Arlon Eugene Miller, 83, formerly of Statesville, passed away Friday, May 18, 2012 at Maple Leaf Health Care after a valiant battle with Alzheimer’s Disease.  Mr. Miller was a devoted father and husband and leaves behind a legacy of dedication and service to his family, friends and the community.  His sweet spirit and the love and kindness he extended to everyone who knew him leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.  

He was born April 19, 1929 in Stony Fork, NC to the late Orville J. Miller and Ida Selena Miller.  He was preceded in death by brothers, Leland and John Miller and sisters, Josephine Miller Potter and Betty Miller Norris.

Mr. Miller was a member of Union Chapel Baptist Church and former deacon at Oakdale Baptist Church. In 1954 he married the late Mary Nell Miller. He was a supervisor and retired from Bernhardt Furniture. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea from 1952 – 1954.  

Arlon is survived by his two sons, Christopher E. Miller, of Denver, NC and Robin W. Miller and daughter-in-law, Thea of Statesville, and one grandson, Noah Arlon Miller of Statesville.

A funeral service celebrating Mr. Miller’s life  will be conducted at 11:00 AM May 22, 2012 at the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. William Weese officiating. Burial will follow in Ashe Lawn Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicholson Funeral Home.  The family request that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in his honor.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Mrs. Mae Grant Sprinkle, 101, of Statesville, passed away Friday, May 18, 2012 at Maple Leaf Health Care Center. She was born August 11, 1910 in Iredell County to the late James Bell Grant and Bertha Jane Williams Grant.

She attended Iredell County Schools, Rocky Branch School, Scotts High School and Appalachian College and on March 21, 1936 she married Fleet Arvel Sprinkle who preceded her in death on April 4, 1997. Mrs. Sprinkle was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church and was a retired school teacher after 35 years for Central, Davie Ave, N.B. Mills, Pressly and A.D. Rutherford elementary schools.

In addition to her parents and husband she was preceded in death by a sister Connie Grant White in 1981.

Mrs. Sprinkle is survived by a son and daughter, Jim Sprinkle (Diane) and Ann Gregory (George), both of Statesville, six grandchildren, Curt and Kent Gregory, Amanda Kosner, Vickie, Kim and Joel Sprinkle. She is also survived by ten great grandchildren, Laci Wooten, Tiffany Sprinkle, James Sprinkle (Katie), Curtis, Laura and Kelli Gregory, Travis and Kevin, Kosner, Amber Brewer and Candace Reeves (Luke) and three great great grandchildren, Daniel Sprinkle, Riley Gregory and Walker Reeves.

A funeral service for Mrs. Sprinkle will be conducted 11:00 AM Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Mark Robinette and Rev. Charles Cook officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will visit with friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM Sunday evening at the Nicholson Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 848 Pisgah Church Rd., Stony Point, NC 28678.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Mae Grant Sprinkle.

Shirley Ann Beck Ketchie, 67, of Statesville, passed away Friday, May 18, 2012 at her home. She was born July 27, 1944 in Iredell County to the late David Luther Beck and Nancy Steele Beck.

She was a graduate of Harmony High School and on June 18, 1967 she married William Allen Ketchie, who survives. She was a member of Pleasant View Baptist Church and was a secretary of  the church and worked for J.C Penny Distribution in the accounting department.

In addition to her parents she is also preceded in death by two brothers Tom and David Beck and a sister Lois Call.

Along with her husband, William Allen Ketchie, she is survived by two sons Randall Ketchie (Lori) and Dennis Ketchie, both of Statesville. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Keri, Meghan, Hunter, Jessica and Yasmine Ketchie, all of Statesville. Mrs. Ketchie is further survived by a sister and brother, Lorene Wallace and Dorman Beck, both of Statesville.

A funeral service for Mrs. Ketchie will be conducted 3:00 PM Monday, May 21, 2012 at the Pleasant View Baptist Church with Rev. Brandon Gwantney, Rev. Jason Whitley and Rev. Steve Haithcox officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Sunday evening from 6:30 until 8:00 PM at Nicholson Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Shirley Ann Beck Ketchie.

She was a graduate of Troutman High School and a member of Beulah Heights Wesleyan Church.

In addition to her parents she preceded in death by three brothers Dock “Teenie” Tevepaugh, James Tevepaugh and baby Rooster Tevepaugh.

