Obituaries

Celebrate and remember those from our precious alma mater who have passed. We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends.

Henry B. Warren

by | March 19, 2026 | 1991, Obituaries | 0 Comments

Henry B. WarrenHenry Brown Warren passed away peacefully at home on February 23, 2026. We give thanks for the 78 years of his blessed life. Henry was born on May 31, 1947, to the late Claude Warren and the late Geneva "Petey" Brown Warren. He was raised among the...
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Lorraine M. Royster

by | March 19, 2026 | 1972, Obituaries | 0 Comments

Lorraine M. RoysterLorraine Mattero Royster, 75, of Shelby passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at her home. Born in Cleveland County, on October 4, 1950, she was a daughter of the late James Armand Mattero and Evangeline Willingham Mattero. She was a graduate of...
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Bill A. Melton

by | March 19, 2026 | 1966, Obituaries | 0 Comments

Bill A. MeltonWilliam Alexander Melton, Jr., affectionately known as Bill, was born on February 18, 1942, in Wadesboro, North Carolina. He was the beloved son of the late Lois and William Alexander Melton, Sr., and grew up alongside his brother, Bobby Lee Melton. From...
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Diana S. Bagwell

Diana S. Bagwell

Diana S. BagwellDiana June Stokes Bagwell passed away on October 30, 2024, at Tryon Estates in Columbus, N.C. She was born January 28, 1945, in Hendersonville, NC to the late Kathryn Flanagan Stokes and Roderick Woodrow "Pete" Stokes. She attended the first through...

Billy J. Taylor

Billy J. Taylor

Billy J. TaylorBilly Joel Taylor, 88, died peacefully at AdventHealth Redmond Hospital in Rome on October 27, 2024. Born September 10, 1936, he was the son of the Rev. Bunyan and Elnora Taylor. Billy was the 1954 Valedictorian of Jefferson High School. He earned a...

Dr. Ray L. Medford

Dr. Ray L. Medford

Dr. Ray L. Medford Dr. Ray Leon Medford, long-time resident of Gastonia and a major presence in the local education scene throughout his long career, died on October 27, 2024, while recovering from abdominal surgery at CaroMont Regional Medical Center. He was 87 years...