Galax Gazette Obits--October 27, 2001 HARRIETT ROSE BENZING Harriett Rose Benzing, 81, of Galax, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at Waddell Nursing Home. She was born April 3, 1920, in Philadelphia, Pa., to William and Annie McCloskey Benzing. Survivors include a daughter, Lorraine Lederer of Woodlawn; a grandson; a great-granddaughter; and two nephews. A funeral was held Wednesday at Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home with burial in the Monta Vista Cemetery. The Rev. Bobbie Burcham officiated CLARENCE ANDREW BOBBITT Clarence Andrew Bobbitt, 84, of Galax, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at Twin County Regional Hospital. He was born June 27, 1917, in Galax to Raliegh and Eugenia Frazier Bobbitt. He was preceded in death by a sister, Ethel Hawkins; two brothers, Garnett Bobbitt and Homer Bobbitt; and a sister-in-law, Florence Bobbitt. He was retired from Twin County Motor and was a member of the Bible Baptist Church in Galax. He was a veteran of World War II serving from 1941-1945. He proudly served at D Day, Normandy Beach Head, Algeria, Belgium, Sicily, Italy and North Africa. A funeral was held Wednesday at Monta Vista Mausoleum with military rites by the Grayson VFW Post 7726. The Revs. Ted Bartlett and Harvey Carico officiated. Vaughan-Guynn Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements IBERN ERGO COX Ibern Ergo Cox, 77, of Hillsville, died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, at Carilion New River Valley Medical Center. Survivors include his wife, Bonnie Shockley Cox of the home; a son, R. Carter Cox of Vinton; a daughter and son-in-law, Charlotte Ann and Kenneth Webb of Oviedo, Fla.; two sisters, Eurseline Horsley of Greensboro, N.C., and Willadean Summers of Galax; a sister-in-law, Lois G. Cox of Dugspur; and one niece and several nephews. A funeral was held Wednesday at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home with burial in the Wilkinson Memorial Cemetery. The Rev. Norman Goad officiated. Military rites were conducted by Hillsville VFW Post 1115 and Masonic services were given by Hillsville Lodge 193 AF & AM. JAMES HARVEY PAYNE James Harvey Payne, 83, of Max Meadows, died Monday, Oct. 22, 2001, at Pulaski Community Hospital. Survivors include his wife, Hazel Payne of the home; two daughters and a son-in-law, Carolyn and Carl Collin Wright of Wake Forest, N.C., and Lois Akers of Greensboro, N.C.; a son-in-law, Bob Walton of Mechanicsburg, Pa.; two sisters and a brother-in-law, Emmie Nichols and Carrie and Lahugh Bond, all of Max Meadows; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. A funeral was held Thursday at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Funeral Home with burial in the Swecker Cemetery. Elder Sidney Rakes officiated PAUL HAMILTON SPEARS Sr Paul Hamilton Spears Sr., 69, of High Point, N.C., died Sunday, Oct. 21, 2001, at his home. Survivors include his wife, Bessie Marsh Spears "Irene" of the home; a daughter, Mary Spears Sampson of Richmond; five sons and four daughters-in-law, Paul H. Spears Jr., of Denton, N.C., James and Karen Marsh of Archdale, N.C., and Larry and Cora Walsh of Wilkesobro, N.C.; two sisters, Eloise Harmon of High Point, N.C., and Loraine Cole of Wytheville; two brothers, Willie and James Spears of Galax; nine grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. A funeral was held Wednesday at Fairmont Park Baptist Church in High Point, with burial in the Guilford Memorial Park, Greensboro, N.C. Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice of the Piedmont Inc., 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, N.C. 27262.