DR. ROBERT R. GROOMS
LAVALE - Dr. Robert R. Grooms, 73, of LaVale, died Monday, Sept. 29, 1997 in Memorial Hospital, Cumberland.
He was born June 17, 1924 in Crucible, Pa., and was the son of the late Margaret and Robert Grooms. Also preceding him in death were a son, James, and a brother, William.
Dr. Grooms came to Cumberland in 1963 as head of the Psychology Department at Frostburg State University. In 1978 he was appointed Director of Mental Hygiene Administration of the State of Maryland. In that capacity he was also instrumental in the founding of the Finan Center, an in-patient psychiatric hospital, and served as its director until his retirement in 1986. Later, he continued his work in the mental health field, serving as clinical psychologist at outpatient clinics throughout Allegany and Garrett counties. In 1991 he became the first psychologist for the Cumberland Veterans Administration Outpatient Clinic.
Dr. Grooms was a member of Maplehurst Country Club, the Cumberland Outdoor Club, the Cumberland Moose Lodge, and the Birdwatchers Club. He also was a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Army.
He is survived by his wife Norma (Sappie) Grooms; a son, David Grooms, San Diego, Ca.; daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Chuck Sowers, Fairfax, Va., Kathy and Jerry Ray, Cumberland, Nancy and Bryon Arnone, Hagerstown, and Mary Ann and Mike Doherty, San Diego; six grandchildren, Justin, Jeremy, and Jessica Ray, and Connor, Casey, and Riley Arnone. Also surviving are two sisters, Audrey Thompson of Berlin, and Janet Erickson, Annapolis; one brother, Melvin Grooms, Hudson, Fla.; and one sister-in-law, Kay Grooms, Carmichaels, Pa.
The family will receive friends at the Hafer Chapel of the Hills Mortuary, 1302 National Hwy., LaVale, on Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Cresaptown, on Thursday at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Fr. Robert McCreary as Celebrant.
Interment will follow in St. Ambrose Catholic Church cemetery, Cresaptown.
Memorial services will be conducted at the Finan Center Gymnasium on Friday at 1:30 p.m. Vigil services will be conducted on Wednesday at 8:45 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests expressions of sympathy be directed to the Finan Center Auxiliary, Country Club Road, Cumberland, MD 21502. In this way, we hope to carry on Dr. Grooms' life-long dedication to improving mental health in the community.
Pallbearers will be Robert Burford, Lee Ross, Archie Wallace, Enordo "Moose" Arnone, and Jeff Larsanyi.
THE REV. ANNA K. BRATTON
CUMBERLAND - The Rev. Anna Katherine Bratton, 73, formerly of Ore Street NW, Cumberland, died Monday, Nov. 3, 1997, at Devlin Manor Nursing Home, Cumberland, where she had been a patient since Nov. 24, 1995.
Born Sept. 21, 1924, in Trenton, Missouri, she was a daughter of the late Herman L. and Jewell (Carter) Bratton.
Rev. Bratton was a retired minister having served in Whiteford United Methodist Church Charge, Whiteford, Grace United Methodist Church Charge, Midland, Shaft United Methodist Church Charge, Woodland United Methodist Church Charge, Cambria United Methodist Church Charge, Mount Vernon United Methodist Church Charge, and St. Paul United Methodist Church Charge.
She received a master's degree from Scarritt College, Nashville, Tenn., graduating in 1950. She was a member of the Fairview Avenue United Methodist Church, Cumberland, and the United Methodist Women. She was former director of Christian education with the general board of Global Ministries.
Surviving are one brother, Harry Walter Bratton and wife Alice J., Independence, Missouri; and a dear friend of many years, Eleanor Muir.
At Rev. Bratton's request, her body was cremated.
A memorial service will be held at the Fairview Avenue United Methodist Church, Cumberland, on Thursday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Cynthia Frye officiating. Friends and relatives will be received one hour prior to the service in the sanctuary.
Interment will be in Edenburg I.O.O.F. cemetery, Trenton, Missouri.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Fairview Avenue United Methodist Church.
The Eichhorn-McKenzie Funeral Home, Lonaconing, is in charge of the arrangements.
HELENE "VICKY NIXON" DELAUTER
MIDDLETOWN - Helene Victoria Nixon "Vicky Nixon" DeLauter, 52, of Pete Wiles Road, Middletown, died Saturday, Dec. 13, 1997, at the Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown.
