Person Page - 2124

     Richard Monroe Holcombe was buried at Asbury Methodist Church Cemetery, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.¹ He was born on September 1, 1857 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,1 He married Harriett Elizabeth "Hattie" Thrash, daughter of Capt. Augustus Buckingham "Buck" Thrash and Mary Jane Hawkins, circa 1889.^3,4,1,5,2 Richard Monroe Holcombe died on May 18, 1935 at Lower Hominy, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 77.^3,1,6

     Her married name was Sawyer.¹ Clearsey Barbara Virginia Thrash married Robert Sawyer.^1,2 Clearsey Barbara Virginia Thrash was born on December 1, 1860 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,2 She died on July 23, 1908 at age 47.¹

     Robert Sawyer married Clearsey Barbara Virginia Thrash, daughter of Capt. Augustus Buckingham "Buck" Thrash and Mary Jane Hawkins.^1,2 Robert Sawyer was born circa 1861 at North Carolina.³

     Robert Lee "Bob" Thrash was buried at Acton Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,4 He was born on May 6, 1866 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,3,7,4 He married Mary Nell "Nellie" Wilson circa 1890.^1,8,9,7,4 Robert Lee "Bob" Thrash died on December 4, 1947 at Lower Hominy, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 81; His gravestone has a death date of Dec 6, 1947.^6,3,4

     Mary Nell "Nellie" Wilson was buried at Acton Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,5 She was born on January 4, 1871 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,3,5 As of circa 1890,her married name was Thrash.⁶ She married Robert Lee "Bob" Thrash, son of Capt. Augustus Buckingham "Buck" Thrash and Mary Jane Hawkins, circa 1890.^1,3,6,7,5 Mary Nell "Nellie" Wilson died on September 3, 1960 at Lower Hominy, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 89.^1,3,5

     Augustus Pinkney Thrash was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^2,3 He was born on February 28, 1868 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,2,7 He married Jennie Loraine Pressley circa 1891.^1,8,9,7 Augustus Pinkney Thrash died on December 23, 1934 at Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 66.²

     Jennie Loraine Pressley was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,2 She was born on January 27, 1872 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.¹ As of circa 1891,her married name was Thrash.³ She married Augustus Pinkney Thrash, son of Capt. Augustus Buckingham "Buck" Thrash and Mary Jane Hawkins, circa 1891.^4,3,1,5 Jennie Loraine Pressley died on September 16, 1948 at Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 76.¹

     Rachel Creo Thrash was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^2,3 Her married name was Henry.¹ She was born on February 16, 1871 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,2,4 She married Gustavus Adolphus Henry before May 2, 1910.^1,4 Rachel Creo Thrash died on March 19, 1958 at Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 87.²

     Sarah J. Luther was buried at Gillespie Cemetery, Brevard, Transylvania Co., North Carolina.⁴ She was born on February 2, 1842 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^5,4 As of circa 1865,her married name was Thrash.⁵ She married John Milton Thrash, son of John G. Thrash Jr. and Lucinda Yountz, circa 1865.^5,1,2,3,4 Sarah J. Luther died on October 10, 1900 at Transylvania Co., North Carolina, at age 58.⁴

     Thaddeus Walter "Thad" Thrash was buried at Cromwell Cemetery, Tarboro, Edgecombe Co., North Carolina.⁷ He was born on June 12, 1866 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^2,8 He married Jacksie Anne Daniel on November 19, 1895 at Edgecombe Co., North Carolina.⁴ Thaddeus Walter "Thad" Thrash died on February 15, 1916 at Tarboro, Edgecombe Co., North Carolina, at age 49.²

     Patrick Harlen Thrash was buried at Riverside Cemetery, 53 Birch Street, Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.⁶ He was born in February, 1868 at North Carolina.⁷ He married Olive Brandt Rhodes on May 13, 1894 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^8,9,4 Patrick Harlen Thrash died on August 29, 1951 at Burke Co., North Carolina, at age 83.¹⁰

     Gordon Lafayette Thrash was buried at Solomon Luther Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.⁵ He was born on February 23, 1870 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.² He died on April 12, 1888 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 18.²

     His Social Security Number was 242-09-5030.¹ John Crawford Courtney was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.¹ He was born on June 27, 1893 at North Carolina.¹ He married Annie Lee Miller circa 1916.^1,5,6 John Crawford Courtney died on April 12, 1974 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 80.¹

