THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
The shots that changed the world
The fake military orders he created were allegedly signed by someone who didn’t exist.
THE ICONIC Henry Wadsworth Longfellow poem
“Paul Revere’s Ride” begins, “Listen, my children ...”
And, sure enough, we have long told our kids and ourselves of the cinematic events in April 1775, when the famous silversmith warned the countryside of approaching British troops and the American Revolution kicked off in earnest.
Like all legendary events, Paul Revere’s Ride and the Battles of Lexington and Concord have been encrusted with myth: It’s almost certainly not the case that Revere yelled, “The British are coming!” (we still considered ourselves British); Revere didn’t ride alone, and he didn’t even make it to Concord (the British briefly captured him); and the role of the celebrated Minutemen, the best of the militia units, tends to be exaggerated in the popular understanding (most of the Colonial forces were regular militia).
Such minutiae aside, that day 250 years ago, April 19, 1775, still deserves to be celebrated in prose and poetry and is every bit as extraordinary as you might have learned when you were a child before we decided we didn’t like our own history and heroes so much anymore.
Hoping to maintain operational secrecy, the British sent a contingent out at night from Boston to capture reputed stores of weapons in Concord. They were immediately noticed — the “one if by land, two if by sea” lanterns in the Old North Church were a real thing — and the race was on.
It is really one of the most dramatic episodes in American history: Revere and others rushing to warn the countryside, and the British troops marching through the night, not briefed on their mission, hearing guns and bells sounding the alarm all around them.
Lexington was on the way. The militia mustered as a show of force, not seeking a fight. No one knows who fired “the shot heard around the world”; it may have been an inadvertent discharge. But the British then fired volleys and charged with bayonets, killing eight.
Concord was now fully on alert. Again, there was a wary standoff. Again, someone fired. During this confrontation at North Bridge, the British got off a
volley, then the Colonials returned fire with deadly effect and — shockingly — the British ran.
Their ranks swelling, the Colonials harried the Regulars along the narrow Battle Road as they retreated back to Lexington, with the places where the fighting was especially intense known by names such as the Bloody Angle and Parker’s Revenge.
Members of the militia didn’t, as popular imagination believes, largely act on their own inspired initiative; they were well-led. The Americans repeatedly stood in formation against the British regulars during the course of the day.
“It was an extraordinary display of courage, resolve and discipline by citizen soldiers against regular troops,” the historian David Hackett Fischer writes.
The more dispersed fighting along the Battle Road later on was itself the product of a Colonial plan — to avoid direct confrontation with a now-reinforced, much larger British force. By the time they made it back to Boston, the British had suffered a true mauling, experiencing roughly 300 casualties to 100 for the Colonials.
The Americans ensured that the word spread far and wide, and the effect was electric. Thomas Paine, who had only recently come to America, felt that “the country, into which I had just set my foot, was set on fire about my ears.” John Adams said that Lexington “changed the instruments of war from the pen to the sword.”
If Lexington and Concord were small-scale engagements in the scheme of things, the reverberations were enormous. They sent a message that a defiant American population wouldn’t be easily subdued.
Wadsworth concluded his poem with the lines:
“Through all our history, to the last, In the hour of darkness and peril and need, The people will waken and listen to hear
The hurrying hoof-beats of that steed, And the midnight message of Paul Revere.”
May it be so.
Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.
Fake deployments and free plane rides
The fake military orders he created were allegedly signed by someone who didn’t exist.
IT TAKES AN ESPECIALLY devious mind to come up with some of this stuff.
We have to wonder what staff at the Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General think when they’re investigating certain crimes. They probably aren’t smiling.
For example, this one: A veteran managed to grab 130 free airline flights while pretending he was on active duty and being sent on military assignments. The guy was an airline baggage handler, but only for one week. Then he showed his airline employer a fistful of fake military documents that said he needed eight months off for deployment.
