OBITUARIES OF HISTORIANS Index of obituaries below: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Frances Harding Casstevens Teresa Gail Bailey Turner Mrs. Sanna Ross Gaffney Edward Rogers Gunter Carlos Paul Surratt James William Wall Frances “Pan” Atkinson Beck

1. Frances Harding Casstevens, 73, the leading authority on Yadkin County history and genealogy, and author of seven non-fiction books on the Civil War, died peacefully Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem. Her passing leaves a large void and a challenge to continue the work she began. She was born Laura Frances Harding on September 9, 1936, in Winston-Salem, to Franklin Daniel Boone and Laura Milliner Bowman Harding of Yadkinville. She was their only child. Frances was raised in Yadkinville, where she absorbed a love of history and graduated from high school. She studied at Surry Community College and Forsyth Technical Institute and earned her B. A. and an M. A. in History magna cum laude from UNC-Greensboro. In 1954, she married Gerald Royce "Jerry" Casstevens of Boonville, an accomplished banjo player and Bluegrass musician. To their marriage were born six talented children: Danny, Caren, Mike, Tony, Kay, and Tim. In 2001, she retired as a research assistant from Bowman Gray School of Medicine of Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. Her published works included, "The Descendants of Solomon Lineberry"; "Thomas Casstevens: A Genealogical History, with William C. Casstevens"; "The Heritage of Yadkin County, North Carolina, Vol. I"; "Yadkin County, North Carolina: The First One Hundred Years"; "Death in North Carolina' s Piedmont: Tales of Murder, Suicide, and Cause Unknown"; "Ghosts and their Haunts: The Legends and Lore of the Yadkin River Valley"; "Ghosts of the North Carolina Piedmont: Haunted Houses and Unexplained Events"; "The Civil War and Yadkin County, North Carolina"; "Clingman' s Brigade in the Confederacy, 1862-1865"; "Edward A. Wild and the African Brigade in the Civil War"; "George Washington Alexander and Castle Thunder: A Prison and its Commandant"; "Out of the Mouth of Hell: Civil War Prisons and Escapes"; "Tales from the North and South: Twenty-four Remarkable People and Events of the Civil War"; "The 28th Regiment, North Carolina Troops"; two plays, "Retreat to Victory" and "Daniel Boone on the Yadkin"; and poems, articles, and book reviews. She also served as editor of The Journal of The Yadkin County Historical Society and was a contributor to "Historical Architecture of Yadkin County, North Carolina" and "The People of Color of Yadkin County, North Carolina". Frances was a leader in the following organizations: Yadkin County Historical Society; Preservation Yadkin County; Yadkin County Sesquicentennial Commission; Yadkin County Planning Board; Yadkin County Bicentennial Commission on the United States Constitution; Yadkinville 4-H Club; and the 28th N. C. Regiment Re-Activated. She was an active member of Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Confederacy, Order of the Confederate Rose, 28th N.C. Regiment, Re-Activated, Yadkinville

United Methodist Church and the Jonesville Bicentennial Committee. Her hobbies included corresponding with many family historians throughout the United States, reading, music, and photography. Frances was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; and a son, Timothy Thomas Casstevens. Survivors include her children, Gerald Daniel Casstevens (Eva), Mocksville, Caren Joanne Casstevens, Michael Lee Casstevens (Julie), and Tony Layne Casstevens, Yadkinville; and Sandra Kay Casstevens Campbell (Doug); and a special friend, Selinda Cassandra Moxley (Richie) and her family, Boonville; grandchildren, Simon Casstevens, Jacob Casstevens; step-grandchild, Steven Baldwin; Amber Casstevens, Wesley Casstevens, Kayla Campbell and Corey Campbell, and many relatives, colleagues, and friends. Visitation will be Sunday, September 20, 2 p.m. 4 p.m. at Gentry Family Funeral Service, 5108 US 601 Highway, Yadkinville, NC 27055, followed by the Funeral at 4 p.m. in the chapel, with burial in the Yadkinville Cemetery. The Rev. Patty Choplin will lead the Funeral, with speakers, Andrew L. Mackie and Gregory Cheek, and an honor guard provided by the 28th N. C. Regiment, ReActivated. Memorials should be made for the Harding Office Restoration to The Davis Museum, c/o Joe Wooten, 8128 NC Highway 67, East Bend, NC 27018. The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff of Hoots Hospital in Yadkinville and Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem for their excellent care and Yadkinville United Methodist Church for its support. Online condolences may be made to www.gentryfuneralservice.com. 2. Teresa Gail Bailey Turner, 61, of 318 Tomlin Road, Harmony, died Monday, Sept. 14, 2009, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. She was the daughter of the late Burgess A. Bailey Sr. and Goldsbeth Sharpe Bailey Cowan. She was married to and survived by her husband of 39 years, Jerry Wayne Turner. Teresa was a 1966 graduate of Unity High School. She received her B.A. degree from Winston-Salem State University and her M.