Obituaries

Mar 27, 2021

Deborah Jean Campbell, 69, of Monroe passed away on March 27, 2021 at Novant Health Matthews Medical Center.  She was born on December 11, 1951 to Alice Lee Sellers and the late Bill Griffin.  She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie Griffin who was killed serving in Vietnam and Gary Campbell, and sister, Teresa Swoop.  She...

Mar 27, 2021

Charlotte "Josie" Mitchem Smith, 85, of Mt. Holly passed away March 27, 2021 at Novant Health Huntersville Medical Center.  She was born on November 26, 1935 to the late Ernest and Kathleen Rankin Mitchem.  She is also preceded in death by her husband, William "Boogie" Smith.  Charlotte loved where she lived at Mountain Island Lake and she enjoyed visiting...

Mar 26, 2021

George Robert Belcher "Rob" PawPaw", 58, of Belmont passed away March 26, 2021 at his residence.  He was born on October 29, 1962 to Joann Trotter and the late George Robert Belcher Sr..  He is also preceded in death by his wife, Martha Belcher.  Rob was a star football player for East Gaston High School.  He loved spending time...

Mar 25, 2021

Robert “Bob” Eugene Thorn, 64, of Stanley, passed away March 25, 2021. Bob was born on March 30, 1956 in Barberton, OH to Barbara West Thorn and to the late Norman Thorn. He was also preceded in death by his grandchildren, William and Charity. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Belmont Ward...

Mar 25, 2021

Christopher James Austin, 54, of Belmont, passed away March 25, 2021 peacefully at his residence.  He was born on April 30, 1966 to the late Gene and Joyce Fowler Austin.  Chris was a 3rd Degree Mason at the West Gate Masonic Lodge #738 A.F & A.M.  He was a gentle giant who loved his family and his friends; enjoyed...

Mar 22, 2021

Arnold Leon Waugh, 68, of Louisville, KY passed away March 22, 2021 at Mary & Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville.  He was born in Roanoke, Va. on June 26, 1952 to Twila Ann McCormick Patteson and the late Harold Stanley Waugh.  He is also preceded in death by his nephew, Chad Benson.  Arnold was a U.S. Air Force Veteran.  He...

Mar 22, 2021

Christopher James Moore, 62, of Gastonia, passed away on Monday, March 22, 2021. He was born in Kankakee, Illinois on December 8, 1958, the son of the late John Lewis Moore and Freda Picklesiemer Moore. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Joseph Jackson and Kenneth Moore. Christopher loved animals and was exceptional...

Mar 20, 2021

Steve Michael Chaney, 71, of Belmont, passed away on Saturday, March 20, 2021. He was born in Mecklenburg County on September 3, 1949, the son of the late James Howard Chaney and Inex Hicks Chaney. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Steve Howard Chaney and Jeffrey Scott Chaney; and his siblings, Frances...

Mar 17, 2021

Karen Joann Owens, 55, of Ranlo, passed away on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. She was born in Gaston County on January 26, 1966, the daughter of the late Joe Morgan and Joann Biddix Morgan. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sisters, Vickie Hunter and Melinda Sweetin. Karen loved being a wife, mother, and...

Mar 16, 2021

James “Mike” Lanier, 57, of Belmont passed away March 16, 2021 at his residence. Mike was born in Gaston County on April 14, 1963 to Nell Jean Lanier and the late James Reid Lanier. He is also preceded in death by his brother Bryan Cephus Lanier and brother-in-law Roger Driggers.

Mike’s career included being in sales with both...

Mar 14, 2021

Carmel "Candy" Chastain, 66, of Stanley, went to be with the Lord following many years of suffering with multiple illnesses on Sunday night, March 14, 2021.  She was born in the Hickory Grove Community and graduated from Independence High School.  She loved to cook and was well known for her delicious pound cakes and beautifully decorated cakes. Candy made...

Mar 9, 2021

Elizabeth (Libby) Crede Ingram, 69, of Dallas, NC, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2021 surrounded by her loving family.  Libby was born February 4, 1952 in Rahway, NJ.  She was the daughter of the late Cornelius C. Crede and Eleanor Murphy Crede.  Libby graduated from Garinger High School in Charlotte, NC and attended Central Piedmont Community College.  She...

Mar 9, 2021

Shirley Ann Cowan, 85, of Belmont passed away March 9, 2021 at Caromont Regional Medical Center.  She was born on November 30, 1935 to the late James Small and Pearl Gibson Clark.  She is also preceded in death by her son, Ronald Self; daughter in law, Susie Self; sisters, Alma Homesly and Virginia Helton; and brother Bobby Small.  Shirley...

Mar 6, 2021

Brandon Scott Gerard, 46, of Gastonia passed away March 6, 2021 at Caromont Regional Medical Center.  He was born in New York City on February 6, 1975.  Brandon was known as being a sarcastic goof ball but was also strong willed when it came to dealing with all of his multiple medical issues including his 2 kidney transplants.  He...

Mar 5, 2021

Donnie Albert Beck, 77, of Monroe was called home to his Heavenly home on March 5, 2021 at his residence.  Donnie was born in Thomasville, NC on January 24, 1944 to the late Albert Lee Beck and Nellie Mae Pearson Beck.  In his early years, Donnie was the President of the Debate Club at Thomasville High School.  He was...

Mar 5, 2021

Bobby Franklin Holmes, 76, of Belmont, passed away on Friday, March 5, 2021 surrounded by his family at his residence. He was born in Clover, SC on December 22, 1944, the son of the late Clarence Holmes and Mary Webb Holmes. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Margaret Powell.  Bobby enjoyed doing...

Mar 4, 2021

Joseph "Joe" James Chute, 62, of Charlotte, passed away March 4, 2021 at his residence.  He was born on July 19, 1958 to the late Larry and Leta Moore Chute.  Joe loved his country and served 15 years in the U.S. Navy.  He was an avid collector of swords, watches, shoes, luggage, and suits.  He was a big jokester...

Mar 3, 2021

Joshua Alan Hicks, 20, of Stanley passed away March 3, 2021 in Nashville, TN.  He was born in Gaston County on July 27, 2000 and is preceded in death by his grandmother, Judy Hicks; uncle, Timmy Wilson; and sister, Alyssa Jade.  Joshua graduated from East Gaston High School where he was given the nickname “Shamu” and was also enrolled...

Mar 1, 2021

On March 1, 2021, at the bright age of 50, God called Johnsie Rebecca McClish (Becky) home. A native of Plainfield NJ, she spent the majority of her youth upstate until later settling down in the Carolinas where she began to raise her 7 children. Johnsie had a great heart and a personality that was a wonder to be...

Mar 1, 2021

Wanda "Jaynie" Jane Britt, 65, of Gastonia passed away March 1, 2021 at Caromont Regional Medical Center.  She was born in Gaston County on October 24, 1955 to the late Hardy L. Deaton and Betsy Elmina Britt and raised by the late Andrew Jackson and Nora Jane Carver Britt.  Jaynie attended The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints...