Francis "Babe" Cannon

Francis "Babe" Cannon, 70, of Morganton went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, December 5, 2010 at Burke Palliative Care Center in Valdese following a period of declining health. Born September 20, 1940 in Burke County, NC he was a son of the late John Willfon Cannon and Nellie Leonhardt Cannon. He was preceded in death by a sister, Margie Aileen Parker. Francis was a US Army veteran, and a member of North Morganton Baptist Church. After serving in the US Army, Babe was employed by Morganton Department of Public Safety and Burke County Sheriffs Department before retiring after 34 years of service from the Burke County Magistrates office in 2002. Among his many hobbies was coaching little league ball, music, driving tour buses and church related activities.He is survived by his wife, Glenda Cannon of the home; sons, W. Glenn Cannon of Lincolnton, NC Nathan Cannon and wife, Lea of Sawmills, NC; grandchildren, Madison Cannon, Taylor Smith and Preston Finley; a brother, Carroll Cannon and wife, Rita; and a number of nieces and nephews.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 9, 2010 at North Morganton Baptist Church with Rev. Kenneth Baker officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to North Morganton Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1628, Morganton, NC 28680 or to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.