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She was an educator in the Iredell County School System (Union Grove, Harmony, and North Iredell High) for 34 years, and retired in 2000. Additionally, she was the financial officer for Turner Landscaping in Statesville and Jeresa Farms in Harmony for 30 years. Mrs. Turner was a member of First Baptist Church in Harmony, where she faithfully served as a deaconess and Sunday school teacher. She was also a member of the usher board and served as financial secretary for 30 years. She was an active member of the Willing Workers Senior Ministry and Women After God's Own Heart ministry. Mrs. Turner was a member of various organizations and boards, including Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Friends of the Library of Harmony, TriCounty Medical Group, Iredell County Jury Commission, Iredell County Historical Society, and Iredell County Retired Teachers Association. In retirement, Teresa focused on and enjoyed all things associated with her family, including photography, history, traveling, playing cards and spending time with her grandchildren. She also enjoyed her newfound friends at Pulmonary Fitness and Better Breathing Club at Davis Regional Medical Center. Mrs. Turner was preceded in death by her father, Burgess A. Bailey Sr.; and a son, Phillip Scott Turner. In addition to her husband, Jerry Wayne Turner, and mother, Goldsbeth Cowan, survivors include two sons, Sean (Chasity) Turner, of Harmony, and RayMond (Shenitra) Turner, of Statesville; a daughter, Bailey (Jimmy) Rayford, of Richmond, Ind.; a godson, Frederick (Lori) Dalton; four grandchildren, Kelsey Milsaps, Justice Milsaps and Jayden Turner, all of Harmony, and Reese Rayford, of Richmond, Ind.; five sisters, Phyllis A. Bailey, Cynthia Bailey, Mary (Perry) Turner, all of Statesville, Emily (Philip) Greene, of Columbus, Ohio, and Linda (Eugene) Jacobs, of Winston-

Salem; two brothers, Burgess Bailey, of Statesville, and Preston (Julia) Bailey, of Columbus, Ohio; three brothers-in-law, Kenneth (Rhonda) Turner and Dennis Turner, both of Statesville, and Larry (Ozell) Turner, of Harmony; two sisters-in-law, Linda J. Turner, of Harmony, and Janet McKoy Bailey, of Wake Forest; a host of nephews and nieces, including a special niece, Anna Bailey; and cousins, other relatives and special friends, including Unity High School Class of 1966 - Mr. and Mrs. David Rucker, Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Dalton, Ms. Lenora Reid, Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Tabor, and Mr. and Mrs. Amus Potts - and Alice Lee, Sarah McHenry, Peggy Valentine, Irene Steele and Fredia Chambers. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church in Harmony. Pastor Jeffrey Miller will officiate and the Rev. Darryl McConnell will deliver the eulogy. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service. Memorials in Teresa Turner's honor can be made to the following: Friends of the Library (Harmony Public Library), 3393 Harmony Highway, Harmony, NC 28634; First Baptist Church Sunday School Class #4, 126 First Church St., Harmony, NC 28634; First Baptist Church Willing Workers Senior Ministry, 126 First Church St., Harmony, NC 28634; Alfred E. Bailey Scholarship Fund, 137 Edna Lane, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences can be made at GrahamFuneralHome.net. Graham Funeral Home is serving the family. 3. Mrs. Sanna Ross Gaffney, 87, of Forest Hill Drive, Boone, NC died Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at home after a brief illness. She was born in Terrace, British Columbia, Canada, on January 18, 1922 to Francis and Marjorie Fairbairn Ross. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Donald Ross and two sisters, Margaret Casseur and Elizabeth Korpan. A veteran of World War II, Mrs. Gaffney served in the US Army until her honorable discharge. She taught at St. Francis of Assisi in Riviera Beach, FL. Sanna retired to Boone in 1978. An avid genealogist, she was the secretary/ treasurer for the Watauga Genealogical Society. In 2007 she was the recipient of the DAR Americanism Medal. Surviving are her husband of sixty-six years, Joseph M. Gaffney; four children: Sanna G. Miller and husband, Mike of Greenacres, FL, Gail Williamson and husband, Bob of Tazewell, TN, Ross Gaffney and wife, Helmi Koedam of Hollywood, FL, Jill Privott and husband, Warren of Boone; six grandchildren, Daniel Morse of Lantana, FL, Kenna Ayers of Nashville, TN; Kyle Morse of Boynton Beach, FL, Joseph Privott of Boone, NC, Katrina Gaffney and Kaden Gaffney of Hollywood, FL; step-grandchildren, Justin Perry, Katie Howard and Skylar Ayers; one great-grandson, Tyler Morse of Lantana, FL and many beloved nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends Saturday, September 19 from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM at Austin & Barnes Funeral Home. Graveside services and burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to High Country Health Care System Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the Gaffney family at www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Gaffney family. To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries 4. Mr. Edward Rogers Gunter, 71, of Stuart passed away Saturday,September 19, 2009, at Forsyth Medical Center in Winston Salem. He was born in Patrick County April 21, 1938 to the late Wade H. and Evelyn Shockley Gunter and was also preceded in death by three brothers; Donnie, Ivan Wade and Charles Elbert Gunter. Mr. Gunter was retired from Rubber Thread –– J.P.S. Elastomerics, a member of High Point Baptist Church where he was a Deacon, a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir, a member

