Scott Cox

Scott Lee Cox

Scott Lee Cox of Charlotte, N.C. passed away on June 28, 2014. He was born Aug. 20, 1951 in Goldsboro, N.C. to the late Carl and Daphne "Scottie" Cox.

His gregarious nature and love of people were evident in all areas of his work and personal life. Scott studied Industrial Engineering at North Carolina State University. After graduating in 1973, Scott entered the insurance industry with Aetna Life & Casualty. For more than a quarter century he worked for Wells Fargo and its predecessors as a commercial insurance agent. He was one of the nation's foremost insurance experts on temporary staffing firms and was recognized by the North Carolina Association of Staffing Professionals on multiple occasions.

Scott was a devoted member of Christ Episcopal Church in Charlotte, where he was a Sunday school teacher and acolyte advisor. Through the church he began volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, building houses with friends and clergy. In 1996, Gov. James Hunt appointed Scott to the North Carolina State Board of Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Examiners and Scott served for eight years with distinction. 

Scott is survived by his wife, Patricia; daughter, Elizabeth "Scottie"; sons, William and Thomas and his sister Carla Cox Davis of Greenville, N.C. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm July 1, at 3700 Beresford Rd., Charlotte, NC 28211 and following the service at the church. A memorial service will be held at 11 am on July 2, at Christ Episcopal Church, 1412 Providence Rd., Charlotte, N.C. 28207. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Christ Episcopal Church or Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte, P.O. Box 220287, Charlotte, N.C. 28222.

Thomas Howse

Mr. Howse died Saturday June 27, 2014 at his residence.  Funeral services are scheduled for 11:00 a.m. Saturday July 5, 2014 at St. Margaret's Episcopal Church Waxhaw, NC.

Edna Hoffman

Edna May Hoffman of Charlotte, NC died on June 21st at Levine and Dixon at Southminster. She was born May 30, 1918 in East Lansdowne, PA.  Edna was the daughter of C. Robert Cheyney and Rachel Trimble Cheyney and the sister of Miriam and Robert Cheyney, Jr.

Edna was treasurer of the class of 1936 at Lansdowne High School. She played field hockey and basketball and was a member of the National Honor Society. At graduation she was honored with a four year scholarship to Beaver College now Arcadia University. Edna majored in health and physical education. After graduation she taught at Springfield high school, Lansdowne high school, and the Agnes Irwin School. Her teaching career was in the Philadelphia, PA area. While teaching at Lansdowne, Edna coached seven undefeated field hockey teams and three undefeated basketball teams. She also coached an undefeated basketball team at the Agnes Irwin School.In 1943 she married John Sinnamon and daughter, Jane, was born. John died in 1948 and in 1959 she married Everett Hoffman who died in 1987. 

Edna is survived by a daughter, Jane Sinnamon Crary and her husband Edward(Ted) Crary of Indian Land, SC. Her grandchildren are Michael Crary of Roswell, GA and Amy Crary Erwin of Charlotte, NC. She was blessed with five great grandchildren. Her nieces are Marge Lomoriello and Carol Abate of Richmond, VA.

Edna will be missed by her family, her many friends, and her former students.  Service were privately held.

Dennis Murphy

Dennis Murphy

Dennis Francis Murphy passed away June 19, 2014 and made the transition to Eternal Life to be with his ancestors-some saints, all sinners, some pirates and hopefully many rebels and revolutionaries.

Dennis was a cancer survivor, finally succumbing to the complications and spread of Pancreatic Cancer, diagnosed in October 2013. Dennis was born October 4^th 1944, in Chicago IL, on the Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi to Dennis James Murphy and Rose Kearns Murphy Maynard. He was predeceased by both parents and his step father, John William Maynard of Raleigh NC, all of happy memory.  Dennis was predeceased by his brothers, James and William Murphy and sister Theresa Murphy Bagis Murphy.

