Obituaries

Mar 16, 2014

Dennis Scott Dixon, 54, of Gastonia, passed away on March 16, 2014 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia. He was born May 22, 1959 in Gaston County to the late Charlie Ray and Sue Hoke Dixon.

Scott graduated from Hunter Huss High School and was a member of Landmark Baptist Church in Gastonia. NASCAR racing was his...

Mar 15, 2014

Sarah Kester Shomate of Gastonia passed away on March 15, 2014 at Robin Johnson House, Dallas. She was born December 21, 1928 in Gaston County to the late Franklin and Katherine Kester.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband Marshall Shomate, Sisters Rita Evitt and Ann Norton. Sarah was a member...

Mar 15, 2014

Mary Alice Nix Roberts of Lowell passed away on March 15, 2014 at Robin Johnson House, Dallas. She was born June 9, 1925 in Pickens County, SC to the late Roy and Thelma Yates Nix.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years George E. Roberts, Sr. and sister...

Mar 10, 2014

Robert "Bob" Bumgardner, 83, exchanged his citizenship from Bessemer City to his citizenship of eternal rest and peace in his heavenly home March 10, 2014. He was born August 6, 1930 in Gaston County, NC, to the late Livingston J. and Edna Ramsey Bumgardner.

Bob attended the "old" West School in Bessemer City. His greatest achievement was...

Mar 6, 2014

Joe Carroll Goates, 65, of Bessemer City went to be with Jesus on March 6, 2014 surrounded by his family. He was born September 19, 1948 in Greenville, Texas to Edith Burch Goates of Texas and the late Joe Elbert Goates.

Joe retired from the United States Air Force after 20 years and worked at Great Dane...

Mar 4, 2014

Shirley Keziah-Thompson, 55, of High Shoals, passed away on March 4, 2014 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia. She was born April 10, 1958 in Mecklenburg County, NC, to the late Ed and Martha Hedgecoe Kiziah.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother; Eddie Kiziah Jr.

She is survived...

Mar 3, 2014

Patricia Player Alexander, 74, of Nashville, TN, passed away on March 3, 2014 at St.Thomas Hospital, Nashville, TN. She was born January 20, 1941 in North Carolina to the late Moses Player and Grace Ring Carver.

Patricia was a beloved mother and grandmother. She fought a courageous 6 year battle with cancer with bravery and grace. She...

Mar 3, 2014

Patricia Ann Butler Bowman, 68, of McAdenville passed away on March 3, 2014 at Robin Johnson House, Dallas. She was born February 8, 1946 in Gaston County to the late John Raymond and Pearl Pauline Parker Butler. Patricia was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church, Lowell. She loved spoiling her grandchildren and she enjoyed flowers and yard work. Patricia...

Mar 2, 2014

Beth Louise Sackrider Depew, 81, of Gastonia, NC, passed away on March 2, 2014 at Belaire Health Care Center, Gastonia. She was born January 1, 1933 in Wamego, Kansas to the late Wilford and Bertha Sackrider.

Beth graduated with honors from Wichita Business College, Wichita, Kansas in 1950. She finished a successful business career at Gaston College...

Feb 28, 2014

Larry Joe Burleson, 68, of Bessemer City, passed away on February 28, 2014 at home. He was born March 2, 1945 in Gaston County to the late Archie and Marie Grindle Burleson.

Joe was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He was retired from the City of Gastonia Solid Waste Department after 25 years. Joe is survived...

Feb 23, 2014

Richard Kenneth Franklin Sr., 83, went to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 23, 2014 from Carolina Care Center in Cherryville, NC. He was born March 7, 1930, in Gaston County to the late Roy and Geneva Stamey Franklin.

Richard was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church of Bessemer City where he was a...

Feb 22, 2014

Roger Evans Stewart, 66, of Kings Mountain, passed away on February 22, 2014 at Kings Mountain Hospital. He was born July 27, 1947 in Cleveland County to the late Charles Evans and Della Dobbins Stewart.

Roger is survived by his brother, Jeff Stewart and wife Anita; 2 nephews and 1 niece. A graveside services will be held...

Feb 18, 2014

JOE HERMAN RATCHFORD

Dallas - Joe Herman Ratchford Joe Herman Ratchford, 63; a devout Christian servant, loving husband, father, brother and Scouter, entered the realm of eternal life with his Lord and Savior, February 18, 2014. He was born August 22, 1950 in Gaston County to the late Mervin Robert and Ora Morris Ratchford. Joe designed, built,...

Feb 13, 2014

Jack Leonard Richard, 89, of Gastonia, passed away on February 13, 2014 at home. He was born January 2, 1925 in Lincoln County to the late Charlie L. and Mamie Mull Richard Pruitt.

Jack was the Owner of Richard Machine Company, Inc., Gastonia, a former member of First Wesleyan Church Gastonia for forty years, and a member...

Feb 10, 2014

Gloria Stillwell Chronister, 80, of Bessemer City passed away on February 10, 2013 at Carolina Care, Cherryville. She was born June 19, 1933 in Elizabeth City County, Richmond VA. to the late Robert P. and Alice Iola Harris Stillwell. She is survived by her; daughters, Gwendolyn Nenninger & husband Edward of Gastonia and Candace Lawrence & husband David of...

Feb 10, 2014

Rachel Moore Thomas, age 94, died peacefully on February 10, 2014. Born on August 15, 1919 to the late Fairley Moore and Flonnie Moore, Rachel graduated from high school and married the love of her life, William Gaylord Thomas. Rachel was deeply loved by her family and community.

A warm-hearted, wise, and humble woman of unwavering faith,...

Feb 8, 2014

Jerry Glenn Pruitt, 61, of Gastonia, passed away on February 8, 2014 at his son's home in Dallas. He was born February 11, 1952 in Gaston County to the late William H. Pruitt and Bessie Mason Pruitt Talent. Jerry is survived by his sons Jerry Nathan Pruitt and wife Angie and Steven Glenn Pruitt and wife Ruthann all of...

Feb 6, 2014

Mary Lanier Hoyle, 82, of Bessemer City, passed away on February 6, 2014 at Kings Mountain Hospice House. She was born October 23, 1931 in Kings Mountain, NC to the late Gallie Ramsey Lanier and Luther Lanier. Mary was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Bill Hoyle, infant son, Grady Kim Hoyle, sisters, Mamie Jenkins, Ruth...

Feb 5, 2014

DOROTHY PERRY

Dorothy "Dot" Long Perry, 88, of Bessemer City passed away on February 5, 2014 at Cleveland Regional Medical Center, Shelby. She was born November 16, 1925 in Swain County, to the late Gus and Betty Jane Sutton Long.

Dot was a member of Beulah Land Baptist Church of Bessemer City.

Dot...

Feb 3, 2014

SCOTTIE EUGENE COX Scottie Eugene Cox, 52, of Gastonia, passed away on February 3, 2014 at Caromont Regional Medical Center, Gastonia. He was born July 23, 1961 in Gaston County to the late Ernest and Aline Weaver Cox. He is survived by his aunt, Pauline Dockery; brothers, Larry Cox, Eddie Cox His funeral services will be held 3:00 PM...