Statesville Record & Landmark

Martha "Jean" Ervin, 94, of Statesville, passed away on Wednesday, January 4, 2023. She was born May 22, 1928 in Newton, NC to the late Hillary Edgar Herman and Sally Garris Herman. She graduated from Newton Conover High School in 1947 and was alumna of Davis Hospital School of Nursing - Gardner Webb College. Jean was a member of Troutman United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and was a member in the Women in Missions group. She volunteered as a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 17 years and traveled to various countries on mission trips. She was also a member of the Troutman Garden Club. In her spare time she enjoyed camping in her RV, gardening, needle work,...

Irene Shoemaker, devoted mother, teacher, wife and friend, passed away Tuesday, January 3, 2023, surrounded by her family. Born September 13, 1925, Irene's parents were Rev. Charles Cyrus Holland, who was the pastor of Front Street Baptist Church, Statesville, and Texie Catherine Bess Holland. Her husband, Harold Shoemaker was the Minister of Music and Associate Pastor at Pritchard Memorial Baptist Church, Charlotte, for over thirty years. Her loss is mourned by her children, Susan Shoemaker, Steve Shoemaker (spouse, Sue) and Jim Shoemaker (spouse, Amy) her former daughter in law, Cherrie; and her eight grandchildren, Guenevere, Aaron, David (spouse, Dominique), Ann (spouse, Clay), Clara,...

John Norris Blackwelder, 86, of Charlotte died peacefully November 11, 2022 at Atrium Health Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. A proud native of Statesville, NC, he was the son of Norris Monroe Blackwelder and Thelma Godby Blackwelder. John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sara (Sally) Hough Blackwelder and their children, Paul Wright and his wife, Jennifer and Sarah Wright Robinson; his former wife, Sally Barnett and their children, Lucy Stephens and her husband, Louis, John Blackwelder and his wife, Heather and Martha Neal Blackwelder; and grandchildren, Louis and Sarah Stephens, Neal, Leo and Drew Blackwelder and Lucas, Weldon and Brooks Wright. John was born and...

John Norris Blackwelder, 86, of Charlotte died peacefully November 11, 2022 at Atrium Health Medical Center surrounded by his loving family. A proud native of Statesville, NC, he was the son of Norris Monroe Blackwelder and Thelma Godby Blackwelder. John is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sara (Sally) Hough Blackwelder and their children, Paul Wright and his wife, Jennifer and Sarah Wright Robinson; his former wife, Sally Barrett and their children, Lucy Stephens and her husband, Louis and John Blackwelder and his wife, Heather; and grandchildren, Louis and Sarah Stephens, Neil, Leo and Drew Blackwelder and Lucas, Weldon and Brooks Wright. John was born and raised in Statesville, NC...

Mrs. Elsie Moore Gills, 90, of Statesville and formerly of Wadesboro and Laurinburg died at home on Sunday, November 6, 2022 in the company of her family. She was born in Anson County on November 14, 1931 to the late Edmond Battle Moore and Wilma McIntyre Moore. Funeral services will be 2:00 PM Thursday, November 10, 2022, in the Chapel of Leavitt Funeral Home. The interment will be private following the service in Anson Memorial Park. The family will greet friends one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home. She was preceded in death by husband Arthur Newkirk Jr in 1966 and by her husband of 49 years, Herman Gillis in 2020. She was also preceded in death by siblings...

Julia Etta Gillespie, born June 30, 1943, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 4, 2022, at the age of 79. She was born in Statesville, NC to Martha Thelma Swanson Gillespie and John Thomas Gillespie. She was preceded in death by her sister Johnnie Sue Gillespie Dearman, and her daughters Beth Moore and Laura Suzanne Moore. She is survived by her first husband, John Vernon Moore (Lynn Ivey Moore) of Charlotte, her son John Thomas Moore (Patricia) of Charlotte, niece, Susan Dearman Head (John) of Mooresville, nephew James Dwight Dearman Jr., grand nephew and niece Cameron Williams (Alyssa) and Emily Williams of Mooresville. She had a successful career in the hospitality industry in...