He leaves his long term best friend and soul mate of 55 years and wife, Judy Urben Murphy; son, Brian Patrick Murphy and wife Marcie; daughter, Kristen Murphy Wallace and husband Robby; three wonderful loving granddaughters, Mackenzie, Carson and Addison; sister, Maryrose Murphy McGinn of Kansas City Mo.  He also leaves many nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the country.

Dennis was a student of Catholic Schools.  While a senior in High School, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve during the Vietnam War and attained the rank of Corporal.  He graduated from NC State University and the University of Louisville. All winners!! His business career began in Louisville KY with Ford Motor Co. and after returning to NC, he joined the original Wachovia Bank and Trust as a trust officer in Winston Salem and Charlotte. In 1972 he entered the Insurance and financial services industry earning the CLU and CFP designations.

Dennis’ family thanks all those loving and compassionate people who supported him in his final illness. Drs. Demetrius Hondros, Marshall McMillan and a special thanks for the professionals at Levine Cancer Institute-Dr Reza Nazemzadeh,  Dr. Anthony  Crimaldi  II , nurses  Jeff, Jeanie,  Brigida, Jenny and Paulette.  In addition, thanks to the folks of The Easthaven Neighborhood Association, Insight Meditation Community of Charlotte, The Bible Workbench Men’s Group at Myers Park Baptist Church, the Explorers’ Sunday School Class at Myers Park Baptist Church and countless friends, clients and neighbors in Charlotte and across the country, among whom are niece Kate Green, Jim Brinson, and Alexis Stein, who were always willing and eager to help take Dennis to his medical appointments.

Dennis had many heroes in his life- parents, Jesus the Christ, Siddhartha Gautama the Buddha, Carl Jung and Teachers, Priests, Sisters, Ministers and other mentors. In his own way he was a friend of Bill W and Doctor Bob.  He was grateful for all their teachings and examples!! Dennis was a lover of music of all types and especially fond of the music of The Boss—Bruce Springsteen.

A celebration of Dennis’ life will be held Sunday, June 29, 2014 at Myers Park Baptist Church at 2 p.m. with a reception immediately following in Heaton Hall.

Memorials can be made to Buddy Kemp Cancer Center, Levine Cancer Institute.  

Frances Gutnick

Frances "Fran" Harley Gutnick

Frances “Fran” Harley Gutnick (52) of Charlotte passed to her heavenly home on Sunday, June 15, 2014.

Fran was the “Baby” of David L. and Helen Rutter Harley and grew up in Abingdon, Virginia.  She attended UNC Charlotte and received her BS in accounting.  She was a CPA and employed at Piedmont Natural Gas as a Financial Analyst. Fran is survived by her children Grant Stuart and Kelsey Victoria, father of her children Fred Gutnick, sisters Glenna Beth Hurt (Lynn) of Brooksville, Florida and Donna Jean Griffin (Mark) of Bristol, Tennessee and her brothers Dwight Harley (Jan) and Victor Harley (Debbie), as well as several nieces and nephews. 

Fran was a beautiful person with “… a perfect soul and a heart of gold.”  She enjoyed the lake, her family, friends, and jammin’ to good music.  Please perpetuate her memory by hugging your friends, laughing, and enjoying every day to its fullest. 

Celebration of Life services will be held at Steele Creek Church of Charlotte on June 23, 2014 at 2:00 pm in the tent.

Memorials may be sent to Safe Alliance, 601 E. Fifth Street Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28202.

Helen Gaddy

Ms. Gaddy died June 11, 2014.  Services were privately held.

Margaret Downs

Margaret displaying
her art work 

Margaret Morgan Downs, of Pineville, passed away Monday, June 9, 2014.

Margaret was born in Charlotte, N.C., on September 6, 1955, to Mr. and Mrs. George R. Morgan, Sr. Margaret graduated from South Mecklenburg High School in June, 1973. Margaret started as an operator at Bell South Telephone Company, where she held many different positions including in the business office, where she was always in the top sales group! Margaret retired from Bell South in 1995.