During that time, he jetted around the globe using the free flights benefit of employees, hitting all the hot-spot tourist destinations, from the Caribbean and South America to Europe and all points in between — and documented the trips online. At the end of that period, he gave the airline more fake military documents and managed to extend the whole scam for another two years.
Meanwhile, while still employed by the airline and pretending he was entitled to free unlimited
flights, he snagged a job as a federal air marshal.
Also, he took a job at a sporting goods retailer and pulled the same “I have to go do my military service” scam, likely so he could get the store discount.
It didn’t help that the fake military orders he created were allegedly signed by someone who didn’t exist.
The scammer’s undoing began in part because he wanted to take his federal air marshal weapon with him on the plane and there was confusion about why an airline employee baggage handler, which he still claimed to be, would be carrying an air marshal weapon while on personal travel and while he was supposedly still in the military.
Once investigators started digging into it, they unearthed a jaw-dropping 130 flights the scammer had taken.
I hope he enjoyed his vacations in the sun, because he could be looking at 20 years in the slammer.
Freddy Groves writes Veterans Post and contributes to Rappahannock Times.
COLUMN | RICH LOWRY
COLUMN | FREDDY GROVES
NOTICE
Stanly
Exceptional
Public Notice
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-Part B, Public Law 108.446) Project is presently being amended. The Project describes the special education programs that Stanly County Schools proposes for Federal funding for the 2025-2026 School Year. Interested persons are encouraged to review amendments to the Project and comment on the implementation of special education under this Federal Program. All comments will be considered prior to submission of the amended Project to the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in Raleigh, North Carolina. The IDEA-Part B Project is open to the public for review and comments during the week of May 5 -May 9, 2025 in the office of Megan DePasquale, Executive Director of Exceptional Children’s Programs, located at 1121 Austin St, Albemarle, NC, 28001. Please call 704-961-5300 to schedule a time to review the Project. Publish: April 29 & May 4, 2025.
NOTICE
NOTICE OF DISCHARGE OF UNTREATED WASTEWATER
The Water and Sewer Authority of Cabarrus County (WSACC) gives notice that a discharge of 34,000 gallons of untreated wastewater was released at 8122 Lower Rocky River Road, Concord, North Carolina, 28025. The spill was caused by a pipe failure. The discharge was reported to WSACC at 12:00 a.m. on April 28, 2025, reaching Reedy Creek. WSACC personnel arrived on site after being notified of the spill to ensure the correction of the problem and to ensure that clean-up and stream monitoring had begun. This notice was required by North Carolina General Statute, Article 21, Chapter 143.215.C.
Publish: May 4, 2025
PUBLIC NOTICE
The Town of Red Cross Town Council will hold a workshop at 6 PM on Monday, May 12, 2025, at the Red Cross Town Hall. The purpose of this workshop is to discuss police protection for the upcoming 2025-2026 Fiscal Year.
For additional information contact the Red Cross Town Hall at 704-485-2002. Publish: May 4, 2025.
PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
The Town Council of the Town of Red Cross will hold the first of two Public Hearings on Monday, May 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall. The purpose of this public hearing is for the first reading of the Proposed Budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, and the historic farm park project ordinance 20242027. This public hearing is also to hear citizens’ comments for or against, the Proposed Budget for 2025-2026 fiscal year for the Town of Red Cross. A copy of the proposed budget is available at the Red Cross Town Hall, and online at www.townofredcross.com. For additional information contact the Red Cross Town Hall at 704-485-2002.
Publish: April 29 and May 4, 2025.
STANLY SPORTS
Aho’s double-overtime goal sends Hurricanes into
Carolina eliminated the Devils in five games
By Cory Lavalette Stanly News Journal
RALEIGH — Trailing by three goals before half of the first period was over, it looked like the Carolina Hurricanes were making a return trip to Newark.
