Area Obituaries

Lois Wiles Millsaps, 83, of Hiddenite, passed away after an extended illness on Friday, July 16, 2021, at Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Lois was born November 8, 1937, in Alexander County, to the late Emerson Peter Wiles and Minnie Johnson Wiles. She was a graduate of Hiddenite High School and a retired self-employed…

Wayne Edward Johnson, of Hickory, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021, at his residence surrounded by his family. Born April 30, 1935, in Alexander County, he was the son of the late Gaither Garland Johnson and Estelle Starnes Johnson. Mr. Johnson graduated from Taylorsville High School, Class of 1953. He made his career in the…

Trinity Jacob “Trent” Walker, 21, of Taylorsville, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at Charlotte Main Hospital. Trent was born June 18, 2000, in Catawba County, to Charlie Walker, Jr. (Mari Hewett) of Taylorsville, and Keisha Phillips Walker (Bobby Keever) of Maiden. He worked in furniture and was a member of Rocky Creek…

Porsha Nicole Macri, 25, of Stony Point, passed away suddenly July 14, 2021, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. She was born December 10, 1995, in Woodbridge, Va., to the late Keith Allen Macri, Misty Lou Ferguson of Stony Point and stepfather, Peter Daniel Ferguson of Lenoir. Porsha was of the Church of God faith.…

Joseph “Burton” Reid, 80, of Taylorsville, passed away on Tuesday morning, July 13, 2021. Burton was born on December 28, 1940, in Caldwell County, to the late Hayden Burke and Cecil Pennell Reid. During Burton’s working career, he worked as a heavy equipment operator, electrician, cut timber, and finally was a truck driver for the…

Emma Oakley Vernon, 75, of Taylorsville, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at her residence. She was born April 15, 1946, in Stokes County, to the late Rufus P. Oakley and Sadie Sands Oakley. Emma was a founding member of Unity Baptist Church in Taylorsville and retired from the furniture industry after many years…

Gaither McArthur Barnes, 79, of Taylorsville, passed away on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at his home. Gaither was born April 17, 1942, in Alexander County, the son of the late Reuben Barnes and Lois Deal Barnes. Gaither’s passion in life was grading and farming, which he worked at for over 60 years. He enjoyed raising…

Mary Elizabeth Johnston Harrington Wike, 92, of Taylorsville, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, July 13, 2021. She was born July 15, 1928, in Iredell County, the daughter of the late James Arthur Johnston and Letha Mae Parker Johnston. Mary retired from Schneider Mills in 2019, at age 90, after 65 years of service.…

Betty Jean Smith Lynch, 92, of Hiddenite, passed away Sunday, July 11, 2021, after an extended illness at Springs of Catawba. She was born Sunday, May 9, 1929, in Catawba County, to the late Howard Smith and Nadean Justice Smith. She was a member of First Methodist Church in Newton. Betty is survived by a…