Lawrence E. Farthing

Lawrence E. Farthing, 72, of Morganton died Tuesday, September 25, 2012 following a period of declining health. Born in Watauga County, NC on September 15, 1940, he was the son of the late Jack Farthing and Pearl Ward Farthing. Lawrence was a member of Son Light Baptist Church. Lawrence loved the mountains and gardening. He especially enjoyed singing in the church choir and singing the old hymns. He was a friend to everyone he met.A loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Lawrence is survived by his wife, Ester Spears Farthing of the home sons, Marty Farthing of Morganton and Jackey Farthing and his wife, Tonya, of SC; daughters, Awanda Webb and her husband, Michael, of Morganton and Marilyn Wooten and her husband, Tim, of Morganton; a step-daughter, Kimberly Conner of Lenoir; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Dewey Farthing of Banner Elk, NC; sisters, Lois Hicks of Vilas, NC, Carolyn Owens, Betty Hicks, Nellie Fish, and Gladys Sharpe, all of Lexington, and Shirley Tester of Julian, NC; and a special canine companion, Cotton.In addition to his parents, Lawrence was preceded in death by his first wife, Faye Presnell Farthing; and an infant sister, Margaret Farthing.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m., Friday, September 28, 2012 at Son Light Baptist Church with the Reverends Jimmy Harmon, Bud Harmon, and Roger Webb officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from noon until 2:00 p.m. prior to the service.Memorial contributions may be made to Palliative CareCenter and Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 or to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Dr, Greensboro, NC 27407.Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.