Obituaries

Jan 11, 2018

Gail Lucy Schaffer, 64, of Mt. Holly, NC passed away January 11, 2018 at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, NC.  Mrs. Schaffer was born in Newark, N.J. on February 8, 1953 to the late James and Florence Velasqueze.  She was also preceded in death by her brother, Anthony "Tony" Velasqueze; and sister, Maryann Hicks.  Gail enjoyed arts and crafts. ...

Jan 4, 2018

Benjamin “Chad” Benson, age 38, of Lowell, NC, crossed over to his Heavenly home Thursday, January 4, 2018 at Caromont Regional Medical Center. He was born on December 20, 1979 in Roanoke, Va. to Benny and Cindy Waugh Benson. Chad had a huge heart full of compassion and care for his family and other people and always gave the biggest...

Dec 27, 2017

James "Jimmy" R. Jackson, 73, of Belmont passed away December 27, 2017 at his residence.  Jimmy was born in Charlotte on August 14, 1944 to the late James W. and Lib Watkins Jackson.  He was a member of Woodlawn Baptist Church in Lowell.  Jimmy enjoyed fishing, in fact, he never missed his annual fishing trip to the Outer Banks with...

Dec 27, 2017

Teresa Michelle Capps, 47, of Charlotte passed away Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Levine & Dickson Hospice House in Huntersville.  Teresa was born on May 26, 1970 to Frank Capps and Bonnie Laxton Dowdle.  She was preceded in death by her sister, Susan Capps.  Teresa was a private person but loved the outdoors, especially flower gardening, and also enjoyed indoor...

Dec 16, 2017

Albert Lean Nichols, Sr., 78, of Mt. Holly passed away December 16, 2017 at his residence.  He was born in Goffstown, New Hampshire on March 25, 1939 to the late John and Cecil Haywood Nichols.  Albert was also preceded in death by his wife, Margaret Nichols and brothers, Eddie Nichols, Florence Nichols, and Rodger Nichols.  He loved the outdoors and...

Dec 14, 2017

Muriel Ryan Evans, 74, of Mt. holly passed away on December 14, 2017 at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia. Ms. Evans was born on September 21, 1943 in Yonkers, NY to the late William Ryan and Muriel Christopher Ryan. She was also preceded in death by her husband Herman “Joe” Evans. Muriel was employed at American & Efird Inc....

Dec 5, 2017

Teresa Elaine Thompson, 63, of Gastonia passed away December 5, 2017 at Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte. Ms. Thompson was born on June 22, 1954 in Mecklenburg County to the late Ernest Ray Hicks and Ruby Humphries Hicks. Teresa was also preceded in death by 2 brothers and 1 sister. She enjoyed visiting Cherokee, NC and loved the mountains. She was an...

Nov 20, 2017

Nov 15, 2017

Roger Wilson Driggers, 55, of Mt. Holly passed away November 15, 2017 at his residence.  Roger was born on August 20, 1962 to the late Robert and Betty Driggers.  He is also preceded in death by his son, Cody Driggers; brothers, Robbie Driggers and Ricky Driggers; and sister, Renee Kirby.

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 31 years,...

Nov 14, 2017

Steve Denver Brinegar, 61, of Clover, S.C. passed away November 14, 2017 at the Hospice House in Kings Mountain, NC.  He was born on January 5, 1956 in Ashe County, NC to the late Billy Dean Brinegar and Thelma Lour Medley Singleton.  Steve is survived by his best friend and companion, Judy Barnett; Daughter, Brandi Brinegar; Brother, Dennis Brinegar and...

Nov 10, 2017

Dr. Earnest Eugene Hicks, 68, of Fountain Inn, SC formerly of Gastonia passed away November 10, 2017 at his residence. Rev. Hicks was born on September 12,1949 in Greenville, SC to the late Lloyd Hicks, Sr. and Bobbie Ferguson Hicks. Survivors include his wife, Sandra Gail Hicks; Children, Eric Hicks (Geraldine), Chris Hicks (Tina), Natasha Turner, Brandy Stinson (Robbie), Jessica...

Nov 4, 2017

Angela Marie Walker, 33, of Gastonia passed away November 4, 2017 at Caromont Regional Medical Center.  She was born in Gaston County on May 28, 1984 to Belinda Hudspeth and the late Jeffrey Thomas Walker, Sr.  Angela was a very loving wife and mother.  She loved her children and her family more than anything.  She enjoyed fishing, yardwork, and her...

Nov 2, 2017

John Richard Akers, 33, of York, SC, passed away November 2, 2017 at his residence.  John was born August 24, 1984 in Beckley, West Virginia to Rick and Arlene Akers.  He was preceded in death by Great Grandmother, Elsie White; Grandfather, John Akers, Sr.; and “Uncle” Rick Lane.  John enjoyed spending time with his family, loved football and was a...

Oct 21, 2017

Betty Lowe Howell, 80, of Mt. Holly, formerly of Mooresville, passed away suddenly at her residence on Saturday, October 21, 2017.  Mrs. Howell was born in Iredell County on July 20, 1937 to the late Robert “Bob” Lowe and Bonnie Bumgarner Lowe.  She is preceded in death by her daughter, Tammy “Cissy” Howell.  During her working career days, Betty was...

Oct 19, 2017

Matthew “Matt” Allen Whitley, also known as “White Shadah” 26, of Gastonia passed away October 19, 2017.  He was born on September 25, 1991 in Gaston County to Nicie “Jan” Garrett Whitley and the late Martie Allen Whitley.  He is also preceded in death by Stepfather, James Kelly; Grandfathers, Edward Thorn and John Whitley; and Grandmother, Nancy Whitley.  Matt enjoyed...

Oct 19, 2017

Robert Calvin Hurst, 69, of Shelby, NC, formerly of Belmont, NC passed away Thursday October 19, 2017 at his residence. Mr. Hurst was born on December 26, 1947 in Clarksdale, Mississippi to the late Willie Lester Hurst and Ruth Nall Hurst. He is also preceded by his sisters Beverly Wood, Joyce Goff and brother Jackie Hurst. Robert was a U.S....

Oct 12, 2017

Billy Ray Smith, formerly of Friendswood, TX., died October 12, 2017, at the age of 80 at the Robin Johnson House in Dallas, NC.  He was born on January 18, 1937 to parents, W.L. "Dutch" and Ruth Smith, and is survived by his wife, Jayme and children, Deborah Ann Smith, Sharon Denise Smith, William Lloyd Smith, Jeffrey Randall Harris and...

Oct 11, 2017

Hazel Huffman Turner, 62, of Gastonia passed away October 11, 2017 at Brookdale Nursing Center in Gastonia. Ms. Turner was born in Charlotte, NC on March 29, 1955 to the late Ira and Ailene Ritch Huffman. She was also preceded in death by her sister Margaret Gibson and a brother Larry Huffman.  She was a homemaker and also worked in...

Oct 3, 2017

Melvin Ray “Old Wormy” Dickerson, Sr., age 64, went home on October 3, 2017.  He was born on October 12, 1952 to the late Mr. and Mrs. James and Mildred P. Dickerson.  He was preceded in death by two sisters, Janice Bayless and Shirley Hughes.

Melvin is survived by his wife of 43 years, Patsy Mathis Dickerson; a son of...

Oct 2, 2017

Ricky “Radar” Nichols, 52, of Clover, SC went home to be with his Lord and Savior on October 2, 2017 at Wayne T. Patrick Hospice House.  He was born on May 24, 1965 to Lois M. Nichols and the late Fred Nichols, Sr in York, SC. He was preceded in death by one brother, William “Bo” Nichols.  He was a...