Area Obituaries

Betty Jane Cannon, 71, of North Duncan Hill Lane, Taylorsville, passed away on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 at Carolina Caring in Newton. Betty was born June 18, 1948, in Iredell County, the daughter of the late John Annas and Junnie Estes Annas. She was a nurse and had worked at local hospitals and nursing homes.…

Willie Fern Matheson, 86, died at Catawba Valley Medical Center on January 14, 2020 after several years of declining health. Fern was born on April 7, 1933 to the late James Perry Pennell and Tressie Vee Brown Pennell of Taylorsville. Fern married Franklin Boyd Matheson in 1953, and they resided in Hiddenite. Fern worked for…

Burl Kinston Cody, husband to Dolphine Mooney and the world’s best dad to Danny, Pam, and Teresa, left his earthly home on January 13, 2020. Burl was born on June 24, 1930, in Whitnel, a small suburb of Lenoir. Growing up, Burl enjoyed running around with his buddies and always had stories to share of…

Roger “Tode” Dyson, 87, of Taylorsville, passed away on January 7, 2020 at Carolina Caring in Newton. Born to the late Dewey Otto and Martha Emma Dyson, Roger was a member at Mt. Herman Baptist Church, enjoyed gardening, loved old cars, and according to his family he was a wonderful Papaw. During his working career,…

Lois Daphne Crotts, 76, of Stony Point, passed away unexpectedly on January 5, 2020. Born to the late David and Mary Ann Treadway Fortner, Lois was of the Baptist faith, and loved to play Bingo. Her family said she was the best cook you could ever imagine, known for her “pound cakes,” her grandchildren and…

Barbara Dula Eckard, of Bethlehem, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on January 1, 2020. After an almost five year battle with pancreatic cancer, she passed at home surrounded by family. She was born April 17, 1951 to the late Thomas H. and Virginia (Triplett) Dula in Caldwell County. Preceding her…