The Hickory Daily Record

Wanda Ballard Farmer, formerly of Norwood and New London, North Carolina (NC), passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her entire family on October 5, 2021, in Charlotte, NC. Wanda was born to the late Garland Ray Ballard and the late Pauline Dorsey Ballard on November 15th, 1942, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She was also preceded in death by her younger brother, Garland Manuel Ballard. Wanda spent her youth on a farm in Jones County outside of New Bern, NC. While her father was away during World War II, she enjoyed the love and attention of both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. This unconditional family love was a major influence on her life and character. She...

Justin Grant Yoder, 40, of Summerville, husband of Renee Yoder, passed away on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at Summerville Medical Center. Family and friends are invited to attend his visitation on Wednesday, September 22, 2021 from 12 o'clock to 2 o'clock at Summerbrook Church, 676 Orangeburg Rd., Summerville, SC 29483. A funeral service will begin at 2 o'clock at Summerbrook Church. Entombment will follow at Dorchester Memory Gardens Mausoleum, 11000 Dorchester Rd., Summerville, SC 29485. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Summerbrook Church, 676 Orangeburg Rd., Summerville, SC 29483. Justin was born on October 26, 1980 in Hickory, NC, son of Norris Yoder and step...

Roger Eugene (Gene) Hefner, 70, of Kennesaw, died Thursday, September 16, 2021. A private family service will be held in North Carolina. Full obituary may be viewed and online condolences expressed at www.collinsfuneralhome.org. Collins Funeral Home 4947 N. Main St., Acworth, GA 30101, 770.974.3133.

James Michael Beaver, age 67, Clover, SC, passed away unexpectedly doing what he loved to do on Sunday, September 5, 2021, Funeral services will be at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, September 11, 2021, at Divine Savior Catholic Church, 232 Herndon Avenue, York, South Carolina with Father Adilso Coelho officiating. The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. at the church. Jim was born January 8, 1954, on the U.S. Airforce base in Newfoundland, Canada, (where his father was stationed) to the late Gale Gordon and Dorothy Mae McGraw Beaver. He was also preceded in death by two sisters Vanessa Beaver and Valerie Beaver. He is survived by his daughter, Holly Simmons; his son, James...

Rachel Virginia Hoke Sigmon of Harrogate, Tennessee went to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ surrounded by her loving family August 2nd, 2021 at her home. Virginia was born July 18, 1931 in Claremont, North Carolina to the late Harlie Jennings and Rachel Baldwin Hoke at their home. Virginia was a graduate of Oxford High School where she excelled as a basketball player in half court women's basketball. She furthered her studies in Nursing at Davis Hospital, Statesville, North Carolina. She was married to her loving husband, James Andrew Sigmon, March 12, 1950 and started their married life working at the Nuclear Bomb Plant in Aiken, South Carolina. Eventually they made their way to...

Marvin H. Timmons, 86, died Monday, July 5, 2021, at Prisma Health Tuomey. Born September 3, 1934, in James Island, he was a son of the late Hasten Timmons and the late Rebecca Tucker Timmons. Mr. Timmons served in the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War. He was a member of American Legion Post 15. He was a store manager for Kimbrell's Furniture and later owned and operated Badcock Home Furniture stores in Camden and Bennettsville. Survivors include two daughters, Madeline Timmons of Sumter, and Sandra T. Robbins (Stewart) of Hickory, NC; two grandchildren, Matthew Conckle, and Stephanie Ranson (Brian); one greatgrandchild, Asher Ranson; one sister, Evelyn Baker of Camden; and a...

COLUMBIA - Thelma Rast, 96, of Columbia, SC, went to her eternal home June 24, 2021. Born March 9, 1925, in Swansea, SC, she was a daughter of Charles Lewis and Marie Jackson Rast. She was predeceased by her parents; a brother, Dr. Charles L. Rast Jr. (Rosalyn L. "Sis") of Columbia; and a sister, Peggy Sanders (James C.) of Beaufort, SC. Thelma was educated in the Swansea public schools and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Columbia College. She continued her education by receiving master's degrees from Peabody and Northwestern. She also studied for a year as a special student at Juilliard School of Music. Music was of great importance to her and she devoted 47 years of teaching in...

