The Charlotte Observer from Charlotte, North Carolina • 24

LOCAL STATEOBITUARIES THE CHARI nrrp nnSFRVFR I wvcjrjotiocom 6B THURSDAY STPTFMBFR 27 2007 Edwin Fitzgerald Byers of Charlotte died September 25 2007 at CMC-Main Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Funeral Home 4000 Beatties Ford Rd Charlotte Debra Denise Hill 50 of Charlotte died September 25 2007 Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Alexander Funeral Home Mrs Audrey McDaniel of Cha Obituaries and Id Memoriams The Chiu lolte Observer extends sinew condoleni es to those who have Inst a loved one Let us assist you with an Obituary or In Memortam that celebrates a special life Call the 0111111117 Desk Monday through Friday al 704-358-5382 or 800-332-0086 ext 5382 FEDERAL CASE Ex-sherifF pleads to fraud charges Former Robeson official cooperating ex-deputies also plead guilty Deaths Elsewhere Michael Evans soap opera actor I os ANGFI FS British-born actor Michael Evans who wooed Audrey Hepburn on Broadway in and was the best friend to a billionaire on the soap opera Young and the has died He was 87 Evans died Sept 4 from age-related complications said his son Nick Evans From 1080 to 1995 Evans played Col Douglas Austin the friend of billionaire Victor Newman on long-running Young and the Newman is played by Eric Brae-den ho hailed Fvans as total professional from the old English school a gentleman through and associated PRESS Kurt Julius Goldstein fought racism BFRI IN Kurt Julius Goldstein who survived the Auschwitz death camp and played a large role in fighting racism and anti-Semitism died Monday He was 93 Goldstein died in Berlin after a brief illness said the International Auschwitz Committee of hich he was an honorary chairman It did not elaborate After World War II Goldstein settled in East Germany where he worked for the International Auschwitz Committee maintaining contact with survivors on both sides of the Iron Curtain and reaching out to young people In 2005 Goldstein was awarded highest honor the Federal Cross of Merit in recognition of his role in promoting tolerance and fighting racism and anti-Semitism associated PRESS Gary Primich blues musician AUSTIN Texas Harmonica player Gary Primich whose soulful and proficient playing developed a strong following among blues fans in the United States and Europe died Sunday He was 49 The death was confirmed by his ex-wife Tina Roscnzwicg The cause of death has not been released Primich moved to Austin in the mid-1980s after growing up in Gary' Ind His Web site touted his experience learning from blues players in Chicago in the late 1970s and early 1980s ASSOCIATED PRESS Haidar Abdel Shafi Palestinian nationalist GAZA CITY Gaza Strip Haidar Abdel Shafi a former Palestinian negotiator leading Palestinian nationalist and physician died Tuesday He was 88 Shafi died at his home in Gaza City of stomach cancer said his son Khalcd Abdel Shafi was known as a die-hard critic of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and his concessions to the Israelis in peace talks He resigned from the Palestinian legislature in 1998 saying it did not have enough teeth to effect real change ASSOCIATED PRESS Linda Lou Reid 57 of Charlotte died September 21 2007 Funeral 12 Friday at Bread ot I ife Christian Ministry Visitation one hour prior to the service at the church long Son Mortuary Dr Thomas Ennis Robbins Jr Dr Thomas Ennis Robbins Jr 92 most recently of Charlotte NC died September 21 2007 following an extended battle with colon can- LV I He was born in Clarksdalc MS I le completed high school in Jack-son TN and earned a BA degree from Lambuth College Fie later earned an MS from the University of Georgia and a PhD in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh Dr Robbins worked as a managing research chemist for 41 years with the Koppers Company retiring in 1981 Dr Robbins was a life-long Methodist an active member of the Monroeville (PA) United Methodist Church for 43 years and attended Wesley United Methodist Church since his relocation to Charlotte He was active in the Rotary Club for 32 years serving once as president He volunteered for numerous community efforts sang in the church choir was an avid golfer and tennis player woodworker and Pittsburgh sports enthusiast In retirement he researched family genealogy and built clocks for bis family friends and for community fundraisers He is survived by the love of his life his wife of 68 years Margaret Wade Robbins of Chat lotto NC his three children Ielia Robbins Irvine of Dublin VA Thomas Ennis Robbins III and his wife Margaret Morrow Robbins of Charlotte and Patricia Wade Robbins of Dallas TX five grandchildren and seven (soon to be eight) great-grandchildren Dr Robbins is also survived by his brother Charles Irby Robbins and his wife Anna Robbins of Syracuse NY He was preceded in death by his parents Thomas Ennis Robbins Sr and Lclia Strickland Robbins and his sister Martha Frances Wallace Memorial Services are being planned for Monroeville PA and for Jackson TN where Dr Robbins will be