The Hurricanes, however, needed fewer than six minutes in the second period to tie the game, and Sebastian Aho’s second power play goal of the game at 4:17 of the second overtime gave Carolina a 5-4 win in Tuesday’s Game 5 to close out the team’s first round series against the New Jersey Devils at Lenovo Center.
“Some teams would just kind of pack it in and say, ‘We’re
2nd round
down 3-0, and we would have a 3-2 lead after this game,’” Hurricanes forward Jackson Blake said. “But that’s just not the way we are.”
With Devils forward Dawson Mercer serving a four-minute penalty after high-sticking Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Aho’s one-timer from the right circle off a Shayne Gostisbehere feed beat Jacob Markstrom to send the Hurricanes
into the second round of the postseason.
“I blacked out for a second there,” Aho said. “The crowd goes nuts and guys are jumping on you. It’s unreal.”
The goal came after Carolina dominated the first overtime but could not beat Markstrom (49 saves), who recovered from a shaky second period to keep the Devils’ season alive.
“That was one of the better
goaltending performances I’ve witnessed,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said of Markstrom’s first overtime.
The Hurricanes outshot New Jersey 14-3 in the first overtime session and 54-35 for the game, pounding away at the battered Devils, who were without three regular defensemen and star forward Jack Hughes.
“I liked our overtime a lot,” Hurricanes rookie Jackson Blake said. “We dominated, pretty much, for the most part.”
The start of the game, however, indicated the series would be headed back north for a Game 6.
The visiting Devils scored three times in the first 10 minutes, capitalizing on Carolina’s
Undefeated North Stanly baseball squad heads to YVC baseball finals, to face South Stanly
The Comets winning streak reached 23 with the semifinal victory
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
MOUNT PLEASANT — The historic season for the top-seeded North Stanly baseball squad continued this week after the Comets wrapped up their
regular season without a loss. North entered this week’s 2025 Yadkin Valley Conference Tournament having won 23 in a row, including four games on four consecutive nights at the Mingo Bay Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. On Tuesday night, an eight-run fifth inning lifted the Comets to a 13-3 win over Union Academy in six innings. Charlie Shaver pitched five innings for North (24-0) to pick
up the win, walking one and striking out six while allowing three earned runs on four hits. Hayden Moore pitched a scoreless sixth for the Comets. Brett Moore took the loss for the Cardinals (9-15) with two walks and five strikeouts in four innings on the mound. Shaver helped his own cause by driving in two runs, going 2 for 4 at the plate for North. Heath Klenginsmith led North’s offense with two hits, including
a double, and three RBIs. Zach Lowder added two hits and an RBI, while Moore, Tyler Daugherty, Noah Carter and Rylan Furr all drove in one run. North trailed 3-0 after the Cardinals’ Emerson Carter delivered an RBI double and Seth Sandock plated two more runs with a base hit in the top of the second. The Comets scored three runs in the bottom of the third, then took advantage of several
Cardinals errors to score eight times in the fifth. North added two runs in the bottom of the sixth for the 10-run rule victory. North Stanly was scheduled to play South Stanly (19 - 6) Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. in the YVC Tournament finals. The Bulls earned a trip to the tourney finals with a first-round win Monday versus Albemarle (1-15) and a 6-4 win Tuesday night against tourney host Mount Pleasant.
KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO
Carolina Hurricanes’ Jackson Blake (53) celebrates his goal in Game 5 of the first-round playoff series against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday in Raleigh.
DAWN LUCAS / COURTESY PHOTO
North’s Charlie Shaver takes aim at a pitch in a home game this season for the Comets.
Virginia Giuffre, Prince Andrew’s accuser in Epstein scandal, dead
Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye
April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023
By Jennifer Peltz and Hallie Golden
The Associated Press
Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.
18-month Florida jail term for Epstein, who made a secret deal to avoid federal prosecution by pleading guilty instead to relatively minor state-level charges of soliciting prostitution. He was released in 2009.
Dwight Farmer
January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023
Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.
Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.