Trudy Hoover Whitehurst, 70, of Seneca, SC, died peacefully at home on Sunday, October 30th. Trudy was born in Statesville, NC, a daughter of the late Dwight Eugene and Doris Stewart Hoover. She graduated from South Iredell High School in 1971 and Appalachian University in 1974, where she met the love of her life, Dan Whitehurst, her husband of 48 years. She was a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Seneca, SC. She began her career in education, teaching kindergarten, pre-kindergarten, and elementary school. A devoted and loving wife and mother, Trudy chose to work part-time as a bookkeeper so that she could be with her family and especially her children. Her love of helping...

Harriett Henderson Gant, age 85, passed away September 21, 2022. Surviving are her husband, Dewey Spencer Gant Jr.; children, Dewey Spencer Gant III "Trey" (Kathy), Brenda Helms, Julie Cooper (David), and Henry Brian Gant "Hank"; ten grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; a sister, Shirley Munnerlyn (Lawrence); and a brother, Robert Henderson (Dru). The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m., Friday, September 30, 2022, at Calvary Baptist Church, Charlotte, NC, with the funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. at the church. Interment will follow in Huntersville First Baptist Church Cemetery, Huntersville, NC. The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center & James Funeral...

Sarah "Euvalea" Kimball (Gibson) Strickland, 90, of Carolina Beach, passed away peacefully at Cypress Pointe Rehabilitation Center in Wilmington, NC on August 17, 2022. She was born March 14, 1932 in China Grove, NC to the late Wertz Crawford Kimball and Edith Goodman Kimball. After graduating Landis High School as Salutatorian for her class, Euvalea attended Appalachian State Teacher's College where she received her Bachelors Degree in Elementary Education. She then spent her entire teaching career in the Iredell County School System. Euvalea was preceded in death by her first husband Boyce Grier Gibson, Jr., her second husband Lewis Calvin Strickland, her eldest son Boyce...

A full obituary may be read at www.KepnerFH.com.

Gary Thomas Mattox, 69, passed on Sunday, July 3, 2022 at the Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House. Born July 31, 1952 in Iredell County, he was the son of the late Olen Thomas Mattox and Annie Rea Dalton Mattox. Educated in the public schools of Iredell County, he attended Morningside High School and graduated from Statesville Sr. High School, class of 1970. He continued his education receiving a Degree in Automotive Mechanic from Mitchell Community College, a Degree in Accounting from Catawba Valley Technical College, and a Degree from Commonwealth School of Mortuary Science. Mr. Mattox was last employed with Mueller Systems as a maintenance worker. A Veteran of the United States Army, he also...

Retired Lt. Colonel (Army) Albert E. Gaylord died on Wednesday, June 8, 2022 from complications of dementia. He was born on July 24, 1946 in Akron and was raised in Copley. He graduated from Copley High School in 1964 and a graduate of THE Ohio State University, class of 1968. He served in Vietnam in the early 70's; becoming a victim of agent orange. He was a two-time survivor of prostate cancer. Albert was a medical laboratory director, in his professional life. He was very involved in the Masonic community as a 32nd Degree Mason, as well as a Shriner. For the past year, he was a resident of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Albert was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Andrea, and his...

A legend is gone...Major (Ret) John "Speedy" Webster passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family at age of 94 on Saturday, May 21, 2022. Born in Statesville, NC, he was a son of the late Elree and Beatrice Gilleland Webster. John enlisted in the Navy in 1945 and spent the last months of WWII in the Pacific Theater guarding Japanese POWs. After WWII, he attended Duke University where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force and became a pilot flying P-51s, F-86l, T-33s and various other aircraft. During the Korean War he flew 21 combat missions and amassed 54 hours in a T-6 Texan as a Forward Air Controller. Continuing his tradition of service to the...

Mrs. Marguerite Robbins Phillips, 89, of Clover, SC passed away Friday, May 20, 2022 peacefully at home. Mrs. Phillips was born July 13, 1932 in Rowan County, NC to the late Buford Adam Robbins and Annie Laura Troutman Robbins, she was the second of five siblings. Marguerite was a sincere lady and was devoted to her family, friends, and church. She had many hobbies including collecting antiques, traveling, playing solitaire, and cooking. Growing up, Marguerite moved many times with her family, as her father worked to improve the quality of life for his family by following the textile industry. Marguerite graduated from Clover High School and from then on, called Clover her...

