BASS-SMITH FUNERAL HOME

Rev. Dr. William F. Milholland August 21, 1929 - October 28, 2025 The Rev. Dr. William F. Milholland, 96, of Hickory, passed away peacefully Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at Carolina Caring in Sherrills Ford. Born August 21, 1929, in Iredell County, he was the son of the late Ira Franklin Milholland and Mabel Pressley Stikeleather Milholland. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Anne Beaver Milholland. Dr. Milholland was a graduate of Boyden High School and Catawba College in Salisbury before joining the U.S. Navy in 1951. He served aboard the USS Thomas E. Fraser before being honorably discharged in 1955 as a Lieutenant. Following his military service,...

Judy Beane August 30, 1940 - June 29, 2025 Judy Jordan Beane, 84, formerly of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away peacefully and with grace on June 29, 2025, in Siesta Key, Florida, surrounded by her loving family. Born in High Point, North Carolina, Judy was the daughter of the late William Lowery Jordan and Mary Gibson Jordan. She graduated from High Point High School and later from Gardner-Webb University. She was married to R. Jerry Beane for 66 years, sharing a life of deep love, faith, and devotion. Judy and Jerry are the co-founders of Trailer Sales & Service, Inc., where she served as the longtime bookkeeper while also raising their three sons. Her quiet strength and...

William (Bill) Edward McCain, 84, passed away peacefully in the presence of his beloved wife on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at Catawba Valley Medical Center after a period of declining health. Born on January 5, 1941 in Holyoke, MA, he was the son of the late Frank and Loretta McCain. Bill attended engineering school at University of Massachusetts. He met his wife Lynn at a New Years Eve dance in 1962 and married in 1964. While working for General Electric, he graduated Summa Cum Laude from the GE Apprenticeship Program at Western New England College in 1971. He was a past member of IEEE and ultimately retired as Manager of Engineering in the Transfer Department in Hickory, NC in...

Richard Wesley Slate, Sr., age 70, of Hickory, NC, passed away on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at his home, surrounded by his family. Born in 1954 in High Point, NC, he was the son of the late Dorothy Stewart Slate and John William Slate, Jr. Rick, as he was known by those closest to him, was a proud graduate of Wake Forest University, Class of 1976. Shortly after graduating, he moved to Hickory, where he started, owned, and operated his leather goods company, RWS Associates Inc., for over 40 years. Rick enjoyed life as an accomplished pilot, boater, and golfer. He cherished his time with family, friends, and his beloved cat, Christmas. He is survived by his loving wife, Cathy...

Cathy Jean Johnson, of Sanford, formerly of Hickory, passed away Thursday, January 30, 2025. Born October 20, 1950, in Catawba County, she was the daughter of the late Paul M. Johnson, Sr. and Frances Bumgarner Johnson. Cathy graduated from Hickory High School in 1968 and East Carolina University in 1972. While at ECU she was editor of the school newspaper. After graduating from ECU she began her professional career as a life style writer for the Wilmington Star News. From there she moved to Burgaw, N.C. where she was the Communications and Public Relations Manager of Four County Electric Membership Co-Op. Her final career move was to Sanford, N.C. where she simultaneously served as...

Carroll Dean Isenhour October 9, 1937 - January 27, 2025 Carroll Dean Isenhour, beloved husband and Dad, 87, of Hickory, passed away on January 27, 2025, with family by his side, at Carolina Rehab. Born October 9, 1937, in Toluca, North Carolina, he was the son of Fred and Ruby Herman Isenhour. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Lou Isenhour. Carroll was a member of Penelope Baptist Church and retired from the Post Office after working as a clerk. He coached midget football for years, and loved umpiring softball, woodworking, building, whistling, and singing. He had a beautiful deep voice and sang in the choir for years. He enjoyed a good western, old movies,...

Michael Ira Glasscock passed away on Monday, June 3, 2024 following a brief illness. Michael was born on July 3, 1942 in Des Moines, Iowa to Ira Ivan Glasscock and Lillian "Billie" (Andersen) Glasscock. The family moved to Willoughby, Ohio where Michael's father Ira opened the Glasscock Chevrolet dealership. Michael graduated from South High School in Willoughby and Ohio Wesleyan University where he was a member of the Theta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. Michael met the love of his life, Judith Anne Saunway, when the two were introduced at a friend's wedding and married a year later at Willoughby Methodist Church. After graduating from OWU, Michael joined his father in business at the...

