Bobby Forkner Dies

Bobby Forkner, 85, of Asheboro died Monday, July 31, 2017 at Clapp's Convalescent Nursing Home in Asheboro. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 4, 2017, at Bethel Friends Meeting with Rev. Pat Thames and Rev. Ben Hurley. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery with military honors presented by the Randolph County Honor Guard. Born January 19, 1932 in Randolph County, Mr. Forkner was the son of the late Hobert and Myrtle G. Forkner. US Veteran. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Lois Forkner, Elsie Klein, Jeanette Hinshaw; and brother, Sam Forkner. Survivors include his wife, Mary Carol Briles Forkner of the home; son, Craig Shannon Forkner and wife, Akane of Japan; grandchildren, Takeru Forkner, Ellie Forkner, Robert Forkner; and "special son", Hunter Curtis and wife, Emma.

Paul "Dickie" Medlin Jr

Paul "Dickie" Medlin Jr. of Lexington passed away August 23, 2017 after a lengthy illness. Dickie, as he was known to those who loved him was born January 6, 1946 to Paul and Arlene Martin Medlin, who preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Shirley Mabe Medlin, son, Paul D. Medlin (Teresa), daughter, Tosha Medlin Briles, stepchildren, Chris Hill, Debbie (Tommy) Gordon, Mark (Janet) McDowell. He is also survived by twelve grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Dickie is also survived by a brother, Mark Martin and sister, Saundra (Michael) Riggs. Dickie loved working with his hands and was very skillful in woodworking. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington, NC. A Celebration of Life will be announced at future date. Thomasville Funeral Home is assisting the Medlin family.

Lilyann Grace Briles

Lilyann Grace Briles, daughter of Christopher and Jennifer Briles, was born and died on August 14, 2017. A visitation in her honor will be held Friday, August 25, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hamilton's on Westown Parkway, 3601 Westown Parkway in West Des Moines, Iowa. 

Larry W. Davis Dies

GREENVILLE-Larry W. Davis, 67, of Greenville passed away Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017, at Owensboro Health Muhlenberg Community Hospital. No services. Born Jan. 10, 1950, in Greenville, the oldest son of the late Paul Edward Davis and Margaret Briles Davis. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul Davis; and a nephew, Trent Christie. He was of Baptist faith. Left to cherish his memory are his best friend and wife, Paula Davis; his mother, Margaret Davis; his daughter, Jennifer (Ross) Jones; grandsons Justin Jones and Jack Jones; brother Eddie (Debbie) Davis; sisters Dianne (Mark) Christie and Krista (Orval McLaughlin; father-in-law Sam (Lana) Loy; mother-in-law Rena Loy; nieces, nephews, cousins, Aunt Jo Davis and Aunt Jane Davis and their families as well as many special friends.

New Content Added to the BIRN

The Briles Information Radio Network has added new content to it's growing library. Four new episodes of "Flickers from the Cave" has been uploaded. This series is created by Mike Richardson and Marty Hollingsworth; both talk about horror flicks from the past.

Several shows from"Afloat with Henry Morgan" was added. The show was radio broadcast that aired, as many would say, in 1933. Each episode was 12 minutes long, and was dedicated for the young listeners in particular. The producer and star of the show was George Edwards, the same person who produced the popular series Frankenstein and Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, to name a few.

Eight episodes from the "Murder by Experts" has been added as well. This show aired in from 1949-1951 which feature crime stories by leading murder experts such as William Irish, Alfred Hitchcock and Craig Rice.

The BIRN is currently producing the first show for "B-Side Radio Underground" and the opening theme for the new "Shock Theater!" Stay Tuned! 

Adam Smith

Adam Lee Smith, 32, of Lexington, died Friday, August 11, 2017 at his home. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 17, 2017 at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, Asheboro, with Evangelist Dolan Skeen and Rev. Jimmy Wansley officiating. Burial will follow at Eleazer Church Cemetery. Born on June 16, 1985 in Davidson County, NC. He was preceded in death by his brother, David Smith. Surviving are his sons, Eli Smith, Arlis Smith; mother, Debra Skeen of Denton; father and stepmother, David Smith, Jr. and Mary Smith, of Star; sister, Amanda Hastings of Thomasville; brother, Daniel Smith of Star; grandparents, Donna Skeen of Thomasville, Moses and Linda Luther of Asheboro; uncle, Chuck Skeen; aunts, Linda Lynn Callicutt, Elaine Smith; nieces, Madison Smith, Averey Smith and Kylean Hastings.



