Thomas Erskin Ware

KINGS MOUNTAIN-- Thomas Erskin Ware, 86, of 103 Warehouse Drive, passed away Thursday, Aug. 15, 2013, surrounded by his family and his beloved doggy LuLu at his residence. A native of Cleveland County, he was born Nov. 24, 1926, son of the late William Hunter and Ocie Bell Ware. He was a member of Patterson Grove Baptist Church since 1953. He was a member of various hunting clubs and a western square dancer for 47 years with Wagon Wheelers of Shelby and the Grand Spinners of Gastonia. He was retired from the City of Kings Mountain and served his country in the U.S. Army Infantry in the Korean Conflict.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by one brother, Hunter Houston Ware; and one sister, Opal Ware Drumm.

He is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Daphine Smith Ware of the home; three daughters, Kay Ware Cherry and husband Pete of Stanley, Judy Ford and husband Rocky of Kings Mountain, and Susan Ware Chapman and husband Jimmy of Kings Mountain; two brothers, Curtis Ware and wife Novella and Bill Ware and wife Becky, all of Kings Mountain; six grandchildren, Erskin Cherry and wife Kira of Silver Springs, Md., Kathryn Cherry of Raleigh, Shan Ford and wife Cynthia of Ellenboro, Audrey Mills and husband Ryan of Stanley, and Chelsea and Cassidy Chapman of Kings Mountain; one great grandchild, Savannah Ford of Shelby; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation: The family will receive friends at 3 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Funeral Service: 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Patterson Grove Baptist Church

Officiating: Dr. Tim Hendrick

Burial: will immediately follow in the church cemetery will military honors.

Funeral Home: Clay-Barnette Funeral Home of Kings Mountain is serving the family.

Memorials: May be Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or to Oak Grove Baptist Church Bell Tower Fund, 1022 Oak Grove Road Kings Mountain, NC 28086