On May 6, 2022, Sylvia Joan (Sherrill) Armstrong died peacefully, at the age of 88, at her home in Greensboro, NC, after a brave struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Her husband was with her as she passed. Joan was born on January 15, 1934 in Lincolnton, NC and later moved to Newton, NC. As a young child, she went to Statesville and was raised by her maternal grandmother, Katie. While attending Sunday school at a local Presbyterian church in Statesville, she learned about the Lord and began her faith journey. Later Joan moved to Greensboro, NC and took a commercial course at Women's College (WC) for one year. This helped prepare her for clerical work with the North Carolina Real Estate...

Nancy Carolyn Alexander ,91, of Knoxville, TN passed away peacefully at Elmcroft West Assisted Living ( now American House ) on February 4, 2022. Born May 23, 1930 in Stoney Point, NC to the late William "Mack" and Annie Belle Stikeleather. She grew up on the family farm in Stoney Point, NC and was a graduate of Stoney Point High School. Nancy was the youngest of 12 children. She married her high school sweetheart, James L. Alexander and they were married for 68 years until his passing in May 2019. Jim and Nancy were an Air Force family for 20 years and they travelled and lived in many foreign countries, including Germany, Turkey and Greece. Nancy had two sons, Ronald and Timothy. She was...

Mr. Richard Anthony Moore, 60, passed away Monday, January 31, 2022 at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center. Born March 25, 1961 in Statesville, NC, he was the son the late William Richard Smith and Jeanette Marie Moore Mayberry. Educated in the Iredell County Schools until middle school, the family moved to South Carolina and he graduated from Hillcrest High School, class of 1979. Upon graduation, Mr. Moore served in the United States Marine from 1979 until 1991. He was last employed with Pratt Industries. In his younger years, Mr. Moore was affiliated with St. James Baptist Church in Troutman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death his brother, Derrick Ward;...

Patricia Edwards-Wells, age 66, of Taylorsville, NC, passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022, in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Born on April 2, 1955, in Greensboro, North Carolina, to the late Merle Lee and Frances Alexander Edwards, she was also preceded in death by her sister, Catherine Edwards Wilson. She retired from Lansing Building Products in Statesville, NC and was a member of Western Avenue Baptist Church in Statesville, NC. Patty is survived by her brothers Bill Edwards (Joellen), Lake Wylie, SC, and Tommy Edwards (Jane), Belmont, NC, and many nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held Friday, January 7, 2022, at 11:00 a.m., at Gaston Memorial Park, Gastonia, NC. A...

Mr. Billy Ralph Steele, 87, passed away November 28, 2021 at Gordon Hospice House. Born September 3, 1934 in Iredell County, he was the son of the late Claude Lee Steele and Mary Jane Campbell Steele. Educated in the public schools of Iredell County, he graduated from Unity High School, Statesville. Mr. Steele was last employed with Burlington Industries as a dolpher and he served in the United States Army. He was a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Harmony. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Beverly Dobbins; brothers, Leon Steele, Henry Steele, Clinnie Steele, and Fred Steele; and sisters, Cordia Steele, Esther Vines, Genevieve Morrison, Lottie...

Donald Philip Frazier, 82, of Johns Island, SC, husband of Sally Hart Frazier, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, November, 10 2021. Don was born on October 29, 1939 in Erwin, NC, son of the late Wilbert T. Frazier, Sr. and Sallie Moore Frazier. Don was orphaned at age six and he and his siblings were moved to Barium Springs Presbyterian Home for Children, which he always counted as the most positive influence on his life. There he was blessed with a Christian upbringing and many lifelong friendships. Don had a long career in educational administration at several independent schools in Georgia, Delaware, and Tennessee. Don's legacy is found in the lives he touched through his...

Deborah Lee Quesenberry January 11, 1951 - October 31, 2021 Wilson....Deborah Quesenberry passed away Sunday, October 31, 2021 I was preceded in death by the love of my life, James M. Sutherland; parents, Clyde Jess and Ilene Lesby Quesenberry; sister, Teresa Ann Hunt and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins. I am survived by my daughter and daughter-in-law, Jackie and Cynthia Prince, as well as my only son and his fianc?, James Sutherland and Melissa Schmidl. I`m also leaving behind a granddaughter, Nicole Prince and grandson Connor Kinder. My lifelong friend Debra Summers will remain the same with those I`m leaving behind. Danette Miller is another steadfast friend and will be...