Area Obituaries

Dennis Ray Walker, 63, of Lenoir, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 10, 2023, at his home. Dennis was born October 3, 1959, in Alexander County, the son of Sylvia Patterson Walker and the late Richard Roy Walker. He was a welder by trade and of the Christian faith. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, music, and…

Annie Ruth Connolly Jolly, 82, passed away Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at her residence in Alexander County. She was born on Sunday, March 3, 1940, in Alexander County, to the late James Harvey Connolly and Edith Brown Connolly. Mrs. Jolly had worked in the healthcare industry as a nurse assistant. She was a member of…

Richard Dean Combs, 63, of Stony Point, passed away unexpectedly on February 6, 2023. Rick was born August 10, 1959, in Alexander County, to the late Jones Cleveland (JC) Combs and Carrie (Ms. Marie) Barlow Combs of Stony Point. Rick loved baseball and he was a Gator fan. Jeff Gordan was his favorite race car…

Betty Bentley Looper, 91, of Taylorsville, passed away on Monday, February 6, 2023, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Betty was born December 22, 1931, in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Lonnie Bentley and Ocie Kerley Bentley. She worked for Carolina Glove Mill and also Broyhill Furniture. She was a member of Mt. Hebron…

Robert Wesley “Wes” Starnes, 58, of Bethlehem, passed away on February 4, 2023, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Born April 5, 1964, in Catawba County, he was the son of Nina Alvania Pennell Starnes and the late Hugh Donald Starnes. A member of Unity Lutheran Church, he was employed as an automotive parts salesman. He…

Gerald James Dolinger, 76, of Hiddenite, went to be with his beautiful wife of 56 years on February 4, 2023. Gerald was born on April 4, 1946, in Ashe County, to the late Gentry and Ethel Barr Dolinger. Gerald was a truck driver for many years (Tommy Hawk). He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping with…

Charles “Howard” Teague, 84, of Taylorsville, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023, at Iredell Memorial Hospital. He was born March 21, 1938, in Alexander County, the son of the late Otis Everett Teague and Ida Medlin Teague. He was a US Army veteran who served from 1963 to 1964. He worked for Sherrill Furniture…