of the Gideon’’s International and a member of the Patrick County Genealogy Society. Surviving Mr. Gunter is his wife, Virginia Rakes Gunter, a daughter and son-in-law; Taryn and Brad Scruggs of Stuart, two sons and daughters-in-law; Steve and Marcie Gunter of Danville, and Roger and Gina Gunter of Stuart, seven grandchildren; Ryan Gunter and wife Jen, Seth Gunter, Ian Gunter, Patrick Gunter, Sean Gunter, Anna Kathryn Scruggs and Sophie Scruggs, a brother and sisters - in -law; Robert Leon Gunter and wife Margaret of Martinsville, Cheryl Gunter of Stuart, Lois Gunter of VA. Beach and Kik Gunter of Stuart. Funeral services for Mr. Gunter will be held at 2:00 PM Tuesday September 22 at Moody Funeral Home in Stuart with the Rev. Wayne Moore officiating; burial will follow at the High Point Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday evening from 6- 8:00 PM at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to High Point Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Terry Amos, 439 Biggs Lane, Stuart, VA 24171 or to the Gideon Memorial Bible Fund, P.O. Box 921, Stuart, VA 24171. On line condolences may be sent by visiting www.moodyfuneralservices.com 5. Mr. Carlos Paul Surratt, age 78 of 118 Calvary Drive, Toast passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Northern Hospital of Surry County Monday, June 21, 2010. Mr. Surratt was born in Surry County, January 12, 1932 to the late Paul Frank and Vergie Lou Spencer Surratt. (For a pedigree chart of his genealogy, click here.) He was an Eagle Scout, he graduated from Franklin High School in 1950 and earned his BA degree in English from the University of NC in Chapel Hill 1954. He earned his Masters Degree in counseling from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1956. He also studied at NC State University, The University of NC at Greensboro, and at Virginia Tech, and was an honorary graduate of Surry Community College. A life long educator, Mr. Surratt began his teaching career at his alma mater, Franklin High School, where he taught and coached from 1954 until 1959. He was a member of the charter faculty of North Surry High School from 1959 to 1963, where he taught English and served as a counselor from 1964 to 1966. In 1966 he became a teacher and counselor at Surry Community College. The next year, Mr. Surratt became the Dean of the Evening Programs at Surry Community College and served in that position until 1994. In 1978, he received the Franklin Alumni Service Award. In 1981, he helped found the Surry County Genealogy Association. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, JoAnn Caudle Surratt of the home; three sons and daughters-in-law, Johnny and Paulette Surratt of Toast, Randy and Jane Surratt of Cana, and Richard Surratt of Winston-Salem; a daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Michael Warren of Mt. Airy; four grandchildren, Jacob and wife Casey Surratt of Matthews, Rebecca Surratt, Hadley Warren, and Emerson Warren all of Mt. Airy; and a aunt Magdalene Senter of Lambsburg, VA. In addition to his parents, Mr. Surratt was preceded in death by a brother Dale Surratt. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Thursday, June 24, 2010 at Calvary Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Tom Bagnal, and Rev. David Burgess. The body will lie in state from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. There will not be a formal visitation. Burial will follow in Skyline Memory Gardens. The family requests that donations be made to the Carlos Surratt Scholarship Fund, Surry Community College Foundation, 630 S. Main St. Dobson, NC 27017. Moody Funeral Home in Mt. Airy is assisting the Surratt Family. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com. In 1980, Carlos Surratt, Evening Dean at Surry Community College and instructor of local

history courses at the college taught a genealogy class. During this time the members of the class discussed the possibility of forming a Surry County Genealogical Association. Then On March 3, 1981 a meeting was held and the group discussed the short and long-range goals of the Assn. It was decide that the purpose of this Assn. was to trace family roots, preserve records from churches, cemeteries, and other items of historical importance that would help one learn more about his or her ancestors and the history of our county. The Group decided it would be called “The Surry County Genealogical Association.” The first public meeting of the Assn. was held on Monday, May 18, 1981. It was very successful. Fifty people attended the meeting, and many became members. When they elected officers for the 1st year they elected Carlos Surratt and Dennis “Bud” Cameron as advisors, and they still hold this position today. They started with a bookcase of research books at the college and now they have a genealogy room “ The Carlos Surratt Room" which is in the library at Surry Community College at Dobson, N. C, with family histories, census records, cemetery records, a computer, and 200 of The Family Tree Maker disk’s to go on it. A Microfilm Reader and lots of Surry Co. Records on Micro Film. 26 years later the Assn. has around 400 members in all locations. The Assn has a meeting the 2nd Monday night of each Month at 7:00 PM in the Teaching Auditorium at Surry Community College, Dobson, N. C. These meetings are free and open to the public. 