Ethel Watts Stogner

Ethel Watts Stogner, 82, of Wedgewood Ct., Morganton, NC and formerly of Aspen Lane in Rockingham, NC, died Monday, July 21, 2008 at Grace Hospital. She was born January 6, 1926 in Richmond Co., NC, and was a daughter of the late R.H. and Hepsy Gore Watts. A lifelong resident of Rockingham, NC, Ethel graduated from Rockingham High School and then continued her education with a career in bookkeeping. Ethel worked for many years as a bookkeeper for Privett’s Furniture Company and Belk’s Department Store, and was a member of the Business and Professional Women’s Club. Ethel had been a member of Mount Olive Baptist Church in Rockingham, NC since 1972 where she retired as the secretary-treasurer. She also served in other capacities including choir member, Sunday school teacher, and chairperson of the Benevolence Committee. Ethel moved to Morganton in the fall of 2007 to live with her daughter and family. She attended the First Baptist Church and was a member of the Dorcas Sunday school class. Ethel was known for her dry wit and keen sense of humor.Surviving are her daughter, Patricia Stogner Bland and husband, Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr., of Morganton; grandchildren, Eleanor and Edward Bland; and a sister, Virginia Russell-Gee and husband, John Gee, of Rockingham. She is also survived by a sister-in-law, Margaret Watts, her son and daughter-in-law, Eric and Teresa Watts and their daughter, Natalie, a sister-in-law, Dorothy Hodges, a brother-in-law, Billy Stogner, and their families, all of Rockingham. Ethel’s family would like to express their thanks to her caregivers, Pearlene Norman and Margie Patton.In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Edward H. Stogner; and a brother, Marvin C. "Bert" Watts.Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Thursday, July 24, 2008 at Mount Olive Baptist Church in Rockingham with Rev. Delane Burris and Dr. Thomas A. Bland, Jr. officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond Memorial Park. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, and Thursday at Mount Olive Baptist Church from 1:00 until 3:00 P.M. Memorial contributions may be made to Mount Olive Christian Child Care, c/o Mount Olive Baptist Church, 596 E. Washington St. Extension, Rockingham, NC 28379, or to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Drawer 459, Morganton, NC 28680, or to a charity of personal choice.