Ronnie Lee Daeke, 65, of 230 Gillburg Road, Henderson, NC died Wednesday, April 15, 2009.  Born in Vance County, he was the son of the late Frederick William "Fritz" and Annie Lee Newton Daeke.  Mr. Daeke was a retired employee of Ball-Incon Inc. He was an avid bluegrass and gospel musician.

Surviving are his wife, Joyce Paschall Daeke; a daughter, Rhonda Daeke Allen, of Henderson; a son, Ronald Scott Daeke, of Henderson; a brother, Larry William Daeke, of Henderson; four grandchildren; and a special friend, Otha Wilkins. He was preceded in death by two sons, Ronnie Lee Daeke Jr. and Kenneth Malone Daeke.

"It is so sad that we have lost another member of our close-knit family of Dobro players. Last year was Ronnie's first year at the Gathering of Resonateurs. He played in Snake's band at the concert and was also a good singer. I have known him for several years, having seen him at several Bluegrass festivals. I will treasure my memories of Ronnie."

Pammy Davis

Rocky suffered a heart attack on stage at RenoFest in Hartsville, SC on March 27th of 2009.   Rocky was doing what he loved to do at the time of his passing.  He was performing onstage at RenoFest when he collapsed.  Rocky was a talented and enthusiastic resonator guitar player,  always willing to share what he knew with anyone.  He was a multi-instrumentalist/vocalist and played for many years with Sounds of Grass in South Carolina.  Rocky was a founding member of the Southeast Bluegrass Association and once hosted a Bluegrass show on WKSY in Florence, SC.

He leaves behind his wife Phyllis and two children, Jeffery and Lindsey. 

I had the pleasure of meeting Donnie three years ago.  From the
beginning he somehow managed to be low key and wonderfully outgoing at the
same time.  He and Lynn both were an absolute pleasure to be around.  Never
a dull moment, and never a cross word for any one.  Donnie and Lynn both
possessed a tight, quick and warm sense of humor.  They both possessed a
great work ethic and a super attitude towards old friends and those
strangers who were soon to be their new old friends.

        They were friends, neighbors and fans of Tut Taylor and I'm quite
sure that he felt the same way about them.   Lynn is a helluva bass player
and their son is a very grounded young man who is becoming a surprising
guitarist.   Donnie Swaim will be sorely missed by, not only his family, but
all those who knew him.  I miss him already.  I write this with tears
standing in my eyes and a very heavy heart.  Please remember his family in
your prayers.

And be reminded that the greatest tribute to the dead is not grief, but
gratitude.  And I am grateful to have known  Donnie Swaim. 

JP Johnson

In the loving presence of his wife, Pammy, Clyde Wesley Davis, 75, passed away at Wesley Long Hospital in Greensboro NC on March 14th, 2011 after a bravely fought nine month battle against cancer. Clyde was born on November 26, 1935 to the late Woodrow Wilson Davis and Bessie Newcomb Davis in Olive Hill near Roxboro, NC.

 Clyde loved restoring and driving antique automobiles and was a member of Alamance Street Rod Association where he was the President. Later he worked at GKN in Mebane until his marriage to his soulmate Pamela Lynn Wallace in 1986. Clyde had many hobbies including street rods, hit-n-miss engines, playing bluegrass guitar and restoring antique camping trailers. He and Pammy played with Joe Thompson, an elderly African American fiddler and Old Blue, an Old Time Band who played for contra dances. Continuing his Music Repair business, he repaired musical instruments, tuned pianos and built two guitars and a fiddle. He restored and sold many aluminum and fiberglass campers including his 1947 8-foot Kit Kamper teardrop trailer, a rare classic and featured in a book called "Ready To Roll" and on a calendar.

Clyde was a gentle, kind man and a good friend to all who knew him.  He will be sorely missed.

Rusty Thornhill was anything but a common man! A copy of 'The Entrepreneur's Credo', an excerpt from Common Sense, written in 1776 by Thomas Paine hung in Rusty's home office so all who entered would know and understand this unique man.

He was an innovator, inventor, musician, singer, songwriter, writer, patent writer and was self-taught in all these endeavors. But more importantly, he was a loving family man and friend to all.

Since I have taken over running the pick business I have talked with so many people whose lives have been changed by Rusty's gentle, loving friendship and generous business practices.

Rusty was always thinking of ways to improve things from the picks and guitars he produced, to more fuel efficient tractor trailer trucks, economical housing and a totally new design of bicycles.

Even as his health was declining during his last few weeks at home with hospice, all of the hospice nurses had wonderful stories to tell me of how much they loved and appreciated his humble, loving spirit!  He shared with one nurse what I think was the hardest part for him during his illness. He told her, "I still have so many ideas running around in my head!"

But in a way, that innovative spirit is still living on! His children, their spouses and many of his grandchildren run their own businesses or have creative side businesses. From land surveying, face painting and wood turning, to software development, welding and balloon twisting! And I have seen that same sparkling gleam in the eyes of his great grandchildren when they think of a way to do something better! He is sorely missed and yet we strive to continue in the wake that he created spreading love and generosity to anyone that he encountered!

Jenny Thornhill Faulk