Area Obituaries

Mary Lillian Deal Caldwell, 94, of Hickory, passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at Trinity Village in Hickory. Mrs. Caldwell was born on May 22, 1931, in Alexander County to the late Brack Jenkins Deal and Isabelle Lowe Deal. She was a faithful member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church for 61 years. Lillian was…

Joan Bottoms Smith, 76, of Taylorsville, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Sherrills Ford Hospice House. Joan was born on January 18, 1950, in Wilkes County, the daughter of the late Gurney Bottoms and Lena Mitchell Bottoms. Joan was a homemaker for most of her life and a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church,…

Eric Grant, 55, of Salisbury, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, on October 8, 1970, to the late William Grant, Sr., and the late Cynthia Howell Grant. Eric was a member of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Eric worked in various industries throughout his life,…

Mertha Braswell Biddy, 94, of Taylorsville, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at her home. Mertha was born June 22, 1931, in Caldwell County, the daughter of the late Horace Braswell and Julia Kelley Braswell. Mertha retired from Walmart after managing the craft department for many years. In her earlier years, she owned and…

Susan Darlene Eckard Sigmon, 63, born on July 15, 1962, in Catawba County, to the late Clayton Eugene Eckard and Lilly Bolick Eckard, peacefully passed away on January 21, 2026, at Carolina Caring in Newton. Survivors include her devoted husband of 43 years, Doug Sigmon, and her siblings, Louise Sigmon, Dennis Eckard, and Eddie Eckard.…

Herschel Leon Wright, Jr., known to family and friends as “Buddy,” passed away peacefully at Catawba Valley Medical Center on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Born in Kings Mountain to the late Herschel and Mabel Wright, Buddy married his college sweetheart, Kay Rogers, on June 4, 1967. Their union provided him not only a devoted spouse…

Annie Ruth Crouch Wike, 86, of Alexander County, passed away on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at her home. Annie Ruth was born August 24, 1939, the daughter of the late Julius Shaver Crouch and Cora Lee Kirby Crouch. Annie Ruth was an active member of Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church for many years. She was…

Earl Eugene “Gene” Harris Jr., 77, of Stony Point, went to be with his Lord and Savior on January 18, 2026, at Gordon Hospice House after an extended illness. He was born on May 15, 1948, in Catawba County to the late Earl Eugene Harris Sr. and Anne Marie Abbott. Gene enjoyed fishing and time…

Carl Ransom Sipe, Jr., 83, beloved member of his community and devoted family man, passed away on January 18, 2026, at S. Mitchell Mack Hospice House in Iredell County. Born on June 21, 1942, in Alexander County, he dedicated much of his life to his family and his work as a truck driver for Sipe…

Claude Andrew “Hoot” Gibson (born May 26, 1938) was a former American football player and coach. He made his last earthly touchdown early Saturday morning, January 17, 2026, after a brief hospitalization. A retired NFL defensive back and punt returner, he played college football for the NC State Wolfpack before playing professionally in the AFL…