Mrs. Merle Hawkins Cheek, age 87, of Elkin, passed away Sunday, August 1, 2010 at Hugh Chatham Nursing Center. Mrs. Cheek was born October 30, 1922 in Wilkes County to Luther & Emma Smoot Hawkins. She was a member of Roaring Gap Baptist Church and worked as a greeter at Walmart for several years. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Cheek was preceded in death by her son Tommie Cheek; four sisters, Lou Ray Lyon, Ida Key, Clara Gentry, and Ollie Swaim; and five brothers, Quentin Hawkins, Nymphus Hawkins, Burette Hawkins, Gaither Hawkins, and Paul Hawkins. She is survived by two sons, Ronnie Cheek & wife Cathy of Kings Mountain and Ricky Cheek of Lexington; three daughters, Lois Finney & husband Ken of Elkin, Betty Causey & husband Larry of Stokesdale, and Debbie Smith & husband Bobby of Hays; a daughter-in-law Joyce Cheek also of Hays; three special nieces, Bonnie Sidden, Elva Hayes, and Maxine Lyon; nine grandchildren, Tommy Cheek & wife Janice, Angela Wyatt & husband Scott, Robin Paige & husband Russell, Scott Causey & wife Kimberly, Suzanne Causey, Allison Causey, Elizabeth Bridges & husband Brandon, Sarah Smith, and Jacob Smith; and several great grandchildren. A funeral service will be conducted Wednesday, August 4, 2010 at 11:00am at Roaring Gap Baptist Church with Rev. John Pillsbury officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00pm at Elkin Funeral Service. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Roaring Gap Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 267 E Roaring Gap Church Road, Thurmond, NC 28683.