VIRGINIA GIUFFRE, who accused Britain’s Prince Andrew and other influential men of sexually exploiting her as a teenager trafficked by financier Jeffrey Epstein, has died. She was 41.
Giuffre died by suicide last Friday at her farm in Western Australia, her publicist confirmed.
Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Garfield.
“Virginia was a fierce warrior in the fight against sexual abuse and sex trafficking. She was the light that lifted so many survivors,” her family said in a statement. “Despite all the adversity she faced in her life, she shone so bright. She will be missed beyond measure.”
Her publicist Dini von Mueffling described Giuffre as “deeply loving, wise and funny.”
Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.
“She adored her children and many animals. She was always more concerned with me than with herself,” von Mueffling wrote in a statement. “I will miss her beyond words. It was the privilege of a lifetime to represent her.”
The American-born Giuffre, who lived in Australia for years, became an advocate for sex trafficking survivors after emerging as a central figure in Epstein’s prolonged downfall.
The wealthy, well-connected New York money manager killed himself in August 2019 while awaiting trial on U.S. federal sex trafficking charges involving dozens of teenage girls and young women, some as young as 14. The charges came 14 years after police in Palm Beach, Florida, first began investigating allegations that he sexually abused underage girls who were hired to give him massages.
Giuffre came forward publicly after the initial investigation ended in an
In subsequent lawsuits, Giuffre said she was a teenage spa attendant at Mar-a-Lago — President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach club — when she was approached in 2000 by Epstein’s girlfriend and later employee, Ghislaine Maxwell.
Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran.
He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.
Giuffre said Maxwell hired her as a masseuse for Epstein, but the couple effectively made her a sexual servant, pressuring her into gratifying not only Epstein but his friends and associates. Giuffre said she was flown around the world for assignations with men including Prince Andrew while she was 17 and 18.
Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.
He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.
The men denied it and assailed Giuffre’s credibility. She acknowledged changing some key details of her account, including the age at which she first met Epstein.
He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty.
But many parts of her story were supported by documents, witness testimony and photos — including one of her and Andrew, with his his arm around her bare midriff, in Maxwell’s London townhouse.
Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.
Giuffre said in one of her lawsuits that she had sex with the royal three times: in London during her 2001 trip, at Epstein’s New York mansion when she was 17 and in the Virgin Islands when she was 18.
“Ghislaine said, ‘I want you to do for him what you do for Epstein,’” Giuffre told NBC News’ “Dateline” in September 2019. Andrew categorically rejected Giuffre’s allegations and said he didn’t recall having met her.
His denials blew up in his face during a November 2019 BBC interview. Viewers saw a prince who proffered curious rebuttals and showed no empathy for the women who said Epstein abused them.
James Roseboro
Shirley H. Easley
June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023
Nov. 13, 1937 – April 27, 2025
Shirley Honeycutt Easley, 87, of Kannapolis passed away on Sunday, April 27, 2015 at Tucker Hospice House.
James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.
Shirley was born on November 13, 1937 to the late Charles Franklin Honeycutt and Beulah Linker Honeycutt of Landis NC and was preceded in death by her beloved husband Olin Ray Easley, her child Cassandra Lynn Whited and Arvie Trent Hartsell, as well as several beloved brothers and sisters of which she was the youngest.
Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.
In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.
Shirley worked for Air Gas National Welders for the bulk of her career and loved all of her friend’s and coworkers over the years. She was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church for many years and involved with with children’s ministries when her kids were younger as well as assisting with children/ youth activities until the time of her death. She enjoyed baking, traveling to the mountains and the beach and being an awesome Gigi to her 6 great grandchildren.
Shirley is survived by her daughter in love Dawn Shenda and grandson in love Jayden Michael Shenda of Landis; granddaughters Meredith Rae Milstead and husband Nick with their daughters Emily and Maddy of Kannapolis; Tiffany Marie Jones of Mooresville; Lacey Nichole Thompson and husband Corey with their sons Hunter and Holston of Concord; grandson Dale Carter Jr and wife Laura with their daughters Skyler and Amelia of Concord; Nicholas Caleb Booth of Athens, GA; as well as many loving nieces and nephews, friends and neighbors.
