Luther Mitchem

Luther Columbus Mitchem, 82, of Lowell passed away November 22, 2012. He was a native of Gaston County, born March 19, 1930, son of the late Kate Lewis and Wade W. Mitchem Sr. Mr. Mitchem was a member of New Hope Presbyterian Church and New Hope Senior Citizens Club. He was a veteran of the US Navy, where he served on the USS Shannon during the Korean War. Luther graduated from Western Carolina University and was a lifelong member of the American Chemical Society. He was employed at FMC for 28 years and was a member of the Quarter Century Club. He was a former volunteer at Catherine's House and Ida Rankin Elementary. The family will receive friends from 7:00 -9:00pm Monday at Greene Funeral Service- South Chapel, 1503 S. York Rd. Gastonia, NC 28052. A funeral service will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at New Hope Presbyterian Church, 4357 S. New Hope Rd., Gastonia, officiated by Pastor Edward Forsyth. Interment will be at Gaston Memorial Park with military honors provided by the Gaston County Honor Guard. Mr. Mitchem is survived by: his daughter, Maria M. Davidson and her husband, Brian Davidson of Arlington, VA; son, Joseph L. Mitchem and his wife, Angela Bardeen of Chapel Hill; granddaughter, Emma Rose Davidson of Arlington, VA; sisters, Nell Abernathy of Charlotte, Mache Mitchem of Wilmington, Jen McMillan of Mount Holly, Bert Barwick of Charlotte, Peggy Miller of Sevierville, TN and her husband, Jerry Miller; sisters in law, Rebecca Mitchem of Lowell, Mary Novotny of South Dakota; brother in law, Robert Davis of Clyde, NC. In addition to his parents, Mr. Mitchem is preceded in death by: his wife, Sarah Davis Mitchem; brothers, Zeke Mitchem, Wade Mitchem Jr.; sisters, Katie Stepp, Barbara Rhyne and Gladys Coleman. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Hope Presbyterian Church, 4357 S. New Hope Rd. Gastonia, NC 28056 Arrangements are with the South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia.