from Wake Forest University. His daughter, Lyn, was born his first day of his first year in law school. After setting up practice in Charlotte, his son, Allen, was born.

Buddy’s career in law included serving as Assistant Solicitor in NC. He later worked in Washington, DC for Amtrak, then as General Counsel for the mortgage division of HUD. He returned to NC in 1990 and opened a law practice in Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Buddy served his country in the US Army during which time he was stationed in Heidelberg Germany. In retirement, he continued to serve by providing transportation to his fellow Veterans for medical appointments.

He enjoyed time at the beach, history and traveling. But what he probably enjoyed the most was documenting family history. His self-published books will provide a glimpse into the antics and adventures of ancestors for future generations to enjoy.

In addition to his parents, Buddy was predeceased by his wife, Judy McCulley Liles and nephew, Gregg Rutledge Liles.

Buddy is survived by his daughter, Lyn Haithcox and husband, Charlie, of Greensboro, NC; son, Dr. Edmund Allen Liles, Jr. and wife, Bonnie, of Park City, Utah; grandchildren, Chelsea Barnhart(Ben) of Bridgeport, PA, Anna Culton(Davis) of Blacksburg, VA, Clay Liles, of Virginia Beach, VA, Carson Foster Haithcox, of Charlotte, NC, Beth Liles, of Chapel Hill, NC, Lida Liles and Valerie Liles of Park City, UT. He is also survived by his brother, Dr Richard V. Liles of Mint Hill, NC. Niece Abbey Liles Campbell (Mike) of Mint Hill, NC and their daughter, Rachel Grace Campbell, stepdaughter, Kim Mikeska of Anna, TX and her children, Kinsey & Matthew; stepson, Tony Lemmond of Lewisville, TX and many cousins who were very special to him.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

An online guest book is available at www. myrtlebeachfuneralhome.com

Curtiss Cates passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 19, 2025 at FirstHealth Hospice in Pinehurst, NC. Curtiss was born on May 13, 1934 to Addis Pittard Cates and Esther Curtiss Cates. He graduated from Faison High School in 1952 and was an Eagle Scout and a three-sport athlete. He graduated from Davidson College in 1956 where he was a member of the basketball team and the Sigma Chi fraternity.

Following two years of Army service stationed in Japan, Curtiss returned to Faison to work in the family business and to start a family. He later moved to Parkton, NC and then Hope Mills, NC. He served as elder at the Faison, Parkton & Hope Mills Presbyterian Churches. Curtiss was retired President of Addis Cates Company, a shipper of green/brined cucumbers to the pickle industry.

Curtiss enjoyed attending high school, college and professional sporting events his entire life. He also cheered on his children and grandchildren throughout their lives. His tennis game was stronger than his golf. He spent hours in the yard, but the moles bested him in the end. His passion was ice cream. He enjoyed the company of friends from all walks of life.

Curtiss is survived by his wife Monica. They were married and were constant companions for 36 years. He is also survived by his daughter Laura Robbins (Kevin) of Lockport, NY and their daughters Margaret Montgomery (Steve) of Wayne, PA & their son Colton; Mary Rachel Robbins of Reston, VA; and Anna Robbins of Oak Park, IL. Also son John Cates (Janee) of Southern Pines, NC and their sons Brice Cates (Taylor) of Jacksonville, NC & their daughter Waylon; and Robert Cates of Jackson, WY. He is survived as well by Monica’s daughters Lynne Tetroe, Dena Price and Jill McDougall and their families in Ontario, Canada.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Brooks and Tad, his son Charles Curtiss Cates, Jr. and his great-grandson Josiah Charles Montgomery.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm. Saturday, January 25 at Faison Presbyterian Church, 507 West Main Street, Faison. The family will receive friends afterwards in the church fellowship hall. A private burial will take place at Phillips Chapel United Methodist Church, Haw River, NC.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Faison Presbyterian Church, PO Box 160, Faison, NC 28341 or Hope Mills Presbyterian Church, PO Box 298, Hope Mills, NC 28348.