interred Mr Elbert Roseboro of Charlotte died September 26 2007 at Hunter Woods Nursing Home Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Grier Funeral Service Mrs Lena Baxter Russell 99 of Charlotte died September 26 2007 at CMC-University Funeril arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Long Son Mortuary Service Gertrude Rush Saunders 82 of Charlotte died September 25 2007 Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Grier Funeral Service Monroe Mr Arthur Simpson of Charlotte died September 21 2007 Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Funeral Home 4000 Beatties Ford Rd Charlotte Christopher Kelly Stewart Chris Stewart 46 of Charlotte NC died suddenly as a result of a motor vehicle accident on September 24 2007 Fie was born on July 31 1961 in Charlotte a son of James Stewart Sr and Marquita Haithcox Stewart of Charlotte FJe was employed by Jones Iang and LaSalle maintenance contractors An avid Tarheel fan he enjoyed football and basketball He was a fisherman and loved to spend time at the beach Chris is survived by his parents and his long-time girlfriend Barbara Dubovick of Charlotte sister Belinda Worsham and husband Robert of Denver brothers Jeff Stewart ol'Tega SC and Jamie Stewart of Charlotte-nephews Ryan Matthew and Jo-seph Stewart niece Page Stewart He was preceded in death by his brother David Stewart Funeral services will be held at Noon on Friday September 28 2007 at the Chapel of McF'wen Funeral Service 10500 Park Rd Charlotte Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park The family will receive friends from 10 AM until the time of service at the funeral home Memorial contributions may be made to the Humane Society of Charlotte Arrangements by McFwen Funeral Service Chapel A Mary Aice Walker 80 of charlotte died September 23 2007 Funeral 12 PM Saturday at University Mem Baptist Church Visitation one hour prior to the service Rosadale-WL Truesdale Memorial Funeral Parlor in charge Mary Kiely White 86 of Matthews died September 26 2007 Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will lie announced by Heritage Funeral Home Wedditig-tonMatthews Chapel Mecklenburg Thomas Boone Thomas Boone age 78 of the Oakdale Community died September 25 2007 at Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville NC A service to celebrate his life will be at 2:00 PM Thursday in Forest Lawn Funeral Home Chapel Rev Hugh Foy officiating Interment will follow in Forest Lawn West Cemetery Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home Mr Boone was born December 6 1928 in Jacksonville Florida son of the late Thomas Larkin and Annie Lee Gaddy Boone I Ie was a charter member of Emmanuel Baptist Church was a graduate of Thomasboro High School served in the United States Army during World War II and was a retired Painting Contractor Surviving are his wife of 59 years Fay Bair Boone daughter Cynthia Boone Foster and husband Herbert of Concord NC sons Daniel Thomas Boone and wife Karen of Palm Coast FL John Larkin Boone and wife Lana of Mint Hill NC Matthew Boone and wife Tami of Charlotte and Mark Eckcrd Boone and wife Donna of Kannapolis NC grandchildren Michelle Boone Angela Boone Herbert Foster David Foster Jessica Boone Chad Harrington Krystal Boone Leah Boone Skie Boone Laeie Boone Stephen Boone and Kevin Boone great-grandchildren Brady Boone Jordan Foster Kyler Black-welder Madison Foster Kagan Foster and Zoe Foster brother Jerry Boone and wife Lucia of Stanley NC sister Joyce Wilkinson and husband Bobby of Charlotte and sister-in-law Sherry Boone of Boone NC In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a son Donald Jerry Boone grandson Ian Daniel Boone sister Doris McKenzie and a brother Sam Boone Active pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews Honorary pallbearers will be the remaining grandchildren Memorials may be made to Emmanuel Baptist Church 600 Peachtree Rd Charlotte NC 28216 Arrangements are in the care of Forest Lawn Funeral and Cremation Service 4601 Freedom Drive Charlotte (704) 395-0055 6 Lucious Brown Jr Lucious Brown Jr 80 of Charlotte passed on Wednesday September 19 2007 Lucious is survived by one sister Lucille Harris and one brother AC Brown both of Cleveland OH and several nieces nephews and cousins Lucious whose nickname was was born in Margaret AL educated in the Muskogogee County GA School System served in World War II loved the color red a stiff di ink and his family He will be missed by all Funeral service will be held 10:00 AM on Friday September 28 2007 at Martin Funeral Home Inc 3856 131st St Cleveland OH 44120 161 Elizabeth Danley Huston Mrs Elizabeth Danley Huston 92 resident of the Cypress of Charlotte passed away in her home on Tuesday September 25 She was born in Uniontown PA the daughter of Mr And Mrs Charles Bruce Danley She was preceded in death by her husband Earl Huston Jr Survivors include two sons Earl Huston III and his wife Judy of Glenwood Springs CO and Danley Knox I luston and his wife Billie of Richmond VA and three grandchildren Jordan Randolph