Marie Gorupic 03/07/1948 - 05/09/2023 Marie Hunsucker Gorupic entered her eternal home with her Heavenly Father on May 9,th 2023. Born March 7th, 1948, in Conover, NC to Dorothy Hunsucker Sanders and Robert Lee Hunsucker, Marie lived her life in the Hickory area. She made a living as a cosmetologist and beauty salon owner. Marie had a way of not only making people feel beautiful on the outside, but on the inside too. As a child, Marie was a mischievous yet loving little girl and as she grew her fun loving yet compassionate ways gained her countless friends. If there ever was a life of the party, it was Marie! She always kept her friends and family laughing hysterically with her dinner...

KATHRYN "KATHY" ANN BALDWIN, 74, of Maiden, NC, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 5:03 pm EST at the Hickory Village Memory Care Facility with her son, Richard, by her side. She was a former resident of Princeton, WV. She is survived by her son, Lt Col Richard Wayne Baldwin, USAF, 55, and his wife, Kimberly Ann Baldwin, 55, both of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. BIOGRAPHY: Kathy was born on July 7, 1948, in Monroe, NC. She spent her youth in the Monroe area until her graduation in 1966 from Sun Valley High School. Following graduation, she moved to the Maiden, NC area and later gave birth to her son, Richard, in 1967. In 1974, she moved to the west coast and lived...

KATHRYN "KATHY" ANN BALDWIN, 74, of Maiden, NC, passed away of natural causes on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 5:03 pm EST at the Hickory Village Memory Care Facility with her son, Richard, by her side. She was a former resident of Princeton, WV. She is survived by her son, Lt Col Richard Wayne Baldwin, USAF, 55, and his wife, Kimberly Ann Baldwin, 55, both of Twin Lakes, Wisconsin. BIOGRAPHY: Kathy was born on July 7, 1948, in Monroe, NC. She spent her youth in the Monroe area until her graduation in 1966 from Sun Valley High School. Following graduation, she moved to the Maiden, NC area and later gave birth to her son, Richard, in 1967. In 1974, she moved to the west coast and lived in the...

John was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 18, 1946. He was a graduate of Tulsa Memorial High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1968. He went on to earn his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1972. He completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Virginia. In 1976, he partnered with Dr. James Hodges, Dr. Lee Young and Dr. William Thompson, founding Hickory Family Practice Associates. Soon after starting his practice, he met and married the love of his life, Jane Sementilli Earl. They were married January 6, 1979. Dr. Earl was a beloved physician for 40 years and cared for his patients...

Dr.John Keith Earl, MD, of Hickory passed away peacefully at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. He was lovingly surrounded by his family. John was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on May 18, 1946. He was a graduate of Tulsa Memorial High School and received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1968. He went on to earn his medical degree at the University of Oklahoma School of Medicine in 1972. He completed his residency in family medicine at the University of Virginia. In 1976, he partnered with Dr. James Hodges, Dr. Lee Young and Dr. William Thompson, founding Hickory Family Practice Associates. Soon after starting his practice, he met...

Ellen Boykin Lane Haggar, 69, died September 13 after a period of declining health. The daughter of the late Robert P. Lane and Ellen Bell Lane, she was born in North Hampton, MA, and grew up in Rock Hill, SC. After graduating from UNC at Greensboro, she received a master's degree in English from the University of South Carolina and did further graduate work there and at Duke University where she also taught freshman English classes. After teaching for several years at the College of Charleston, she married Sam Haggar and they moved to Pikesville, MD. Upon his death, she returned to Rock Hill where she worked at Comporium and cared for her mother. In 2019 she moved to...

Forrest Andrew Ferrell, 84, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, September 8, 2022. Born August 26, 1938 in Greensboro North Carolina he was the son of the late Henry Clifton Ferrell and Louise Williams Ferrell. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by a brother, Dr. Henry Clifton Ferrell, Jr. of Greenville N.C. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Becky Hailey Ferrell, daughters Hailey Lail (Scott), Sarah Temple (Jack) and Leslie Forrest Ferrell; grandchildren Graham Banks Lail, Ferrell Moore Lail, Jack Edward Temple and Sierra Louise Temple; brother Malcolm Rea Ferrell (Alexey) of Greensboro, Helen Morton (Richard) of Greensboro, Anne Quillen (Bill) of...

