Obituaries

Mar 3, 2022

Christopher Nathan Dagnen, 35, of Kings Mountain, passed away on March 3, 2022. He was born April 26, 1986, in Gaston County, to Richard Preston Dagnen and Wendy Anne Ham.

He is preceded in death by his brother, Devin Valentine; grandmother, Sharon Dagnen, grandfather, Shug Ham, Uncle Mike Dagnen.

Chris had a big loving heart,...

Mar 3, 2022

James Edward Hembree, 74, of Lincolnton, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on March 3, 2022. He was born November 29, 1943, in Isabella, TN, to the late Arvil and Berdie Trantham Hembree.

James is preceded in death by brother William Hembree and Kenneth Hembree; sister Pauline Dephrage.

James enjoyed watching TV, listening to...

Mar 1, 2022

Barbara Turner Trakas, 87, of Bessemer City, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on March 1, 2022. She was born December 26, 1934, in Gaston County, to the late Thomas Manning and Ora Mae Turner.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Chris Theo Trakas; son, Thomas Trakas; daughter-in-law, Melody Foster Trakas....

Feb 27, 2022

Patsy Williams Blake, 83, of Bessemer City, passed away at CaroMont Family Medical Center on February 27, 2022. She was born December 30, 1938, in Georgetown, SC, daughter of the late Price Edward Williams and Reba Mae Port Williams.

In addition to her parents, Patsy is preceded in death by her husband, Padgett “Pat” Blake, Sr.; son,...

Feb 26, 2022

Jerry Dean Turner, 80, of Bessemer City, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on February 26, 2022. He was born May 14, 1941, in Gaston County, to the late Claude Arthur Turner and Eva Sowell Turner.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Glenn Turner.

Jerry retired from Wix Filters after 36 years...

Feb 25, 2022

MSGT Weston “Wes” Eugene Wright, 86, of Bessemer City, died peacefully at home on Feb 25th, 2022, with his loving wife Barbara of 61 years by his side. He was born June 8th, 1935, in Kingsport TN to the late William Harrison Wright and Chloe Pace Wright.

He was preceded in death by his parents (above), sister...

Feb 20, 2022

Tammy Dean Philbeck, 59, of Gastonia, passed away at her home on February 20, 2022. She was born September 21, 1962, in Gaston County, to the late Jimmy William and Jackie Dean Clark Philbeck.

She is proceeded in death by her daughter, Jackie Santana; brother, Jimmy Philbeck, Jr.; sister, Teresa Philbeck Solis; great niece, Jacklyn Bautista.

Feb 19, 2022

Samuel “Sammy” Stanley Crowe Jr., 63, of Bessemer City, passed away at his residence on February 19, 2022. He was born October 5, 1958, in Caldwell County, to Lois Pickelsimer and then late Samuel Crowe Sr.

In addition to his father, he is preceded in death by his stepfather, Ronald Pickelsimer and brother, Doug Crowe....

Feb 19, 2022

James Richard Christopher, Sr., 60, of Bessemer City, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on February 19, 2022. He was born October 17, 1961, in Gaston County, to the late James Harrison Christopher and Mary Hutchens Christopher.

Richard was the owner and operator of his own construction business.

Left to cherish his memories are...

Feb 17, 2022

Ellamae “Midge” Strang Smarrito, 95, of Gastonia, passed away at Terrace Ridge on February 17, 2022. She was born July 29, 1926, in Camden County, New Jersey to the late Marcus Strang and Mary E. Bettinger Shone.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Antonio Smarrito; daughter, Maryetta Rotchford; grandson, Miles Naylor-Smarrito; brothers, Harry, Claude and...

Feb 15, 2022

Grier “Gittle” Wayne Costner, Jr., 72, of Crouse, passed away at his home on February 15, 2022. He was born January 20, 1950, in Lincoln County, to the late Grier Wayne Costner, Sr. and the late Inez Fowler Costner.

He is preceded in death by his son, Brad Costner and siblings Allen, Dale and Elaine.

...

Feb 15, 2022

Rev. Kenneth Devon Ledford, 86, of Stanley, passed away at his home on February 15, 2022. He was born June 16, 1935, in Copper Hill, TN, to the late Wesley Raymond and Abbie Bell Ledford.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his 11 siblings.

Kenneth loved his sweetheart of 70 years, working in his garden...

Feb 14, 2022

George Kenneth “Ken” Wyont, 79, of Bessemer City, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on February 14, 2022. He was born June 23, 1942, in Gaston County, to the late Clyde Thomas and Alice Davis Wyont.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Thelma Wyont.

Ken was a...

Feb 11, 2022

Angela Marie Phillips, 61, of Cherryville, passed away at Carolina Caring, Newton on February 11, 2022. She was born June 5,1960, in Gaston County, to the late Gary Phillips and Ruth Mason Phillips.

She was preceded in death by her husband Lewis Phillips.

Angela was a longtime member of the Evangel Assembly of God, Gastonia...

Feb 9, 2022

Frank Abraham Araujo, 56, of Shelby, passed away at Atrium Health Cleveland on February 9, 2022. He was born February 25, 1965, in Ocean Port, NJ, to the late Barbara Ann Burlett.

He was preceded in death by his sister Theresa McVarish and brother Ralph Araujo.

Left to cherish his memories are his children Crystal...

Feb 7, 2022

Gary Grant Cochrane, 77, of Belmont, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on February 7, 2022. He was born March 24, 1944, in Gaston County, to the late Fred Fisher and Catherine Viola Johnson Cochrane.

Gary is preceded in death by his daughter Emily Renee Cochrane, brothers, Johnny Wayne Cochrane, Gene Douglas Cochrane, William Kenneth Cochrane,...

Feb 5, 2022

Peggy Frances McGill, 89, of Gastonia, passed away at CaroMont Regional Medical Center on February 5, 2022. She was born March 4, 1932, in Gaston County, to the late Archie Herman Robinson and Timy Lucinda Robinson.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Roy “Bud” McGill, Sr.; son, Roy “Buddy” McGill, Jr.; daughter,...

Feb 4, 2022

Larry Thomas Rogers, Sr, 80, of Stanley, passed away at Willow Ridge Rehab on February 4, 2022. He was born November 18, 1941, in Gaston County, to the late Verlin Rogers and the late Jeanette Whisnant McDougal.

Larry is preceded in death by his brother, Lamar Rogers, and grandson, AJ Sabine.

Larry loved restoring antique...

Feb 2, 2022

Susan Jane Burgess, 68, of Casar, passed away at home on February 2, 2022. She was born January 8, 1954, in Fayette County, WV, to the late Franklin Benjamin and Dora Jean Scarbro Miller.

She is preceded in death by brothers Charles, Dempsey, and Bobby, sisters Helen and Louise.

Susan loved the beach, country music...

Feb 2, 2022

Nadine Whisnant Cole, 94, of Gastonia, passed away at Brian Center on February 2, 2022. She was born December 6, 1927, in Lincoln County, to the late George Thomas Whisnant and Alpha Harriett Hedrick Whisnant.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Edgar L. “Buck” Cole; son, Chuck Cole; grandson, Jace Cole; brothers, Paul, Lemuel, Clement,...