Huston and his wife DeDe of Steamboat Springs CO Danley Knox Huston )r and his wife Ashley of New York City and Catherine Elizabeth Huston of Atlanta GA Mrs Huston was a longtime member of Myers Park Country Club Grandfather Golf and Country Club Linville Golf Club and Myers Park Presbyterian Church She was an avid bridge player and golfer and enjoyed both of those activities into her 90's The family will receive friends at the Cypress on Friday September 28 2007 from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM In lieu of flowers memorials may be sent to Myers Park Presbyterian Church or Hospice of Charlotte 1 iarry and Bryant Funeral 1 Ionic is serving the 1 luston Family tfz Associated Press RAI HCH The former Robeson County sheriff pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of misapplying federal funds and lying to a federal grand jury a federal prosecutor Mid When he entered the plea before US District Judge Terrence Boyle former Sheriff Cdenn Mavnor 61 joined more than a dozen of his former deputies who have pleaded guilty to a variety of charges Two former deputies entered guilty pleas the same day A sentencing date been set for Maynor who was sheriff for a decade until he announced his resignation in late 2004 citing heart problems Maynor who faces a maximum five years in prison and a fine on each count has agreed to cooperate with the investigation which continues said US Attorney George I lolding Carolinians must haw confidence in the integrity of our peace Holding said in a statement corrupt law enforcement officials is a top The former sheriff comment after the hearing Some 17 former deputies have pleaded guilty to charges ranging from kidnapping and money laundering to stealing satellite television signals and conspiracy to distribute cocaine The deputies been sentenced Prosecutors said Maynor received more than $10000 in federal funds intended for law enforcement programs and conspired to misapply $5000 worth of property in his office He also was charged with lying about former involvement in stealing satellite television signals Federal documents also said Maynor asked employees to clear debris and trees from his property and to work in political fund raising office was the focus of an investigation called Operation Tarnished Badge Since the probe began there have been 22 convictions on federal violations Speedway plan faces opposition Drag Strip from IB John Cox chief executive officer of Cabarrus Economic Development told Cabarrus County commissioners this month that his board may recommend asking for a $15 million tax rebate over five years to build the drag strip The board never made a decision on whether to recommend the incentive in part because the board has not received answers to some questions raised about the project Cox said In August Smith mentioned his success in hosting events near other race tracks sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association whose Powcr-ade Series is the premier drag racing series City officials have said Smith has mentioned his tracks near Atlanta and Fort Worth Texas as possible sites for a new drag strip Motorsports activities are allowed on the land where the racing facility would be built under its current zoning Council members would consider changing the definition of the zoning to specially exclude drag racing facilities City Manager Brian Hiatt said Speedway Vice President Jerry Happens referred questions about the public hearing to Smith who did not immediately return a call from the Observer Sharif Durhams: 704-786-2185 Cedric Jones Mr Cedric Jones of Charlotte died at the Administration Nursing Home in Salisbury NC The funeral service will be 12:00 PM Saturday September 29 2007 at First Baptist Church-West 1801 Oaklawn Ave Charlotte NC 28216 with Rev Dr Ricky A Woods officiating The viewing time will be one hour prior to the service Burial will be at Oaklawn Cemetery following the service Mr Jones was an educator and retired from the Charlotte Mecklenburg School System He died Monday September 23 2007 Mr Jones was born September 16 1917 to the late Trumella Jones Bell and Howard Jones Mr Jones served his country honorably in the US Army during World War II In addition he was a faithful member of First Baptist Church West for over 59 years where he served as a church layman and as the chairman of the Deacon Board A committed and loyal servant of his church he was President of the Mecklenburg General Baptist Association Congress on Christian Education the Baptist Training Union for 15 years and the past president of the General Baptist State Convention Congress on Christian Education After completing his education at Shaw University where he majored in English he earned his degree in 1948 from Columbia University As an educator in North Carolina for 60 years Mr Jones taught at Second Ward West Charlotte and Garinger Fligh Schools He also served as a principal in Hendersonville NC and Tryon NC During his tenure as an educator he was an instructor at Central Piedmont Community College