He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.
John B. Kluttz
Sara Evelyine Smith Ritch
Lonnie Ray Swanner
March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023
Dec. 22, 1929 – April 29, 2025
Sara Evelyine Smith Ritch, 95, of Concord, peacefully passed away in her home, surrounded by loved ones on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.
Sara was born December 22, 1929 in Cabarrus County to the late Allen Elmer Smith and the late Ida Marie Harris Smith. She was also preceded in death by husband, James Madison Ritch, Jr.; and siblings, Louise Smith, Beulah Williamson, Claude Smith, Dewey Smith, Arlo “Buck” Smith, Everette Smith, and Rev. Dick Smith.
Sara spent much of her career at Cannon Mills, where she worked in the weave room at Plant 6. Known for her dedication and steady hands, she took pride in her work and the friendships she formed there. After retirement, she continued to embody the same hardworking spirit in everything she did.
John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.
Sara was a member of First Foursquare Church in Concord and past member of Faith Covenant Church in Concord.
When John purchased his first Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!
A woman of simple joys and enduring grace, Sara loved sewing, cooking, sharing stories with her children and grandchildren, spending afternoons at the lake and relaxing with a good western movie. Her quiet wisdom, generous heart, and warm presence will be missed deeply by all who knew her.
At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.
Sept. 7, 1947 – April 29, 2025
October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023
Lonnie Swanner, 77, of Laura’s Lane in Albemarle, passed into eternity on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Spring Arbor Senior Living.
Born in the community of Arjay, Kentucky, on September 7, 1947, Lonnie was the eighth of twelve children born to the late Walter and Sarah Swanner. Six of his siblings survive.
Upon joining the United States Army at age 17, Lonnie trained as a paratrooper at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and served as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He completed a tour of duty in Vietnam and subsequently served in the US Army Reserve for thirty years, retiring as a Command Sergeant Major.
Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.
Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC.
Following his return from active duty, Lonnie enrolled at Greenville Technical College in South Carolina before earning his master’s degree while working full-time. Following his marriage to Wanda Gallimore, a native of Denton, NC, the two moved to Albemarle, where he worked at Stanly Community College, eventually retiring as a Vice President.
Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.
Over a 54-year marriage, Lonnie and Wanda raised two daughters, Jennifer Coble (Jason) and Alicia Landis (Danny), all of whom survive. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Emma Grace Coble, Lily Coble, Mattie Coble, Tanner Landis, and Kasey Landis. Lonnie was a dedicated father and grandfather, never missing an opportunity to spend time with his relatives and treasuring every moment that the entire family could be together.
Darrick Baldwin
January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023
The family will receive friends from 5 pm to 7 pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Hartsell Funeral Home in Harrisburg. The funeral service will be held at Harrisburg Baptist Church on Thursday, May 1, 2025, at 1 pm. Burial will follow at Roberta Church Cemetery, 3925 Cochran Rd in Concord, NC.
Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.
He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.
He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.
Survivors include daughter, Teresa (Rev. Steve Scarboro) Scarboro of Concord; son, James M. Ritch, III of Gold Hill; son, Wayne Ritch of Troy; 5 grandchildren, Justin, Jordan, Travis, Summer and Olivia; 18 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends from 1:00 pm - 1:45 pm, Friday, May 2, 2025 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord. The funeral service will follow at 2:00 pm in the funeral home chapel, officiated by Rev. Arlo Smith Jr. and Rev. Steve Scarboro. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park, Kannapolis.
John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.
Memorial donations may be made to Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Cabarrus or to your local hospice. Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Ritch family.
This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.
