Obituaries

Mar 20, 2021

Robert Dwayne Ballard, 28, passed away at his residence on Saturday, March 20, 2021. He was born March 2, 1993 in Gaston County to Ronald Ballard and Crystal Badger Ballard.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Terrell Eugene Badger, Sr, Sid Franklin, Lucille Franklin and Rita Baynard,  and his cousin, Terry Lee Badger.

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Mar 15, 2021

Anne Lyons Melton, 88, passed away at her residence on Monday, March 15, 2021. She was born September 28, 1932 in Watauga County to the late Ralph Elbert Lyons and Ruia Mast Lyons.

She was preceded in death by her husband William Sylvester Melton, Sr.; and son, Thomas Ralph Lyons Melton.

Anne graduated from Harry P. Harding High School, Class of 1950, and was a member of Harding High School Alumni Association. She was a member of St Michael’s...

Mar 13, 2021

 

Robert Michael Kiser, Jr. was born in Spencer, NC to the late Robert Michael Kiser and Bertha Naomi Carson Kiser. He married Eugenia “Genie” Houg on December 8, 1951. As Robert would say, “Ten years and one day after Pearl Harbor”. Robert served in World War II, and he was a Navy Veteran. Genie was the daughter of Ruth...

Mar 12, 2021

Rev. Dorothy (Hicks) Lowery, 94, passed away at the residence of her granddaughter, Lisa Thompson Thornton, on Friday, March 12, 2021. She was born January 10, 1927, in Gaston County to the late Guy Olin Hicks and Pearl H. Hicks.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Jesse Lee Lowery, and son, Randall...

Mar 11, 2021

Mary Frances Tate McKenzie, 85, passed away on Thursday, March 11, 2021. She was born March 8, 1936 in Gaston County to the late Floyd James and Flora Morgan Tate.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Calvin Mitchem; and her second husband Homer Mckenzie.

Mary was a member of Westview Baptist Church...

Mar 9, 2021

Beatrice Mary Buchak Titus, 78, passed away at home on Tuesday, March 9, 2021. She was born June 16, 1942 in Riverhead, NY to the late Edward and Albina Buchak.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years Robert Lee Titus, Sr.

Beatrice was the retired owner of AAA Garage Doors. She...

Mar 7, 2021

Mary Elizabeth Blackwelder Goodnight, 94, passed away at Carolina Care on Sunday, March 7, 2021. She was born November 12, 1926 in Iredell County to the late Olin E. Blackwelder and Eleanor Mae Blackwelder Lackey.

She was preceded in death by her husband Bryte H. Goodnight, Sr.; sister Sara Daniell and husband Hugh Daniell.

Mar 5, 2021

Rickey Lee Kirkland, 74, passed away at Atrium Health, Lincolnton on Friday, March 5, 2021. He was born April 8, 1946 in Gaston County to the late Ernest Clinton Kirkland and Ruth Smith Kirkland.

He was preceded in death by his wife Martha Faye Mitchem Kirkland, sons John Clinton Kirkland and Paul Hampton Kirkland.

Left...

Mar 5, 2021

Jackie Neal Panter, 68, passed away at the Cranberry House, Newland, NC on Friday, March 5, 2021. He was born September 10, 1952 in Gaston County to the late Robert Panter and Bertha Ledford Panter.

Jackie was a security guard in Charlotte, he loved listening and playing the guitar.

Left to cherish his memories are...

Mar 2, 2021

Stella Lovelia Queen Cotnam, 98, passed away at home on Tuesday, March 2, 2021. She was born April 28, 1922 in Cleveland County, NC to the late Luther and Sophia Lovelia Queen Queen.

She was preceded in death by her husband Rankin Paul Cotnam; 5 siblings; granddaughter Ashley Broome; great-grandson Justin Choate; and great-great granddaughter...

Mar 2, 2021

Stephen Roy “Skip” Franklin Sr., 65, of Ripley, WV, passed away Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, Morgantown, following an extended illness.

He was born May 2, 1955, in Gastonia, N.C., a son of the late Richard Kenneth Sr. and Margaret Ann (Ward) Franklin.

Affectionately known to many as “Skip”, he graduated...

Feb 27, 2021

David Benjamin Snipes, 72, passed away at Robin Johnson Hospice House on Saturday, February 27, 2021. He was born July 30, 1948 in Gaston County to the late Hubert Ben Snipes, Jr., and Evelyn Miller Snipes.

He is preceded in death by his wife Sandra Rabb Snipes.

David was the owner of Snipes Shoe Repair,...

Feb 25, 2021

Joan Penner Berry, 84, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on Thursday, February 25, 2021. She was born December 18, 1936 in Gaston County to M.O. Penner and Kathryn Kiser Penner.

She was preceded in death by her sons Mark Berry and Danny Berry.

Joan was a lifelong member of Long Creek Presbyterian Church,...

Feb 22, 2021

Brenda Davis Stafford, 76, passed away peacefully at CaroMont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia on Monday February 22, 2021. She was born on June 10, 1944 in Gaston County, NC to the late William and Helen Lovelace Davis.

She was preceded in death by her husband Jason James Stafford, Jr., brothers Gene, Bobby, and Luther Davis; grandsons, Terry...

Feb 22, 2021

Patricia “Patty” Ann Smith, 64, passed away suddenly on Tuesday, February 22, 2021 with her faithful dog “Toby” by her side. She was born August 10, 1956 in Gaston County to the late Wilburn Neal and Betty Jean Clevenger Smith.

Patty loved listening to gospel music, going out to eat and sitting on her porch...

Feb 21, 2021

Faye Painter Hughes, 76, passed away at Caromont Regional Medical Center on Sunday, February 21, 2021. She was born August 31, 1944 in Cleveland County to the late Rev. Jim and Lela Ledbetter Painter.

She was preceded in death by her siblings.

Left to cherish her memories is her son Jimmy...

Feb 6, 2021

Pastor Michael J Hedgecoe, 55, passed away at Atrium Health Main - Charlotte on Saturday, February 6, 2021. He was born July 28, 1965 in Mecklenburg County to the late Gilbert and Patricia Kay (Haley) Hedgecoe.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Angela “Angie” Warlick.

Pastor Mike was the founder of Jesus Christ...

Feb 3, 2021

Jann Lindsay Savage, 97, passed away at home on Wednesday, February 3, 2021. She was born April 19, 1923 in Gaston County to the late William A. Lindsay and Elta White Lindsay.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, Inmond Jerry Savage, Jr.; siblings Eleanor Lindsay Ware, William “Bill” A. Lindsay,...

Feb 1, 2021

Linda Marie Griggs Vernon, 71, passed away at Caromont Regional Medical Center on Monday, February 1, 2021. She was born September 2, 1949 in Waynesville, NC to the late Clarence Elmer and Argle Jane Smith Griggs.

She was preceded in death by her brother Clarence “Bud” Griggs, sisters Evelyn Parham, Brenda Pounders, and Mildred Griggs, uncle Walter...

Feb 1, 2021

Richard “Dick” Bruce Murnan, 91, passed away at home on Monday, February 1, 2021. He was born April 21, 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana to the late Robert and Lillian Morgan Murnan.

He was preceded in death by his wife Theresa Jane Murnan.

Dick loved flying Ultra Lights and cutting grass. He loved his Lord, Jesus...