Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Name“Tommy” George Thomas RYDER [39348]
BirthAug 2, 1942, Hall County, Georgia [39348]
DeathMar 18, 2005, Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina [39348]
BurialForest Hill Memorial Park, 1307 W Old Hwy 64, Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina [39348]
FlagsUS Navy, Vietnam
Spouses
BirthAug 23, 1932, Alamance County, North Carolina [39343], [39345]
DeathOct 4, 2016, Alamance County, North Carolina [39343], [26888], [26891]
BurialShiloh United Methodist Church, 4718 Hwy 87N, Alamance County, North Carolina [39343]
MotherLola Magdalene TICKLE (1906-1995)
Marriage1966 [39348]
Obituary Online notes for “Tommy” George Thomas RYDER
Tommy George Ryder, 62, of Hardwood Lane, died Friday, March 18, 2005, at his home after a two-year illness.

The funeral will be Monday at 2 p.m. at Second Presbyterian Church, where he was a member, by the Revs. Bea Copeland and Wayne VunCannon. Burial will be in Forest Hill Memorial Park.

Mr. Ryder was born Aug. 2, 1942, in Hall County, Ga., to Marvin G. Ryder and Addie Dale Ryder. He was owner-operator of Ryders Specialty Products and served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. He was a member of American Legion Post 8 and Amvets Post 13.

Survivors include his wife, Lynda Hill Ryder of the home; a son, William Thomas Ryder, now serving in Iraq, and wife, Jennifer, of Lexington; a daughter, Amanda Kirk Wilson of Greensboro; a granddaughter, Jessica Leeann Ryder of Lexington; and five sisters, Lucille Allen, Christine Rowe and Bernice Leonard and husband, Coney, all of Lexington, Juanita Yates and husband, Herbert, of Thomasville, and Hazel VunCannon and husband, the Rev. Wayne VunCannon, of Troy.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Davidson Funeral Home, Lexington Chapel, and other times at the residence.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Davidson County, P.O. Box 1941, Lexington 27293, or Second Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1334, Lexington 27293.

Source: Lexington Dispatch (Mar 19 2005)
[39348]
Obituary Online notes for Louise Imogene (Spouse 1)
Louise Gross
Aug 23, 1932 — Oct 4, 2016

Louise Simpson Gross joined her parents, her beloved pets, and other loved ones in Heaven Tuesday, October 4, 2016. She had battled cancer for 27 months with grace, courage and tenacity. However, this fight was only a small chapter in a well-lived life that was filled with laughter, adventure, and so much love.

From her time growing up on a tobacco farm to working in the human resources departments of various companies, Louise knew and appreciated the meaning of hard work. And those around her knew she could always be counted on to do what needed to be done. But the work that meant the most to her was serving as a volunteer at the AMRC Cancer Center for eight years until she had to confront cancer herself. During her time there, her passion for helping others and her unfailing service was recognized with a Star Award.

Louise was a faithful member of Shiloh Presbyterian Church, where her beautiful soprano voice could be heard each Sunday in the choir. After her illness prevented her from attending services, she stayed connected to the church by volunteering to fold the weekly church bulletins. Red was Louise's signature color-which was fully-represented in her passionate following and support of the N.C. State Wolfpack.

Wherever Louise lived-from NC to California to Colorado to New York-she formed treasured friendships that lasted a lifetime because those who knew her knew she was a friend who would never leave their side.

She was also the fierce advocate and devoted mother of Celeste Bell; the beloved sister of Linda (Richard) Lashley, Jacqueline (Jay) Alphin, and Patsy (Tony) Laws; the treasured and admired aunt of three nieces and three nephews; the loving great-aunt of one great-nephew and one great-niece; and the mom of her St. Bernard, Monty. Louise is predeceased by her parents, Jack and Lola Simpson; and her niece, Terry Alphin.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Friday, October 7 at 2 p.m. at Shiloh Presbyterian Church in Burlington, NC. Prior to the service, visitation with the family will begin at 1 p.m. Interment will follow at Shiloh United Methodist Church, which is located on NC Highway 87 N.

Memorials may be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care Center of Alamance-Caswell at 914 Chapel Hill Road, Burlington, NC, 27215; PAWS at 1218 W. Davis St. Burlington, NC 27215; Shiloh Presbyterian Church at 2638 Grand Oaks Blvd., Burlington, NC, 27215; or a charity of your choice.

The family is grateful to the staff of the Hospice Home for the loving care provided to Louise and for the kindness shown to the family.

Condolences may be made in the online register at www.lowefuneralhome.com.

Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery
4718 Hwy 87 North
Gibsonville, NC 27249

https://www.lowefuneralhome.com/obituaries/louise-gross [26894]
Last Modified Aug 18, 2026Created Sep 25, 2026 by Terry M. Whitesell, using Reunion for Macintosh
Created Sep 25, 2026 by Terry M. Whitesell
Created using a Macintosh computer and Reunion software.

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