Matthew Edward Gangemi
February 16, 1975 – July 30, 2004
Matthew was a very special person. His early years are remembered with pride, joy and laughter. We recall his school years as being bittersweet and somewhat clouded by a learning disability. Being diagnosed with bi-polar disease in his late teens brought us anguish, struggles and pain. None of this could be compared to Matthew’s hurt as he tried to fight his dark days and feelings of loneliness. Throughout all of this Matthew was humorous and loved comedy movies or shows. The love of his life was music and he was always quick to give his time to help those in the music industry. He also enjoyed wrestling matches and helped there on the sidelines. Matthew left us with his wonderful poems, memories of his love and his knack for solving others’ little problems. We remember his visits, his phone calls, his big bear hugs and his kindness.
We never suspected a heart attack would take him away from us so quickly and suddenly. Matthew leaves an older brother, two sisters, his parents and many friends.
We love you Matthew and will miss you always.
Rachel Lowe Gant
Rachel Lowe Gant was a very caring, loving mother and wife whose family always came first. She was a very selfless, personable lady who never met a stranger. She loved to travel and to play golf. She was the 2002 and 2003 ladies club champion at Cedarbrook Country Club in Elkin, NC. She was also president of the Cedarbrook Ladies Golf Association.
She owned her own business doing contract work for Lowes, Inc. She spent many hours in her flower garden and watching birds. She was a very optimistic person who loved life to the fullest and made every person she came in contact with feel special. We were all truly blessed to have had her in our lives. She will always be painfully missed by those of us who loved her most.
Thomas Giles
Tom and I were married for over forty-seven years and my best memory was our first meeting at Carolina Beach, NC. He was in the Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC and I was vacationing with two friends. He called me Princess and treated me as such. We enjoyed fishing, boating and watching ACC basketball, pulling for our team – N.C. State Wolfpack. He also drove an eighteen wheeler over the road and I accompanied him often.
On February 10th, 2004 he had open heart surgery and died two days later. Before his surgery, Chaplain Wallace Sills and Steve Smith talked and prayed with him. He trusted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, receiving forgiveness for his sins, thus he’s in Heaven, with no pain and we will be reunited someday there; this was my peace. As His child, too, God sustained me through it all. I really miss the love of my life.
Janice Gipple
I can remember her working in Cannon Mills Plant #1 cardroom when we first got married. She was always a good wife, mother, and daughter. I can remember her getting up every morning and making sure that our three children were up and ready to go to school. There was not a day that went by that she always told me and her children good night and that she loved us.
John can remember her raising him and always being there for him. Anna can remember her always being there for her and getting her ready for school. James remembers her always being there for him and her collecting Coca Cola items. Her mother remembers that she was a good child, a good Christian, and singing in the church youth choir. She also remembers her working hard and helping her in every way that she could.
Henry Glover
September 10, 1938 - June 3, 2004
Henry was a quiet man who enjoyed the simple things in life. A walk in the woods, sitting by a running stream, and observing the passing of seasons.
In springtime, Henry loved plowing, planting and planning his garden. He never ceased to be amazed at the life in a tiny seed. He was always trying different varieties of tomatoes, beans, corn, etc. Nothing made him happier than producing enough to give some away. In summer, he loved sitting in the shade, watching hummingbirds. Often if their feeder was nearing empty, they would fly down and look him in the eye, reminding him of his duty. He was so pleased that they recognized him as their benefactor.
In the fall season Henry enjoyed “hunting” on the family’s “home place”. His version of hunting was to feed corn to the deer, and then sit in his stand and watch them roam the land where he played as a child. The mountain where he sat is in plain sight of where his body rests today. We are so grateful for that.
He loved Christmas and during his last few years spent a lot of time planning gift baskets for people who were often forgotten. He filled them with country ham, homemade jelly and fruit. He found that it truly is more blessed to give than to receive.
We wish he could have stayed longer with us but we are grateful that he learned that life is a precious gift to be enjoyed and shared. Henry left behind a wife, two daughters, a son and nine grandchildren who miss him very much. We are comforted to know that he is not in our past, but waiting in our future.
Larry D. (Buddy) GrovesOur most devoted, beloved brother. He was a man who looked big and tough, but was gentle as a lamb. And showed love to all before his health failed. He worked in upholstery, also was a great hairdresser. And he loved to cook. He loved to go places with the senior citizens. And he looked forward to visiting his sister and family in Tennessee every year. Buddy was not only my brother, he was my best friend.
Graham
B. Guthrie
