Obituaries for the week of Oct. 7

Published 12:32 am Tuesday, October 5, 2021

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Richelle Louise Bailey

Miss Richelle Louise Bailey, 49, of Marion, passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2021, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem. She was born Oct. 17, 1971, in Davie County to Rickey Ray Bailey and Sarah Smith Bailey. She was currently working as the administrative/public information assistant for the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office. Bailey is survived by her mother, Sarah Smith Lewis (Carl) of Advance; father, Rickey Ray Bailey (Rose) of Murrells Inlet, S.C.; sister, Shanna Bailey Nichols (Tony) of Advance and a beloved niece and nephew, Cassidy and Carson Nichols. Bailey was born and raised in Mocksville where she graduated Davie High School in 1990. She attended college at the University of North Carolina Asheville and received her degree in mass communications. Following her graduation, she moved to Marion and began her career at The McDowell News. Bailey was a devoted reporter for almost two decades, serving as assistant editor for 18 of those years. She covered crime, emergency services and courts, but also excelled at off-beat feature stories, landing her seven North Carolina Press Association awards during her career. In May 2013, Bailey joined the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office as the administrative/public information assistant. She also served as the CrimeStoppers coordinator with the Marion Police Department. One of Bailey’s greatest passions was Project Christmas for McDowell County. Every year, she led the efforts of Project Christmas to ensure that local children and families in need received Christmas gifts. She devoted countless hours and nearly 23 years of service to this organization. This was one of her greatest and most rewarding joys. In addition, Bailey was actively involved in the Fraternal Order of Police and Relay for Life. To the many friends and family that knew her, Bailey was a small frame with a mighty heart. She always put others’ needs before her own and was always willing to lend a helping hand. Her kindheartedness has impacted countless lives and will continue to live on in her legacy. Bailey was honored during a memorial service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel in Advance, led by Pastor Rodney Hellard. A police escort will bring Richelle to Marion for a service on Tuesday, Oct. 5 at 4 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Project Christmas of McDowell County at P.O. Box 2198, Marion, NC 28752 or Humane Society of Davie County at 291 Eaton Road, Mocksville, NC 27028. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com .

Claude ‘Buz’ Thomas Buzzard

Claude “Buz” Thomas Buzzard, 81, passed away Monday, Sept. 27, 2021. He was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, on July 19, 1940, to the late Forrest and Mildred Buzzard. Buzzard served his country in the United States Air Force. He retired from RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company in the sports marketing department after 30 years of service. Buzzard is survived by his wife, June Pitts McKnight Buzzard, daughters; Jodi B. Moore (Mike) of Advance, Tami L. Goodrich (Matthew) of Montclair, New Jersey, and Megan K. Buzzard-Rybicki (Matthew) of New York, New York; grandchildren; Zachary Moore, Mackenzie Moore, Sayan Goodrich, and Miles Rybicki; brother, J. David Buzzard, and sisters, Dottie Schmidt, Carolyn Thacker, and Marilyn Parker. An outdoor service was held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Bethlehem United Methodist Church in Advance, with Dr. Suzanne G. Michael, Rev. Darren Crotts and Mrs. Jan Denton officiating. The family received friends from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Storehouse for Jesus. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com

The Rev. Hewon Han

The Rev. Hewon Han, 83, of Lewisville, passed away on Sept. 27, 2021, after an extended illness. He was born on Aug. 4, 1938, in Korea to the Rev. Kyung Chik Han and Chan Bin Kim. Han grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and immigrated to the U.S. in 1957. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the College of Emporia in Kansas, a master of divinity from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and a master of education from the University of Pittsburgh. While studying in Pittsburgh, he met Donna Rae Houser, a schoolteacher and student in the master of religious education program. They married in 1969 and had a son, David (Tara Schwier), of Auburn, Alabama, and a daughter, Bethany. Han was ordained in 1968 and began his career as a minister for churches in Pittsburgh and Urbana, Illinois, before moving to North Carolina to become the associate presbyter for congregational life in Salem Presbytery, serving churches in a 19-county region. His work emphasized helping member churches with educational programs for all ages. Nationally, he chaired the Polity Task Force of the Presbyteries Cooperative Examinations Committee. This committee oversees the process that prepares candidates for ordination as Ministers in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Han also was interim pastor of the Korean First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro in 2004-2005. Throughout his career, Han promoted and assisted Korean Presbyterian congregations. Although he kept strong ties to his Korean family, heritage, and culture, he also loved his new country and family, and became a United States citizen in 1973. After retiring in 2005, Han worked occasionally as a supply minister, but his main priority was spending time with his family. He took ballroom dancing lessons, traveled with his wife and friends, and visited Korea annually. Most important of all, he played with his grandchildren at home and on vacations to the beach or mountains. Han was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Soon Hee Han, and his wife. Surviving are his children; grandchildren, Cora, Jacob, and Laura; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, at Korean First Presbyterian Church in Greensboro with Pastors Ki Seok Kim and Jeff Sockwell officiating. Inurnmnent will be at Shallowford Presbyterian Church columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Han’s honor to the churches or a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com .

John Robert ‘Bob’ Meadows

Mr. John Robert “Bob” Meadows, 72, passed away Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born Sept. 11, 1949, in Forsyth County to the late Rome Calvin Meadows and Edith Everhart Meadows. Meadows served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and had worked for Wachovia Bank and U.S. Air as a computer technician. He is survived by his wife Kathy C. Meadows; daughter, Melissa M. Cox (John) of Lexington; grandchildren, John Thomas, James Thomas, Kaitlyn Cox and Cassidy Cox; and sister, Verona Meadows. A graveside service was conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021, at Yadkin Valley Baptist Church Cemetery by Pastors Mike McDaniel and Ronnie Craddock. The family received friends following the service. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

Shirley Crouch Pressley

Mrs. Shirley Crouch Pressley, 83, of Clemmons, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.

Pressley was born Aug. 30, 1938, in Forsyth County to William and Josephine Crouch, who raised her in the Christian faith. She retired from Integon where she worked as a key punch operator. She loved to visit the mountain and beach homes she shared with her husband in the years that they were able. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Dana Pressley Jordan, and grandson, Nicholas Jordan.

Pressley is survived by her husband of 63 years, Grover C. Pressley Jr.; daughter, Denise Pressley Clark (Ricky); grandchildren, Ryan Tuttle, Jay Clark, Chris Jordan, and Zach Jordan; great-grandchildren, Riley Clark, Abby Tuttle, Lilly Tuttle, Ellie Tuttle, Allyson Jordan, and Luke Jordan; sister, Billie McKnight; and beloved dog, Penny.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, at Parklawn Memorial Park with Pastor Charles Collins officiating.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13

Betty Lou Ebert Warner

Mrs. Betty Lou Ebert Warner, 91, of Clemmons passed away Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021, at Forsyth Medical Center. Warner was born in Forsyth County to the late Theodore Ebert and Kate Harrison Ebert on March 20, 1930. She was a longtime faithful member of Ardmore Moravian Church. She was a member of the women’s fellowship and senior friends and served at church whenever she could. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother and caregiver. Warner loved going on trips with the church, especially the beach trips. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon Warner; daughter, Cynthia Culverhouse; grandson, Joshua Wayne Wall; five brothers and one sister. Warner is survived by a son, Phillip Warner (Jill); grandson, Paul Culverhouse; brothers, Henry Ebert, and Tom Ebert; many nieces and nephews. A graveside memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021, at Salem Moravian Graveyard with Rev. Arkon Stewart officiating.