Cletus Newell Hathcock, 91 of Oakboro, N.C. went to his eternal home with Jesus on April 11, 2011 at Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington, N.C.
The family will receive friends from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Thursday at Stanly Funeral Home in Albemarle, N.C. Funeral services will be at 4:00 PM on Friday, April 15 at Mineral Springs Baptist Church after a 30 minutes state with Pastor Keith Walters and Pastor Mike Taylor officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
He was born December 7, 1919 in Stanly County, son of the late James and Lillie Howell Hathcock. He was preceded in death by two brothers, Vance Hathcock and Wayne Hathcock and sister, Margaret H. Greene.
Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Mildred Tucker Hathcock, daughters Janice Hathcock and Bonnie H. Benton (Gene) of Oakboro, one sister Elaine Honeycutt of Albemarle, and one granddaughter Kelly Foster (John), great grandchildren Kristina
and Derrick Foster of Seattle, Washington, one step-great-grandson John Benton of New London, N.C.
Newell’s life led him on many different paths during his years on earth. At the age of 20, he was playing fiddle on WPTF radio in Raleigh with the Briarhoppers, a local band well known in the state. Two years later, he was serving in the South Pacific during WWII in the areas of Guam, le Jima, and Okinawa. At the end of the war, he was chosen to be one of the honor guards at the burial of NY Times correspondent Ernie Pyle who was attached to his unit when killed by enemy fire.
After he came home, he worked for Cannon Mills and as a farmer until he retired. He also started the first Bluegrass festival in Stanly County which was held for 15 years on his property having many notable people to appear.
The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of Hinkle Hospice House for their kindness and compassion and also to the Hospice of Stanly County.
Memorials may be made to Hospice of Stanly County, 960 N. 1st Street, Albemarle, N.C. 28001