Carver College Johnson Smith University and Barber Scotia College Committed and active in the political and civic affairs of his community Mr Jones was a member of the Club the Black Political Caucus and one the founding members of the Fred Brewer Alumni Chapter of Shaw University Mr Jones was inducted into the NC League Hall of Fame in 1999 Survivors include a loving wife Mrs Clara Jones three daughters Mona Roberts (Malcolm) of Boston MA Dr Cedrella Taylor of Atlanta GA and Ina Jones of Charlotte a son Rev Cedric Jones Jr (Burunda) of Philadelphia PA and nine grandchildren In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the First Baptist Church-West to benefit the After-School Care Program 1801 Oaklawn Ave Charlotte NC 28216 Crier Funeral Service is in charge of all arrangements tis Dr Ralph Kidd Jr 85 of Charlotte died September 25 2007 Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by Hankins Whittington Dilworth Chapel 1111 East Blvd Online wwwhankinsandwhittingtoncom Alma Miller Mrs Miller 93 of Charlotte formerly of Eastman GA died September 24 2007 at Sardis Oaks A loving wife mother and grandmother she was born March 23 1914 to the late Hinton and Della Stewart of Dublin GA She was a long-time member of the First United Methodist Church in Eastman GA She was a homemaker and enjoyed gardening fishing and quilting She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years JT Miller Jr and son Andy Miller She is survived by daughters Carol Kidwell and husband Ron Sandy Sindell and husband John all of Charlotte sons Lewis Miller and wife Jessie of Ft Walton Bch FL Lawton Miller and wife Dot of Buckhead GA Thomas Miller and wife Kathy of Covington GA daughter-in-law Belinda Miller of Hoscliton GA eleven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren Funeral will be held at 1:110 on Friday September 28 at the Piney Mount United Methodist Church in Wrightsville GA with the Rev Clay Jacobs officiating Interment will follow the service at Piney Mount Cemetery Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church Memorials may be made to United Cerebral Palsy Child Development Center 716 Marsh Rd Charlotte NC 28209 Hardy-Towns Funeral Home in Eastman GA is serving the Miller family a Antonio was killed Aug 26 in a rooftop battle with 12 insurgents in Samarra Iraq He was assigned to Fort Bragg Willis and his spotter were killed but two other Army snipers survived the firefight thanks in large measure to the cover Willis provided Army Pfc Donovan Witham Donovan Witham loved hunting fishing and football and was a friend to everyone he met in his hometown of 12000 his family said mother said her son had planned to propose to his girlfriend Julie DeBoer in December ask for a better Martha Launius said Witham 20 of Malvern Ark was killed by a roadside bomb Aug 21 near Baghdad He was assigned to Fort Bragg Army Spc Donald Young Donald sister Catherine recalled teaching her younger brother how to swim when he was 8 and she was 10 was a skinny little kid all dressed in black standing on the diving board He looked a little scared standing she said this guy came and pushed him off and he screamed so loud his arms were flapping as he fell into the water and he sank really But he never gave up she said a trait he carried with him throughout his life got him in trouble a lot but it made him the great man he she said always wanted to make a Young 19 of Helena Mont died Aug 8 in Baghdad from an explosion He was assigned to Fort I lood Wash I11 Tribute US TROOPS WHO HAVE DIED IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN EDITOR'S NOTE: These tributes published in alphabetical order as space permits were supplied by The Associated Press this month Army Sgt Dustin Wakeman Dustin Wakeman took some college classes but apply himself That was his assessment told me he had to start listening to said his father David Wakeman was something he felt like he needed to do to make a better life for Wakeman 25 of Fort Worth Texas was killed Aug 4 by a roadside bomb in Hawr Rajab Iraq He was assigned to Fort Richardson Alaska Army Spc Tracy Willis Tracy Willis seemed bound for gridiron glory He made second team All-District in 2002 his junior year and ran a 45-second 40-yard dash He was first team All-District free safety as a senior and was on special teams because of his nose for being near the ball That team went 11-3 and made it to the state quarterfinals Ic was a true team said coach Danny Padron le always cared about his teammates always found the good in them Fie always had a smile on his He went on to East Texas Baptist University but was injured in his first preseason football game and later joined the Army Willis 21 a sniper from San AiARE YOUR CELEBRATION ONLINE When you place an announcement in the Celebrations section it also appears on Charlottecom To order Celebrations announcements which appear troth in paper and online 7043585260 To view Celebrations online Go to Charlotte com then under Online Extras chok Celebrations JEljcCljailottc (Dbscrticr wwwcharlottecom.