     Her Social Security Number was 241-06-5799.⁴ Annie Lee Miller was born on September 22, 1893 at North Carolina.^2,4 As of circa 1916,her married name was Courtney.⁵ She married John Crawford Courtney, son of John Hamilton Courtney and Martha Jane Thrash, circa 1916.^1,5,3 Annie Lee Miller died on July 6, 1991 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 97.^4,2

     Etta Cly "Ettie" Courtney was buried at Justice Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,4 She was born on September 15, 1874 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,3 As of September 29, 1892,her married name was Justice.³ She married Parley Garrett "Sam" Justice on September 29, 1892 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,3 Etta Cly "Ettie" Courtney died on June 3, 1962 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 87.^1,3,5

     Parley Garrett "Sam" Justice was buried at Justice Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.³ He was born on February 28, 1869 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^2,3 He married Etta Cly "Ettie" Courtney, daughter of John Hamilton Courtney and Martha Jane Thrash, on September 29, 1892 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,2 Parley Garrett "Sam" Justice died on August 12, 1947 at Biltmore, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 78.^2,4,3

     Roma Florence Courtney was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.¹ She was born on July 26, 1881 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.¹ As of circa 1900,her married name was Lindsey.³ She married George William Lindsey circa 1900.^1,3 Roma Florence Courtney died on January 2, 1953 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 71.^1,4

     George William Lindsey was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.³ He was born on November 21, 1875 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^2,3 He married Roma Florence Courtney, daughter of John Hamilton Courtney and Martha Jane Thrash, circa 1900.^1,4 George William Lindsey died on February 15, 1950 at Arden, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 74.^2,3

     His Social Security Number was 238-05-9723.^8,3 Ted Filmore "Teddie" Lindsey was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.³ He was born on February 19, 1906 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,8 He married Lyda C. Davis on July 4, 1925 at Henderson Co., North Carolina.^4,9,5 Ted Filmore "Teddie" Lindsey died on March 29, 1954 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 48.^3,10,4 He Ted F. Lindsey, 48, employe of the American Enka Corp. for the past 25 years, died in an Asheville hospital about 5:30 p.m. yesterday following a brief illness. He had resided at 5 Orchard St., Enka. Lindsey suffered a heart attack Friday night while at work at Enka. He was a native of Buncombe County and was the son of the late George and Roma Courtney Lindsey. He was a member of Montmorenci Methodist Church. Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Lyda Davis Lindsey; four daughters, Mrs. Robert P. Epley of Valdese, Mrs. John W. Presley of Royal Pines, Mrs. Robert Queen of Clemson, S.C. and Mrs. Donald Fisher of Enka; two sons, Bill, a student at Baylor University and Jack, stationed in the Navy at Jacksonville, Fla; one brother, Ray of Asheville; three sisters, Mrs. Pansy Huff of Washington, D.C., Mrs. Doris Barber of Candler and Mrs. Carla Grant of Asheville; and three grandchildren. on March 30, 1954.⁴

     Cora Dell Courtney was buried at Carlisle Cemetery, Carlisle, Lonoke Co., Arkansas.⁴ She was born on December 18, 1872 at North Carolina.^1,2 As of May 7, 1896,her married name was Alexander.² She married William Clyde "Will" Alexander on May 7, 1896 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^5,2 Cora Dell Courtney died on August 28, 1964 at Arkansas at age 91.²

     His Social Security Number was 519-10-6223.² James Ree Courtney was buried at Cloverdale Memorial Park, 1200 N. Cloverdale Road, Boise, Ada Co., Idaho.^2,6 He was born on March 27, 1876 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^5,1,6,2 He married Ola Etta Miller on July 24, 1901 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^2,3 James Ree Courtney died on March 10, 1953 at Boise, Ada Co., Idaho, at age 76.^6,2

     Her Social Security Number was 531-24-8319.² Harriett Leona "Hattie" Courtney was buried at Winlock Cemetery, Winlock, Lewis Co., Washington.³ She was born on September 10, 1883 at North Carolina.^1,2 As of December 18, 1901,her married name was Morgan.⁴ She married Judson William Morgan on December 18, 1901 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.⁴ Harriett Leona "Hattie" Courtney died on March 22, 1968 at Centralia, Lewis Co., Washington, at age 84.^2,5

     Augustus Pearman/Pearmon Courtney was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,4 His Social Security Number was 246-34-1969.⁵ He was born on December 29, 1889 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,6,3,4,5 He married Ardie Lorena Hall on July 16, 1919 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^2,3,7 Augustus Pearman/Pearmon Courtney died on May 17, 1951 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 61.^8,3,4

