Obituaries

Jan 16, 2024

Joyce Ann "Sunshine" Huffstetler, 77, of Shelby, went to be with the Lord on January 16, 2024, at her home.

She was born in Gaston County, NC, on May 6, 1946, to the late Charles and Clara Guice Hibberts.

Joyce was a member of the North Gaston Church of God for over 20 years.  She...

Jan 15, 2024

It is with sadness and love that we announce the passing of our mother, Hazel Peterson, on January 15, 2024. She left this life peacefully with her daughters by her side.  Hazel was born July 15, 1923 in Medicine Hat, Alberta Canada.  Her parents were Daniel and Orah Reid.  She was reared and educated in Canada.  At the age...

Jan 14, 2024

William "Billy" Marshall Melton, 67, of Kings Mountain, passed away January 14, 2024, at his home.

He was born January 26, 1956, in Cleveland County, son of the late Ray Melton and Christine Wood Melton.

A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Saturday, January 20, 2024, at Harvest Time Assembly 904 Second Street, Kings...

Jan 14, 2024

Jeffrey Allen Summitt, 60, of Bessemer City, NC, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2024, at his residence.

A native of Gaston County, he was born on June 7, 1963, to Patsy Summitt and the late Reverend Ben Allen Summitt.

Jeff loved spending his time fishing, especially for trout. He enjoyed all kinds of music and...

Jan 13, 2024

Kimberly Christine Stokes, 57, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Wendover Hospice in Shelby.

She was born in Rockford, Ill on August 24, 1966, to the late Lois Irene Stokes.

Kim loved to travel, with the beach being her favorite place to visit. She enjoyed sitting in the recliner watching the...

Jan 13, 2024

Randall Lee Spoerle, 70, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Gastonia Health and Rehabilitation.

He was born November 13, 1953, in St. Petersburg, Fl, son of the late Harold E. and Frances Spoerle.

Randall lived for 35 years in Hawaii and then returned to NC. He was self employed as a...

Jan 13, 2024

Teresa Layne Hughes, 68, of Bessemer City, went to be with The Lord on January 13, 2024, at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia.

She was born June 8, 1955, in Allegany County, Virginia, daughter of the late Lee Roy Hughes and Phyllis Marie Johnson Hughes.

Teresa was a member of Grover Church of God...

Jan 12, 2024

Jerry Eugene McSwain, II

(January 15, 1964 - January 12, 2024)

Jerry loved his mother and father. Jerry loved his brothers and sisters and his in laws. He loved the mothers of his children. He loved his nieces, nephews, uncles,  aunts, and cousins. He loved his grandparents. But most of all, Jerry loved his children  ...

Jan 12, 2024

Don Toney, 90, of Gastonia, passed away January 12, 2024, at his home.

He was born in Rutherford County, NC on April 2, 1933, to the late Nelson and Gussie Harrison Toney.

Don was a member of Carson Memorial Baptist Church in Kings Mountain, NC.  He was a veteran of the United States Army during...

Jan 11, 2024

William "Pee Wee" Dean, 67, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024, at his residence.

A native of Gaston County, he was born on August 31, 1956, to the late Earl and Ruth Dean.

William loved dirt track racing. He enjoyed fishing and being outdoors, He loved his family and never met a stranger.

...

Jan 11, 2024

Randy Paul Perkins, 73, of Belmont, NC, passed away Thursday, January 11, 2024, at his residence.

He was born February 26, 1950, in Gaston Co, NC, son of the late Donald and Dorothy Gentry.

Randy was a US Army Veteran. He loved to read, spending time outdoors doing yard work and woodwork, and loved listening...

Jan 10, 2024

Patsy Ann Blanton, 75, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at Robin Johnson House in Dallas, NC.

A native of Gaston County, she was born on October 17, 1948, to the late Clyde and Beatrice Cable.

Patsy was also preceded in death by her son, Darryl Blanton; many siblings.

Patsy...

Jan 10, 2024

Margaret Prince Black, 74, of Dallas, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at her residence.

She was born in Fannin County, Georgia on July 1, 1949, to the late Lush and Ora Prince.

Margaret retired from Wix with 28 years of service.

In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in...

Jan 10, 2024

Jeff "Red" Gardner, 65, of Lowell, NC, passed away Wednesday, January 10, 2024, at his residence.

He was born in Gaston County on March 12, 1958, to the late Richard and Lenora Gardner.

Red loved his two dogs. He had a huge generous heart. He was an avid motorcyclist.

In addition to his...

Jan 9, 2024

George Willard Hensley, 93, of Gastonia, passed away January 9, 2024, at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia.

He was born June 17, 1930, in Jackson County, NC, to the late Robert and Edith Gunter Hensley.

George attended Four Square Pentecostal Church in Gastonia.  He was a Korean War veteran of the United States Army.  ...

Jan 9, 2024

Dennis Boyd Cloninger Jr., 77, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Caromont Regional Medical Center. A native of Gaston County, he was born November 6, 1946, to the late Dennis Sr. and Alma Gardner Cloninger. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Sara "Sally" Cloninger; sister, Teena Barnes;...

Jan 9, 2024

Patsy Ruth Alexander, 94, of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Atrium Health Cleveland, Shelby, NC.

She was born December 21, 1929, in Gaston Co, NC, daughter of the late Lawrence Ewing and Estelle Traywick Herrin.

Patsy was a lifelong member of Goshen Presbyterian Church, Belmont, NC, where she was the...

Jan 9, 2024

Charles "Charlie" Griffie, 83, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Tuesday, January 9, 2024, at Highland Heights Health and Rehabilitation, Gastonia.

He was born February 29, 1940, a native of Gaston Co, NC, son of the late Marshall and Jessie Griffie.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis Griffie;...

Jan 8, 2024

James "Butch" Ray Steele, 80, of Gastonia, passed away January 8, 2024, at Belaire Health Care Center in Gastonia.

He was born November 29, 1943, in Gaston County, son of the late James Wesley Steele and Virginia Thomas Steele.

James was always found hunting or fishing. He loved spending time with his friends at the...

Jan 8, 2024

Elizabeth "Beth" Gay Sanders, 52, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Monday, January 8, 2024, at Caromont Regional Medical Center.

She was born on May 14, 1971, in Gaston County to the late Bou and Saundra Picklesimer Sanders.

Beth retired from the Gaston County Sheriff's Office in September of 2023 with 25 years of service.