Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
DeathJun 27, 2007, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina [36]
BurialJun 30, 2007, Bethlehem Christian Church, 3003 Altamahaw Race Track Road, Altamahaw, Alamance County, North Carolina [36]
FatherEddie Hildrey Rankin WHITESELL (1876-1960)
Mother“Tiny” Callie Alventine Elizabeth MICHAEL (1880-1959)
Spouses
DeathApr 21, 2010, Burlington, Alamance County, North Carolina [36]
BurialApr 24, 2010, Bethlehem Christian Church, 3003 Altamahaw Race Track Road, Altamahaw, Alamance County, North Carolina [36]
FatherBerry Richard SOMERS (1888-1971)
MotherGeorgia Etta SOMERS (1890-1967)
ChildrenRebecca Elizabeth (Died as Infant) (1937-1938)
Obituary Online notes for Brice Rankin WHITESELL
6/29/2007
Brice Whitesell
ELON — Brice Rankin Whitesell, age 91, of 4825 Whitesell Brothers Road, crossed over to his eternity at the Hospice Home on June 27, 2007.
Brice was a creditable and devoted individual who believed a man’s word was as good as his handshake. Born October 18, 1915, in Guilford County, eighth of 11 children, to Eddie Hildrey Rankin and Callie Alventine Elizabeth Michael Whitesell , both deceased.
He was a hard worker at an early age. He was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, enjoyed rabbit hunting, Bluegrass music and along with his wife, visited the sick and shutins every Sunday.
Other than carrying out the tobacco farming operation in the Stoney Creek Community, he worked as a trademan at Hughes Tobacco Warehouse in Danville, Va. for many years. Brice was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church in Altamahaw, where he faithfully attended for over 71 and a half years. He was a member of the Men’s Bible class, served on the usher board, Deacon board and later became a Deacon Emeritus. In 2000 he was the recipient of the Senior Citizen Award.
In his younger years, he was one of several people who cut timber and hauled it to the sawmill to provide building material for the presently standing church.
When Altamahaw-Ossipee was a high school, Brice called balls and strikes for the Greentop Baseball Team. He received Alamance County’s Conservation Farm Family Award for 2003 along with his son, Cecil, grandson Ricky, and greatgrandson Jacob. Brice was a charter member of the Western Alamance Farmers Club, which was organized in 1950. He served on the nominating committee for the Summers-Somers Reunion held annually.
He was married on December 14, 1935 to Annie Mae Somers Whitesell , who survives. Children he left behind are Donald (Linda) Whitesell , Joyce (James "Jim" D.) Simmons, Cecil (Sandra) Whitesell , all of Elon and Terry (Glenda) Whitesell of Burlington. His highlight was being around his grandchildren, Kathie, Brian (Leslie) Whitesell , Danny (Michele) and David (Lisa) Simmons, Ricky (Lisa) and Rodney (Carmen) Whitesell , Tracy (Jeff) York, Adam and Addison Whitesell . He was blessed with greatgrandchildren, Baleigh, Colby, Hunter, Meredith, Nolan, Landon, Kendall, Griffin, Jacob, Megan, Ryan, Cassie, Kaitlyn, and a great-stepgrandchild, Sabrina.
He was also survived by his sisters, Christine (James Elbert) Bailey, Jewel Baldwin; brother, Otis Whitesell ; and sister-in-law, Margaret Whitesell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie Hildrey Rankin and Callie Alventine Elizabeth Michael Whitesell ; his first child, Rebecca Elizabeth Whitesell ; sisters, Zora Smith (Weldon), Ethel Tate (John); brothers, Conrad Whitesell (Aubra), Willie Whitesell , Dwight Whitesell (Nova Holder), Howard Whitesell (Pennie), James Whitesell ; sister-in-law, Helene Whitesell ; brother-in-law, George Baldwin.
Our hearts are saddened over the loss. Those who knew Brice will always remember his unique laugh and repeating phrase, "As the old saying is…." We shall always remember and cherish the significant impact of being our daddy, paw-paw and friend. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2007, at the Bethlehem Christian Church by the Rev. Dave Gilbert, pastor. The family will receive friends at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215 or to Bethlehem Christian Church, P.O. Box 127, Altamahaw, N.C. 27202.
