Obituaries

Oct 17, 2023

John Edward Christenbury Sr., 94, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at his residence.

He was born in York County, SC on August 20, 1929, to the late John and Liddy Mae Christenbury.

Mr. Christenbury served in the Army National Guard.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded...

Oct 15, 2023

Marlene Tregoe Calhoun, 88, of Bessemer City, passed away October 15, 2023, at Courtland Terrace in Gastonia.

She was born September 27, 1935, in Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of the late Henry Tregoe and Esther White Lilley.

She was of the Christian faith and enjoyed watching Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.

Marlene loved spending time with...

Oct 14, 2023

Steven Bradley Johnson, 40, of Kings Mountain, NC, passed away Saturday, October 14, 2023.

He was born in Gaston County on February 16, 1983, to Dallas Johnson Sr. and Deborah Jolley.

Steven had a heart of gold. He would help anyone in need. He loved to make people laugh. He loved the outdoors and fishing....

Oct 14, 2023

Ray Farris, 84, passed away at his home on Saturday, October 14, 2023.

He was born July 4, 1939, in Gaston County, NC, to the late Ervin and Jennie Carpenter Farris.

Ray was a loving husband, father, and grandfather.  He was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ.  Ray attended Mt. Beulah Baptist Church, in Bessemer...

Oct 13, 2023

Mark Alan Harmon, 60, of Shelby, passed away Friday, October 13, 2023, at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte.

A native of Cleveland County, he was born September 6, 1963, son of the late Thomas and Ola Grigg Harmon.

Mr. Harmon attended church occasionally and was a former employee of Southco Industries.

He loved...

Oct 12, 2023

Vera Louise Calder, 90, of Bessemer City, NC, passed away Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Stanley Total Living Center in Stanley, NC.

She was born in Gaston County on September 19, 1933, to the late Fred Sherrill and Fannie Jewel Rhodes.

Vera was a member of First Assembly of God in Gastonia. She traveled the...

Oct 11, 2023

James Gregory Smith, 54, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at Caromont Regional Medical Center.

He was born October 1, 1969, in Gaston County to Margaret Jones Smith and the late James Willis Smith.

James loved his job at Gaston Skills, where he worked for more than 30 years. He was a...

Oct 11, 2023

Robert "Bobby" Lewis,56, of Gastonia, passed away October 11, 2023, at Atrium Health Cleveland in Shelby.

He was born December 30, 1966, in Gaston, son of Earl Lewis and the late Helen Brooks Lewis.

The family will hold a private graveside service.

In addition to his father Earl, Bobby is survived by his...

Oct 11, 2023

Joy Anne Buonomo Arias, 66, of Iron Station, NC, passed away Wednesday, October 11, 2023, at her residence after a 5 ½ year battle with metastatic breast cancer.

She was born in Massachusetts on April 3, 1957, to Dorothy Buonomo York and the late Joseph Anthony Buonomo.

Joy is survived by her husband of 48...

Oct 10, 2023

Wesley "Bill" Lingerfeldt, 78, of Bessemer City, passed away peacefully on October 10, 2023, at his home and he did it his way.

He was born March 29, 1945, in Gaston County, son of the late Paul Alexander Lingerfeldt and Lucille Scism Lingerfeldt.

Bill was a member of Concord United Methodist Church in Bessemer City....

Oct 10, 2023

Donald "Bubby" Lee Hagerman Jr., 61, of Bessemer City, passed away October 10, 2023, at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, following a lengthy illness.

He was born July 27, 1962, in Hampton Virginia, son of the late Donald Lee Hagerman Sr. and Christine Dunford Hagerman.

Donald was a loving husband, father, pawpaw, son, brother...

Oct 10, 2023

Toni Seitz, 66, passed away peacefully Oct. 10, 2023, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Toni was born in Corona, California and grew up in Jacksonville, Florida.

Survivors include her loving daughter, Tonya Walters (Heath) of Clover, SC; Son, Joey Jennings and family of Bluefield, WV; Grandchildren, Robert Walden (Cora) of Gaffney, SC, Kaitlyn of...

Oct 7, 2023

Emily Martin Lunsford, 88, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023, at Caromont Regional Medical Center.

She was born in Warrenton, VA, on April 7, 1935, to the late William and Fredia Martin.

Emily was a member of Temple Baptist Church in Gastonia.

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

Oct 7, 2023

Earl Jennings Phillips, 84, of Gastonia, passed away at the Robin Johnson Hospice House of Gaston County on October 7, 2023.

Earl was born on August 9, 1939, in St. Pauls, NC.

Earl is survived by his wife, Diane, of 30 years.  He is also survived by his daughters Joy (Robert) Litton and Jodie (Timothy)...

Oct 7, 2023

Sheila Roann Lee, 66, of Gastonia, passed away Saturday, October 7, 2023, at her residence.

She was born in Fayetteville, NC, on June 8, 1957, to the late John Wilton Hair and Edith Melvin.

Sheila loved football, especially the Dallas Cowboys. She enjoyed all sports and walking in the park. Sheila had a cat named...

Oct 6, 2023

Joyce Petty Brown, 91, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Friday, October 6, 2023, at her residence.

She was born in Gaston County on January 19, 1932, to the late Felder and Julia Petty.

Joyce was also preceded in death by her husband, Fred Brown; son, Robert Alan Brown; brothers, Frank Petty, Paul Petty, Vernon Petty,...

Oct 6, 2023

Jerry Lee Drennan Sr., of Belmont, NC, passed away Friday, October 6, 2023, at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia.

A native of Gaston County, he was born June 5, 1940, to the late Howard and Fannie Drennan.

Jerry was a member of Springwood Church of God in Belmont. He has been an evangelist for...

Oct 6, 2023

Debra Lynn Thomasson, 58, of Gastonia, passed away Friday, October 6, 2023, at her residence.

She was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 18, 1965, to the late James Thomasson and Grace Howell.

Debra lived life to the fullest with no regrets. She enjoyed singing and making art out of wood. Her smile would light...

Oct 6, 2023

Doretha "Dot" Plemmons Jones, 76, of Gastonia, NC, passed away Friday, October 6, 2023, at Robin Johnson House in Dallas.

She was born July 17, 1947, in Gaston County to the late Shuford and Cora Plemmons.

Dot was also preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Jones; son, Steven Jones; daughter, Michelle Morrow; two brothers,...

Oct 5, 2023

Loretta Hardin Carpenter, 91, of Cherryville, NC, passed away Thursday, October 5, 2023, at Stanley Total Living Center, Stanley.

She was born October 8, 1931, a native of Gaston Co, NC, daughter of the late Barney and Emily Stroupe.

Loretta was a member of Crowders Mountain Baptist Church.

In addition to her parents,...