Sometimes we know about the passing of special friends who have helped us in the past.
Charles Robert Lail
On April 9 2008, the genealogy community lost a great man, Charles Robert Lail. Charles contributed so much to the Alexander County NCGenweb site and those for neighboring counties, as well as Find-A-Grave. He helped people all over the US gather photos of cemeteries, never asking anything in return, except to keep it free. As you look at the cemetery photos on Alexander NCGenWeb, please remember this kind, generous man who gave so much.
Charles Robert Lail, 66, of Hickory, passed away Wednesday, April 9, 2008, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Born Dec. 14, 1941, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late James A. Lail and Minnie Lee Stewart Lail. He was a member of Springs Road Baptist Church and the Catawba County Genealogy Society. He loved and cherished his grandchildren and enjoyed fishing. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Peggy Pope Lail; sons, Marty Lail and his wife, Jennifer, of Conover and Alan Lail of Durham; grandchildren, Jessica Morgan, Sarah Lail, Gabriel Lail and Garrison Lail; great-granddaughter, Olivia Gilbert; sister, Jean Lail and her husband, Dwight, of Hickory; and brother, James “Jim” Lail and his wife, Diana, of Hickory. A Service of Remembrance will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 2008, in the Chapel of Drum Funeral Home in Conover, with the Rev. Bob Philbeck officiating. Interment will follow in Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Claremont. Pallbearers honoring Mr. Lail are Steve Hunt, Neil Hendren, Dennis Adams, Doug Lail, Mark Lail and Marty Pennington. The family will receive friends from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. tonight, Friday, April 11, 2008, at Drum Funeral Home in Conover.
Blondell “Penny” Pennell Church
Mrs. Blondell “Penny” Pennell Church, 88, of Wildlife Access Road in Hickory, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008, at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care following a brief illness. She was born June 14, 1920, in Alexander County to the late William Thomas Pennell and Florence Crouch Pennell. She was a very active member of Antioch Baptist Church, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, member of the church council, building committee, outreach committee and was active with church seniors and other numerous civic activities. Her hobbies included reading, geneaology, history and travel. Mrs. Church was extremely grateful for the wonderful love she received from her family, many wonderful friends and her church family. She will be remembered as one whose life was filled with strength, love and compassion. She was a graduate of Brevard College and a retired executive secretary from Anchor Supply Co. of Hickory. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Glenn S. Church Jr., and an infant brother, James Paul Pennell. She is survived by many special cousins and friends. The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, at Antioch Baptist Church, by the Revs. Mark Morris and Dennis Spivey. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, at Antioch Baptist Church. Notes of sympathy may be e-mailed to the Church family at www.adamsfunerals.com. Memorials may be given to Antioch Baptist Church Building Fund, 580 Antioch Church Road, Taylorsville, N.C. 28681. Adams Funeral Home and Cremation Service is in charge of arrangements.