Area Obituaries

Cecil (MawMaw) Emma Bowman Chapman, 100, of Taylorsville, moved to her heavenly home on Monday, February 23, 2026. She was born in Alexander County on July 31, 1925, the daughter of the late Dewey and Nola McCalpin Bowman. She was a faithful member of Poplar Springs Baptist Church. The love that she had for her…

Billy Ray Johnson, husband of Jeanette Huitt Johnson and father of William Craig Johnson (Fabio), passed away peacefully in his Taylorsville home on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Born to the late Glenn and Annie Stine Johnson on July 2, 1935, he was introduced to farm life at an early age. He was a man who…

Dornetta Newland, 79, of Taylorsville, went home to her heavenly father on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Catawba Valley Medical Center in Hickory. Dornetta was born on January 21, 1947, in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Robert L. Newland Sr. and Addie Elizabeth Brawley Newland. She was a former member of New Zion…

Douglas Michael “Mike” Benfield, Sr., 74, of Hiddenite, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at his home. Mike was born May 13, 1951, in Caldwell County, the son of the late Ray Benfield and Alma Teague Benfield. Mike attended Taylorsville High School, was a retired truck driver of 30-plus years, and served in…

Pearlie Mae Fox Kerley, 80, of Taylorsville, passed away at her residence after a brief illness on February 21, 2026. Pearlie was born in Alexander County on February 18, 1946, to the late James Fox and Annie Bell Sherrill Fox. She was a member of Concord Baptist Church and retired from Bassett Furniture Company as…

Michael “Mike” Jay Hollar passed away peacefully on February 20, 2026, at the age of 81. Born on March 5, 1944, in Alexander County, Mike spent his life there, rooted in the Ellendale Community, where he built a legacy of faith, hard work, and devotion to family. A devout Christian, Mike attended Antioch Baptist Church…

Chelsey LeAnn Lippard Ingle, 30, a beloved daughter, wife, mother, and friend, passed away on February 19, 2026, at Gordon Hospice House in Iredell County, leaving behind a legacy of love and kindness that touched the lives of many. Born on July 26, 1995, in Iredell County, Chelsey greeted the world with a radiant smile…

Anna Claudine Carpenter Avery, 90, of Taylorsville, passed away on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at Trinity Village. She was born on September 26, 1935, in Rowan County, the daughter of the late Delma Ray Carpenter and Luna Zora Matlock Carpenter. Claudine graduated from West Texas State University with a degree in science and was a…

Hilda Sue Mayberry Link, 88, peacefully went to be with her Lord and Savior on February 17, 2026. She was born August 29, 1937, in Iredell County, to the late Glenn Mayberry and Mildred Queen Mayberry. She graduated from Union Grove High School in 1955. On August 26, 1956, she married her high school sweetheart,…

Mark Allen Norris, 65, of Taylorsville, passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his home. Mark was born on August 3, 1960, in Alexander County, the son of the late Howard Norris and Marie Tester Norris. Mark worked for Broyhill Furniture for 40 years. He was a hard worker, loved his horses, and was…