All Obituaries

William “Bill” Ronald Hayes, 93, of China Grove, passed away at Atrium Cabarrus on January 29, 2023. He was born April 24, 1929, in Los Angeles County, California to the late Ronald Hayes and Julia Black Hayes. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mildred Bolick Hayes; daughter Elizabeth “Kay” Hayes Atwell; fur baby Beans. Bill was an Army veteran who served during World War II with the 82nd Air Borne. He was one of the first thirteen original Gaston...

Larry Carlton Scott, 78, of Kings Mountain, passed away at his home on January 25, 2023. He was born June 26, 1944, in Gaston County, to the late Aubrey Scott and Ruby Brady Scott. He is preceded in death by older brother, Gus Scott. Larry was a United States Air Force veteran who served in fire and rescue during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and served several times as church council president. Larry retired from Champion Labs after 27 years in management. He...

The family of Pauline Barker Jones of Mount Holly, North Carolina is saddened to announce her passing on January 17, 2023, at the age of 93. Pauline was born on April 30, 1929, to John and Laura (Bryant) Barker. She grew up in Lincoln County and graduated from Rock Springs High School in Denver, North Carolina. She was one of the owners of the Mount Holly Farm Supply, Mount Holly, North Carolina, which they just celebrated their 70 years in business. In her younger years, she was an active...

Lois Ilene Briggs, 82, of Gastonia, passed away at Accordius Health on January 13, 2023. She was born August 9, 1940, in Gaston County, to the late Carl Eli Briggs and Blanche Edna Smith Briggs. She is preceded in death by siblings, Donald Briggs, Wayne Briggs, Bennie Briggs, Kenneth Briggs, and Velma Briggs Carter. Lois was a lifelong member of the Firestone Wesleyan Church. She worked in Gaston County Schools for over 30 years before retiring. Lois was well loved by all that knew her....

Therman Lamar Poole, 88, of Gastonia, passed away at home on January 12, 2023. He was born March 27, 1934, in Gaston County, to the late Virgil Benson Poole and Artie Rhyne Poole. He is preceded in death by siblings Leonard Poole, Wilbur Poole, and Carol Dills. Therman was a retired truck driver for Akers Motor Line and Carolina Freight after 32 years of service. After retirement he helped his wife Linda at Poole’s Florist. He loved farming, being at home and spending time with his...

Rev. Oscar Leroy Easler, 80, of Bessemer City, passed away at home on Sunday, January 8, 2023. He was born July 18, 1942, in Sullivan County, Tennessee to the late William Grover Easler and Eunice Laura Bloomer Easler. He is preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Judy Ann Smith Easler Oscar retired from Duke Energy, was a minister for over 40 years, enjoyed fishing, traveling, eating exotic food, and loved spending time with his family. He was a United States Army veteran. Left to...

Marilyn Yvonne Hardin Peele, 81, of Gastonia, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on January 7, 2023. She was born April 15, 1941, in Gaston County, to the late Noah Hardin and Cordie Mae Stacy Hardin. She is preceded in death by her husband, Staton James Peele III; and the father of her children, John R. Wheeler. Marilyn was a lifelong member of the Firestone Wesleyan Church where she sang in the choir and taught Sunday school. She retired from Pharr Yarns after 50 plus years...

Wanda Elizabeth “Wendi” Branson, 52, of Gastonia, passed away at Atrium Health Medical Center, Charlotte, on January 3, 2023. She was born December 14, 1970, in Cook County, IL, to Richard LeRoy Branson, Sr. and the late Peggy Ann Fulbius Branson. She is preceded in death by her nephew, Christopher Queen. Wendi was a compassionate RN who worked in local nursing homes and loved spending time at the beach. She was a Hunter Huss graduate from the Class of 1989 and played in the...

Mary  Evelene “Dink” Payne, 90, of Bessemer City, passed away peacefully at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on December 30, 2022, at 10:50 PM. She was born July 7, 1932, in Gaston County, to the late John Baxter Wells and Sadie Lottie Crook Wells. Evelene was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Richard Earl Payne; brother, William “Big Bill” Wells; sisters, Ruby Wells Cobb and Inez Wells Lail. Evelene loved the Lord and was a charter member of...