Laughlin, James Thomas "JT"
LAWNDALE — Mr. James Thomas “J.T.” Laughlin, 88, of 206 E. Main
St., a loving father and grandfather, died Sunday, Nov. 17, 2002, at his home.
Born May 26, 1914, in Cleveland County, he was a son of the late Thomas Spurgeon
Laughlin and Sarah Elizabeth Digh Laughlin. He attended Piedmont School and
retired from Cleveland Mills and Fiber Industries. His hobbies were gardening,
hunting, fishing and playing his harmonica. A charter member of First United
Methodist Church of Lawndale, he served on the Administrative Council and sang
in the adult choir for many years. He also was elected to Lawndale Town Council
for a number of years.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years,
Luesenior Champion Laughlin; three brothers, Lee Franklin Laughlin, Charlie
Laughlin and Thurman Laughlin; a sister, Melba L. Johnson; and a son-in-law,
M.A. Fortenbury.
He is survived by four sons and three daughters-in-law, Farrell and Betty
Laughlin of Lawndale, Ronnie Laughlin of Fallston, Terry and Pam Laughlin of
Cherryville and Freddie and Celeste Laughlin of Shelby; four daughters and two
sons-in-law, Martha Fortenbury of Fallston, Brenda and Steve Garver of Clover,
S.C., Trena and Gary Whitaker of Shelby and Tresa Hovis of Gastonia; a sister,
Mary Huber of Lawndale; a brother-in-law, Edison Newton of Ellenboro; a
sister-in-law, Kate Sealey and her husband, Ralph, of Oak Island; a special
caregiver, Tina Glover; 15 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and six
great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The funeral will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. at First United Methodist Church of
Lawndale, with the Revs. David Reep, Michael Harrill and Jack Waters
officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Memorial Park.
The family will receive friends at the church one hour before the service.
Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church of Lawndale, P.O. Box
548, Lawndale, NC 28090, to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights
Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or to Bethlehem United Methodist Church, 2741 N.C. 274,
Cherryville, NC 28021.
Stamey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
