This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: RonCollins10 Surnames: Groce, Shore, Phillips, Smoot, Mackie, Baity, Craver, Driver, Wishon, Wooten, Wiles, Moody, Vanhoy, Smith Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.northcarolina.counties.yadkin/4544/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Yadkinville - Thomas Benjamin Groce, 81, passed away Sunday evening, September 12, 2010 at Forsyth Medical Center, Winston-Salem, NC. He was born in Yadkin County on March 24, 1929. He was the youngest of nine children born to the late Floyd Thomas and Bessie Shore Groce. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ernest, Paul, Ralph and Nelson Groce; sisters, Opal G. Phillips, Ella Groce. Surviving sisters are Nancy G. Mackie of Yadkinville and Margaret G. Smoot of Elkin. Tom is also survived by his ex-wife and best friend of 40 years, Betty Baity Groce and her children Judy Driver, David Baity, Jane Craver and Robert Baity; a step-son, Jerry Wishon from his first marriage and nieces, Joanne Wooten, Angelia Wiles, Christine Moody, Debbie Mackie, Kathy Vanhoy, and Dianne Smith; nephews, Clarence, Donald, Larry and Gary Groce and Steve Mackie. Tom was a decorated Korean War Veteran and served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Navy. After completing his! military service he spent several years in the Merchant Marines in the Pacific Ocean before returning to North Carolina and joining R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. where he retired from the Bailey Power Plant. In his retirement Tom pursued his lifelong interest in locks and was known fondly to many as "The Lockman", as he had become a noted collector, expert and self-taught locksmith. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Gentry Family Funeral Service in Yadkinville. A graveside service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Forbush Baptist Church Cemetery by the Rev. Jimmy Lancaster. Online condolences can be made at www.gentryfuneralservice.com. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.