     Her Social Security Number was 246-01-3875.⁹ Johnnie Lee Courtney was buried at Montmorenci Methodist Church Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.⁴ She was born on February 7, 1919 at Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^8,2,9,3,4 As of May 17, 1940,her married name was Van Hook.^10,4 She married Nelson James Van Hook on May 17, 1940 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^10,4 Johnnie Lee Courtney died on June 20, 1994 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 75.^9,2,4

     William Clyde "Will" Alexander was buried at Carlisle Cemetery, Carlisle, Lonoke Co., Arkansas.⁴ He was born on May 7, 1870 at North Carolina.² He married Cora Dell Courtney, daughter of John Hamilton Courtney and Martha Jane Thrash, on May 7, 1896 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,2 William Clyde "Will" Alexander died on January 10, 1954 at Arkansas at age 83.²

     Parley Whittington Justice was buried at O'Kelley-Foster Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.⁸ He was born on November 17, 1893 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,9,2,5 He married Nellie Eugene "Nell" Foster on July 27, 1914 at Haywood Co., North Carolina.^1,2,3,10 Parley Whittington Justice died on March 11, 1972 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina, at age 78.^11,2

     Her Social Security Number was 245-76-8867.⁶ Nellie Eugene "Nell" Foster was buried at O'Kelley-Foster Cemetery, Candler, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.⁷ She was born on January 18, 1892 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,6 As of July 27, 1914,her married name was Justice.⁵ She married Parley Whittington Justice, son of Parley Garrett "Sam" Justice and Etta Cly "Ettie" Courtney, on July 27, 1914 at Haywood Co., North Carolina.^1,2,8,5 Nellie Eugene "Nell" Foster died on May 20, 1985 at Pinellas Co., Florida, at age 93.³

     Charles "Charlie" "Choo Choo" Justice Cherryville - Charlie "Choo-Choo" Justice, 79, of 301 Roy Eaker Road, Cherryville, died Friday, Oct. 17, 2003, at his home. Mr. Justice was born May 18, 1924, in Buncombe County and was a son of the late Parley Whittington and Nell Foster Justice. He was also preceded in death by a son, Charles Ronald Justice. He was an All-American football player at UNC Chapel Hill and graduated in 1949. He also played professional football for the Washington Redskins. He was a Navy veteran Of World War II and was owner of Justice-Crews Insurance Co. in Cherryville. He was a member of the Redeemer Episcopal Church in Shelby. He is survived by his wife, Sarah Hunter Justice; daughter, Barbara J. Crews and her husband, Billy, of Cherryville; three brothers, Joe Justice of Geneva, Fla., Bill Justice of Clearwater, Fla., and Neil Justice of Conyers, Ga; two grandchildren, Emelie Pope and her husband, Dustin, and Sarah Flower and her husband, Jody, and a great-granddaughter, Jalie Creech, all of Cherryville. The funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 20, at the Cathedral of All Souls, Asheville, with the Very Rev. Todd Donatelli, the Rev. Dr. Eugene McDowell and the Rev. Marie Cope officiating. Interment will follow at Calvary Episcopal Church, Fletcher. Honorary pallbearers will be members of the 1946-1949 UNC football teams. His family will greet friends all day Saturday at the residence and again immediately following the committal at Calvary Episcopal Church Parish Hall. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Cleveland County, 951Wendover Heights Drive, Shelby, NC 28150 or Justice Era Endowment Scholarship, P.O. Box 2446, Chapel Hill, NC 27515. Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue, Asheville, is in charge of the arrangements.³ He was buried at Calvary Episcopal Church Cemetery, Fletcher, Henderson Co., North Carolina.^3,5 He was born on May 18, 1924 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,7,3 He married Sarah Alice Hunter on November 23, 1943 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,4 Charles "Charlie" "Choo Choo" Justice died on October 17, 2003 at Cherryville, Gaston Co., North Carolina, at age 79.^1,3 He ASHEVILLE - Sixty-one years after playing in his last high school game and almost 54 after his last college game, Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice is still considered by many as the greatest running back to come from the state of North Carolina.

He belonged to Asheville, and now he's gone.

Justice died Friday at his home in Cherryville. He had been in ill health the last five years. He was 79.

Justice was a star running back at Lee Edwards (now Asheville) High School, guiding the Maroon Devils to two big national games in 1941 and '42. He then went into the service and played for Bainbridge Naval Training Station in Maryland.

After the war he chose to attend the University of North Carolina, where his four-year career became the stuff of legend.

He later played four years with the Washington Redskins, in 1950 and from 1952-54.

