Marriott Phifer

KINGS MOUNTAIN - Mr. Marriott Darlington Phifer Sr., 88, of 405 West Gold Street, passed away Friday, Feb. 19, 2010, at home.
He was the son of the late Campbell and Minnie Ware Phifer and was born in Kings Mountain. He graduated from Kings Mountain High School and attended Erskine College. A veteran of World War II, he served in the US Army Strategic Air Force Pacific Theatre. Marriott returned to Kings Mountain and Phifer's Hardware and continued to work there until he opened Phifer's Cleveland Hardware in Shelby. After closing his store, he worked for Bunch's Inc. He was a former member of the Kings Mountain City Council.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Wendell Phifer and Menzell Phifer; and sister, Doris Anthony Sellers.
Mr. Phifer is survived by his wife of 63 years, Bess Alice Hambright Phifer; children, Dr. Reta Phifer, Doyt Phifer and wife, Thelma, Connie Savell and husband, Jim, and M.D. Phifer Jr.; and granddaughter, Lesley Phifer; brother-in-law, Ed Sellers of Charlotte; and sister-in-law, Polly Phifer of Kings Mountain.
Marriott was a member of Boyce Memorial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church, where he was involved in all church activities and was a deacon and elder for many years, never missing worship services and Sunday school. Marriott loved and supported his church, Bonclarken Assembly Grounds and Erskine College. He was a 32 Degree Mason.
Memorial Service: Sunday, Feb. 21, 3 p.m., Boyce Memorial Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church
Officiated by: The Rev. Doug Petersen
Visitation: The family will receive friends and family in the fellowship hall after the memorial service and other times the family will receive friends at the home.
Burial: Mountain Rest Cemetery
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, Boyce Memorial ARP Church, P.O. Box 1145, Kings Mountain, NC 28086; or Hospice Cleveland County, 951 Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150
Funeral home: Harris Funeral Home
Online guest registry: www.harrisfunerals.com