Obituaries

Mrs. Rhyne, 86, of Lincolnton, NC died October 8, 2012.  Martha was born December 6, 1925 at the family home in Statesville, NC, to the late Julia Ann Moore and the late Clyde Miller Moore.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, Joseph Mundy Rhyne, her daughter-in-law, Patricia Allen Rhyne, and a nephew, James Miller Moore, Jr.

Martha’s family moved in the 1930’s from Statesville, NC, to Lincolnton, NC where she graduated from Lincolnton High School.  During her high school years, she was inducted into the National Honor Society and was a member of the May Court her senior year.  On July 11, 1943, Martha was married to Joe in York, SC.  During World War II, she moved from Lincolnton to Biloxi, MS and worked different jobs while Joe served in the Army Air Corps.

After the war ended, she and Joe settled in Lincolnton where she was a homemaker for Joe and their two children, Rusty and Anne.  She served her Lord at Emmanuel Lutheran Church as a faithful member, a youth leader, an Altar Guild member, a Sunday School teacher, a Cub Scout leader, and a member of the Circle #3.  Active in the Women of the Lutheran Church, she was awarded a lifetime membership in the Lutheran Southern Theological Seminary.  During her children’s school years, she served their schools as room mother and active PTA member.  In the community, she served as a volunteer for the American Red Cross Bloodmobiles and as a volunteer at Christian Ministries of Lincoln County, and volunteered as a reading tutor.

Martha enjoyed being with her friends at her Tuesday afternoon bridge clubs, garden club, the Mentor Book Club and the Friday Night Supper Club. 

Martha’s delight in life came during vacations and celebrations with her family.  Windy Hill Beach and Ocean Drive Beach were favorite destinations.  Travel in the USA, Canada, and Europe with Joe were pleasures and learning experiences.  However, she enjoyed the most fun on the fourteen summer trips on which she and Joe took their five grandchildren to destinations all across the United States.

Martha is survived by her brother James Miller Moore and his wife Kathryn Abernathy Moore.  Martha is also survived by her children Joseph Mundy Rhyne, Jr. of Lincolnton and Anne Conrad Rhyne McCoy and her husband James Labon McCoy, Jr. of Charlotte, NC.  She is also survived by her five grandchildren, Joseph Mundy Rhyne, III and his wife Ann Birzenieks Rhyne of Lincolnton, NC; Christopher Allen Rhyne and his wife Heather Hager Rhyne of Lincolnton, NC; Martha Anne McCoy Krisko and her husband Jonathan Christopher Krisko of Charlotte, NC; Dr. Johnathan David Rhyne and his wife Jennifer Dodson Rhyne of Clemmons, NC; and James Labon McCoy, III and his wife Kathryn Densford McCoy of Charlotte, NC.  Martha’s ten great-grandchildren are Hundley Abigail Rhyne, Ashlyn Elizabeth Rhyne, Joseph M. Rhyne, IV, Emma Leighann Rhyne, Sarah Patricia Rhyne, Katelyn Rose Rhyne, Julianna Grace Rhyne, Lisa Brooke Rhyne, Jackson Christopher Krisko, and James Sawyer Krisko.

The family will receive friends in the North Addition of Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Lincolnton, NC from 12:45 pm to 1:45 pm Thursday, October 11, 2012 with the funeral following at 2:00 pm in the sanctuary.  Burial will be at Hollybrook Cemetery in Lincolnton, NC.

Rusty and Anne give their heartfelt appreciation to the nurses, CNAs and staff at Cardinal Healthcare and other persons including Hospice personnel for providing the physical and emotional support Mom required during her time as a resident. 

Memorials may be made to The Patricia Allen Rhyne Scholarship, Lenoir-Rhyne University, P.O. Box 7546, Hickory, NC  28603, or to Emmanuel Lutheran Church, 216 S. Aspen Street Lincolnton, NC  28092.