James Kenneth "Ken" McDowell, 79, Dies

ASHEBORO - James Kenneth "Ken" McDowell, 79, of Asheboro, passed away on Monday, Sept. 21, 2020 at Duke University Hospital. Mr. McDowell will lie in state on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro, NC. A graveside service will follow on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 at 3 p.m. at Oaklawn Cemetery with the Rev. Mark C. Beane officiating.

Mr. McDowell was born in Randolph County on July 28, 1941 to Hayes and Grace Gallimore McDowell.
In addition to his parents, Ken was preceded in death by his son, Bryan Kenneth McDowell, and brothers, Junior and Everette McDowell.

He is survived by his wife, Carole Sellers McDowell; daughters, Tamela Abboud (Hassan) of Raleigh and Shanna Darwish (Mohamed) of Cary; daughter-in-law, Stacy Asbill McDowell of Seagrove; grandchildren, Hillary Bunting (Aaron) of Asheboro, Ahmad Emara of Raleigh, Sara Darwish of Chapel Hill, Summer Darwish of Cary, and triplets, Salem, Noah, and Rose Darwish all of Cary; great-granddaughter, Hadley Bunting; sisters, Mazie Owens of Asheboro and Martha Bundy (James) of Asheboro; and special friend, Eddie Hough of Asheboro.

Six generations back to Rachel Briles Hoover

Martha "Ann" Hunt Dies

Martha “Ann” Hunt, 67, of Lexington, passed away on September 20, 2020 at her residence. A Graveside service will take place at 10am September 26, 2020 at Holly Hill Memorial Park Cemetery in Thomasville, NC.

Born in Forsyth County, NC to Rachel Hunt Chaney and Ed Chaney on April 23, 1953. She was preceded in death by her mother Rachel Hunt Chaney, her sisters Marilee Henderson and June Chapman.

Survived by her daughter Augusta Safriet, her sons Greg Safriet, Charlie Safriet wife Johnna, Scott Safriet, James husband Jack Carvalho, her brother Eddie Chaney wife Judy, her grandchildren Tootie, Elizabeth, Teresa, Brad, Dylan, Ashley, Kaylee, Madison, Mackenzie, Mason, Heather, Sydney, and Chaney, her great grandchildren Payton, Taghan, Aspen, Daniel, Adeliade, Sebastian, Addison, Skylar, Kinley, Kaegan, Colson, Everly, and Lucy.

Seven generations back to Margaret Briles Kindley
 

Hilda Grey Parrish Robbins

Hilda Grey Parrish Robbins, 82, of Asheboro, died Sunday, September 20, 2020 at Woodland Hill Center in Asheboro. The body will lie in state from 1:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 24, 2020, at Ridge Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2020, at West Bend United Methodist Church Cemetery with Rev. Michael Woolard officiating.

Born on July 20, 1938, in Randolph Co., to the late Carr Parrish and Mary Miller Parrish. In addition to her parents, Hilda was preceded in death by her husband, Jerry Robbins; brothers, Vernon Ray Parrish, Ike Parrish, Frances Parrish, Clegg Parrish, L.C. Parrish, Arthur Parrish; sisters, Peggy Parrish and Esther Cox.

She is survived by her sons, Eddie Robbins of Cocoa Beach, FL, Dennis Robbins and wife Cathy of Asheboro, Tommy Robbins and wife Lisa; brother, Mack Parrish; grandchildren, Dakota Robbins, Solon Robbins, McKenna Robbins, Justin Payne, Corey Greene and husband Tim; great grandchildren, Lileigh Payne, Brookelynn Payne, and Lani Payne.

Mrs. Robbins great grandmother is Frances Ellen "Fannie" Briles Miller. Also Seven generations back to Mary Briles Rush (Paternal line). 

Troy Lynn Pierce, age 72 , Passes

Mr. Troy Lynn Pierce, age 72, of  Lexington, NC died Saturday, September 19 at his residence.  Mr. Pierce will lie in state Tuesday from 2:00 to 5:00 PM at Briggs Funeral Home in Denton. A funeral service will be held 2:00 PM Wednesday, Sept. 23 at Briggs Funeral Home Memorial Chapel conducted by Chaplain Tim Martin. Interment with military honors will follow at Floral Garden Park in High Point.

Mr. Pierce was born September 13, 1948 in Davidson County to the late Troy Henry Pierce and Doris Mae Hunt Pierce. US Army, Retired. Mr. Pierce is survived by his wife, Tammie King Pierce of the home; sons, Christopher Lynn Pierce and wife Jency of Kansas and Michael Lynn Pierce of Kansas; daughter, Jessica Marie Phillips of Denton; brothers, Thomas Pierce and wife Vickie of Lexington; sisters, Sylvia Stabler of Lexington and Cindy P. Hayes and husband Roy of Lexington; 6 grandchildren, Nicholas Hohn, Madison Phillips, Zadock Pierce, Gaberial Pierce, Bryce Pierce, and Evangiliane Pierce.