Condolences may be sent to the family at info@lowefuneralhome.com [2152]
=============================
7/9/2007 Section D 6
Letters From Adrian Wilson of Burlington
We lost two gems.
Both were 91 years old and died one day apart and wose lives probably never crossed, but Alamance County lost two gems last week. Mr. Brice Whitesell and Mr. Fair Swaim both passed away within 24 hours of one another and left behind family, friends, and many individuals who will cherish their memories of these two men.
I was fortunate to have known both, Mr. Swaim early on in my life and Mr. Whitesell later on. Mr. Whitesell’s broad smile and contagious laugh would brighten any room or claim any stranger he met. Mr. Swaim had a gift for guiding young men’s lives wherever he was, which included over 40 years at First Baptist Church of Burlington. Mr. Swaim and Mr. Whitesell were both very active in their respective churches. Both were very respected men in their homes, community and at their jobs. These two men were a part of a generation that is leaving us much too quickly and will surely be missed.
Just maybe they had plans to meet somewhere else when their work here was finished. Again, I consider myself very fortunate to have crossed paths with both these men during my lifetime. [2153]
Brice Whitesell
ELON — Brice Rankin Whitesell, age 91, of 4825 Whitesell Brothers Road, crossed over to his eternity at the Hospice Home on June 27, 2007.
Brice was a creditable and devoted individual who believed a man’s word was as good as his handshake. Born October 18, 1915, in Guilford County, eighth of 11 children, to Eddie Hildrey Rankin and Callie Alventine Elizabeth Michael Whitesell , both deceased.
He was a hard worker at an early age. He was an avid Atlanta Braves fan, enjoyed rabbit hunting, Bluegrass music and along with his wife, visited the sick and shutins every Sunday.
Other than carrying out the tobacco farming operation in the Stoney Creek Community, he worked as a trademan at Hughes Tobacco Warehouse in Danville, Va. for many years. Brice was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church in Altamahaw, where he faithfully attended for over 71 and a half years. He was a member of the Men’s Bible class, served on the usher board, Deacon board and later became a Deacon Emeritus. In 2000 he was the recipient of the Senior Citizen Award.
In his younger years, he was one of several people who cut timber and hauled it to the sawmill to provide building material for the presently standing church.
When Altamahaw-Ossipee was a high school, Brice called balls and strikes for the Greentop Baseball Team. He received Alamance County’s Conservation Farm Family Award for 2003 along with his son, Cecil, grandson Ricky, and greatgrandson Jacob. Brice was a charter member of the Western Alamance Farmers Club, which was organized in 1950. He served on the nominating committee for the Summers-Somers Reunion held annually.
He was married on December 14, 1935 to Annie Mae Somers Whitesell , who survives. Children he left behind are Donald (Linda) Whitesell , Joyce (James "Jim" D.) Simmons, Cecil (Sandra) Whitesell , all of Elon and Terry (Glenda) Whitesell of Burlington. His highlight was being around his grandchildren, Kathie, Brian (Leslie) Whitesell , Danny (Michele) and David (Lisa) Simmons, Ricky (Lisa) and Rodney (Carmen) Whitesell , Tracy (Jeff) York, Adam and Addison Whitesell . He was blessed with greatgrandchildren, Baleigh, Colby, Hunter, Meredith, Nolan, Landon, Kendall, Griffin, Jacob, Megan, Ryan, Cassie, Kaitlyn, and a great-stepgrandchild, Sabrina.
He was also survived by his sisters, Christine (James Elbert) Bailey, Jewel Baldwin; brother, Otis Whitesell ; and sister-in-law, Margaret Whitesell.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie Hildrey Rankin and Callie Alventine Elizabeth Michael Whitesell ; his first child, Rebecca Elizabeth Whitesell ; sisters, Zora Smith (Weldon), Ethel Tate (John); brothers, Conrad Whitesell (Aubra), Willie Whitesell , Dwight Whitesell (Nova Holder), Howard Whitesell (Pennie), James Whitesell ; sister-in-law, Helene Whitesell ; brother-in-law, George Baldwin.