A passionate outdoorsman, Lonnie enjoyed any outside activity. In past years, he had hiked the Grand Canyon as well as numerous trails in the Uwharrie, Blue Ridge, and Smoky Mountains. Following his retirement from Stanly Community College, he became an avid cyclist and rode numerous Cycle North Carolina events as well as informal rides with friends (usually including longtime SCC President Dr. Michael Taylor) on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Erie Canal Trail, the Great Alleghany Passage, the Natchez Trace Parkway, and the Silver Comet Trail, to name a few. He also enjoyed road trips with Wanda, exploring new destinations or visiting friends and family in Kentucky.
Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.
She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.
Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones. ones. Submit obituaries and death
He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.
The family will receive friends from 10:00 am - 10:45 am, Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The funeral service will be on Saturday at 11:00 am at Hartsell Funeral Home’s Lefler Memorial Chapel in Albemarle. Memorials may be made to the Dr. Michael and Alice Taylor Nurse Aide Scholarship Fund at Stanly Community College, to Tillery Compassionate Care of Albemarle, or to a charity of the donor’s choice. The family wishes to thank the staff of Spring Arbor Senior Living in Albemarle for their kind and loving care during Lonnie’s stay. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Swanner family.
Doris Jones Coleman
She died by suicide at her farm in Australia
BEBETO MATTHEWS / AP PHOTO
Virginia Giuffre, center, holds a news conference outside a Manhattan court in 2019.
Stan Love, brother of Beach Boys’ Mike Love and father of Heat’s Kevin Love, dies at 76
The Associated Press
MIAMI — Former NBA player Stan Love, the brother of Beach Boys singer Mike Love and the father of Miami Heat player Kevin Love, has died. He was 76. Kevin Love announced his father’s death in an Instagram post Sunday night. No cause was given, but he referenced longstanding health issues in the post.
“Dad, you fought for a long time,” Kevin posted. “The hardest stretch being these past 6 months. The most painful to witness being these last few weeks. And even at the end as you continued to deteriorate — I still saw you as a Giant. My Protector. My first Hero.” He went on to write, “Dad, I’m so proud to be your son. My only hope is that you’re proud of me. It was all I ever wanted. Thank you for everything.”
Stan Love was a 6-foot9 forward who starred at Morningside High School in Inglewood, California, and at Oregon before he was selected ninth overall by Baltimore in the 1971 NBA draft.
He averaged 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds in 226 games in four seasons with the Bullets and the Los Angeles Lakers. He also played 12 games for San Antonio in the American Basketball Association.
Mike Love posted, “My big younger brother, you called me the superstar, but to me you are the superstar!! You always had my back! I am blessed to be your brother. I will cherish our lives spent together, whether spoofing on each other or reliving memories. I know you’re on the big court now, pounding down 3’s; don’t foul out, bro.” Stan Love introduced Kevin to basketball after the family moved from California to Oregon in the 1980s. He often attended UCLA games along with Mike Love when Kevin starred for the Bruins as a freshman in 2007-08.
“He’d always tell me stories about Wes Unseld, Connie Hawkins, Jerry West,” the younger Love told The Associated Press in 2008. “I wanted to be the greatest basketball player of all time, like every little kid wanted to be.”
The elder Love focused his hard-nosed development efforts on Kevin, his middle child and second son. Some days, Kevin would be outside in the rain at their Lake Oswego, Oregon, home shooting jumper after jumper.
“My hands would be all dirty, I’d come in and make the floor all muddy,” Love told AP. “Once he saw I was a self-starter, then he kind of backed off.”
Besides Kevin, the elder Love is survived by wife Karen, son Collin and daughter Emily.
Kevin Love has been away from Heat because of personal reasons and will not play in Game 4 against Cleveland on Monday night.
RUSTY KENNEDY / AP PHOTO
Love (34) of the Los Angeles Lakers gets Steve Mix’s arm out of the way as he gets off a jump shot against the 76ers in 1975 in Philadelphia.