Obituaries

Luther Rankin Conger, Jr., 91, passed away peacefully with his family by his side after a short period of declining health, on December 14, 2023.
He was born in Statesville, NC on April 9, 1932 to Amelia Bowie and Luther Rankin, Sr. Luther grew up in the streets and fields of Statesville, the oldest of four rambunctious, close-knit brothers, his life revolving around a love of family, hard work, and baseball.
Luther was educated in the Statesville schools and was a three-sport athlete, excelling as a four-year starting pitcher for Scott High School, later playing for the Statesville American Legion and Salisbury Bombers semi-pro teams. Out of high school he was offered a contract by the Cincinnati Reds but turned it down because he wanted to go to college.
Luther was a proud and loyal alum of Elon College, class of 1955. He often said that, initially, one of the things he loved most about going away to college was that he didn’t have to battle his brothers at mealtime. However, his years at Elon proved to be a wonderful, formative time for him, providing him with an appreciation of learning and the professional skills he would utilize throughout his long life.
After graduating from Elon, Luther signed a professional baseball contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization, who then assigned him to their minor league team in Quebec, Canada. Luther had studied German at Elon instead of French, but he always said “When you’re hungry, you quickly learn to speak the native language.” After playing in Canada, the Orioles next sent him to Columbia, South America where, it is assumed, he soon learned Spanish.
His baseball career was interrupted in 1956 when he was inducted into the U.S. Army. Upon his discharge in 1958, Luther continued his baseball career in Louisville, KY and Wilson, NC before deciding it was time to seek steadier employment to support his growing family.
After a period of time working for the International Harvester Corporation, Luther joined the Hartford Insurance Group in 1959 as a property and casualty insurance marketing representative, traveling throughout Alabama, Mississippi, and North Carolina, eventually settling with his young family in Kernersville where he lived the remainder of his life. Throughout his career, the values he was taught in his family, the love of life-long education that was nurtured at his university, and the value of teamwork he developed from his days as an elite athlete led to a steady series of promotions. In 1985, after a distinguished career, Luther retired from the Hartford after 36 years.
Luther was inducted into the Elon College Sports Hall of Fame in 1981 and into the Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. During his career with the Hartford he received numerous awards recognizing his outstanding service.
Luther enjoyed a long and active retirement. He took great pride in his yard, working tirelessly to help make his home and yard a neighborhood showcase. A lifelong athlete, Luther began to play golf in his retirement, regularly “shooting his age” when he was in his 80’s. He loved the game and particularly enjoyed his weekly golf games with his golfing pals.
He maintained his love of baseball and the team that hired him, watching and supporting the Baltimore Orioles throughout his life. In addition, one of the true pleasures of his life was coaching his beloved grandson Luke’s Mattamuskeet Middle School baseball team in 2003. Finally, Luther enjoyed a long and heartfelt battle with squirrels, humanely “re-locating” his backyard squirrels to undisclosed locations in neighboring counties.
A faithful member of Kernersville’s Main Street United Methodist Church, Luther will be remembered as a hard-working man of integrity and faith who was devoted to his family.
Luther was pre-deceased by his wife of 67 years, Louise Conger, who passed away in April 2023. He is survived by his daughter Deborah Conger Sears and her husband, Charles Sears of Fairfield, NC; grandson Luke Sears of Kernersville; daughter Cydney “Patty” Conger and husband, Ed Simpson of Winston-Salem; and step- grandchildren Ben Simpson of Black Mountain and Molly Simpson and step-great grandson Abbott Hachey of Durham. He is also survived by his brothers Tom Conger (Frances) of Rockville, Maryland, George (Nancy) of Statesville; and Jim (Dotty) of Statesville as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held on Friday, December 22 at 1:00 PM at the Oakwood Cemetery in Statesville, NC. Luther’s family would like to thank friends and family for the kindness shown during this time. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made in Luther Conger’s name to Main Street United Methodist Church or to the Salvation Army of Kernersville.

