Lewis Rathbone

Clyde, Lewis Roe Rathbone, age 70, of Panther Creek Road, died on Friday, March 28, 2008 at Harris Regional Hospital. He was a native and lifelong resident of Haywood County and was the son of the late Ruben and Bida Messer Rathbone. He was also preceded in death by two brothers. Lewis was a member of Liberty Baptist Church and worked for Asheville Paving Company for many years as well as other construction jobs. He loved his wife, Eva, his step-children and his grandchildren and enjoyed picking his guitar and singing. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Eva M. Rathbone; one step-daughter, Judy Messer of Clyde; two step-sons, Neal McElroy and his wife, Donna of Waynesville and Eugene McElroy of the home; two grandchildren, Kristie Messer Keener of Clyde and Jessica McElroy of Waynesville; two great-grandchildren, Max and Callie Keener; four sisters, Annie Birchfield of Millville, NJ, Blanche Garland of Cleveland, GA, Ola Sutton of Waynesville and Kathleen Franklin of Bethel. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 31, 2008 at Liberty Baptist Church with Reverends Ronald Green, Jerry Nelson and Ted Reeves officiating. Burial will follow at Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 30, 2008 at Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville. Serving as pallbearers will be Herbert Burchfield, Burl Sutton, Wayne Franklin, Johnny McElroy, Sam Burgess and Michael Payne. Honorary pallbearers will be Neal McElroy and Jeff Dyson. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 90 Stiles Road, Canton, NC 28716.

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