Hazel Belcher Sprinkle, 91, of Granite Falls, NC, departed for her heavenly home on Sunday, May 8, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. She was born September 10, 1930 in Tazewell, VA. She was a former resident of Chesapeake, VA and Madison Heights, VA. She was the daughter of the late John Belcher and Savanna Harvey Belcher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond McKinley Sprinkle Sr.; infant son, Jerry Allen Sprinkle; brother, Warren Frank Belcher; and sisters: Virginia Frances Bond, Evelyn Marie, Bernice Elizabeth, Wanda Lois, Lee Moore, Malva Patricia, and Karen Beatrice. She is survived by her children: Raymond M. (Charlene) Sprinkle Jr. of Landrum, SC, James (Vivian)...

Hazel Belcher Sprinkle, 91, of Granite Falls, NC, departed for her heavenly home on Sunday, May 8, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. She was born September 10, 1930 in Tazewell, VA. She was a former resident of Chesapeake, VA and Madison Heights, VA. She was the daughter of the late John Belcher and Savanna Harvey Belcher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond McKinley Sprinkle Sr.; infant son, Jerry Allen Sprinkle; brother, Warren Frank Belcher; and sisters: Virginia Frances Bond, Evelyn Marie, Bernice Elizabeth, Wanda Lois, Lee Moore, Malva Patricia, and Karen Beatrice. She is survived by her children: Raymond M. (Charlene) Sprinkle Jr., James (Vivian) Sprinkle,...

Hazel Belcher Sprinkle, 91, of Granite Falls, NC, departed for her heavenly home on Sunday, May 8, 2022 surrounded by loved ones. She was born September 10, 1930 in Tazewell, VA. She was a former resident of Chesapeake, VA and Madison Heights, VA. She was the daughter of the late John Belcher and Savanna Harvey Belcher. She was preceded in death by her husband, Raymond McKinley Sprinkle Sr.; infant son, Jerry Allen Sprinkle; brother, Warren Frank Belcher; and sisters: Virginia Frances Bond, Evelyn Marie, Bernice Elizabeth, Wanda Lois, Lee Moore, Malva Patricia, and Karen Beatrice. She is survived by her children: Raymond M. (Charlene) Sprinkle Jr. of Landrum, SC, James (Vivian)...

Rubye Connelly "Connie" Horne, 93, of Hickory, North Carolina, and formerly of Macon, Georgia, passed away on March 22, 2022, at Abernathy Laurels. Connie, as she was known to her family and friends, was born on April 27, 1928, in Monticello, Georgia. Connie was a loving mother, grandmother, teacher, and active church member. Connie attended Oxford College of Emory University. She began her teaching career in Kennesaw, Georgia. She retired as the assistant media specialist at Appling Middle School in Macon. Her lifelong passion was collecting, buying and selling antiques. For many years she had an antique business in Macon, Objects of Affection. Connie moved to Hickory eight years...

Jacqueline "Jackie" Ann (Sterkel) Smith, 74, of Conover, NC, went home to be with Jesus on February 20, 2022. Jackie was born on May 15th, 1947 to Jake and Ruby Sterkel, in Denver, CO. She graduated from Loveland High, in Loveland, CO. She was highly experienced in accounting and bookkeeping; and ultimately started her own company, MayDay Services Inc.; a Medical Insurance claim firm. Jackie always dreamed of being a mother and adopted 3 boys. She dedicated her life to being a wonderful mother. She excelled at encouraging family and friends. She was the optimistic voice that supported them through the many passions and difficulties of their lives. She found great joy in trying to...

Known for her sense of humor and love of birds, Gloria Ann (DesVeaux) Griffin died December 30, 2021. She was born in Waterville, Maine on February 9, 1940, to parents Joseph and Imogene (Dyer) DesVeaux. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers James and Thom DesVeaux, and many beloved friends. Gloria inherited a love of birds from her father and blossomed into a lifelong bird lover, rescuer, and enthusiast. In retirement, she worked with the Delta County (CO) Humane Society and was known in many circles as "the bird lady." Gloria is survived by son and daughter-in-law Shane and Robyn Griffin; their sons Tyler and Isaac Griffin; son and daughter-in-law Cody and Debbie...