Dr. John Phillip Pruitt, 67, died unexpectedly Friday, April 2, 2021. But more importantly he lived for 67 years with a fierce passion expressed through his faith, family, giving, & dentistry. Dr. John Phillip Pruitt, aka "Papa Doc", was born February 23, 1954 to Thomas Pitts Pruitt & Josephine Poole Pruitt in Hickory, NC. John attended Sewanee Military Academy, played several sports, and was quite the prankster in his younger years. John applied to 1 college and went on to graduate from Wake Forrest University, then attended UNC Chapel Hill Dental School from 1976 - 1980. Upon graduation from dental school, he moved to Winston-Salem to begin working with his dental mentor &...

Carolyn Julia Winn White, 79, of Mt. Holly passed away on January 11, 2021 at her residence. She was born on March 13, 1941 to the late Harvey and Margaret Mitchell Winn. Services were held privately by the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.bensonfuneralservices.com.

Fred Coleman Abernethy, age 86, of Banner Elk, North Carolina passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at his home. He was born on March 4, 1934 in Catawba County, North Carolina, a son of the late Fred Coleman Abernethy, Sr. and the late Alta Rix Setzer Abernethy. Fred was a NC State University graduate and began his career as an Registered Architect in 1965 He belonged to and was active in many organizations; Boy Scouts of America- Eagle Scout- Asst. Scout Master, American Institute of Architects, Catawba County Chamber of Commerce - Past President, Cooperative Christian Ministry - st President, Corinth United Church of Christ - Past President of Consistory, First Savings and Loan...

Lucinda F. "Cindy" Thibodeau, 86, of Pittsfield, MA, passed away on December 12, 2020 at her home, surrounded by her loving family and her girls. Born in Pittsfield on September 20, 1934, she was the daughter of Jose and Deolinda Mendoncha Ferreira. She attended Pittsfield Schools and was a graduate of Pittsfield High School. She married Joseph E. Thibodeau on June 16, 1956. He predeceased her on May 28, 2016. Mrs. Thibodeau was primarily a homemaker, but prior to that, she worked at Taconic High School in the cafeteria, next at City Savings Bank, and finally at Berkshire County Savings Bank, where she worked in the operations department processing incoming and outgoing cash letters, to...

Gary "County Line" Baker, age 72, of Conover passed on November 20, 2020 at Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord. He was born October 4, 1948 in Conover to the late Dillard "Blue" and Clara "Tut" Evans Baker. In addition to his parents, Gary was preceded in death by his brother, Winfred "Stanky" Baker. County Line was a jack of all trades, but a Dog Huntin' Man above all else. In his younger years, he was a talented multi-sport athlete and played in top tier softball leagues in Charlotte where his nickname was "Magic". He was known for his ability to fix anything, his dancing, his sense of humor, and his homemade muscadine wine. He loved his family dearly, he loved to hunt and fish, and he...

Lora Parker Salem, 88 of Newton, formerly of Fayetteville, passed away on Wednesday, November 18, 2020 at the Abernethy Laurels in Newton. Lora was born on February 4, 1932 in Cumberland County to the late Lawrence Lee Parker and Minnie Lee Horne Parker. A Graveside Memorial service will be held at Lafayette Memorial Park on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at 3pm. Surviving are her daughter, Sandra Wilson Clark; sons, Bobby Lee Jackson, Jr. and David Lee Jackson; 4 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren. Arrangements by Jernigan-Warren Funeral Home, 545 Ramsey St. Fayetteville, N.C. 28301 Online condolences may be made at www.jerniganwarren.com

Joan Porter Carter was made whole again through Jesus on September 29, 2020 after a courageous battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Joan was born on November 6, 1944, in Nashville, TN, and was raised there with her two sisters. She spent 20 years of her life in Advance, NC, with the love of her life, Leon Carter, and returned with him to Knoxville to be with her family in 2016. She was reunited in heaven with her parents, John and Mildred Porter, sister, Kathy Hill, and step son, Dax Carter. Her spirit will carry on through Leon, her children, Laura Schroeder [Nathan] and Trey Dickson [Cory], step son Jason [Jerry Alice], and grandchildren, Chase, Will, Maggie Lou Alice, Mary Elizabeth,...