She is survived by two daughters, Lisa Spiva (Lee), of Troutman and Laura Spiva (Andrew), of Mooresville, three grandsons, PV2 Kevin Murphy, stationed at Fort Hood, TX, Steven Barnette, of Troutman and Damion Spiva, of Mooresville and two granddaughters, Taylor and Dixie Spiva, both of Mooresville. She is further survived by three brothers Raymond, Ralph and Frank Tevepaugh and numerous nieces and nephews.

A funeral service for Ms. Barnette will be conducted 4:00 PM Tuesday, May 22, 2012 in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Trent Patterson officiating. Burial will follow in the Iredell Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Monday evening from 6:30 PM until 8:00 PM at Nicholson Funeral Home.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Ms. Brenda Kay Tevepaugh Barnette.

“We love and miss you very much Moma and Nana”

Kenneth Steele Adkins, 83, of Statesville, passed away Tuesday, May 15, 2012 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital. He was born July 1, 1928 in Iredell County to the late Alvin Huey and Florence Steele Adkins.

He attended Cool Springs Academy and on June 12, 1946 he married Dorothy Marie Cline Adkins, who survives. He was a former member of Race St. Methodist Church and had worked for Statesville Chair Company for many years.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one son Barry Adkins, one brother James Adkins and a sister Thelma Knox.

Along with his wife Dorothy Marie Cline Adkins, he is also survived by a son Brent Adkins  (Cindy), of Statesville, a daughter-in-law Donna Adkins, of Oak Island, NC, three granddaughters, Amy Warren (Roger), of Troutman, Shelley Houston (Michael), of Concord and Emily Little (Tate), of Statesville and one grandson, Richard Adkins (LeAnn), of Troutman. He is further survived by a brother Robert Adkins (Loretta), of Cool Springs and ten great grandchildren, Ashley Mills, Hannah and Matt Warren, Carson Sain and Anna Little, Noah and Lily Houston and Rachel, Andrew and Aidan Adkins.

A funeral service for Mr. Adkins will be conducted Friday, May 18, 2012 in the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jamie Fox officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to service from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM at Nicholson Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to SECU Family House at UNC Hospital, in care of, 123 Old Mason Farm Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517 or Mountain Road Baptist Church, 132 Compton Park Road, Statesville, NC 28677.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Kenneth Steele Adkins.

Thomas Rayford Tulbert, 76, of Union Grove, passed away Friday, May 11, 2012 at Iredell Memorial Hospital. He was born December 13, 1935 in Iredell County to the late Jesse Tulbert and Velma York Tulbert.

He attended Iredell County Schools and in 1968 married Aileen Harris Tulbert, who survives. Mr. Tulbert was a self employed truck driver and then became a retired truck driver for Gaither Trucking. He was also a member of the Baptist Faith.

Along with his parents he is also preceded in death by a son Jerry Tulbert and two brothers Larry Tulbert and John Edward Tulbert.

In addition to his wife of 47 years, he is also survived by a son Joe Tulbert (Shelia), of Mocksville, two daughters, Christa Myers, of Hamptonville and Samantha Watkins (Jerry), of Harmony, one step-son Scotty Bracken (Debbie), of Mocksville. He is further survived by two sisters, Linda Eason, of Statesville and Kay Arnold (Charlie), of Climax, NC and one brother Solon Tulbert; nine grandchildren and nine great grandchildren. He is also survived by a special companion “Flash” and two friends, Terry and Doris Eudy.

A funeral service for Mr. Tulbert will be conducted 6:00 PM Monday, May 14, 2012 at Zion Baptist Church in Union Grove with Dr. Joey Tomlin officiating. Burial will follow on a later date. The family will visit with friends following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to Zion Baptist Church, 714 Union Grove Road, Union Grove, NC 28689 or donations may be made to the family.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. Thomas Rayford Tulbert.

Mrs. Eloise Brookshire Jarvis Austin, 84, of Statesville, passed away Thursday, May 10, 2012 at the Brian Center in Mooresville. She was born August 14, 1927 in Lenoir, NC to the late Lester and Vee White Brookshire.

Mrs. Austin was a graduate of Kings Creek High School and attended Gardner Webb College. She married Boyd Jarvis who also preceded her in death in 1987 she is currently  married to Ernest Austin who survives.

After 38 years, she retired from Kewanee Scientific Furniture Co. as a project manager and was previously a member of Oakdale Baptist Church. Eloise loved being in her garden and spending time with her family, as well as traveling.

