Area Obituaries

It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Rodney Dwayne “Wayne” Stansel of Smithfield, Virginia. Just 54 years old, Wayne passed away unexpectedly on November 30, 2021, in his home. He loved his family and friends fiercely, leaving this world a warrior and a hero. Wayne was born on April 26, 1967,…

David Eugene Baity, 65, of Hiddenite, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, November 29, 2021, at his home. He was born May 1, 1956, in Alexander County, to the late Walter Baity and Ethel Clementine Revais Baity. He worked in construction and was a welder. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by…

Frances Ruth Sigmon, 78, passed away on November 28, 2021, at Davis Regional Medical Center in Iredell County. Frances was the daughter of the late Ranson Cletus Lynn and Donnie Mae Lynn. She worked in meat processing for Pierre Foods. She was of the Christian faith. During her life, she enjoyed dancing, writing poems, watching…

Lonnie Eugene Vickers, age 67, of Hickory, passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021, at his home. Lonnie was born November 29, 1953, in Wilkes County, the son of the late Bill Vickers and Katie Marie Parsons Vickers. He attended Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Wilkesboro as a youth. Including his parents, he was preceded…

Geraldine “Gerri” Combs Benfield, 82, of Stony Point, passed away unexpectedly on November 25, 2021, at her residence. Gerri was born on May 15, 1939, in Alexander County, to the late Roy Lester Combs and Lottie Victoria Head Combs. She attended South River UMC and Christ Gospel Church of Alexander County. In addition to her…

Steven “Stevie” Mark Gilliam, 61, of Taylorsville, passed away on Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at Amorem Hospice Care in Hudson. Steven was born June 21, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio, the son of the late Robert Lee Gilliam and Cora Roberson Gilliam. He worked for Freightliner, in Cleveland, for 26 plus years. He was of the…

Hazel Daniels Hoyle, 77, of Taylorsville, formerly of Maiden, went to her heavenly home on Thursday, November 18, 2021. Hazel was born January 24, 1944, in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Tommie Daniels and Corrie Kerley Daniels. She was a homemaker and enjoyed sewing and cooking. Including her parents, she was preceded in…

Steve Wayne Fox, 66, of Taylorsville, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, November 16, 2021. Steve was born May 30, 1955, in Alexander County, to the late Jimmy Thomas Fox and Blanche Katy Norlene Fox. He served in the US Army and was of the Baptist faith. In addition to his parents, he…

A life well-lived, Troy Clyde Watts, Jr., 79, passed away at Maple Leaf Health Care on November 16, 2021. Troy was the son of T. Clyde Sr. and Agnes Watts of Taylorsville. He graduated from Taylorsville High School then studied at Appalachian State University. His work career was with Broyhill Furniture and Clayton Marcus. He…

Lonnie Robert McCoy Hefner, 71, of Statesville, passed away on November 16, 2021, at Gordon Hospice House. He was born December 23, 1949, in Caldwell County, to the Late Robert McCoy Hefner and Faye Montgomery Hefner. He was a furniture worker, spring-up. He was a member of Antioch Baptist Church and a member of the…