Area Obituaries

Gaynell Jolly Levan, 82, of Taylorsville, passed away on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at the Taylorsville House. Gaynell was born October 30, 1942, in Alexander County, the daughter of the late Daniel Avery Barnes and Madeline Jolly Brown. She worked for Broyhill Furniture as a sewer for most of her working career and she was…

Carolyn Jeanette Starnes Pappas, 86, of Hickory, passed away on March 6, 2025, at Abernathy Laurels. She was born March 8, 1938, in Catawba County, the daughter of the late Vance LeeRoy Starnes and Eulalia Deal Starnes. She was the owner and operator of Western Boot Haus. In addition to her parents, she was preceded…

Eva Millsaps Coley, 94, of Stony Point, passed away on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Gordon Hospice House. Eva was born January 2, 1931, in Alexander County, she was #3 of 10 children, the daughter of the late James O. Millsaps and Ella Harrington Millsaps. Eva worked for Hickory Springs for over 30 years and…

Ann Arnette Gragg, 68, passed away on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, near her home in Lenoir. She was born November 1, 1956, in Iredell County, to Burlene Hammer Arnette and Louis Edward Arnette. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Gregory Lee Gragg. She is survived by her daughter,…

Reverend James Ray Millsaps, 89, entered into eternal rest at his home in Alexander County on Monday, March 3, 2025. Born on Friday, January 31, 1936, in Alexander County, he was the son of the late Rev. Amos Millsaps and Ruth Millsaps. From a young age, Reverend Millsaps felt called to preach and follow in…

Linda Faye Wright, 83, of Hickory, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, after a period of declining health. Born in Cleveland County, she was the daughter of the late Junior and Georgia Kate Wright. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Ronnie Wright. Linda graduated from Piedmont High…

Jean Alice (Wolfarth) Pearson of Hiddenite, formerly of Canisteo, New York, passed away surrounded by her family at her home on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The daughter of the late Bert Wolfarth and Beryl Schiller, she was born September 8, 1934, in Nelliston, New York. At only 16, she graduated from Cobleskill High School and…

Gary Smith Bentley, 77, of Taylorsville, passed away on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at his home. Gary was born October 5, 1947, in Alexander County, the son of the late Smith Howard Bentley and Elsie Childers Bentley. Earlier in his working career, he worked in the furniture industry and then, from 1994-2011, worked for the…