Our hearts are saddened over the loss. Those who knew Brice will always remember his unique laugh and repeating phrase, "As the old saying is…." We shall always remember and cherish the significant impact of being our daddy, paw-paw and friend. A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 30, 2007, at the Bethlehem Christian Church by the Rev. Dave Gilbert, pastor. The family will receive friends at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Alamance-Caswell, 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27215 or to Bethlehem Christian Church, P.O. Box 127, Altamahaw, N.C. 27202.
Condolences may be sent to the family at info@lowefuneralhome.com [2152]
=============================
7/9/2007 Section D 6
Letters From Adrian Wilson of Burlington
We lost two gems.
Both were 91 years old and died one day apart and wose lives probably never crossed, but Alamance County lost two gems last week. Mr. Brice Whitesell and Mr. Fair Swaim both passed away within 24 hours of one another and left behind family, friends, and many individuals who will cherish their memories of these two men.
I was fortunate to have known both, Mr. Swaim early on in my life and Mr. Whitesell later on. Mr. Whitesell’s broad smile and contagious laugh would brighten any room or claim any stranger he met. Mr. Swaim had a gift for guiding young men’s lives wherever he was, which included over 40 years at First Baptist Church of Burlington. Mr. Swaim and Mr. Whitesell were both very active in their respective churches. Both were very respected men in their homes, community and at their jobs. These two men were a part of a generation that is leaving us much too quickly and will surely be missed.
Just maybe they had plans to meet somewhere else when their work here was finished. Again, I consider myself very fortunate to have crossed paths with both these men during my lifetime. [2153]
Obituary Online notes for Annie Mae (Spouse 1)
4/21/2010
Annie Somers Whitesell
ELON — Annie Mae Somers Whitesell, age 93, formerly of 4825 Whitesell Brothers Road, crossed over peacefully to her eternal home with her family by her side at White Oak Manor on April 21, 2010.
A native of Alamance County, she was the daughter of the late Berry Richard and Georgia Etta Somers Somers and the wife of the late Brice Rankin Whitesell, whom she married on December 14, 1935.
Annie Mae, along with her husband, visited the sick and shut-ins every Sunday. She would stop what she was doing, no matter what the chore, and give you her undivided attention.
She was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church in Altamahaw where she faithfully attended for over 70 years. She was a member of the Ever Ready Sunday School Class and faithfully attended the Summers-Somers Reunion held annually.
She retired from Glen Raven Mills after 35 years. After her retirement from Lorillard in 1979, she spent the next 15 years doing the family genealogy. She, along with other ladies, would spend her days researching the countryside, adding missing family members to the family tree. She always had a smiling face for those folks whom she called upon as she went about her work. She loved looking at pictures of the “old days” as well as pictures of her family and especially her grandchildren. Dedication to her husband and the family farm, the gardens overflowing, and the love of her flowers, are among some of the things that kept her going all these years. She always told her family that she wanted lots of flowers while she was living.
You would always hear from her “Ya’ll come on in!” and “Ya’ll go back and make out your meal!” which were some of her favorite sayings. Those homemade biscuits that she always had at mealtime with a slab of homemade butter delighted everyone that sat at her table.
Those left behind are her daughter, Joyce Simmons and husband Jim; sons, Donald Whitesell and wife Linda, Cecil Whitesell and wife Sandra, and Terry Whitesell and wife Glenda; grandchildren, Kathie Whitesell, Brian Whitesell and wife Leslie, Danny Simmons and wife Michele, David Simmons and wife Lisa, Ricky Whitesell and wife Lisa, Rodney Whitesell and wife Carmen, Tracy York and husband Jeff, Adam and Addison Whitesell. She was blessed with great-grandchildren, Baleigh and Colby Whitesell, Hunter, Meredith, Nolan and Landon Simmons, Kendall and Griffin Simmons, Jacob and Megan Whitesell, Ryan and Cassie Whitesell, Kaitlyn and Kelsey Mae York and great-stepgrandchild, Sabrina Welch and husband Jamie; sister-in-laws, Christine Bailey and husband James, Jewel Baldwin, and brother-in-law, Otis Whitesell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Rebecca Elizabeth Whitesell; and sister, Evelyn Dare Somers.
