Gary Dean Etzel

Gary Dean Etzel, 65, of Cedar Rapids, passed away on Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. A family only service will be held until a Celebration of Life can be scheduled.

Gary was born on Jan. 3, 1956, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Preceded in death by his father, Robert Etzel; grandparents, Ralph and Bertha Briles and Clifford and Edith Etzel; uncle, Ralph Briles; and brother-in-law, Brian Denny.

Gary is survived by his mother, Beverly J. Briles Etzel; brother, Steven (Teresa) Etzel; sisters, Kimberly (John) Etzel, Janine (Dave) Wagner and Maureen Denny; and a large extended family.

Donald Ray Garren

Donald Ray Garren, 59, of Asheboro, passed away Saturday, December 18, 2021 at his home.

 The family will receive friends at Ridge Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 22, 2021, and other times at the home of Brandi and Justin Morris. A funeral service will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 23, 2021, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. David Hunt Officiating. Burial will follow at New Hope Memorial Gardens.

Donald was born on August 4, 1962 in Randolph County. Donald was preceded in death by his father, Boyd Hayes Garren, and his grandson, Easton Matthews.

Mr. Garren is survived by his daughters, Brittany Matthews and husband Brandon of Florence, SC, Brandi Morris and husband Justin of Asheboro; mother, Rosa Crotts Garren of Asheboro; sister, Clairmae Robbins of Asheboro; brothers, Richard Garren, Roger Garren and wife Trish, Jerry Garren and wife Angie, all of Asheboro; grandchildren, Holdyn Matthews, Hudson Matthews, and Kimber Morris.

Five generations back to Frances Ellen "Fannie" Briles Miller. 

Lewis Jeffrey Loflin Passes

 

Lewis Jeffrey Loflin passed away December 17, 2021. 

A service to celebrate Lewis’ life will be held on Tuesday, December 21, at 11:00 a.m. at Marlboro Friends Meeting, with Pastor John Sides and Ricky Sessoms, Minister, officiating. The committal service will follow in the Meeting cemetery. His family will receive friends on Monday, December 20, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., at Cumby Family Funeral Service, Archdale.

Mr. Loflin was born August 5, 1938 to James Clyde and Cora Laone Davis Loflin. He is survived by his wife of 61 years; Linda Patton Loflin; his sons, Lyle Loflin and his wife, Kelly, Les Loflin and his wife, Ovelia, Lyndon Loflin and his wife, Lisa; his sister, Jessie Loflin Small and her husband, Paul. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Hayley Brown and her husband, Michael, Kayla Nichols and her husband, Elijah, Holly Bissette, Natalie Cannon and her husband, Will and 6 great grandchildren.

Six generations back to Elizabeth Briles Laughlin.

Freddy Ray Ball

 

Freddy Ray Ball, 70, of Cid Road passed Thursday, December 9, 2021 at his residence.

A funeral service will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2021 at 3 PM at Walters Grove Baptist Church in Lexington with Rev. Chris Simpson officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will greet friends prior to the service from 1:30 to 2:30 PM at the church.

Born January 1, 1951 to the late Fred Welby Ball and Lucinda Hoover Ball in Randolph County. He served his country in the United States Army serving two tours in Vietnam.

In addition to his parents, Freddy was preceded in death by a sister, Nancy Ball Hogan. Surviving is his loving wife of 50 years, Jeanette Garner Ball of the home; three daughters, Tracey “Sunshine” Ball Whitley and husband Brian, Cassie Ball Parrish and husband Thad; Chanté Ball Goins and husband Jamie, all of Lexington; a sister, Judy Ball Trotter Moody and husband Charles; seven grandchildren, Tyler Whitley and wife Callie, Madelynne Hill and Husband Garrett, Haley Talley and husband Christian, Chasen Parrish and girlfriend Camille Shelton, Samuel Goins, Silas Goins, Talynn Hill; three great-grandchildren, Jovie Whitley, Sawyer Whitley, Hudson Talley; extended family and many friends.

Six generations back to Rachel Briles Hoover

Elizabeth "Lib" Robbins Howell

Elizabeth "Lib" Robbins Howell, age 87, of Asheboro passed away on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at North Pointe of Archdale.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, December 14, 2021 from 10:30-11:00 am at West Bend United Methodist Church, 1080 Albemarle Road in Asheboro. A memorial service will follow at 11:00 am at West Bend United Methodist Church with Rev. Kari L. Howard officiating. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Howell was born in Forsyth County on October 30, 1934 to Thomas and Mattie Pierce Robbins. In addition to her parents, Lib was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Earl "Bob" Howell, son, Timmy Howell, and brothers, Pierce and Lloyd Robbins.

She is survived by her son, Randall Howell (Beth) of Sophia; grandchildren, Buck and Nicholas Howell, and Greg Davis (Dianna); and great grandchildren, Emma Briggs and Evelyn Howell. (Pugh F.H.)

Six generations back to Mary Briles Pearce

Edith E. Briles Passes

Edith E. Briles, age 70, passed away peacefully at her home of Evart, Mi on Thursday, December 2, 2021. She was born May 11, 1951 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of Wayne and Theresa (Carter) Briles. Preceded in death by her parents, her brothers; Wayne Briles Jr., Ken Briles, Mark Briles, Lucas Briles; and sister; Peggy Briles.

Edith is survived by her son, Wayne Wahmhoff of Flint; siblings, Katie Clements of Gaylord, Hazen (Diana) Briles of Lansing, Dale Briles of Baldwin, Shelly Briles of Evart; sister-in-law, Irene Briles; grandchildren, Brian (Erin) Barnett, Kris Barnett, Bonnie Balcer, Robert Balcer, Emma Wahmhoff; and many nieces and nephews.

Catherine Ann "Cathy" Hoover Robbins

Catherine Ann "Cathy" Hoover Robbins, 75, of Asheboro, died Monday, November 29, 2021 at The Randolph Hospice House in Asheboro.

Graveside services will be conducted 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 4, 2021, at West Bend United Methodist Church Cemetery, Asheboro, with Pastor Charles Moses officiating.

Born March 18, 1946, in Randolph Co., NC, Mrs. Robbins was the daughter of the late Wade and Ina Routh Hoover. 

Mrs. Robbins was also preceded in death by her brother Tommy Hoover.

Cathy is survived by her husband, Dennis Robbins; daughter, Catherine A. Robbins; sons, Kerry Harris, Rodney Harris; sister, Judy Hamilton, Bonnie Barfield; brothers, Tex Hoover, Ricky Hoover, David Hoover; three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Five generations back to Nancy Briles Kindley