6. Mr. James William Wall MOCKSVILLE –– Mr. James William Wall, 92, of W. Church St., died Friday, Dec. 10, 2010, at Carolinas Medical Center-NorthEast in Concord. Mr. Wall was born Aug. 21, 1918, in Davie County to the late James Wesley and Mamie Hutchins Wall. He was retired from Davie County Schools after 32 years of service and was a veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Mr. Wall was a member of First Presbyterian Church of Mocksville where he had served as an Elder. He was a graduate of Appalachian State Teacher’s College and received his graduate degree from University of North Carolina. Mr. Wall had served on the Mocksville Town Board for 20 years, and the Mocksville Planning Board for six years. He was author of History of the First Presbyterian Church of Mocksville and History of Davie County, for which he received the Peace Award from the North Carolina Society of State and Local Historians. Mr. Wall was awarded the Order of the Long-Leaf Pine presented by the State of North Carolina for his contributions to public education and local history. He had been honored by Masons of Davie County for his work in making Davie County a better place to live and presented a resolution by the towns of Mocksville, Cooleemee, and Bermuda Run; Davie County Commissioners; and Davie County Board of Education for his accomplishments and contributions to the county. Mr. Wall was active in Davie County Retired School Personnel and the Davie County Historical and Genealogical Society and had served as County Historian since 1969 and was still active in local history research. Other awards Mr. Wall had received include: Valley Forge Classroom Teacher’s Medal from the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge, E.C. Tatum Humanitarian Award, Outstanding Citizen Award from the Woodmen of the World, Community Citizen of the Year Award from the Civitan Club, Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service and honored by the Cooleemee Historical Society. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Claire Wall Grose. Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Esther Mae Grier Wall of the home; two daughters, Nancy Wall Piston (William) of Springfield, MO and

Carol Wall Poston of Greenville, NC; one son, James Grier Wall (Kay) of Concord, NC; and four grandchildren, Jonathan Wall, Claire Wall, Rob Poston and Nat Poston. A memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, at First Presbyterian Church of Mocksville with the Rev. Paul Seelman officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 12, at Eaton Funeral Home. A private graveside service will be held in Rose Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be considered for First Presbyterian Church, 261 S. Main St., Mocksville, NC 27028; Community Foundation of Davie, P.O. Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028; or Storehouse for Jesus, 675 E. Lexington Road, Mocksville, NC 27028. Online condolences may be made at www.eatonfuneralservice.com 7. Mrs. Mary Frances Atkinson "Pan" Beck MOCKSVILLE –– Mrs. Mary Frances Atkinson “Pan” Beck, 82, of Wagner Road, died Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2010 at WFU Baptist Medical Center. She was born July 16, 1928, in Forsyth County, to William Johnson and Era Lunn Collette Atkinson. Mrs. Beck was retired from Energy United, formerly known as Crescent Electric. She was a member of Bear Creek Baptist Church where she was a Sunday school teacher and was a member of the Women Missionary group. Mrs. Beck was also involved with 4-H, Northwest Child Development, Davie County School Board, United Way, YMCA, Davie County Library Board, Davie County Historical Assoc., D.A.R., Davie Democratic party and Clarksville Homemakers Assoc. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Elizabeth Ann; a sister, Ada Atkinson Wallace; and her stepfather, Homer F. Latham. Survivors include her husband, Stacy A. Beck of the home; three children, Patti (Curt) Newsom of Hamptonville, Susan (Rick) Carter of Mocksville and Andy Beck of Cana; three grandchildren, Andrew (Hannah) Beck and Ashleigh Byrd, all of Mocksville and Cameron Beck of Cana; and one great-granddaughter, Makyiah Byrd. A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 11, at Bear Creek Baptist Church with the Rev. Charles Buckner and Dr. David Gilbreath officiating. The body will be placed in the church thirty minutes prior to the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10, at Eaton Funeral Home. They request that memorials be considered for Community Foundation of Davie, P.O. Box 546, Mocksville, NC 27028; or Dragonfly House, 113A Marketplace Dr., Mocksville, NC 27028. Online condolences may be made at www.eatonfuneralservice.com