Thurman Gerome Lineberger

Thurman Gerome “Jim” Lineberger, age 75, of Old Catawba Road, Catawba NC, died Friday December 16, 2016 at Catawba Regional Hospice in Sherrills Ford, NC. Born October 6, 1941 in Catawba County, he was the son of the late William “Bus” Lineberger and Virginia Bailey Lineberger.

Thurman “Jim” was a member of Snow Hill AME Zion church in Newton, NC. A dedicated truck driver for over 50 years, he was the first African-American truck driver for Carolina Freight located in Cherryville, NC, and retired from Consolidated Freightways in Charlotte, NC. He was dedicated to his community as a volunteer fireman for the Catawba Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years. Thurman “Jim” touched many lives and always had a unique way of making people he came in contact with smile and laugh.

In addition to his parents, Thurman “Jim” was preceded in death by his son, Thurman Barnard Lineberger.

Loved ones left behind to cherish his memory include his wife of 51 years, Mary Catherine England Lineberger of Catawba, NC; sons, Alan Lineberger of Charlotte, NC, Boyce Lineberger and wife Judy of Conover, Bobby Lineberger and wife Brittany of Claremont; daughters Tangela Lineberger of Hickory, and Jackie and Keith Gaston; sisters Lillian Hull of Shelby, Janet Rhinehardt of Newton, and Wadene A Rhinehardt of Newton; seventeen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; a number of nieces and nephews, and lifelong friends; his dog “Precious” and 4 great-grand dogs.

A service of remembrance will be held on Wednesday, December 21, 2016, at 1:00 PM in the Chapel of Willis-Reynolds Funeral Home in Newton, NC, with Pastor Don Bledsoe officiating. Burial will follow in Central Cemetery in Newton, NC. The family will receive friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 11:30 AM to 12:45 PM on Wednesday.

The family would like to say thank you to our family and friends for the support shown during the loss of our father and the many memories he shared with everyone.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to: Catawba Rescue Squad, PO Box 125, Catawba, NC, 28609.