Obituaries

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

Eugene Lee Manning, Jr.

Eugene Lee Manning, Jr., formerly of Kernersville, passed away on September 7, 2026 in High Point surrounded by his family. He was born August 13, 1959 in Charlotte to Gene and Jo Ann Manning. He was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Lee Manning and a sister,...

William Jeremiah (Jerry) “Coach” Hicks

William Jeremiah (Jerry) "Coach" Hicks, 84, of Marion, passed away at his residence on the morning of Sunday, September 13, 2026. Jerry was born in Cabarrus County, NC on March 2, 1942 to the late Thurman Hicks and Lenora Deese Hicks. He is also preceded in death by...

Gail R. Williams

Gail R. Williams passed away at Haywood Regional Medical Center on Sept. 4, 2026. Her brothers were present as well as Dez, her grandson. Gail was the daughter of Alan and Rowena Roberson of Louisiana. Gail went to school in Colorado Springs before moving to Tucson,...

Harriette S. Blanton

Harriette S. BlantonHarriette Splawn Blanton, our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, went to be with her Lord and Savior on January 12, 2026. She was born on December 18, 1944, to Preston and Mary Lou Splawn and resided in Columbus, North Carolina....

Merrill “Bo” Russell

Merrill "Bo" RussellMerrill Lee Russell, Jr., affectionately known as “Bo,” a resident of Okinawa, Japan, and formerly of Spencer, North Carolina, triumphantly entered the Gates of Heaven on January 5, 2026, after a long-persevering battle with Parkinson’s disease. Bo...

Loren C. Packard

Loren C. PackardMr. Loren Carson Packard, 78, of Belmont, NC passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, surrounded by his family. He was born on May 9, 1947, in Shelby, NC, the son of the late Lorne Carson Packard and Gladys Thrift Packard. Loren was a graduate of...