Betty Irene (Reigel) Davis
Kernersville, NC formerly of Monaca, PA
Betty Reigel Davis passed away peacefully on December 6, 2023, in Kernersville, NC at the age of 93.
She was born in Rochester, PA, daughter of the late Ernest and Irene (Valler) Reigel. Betty was a graduate of Monaca High School class of 1948. She was an intelligent, well-loved friend, and Valedictorian of her senior class. She married Ed, the love of her life, on September 9, 1949, and became a homemaker. Betty and Ed raised their five children in Monaca, PA, before spending their golden years in Kernersville since 2009. Back in Monaca, Betty participated in monthly la-dies’ card club and enjoyed bowling, dining with friends, attending their sons’ basketball games, and yearly trips to Myrtle Beach. She and Ed could always be found at the home of any newborn grandchild, lending a helping hand.
Betty was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Monaca and participated in Christian Mothers for many years. Once in Kernersville, she and Ed were parishioners/members of Holy Cross Catholic Church. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 69 years, Edward J. Davis in 2019; her sister and brother-in-law Joan and George Samolis; brother and sis-ter-in-law Bill and Wava Reigel. Betty is survived by her 3 sons and 2 daughters: Scott (Denys) Davis, Mickey (Linda) Davis, Brad (Kelli) Davis, Renee (Chris) Mangin, and Valerie (Graham) Westphal. In addition, she is survived by 17 grandchildren who will greatly miss her: Katherine, Christopher, Jackson, Marshall, Makenzie, Joshua, Lindsay, Caitlin, Carly, Erin, Michael, Cara, Chris Jr, Tracy, Carolyn, Eva, Sam; 9 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She is now reunited with her loving husband, Ed, and both are smiling.
Special “Thank You” to all the nurses, staff, and administrators at Piney Grove Nursing who cared for Betty over the past 4+ years of her wonderful life.

In loving memory of Robert Stoebe, Sr., affectionately known as “Bob,” who peacefully passed away at his Kernersville home on November 30, 2023, at the age of 82. Born on September 14, 1941, in Whitaker, Pennsylvania, to William F. and Margaret E. Stoebe, Robert’s legacy is survived by his devoted wife, Eileen “Ann” McGlory, his son and daughter-in-law, Robert Stoebe, Jr. and Regina Stoebe of Sacramento, CA, his daughter and son-in-law, Michelle and Thomas Lawson of High Point, NC, and his brother and sister-in-law, William F. and Fran Stoebe of Bowdoinham, ME.
Robert is also fondly remembered by his six grandchildren, Nicole, Kyle, Ryan, Emma, Makenna, and Evan, and two great-grandchildren, Milo and Levi, who all affectionately called him “Pap-pap”. He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved daughter, Karen Ann. After graduating from Munhall High School in PA in 1959, where he excelled in athletics, lettering in four different sports, Robert dedicated over 20 honorable years to the Air Force. His exceptional character earned him numerous medals, including the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Commendation Medal, and several Good Conduct Medals. Following his military career, he continued his federal service with the Veteran’s Administration, making a difference in the Chaplain’s Office.
During his military service in England, Robert met the love of his life, Eileen “Ann” McGlory, and they were married in Bedford, England in 1962. Except for a military service deployment during the Vietnam War, Robert and Ann shared an inseparable bond for 61 years. He affectionately called her “Annie.” He also loved the Pittsburgh sports teams and was an enduring fan of the Steelers and Pirates his entire life. If asked what he wanted to be remembered for, Robert would undoubtedly speak of his family. His eyes lit up with pride as he shared stories of graduations, weddings, births, and more. Robert led by example, instilling in his children the values of hard work, courage, and integrity. Known for his generosity and selflessness, he always prioritized the needs of others over his own. A devout follower of Jesus Christ, Robert leaves behind a profound legacy of love, sharing the Good News and God’s promises with his children. As we bid him farewell, we hold onto the hope of meeting again. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at a later date.

OAK RIDGE – Mrs. Lucille Stockton Bowman, 108, passed away peacefully at her home, Wednesday, December 6, 2023. Lucille was born on August 25, 1915 in Forsyth County to Cornelius and Ada Grubbs Stockton. She was a life-long member at Union Grove Baptist Church in Oak Ridge. Having a caregiver’s heart, Lucille worked as a Nursing Supervisor at Bradford Village Nursing Home and retired at age 85, only to provide personal care to her family members.
She learned to swim in her 60’s as she started enjoying the aquatic exercise program at the YMCA!
Lucille’s love for her family encompassed many, but her pride and joy were her grandchildren.
In addition to her parents, Lucille was preceded in death by her husband, William Cecil Bowman; seven brothers; and two sisters.
Surviving are her children, Kathy Hill (Gerald), Judy Goodwin, and Phillip Scott Stewart; four grandchildren, Britton Goodwin (Holly), Adam Hill (Julie), Tucker Hill (Laken), and Christian Hill; five great grandchildren, Kellan Hill, Ainsley Hill, Lochlan Hill, Maverick Hill, and Gigi Goodwin; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, December 9, 2023 at Hayworth-Miller Kernersville Chapel with Pastor Steve Roberson officiating. A private burial will immediately follow the service at Mt. Gur Cemetery in the Stockton Family Plots. The family will receive friends from 1:00 – 2:15 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Amedisys Hospice Care, as well as Lucille’s caregivers, Cindy and Malika for their care and support.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Amedisys Hospice Care, 2975 Crouse Lane, Burlington, NC 27215. Online condolences may be made to www.hayworth-miller.com