Born in Cumberland on Sept. 1, 1945, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Helen Eirich Nixon.
She is survived by her husband, Anthony Douglas DeLauter; one daughter, Amanda Rae Beasley, Myersville; two sons, Robert Gregory Gordon, Middletown, and Steven Gwain Winebrenner, Daytona, Fla.; a sister, Angela Brode, Alexandria, Va.; grandson Charles Alexander Hoffman; and several nieces.
A memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. from St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Main Street, Myersville, with the Rev. David Howell officiating. Family requests the omission of flowers and memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society, 1011 Patrick St., Frederick, MD 21701.
Arrangements are being handled by the Davis Funeral Home, Smithsburg.
RALPH E. FAIDLEY, SR.
MOUNT SAVAGE - Ralph E. Faidley Sr., 55, of 13614 Blank Road, Mount Savage, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 1997, at his residence after a lengthy illness.
Born Feb. 13, 1942, in Mount Savage, he was the son of the late Robert L. and Madelyn (Snyder) Faidley. He also was preceded in death by one son, Ralph E. "Sonny" Faidley, in 1988; one brother, John Faidley; and one sister, Kathy Faidley.
Mr. Faidley was retired with disability from the Kelly Springfield Tire Company. He served in the U.S. Navy during peacetime and was a member of the Mount Savage United Methodist Church.
Surviving are his wife of 36 years JoAnn (Burkett) Faidley; two daughters, Tammy Baker and husband William, Mount Savage, and Tina McKenzie and husband Leo, Frostburg; four grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Ann Muri, Charlottesville, Va., Arlene Fritz, Berlin, Pa., and Linda Robinson, Sunfield, Mich.; one brother, Robert E. Faidley, Lansing, Mich.; one stepbrother, Joey Faidley, Cumberland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Friends will be received at the Durst Funeral Home, Frostburg, on Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. and Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be conducted at the funeral home on Saturday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Richard C. Broome Jr. officiating.
Interment will be in the Methodist cemetery, Mount Savage. Members of the Old Rail Post 6025 VFW will conduct military honors at graveside.
Pallbearers will be William Baker, Leo McKenzie, Robert Faidley, Richard Kimmel, William McKenzie and Lou Sturtz.
AUDREY M. CARPENTER
CUMBERLAND - Audrey Mildred "Millie" Carpenter, 72, of Cumberland, died Tuesday, May 27, 1997, at her residence.
Born Aug. 21, 1924, in Falling Waters, W.Va., she was the daughter of the late Willard and Mary (Wiland) Everett. She also was preceded in death by a sister, Lorraine Wolf.
Mrs. Carpenter, along with her husband, owned and operated Yellow Top Cab Co. She was also employed at the A&P; Market for three years. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, where she was a former Sunday school teacher.
Surviving are her husband, Lee E. Carpenter Jr.; one daughter, Linda Carpenter, Cumberland; two sons, Ronald Carpenter, Cumberland, and Dennis Carpenter, Ridgeley, W.Va.; one brother, Willard Everett, Enfield, Conn.; two sisters, Ethel Goss, Cumberland, and Irene Hayes, Johnstown, Pa.; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
Friends will be received at the George-Upchurch Funeral Home on Thursday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home on Friday, May 30, 1997, at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Richard Jewell officiating.
Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
EVELYN BECKMAN FULK
CUMBERLAND - Evelyn Beckman Fulk, 80, formerly of Cumberland, died Thursday, Nov. 20, 1997, at the Loudoun Hospital Center, Sterling, Va.
Born Sept. 21, 1917, in Cumberland, she was the daughter of the late Conrad and Elizabeth (Rank) Beckman.
Mrs. Fulk also was preceded in death by her husband, Harold Dale Fulk, on July 30, 1995.
She was a long-time resident of Wayne, Pa.
She was a member of St. Luke's Lutheran Church, Wayne, Pa.
Survivors include one son, Harold Wayne Fulk; one daughter, Lizabeth Ann Bomberger; and four grandchildren, Jeffrey Wayne Fulk, Gregory John Fulk, Kristen Ann Bomberger, and Steven Richard Bomberger.
Friends will be received at St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 1601 Frederick Street, Cumberland, on Wednesday from 10 to 11 a.m.
The funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Stephen F. Yelovich officiating.
Interment will be in St. Luke's cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke's Lutheran Church, 203 North Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA 19333.
The George-Upchurch Funeral Home, Cumberland, is in charge of arrangements.