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"One of the best athletes of his time," said Herb Coman, who coached three sports at Asheville-Biltmore College (now UNC Asheville) from 1947-52. "He did the kicking, running and the throwing and that's unheard of now. He was a triple threat."

At the University of North Carolina, where he played from 1946-49, Justice was the featured back in the old single-wing offense run by coach Carl Snavely.

Justice ran and passed for 4,883 yards, setting a school record for total offense that stood until 1994. He guided the Tar Heels to a 32-9-2 record and to bowl appearances in three of his four years.

The best season for North Carolina during the Justice era was 1948 when the Tar Heels went 9-0-1 during the regular season, but lost to Oklahoma in the Sugar Bowl, 14-6. During that season he rushed for 766 yards and eight touchdowns and passed for 854 yards and 12 scores. His total yardage was 1,620 yards on 269 plays, a 6.0-average.

One of his better games that season came in a 21-14 victory over Georgia. Justice scored all three touchdowns, including one on an 85-yard punt return. He ran and passed for 304 yards.

That season he also led the nation in punting, averaging 44.0 yards per kick.

"He was one of the greatest clutch players of his time," said Asheville resident Gene Ochsenreiter, who saw Justice play at North Carolina. "When the chips were down, he always rose to the occasion."

Justice earned All-American honors during his final two seasons and was runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting both of those years. He was presented with the Maxwell award in 1948, which recognized him as the best player in college football.

He is the only former player in the North Carolina media guide to have an entire page devoted to him.

Following his college career, he played in the old College All-Star game in 1950, which pit the best seniors from the 1949 season against the reigning championship from the National Football League. The pros usually won, but in the 1950 game, Justice rushed for 133 yards and was named the most valuable player after leading the collegians to victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.

Before going to North Carolina, he served in the Navy during World War II. He played football at Bainbridge Naval Training Station in Maryland in 1943 and '44 was voted to the 1944 All-Service football team. It was at Bainbridge when he picked up his nickname.

A writer for the Baltimore Sun overheard an officer in the stands say about Justice, "He runs like a runaway choo choo."

Justice then became known as Choo Choo Justice, a name that appeared in headlines all over the country for the remainder of his career.

"Clearly the most exciting football player I've ever seen, and I've seen a lot of them," said Hugh Morton, a longtime friend of Justice. "I've seen a lot of broken field runners and he was unequaled. There were all kinds of jokes that he would go by a certain spot and somebody would say, well I saw him go by there some time ago. His runs really were sensational."

Long before he was known as Choo Choo, Justice was a local high school star, a 150-pound runner whose moves flustered opponents throughout the South.

He was selected to the North Carolina All-State team three times and was named All-South, which covered several states, twice. In 1942, he led a team considered by many to be the greatest in Western North Carolina history. In their nine regular-season games the Maroons outscored their opponents 441-6 in posting a 9-0 record.

During his senior season Justice averaged an almost unheard-of 18.63 yards per carry. He ran the ball 128 times in 1942 for 2,385 yards. He scored 27 touchdowns and 172 points in his final season. He averaged an unbelievable 41.37 yards on his touchdown plays

The Maroon Devils were invited to play a postseason game in the Orange Bowl against Miami High. Justice was held without a touchdown and Edwards lost the game 13-7. The previous year they played in the Milk Bowl in Atlanta, but lost to Boys High of Atlanta, 44-0.

During his professional career - 1950 and '52-'54 - Justice did not have the success he had in college, but he did retire as the Redskins' third all-time leading rusher. In 2002, when the organization celebrated its 70th anniversary, Justice was named one of the franchise's top 70 players.

Justice is survived by his wife, Sarah Hunter Justice, a daughter, Barbara Crews, two granddaughters and a great- granddaughter.

Staff writer George Porter and former Citizen-Times sports editor Bob Terrell contributed to this report. on October 18, 2003.⁸

     Sarah Alice Hunter was buried at Calvary Episcopal Church Cemetery, Fletcher, Henderson Co., North Carolina.⁵ Her Social Security Number was 246-32-5282.⁴ She was born on December 11, 1924 at Asheville, Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^3,4 As of November 23, 1943,her married name was Justice.² She married Charles "Charlie" "Choo Choo" Justice, son of Parley Whittington Justice and Nellie Eugene "Nell" Foster, on November 23, 1943 at Buncombe Co., North Carolina.^1,2 Sarah Alice Hunter died on February 9, 2004 at Shelby, Cleveland Co., North Carolina, at age 79.^3,4