Johnsie A. Bean, age 93 of Knoxville, formerly of Connelly Springs, NC passed away peacefully, Tuesday, September 29, 2020 with her family by her side. She was a member of Oak Ridge Baptist, Connelly Springs, NC. Johnsie was a cook at Hildebran Elementary School. Preceded in death by parents, Thomas and Vera Anderson, and husband, Thomas A. Bean, Jr. and sisters, Mildred Carpenter and Geraldine Drum. Survived by sons; Jim (Pam) Bean, Rondal Bean; sister, Wilma Rash, 4 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, as well as several nieces and nephews. Celebration of Life service to be held at a later date. Online condolences may be left at www.mynattfh.com.

Wanette Isenhour Ogle Bolen of Hickory passed away peacefully Wednesday night, September 9, 2020, with her daughter Laura Ogle-Graham by her side. Wanette is also survived by her son Stephen Spencer Ogle; daughter Leslie Lynn Ogle Freeman; son-in-law Marion G. Freeman; son-in-law Stewart W. Graham; Sherry Ferrelli Ogle; granddaughters Sarah Spencer Ogle; Grace Ellisa Olga Graham; grandsons Jake and Joey Ferrelli and Andrew Graham; brother Mack Isenhour of Hickory and his wife, Nancy; sister Joan Bowar; and many nieces and nephews who adored their Aunt Wannie. Wanette practiced psychotherapy for over 40 years and quite literally saved hundreds of lives. Her guidance, advice, and words of...

Demetrios Angelo Bakis, 86, passed peacefully in his home in Mooresville, NC on the 31st of August, 2020 after battling Kidney Disease. He came to America at age of 3 and lived in Marion, SC where the family had a restaurant one of the first of its kind featured on early USA highway maps. Later moving to Charlotte, NC, where he went to school and repeated the first grade, the first year to learn, the second year to teach his mother the English language. He was a 1952 graduate of Central High School, Charlotte. Upon graduation he went straight into the US Air Force and served 4 years during the Korean War Era flying the F86 Sabre. Later earning his bachelors in Business from UNC. Married...

Mrs. Nancy Barker Bowman (Grammy), 84, passed away peacefully on August 28, 2020 at Novant Matthews Medical Center. There will be a private family only, viewing on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020 at Heritage Funeral Home, 3700 Forest Lawn Dr, Weddington, NC. A private graveside service will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery. When it is safe to gather, the family will host a celebration of life for Nancy with the date to be determined. Mrs. Bowman was born on June 12, 1936 in Hickory, NC, daughter of the late Cecil H. Barker and Beulah P. Barker. She graduated from St. Stephens High School and attended Lees-McRae College. Nancy was a loving wife, mother, and dedicated Cafeteria Manager at Union County...

Mr. Cody James Bryant, 25, formerly of Clover, SC passed away Monday, August 3, 2020 at Frye Regional Medical Center, Hickory, NC. A Celebration of Life service will be held at a later time for the safety of our family and friends. Cody was born May 13, 1995 in Gastonia, NC. He graduated from Clover High School in 2013 and received a Horticulture Degree from Spartanburg Community College in 2016. Cody worked in the Sports Turf Management field and was formerly employed by Greenville Drive, Myrtle Beach Pelicans, and most recently was the Heads Grounds Keeper with the Hickory Crawdads. Cody loved his family, South Carolina Gamecocks, Sundrop, green green baseball fields, making new...

Deborah Gibson DeVenny, age 68 of Pearl Dr. passed away Monday, July 27, 2020 at her residence. She was born May 3, 1952 in Catawba County to the late RD and Betty McCaslin Gibson. She was a member of First United Methodist Church of Cherryville. Deborah enjoyed being outdoors, gardening, and tending to her flowers. She loved to vacation at the beach and enjoy the sunshine. Her greatest pastime was spending time with her family and especially her beloved grandson, Braden. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her precious granddaughter, Victoria Rose Jones. Survivors include her husband, Keith DeVenny; daughter, Angela DeVenny Jones and husband, Scott Jones; beloved...

Karen Rose Sermersheim, age 77, of Jasper, Indiana, formerly of Hickory, North Carolina, passed away at 6:00 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2020, in Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper, Indiana. Karen was born in Jasper, Indiana, on February 27, 1943, to Wilfred "Betts" and Josepha R. (Gutgsell) Sermersheim. She was a 1961 graduate of Jasper High School. She attended St. Benedict College and VUJC. She worked in the offices of Aristokraft in Jasper for 12 years and moved to Hickory, North Carolina, and worked for King Hickory Furniture in the data order entry and invoicing departments for 32 years and part time in the deli of Lowe's Foods in Hickory, North Carolina. She was a...