  Direct line to Catherine Briles Skeen

Veronica Marcella "Marcie" Johnson Dies

Lexington – Veronica Marcella (Marcie) Johnson passed August 13, 2017. A celebration of her life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at the Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting located at 3673 Hoover Hill Rd., Trinity, NC officiated by Pastor Dave Mercadante. Burial will follow the service in the cemetery. There will be a receiving of friends starting at 12:30 at Poplar Ridge Friends Meeting. Born on May 11, 1964 in High Point, NC, she was dearly loved by her parents, John R. and the late Jewell Pierce Johnson of Trinity. Her older brother, Michael Pierce, also preceded her in death. Marcie is survived by her loving companion of 30 years, Bruce Hayes, of Lexington, NC. DIRECT line to Elizabeth Briles Robbins.

Linda D. Briles Shively Dies

Linda D. (Briles) Shively, 68, of Indianapolis, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017, at Community Heart and Vascular Hospital. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Erlewein Mortuary & Crematory, 1484 W. US Hwy. 40, Greenfield, IN 46140. A funeral service will take place immediately following the visitation at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Josh Keesling will be officiating. Burial will follow at Park Cemetery in Greenfield. Born on March 15, 1949 in Marion County as the daughter of Dale Miller and Joan (Kidd) Briles. She is survived by her daughters, Stephanie (James) McGuire of Fishers, IN, and Rhonda (Darin) Earl of Poplar Grove, IL; siblings, Cynthia, Rollie, Karen, Michael, Annie, John Chuck; grandchildren Mary, Mac, and Kevin McGuire, and Ryan and Ashley Earl; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Joan Briles; and brother, Benny Briles.

Shirley Hulin Jester

Shirley Ruth Hulin Jester, 78, of Trinity passed away August 2, 2017 at High Point Regional Hospital. A Memorial service will be held Saturday August 5, 2017 at 1:00 PM at J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home Chapel in Thomasville with Rev. Jim Honeycutt officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. Born July 17, 1939 to the late Jim Hulin and Nellie Loflin Hulin in Randolph County. Along with her parents she was preceded in death by her husband Albert Carless Jester on August 22, 2003, after 46 years of marriage and one daughter Phyllis Walker that passed away October 29, 2005; two brothers James Hulin and Bobby Hulin. Surviving is two sons, Curtis Jester and wife Susan of Thomasville, Travis Jester and wife Lisa of Trinity; two sisters, Dorothy Floyd of Thomasville, Patsy Shaw and husband Larry of Randleman; grandchildren Zachary Jester and wife Caroline, Chase Walker and fiancé Hailey McNeil, Zane Jester and wife Megan, Kendall Jester, and Jacob Sweeney; four great-grandchildren, Lakyn, Camden, Ramsey and Lainey. Mrs. Jester's grandmother is Mamie Briles Loflin

Norman Ray Nance Dies

Norman Ray Nance passed away Thursday, August 3, 2017, at the age of 82. Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 5, from 6 - 8 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro. Graveside services, including military honors, will be held Sunday, August 6, at 2:00 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery with Rev. Gary Mason officiating. Memorials can be made to Hospice of Randolph County or Central United Methodist Church of Asheboro. A native of Randolph County, the son of Troy Norman Nance and Lena Eugene Powell Nance. US Veteran. Norman was preceded in death by his wife Audrey Thomas Nance. He is survived by his son Chad Nance (April), and grandsons Mitchell and Will of Asheville, sister Betty Bailey of Asheboro, brother Phil Nance (Rachel) of Asheboro, special friend and companion Delette Self of Asheboro and her son Brad Self (Belinda) and granddaughters Hannah and Hollie of High Point, and several nieces and nephews. Direct line to Mary Briles Pearce