Six generations back to Mary Briles Pearce (Paternal). Also Seven generations back to Margaret Briles Kindley (Maternal).

Diane Crotts Coffey, age 80, Dies

Mrs. Diane Crotts Coffey, age 80 of Asheboro died Wednesday, September 9 at Sandy Ridge Assisted Living in Candor.

Services will be private with burial next to her grandparents, Carl and Clatie Hoover in the Denton Town Cemetery.

Mrs. Coffey was born August 22, 1940 and was the daughter of Dennie H Crotts and Blanche Hoover Crotts, preceded by her sons, Rodney Tucker and his wife Debbie and Brent Tucker and his wife Tammy.

She is survived by her husband Larry Coffey of the home and a sister, Judy West of Hickory.

Seven generations back to Rachel Briles Hoover.

Stella Joyce Murray Wicker Dies

Stella Joyce Murray Wicker, 73, passed Wednesday, September 9, 2020 at Alamance Regional Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, September 13, 2020 at 2:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Christian Church with Rev. Howard Spray officiating; burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday, September 12, 2020 from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty.

She is preceded in death by her parents Henry Bunn, Jr. and Estella Blanche Hoover Murray.

Surviving is her husband of 50 years, Roy Oakel Wicker, Jr.; daughter, Tammy Wicker Wade and husband, Ricky; son, John Peter Wicker and wife, Deonna; grandchildren, Joshua Wade and Faith Wade; brothers, Kenneth Murray, Benny Murray and wife, Eula Mae, Lester Murray and wife, Teresa.

Mrs. Wicker's great great grandmother is Nancy Briles Kindley. Also via paternal line to Rachel Briles Hoover and Mary Briles Rush. 

Ruby Elizabeth McDowell Bristow

Ruby Elizabeth McDowell Bristow, 78, of Asheboro, died Saturday, September 5, 2020, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer, at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

A memorial services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2020, at Pleasant Union Community Church, Denton, with Rev. Garry Reeder and Rev. Jeff Freeman officiating. The family will receive friends following the service. 

Born in Randolph County, NC, on October 18, 1941, Ruby was the daughter of the late Arthur Exton McDowell and Ocia Edna Small McDowell. 

In addition to her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her siblings, Fred McDowell, Virgie McElreath, Maggie Hill, Glen McDowell, Edna Nelson, Minnie Cranford and Toby McDowell. 

Surviving are her daughter, Kathy Cashatt and husband Bill of High Point; son, Malcolm Bristow of High Point; sisters, Ora Clark of Asheboro, Louise Lambeth of Thomasville; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Mrs. Bristow’s great great grandmother is Catherine Briles Skeen 

Viola Anne Ridge Deese Dies at 74

Viola Anne Ridge Deese, age 74, of Thomasville passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020. 

Mrs. Deese will lie in state on Monday, September 7, 2020 from 1:00 - 5:00 PM at Pugh Funeral Home, 600 South Main Street, Randleman. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at 1:00 PM at Randolph Memorial Park in Asheboro with Pastor David Younger officiating.

Mrs. Deese was born November 25, 1945 to General Lee and Hattie Clinton Ridge. In addition to her parents, Viola is preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, James Leroy Deese; daughter, Carmen Gail King; and brother, Ronnie Lee Ridge. Viola is survived by her son: James (Nikki) Deese of Marion, VA; sisters, Ruth (Roger) Deese of Randleman, Margaret Johnson of Denton, Joann Edwards of Thomasville; grandchildren, James Kohl Deese, Austin Deese, Sarah Deese, William Mounts, Michael Reynolds, Amanda King; and many special nieces and nephews. 

Six generations back to Mary Briles Pearce and Seven generations back to Margaret Briles Kindley

Karen Sue Briles Dies

Karen Sue Briles, age 56, passed away September 2, 2020 in Omaha, Nebraska. Celebration of Life Services are pending.

Born June 4, 1964 in Omaha, Nebraska the daughter of  the late James and Betty (Soliday) Queen, who suvives. Survived are her husband Howard L.Briles; children: Jessica Strong (Russell Glover), Kyle Strong (Alexandra), Nathan Briles, Emily Briles; granddaughters: Aria Strong and Madeleine Glover; mother, Betty Queen; siblings: Dennis Queen (Betsy) and Douglas Queen; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, James Queen; sister, Susan Queen.