Margaret Morgan married Kenneth R. Downs, Jr. on May 27, 1989. Margaret's family includes her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George R. Morgan, Sr.; brother, Ray Morgan; sister, Mary Anne Morgan Tankersley; husband of 25 years Kenneth R. Downs, Jr.; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Margaret's spirit and unique sense of humor will be cherished and remembered by all who knew and loved her! We will all miss you very much!

Donations may be made to The Lupus Foundation, Carolina Poodle Rescue, Humane Society.

Services will be held at 2pm on Saturday, June 14, 2014 at Pineville United Methodist Church.  Visitation in the fellowship hall will start at 1:30.

Jeremy "Jeppy" White

Jeremy "Jeppy" White

Jeremy "Jeppy" Francis White, 62, of Sunset Beach, N.C., formerly of Charlotte, N.C., husband of Susan (Brantley), his beloved wife and soulmate, passed after a short, but courageous fight with pancreatic cancer on Thursday, June 5, 2014 at the Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster in Charlotte, N.C.

Jeppy was born August 6, 1951 in Meriden, Conn. to Abner and Esther White. He graduated from Platt High School, where he was a very active member in the school band. His love of music led him to the Hartt School of Music where he became an accomplished trombone player. Jeppy went on to have an outstanding career in music, starting with the late R&B legend Cortez Greer. "Jumpin Jeppy White," the energetic trombone player, was a member of the acclaimed beach music band The Catalinas for over 30 years, and most recently he played with the award-winning The Craig Woolard Band. Jeppy loved performing and making people laugh. Most of his gigs were in the Southeast, where he had an impressive following of devoted fans. From the day Jeppy was born, he brought laughter and happiness to all those who had the pleasure of knowing him. His smile was infectious and the world is a better place because he was in it.

Jeppy is survived by his wife Susan (Brantley) White; his sons, Michael (Angela) and Joel (Anya); and his daughter, Liza White, all of whom reside in Charlotte, N.C.; and his daughter, Caroline McKinney (Ryan), of Texas, as well as his seven beloved grandsons, and granddaughter on the way. He also leaves his sister, Nancy Valla, of Wallingford, Conn.; his niece, Melissa Taylor Doyle, of Hartford, Conn.; his friend Diane (Lemmer) White; and many friends and fans. He was predeceased by his parents, a sister, Sharon White Taylor; and a niece, Tracey Taylor Sipala.

Funeral Services will be held Monday June 9 at 4 p.m., Temple Israel, 4901 Providence Road, Charlotte, N.C.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Brunswick County Hospice of NC or to The Humane Society.

Glenna Florence

Mrs. Florence died June 4, 2014.  Services were privately held.

Bonnie Connor

Bonnie Connor

Bonnie (Kathy) Butler Connor, of Rock Hill, S.C., was promoted to glory on Tuesday June 3, 2014, at her residence, with her family by her side.

Kathy was born Aug. 13, 1956, in Orangeburg, S.C., to the late Robert Butler Sr. and the late Genevieve Walker Butler. Mrs. Connor was an assistant teacher at The Children's School. She loved her children there and shared that joy with other teachers at the school. Kathy was also a pianist at the Salvation Army where she attended church for most of her life. She will be dearly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Kathy was preceded in death by her first husband, Stephen Connor Jr. She is survived by her husband, John Connor; daughter, Stephanie Connor, her husband, Adam St. Clair and son, Michael Thomas; daughter, Rebecca St. Clair, her husband, Randy St. Clair and son, Jonathan St. Clair as well; brothers, Robert, Wayne and Philip; and her sister, Alice.

A funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, June 6, 2014, at The Salvation Army, 119 Charlotte Ave., Rock Hill. The family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held at Forest Hills Cemetery.

Louise Ruiz

Mrs. Ruiz of Charlotte, NC, 83, died June 1, 2014.  Services were privately held.