Area Obituaries

Ruth Benfield Baker, 90, of Taylorsville, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Ruth was born May 23, 1931, in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Carris Benfield and Effie Richey Benfield. She had worked for Carolina Comfort and Huntington House. She was a member of Fellowship Advent…

Rev. Daniel Walker Redding, Jr., 62, of Hudson, passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021, at Carolina Caring in Newton. He was born July 31, 1958, in Forsyth County, the son of the late Daniel Walker Redding, Sr. and Ella Lois Craver Redding. He had a Master of Divinity and served as minister for several…

Ida Darlene Harrison Stafford, 92, of Taylorsville, passed away on Tuesday, May 25, 2021, at Trinity Ridge in Hickory. She was born November 29, 1928, in Cambridge, Nebraska, the daughter of the late Sebastian Cabot Harrison and Ida McFarland Harrison. She was the owner and operator of Taylorsville Beach Seafood and Steak House. She attended…

Mildred Daniels Echerd, 93, of Taylorsville, passed away at Elmcroft Assisted Living in Newton on Monday, May 24, 2021. Mildred was born March 25, 1928, in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Lilliard and Maude Daniels. She was raised in the Sugar Loaf Community with her older sisters, the late Margie Daniels and the…

Elline Deal Lackey, 90, of Taylorsville, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021, at Frye Regional Medical Center. Elline was born May 13, 1931, in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Irvin Y. Deal and Mattie Lowe Deal. She was a housewife, mother, and grandmother. She was a member of First Baptist Church, where…

Jamie Stine (Carolina Kid), 57, of Taylorsville, passed away on Monday, May 24, 2021, at Catawba Valley Medical Center. Jamie was born July 31, 1963, in Catawba County, the son of Connie G. Stine and Patricia Smith Stine. He was a truck driver who was employed with Hickory Springs. He was of the Christian faith…

Harold Dean Hammer, 70, passed away May 22, 2021, after a long illness. He was born September 25, 1950, to Henry and Elizabeth Burke Hammer. During his working career, he worked in the construction industry and later 16 years as a truck driver at Mitchell Gold. Harold is of the Christian faith and a member…

Daniel “Dee” Willard Loudermelk, 90, of Taylorsville, passed away May 22, 2021. He was born to the late Daniel A. and Alice Leola Neagle Loudermelk. Dee was in the Army and served in Korea. He was a member at Rocky Face Baptist Church. Dee owned Piedmont Wood Products for 21 years until retirement. He enjoyed…