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

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...

Lorraine M. Royster

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...

Bill A. Melton

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...
Robert “Bob” C. Leveille

Robert “Bob” C. Leveille

Robert "Bob" C. LeveilleRobert Charles (“Bob”) Leveille passed away Friday, April 18, 2025, at the age of 75, after a long battle with dementia. Born in Lufkin, TX, Bob was the second of seven children born to Charles and Ruth Leveille of the upper peninsula of...

Ronnie W. Pernell

Ronnie W. Pernell

Ronnie W. PernellDevoted husband, father, grandfather, Army veteran, and friend Ronnie Pernell peacefully passed away on Monday, March 31st after a brief period of declining health. Ronnie was born in High Point, North Carolina on November 7th, 1941, to father Henry...

Gladys R. Rowland

Gladys R. Rowland

Gladys R. RowlandGladys Ruth Rowland, 71, of Franklin, NC, made her heavenly journey to be with her Lord on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Gladys was a native to Franklin, being born to the late Troy and Lottie Roper Swafford. She graduated from Western Carolina University...