Along with her parents and first husband she is also preceded in death by seven siblings.

In addition to her husband, Ernest Austin, she is also survived by one son, Kenneth B. Jarvis (Mary Ann), of Charlotte, one daughter, Patricia Eidson (Don), of Raleigh, NC and two grandsons, Todd and Ryan Eidson. She is further survived by one sister Hazel Davis (Elgie), one brother, Odell Brookshire (Ruth) and one great granddaughter Sadie Eidson.  

A funeral service for Mrs. Austin will be held 3:00 PM Sunday at the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. J.B. Parker officiating. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends Saturday from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the funeral home.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Becky Warren for her love, loyalty and companionship for the past five years. In addition the family would also like to acknowledge the special care given to their mother while at the Brian Center of Mooresville.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Eloise Jarvis Austin.

Mrs. Colleen Lavon Gunter Cavin, 80, of Troutman, passed away Wednesday, May 09, 2012 at the Gordon Hospice House. She was born on May 20, 1931 in Lexington, NC to the late Stanley Gunter and Annie Lee Robinson.

Mrs. Cavin attended Troutman High School and then married Ralph Glenn Cavin, Jr. on July 4, 1949 in York, SC. He preceded her in death on February 13, 2000. She was a member of New Perth ARP Church and employed at Beauty Maid Mills as a seamstress.

In addition to her parents and husband she was also preceded in death by her son R. Glenn Cavin III in 1989.

She is survived by one daughter Dr. Patricia D. Coussens (Wayne) of Perry, GA, and grandsons, Christopher Coussens (Leta), Kevin Coussens, Brandon Coussens (Kendall), Brian Coussens and Patrick Coussens (Wrenn). She is also survived by two great grandchildren, Chaim Coussens and Hosanna Coussens.

A funeral service for Mrs. Cavin will be conducted 11:00 AM Saturday, May 12, 2012 at New Perth ARP Church with Rev. William Anderson officiating. Burial will follow in St. Michaels Cemetery. Active pallbearers will be Christopher Coussens, Brandon Coussens, Brian Coussens, Patrick Coussens, J.J. Knox and Bobby Lail. The family will visit with friends one hour prior to service at the church from 10:00 AM until 11:00 and at other times the body will lie in state at the funeral home until 8:30 am Saturday morning.

Memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to the New Perth ARP Church, P.O. Box 457, Troutman, NC 28166.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mrs. Colleen Lavon Gunter Cavin.

William Michael Benfield, 58, of Statesville, passed away Monday, May 7, 2012 at the Gordon Hospice House. He was born October 17, 1953 in Iredell County to Jacqueline Deorceil Benfield and the late William Hartsel Benfield.

He was a graduate of North Iredell School and was self employed as a carpenter.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his loving partner of 10 years, Donna Weatherman Houston, two sons Justin Benfield (Brandi) and Michael Lee Benfield, one daughter Jennifer Benfield, all of Statesville. He is also survived by three brothers, Bobby, Terry and Chris Benfield, all of Statesville, two sisters Sherwyn Earl, of Kannapolis and Diane Benfield, of Statesville, and four grandchildren, Jazmyn, Drake and Brandon Benfield and Amber White.

A funeral service for Mr. Benfield will be conducted 1:00 PM Saturday, May 12, 2012 at Hillside Baptist Church, 115 Caldwell Farm Lane with Pastor Fred Shoemaker and Rev. Jerry Shoemaker officiating.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family of Mr. William Michael Benfield.

He was currently employed at Tube Specialties Co., in Statesville in their shipping department,  He was also a professional musician;  sang, played guitar, and had a passion for sharing his gift.

In addition to his wife of 33 years, Suzanne Bouchard, he is survived by his daughter Heather Jeanne Hogan and son-in-law Danny Hogan, his son Mark Bouchard and grandchildren Lukas and Allie Phillips.

He is further survived by 11 siblings: Joe Bouchard, Dorine Hopkins, Anne Cook, Bridgit Ranney, Maria Heinje,Christy McDonald, GiGi Ocasio, Peter Bouchard, Andrew Bouchard, Ellen Bouchard, and Alex Parslow, as well as beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 12:00 PM Friday, May 11, 2012 at Rocky Hill Baptist Church outside of Love Valley, with Pastor Henry Cook and Brother Tony Thomas presiding.

Thank you, and God Bless, Suzanne and family

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com

Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.