Our hearts are saddened over the loss. Those that knew Annie Mae will always remember her smile and laugh, and her dedication and faithfulness to her God and Savior. We shall always remember and cherish the significant impact of being our Mother and Grandmother.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Bethlehem Christian Church by the Rev. Dave Gilbert and the Rev. Matt Smith. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Christian Church cemetery.
Mrs. Whitesell will remain at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory until taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Friday evening at the funeral home and other times at the home of Joyce and Jim Simmons, 3813 Stoney Creek Church Road, Elon, N.C.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of White Oak Manor for their kind and compassionate care of their mother and grandmother.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Christian Church, P.O. Box 127, Altamahaw, N.C. 27202
You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com [2154]
Annie Somers Whitesell
ELON — Annie Mae Somers Whitesell, age 93, formerly of 4825 Whitesell Brothers Road, crossed over peacefully to her eternal home with her family by her side at White Oak Manor on April 21, 2010.
A native of Alamance County, she was the daughter of the late Berry Richard and Georgia Etta Somers Somers and the wife of the late Brice Rankin Whitesell, whom she married on December 14, 1935.
Annie Mae, along with her husband, visited the sick and shut-ins every Sunday. She would stop what she was doing, no matter what the chore, and give you her undivided attention.
She was a member of Bethlehem Christian Church in Altamahaw where she faithfully attended for over 70 years. She was a member of the Ever Ready Sunday School Class and faithfully attended the Summers-Somers Reunion held annually.
She retired from Glen Raven Mills after 35 years. After her retirement from Lorillard in 1979, she spent the next 15 years doing the family genealogy. She, along with other ladies, would spend her days researching the countryside, adding missing family members to the family tree. She always had a smiling face for those folks whom she called upon as she went about her work. She loved looking at pictures of the “old days” as well as pictures of her family and especially her grandchildren. Dedication to her husband and the family farm, the gardens overflowing, and the love of her flowers, are among some of the things that kept her going all these years. She always told her family that she wanted lots of flowers while she was living.
You would always hear from her “Ya’ll come on in!” and “Ya’ll go back and make out your meal!” which were some of her favorite sayings. Those homemade biscuits that she always had at mealtime with a slab of homemade butter delighted everyone that sat at her table.
Those left behind are her daughter, Joyce Simmons and husband Jim; sons, Donald Whitesell and wife Linda, Cecil Whitesell and wife Sandra, and Terry Whitesell and wife Glenda; grandchildren, Kathie Whitesell, Brian Whitesell and wife Leslie, Danny Simmons and wife Michele, David Simmons and wife Lisa, Ricky Whitesell and wife Lisa, Rodney Whitesell and wife Carmen, Tracy York and husband Jeff, Adam and Addison Whitesell. She was blessed with great-grandchildren, Baleigh and Colby Whitesell, Hunter, Meredith, Nolan and Landon Simmons, Kendall and Griffin Simmons, Jacob and Megan Whitesell, Ryan and Cassie Whitesell, Kaitlyn and Kelsey Mae York and great-stepgrandchild, Sabrina Welch and husband Jamie; sister-in-laws, Christine Bailey and husband James, Jewel Baldwin, and brother-in-law, Otis Whitesell.
She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter, Rebecca Elizabeth Whitesell; and sister, Evelyn Dare Somers.
Our hearts are saddened over the loss. Those that knew Annie Mae will always remember her smile and laugh, and her dedication and faithfulness to her God and Savior. We shall always remember and cherish the significant impact of being our Mother and Grandmother.
A celebration of life will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 24, 2010 at Bethlehem Christian Church by the Rev. Dave Gilbert and the Rev. Matt Smith. Interment will follow in Bethlehem Christian Church cemetery.
Mrs. Whitesell will remain at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory until taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 Friday evening at the funeral home and other times at the home of Joyce and Jim Simmons, 3813 Stoney Creek Church Road, Elon, N.C.
The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of White Oak Manor for their kind and compassionate care of their mother and grandmother.
Memorials may be made to Bethlehem Christian Church, P.O. Box 127, Altamahaw, N.C. 27202
You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com [2154]